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HANCOCK COUNTY COURT HOUSE
HISTORY
OF
HANCOCK COUNTY
INDIANA
ITS PEOPLE, INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS
BY
GEORGE J. RICHMAN, B. L.
With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and
Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families
ILLUSTRATED
19 16
FEDERAL PUBLISHING CO.. Inc.
Indianapolis
Copyrighted, 1916, by George J. Richman.
JUL 24 1916
©CI.A4«1»83
DEDICATION
To THE People of Hancock County,
Who Have Honored Me with Their
Confidence During a Long Term of
Service, this Volume is Respectfully
Dedicated.
— The Author.
AUTHOR'S PREFACE
This \-olume has been prepared with one oljject in \ie\v — lo trace the
growth of the county from a wilderness to what it is today. In this develop-
ment, difficulties and obstacles have been surmounted. All the elements of
human nature, the progressive, the conservative and the ultra-conservative ; the
liberal, the public-spirited and the selfish, have l)een thn)\vn together in the
melting pot. Differences of opinion have caused bickering and strife. They
may have checked for a season, but they have not stayed, the growth of the
institutions which constitute our richest heritage toda}'. Our roads, our
drainage, our churches, our schools, all of which seem so natural, have been
provided by the people who have persisted and won in the struggle for better
things. If this volume awakens trains of pleasant reminiscences in the older
people; if it awakens a new sense of appreciation in the younger generation; if
it impresses on them the fact that the choicest blessings of the present have
been provided through the constancy and labor of men and women who have
gone before and by those upon whom has fallen the pure while snow of years,
then the author will have accomplished his entire purpose.
This volume represents much more than simply the labor of the author.
The material for practically all histories of churches, lodges and clubs has been
submitted by members or committees of such organizations. Many of these
sketches have merely been edited. In this connection, acknowledgment should
.be made of the assistance given by Jared C. Meek, John Hardin Scott, Mrs.
Permelia Thayer, Mrs. Frances Snow, John Fielding ;\Ieek. John Beeson, Reu-
ben F. Cook, Claud Poer, O. J. Coffin, Alpha Smith. Charles Vetters, Iduna
Barrett, Marshall T. Smith, Lizzie Harris, Effie Reed, Fern Trees. Dr. Earl
Gibbs, Mrs. John Page, Fletcher Brooks, J. K. P. Martindale. Robert \\'illiam-
son. Dr. Mary L. Bruner, Xoble Troy, Rev. John Heim, George Burnett, Myr-
tle Schreiber, Nancy Meek, Hazel D. Mitchell, Gertrude Ashcraft, Arthur
Gunn, Charles Herrlich, Emma Herrlich, Charles Ballard. Charles F. Richman,
Rev. F. Markworth, Edward Fink, Oscar \\^ood, \\'right Boring, John F.
Eagan, Jacob Feaster, Lawrence ^^'ood, Horace E. Wilson, Elden A. Robb,
Charles N. Warren, Mrs. Allen Cooper, William I. Garriott, Leora Beagle.
Mrs. L. A. Binford, Ernest \\"arrum, Samuel Trueblood, Elwood Barnard.
Ada O. Frost, Samuel \\'allace, Eli R. Gant, Samuel J. Stokes, C. F. Fred
PREFACE.
John T.' Rash, A\'. R. Rash, Thomas M. Fred, W'aker R. Griffin, L. W. Crouch,
Quincy A. Wright. Gus E. Stuart. Hayes Thomas, Omer C. Tucker, Oscar
Bever, Eva Dobbins, Leonard V. Hopkins, Grace J. Slocum, Charles Shull,
J. W. Trittipo, O. L. Morrow, John D. LesHe. Kate Reeves, Rev. Charles
Anderson, Rev. A. J. Duryee, Mary Rose Quigley, John F. Shelby, Effie
Ostermeyer, William T. Leamon, William A. Hughes, George H. Cooper,
Nathan C. Binford, General Jackson, Christian Fink, W. S. Walker. Mrs.
Florence Larimore, William B. Bottsford, Mrs. Charles Henricks, E. E. Davis,
Daniel Bohn, I. J. Kennedy, Martha J. Stubbs, Marshall Hittle, R. C. M.
Smith, William M. Coffield, Henry C. Garriott. Assistance has also been
given by scores of others whose names might be added to the list.
Reference has so frequently been made in the context to official records,
that it is unnecessary to discuss further the use that has been made of them.
One of the best sources of material has been the complete file of the Hancock
Democrat from iS6o to the present. The ^Mitchells have extended every
courtesy in giving access to this file. It is only fair to say that without this
aid, the history in its present form would have been an absolute impossibility.
Unfortunately, the file of the Greenfield Republican has not been kept complete
except since Mr. Spencer has had charge of the plant. ^Iw Spencer, too, has
given free and complete access to all files in his office.
To Miss Ruth Amick, Mrs. Ada Frost and Mrs. Anna Phillips, who have
done all the stenographic and clerical work in preparing this volume for the
printei", I wish to express my profound appreciation.
GEORGE J. RICHMAX.
Greenfield, Indiana, June i, 1916.
PUBLISHERS' PREFACE
All life and achievement is evolution ; present wisdom comes from past
experience, and present commercial prosperity has come onlv from past exer-
tion and sacrifice. The deeds and motives of the men who have gone before
have been instrumental in shaping the destinies of later communities and
states. The development of a new country was at once a task and a privi-
lege. It required great courage, sacrifice and privation. Compare the present
conditions of the people of Hancock county, Indiana, with what they were a
century ago. From a trackless wilderness and virgin land, it has come to be
a center of prosperity and civilization, with millions of wealth, systems of rail-
ways, educational and religious institutions, varied industries and immense
agricultural and dairy interests. Can any thinking person be insensible to the
fascination of the study which discloses the aspirations and efforts of the early
pioneers who so strohgly laid the foundation upon which has been reared the
magnificent prosperity of later days? To perpetuate the story of these people
and to trace and record the social, religious, educational, political and indus-
trial progress of the community from its first inception, is the function of the
local historian. A sincere purpose to preser\'e facts and personal memoirs that
are desei"ving of perpetuation, and which unite the present to the past, is the
motive for the present publication. The publishers desire to extend their
thanks to those who have so faithfully labored to tliis end. Thanks are also
due to the citizens of Hancock county for the uniform kindness with which
they have regarded this undertaking, and for their many services rendered in
the gaining of necessary information.
In placing the "History of Hancock county, Indiana," before the citizens,
the publishers can conscientiously claim that they have carried out the plan as
outlined in the prospectus. Every biographical sketch in the work has been
submitted to the party interested, for correction, and therefore any error of
fact, if there be any, is solely due to the person for whom the sketch was pre-
pared. Confident that our effort to please will fully meet the approbation of
the public, we are,
Respectfully,
THE PUBLISHERS.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I— GEOLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY, ETC. 33
Natural Resources — Surface — Drainage — Streams and Valleys — An Abandoned
Valley — Traces of Glacial Action — Economic Geology — Gravel — Water Supply
— Climate — Temperature and Precipitation — Frosts — Agriculture — Crops — Ani-
mals and Poultry — Dairying — Obstacles to Successful Agriculture — Origin of tbe
Soils — Soil Types — Meadow Land — Muck — Suggestions tor Increasing the Pro-
ductivity of the Soil.
CHAPTER II— EARLY INFLUENCES 50
Location and Boundaries of the County — Early Claims to the Territory of which
Hancock County Is Now a Part — The Virginia Cession — Its Survey, as Provided
for by Ordinance — The System of Land Surveys — Original Survey of Han-
cock County — Locating Corners — "Witness Trees" — The School Fund — Indian
Treaties — The "New Purchase" Tract — Legislative Description of Hancock
County.
CHAPTER III— THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT 58
Legislative Acts Creating Hancock County — Organization of the County — First
Court in the County — First Grand Jury — First Probate Court — First Meeting of
County Commissioners — Division of County into Townships — Election of First
Justices of the Peace — Trustees for School Sections — Wolf Bounty — Report of
Commissioners Appointed to Locate County Seat — Early Care of the Poor — First
Tax Levy — First Petit Jury — Judges of the Hancock Courts — Early Licenses —
County Examiner — County Superintendent — County Assessor — County Council
— Board of Children's Guardians — County Road Superintendent — Clerk-
Recorder — Auditor — Robbery of County Safe — Treasurers — Roster of County
Officers from Organization to the Present Time — Prosecuting Attorneys — Repre-
sentation in the Legislature.
CHAPTER IV— COUNTY BUILDINGS 85
History of the Court Houses — Laying of Corner-stone of the Present Building —
Jail History — Care of the Poor — The Old Apprentice System — County Farm — A
Suggestion to Convert the County Farm into a Boys' Training School.
CHAPTER V— GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTY 102
Earlier People and Their Relics— Little Evidence of the Mound Builders — White
Settlers — Clearing Away the Forests — Artificial Drainage — Incorporated Drain-
age Companies — Roads — State Aid in the Construction of Early Highways — The
National Road — County Roads — Changes in Location of Highways — Turnpike
Companies — Purchase of Toll Roads by the County — "Three-mile Roads" — Bonds
Issued Therefor in the Various Townships — Early Life in the County — Early
Water Mills — Early License Fees — Market Prices, 1845 — Taverns — Tax Levies —
Survey of County in 1840, Etc. — Development and Decline of Farm Crops and
Products — County Bible Society — County Fairs — County Sunday School Associa-
COXTEXTS.
tion — Old Settlers' Meetings — Addresses by Rev. William Nichols, Rev. Davis
Caudell, John P. Banks and Noble Warrum — Railroads. Interurban Lines, Etc.
— Proposed Railways — Local Aid for Railroad Construction — The Grange Move-
ment— Patrons of Husbandry — Farmers JIutual Benefit Association — Farmers
Insurance Association — Detective Companies — Natural Gas — Farmers' Institutes
— Storms, Cyclones, Etc. — Epidemics — Society for the Prevention of Tuberculosis
— Federation of Country Clubs — Newspapers — Aerial Navigation.
CHAPTER VI— EDUCATION 1S2
Basis of School Fund — Sale of School Lands — County School Commissioners —
Township Government Prior to 1859 — District Management Prior to 1S59 — Dis-
trict Meetings — Manipulation of School Funds — The County Seminary — Green-
field Academy — County Library — Township Libraries — Young People's Reading
Circle Libraries — Free School Question — Teachers, Course of Study. Etc. —
Teachers' Remuneration — School Houses — Improvement of School System —
County Board of Education — Course of Study for Township High Schools —
Teachers' Associations — County Normals — Attempts to Procure Higher Institu-
tions of Learning — County and Township Institutes — Terms of School — Enumer-
ation of School Children — Consolidation of Schools and Organization of High
Schools — Customs of Different Periods — ''Last Day"— Spelling Schools — Town-
ship Commencements, Oratorical Contests, Etc. — County Exhibits — Teachers'
Unions — Lincoln Fund — Compulsory Education — Boys' Corn Club — Vocational
Work — Parent-Teachers Association — Teachers, 1915-lG.
CHAPTER VII— MILITARY ANNALS 255
The Mexican War — Enlistments from Hancock County — A Letter from the Front
— Last Mexican War Veterans — The Civil War— Roster of Men Who Enlisted
from Hancock County — Incidents of the Struggle — Letters from Soldiers —
Home Guards- — Patriotic Sentiment of the County — Work of Women and Girls
— Mass Meetings, Resolutions, Etc., Pertaining to the Conduct of the War —
Loyal Attitude of the County Government — Care of Those Left at Home — Enlist-
ment Statistics — Bounty and Relief — Southern Sympathy — Current War-time
Phrases — Decoration Day^ — Sham Battles — Grant Memorial Services — Spanish-
American War — Militia Companies— West Point Graduates — Frlen B. Atherton.
CHAPTER VIII— POLITICS 329
First Election of County Officers — Early Political Leaders — Thomas D. Walpole
— Joseph Chapman — The Civil War Period — Party Utterances — Election of 1860
— Political Conventions and Resolutions — Union Mass Meetings — Results of
War-time Elections — Period of Reconstruction — Democratic and Republican
Tickets — National Union Convention — David S. Gooding — Later Movements —
Greenback Movement — Election of 1876 — After 1876 — Election of 1S86 —
Mitchell-Mannix Contest — Prohibition Party — People's Party — Farmers Mutual
Benefit Association — Bryan and Free Silver — Hancock Politicians — Election
Contests — Relative Strength of Parties — The Progressive Movement — One-term
Sentiment — Township Politics — County Chairmen.
CHAPTER IX— TEMPERANCE 393
Liquor Traffic a Source of Revenue — Early Licenses — Sons of Temperance-^
Beginning of the Temperance Fights — A Newspaper Editorial of 1861 — Active
CONTENTS.
Crusade Against Saloons in the Seventies — The Temperance Alliance — Era
of Ribbon Societies — Woman's Christian Temperance Union — Liquor Regula-
tive Ordinance — Fundamental Principles as Expounded by the Two Sides to
the Controversy.
CHAPTER X— LITERATURE AND ART 424
Lee O. Harris — James Whitcomb Riley — Will H. Glascock — Rev. Charles L.
O'Donnell — Adelia Pope Branham — Alma Martin Estabrook — Leroy Scott — Rich-
ard Brown Black — The Vawters — Minnie Belle Mitchell and Others Who Have
Been Prominent in Literary Work.
CHAPTER XI— THE HANCOCK BAR 438
Relation of Our Lawyers to the General Progress and Development of the County
— List of Attorneys Admitted to the Hancock County Bar — Organization of the
Court — Rules Adopted by the Hancock Circuit Court in 1S29 — Early Court
Houses — Disbarment of Walpole — Court Stenographers — Stenographers in Law
Offices — Law Library — Lawyers as School Examiners — In Politics — Temper-
ance Campaign of 1874 — Resolutions of Respect — The Practice — -A Retrospective
View — Roster of Attorneys, 1915 — Sidelights.
CHAPTER XII— THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE 4G5
Early Physicians of the County — Reminiscences by Dr. J. W. Hervey — Char-
acterizations of Some of the Early Physicians — Hancock County Medical
Society and Minutes of Some of Its Meetings — Licensed Physicians in 1SS5 —
Social Functions — District Meetings — Fee Bill — Fraternal ism — Answering Calls
— Present Physicians — Change in Medical Treatment. >
CHAPTER XIII— BLUE RIVER TOWNSHIP 490
Organization — Description-^Natural Features — Early Settlers — Stores, Mills,
Factories, Etc. — Railroads — Petersburg — Westland — Schools — Miscellaneous —
Trustees — Justices of the Peace — County Officers — Heavy Taxpayers — Physi-
cians— Mooresville — Temperance Activity — Hancock County Insurance Associa-
tion— Township Hall — Westland Cornet Band — Churches — Literary Societies,
Clubs, Etc.
CHAPTER XIV— BRAND Y^'INE TOWNSHIP 513
Location — Boundary Lines — Drainage — First Settlers — Mills — School Land
Leases — Schools — Miscellaneous — Trustees — Justices of the Peace — County
Officers — Brass Bands — Churches — Women's Clubs — Heavy Taxpayers — Car-
rollton.
CHAPTER XV— BROWN TOWNSHIP 526
Organized — Description — Natural Features — Earliest Land Entries — Mills and
Factories — Schools — Miscellaneous — Justices Of the Peace — County Officers —
Taxpayers — Churches of the Township — Warrington — Secret Societies — Physi-
cians— Race Track — Nashville — Willow — Wilkinson — Banks — McCray Ceme-
ter.v — Clubs — Band — Shirley — Business Development — Public Utilities.
CHAPTER XVI— BUCK CREEK TOWNSHIP 556
Organization — Changes in Boundary Lines — Drainage — Land Entries — Mills,
Factories, Shops, Etc. — Social Spirit in the Township — Schools — Miscellaneous
LON'TKN IS.
— Township Trustees — Justices of the Peace — Older Families and Larger Tax-
payers— County Officers — Physicians — Highways — Railroads and Interurbans —
Agricultural Exhibits — Mohawk — Mt. Comfort — Churches.
CHAPTER XVII— CENTER TOWNSHIP 577
Organization — Description — Changes in Boundaries — Natural Features — First
Land Entries and Settlers — Mills and Factories — Schools — Trustees — Miscella-
neous— Justices of the Peace — County Officers — Larger Taxpayers — Mohawk —
M§,xwell — Clubs — Berlin — Binwood — Bands — Nurseries — Lilly Biological Plant
— Churches.
CHAPTER XVIII— CITY OF GREENFIELD 595
Original Plat and Additions — County Seat — Greenfield as a Village — Incorpora-
tion as a Town — Street Improvements — Ordinances — The Town at the Close of
the Civil War — Business Interests in 1870 — Incorporation as a City — City Offi-
cers to the Present Time — Brick Streets — City Lights — Fire Department — City
Building — Waterworks — Schools — Honor Rolls, 1870 — High School Commence-
ments— Superintendents, Principals and Teachers — City Library — The Liberty
Bell at Greenfield — Mills, Factories, Etc.- — Commercial Clubs — Fires — Charity
Organizations — The Colored Folk — Cemeteries — Business Directory, ISSO — Tel-
ephones— Indianapolis & Greenfield Traction Line — Banks — Building and Loan
Association — Publishing Houses — Business Directory, 1916 — Heavy Taxpayers
— Street Fair — Fire Department Horse Show — Chautauquas — Boy Scouts — Mail
Delivery — Old Gooding Tavern — Old Masonic Hall — Music, Bands, Orchestras,
Etc. — Literary Societies, Clubs, Etc. — Lodges — Churches.
CHAPTER XIX— GREEN TOWNSHIP i 700
Location — Area — Organization — Natural Features — -First Land Entries — Indus-
tries of the Township — Charleston — Eden — Jlilner's Corner — Schools — Miscella-
neous— Trustees — Justices of the Peace — County Officers — Physicians — Heavy
Taxpayers — Barnard Family Orchestra — Eden Cornet Band and Other Bands —
Lodges — Churches.
CHAPTER XX— JACKSON TOWNSHIP 714
Organization — Changes in Boundaries — Natural Drainage — Land Entries —
Water Power and Mills — Early Industries — Schools — Miscellaneous — Township
Trustees — Justices of the Peace — County Officers — Heavy Taxpayers — Cleve-
land (Portland) — Charlottesville— Educational Association — Lodge? — Clubs —
Leamon's Corner — Stringtown — Railroads — Churches.
CHAPTER XXI— SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP 7-41
Description — Natural Features — Land Entries — Early Roads and Settlements —
Mills — Tanyards — Tile Factories and Brick Yards — Schools — Miscellaneous —
Township Trustees — Justices of the Peace — County Officers — Railroads and
Interurbans — German Settlement — German Churches — Cornet Band — Philadel-
phia— Spring Lake Park — New Palestine — Industries — Water System — Bank —
Mail Service — Temperance Campaigns — Town Lights — Fire Department — Explo-
sion of Acetylene Light Plant — Churches — Cemeter.v — Lodges — Bands — Clubs —
Gem — Church — Taxpayers of the Township.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXII— VERNON TOWNSHIP 783
Organization — Original Area and Subsequent Changes — Natural Features — Early
Land Entries — Mills, Factories, Shops, Etc. — Schools — Miscellaneous — Town-
ship Trustees — Justices of the Peace — County Officers — Heavy Taxpayers —
Highways, Railroads and Interurban Roads — Churches — Woodbury — McCords-
ville — Lodges — Cemeteries — Temperance — Irish Settlement.
CHAPTER XXIII— FORTVILLE 798
The Beginning — Walpole Postoffice — Original Survey of the Site of Fortville —
Subsequent Additions and Surveys — Incorporation as a Town — Improvements —
Business Interests — Town Lights — Fire Protection — Schools — Miscellaneous —
Newspapers — Bands — Banks — Churches — Lodges — Public Library — Clubs — Boy
Scouts — County Hospital Agitation — Mail Delivery.
HISTORICAL INDEX
Abandoned Valley 34
Aerial Navigation 180
Agricultural Associations 137
Agricultural College, Indiana 223
Agriculture 38
Agriculture, Obstacles to 40
Alfalfa 39
Animals, Domestic 39
Apprentice System, Old 96
Art 424
Artesian Wells 36
Assessor, County 72, 78
Associate Judges 69
Atherton, Frien B. 327
Attorneys 438
Auditor. County 77
B
Banks 544, 570, 638, 727, 767, 806
Baptist Churches 532, 591, 708, 729, 789
Bar of Hancock County 438
Bench and Bar 438
Berlin 586
Bible Society 137
Binford, John H., 208, 221, 242. 442,
623, 641, 680
Binwood Postoffice 586
Black Clay Loam 45
Black, Richard Brown 433
Blue River Township —
Changes in Area 62
Churches 500
Clubs 510
Cornet Band 500
County Officers 497
Creation of 62
Description of 490
Fence Viewers 68
Gravel Road Bonds 120
Justices of the Peace 497
Land Entries 491
Lincoln F^nd 247
Literary Societies 510
Military Record 306
Mills 491
Miscellaneous 496
Natural Features 490
Organization of 490
Physicians 498
Railroads 147, 149, 493
Sale of School Lands 183
Schools 224, 494
Settlers 490
Stores 491
Taxpayers 497
Temperance Activities 499
Tidewater Pipe Line 148
Township Hall 500
Township Library 195
Trustee 496
Vote in 1S60 338
Board of Children's Guardians 72
Bonds for Gravel Roads 118
Boundaries of County 50
Bounty, Civil War 309
Boy Scouts 650, 814
Boys Corn Club 250
Bradley, Nelson, 75, 77, 225, 357. 405,
038, 671
Brandywine Township —
Bands 518
Changes in Area 62
Churches 518
Clubs 524
County Officers 518
Creation of 62
Description of 513
Drainage 513
Fence Viewers 68
Justices of the Peace., 517
Lincoln Fund 247
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Military Record 306
.Mills 514
Miscellaneous 517
Overseers of the Poor 68
Railroad Aid 149
Roads. Early 111
Sale of School Lands 183
Schools 229, 252, 516
Settlers 513
Taverns 128
Taxpayers, Heavy 524
Tidewater Pipe Line 198
Township Libraries 195
Trustee 517
Turnpike Companies 116
Vote in 1860 338
Branham, Adelia Pope 431
Brown Township —
Cemetery 548
Churches 532
Clubs 549
County Officials 531
Creation of 64
Description of 526
Early Licenses 123
Gravel Road Bonds 119
Industries 527
Justices of the Peace 531
Land Entries 526
Lincoln Fund 248
Local Option Election 411
Military Record 306
Mills 527
Miscellaneous 530
Natural Features 526
Organization of 526
Sale of School Lands 183
Schools 203, 229, 252, 528
Taxpayers, Heavy 531
Township Libraries 195
Trustees 531
Vote in 1800 338
Buck Creek Township —
Agricultural Exhibit 568
Churches 571, 574
County Officers 568
Creation of 63
Description of 556
Drainage 556
Gravel Road Bonds 118
Industries 558
Justices of the Peace 556
Land Entries 557
Lincoln Fund 248
Military Record 300
Mills 557
Miscellaneous 566
Old Families 567
Organization of 556
Physicians 568
Roads, Early 115, 568
Sale of School Lands 183
Schools 229, 252, 561
Social Life 558
Taxpayers 567
Township Libraries 195
Trustees 556
Turnpike Companies 117
Vote in 1860 338
Burial Club 728
Care for Soldiers' Families 304
Care of the Poor ...G8, 96
CarroUton 522, 525
Catholic Churches 554 6,90, 809
Cattle 39, 136
Center Township —
Changes in Area 64
Churches 589
County Officers 583
Creation of 63
Description of 577
Gravel Road Bonds 119
Industries 579
Justices of the Peace 582
Lincoln Fund 248
Local Option Election 411
Military Record 306
Mills 578
Miscellaneous 581
Natural Features 577
Organization of 577
Railroad Aid 149
Sale of School Lands 183
Schools 203, 229, 239, 252, 580
Settlers 577
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Taxpayers, Heavy 584
Township Libraries 195
Trustees 5S1
Turnpike Companies 116
Vote in 1860 338
Chapman. Joseph, 71, 73, 77, SI, 112,
132, 256, 329, 393, 651
Charleston 701
Charlottesville —
Additions 720
Band 727
Bank 727
Burial Club 728
Churches 731
Clubs 728
Early Licenses 162
Early Business Interests 720
Educational Association 721
Gas Well 166
Incorporation 720
Lodges 725
Newspapers 180
Normal School 221
Platted 720
Schools 229
Tavern 128
Turnpike Companies 116
Charlottesville Educational Asso'n__ 721
Chautauquas 650
Children's Guardians, Board of 72
Christian Churches, 501, 507, 518, 537,
546, 555, 684, 735, 738, 773, 808
Christian Science Church 698
Circuit Court 69, 446
Circuit Court, Seal 66
Circuit Judges 69
Civil War 257
Civil War Politics 335
Clerk, County 77
Cleveland 155, 719
Climate 37
Clover 39
Colored Folk 632
Common Pleas Court 70
Compensation of Teachers 202
Compulsory Education 249
Congressional Townshi]) Fund 55, 182
Consolidation of Schools 231
Constitutional Convention, Vote for.. 196
Cook, William Ward -- 462
Corn 39, 136
Coroners 79
Council, County 72
Country Clubs, Federation of 176
County Assessor 12, 78
County Auditor 77
County Board of Education 207
County Buildings 85
County Chairmen 390
County Clerk 77
County Commissioners, 61, 65, 71, 79,
So, 97
County Council 72
County Examiner 71, 205, 454
County Fairs — 137
County Farm 97
County Government 58
County Hospital Idea 814
County Library 193
County Medical Society 472
County Normal Institue 217
County Normals 221
County Officers 76
County Officers, First 66
County Recorder 78
County Revenues, Early 132
County Road Superintendent 73, 81
County Roads 111
County School Commissioners 183
County School Exhibits 244
County Seat, Location of 67
County Seminary 188
County Sheriff 78
County Sunday School Association 139
County Superintendent 72
County Surveyor 78
County Teachers" Institutes 226
County Treasurer 77
County Treasury Robbed 75
Courses of Study in Early Schools 197
Court, First in County 59
Court House History 85
Court Stenographers 452
Creation of Hancock County 57, 58
Creation of Townships 62
Creeks 33
Crops 39
Cyclones 172
HISTORICAL IXDEX.
D
Dairying 40
Daughters of Rebeliah, 553, 570, 677,
778, 812
Decline in Farm Crops 136
Decoration Day 316
Degree of Pocahontas 678, 778
Democratic County Chairmen 390
Detective Companies 161
Development of Farm Crops 136
Development of the County 102
Disbarment of Thomas D. Walpole 449
Division of County 62
Doctors 465, 498
Drain Tile 104
Drainage, Artificial 103
Drainage, Natural 33
Draining Companies 105
E
Early Influences 50
Early Life in Hancock County 120
Early Roads 107
Early School Customs 232
Eastern Indiana Holiness Association 738
Eastern Star, Order of. 674, 708, 777,
795, 811
Economic Geology 35
Eden-
Bands 706
Churches 709
Gas Well 166
Lodges 155, 707
Mercantile Interests 702
Platted 702
Turnpike Companies 116
Educational Interests 182
Elections, First Township 65
Election of 1876 375
Election of 1SS6 381
Election of 1912 388
Election of 1914 388
Enlistment Statistics 306
Enlistments in Hancock County 259
Enumeration of School Children 230
Epidemics 173
Episcopal Church 545
Estabrook, Alma Martin 432
Evangelical Lutheran Church 735
F
Fairs 137
Farm Land Valuation 38
Farm Reports for 1S40 132
Farmers' Institutes 167
Farmers Insurance Association 160
Farmers Mutual Benefit Asso., 160, 384
Farms, Size of 38
Federation of Country Clubs 176
First Settlers 102
First Tax Levy 68
Flax 133, 136
Flowing Wells 36
Forest Growth 40
Forests. Clearing Away the 103
Formation of Townships 62
Fortville —
Additions 798
Bands 804
Banks S06
Boy Scouts 814
Business Interests 800
Churches 807
Clubs 814
Fire Protection .. 801
Gas Wells . 166
Improvements 800
Incorporation 799
Library 813
Light Service 801
Lodges 155, 811
Mail Delivery 815
Miscellaneous 804
Newspapers 179, 804
Schools 229, 2.53, 802
Survey 798
Turnpike Companies 116
Fraternal Order of Eagles 078
Free and Accepted Masons, 553, 671,
725. 777, 793, 811
Free School Question 196
Free-silver Movement 385
Friends Societies, 502. 508. 546, 593,
692. 711, 730, 736, 762
Frosts, Killing ._ 38
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Gas and Oil Comiianies 165
Gem 781
Geography of County 33
Geology 35
German Baptist Church 790
German Evan. Zion's Church 774
German M. E. Church 772
German Settlement 752
Glacial Influences 34
Glascock, Will H. 430
Gooding, David S. TO, 71, 80, 81, 82,
83, 159, 177, 291, 297, 298, 301, 329,
335, 353, 366, 370, 370, 440, 455,
4G1, 022
Gooding Tavern 651
Grand Jury, First 60, 68
Grange, the 154
Grant Memorial Services 322
Gravel 35
Gravel Road Bonds 118
Green Township —
Abandoned Valley 34
Barnard Sorghum Factory 701
Barnard Family Orchestra 705
Churches 708
County Officers - 704
Creation of 64
Description of 700
Industries 701
Justices of the Peace 704
Land Entries 700
Lincoln Fund 248
Military Record 306
Miscellaneous 703
Natural Features 700
Organization of 700
Physicians 704
Railroad Aid 149
Sale of School Lands 183
Schools 229, 252, 703
Settlement 700
Taxpayers, Heavy 705
Township Libraries 195
Trustees 704
Vote in 18G0 338
Greenback Movement 374
Greenfield —
Additions 595
Bands 587, 653
Banks 638
Boy Scouts 650
Brick Paving 609
Buildings in 1865 605
Building and Loan Association 642
Business Interests, 184.5-8 601
Business Interests, 1870 608
Business Interests, 1880 636
Business Interests, 1916 646
Business Men's Association 630
Carnegie Library 624
Cemeteries 634
Charity Organization 630
Chautauquas 650
Churches 589, 679
City Building 611
Clubs 588, 659
Colored Folk 632
Commercial Clubs 629
Council, City 609
Council, Town 602
Early Licenses 122
Factories 627
Fire Department 611
Fires 630
First Buildings 599
First Streets 602
Frosts 38
Gas Wells 166
Gooding Tavern 651
Hog Ordinance 604
Horse Show 650
In 1833 600
In 1850 134
Incorporation as a City 609
Incorporation as a Town 602
Liberty Bell . 627
Library 624
Licenses, Early 122
Lights. Public 610
Lilly Plant 587
Liquor Regulating Ordinance 412
Literary Societies 659
Local Option Election 411
Lodges 671
Masonic Hall, Old „ 652
HISTORICAL IXDEX.
Mail Delivery 651
Mills G27
Ministerial Association 699
Miscellaneous 624
Xanie Chosen 6S
Natural Gas 163
Newspapers 176
Normal School 221
Nurseries 587
Officials, City 609
Orchestras 653
Precipitation 37
Public Improvements 603
Publishing Houses 643
Railroads 147
Schools 229, 253, 613
Selection as County Seat 67, 59S
Street Fair 649
Survey 595
Tabernacle Meetings 699
Taverns 128
Taxpayers, Hea\'y 647
Telephones 637
Temperature 37
Traction Line 638
Turnpike Companies 116
Village 599
Waterworks 612
Women's Clubs 661
Greenfield Academy 191
H
Hancock County Medical Society 472
Hancock Politicians 386
Hancock Seminary 190
Harris. Lee O., 177, 207, 219, 241, 271,
273, 318, 321, 424. 436, 617
Harrison Township 63
Hay 39
Haymakers Association 679, 813
High School Text-books 213
High Schools, Township 210, 231
Highways 107
Hogs 39, 136
Holiness Association 738
Home Guards 288
Horse-thief Detective Companies 163
Horse Shows 650
Horses 39, 136
Hough, Clarence A. 435
Hough, William A. 435
Hough, William R., 180, 205, 214, 297,
302, 322, 397, 440, 455, 461, 622
Indian Treaties 56
Indiana Agricultural College 223
Indiana Normal School 225
Improved Order of Red Men, 553, 570,
G77. 778, 812
Improvement of Land 103
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 545,
553, 675, 70S. 726, 779. 79.5, 811
Interurban Lines 147
Irish Settlement 797
Jackson Township —
Churches 729
County Officers 718
Description of 714
Drainage 714
Early Industries 715
.lustices of the Peace 718
Land Entries 714
Lincoln Fund 249
Military Record 306
Mills 715
Miscellaneous 717
Old Families 718
Organization 714
Railroads 729
Sale of School Lands 183
Schools 203, 229, 253, 716
Taxpayers, Heavy 718
Township Libraries 195
Trustees 717
Turnpike Companies 117
Vote in 1860 338
Jail History 92
Jones Township 64
Judges of the Court 69
Justices of the Peace, 65, 497, 517,
531. 556, 582. 704, 718, 751, 787
HISTORICAL INDEX.
K
Kinder Postoffice 523
Knights of Pythias, 545, 586. 676. 777,
796, 812
Knights of the Maccabees 678
Knights Templar 674
L
Land, Clearing of 103
Land Entries, 491, 526, 557, 700. 714,
741, 783
Land, Original Title to 50
"Last Day" in Early Schools 237
Law Library '454
Lawyers of Hancock County 438
Leamon's Corner 729
Lewisburg. Village of 135
Library, Law 454
License Fees, Early 122
Licenses, Early 71
Lincoln Fund 247
Literature 424
Local Option Election 410
Location of County 50
Lodges 553
Loyal Order of Moose 678
Me
McCordsville —
Additions 792
Band 793
Cemeteries 796
Churches 793
Culture Club 797
Early Business Interests 792
Gas Well — 166
Lodges 155, 793
Normal School 221
Platted 792
Temperance 797
Turnpike Companies 110
M
Maccabees, Knights of the 678
Market Prices. 1845 125
Marsh, Ephraim. 77, 90, 377, 380, 400,
442, 455, 456, 462, 623, 638
Marshes 40
Masonic Order, 553, 671, 725, 777, 793, 811
Maxwell —
Additions 585
Churches 592
Clubs 580
Band 587
Business Interests 586
Gas Well 166
Lodges 586
School 580
Survey 585
Meadow Soil 46
Medical History 465, 498
Medical Society 472
Meek, Oscar F. 73
Memorial Day 316
Methodist Episcopal Churches, 500,
534, 542, 548, 553, 571, 589, 590, 592,
679, 695, 707, 708. 709, 730, 736, 761,
770. 7S1, 792, 793, 807
Methodist Protestant Church, 521, 590, 691
Mexican War 253
Miami Clay Loam 42
Military Annals 255
Mills, 120. 121, 134, 491, 514, 527, 557,
57S. 027, 715, 742, 784
Milner's Corner 155, 166, 702
Mitchell, John F., Jr. 435
Mitchell, Minnie Belle 434
Mitchell-Mannix Contest 381
Modern Woodmen 553, 678, 779, 813
Mohawk —
Addition 569
Bank 570
Business Interests 569
Churches 575
Location 585
Lodge 570
Platted 569
School 580
Mooresville 498
Mound Builders 102
Mt. Comfort 570, 573
Muck Soil 47
Mules 39, 136
N
Nashville . 540
National Road 109
Natural Features of County 33
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Natural Gas 163
New Palestine —
Additions 764
Bands 779
Banlj 767
Cemetery 776
Churches 770
Clubs 7S0
Early Merchants 765
Explosion of Acetylene Plant 770
Fire Department 770
Harvest Picnic 780
Incorporation 765
Industries 767
Lighting System 769
Lodges 155, 777
Mail Service 768
Officials, First 766
Platted 764
Newspapers 179
Taverns 129
Temperance 769
Turnpike Companies 117
Water System 767
Newspapers 176, 804
Normal Institute, County 217
Oats 39, 136
O'Donnell, Rev. Charles L. 431
Odd Fellows, 545, 553, 675, 708, 726,
729, 811
Offutt, Charles G., 69, 82, 90, 378, 400,
407, 441, 455, 456, 462
Old Settlers' Meetings 140
One-term Sentiment 390
Oratorical Contests 243
Organization of the County 58
P
Parent-Teachers Association 251
Patriotic Sentiment of County 291
Patrons of Husbandry 154
People's Party 384
People's Party County Chairmen 392
Petersburg 493
Petit Jury, First 68
Philadeli.hia—
Additions 7G0
Band 764
Cemetery 762
Churches 761
Early Business Interests 761
Lodges 155
Platted 760
Turnpike Companies 117
Physicians 465, 498, 568
Pocahontas, Degree of 678, 778
Political Contests 386
Political History 329
Political Parties, Relative Strength.. 387
Poor. Care of the 68, 96
Portland, Village of 135
Poultry 39
Precipitation, Average .^ 37
Pre-historic People 102
Press, the 176
Prices in 1845 127
Primitive Baptist Churches 505, 693
Probate Court 61, 70
Progressive County Chairmen 392
Progressive Party 388
Prohibition County Chairmen 391
Prohibition Party 383
Prosecutors, County 80
Pythian Sisters 545, 676, 778, 796, 812
Railroad Taxes 148
Railroads 147
Reconstruction Period 359
Recorder, County 78
Red Men, Improved Order of, 553, 570,
677, 778, 812
Registration of Physicians, 1885 480
Relief. Civil War 309
Reminiscences 142, 143, 144
Representatives 81
Republican County Chairmen 391
Revenues. County, Early 132
Ribbon Societies 404
Riley. James Whitcomb 427
Riley, Reuben A., 80, 81, 177, 205, 274,
291, 298, 299, 301, 318, 376, 402, 440,
454, 461, 616, 622
Road Superintendent 73, 81
Road Viewers 107
Roads 107
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Robbery of County Treasury 75
Royal and Select Masters 795
Royal Arch Masons 673, 708, 795
S
School Commissioners 183
School Consolidation 231
School Customs, Early 232
School Districts 184
School Enumeration 230
School Examiners 71, 205, 454
School Exhibits 244
School Fund 55, 182, 187
School Houses 203
School System, Improvement in 204
Scott, Leroy 432
Seminary, County 188
Senators, State 83
Settlers, First in County 102
Seventh-day Adventist Churches, 593,
695, 810
Sham Battles 321
Sheep 39, 136
Sheriff, County 78
Shirley-
Beginning 550
Business Interests 551
Churches 553
Clubs 555
Development 552
Incorporation 551
Lodges 553
Newspapers 179
Public Utilities 552
Survey 550
Sioux Loam 45
Society for the Prevention of Tubercu-
losis 175
Soils, Origin of 40
Soil, Suggestions as to Its Improve-
ment 48
Soil Types 42
Soldiers' Aid Work by Women 291
Soldiers' Families. Care for 304
Soldiers from Hancock County 259
Sons of Temperance 395
Southern Sympathy 310
Spanish-American War 32\
Spelling Schools 240
Spring Lake Park 763
State Senators 83
Statistics for 1840 132
Stenographers 452
Storms 172
Streams 33
Stringtown 729, 737
Sugar Creek Township —
Band 760
Beginning of 742
Changes in Area 63
Churches 755
County Officers 752
Creation of 62
Description of 741
Drainage 741
Fence Viewers 68
German Churches 755
German Settlements 752
Gravel Road Bonds 120
Industries 744
Justices of the Peace 751
Kunz, Rev. J. G. 755
Land Entries 741
Lincoln Fund 249
Local Option Election 411
Military Record 306
Mills 742
Miscellaneous 751
Overseers of Poor 68
Railroads 752
Sale of School Lands 183
Schools 229, 243, 253, 745
Spring Lake Park 763
Taxpayers, Heavy 781
Township Libraries 195
Trustees 751
Turnpike Companies 117
Union Hall 746
Vote in 1860 338
Sunday School Association 139
Sunday School Statistics 140
Surface of County 33
Survey, Original, of Hancock County.. 54
Survey, Original of Indiana 54
Surveyor, County 78
Swamps 40
Swine 39, 136
HISTORICAL INDEX.
"Tailholf 525
Tavern Licenses 71
Taverns 125
Tax Levies. Early 68, 129
Teachers' Associations 213
Teachers, Early, Remuneration of 200
Teachers, 1915-16 251
Teachers' Unions 247
Temperance 393, 455
Temperature, Average 37
Text Books, Early School 199
Three-mile Roads 118
Tile 104
Toll Roads 116
Toll Roads Purchased hy County 117
Topography of County 33
Township Commencements 243
Township Farmers' Institutes 172
Township Government Prior to 1859 183
Township High Schools 210, 231
Township Libraries 194
Township Teachers' Institutes 229
Townships, Creation of 62
Treasurer, County 77
Treaties with Indians 56
Truant Officer 249
Trustees for School Sections 65
Tuberculosis, Society for the Preven-
tion of 176
Turnpike Companies 115
U
Vnion County Chairmen 391
Union Township 64
United Brethren Churches, 520, 536,
540, 542, 571, 575, 694, 712, 790
Universalist Church 794
V
Vawters, the 434
Vernon Township —
Business Interests 784
Churches 789
County Officers 787
Creation of 64
Description 783
Gravel Road Bonds 119
Irish Settlement 797
.lustices of the Peace 787
Land Entries 783
Lincoln Fund 249
Local Option Election 411
Military Record 306
Mills 784
Miscellaneous 786
Natural Features 783
Organization 783
Railroads 147, 149, 789
Roads 789
Sale of School Lands 183
Schools 229, 243, 252, 253, 785
Taxpayers, Heavy 788
Township Libraries 195
Trustees 786
Vote in 1860 338
Veterans of the Civil War 258
Virginia Land 52
Vocational Work 250
Vote in 1860 338
Vote in 1861 346
Vote in 1863 357
Vote in 1864 359
Vote in 1865 361
Vote In 1866 365
Vote in 1867 367
W
Wabash Loam 44
Walker, J. Ward 616
Walpole, Thomas D., 81, S3, 177, 329,
334, 439, 449, 455. 460
Walpole, Village of 135
Warrington—
Additions 535
Churches 536
Early Business Interests 535
Flax 133
Gas Well 166
Lodges ■ 155, 536
Physicians 539
Platted 535
Postoffice 535
Race Track 530
HISTORICAL INDEX.
War-time Phrases 315
War-time Politics 335
Water Supply 35
Weather Reports 37
Wells 35
West Point Graduates 326
Westland 166, 494, 500
Wheat 39, 136
kVilkinson —
Additions 543
Band 550
Banks 544
Churches 545
Clubs 549
Gas Well 166
Incorporation 543
Lodges 545
Newspapers 179
Oficials, First 544
Platted 543
Storm 544
Willow Branch 166, 541, 542
"Witness Trees" 55
Wolf Bounty , 66
Woman's Christian Temperance Union, 407
Woodbury 791
Worth Township 65
Y
Young People's Reading Circle 195
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
A.
AdUins, Zachary T. 972
Albea, R. A. 1052
Albea, William H. S42
Alford, Samuel 1090
Allen, Joseph L., M. D. 953
Andis, John R. 968
Archer, Charles M. 937
B.
Baity, David H. 1072
Ballinger, Daniel M. 1010
Banker, Francis G. 112S
Bardonner, John P. 1147
Barnard, Elwood 944
Barnard, William C. 868
Barrett, Benton L. 1011
Barrett, John E. 938
Binford, Benjamin S., D. D. S. 913
Binford, John H. 1131
Binford, Nathan C. 857
Binford, Paul F. 862
Black, John P.. M. D. 903
Boone, Morris C. S92
Botsford, George 955
Braddock, Freeman 845
Brandenburg. Elwood O. 964
Brandenburgh, Scott 1129
Bratten, George W 1107
Breier, Henry 971
Breier, William A. 963
Brooks, Mrs. Margaret I. 822
Bruner, Charles K., M. D. 848
Brunson, Jefferson C. 1050
Buesking, Albert 998
Burkhart. John 1070
Burns, James 1000
Bussell, James H. 885
C.
Cahill, Isaac \V. 902
Carlton. John 11. -.. 888
Catt, Benjamin P. 1098
Cauldwell. Clinton .— 847
Coffield, William M. 920
Coffin, Obed J. 1121
CoUingwood, Charles L., M. D. 1009
Collingwood, Daniel M. 1112
Collyer, Philander 829
Condo, George E. 899
Cones, Van B. 969
Cook, Jesse P. 1065
Cook, Lorenzo D. 881
Cooper, Allen F. 909
Cooper, Berry Willis, M. D. 1140
Cooper, George H. 817
Cooper, William T. 1109
Crouch, Larkin W. 1055
Curry, Cassius M. 850
Cushman, John F. 901
D.
Davis, Eugene E. 1136
Davis, Meredith 930
Deerberg, Christian F. H. 996
Denney, Jacob 933
Dieter, Berlin \V. M. 894
E.
Early, Vincent L. 893
Ellingwood, James B., M. D. 1080
Enoch. Thomas M. 981
P.
Faut, Benjamin G. 1110
Felt, Judge Edward W. 1085
Fink, Christian 839
Fink, Edward 1046
Fletcher, Harry L. 1113
Frank, Johnston H. 1127
Frank, Matthew L. 1106
Franklin, Ira O. 999
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
Garriott, William I. 915
Geisel, Albert H. 1042
Geisel, William J. 1149
Gibbs, Charles M., M. D. 840
Giroud, Aime W. __ 932
Glascock, Thomas E. 827
Gundrum, Conrad E. 1022
H.
Hanna, Frank L. 929
Hanna, Gilbert 1012
Hardin, Fred V. 1061
Harmening, Frederick H. 1083
Haskett, Clarence 1025
Hawk, David F. 1027
Heller, Oscar. M. D. 824
Hendren, William J. 1012
Herrlich, Charles L. J. 1032
Hinchman, John B. 905
Hittle, John H. 876
Hittle, Marshall N. 1066
Hope, Thomas 923
Houck, Abraham S. 898
Hough, William A. 855
Hough, Hon. William R. 1104
Huber, Henry T. 896
Huber, John 1044
Hughes, William A. 1152
Hunt, Nathan 853
Huntington, Edwin C. 993
Hurley, Robert 950
J.
Jackson, Levi A. 973
Johnson, John F. 1100
Johnson, William P. 926
Jones, William A. 1059
Justice, William A., M. D. 864
K.
Keller, William H. 1138
Kirkhoff. John F. 1036
Kirlin, Thomas B. 1018
Klieman, Chris A. 1153
Knoop, John W. 1020
Knoop, Louis 1135
Landwehr. FYederieU C. 977
Langenberger, August 945
Laningham, W. C. Van 1039
Lantz, Henry M. 879
Lantz, Louis G. 1002
Larimore, James M., M. D. 830
Leamon, William T. 860
Learj', James 936
Leary, Thomas B. 912
Leary, Willis 1068
Logan, Ralph G. 988
Lowe, Tyner E., M. D. 1143
Mc.
McCole, Walter W. 882
McCord. C. E., M. D. 1049
McCray, John F. 883
McGaughey, Carl W., M. D. 917
M.
Mace, Elmer E., M. D. 1030
Manche, John 833
Mason, Judge Robert L. 819
Masterson, Fred A. 895
Mearling, Henry 1024
Merlau, George H. 1145
Merlau, Henry 992
Merlau, Louis H. 974
Merlau, William A. 858
Moore, M. M. 931
Moran, James 891
Morrow, Orville L. 1051
N.
New, Gen. Albert L. 843
O.
Offutt. Samuel J. 919
Olvey, Levi D. 1088
Ortel, Christian P. W. 982
Ortel, Henry 1069
Osbon, Joseph 943
Ostermeier, Charles A. 979
Ostermeier, Charles F. 866
Ostermeyer. Henry 1118
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
P.
Parish, Pleasant F. 966
Pauley, Charles E. 1139
Pauley, Charles T. S89
Pilkenton, Abram C. 873
Pope, Charles L. 875
Prescher, Charles 1124
R.
Rabe, Anton H. 1057
Record. David O. 1096
Richhart, Eli A. 1008
Richman, Lewis P. 984
Rock, Carl S. 863
Roesener, Charles H. 1074
Rosener, Anton F. 983
S.
Sample, Judge Earl 1016
Schildmeier, Mrs. Lena 960
Schramm, Otto 1108
Schwier. William 947
Scott, James P. 927
Scott, William A. 1054
Scudder, Tilghman H. 854
Shelby, John F. 948
ShuU, Azzel J. 1006
Siders, George R. 890
Sisson, Ernest R., M. D. 1144
Slaughter, Samuel B. 1005
Slocum, Stewart, M. D. 1056
Smith. Augustus E. 976
Smith. John E. 886
Snider, William W^ 932
Smith, John M. 900
Snodgrass, Velasco R. 1003
Spencer, Newton R. 922
Spier, Henry T. 1015
Spilker, Anton W. 1076
Spilker, William G. 1077
Strickland, Ben 1117
Strickland, Clarence R., M. D. 1078
Strickland. Hon. Harry G. 957
Stuart. Gus E. 1064
Swain. Earl F. 81S
Thayer, Hollis B. 825
Thomas, Orlen F. 1125
Thomas, W. F. 1073
Thomas, William S. 962
Tindall, Charles L. 1103
Titus, Charles, M. D. 1091
Trentleman, W. H. 1038
Tucker, Thomas M. 939
Turk, John A. 908
U.
Umbenhower, Harry W. 872
V.
Van Duyn. Arthur C. 911
Van Duyn. James A. 1060
Van Laningham, W. C. 1039
Vaughn, Charles E. 836
Vetters, Charles 870
W.
Walker, Jonas P. 837
Walker, Wood L. 1133
Wallace, Samuel E. 1047
Warrum, Daniel J. 1007
Warrum, Mack 1101
Warrum. William H. 1082
Welborn, Walter H. 1123
Welling, Frank O. 990
Wiggins, John F. 987
Willett. Matthew T. 1034
Williamson, Robert 924
Wilson, Claude P., D. V. S. 1120
Wilson, Edwin P. 871
Wilson, George S. „ 1093
Wilson, Horace E. _. 1040
Wilson, Robert F. 1095
Wilson, Robert G. 941
Wilson. William M. 934
Winslow, Gilderoy C. 907
Wood, John C. 1097
Wood, William A. 1114
Wright, Quincy A. 1053
CHAPTER I.
GEOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY, NATURAL RESOURCES AND SOIL SURVEY.
The natural resources of Hancock county, which have been conducive
toward making it a garden spot of the world and a most delightful place in
which to live, are its fertile soil, its level surface, its abundant rainfall and
its temperate climate.
SURFACE.
Almost the entire surface of the county is level or gently rolling. Its
streams are without falls or rapids and their currents are generally sluggish.
Near the streams the surface is generally hilly. Especially is this true in the
northwest corner of the county, along the tributaries of Fall creek, along the
lower part of Sugar creek, and in the southeast comer, along Blue river. The
highest bluffs along the streams, however, are not to exceed from forty to sixty
feet above the beds of the streams. Those along the smaller streams rarely
exceed ten feet. In the west central part of the county are large areas with
practically level surfaces.
DRAINAGE.
The natural drainage of the county is, in general, to the south and south-
west. Practically all of the water of the county is carried away by Blue river
and its tributaries. Blue river crosses the southeastern corner of the county.
Brandvwine creek drains a considerable area in the east central and southern
parts, joining Blue river in Shelby county, twelve or thirteen miles south of
the county line. Nameless creek is also a large tributary of Blue river. It
has its origin in the northeastern part of Jackson township and flows south-
westwardly and thence in a southerly direction through the central part of
Blue River township. Six Mile creek is another tributan," of Blue river,
which drains the extreme eastern part of Blue River and Jackson townships.
Sugar creek gathers the waters from a broad, irregular belt extending
from the northeast corner of the county along the northern side well toward
the northwest corner, thence southwestward, crossing the south line near the
southwest corner. Little Sugar creek drains the territory between Sugar
creek and Brandywine in the southern part of the county. Buck creek, a
tributan,' which joins Sugar creek six miles south of the southern boundary of
the county, drains a large part of the western side, while tributaries of Fall
creek and White river receive thfc drainage from the remainder of the western
and northwestern parts. The direction of these streams has been determined
33
34 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INIHANA.
by the deposits made by the great glacier tliat at one time covered the northern
part of the continent ahnost to the Ohio river. The valleys through which
the streams began to flow owed their general direction to the slope of the
surface of the material left by the continental ice-fheets. Some of the char-
acteristics of the valleys are clearly due. iiowever. to the conditions existing
as the ice withdrew, which caused the drainage in certain places to be strik-
ingly different from that which exists in the same place now. A notable
example of this is the presence of relatively large valleys drained by dispro-
portionately small, in some cases insignificant, streams.
AX ABANDONED VALLEY.
The best illustration of an abandoned channel of this kind to be
found in the county is in the north central part, extending in a general north-
south direction about a mile east of the village of Eden. This northern por-
tion begins at the county line somewhat east of the center of section 9. town-
ship 17 nortii, range 7 east, as a flat-bottomed valley, one-fourth of a mile
wide and from ten to fifteen feet deep, and extends west of south to the
eastern part of section 20, east of Eden, where it crosses Sugar creek and con-
tinues its southward course to the north part of section 29. From here its
direction is southward until it joins tlie \alley of Brandywine creek in the
middle of section 16, townsiiip 16 north, range 7 east. The total length of
the channel within the county is seven and one-half miles. In parts of its
course the drainage is by open ditch dv small stream, sometimes northward,
sometimes southward. In parts there is no surface stream at all. Tlirough-
out most of its course the soil in its bottom is black, usually a clay loam to loam'
with a considerable amount of organic matter. The hills on either side are
usually light-colored clax- loam w ith \arying amounts of gravel and Ijoulders,
but sometimes stratified sand and gravel. At certain points the hills bound-
ing the valley almost disappear, leaving the boundaries of the channel some-
what indefinite: this is especially tlie case on the east side at about the center
of section 29. township 17 north, range 7 east, where two kamelike hills alone
mark clearly the limit of the valley. In most places, however, the valley
boundaries are definite, being limited by distinct hills.
This channel of seven and one-half miles is evidently only a ])art of a
general north-south system of drainage which prevailed at a certain stage
in the withdrawal of the ice-sheet. Southward, the valley of the Brandywine
itself seems to be a part of the same glacial channel. The channel as ;i whole,
coming down through Madison county, is "accounted for by tlie work of
waters flowing under conditions entirely different from those of the present
dav.
GEOGRAPHY. SOIL SURVEY, ETC. 35
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY.
Gravel. — In tlic thirtieth animal repnrt <t\ tlie Indiana ilei)annic'nt nt ideol-
ogy, A. E. I'ax'lor ( i<;()5) suniniarizes tlie Incatioii nt gravel deposits in sub-
stance as follows :
( I ) The princii)ai deposits are found along the larger streams and in
certain areas of partially assorted drift, principally in the imrtheastern part
of the county.
(2) Areas in which little nr no gra\el is found include (a) a strip about
four miles wide along the western end of the county, and (b) certain areas
in the north central, east central and southern parts.
Since that report was written some new deposits have been opened up,
but it is still true that the main deposits are to be found along the larger
streams and in sheets of outwash materials associated with moraines. A few
of these deposits are above the level of ground water and so can be easily
reached by excavations from which the gravel can be shoveled directly into
the wagons which are to haul it away. By far the largest proportion of
gravel in the county, however, lies below the water level, sometimes in
streams, sometimes in flood plains or terraces, sometimes in the nearly level
inter-stream areas. In such cases the gravel is brought to the surface by
means of steam power applied, either to an endless chain to which small buck-
ets are attached, or to a cable carrying a single large excavating bucket. Data
as to the amount of gravel used each year are not available ; but the total
is large, since, in addition to a very considerable amount used in concrete con-
struction, plastering, etc.. hundreds of cubic yards are applied every year to
the repair of the numerous gravel roads already completed, and in the exten-
sion of the work to retluce still further the small percentage not yet improved
in this way.
Water Supply. — An abundance of water may be secured at most places
in the county by sinking a well to a depth not to exceed thirty to forty feet.
The exceptions to this are those points where there is exposed at the surface
a thick layer of unassorted drift composed largely of rock particles, of the
the fineness of clay, which obstructs the ready flow of the water. Even in
such jjlaces as that, some water is usually found, but not in sufficient quantity
t(.) afford a continuous supply. In general, however, such strata of nearly im-
per\-ious drift are not thick enough to make the sinking of a satisfactory well
too expensive or difficult.
The minimum depth of wells \aries according to location, being least
near streams and in the level areas which were formerlv covered b\- water for
36 HANCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
almost the whole jear. In such places the surface of the ground water may
be within four or five feet of the surface throughout the year. This depth,
although small, is, nevertlieless, in the marshy areas a reduction of ground
water level since the settlement of the county by almost its own amount, due
to the opening of ditches and the increased evaporation because of the re-
moval of so large a proportion of the forests, ^^'ells sunk only to the level
of ground water, while still numerous, are now being replaced by tubular
wells which pass through the layers of sand and gravel near the surface and,
after penetrating more or less impervious layers of glacial till, draw their
supply of water from strata of sand and gravel lying seventy-five to one hun-
dred feet or more below tlie surface. The additional first cost of such wells
is more than justified by the added security to health thus obtained, and by
the certainty of an ample supply of water even in seasons of greatest drought.
Artesian, or flowing, wells occur at a number of points in the county :
(i) in the northern and northeastern parts near Shirley and at various points
from three to six miles to the north and northwest; (2) in the central and
west central parts, as at Greenfield and near Philadelphia, and (3) at several
points from three to six miles southward and southeastward from Green-
field. Most of these flowing wells are abandoned natural gas wells in which
the casing has been allowed to remain because of tlie abundant flow of excel-
lent writer, which is thus brought up from the surface of the underlying bed
rock one hundred to two hundred feet below. The exact number and loca-
tion of flowing wells which have been produced in this way in the operations
of natural gas companies is difficult to ascertain, because in many cases the
wells have been destroyed by the drawing of the casings when the yield of
gas became too small to pay for the expense of cleaning out, repairs, etc.
Investigations in this county alone are not sufficient to determine the source
from whicli the water supplying these wells comes. It is, however, known
from well-borings that the general slope of the surface of bed rock is here
in a southerly direction ; it is also reported that in certain cases in the northern
part of the county the flow of one well seems to be affected by the opening
of another well as much as two or three miles away along a north-south line.
These two facts would indicate that the head causing the overflow lies some-
where to the northward. Furthermore, the abundant flow frorri so large a
number of wells in which the pipe conveying the water ends at the surface
of bed rock, would indicate that there is a continuous stratum of sand and
gravel lying on bed rock and extending in a somewhat winding, irreg'ular
course across the county from the northeastern, through the central, to the
southeastern part. Flowing wells in the parts of Madison and Shelby counties
GEOGRAPHY, SOIL SURVEY, ETC. 37
adjacent to tlie areas in Hancock county where flowing wells occur, indicate
that the portion of this water-bearing- stratum underlying Hancock county is
but a part of a continuous deposit of sand and gravel extending in a north-
south direction across this part of the slate ; and, if so, the water which per-
meates this stratum is to be considered as an underground stream flowing on
the surface of bed rock, whose position has been determined by drainage
conditions which existed possibly in part before the first ice-sheet whicli cov-
ered this part of the state appeared : existed certainly, at least in part, subse-
C|uent to the withdrawal of that earliest member of the series of glaciers tliat
once covered this county.
CLIMATE.
The general characteristics of the climate of the county are shown in
the following tables, data for which has been supplied by \'. H. Church,
section director of the United States weather bureau at Indianapolis :
TABLE I MEAN TEMPERATURE AND .WERAGE PRECIPITATION AT GREENFIELD.
Mean Average
Temperature Precipitation
Month Degrees F. Inches.
January 29.9 2.97
February 29.7 2.68
March 43.2 4.80
April 50.8 3.08
May 61.6 4.22
June 70.6 3.52
July ••■ 73-8 346
August 73.2 2.78
September 68.2 3.18
October 53.9 3.40
November 42.5 2.56
December 32. i 2.59
Annual 52.5 39-24
TABLE II MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES.
Highest temperature recorded from 1904 to date: 100 degrees, in July,
1911.
Lowest temperature recorded from 1904 to date: — 17 degrees, January 7,
1912.
Note — The lowest previous record was: — 16 degrees in February, 1905.
3^ HANCOCK CQUXTY, INDIANA.
TABLE III AVERAGE DATES OF KILLING FROSTS AT GREENFIELD.
Last in spring . . . . ; April 21
First in autumn October 16
Tt will be observed from the above tables that the precipitation is well
distributed throughout the year, so that crops do not ordinarily suffer. Occa-
sionally, however, unusual conditions result in a reduction of the amount of
rainfall, which cuts down the yield in certain crops for the season : but such
losses can, to a considerable degree, be prevented by a more careful manage-
ment of the soils, in drainage, and in methods of cultivation adapted to the
special conditions present at a given time. (Suggestions at the close of
chapter.)
The maximum and minimum temperatures given are ordinarilv of short
duration, as may readily be inferred from the table of mean temperatures
given. Temperatures of zero and below often occur when the ground is well
covered with snow, which thus acts as a protection to winter wheat and to
low fruit plants, such as the strawberry plant. In general, however, the
fact that zero weather and l)elow is likely to occur each winter is taken into
account in determining what varieties of fruit trees, plants, etc.. shall be de-
pended upon, and only those are chosen for extensive planting as have proved
themselves capable of withstanding the lowest temperatures named.
AGRICULTURE.
Of the 196.480 acres in the county. CJ4.8 ])er cent., or icSf), 190 acres, is
in larms, \arying in size from less than three acres to 500 or more. As
ascertained by the census of 1910, there are 2,154 farms in the county, of
which about one-third include 50 to 100 acres each. In the ten years from
1900 to 1910 the farming lands in the county increased nearly 100 per cent.
in \alue, lieing listed in the latter year at a tolal valuation of $16,598,947. nr
an average of nearl\- $90 ])er acre; while the t<ilal valuation of farm property,
including buildings, implements, domestic animals, etc., adds over $5,000,000
to this amount, making an average of land and farm property together of
about $120 per acre.
The following tables, taken from the report of the census of 1910, show
in condensed form the principal crops raised, the acreage, and the yield per
acre : and the number and valuation of the principal kinds of domestic animals
and ])Oultry :
GEOGRAPHY, SOIL SURVEY, ETC. 39
TABLE IV PRINCIPAL CROPS.
Acres Bushels Tons
Com 61,637 2,950,148
Oats 15.190 347.295
Wheat 27,853 343.144
Timothy hay 10.283 13-334
Clover alone 3,295 3.549
Timothy and clover mixed . . . 3,273 4.073
Clox'er seed 837
TABLE V DOMESTIC ANIMALS AND POULTRY ON FARMS
Number \'alue
Cattle 13.380 $404,592.00
Horses 9,406 996.940.00
Mules 530 68,575.00
Swine 43-707 282,089.00
Sheep 1 0.9 II 46,448.00
Poultry 147.540 87,357.00 ,
It will be seen from Talile IV that the average yield fur corn is a little
less than fiftv bushels per acre: for oats, not quite twenty-three: for wheat,
between twelve and thirteen bushels, and for ha\-, about une and one-fourth
tons per acre. It is to be noted, however, that on many farms the average
vield is much higher than this: fnim reports received fmm farmers in re-
sponse til questions sent out by the state geologist, and from interviews with
farmers while the field work was in progress, it is known that fields of eigiuy
bushels per acre for corn, and twenty bushels for wheat, are not uncommon
under favorable conditions. It is recognized, however, th.it the county as a
wlioie does not produce wheat as profitably as corn, and c\en in the case of
the latter crop the yield is not yet up to the average that may be expected
when the possibilities of the soil are fully realized. Definite suggestions as
to the best methods to be pursued to increase the yield per acre are given at
the close of this chapter.
Of the crops not yet much grown whicli i)romise excellent results, alfalfa
should probablv receive most attention. It is not. however, so much in the
introduction of new crops as in more careful work in the case of crops already
being grown, that the greatest increase of wealth may be expected.
As a whole, the soil of the county is best adapted to heavy farming:
40 HANCOCK COLXTY, INDIANA.
nevertheless, truck farming is engaged in successfully in some places, and
might be profitably extended to the more sandy soils near the streams : even
the level to slightly rolling inter-streani areas may, with careful treatment, be
made to yield profitable crops of small fruits and vegetables, as is being done
in some sections to an increasing degree.
Dairying is not as a rule carried on except in a small way in connection
with general farming. The total number of dairy cows in 19 lo was re-
ported as 6,301 ; of these, but few were in large herds. In most cases where
an attempt is made to maintain a herd the milk or the cream is shipped to
neighboring cities ; the same method of disposing of the product is used by
many who wish merely to have a convenient means of turning into cash the
surplus milk for a part of the year. The use of centrifugal separators has
very generally replaced the various gravity systems of separating the milk
from the cream, wherever the amount of milk to be handled is large enough
to justify it.
The chief obstacles to successful agriculture in this county may be
enumerated as follows (a part of these obstacles have been largely removed,
but much yet remains to be done before the possibilities of production from
the soils of the county are realized) :
1. The forest growth. This originally covered almost the whole county,
consisting principally of oak, ash, walnut, beech, sugar maple, elm and hick-
ory. In a few places the original growth of timber has remained untouched
by the lumberman's axe, as, for example, in a part of section 23, township 15
north, range 5 east; but about eighty-eight per cent, of the farm land is now
free from forests. Some further work in removing forests may possibly be
done to advantage ; but, on the other hand, some work in reforestation should
be undertaken, especially in some of the more hilly belts.
2. Marshes and swamps. Areas over which water stood for a consider-
able portion of the year are found in the inter-stream areas near Buck creek.
Brandywine creek, Sugar creek, and their tributaries. Of these marshes, but
few now remain. The opening of large ditches, the deepening and straight-
ening of many small stream channels, and the use of a large amount of tile
in underdrains, have resulted in providing adequate means for the rapid re-
moval of water, so that in but few places does it accumulate to the disad-
vantage of farming operations as it did generall} a generation ago. This
does not mean, however, that the work of drainage is complete ; it merely
means that a prime difficulty, that of getting rid of water on and very near
the surface, has been overcome.
3. Lack of sufficient air in the soil. This difficulty is closely associated
GEOGRAPHY, SOIL SURVEY, ETC. 4I
witli the presence of conditiuns which permit water to stand. Much of the
soil is a clay loam which contains a sufficiently large percentage of very fine
mineral particles to cause the soil to form into ver}- compact layers or masses,
and, especially when well moistened, to become more or less impervious to
air. The work of earth worms and other forms of animal life, the growth
and decay of the roots of plants, and the alternate freezing and thawing in
winter, all contribute something to the process of opening up the ground so
that the air may have access to some depth. But all of these processes to-
gether are not sufficient to accomplish what is needed. The most effective
means for most of the soil in the county is an extension of the system of tile
drainage until all clayey soils are traversed by lines of tile not less than four
inches in diameter, at an average depth of about thirty inches and not more
than three to five rods apart. No otlier method is known which, for soils
of this kind, will result beneficially in so many ways at the same time as in
such a system of tile drainage properly put in. For, in addition to supplying
the especial lack here referred to, that of giving a sufficient amount of air to
the needed depth in the soil, two other desirable results are accomplished, viz :
(i) The removal of the excess of moisture if anv should occur, and (2) the
gradual transformation of the soil and subsoil from a stratum, compact and
almost impervious to air, into a layer filled with fine pores which can hold a
large amount of moisture ready to be given up to the roots of plants in time
of drought.
4. Other difficulties, such as ignorance as to the proper management
.of soils under certain special conditions. Some of these will be referred to
under the descriptions of different soil types, and others will be mentioned in
the suggestions at the close of the report of the work done in the county.
ORIGIN OF THE SOILS.
The soils of this county are chiefly derived from the disintegration of
rock materials left by the glacial sheets which came into Indiana from tlie
north and northeast. As shown by the kinds of rock present in the soil in
the form of boulders, pebbles, etc., part of this material came from the out-
crop of granites, gneisses, diorites, and other crystalline rocks beyond the
Great Lakes : and part came from the limestones, sandstones and siiales out-
cropping much nearer, that is, within the state ; some, indeed, perhaps from
points only a few miles away. In addition to this large amount of weathered
glacial debris, there is also included a small amount of fine mineral matter
brought by the winds, and another probably larger amount of decaving veg-
etable matter which has been mi.xed with the mineral particles at the surface,
4^ HA.VCOCK COUNTY. IXDIAXA.
giving the lilack color to the soil as found in streaks and patches in all parts
of tiie count)'.
SOIL TYPES.
The soil types found in tiie county, with the approximate area covered
by each, are given in the following table:
TABLE \'I SOIL TYPES.
Xame Acres
Miami clay loam 182.610
\\ abash loam 6,250
Carrington black clay loam 3.400
Sioux loam 1.870
A\"abash sandy loam 275
]^Ieadow 50
Muck 25
The boundaries between the different types as shown on the map of
the state geologist (Report 191 1) are in some places drawn arbitrarily, as.
for example, where the Carrington black clay loam joins the Wabash loam.
In such cases the Wabash loam, forming the flood plain of a small stream.
gi\es place gradually in the up-stream direction to the Carrington black clay
loam as the area is reached which was covered with standing water for a
considerable part of the year before the better drainage conditions were es-
tablished. So. too, the boundary between other types is not alwavs clearlv
marked : for instance, the Miami cla\ loam sometimes continues as the sub-
soil for considerable distances beneath the edges of the Carrington black clay
loam, forming thus an irregular belt around the latter in which the surface
soil is black, but having a yellowish mottled subsoil with some pebbles, in-
stead of the silty. drab-colored subsoil to be found at the center of the area.
In certain places, as in sections a few miles west and southwest of Green-
field, large areas of land with black surface soil have almost everywhere a
subsoil practically the same as that of the Miami clay loam : these areas have,
in general, been classed as Miami clay loam, since the time available for de-
tailed examination was too limited to make any accurate subdivisions of
the type.
MIAMI CLAY LOAM.
This type includes about ninety-three per cent, of the total area of the
county and occupies the greater part 6f the inter-stream areas. Typically, it
is a light-colored soil formed from the weathering of unassorted glacial till.
GEOGRAPHY, SOIL SURVEY, ETC. 43
When deposited l)y the ice-sheets it contained a large percentage of finely-
ground limestone mingled with much smaller ouantities of finely-ground
shale, true cla\-. sand grains, fragments of crystalline rocks, etc. .At the sur-
face the finely-divided limestone has heen leached out to a depth of from two
to three feet, the other rock fragments have heen much disintegrated, and
decaying organic matter has been incorporated to some extent, so that the up-
per three feet shows in general the following section :
Light buff to light gray soil w ith few pebbles, eight to ten inches.
Yellowish to gra}ish-brown subsoil, sometimes mottled, usually quite
compact, containing up to four or five per cent, of pebbles and rock fragments
of small size, from eight to ten inches to a depth of three feet.
Below the depth of three feet, the material is in some cases a continuation
of the unassorted glacial till practically to bed rock; Init more often, where
tests have been made by well borings, it gives place to sheets of stratified sand
and gravel, which alternate with strata of unassorted material.
In topography this type is nearly level to gently rolling, and can in nearly
all cases be thoroughly drained. Since it occupies the higher points and
ridges on which the water does not stand, and since the work of draining the
marshes and other low-lying areas has been difficult and expensive, the Miami
clay loam is as yet but poorly supplied with the necessary lines of underdrain-
ing, necessary not so much for the purpose of draining as for the purpose of
aerating the somewhat heavy soil.
The original forest growth on this type of soil included white oak. beech
and walnut ; sugar maple where sand is rather more abundant, and elm, hick-
ory and ash in less well drained areas. The ])rincipal farm crops now raised
are corn, wheat, and timothy and clover hay.
As shown by the mechanical analysis given Ijelow, this type has a high
percentage of silt, making it thus less difficult to work than would be the
case if the clay content were higher. The proportion of finer particles is.
however, large enough to make care necessary in the i)reparation of the soil
for crops as well as in the cultivation afterward, in order to avoid the forma-
tion of clods which, once formed, often cause trouble for an entire season.
The plant food content is in general abundant, but only a small amount is
available at an}- one time, so that the practice of using fertilizers is increasing,
with results which seem to justify the expenditure of a considerable amount
of time and money in this way. It is to be remembered, however, that the
chief advantage from the use of a fertilizer is not always, if indeed ever, be-
cause of the actual plant food added to the soil ; sometimes it is because tlie
fertilizer destroys coinpounds in the soil which prevent the health v growth
44 HANCOCK COUNTY. INDIANA.
of crops; sometimes, because the elements of tlie fertilizer help to set free
elements already in the soil. A careful study of the analysis of soils and fer-
tilizers, with equally careful attention to the results gained under different
conditions will eventually lead to safe conclusions in regard to the use of
the various commercial fertilizers offered for sale.
In general, the Miami clay loam does not produce as much corn per acre
as the Carrington black clay loam or the Wabash loam. There are cases,
however, of careful farming in which the yield has been made through a
series of years to average higher on the light-colored than on the dark-colored
soils ; so that it seems probable that the possibilities of improvement and
permanent fertility are greater for the Miami clay loam than for any other
soil type in the county.
TABLE VII MECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF MIAMI CLAY LOAM ( AVERAGED).
Coarse Medium Fine
Sand Sand Sand Silt Clay Total
per per per per per per
cent. cent. cent. cent. cent. cent.
Soil 8.16 10.15 21.49 46.80 13.20 99.80
Subsoil 5.44 10.83 18.79 40.65 24.25 99.96
WABASH LOAM
This type occupies only a little more than lliree per cent, of the total
area of the county, being found as a narrow strip along the larger streams.
It consists of a brown loamy to sandy soil, ten to fifteen inches deep, followed
by a sandy subsoil to a depth of three feet or more. In places there is some
gravel to be found in the soil, with usually a larger percentage in the subsoil;
in small areas the gravel may be abundant. The original forest trees on this
type of soil include as principal kinds, beech, sycamore, elm and soft maple.
Some parts mapped as Wabash loam by the state geologist are still subject
to overflow at times of high water, and are consequently not used for culti-
vated crops. Most of the type is, however, adapted especially to corn, of
wiiich excellent crops are raised ; tomatoes and other vegetables are success-
fully grown on limited areas.
The surface of the Wabash loam is nearly level. Occasionally there are
slight depressions at the base of the valley slopes, the sites of former bayous
now nearly silted up; some such areas are yet undrained and, owing to their
small elevation above the stream, cannot now be freed from the excess of
water. The total area of such undrained portions is, however, ver\' small,
GEOGRAPHY, SOIL SURVEY, ETC. 45
and with the deepening of the stream channels which is going on in most
places these areas can finalh- be brouglit under cultivation.
T.JiBLE VIII MECIIANIC.M. ANALYSIS OF WABASH LOAM
Coarse Medium Fine
Sand Sand Sand Silt Clay Total
per per per per per per
cent. cent. cent. cent. cent. cent.
Soil 6.51 15.02 30.34 39.17 9.90100.94
Subsoil 5.47 15.18 29.32 39.55 10.22 99.74
CARRINGTON BLACK CLAY LOAM
The total area occupied by this type is less than three per cent, of the
whole area of the county, but is distributed in many small, irregularly shaped
patches, chiefly in the western half of the county, as shown on the state
geologist's map. Typically, the soil of this type is ten to twelve inches deep,
black in color, loose under cultivation, and underlaid by a drab to dark gray
silty clay, which is usually very compact and tenacious. In some of the areas
mapped as Carrington black clay loam on the map there is a variation in the
soil by an increase in organic content approaching the composition of muck,
and in the subsoil by the presence of an abundance of sand. In general the
areas belonging to this t\pe are the sites of former marshes or ponds which
have been filled up in part by silting up, in part by the accumulation of or-
ganic matter which has been incorporated with the soil. The original growth
in these areas included, elm. ash, some oak and hickory and, characteristically,
button bush. When well drained the crop most profitably grown now is
corn, the yield being often from eighty to one hundred busliels per acre. It
is found, however, that with successive crops of corn without alternation with
other crops, the yield diminishes, so that some plan of rotation is necessary to
keep the yield up to even a fair average for other types of soil which are
naturally less well adapted to corn production.
Before the drainage is complete soils of this t}pe are likely to be sour;
this can be corrected by the addition of mineral fertilizers, but best by an
adequate system of ditclies and underground drainage.
SIOUX LOAM.
This type occupies less than one per cent, of the total area <if the county.
and is found chiefly in the southeastern part along Blue ri\er and in the
south central jiart along Brandywine creek. In both localities it consists of
46 HANCOCK COrXTV, IXPIAXA.
a light brown or yellow brown loam, ten to twelve inches thick, with some
pebl)les scattered on the surface, underlaid in places at a depth of from two
to four feet by stratified sand and gravel sufficiently free from silt and clay
to be used as road material. From both the soil and the subsoil above the
gravel tlie calcareous material is practically all removed, the pebbles
that remain being, with but few exceptions, fragments of crystalline rocks,
chert, quartz, quartzite, and others which are not easily affected by the pro-
cesses of weathering. The surface of this type is slightly rolling, lies in gen-
eral higher than the Wabash loam, and often between the latter and the Miami
clay loam forming the slopes bounding the valleys. It thus constitutes ter-
races or second bottoms along streams. The drainage is usually good, both on
account of the surface configuration and because of the underlying gravel
wliich permits the water which may accumulate on the surface to settle away
rapidly through the soil. Crops of all kinds generally do well on this type,
the chief difficulty being that in dry seasons sufficient moisture is lacking.
On account of the ease with which water passes through the soil it cannot
long hold soluble fertilizers.
WABASH SANDY LOAM.
One small area in the southeastern part of the county has been mapped
as Wabash sandy loam. It lies chiefly in section 35, township 15 north, range
8 east, within a valley which is now drained by an insignificant stream, but
through which a very considerable amount of water no doubt passed at about
the time of the withdrawal of the latest ice-sheet. To the sediment deposited
at that time has been added the wash from the adjacent hills, a kind of col-
luvial deposit which, while not typically of the Waba.sh series, nevertlieless,
seems to be at least quite similar to what has l)een described under that name.
The soil has a depth of from ten to eighteen inches, contains more fine to
medium sand than is usually the case with' the Wabash loam, is well drained,
and for the most part works loose and mellow. The boundary between this
type and the Carrington black clay loam farther up the valley is drawn arbi-
trarily ; the change from the one type to the other is gradual and extends over
a considerable distance, the color changing almost imperceptibly to a darker
brown, then gray, and finally black, while the texture likewise shades off
from the sandy loam through loam to typical clay loam.
MEADOW.
Following the usage of the L'nited States bureau of soils, the term
"meadow" is here applied to small areas whicli are at present too poorly
GEOGRAPHY. SOU, SI;RVEY, ETC. 4/
drained to be cultivated satisfactorily, ami yet do not have the peaty, marshy
character of the areas classified as muck. The composition of this soil can-
not be stated accurately, but, for the most part, mineral ingredients seem to
constitute a far larger percentage of the whole than organic matter. These
areas are at present used only as pasture ground, but mav in time become
valuable for general farm crops.
MUCK.
In many places small areas of a few acres are found in which the soil
is but little different from true peat. Only two of these areas are of suffi-
cient size to be mapped, but the soil type is of interest to a considerable num-
ber of farmers because small patches of it occur in many places, and because
soil of this kind has proven somewhat diffiailt to bring under profitable cul-
tivation. The first difficulty is, of course, with the excess of water; and no
method that can be applied will be successful until some system of drainage
has reduced the water level to at least a foot, preferably much more than a
foot, below the surface. The next difficulty usually becomes more evident
in the second year of cultivation than in the first ; that is, the looseness or
lack of coherence, the "chaffiness" of the soil. The presence of a large
percentage of partially-decayed vegetable matter, or, to state it on the other
side, the absence of a sufficiently large percentage of finely divided mineral
matter, causes the soil to dry out easily, so that corn, for example, after a
short time of vigorous growth, suddenly turns yellow and either remains
dwarfed or dies. Usually there is a considerable amount of organic acids
present at a short distance below the surface, but if the drainage is good this
does not last long in amount sufficient to damage the growing crops. The
following methods of further treatment have been found to yield good results.
1. Most satisfactory results have come from a liberal application of
stable manure. Several instances are recorded in the county in which one
application was sufficient to l)ring al)out good crop-growing conditions.
2. Excellent results were secured in a few instances by mixing a con-
siderable (juantity of clayey soil with the muck. Where the muck consisted
of Init a thin layer, this was accomplished by very deep plowing, thus turning
up to the surface a quantit}' of very finely divided mineral particles such as
may usually be found below peat or muck. In another case, lines of tile
ditches were run through the muck area, and the clay thrown up in the work
was scattered as widely as could be conveniently done.
3. Log heaps and brush piles burned on peaty soils have in some cases
remedied the trouble. This will not suffice in all cases, however, since some
48 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
such soils will at sucli a time take fire ; and where fires have burned over
considerable areas tlie possibilities of profitable corn production has been
postponed for an indefinite period.
4. The use of commercial fertilizers strong in potash has been reported
as successful in one case. There is. however, some doubt as to the general
efficacy of this method, since results reported do not in all cases agree.
SUGGESTIONS.
As a result of the work done in this county, the following suggestions
are offered by the state geologist in his report in 1911, as pointing the way
to what should be done as rapidly and as thoroughly as possible to increase
the productiveness of the soil :
First in urgency is the need of more systematic and more extensive
systems of drainage. This applies to practically all soils in the county ex-
cept to parts of the Sioux loam ; in only a few isolated instances are the
farms in the county adequately supplied with proper drainage systems. It is
not possible in the space properly allotted to this report to make clear the
reasons for thus emphasizing a work which in some parts of the county has.
it is true, been well begun. The following summary' of the benefits of thor-
ough drainage will, however, suggest the importance of the subject ; the sum-
mary is taken in substance from Bulletin 254 of the agricultural experiment
station of the College of Agriculture of Cornell University :
1. Drainage removes the excess of water from the surface and from
the pores of the soil.
2. Drainage is directly operative to change an unfavorable physical
condition into a desirable one: such as to change a puddled, impervious soil
into a granular, more open one.
3. Drainage increases the amount of moisture available to crops. Well
drained soil, instead of allowing so large a proportion of the rainfall to drain
away, as is commonly believed, absorbs and retains a larger proportion than
would be otherwise possible, and so makes it available in times of dry weather.
4. Drainage promotes the aeration of the soil ; that is, the entrance into
the soil of the external air, supplying the oxygen needed for the proper growth
of living organisms in the soil.
5. Drainage permits the soil to maintain a higher average temperature
than is possible in a wet soil, and thus. b\- making a warmer soil, lengthens
the growing season for plants.
6. Drainage increases the available food supply by increasing the chemi-
cal activitv in the soil.
GEOGRAPHY, SOIL SURVEY, ETC. 49
7. Drainage enables a plant to make a better use of the food and mois-
ture suppl)' in the soil.
8. Drainage greatly reduces the injury to winter crops resulting from
the freezing of large amounts of water in the soil.
9. Drainage reduces or prevents the erosion or washing of soils on a
slope.
10. Drainage increases the _\ield of crops. It is known that the returns
from cultivated land can be increased from ten per cent, to one hundred per
cent, without any corresponding increase in other expenses.
Further particulars as to the best methods of putting in systems of drain-
age, with estimates as to cost, etc., can be secured from the above-named bulle-
tin, which may be procured by addressing the director of the experiment sta-
tion at Ithaca, New York, or from Bulletin 199 of the agricultural experiment
station of the University of Wisconsin, to be procured by. addressing- the di-
rector of the agricultural experiment station of the Uni\-ersity of Wisconsin.
at Madison, Wisconsin.
11. What commercial fertilizers can be used to adx'antage, what meth-
ods of culture are best, what rotation of crops to use, whether the sale or the
feeding of grain is more profitable, and similar questions, can not be answered
in a general statement. Detailed suggestions as to what is probably best to
be done in each separate case can be obtained by addressing the director of the
Indiana agricultural experiment station, Purdue University. Lafayette, In-
diana, giving as fully as possible all particulars in regard to the kind of soil,
kinds of crops raised, and the results obtained thus far.
(Author's Note: — The above is taken almost verbatim from t!ie
state geologist's report of 191 1, and, although included herein, it is not the in-
tention to hold a copyrig-ht thereon.)
(4)
CHAPTER II.
EARLV INFLUENCES.
Hancock county, named in honor of the immortal signer of tlie Declara-
tion of Independence, John Hancock, is located in central Indiana. It lies be-
tween the thirty-ninth and fortieth parallels of latitude, and l:)et\veen tlie
eighty- fifth and eighty-sixth meridians of longitude west of Greenwich. The
eighty-sixth meridian lies about three miles west of our western boundary
line. The count}- is bounded on the west principally by Marion county ; on
tiie north by Hamilton and Aladison counties ; on the east by Henry and Rush
counties, and on the south principally by Shelby county. Greenfield, the
county seat, i: located on the National road, twenty miles east of the city of
Indianapolis.
In size it is an a\erage county of the state, being composed of tliree hun-
dred and seven square miles and containing 196,480 acres.
Before the white man took up his abode within its confines, charters
were given, ordinances adopted, and grants made, in other parts of the world,
whose influences reached this county, and determined, in a measure at least,
its future land descriptions, its official records and its institutions. The first
substantial claim to this region that became a matter of record was made by
the English, following the discoveries of the Cabots and other English ex-
plorers. As early as 1606 two companies were organized in England for
the purpose of making settlements in what was then known as Virginia, and
which then included all of the territory from Maine to Florida. In 1609 King
James I of England gave t(i one of these companies — the London Company —
an immense tract of land, reaching four hundred miles along the coast. It
extended two hundred miles in each direction from Old Point Comfort, and
"up into the land throughout from sea to sea west and northwest." This do-
main granted by the King to the London Company included all of the cen-
tral and southern ])art of what is now the state of Indiana. The Iving also
gave "from sea to sea" cliarters to Massachusetts, Connecticut. North Caro-
lina, South Carolina and Georgia. The remaining colonies had no such char-
ters. Under these charters the first group of colonies claimed all the territory
l)ctween the Appalachian mountains and the Mississippi river. The result
was that when the Revolutionary War broke out and the exigencies of the
times demanded that all tlie colonies unite under some form of government,
50
EARLY INFLUENCES. 51.
and thai they raise mciney lor the common defense, the colonies which had
no "from sea to sea" charters refused to unite with the first group of colonies
under the Articles of Confederation unless these colonies should cede this
land to Congress, to be used by Congress to pay the costs of the war.
A serious question was also raised on the validity of llic title of the col-
onies to this land, because, it was argued, the Mississippi \'alley had Ijeen dis-
cox'ered, explored, settled and owned by France ; that England had never
owned the country until hrance ceded it to her in 1763, and that consequently
the English Crown could not have made a valid grant before that time ; that
when England acquired this territory in 1763, the King drew his "proclama-
tion line" whereby he turned this western territoiy into the Indian country and
cut off all claims of the colonies to further ownership therein. Upon this
arginnent the colonies which had no claims on this western land based their
following conclusions : that these western lands were the property of the King ;
that since the colonies were at war with him, these lands ought to be seized
by Congress and used for the common benefit.
The argument that this land ought to be used for the benefit of all the
colonies finally prevailed and, one after another, those who had claims, ceded
their land to Congress. On January 2, 1781, Virginia ceded to the Congress
of the United States, for the benefit of all the colonies, all her right, title and
claim to the territory northwes-t of the Ohio river, subject to certain condi-
tions annexed to her act of cession. Virginia insisted that the other colonies
should make cessions equally lilieral with hers, and the conditions upon which
she was willing to cede this territory were, that the territory so ceded should
be laid out and formed into states containing suitable extent of territory, not
less than one hundred nor more than one hundred fifty miles square, or as
near thereto as circumstances would permit ; that the .states so formed should
i)e distinct republican states and admitted members of the federal union, hav-
ing the same rights of sovereignty, freedom and independence as the other
states : that the necessary and reasonable expenses incurred by the state of
Virginia in subduing any British posts, or in maintaining forts or garrisons
within the territory for defense, or in acquiring any part of the territory so
ceded or relinquished, should be fully reimbursed by the United States : that
one commissioner should be appointed by the Congress, one b_\- the cummon-
wealth of Virginia, and another by those two commissioners, who, or a ma-
jority of them, should be authorized and empowered to adjust and liquidate
the account of the necessary and reasonable expenses incurred by the state of
Virginia, which they .sliould judge to be comprised within tlie intent and mean-
ing of the act of Congress of the loth of October, 1780, respecting such ex-
52 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
penses ; thut the French and Canadian inhabitants^ and other settlers of the
Kaskaskias, St N'incents, and the neighboring villages, who had professed
tlieinselves citizens of Virginia, should have their possessions and titles con-
tinued to them and be protected in the enjoyment of their rights and liberties:
that all the lands within the territory so ceded to the United States, and not
reserved for, or appropriated for, the benefit of soldiers and officers of the
Revolutionary army, should be considered as' a common fund for the use
and benefit of such of the United States as had become or should become
members of the confederation or federal alliance of said states. Virginia in-
clusive, according to their usual respective proportions in the charge and ex-
penditure, and should be faithfully and bona fide disposed of for that ]5urpose
and for no other use or purpose.
Congress did not fully agree to all the conditions imposed by \'irginia.
but came so nearly doing so in the act of September 13, 1783, wherein the
terms were stipulated on which Congress agreed to accept the cession of this
western land by Virginia, that Virginia, on December 20. 1783, passed an-
other act, authorizing her delegates then in Congress to convey to the United
States in Congress assembled, all the rights of that commonwealth to the ter-
ritory northwest of the Ohio river, "in full confidence that Congress will, in
justice to this state, for the liberal cession she hath made, earnestly press upon
the other states claiming large tracts of waste and uncultivated territory, the
propriety of making cessions equally liberal for the common benefit and sup-
port of the Union."
In conformit}- w itii the provisions of the latter act. all tlie territory
therein alluded to. whicli included Hancock county, was, on the first day of
March, 1784, transferred to the United States by deed signed by Thomas
Jefferson, Samuel Hardy, Arthur Lee and James Monroe, then delegates in
Congress from the commonwealth of Virginia.
After the land had been conveyed to Congress it was found that its di-
vision into states as sli]:)ulated in the terms of the cession was impracticable
and that it would be attended with many inconveniences. Congress therefore
recommended that Virginia revise her act of cession so far as to empower Con-
gress to make such a division of said territory into distinct and republican
states, not more than five nor less than three in number, as the situation of
that country and future circumstances might require. In compliance with
this recommendation, the commonwealth of Virginia, on the 2C)th day of De-
cember, 1788, passed an act assenting to the proposed alteration, permitting
Congress to divide the territory into states as above recommended, and as had
been fully set out in the fifth article of the famous Ordinance of 1787.
EARLY INFLUENCES. 5,^
As soon as this land was ceded to Congress, and as early as 1783, plans
were sulmiitted for dividing it by metes and bonnds, in order that it might
more readily be conveyed to purchasers. Several ordinances were introduced,
and on May 20, 1785, Congress determined to iiave it surveyed into town-
ships si.x miles square. The ordinance of May 20, 1785, sets out in detail
how the entire domain, including the territory of which our count\- forms a
part, should be surveyed. It is very clear, and explains fullv the principal
features of our system of dividing and locating land. For this reason, parts
of it are given in full below. After providing for the appointment of sur-
veyors and a geographer, the ordinance continues :
"The first line running north and south as aforesaid shall begin on the
Ohio river, at a point that shall be found to be due north from the western
termination of a line which has been run as the southern boundary of the state
of Pennsylvania: and the first line running east and west shall begin at the
same point, and shall extend throughout the whole territory ; provided, that
nothing herein shall be construed as fixing the western boundary of the state
of Pennsylvania. The geographer shall designate the townsliips or fractional
townships, by numbers, progressively from south to north — always beginning
each range with No. i ; and the ranges shall be distinguished by their pro-
gressive numbers to the westward, the first range, extending from the Ohio
to Lake Erie, being marked No. i. The geographer shall personally attend
to the running of the first east and west line ; and shall take the latitude of the
extremes of the first north and south line, and of the mouths of the principal
rivers.
"The lines shall be measured with a chain ; shall be plainly marked by
chaps on trees, and exactly described on a plat ; whereon shall be noted by the
.surveyor, at their proper distances, all mines, salt springs, salt licks, and mill
seats that shall come to his knowledge ; and all water courses, mountains, and
other remarkable and permanent things, over or near which such lines shall
pass, and also the quality of the lands.
"The plats of the townships, respectively, shall be marked by subdivisions,
into lots of one mile square, or six hundred and forty acres, in the same direc-
tion as the external lines, and numbered from one to thirty-si.x. always begin-
ning the succeeding range of the lot with the number next to that which the
preceding one touched. * * * * And the surveyors, in running the external
lines of the townships, shall at the interval of every mile, mark corners for
the lots which are adjacent, always designating the same in a different man-
ner from those of the township.
"As soon as seven ranges of townships, and fractional parts of townships,
54 IIAXCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
in the direction uf from south to north shall have been sun-eyed, the ge-
ographer siiall transmit plats thereof to the board of treasury, who shall record
the same, with a report, in a well-bound book kept for that purpose. And the
geographer shall make similar returns, from time to time, of every seven
ranges, as the}- may lie surveyed. ******
"There shall be reserved tiie Lot Xo. i6, of every township, for the
maintenance of public schools within the said township; also one-third part of
all gold, silver, lead and copper mines."
This ordinance, adopted May 20, 1785, by the Continental Congress,
under the Articles of Confederation, before there was a United States of
America in the present sense, shows how our land came to be described as it
is. Tiiough Congress has passed other acts, changing tlie above ordinance
as to location of base lines and principal meridians, and in fact, our land here
in Indiana was surveyed under the act of Congress. 1802, yet the system or
plan of dividing the land and locating it has remained practically the same
as above set out.
In the survey of the public domain in Indiana, the east line of the state
was used as the first principal meridian. The second principal meridian in
Indiana passes through Lebanon in Boone county, and through Hendricks
county about three miles east of Danville. The base line from which the
congressional townsliips and the land in Hancock county are surveyed, passes
east and west through tlie southern parts of Orange and Washington counties.
The second ])rincipal meridian crosses the 1jase line in the southern ])art of
Orange ctnuit} . Hancock county includes all or parts of townsliips 15. 16
and 17 north of the base line described above, in ranges 5, 6. 7 and 8. east of
the second principal meridian. Any farm in Hancock county is thus located
with reference to those two lines — the base line and the second principal merid-
ian— as above described.
The original survey of Hanc(5ck count}- was included in the greater sur-
vey of practically the entire state. From the reading of our land descriptions
— for instance, section 10, township 15 north (of the base line), in range
6 east (of tiie second principal meridian) — it is evident that the sur\-eyors
worked northward from the base line and eastward from the above described
second principal meridian.
The survey was made by surveying parties, including the surveyor and
his helpers. Augustus Dommanget. father of Adrian Dommanget. of near
Gem. spent niai-iy da}s with the surveying gang in Hancock county. In the
wilderness of central Indiana in tlie early twenties, the surveying parties were
out for days and weeks at a time. The forest was dense and the swamps were
EARLY INFLUENCES. 55
intenninablc. Roads liaci to lie oi)ene<l for the jiassage of the supply and
equipment wagons, and at night the party souglit rest on some high spot or
knoll. For beds, rectangular nets or blankets with rings attached to the
edges and corners were used. By passing ropes through the rings and fasten-
ing the other end to young saplings or trees, the beds could be swung clear
of the ground. As a protection against wolves and ]iantlicrs. fires were us-
ually lighted at night.
In this survey the land was dixided into townships and then into sections.
The corners of all sections and the half-mile points on all lines were estab-
lished and marked. When a corner had been established, a hole eight or ten
inches deep was dug at that point. The surveyor then placed a stone, or took
a stake eighteen or twenty inches long and two and one-half inches in di-
ameter, with two or three notches cut near the top as marks by \vhich it
could be identified, and drove it into the ground to mark the e.xact location
of the corner. The stake was driven down into the hole so that it could be
covered with eight or ten inches of soil to prevent rapid decay. At least two
"witness trees" were then chapped nv "blazed" and notched, and a careful
record made on the survevor's book of the exact direction of the stake from
the trees. For instance, when a corner had been established, the surveyor
mnde a notation on his record as follows:
Beech i8 S 8 E 20
Ash 6 N 39 E 12
This means that the "witness trees" for this particular corner are a beech
and an ash. The beech is eighteen inches in diameter and stand? south, eight
degrees east, and at a distance of twenty links from the corner. The ash is
six inches in diameter and stands north, thirty-nine degrees east, and at a
distance f)f twelve links from the corner. Some of the older people still
living tell us that in measuring land many years after the survey, these stakes
were found to ])e in a fair state of preservation.
The Ordinance of 1785 also laid the foundation for a school fund for
each of the five states that were later formed out of the territory therein de-
scribed. "There shall be reserved the lot Cor section) No. 16, of every town-
ship for the niaintciiancc of the public schools within said township." That
provision was never repealed or stricken out after the federal government was
organized. In fact, the clause was later adopted bodily in congressional leg-
islation. The money accruing from this land by sale or otherwise was later
denominated and is now known as the congressional township fund. Tn the
income of this fund, Hancock countv shares vearlv.
56 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
It will be observed that section 16 of the congressional township was not
to be sold by Congress, but was to be reserved for the maintenance of the
public schools within the township. This section was to become the property
of the township, and was to be used for the purpose designated in the ordi-
nance. When the townships were settled, and a civil government was organ-
ized, the control of this land was given to the township trustees. All the other
public lands was sold by Congress and conveyed bj' a United States patent.
The school section, however, was conveyed by school commissioner's deed.
Any farmer in the county owning land in any section 16, and other land in
another section, will observe this difference in the first conveyances on his
abstracts of title.
In some of the counties of the state this land was managed and worked
many years, and the income therefrom used for the maintenance of the schools.
In Hancock county, however, all these sections were sold at an early date.
All except two sections (in Buck Creek and Vernon townships) were sold
before 1837. The section in Buck Creek was sold in 1849, and the section
in Vernon in 1850.
Among the treaties made between the United States government and the
Indian tribes which affected the territory of which Hancock county is a part,
was possibly the treaty of October 3, 1818, in w^hich the Delawares ceded to
the United States all their land in Indiana. Their claim was rather indefi-
nite. They held it, in joint tenancy with the Aliamis, and it seems to have
been located in the region of White river. On October 6, 1818, the Miamis
ceded to the United States their lands, including all of central Indiana and a
part of western Ohio. This tract became known as the "New Purchase" and
was bounded on the nortli and west by the Wabash, and in places e.Ktended
be\ond that river; on the southwest, by the famous "ten o'clock line," which
began about the center of Jackson county and ran northwest, entering Illinois
about the middle of Vermilion county ; on the southeast, by a line from the
same point in Jackson county northeast along the present slanting northwest
boundary of Ripley county, then more nearly norlli, leaving the state beyond
Randolph county just west of Ft. Recovery.
On January 22, 1820, the State Legislature divided a portion of the
"New Purchase" tract into Wabash and Delaware counties. In this division
Hancock county was included as a part of Delaware county. In 1823 Dela-
ware county was divided, and Madison county was organized as a separate
county, including the territory of Hancock county. In 1828 Hancock county
was organized as a separate county from a part of the territory of Madison
countv.
EARLY INFLUENCES. 57
In tlie act separating the two counties, Hancock county is descril)e(l as
"all the territory lying one mile south of the line dividing townships 17 and
18, and within tiie former territory of Madison." This included the present
territory of Hancock county. In tlie acts of i8-]3 the county is again de-
scribed by metes and bounds as follows : "Beginning at the southwest corner
of section 35 in township 15. north, range 5 east, thence east to the southeast
corner of section 33, township 15 north, range 8 east, thence north to the
northeast corner of section 4, in said range and township, thence east to the
southwest corner of section 36, township 16, range 8, thence north to the
northwest corner of section 2, in township 16 north, in range 8 east, thence
east to the southwest corner of section 36, township 17 north, range 8 east,
thence north to the northwest corner of section 12, in said township, thence
west to the northwest corner of section 9, in township 17, range 6 east, thence
south to the southwest corner of said section, thence west to the northwest
comer of section 14, township 17, range 5, thence south to tlie place of be-
ginning."
(Whoever drew the above description did not take into account the fact
that the range lines are broken at the line dividing townships 16 and 17,
and that therefore the last line, south from the northwest corner to section
14, to the place of beginning, is not a straight line.)
CHAPTER III.
THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
Two acts were passed b\ the Legislature for the organization of Hancock
county as a separate county. Tlie first act, approved January 26. 1827, pro-
vided, in substance, that all the territory lying one mile south of the line divid-
ing townships 17 and 18 and within tlie then boundary of Madison county,
should be formed as Hancock county, and should enjoy all the rights, privi^
leges and immiuiities belonging to separate counties. It provided that all
circuit and other courts should be held in said county at the house of Henry
Pierson. It provided further that the county should be attached to Madison
county for all civil, judicial and other purposes, until the county seat should
be located and convenient buildings should be erected.
In tlie latter part of the same year, another act was passed and approved
which made complete provision for th'e organization of the county as a sep-
arate county. Tiiis act is as follows :
"An Act for the Organization of the County of Hancock.
"Approved December 24. 1827.
"Section i. Be It Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of
Indiana: That from and after the first day of March next, the county of
Hancock shall enjoy the riglits and jurisdiction which to separate counties
do properly belong.
"Section 2. That Levi Jessup, of the county of Hendricks, James Smock,
of the county of Johnson, Richard Blacklidge. of the county of Rush, John
Anderson, of Henry county, and Thomas Martin, of Marion county, be, and
they arc hereby appointed commissioners for the purpose of fixing the perma'
nent seat of justice for said county of Hancock, agreeably to the provisions
of an 'Act to Fix the Seats of Justice in New Counties.' approved January 14,
1824, and the act amendatory of the same, approved December 19. 1825. The
commissioners above named or a majority of them shall convene at the house
of Samuel B. Jackson in said county, on the first Monday in April next or so
soon thereafter as the majority shall agree.
"Section 3. It shall be the duty of the sheriff of Henry county, on or
before the fifteenth day of March next, to notify tlie commissioners above
named, either in person or bv writing, of their appointment, and of the time
'58
COUNTY GOVERNMENT. 59
and place when they are to convene, and the court doing county business shall
allow him a reasonable compensation for his services out of the moneys in
the treasury of said county of Hancock.
"Section 4. The circuit and other courts of the county of Hancock shall
be held at the house of Samuel B. Jackson, until suitable accommodations can
be had at the county seat, and the said courts may adjourn thereto, or to any
place in said county if tliey tliink proper.
"Section 5. The agent who shall 1je appointed to superintend the sale
of lots at the county seat of the county of Hancock shall reserve ten per cent,
out of the proceeds thereof, and out of all donations to said county, and pay
the same over to such person or persons as may be appointed by law for the
use of the library of said county, which he or his successors shall pay over
at such time and in such manner as shall be directed by law.
"Section 6. It shall be the duty of the qualified voters of said county
of Hancock, at the time of electing the officers of said county, to elect three
commissioners within and for said county, who shall constitute a board for
tran.sacting county business, and do and perform all the duties heretofore de-
volving on the board of county commissioners in organizing new counties.
And said persons so elected shall hold their offices in the same manner and
under the same restrictions as they are prescribed by an 'Act to establish a
Board of County Commissioners." approved January 31, 1824.
"Section 7. The said commissioners, when so elected and qualified into
office, shall have the power to hold special sessions and to do and perform at
such special sessions any acts which may have been required by law to be done
at any previous regular session or sessions of the court doing county business.
"Section 9. This act to take effect and be in force from and after the
first Monday in March next."
The organization of Hancock county as a separate county under the
above act became effective on March i. 1S28. It was. however, only a "dis-
trict of country." without the organized machinerv of civil government. Pro-
vision had been made in the first act of the Legislature for the organization of
the county, approved January 26, 1827, that the circuit court and all other
courts to be held in Hancock county should be held at the house of Henry
Pierson. and that all acts, judginents. and decrees of said courts should have
the same force and effect as if held in Madison county. There is no record,
however, of any court held in Hancock county previous to the fourth Monday
of March. 1828. On that day. March 24. Bethuel F. Morris, who was presi-
dent of the fifth judicial circuit, which then included a number of counties in
central Indiana, came to the house of Samuel B. Jackson, which stood on the
60 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
south side of the National road, just a little west of where the car barns now
stand, and there held, or ors^anized rather, the Hancock circuit court. There
were present on that day, Bethuel F. Morris, judge ; Lewis Tyner, clerk ; Jacob
Jones and James B. Stevens, associate judges, and James Whitcomb, prosecu-
tor. The organization of the court was effected as follows : Judge Morris
produced his commission as president of the fifth judicial circuit, from the
hand of the governor, William Hendricks ; also a written copy of his oath as
such president of the fifth judicial circuit, both of which were placed on the
records of the Hancock circuit court. Lewis Tyner produced his commission
as clerk of said county, and liis bond, with John Foster, Samuel B. Jackson.
Elijah Tyner and Israel Chapman as sureties, both of which instruments were
placed on record. The associate judges next produced their commissions and
oaths, as did also the prosecutor, James Whitcomb. The commissioners of the
associate judges and of the prosecutor, however, were not recorded. Following
this, Calvin Fletcher, Henry Gregg, Marinus \\'illett and Charles H. Verder.
on motion of the prosecutor, were duly admitted to practice as attorneys and
counsellors-at-law at the bar of the new court.
Lewis Tyner, clerk, then produced a seal, which "tlie court adopted and
ordered to be used and taken and received as the seal of this court until the
same is changed." This seal was a notched disc about one and one-half inches
in diameter, with the word "HANCOCK" printed in large capitals around
the margin, and eight short lines radiating in all directions from the center.
John Foster did not produce his commission as sheriff until the Sep-
tember term, 1828. A\'ith this exception, the organization of the court was
completed on March 24, 1828, and court and attorneys were ready for any
legal matters that might need attention. But there being an evident lack of
business, the court adjourned sine die.
The two associate judges above mentioned were county officers and
sat as a probate court without the presence of the presiding judge. Judge
Morris traveled from county to county over his entire circuit and was not
strictly a county officer. The presiding judge had about tlie same duties to
perform tliat devolve upon our present circuit judges. Tlie associate judges
sat on cither side of the presiding judge when court was in session.
At the September term, 1828, the first grand jury convened, and re-
turned several indictments. The following men were members of this grand
jury: George A\\ Hinton, James McKinsey, Benjamin Gordon, Meredith
Gosney, Jeremiah Meek, Samuel Thompson, Robert Snodgrass, David Tem-
pleton, Ladock Stephenson, Richard Guymon, Jacob Tague, Moses McCall,
Samuel Martin, Basil Meek, Owen Griffith and John Osborn. The record
COUNTY GOVERNMENT. 6l
sliows that Meredith Gosney was appointed foreman. Eight cases, including
four prosecutions for rioting and two for assault and battery, were disposed
of by the court at this term. I'leas of "guilty" were entered to all of tlie
charges, and on the second day, September 23, there being no further busi-
ness, the court adjourned.
On March 19, 1829, the court convened for the March term, 1829. Dur-
ing this term, the first plea of "not guilty" was entered, by Nancy Shay, de-
fendant, on a charge of assault and battery. On March 21, 1829, this case
was tried before the first petit jury impanelled in this county, composed of
Henry Watts, John Kauble, Peter Bellers, Benjamin ]\Iiller, George Baity,
William Chapman, \A'illiam Bootli, David Smith. John Henle}-, James Good-
win, Samuel Vangilder and Eli Chapman. The^ jur\- returned a verdict of
"guilty," and did "assess a fine to her of twenty-five cents."
Both of tlie above terms of court were held at tiie house of Samuel B.
Jackson.
A probate court was first organized nn December 8. 1828. also at the
house of Samuel B. Jackson. Tliere were present the associate judges, Jacob
Jones and James B. Stevens. They produced their commissiiins as probate
judges, but, tliere being no business, they adjourned "till court in course."
At the March term, 1829, these judges convened again at the house of Samuel
B. Jackson, but adjourned without doing any business.
At the November term. 1829, however, Jeremiah Meek produced his
commission from tlie hand of the governor as judge of tlie prol>ate court for
Hancock county, under the act approved January 2. 1829, providing for the
organization of probate courts in the state. The first matter brought before
this new court was the guardianship of the infant heirs of David John. John
Foster was appointed guardian, and filed his bond, with Lewis Tyner as
security.
On Monday, April i, 1828. the county commissioners held their first
meeting, in special session at the house of Samuel B. Jackson. The record of
tliat meeting recites in part :
"SPECI.\L TERM, APU. Jtll .\. D. 1828.
"At a special term of the Board of County Commissioners of the County
of Hancock, at the house of Samuel B. Jackson, in the aforesaid County, on
the 7th day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred
twenty eight —
"Samuel Vangilder Esqr. presented his Certificate as first Commissioner
of the Countv of Hancock from under the hand of John Foster. Sheriff of
62
HANCOCK COLNTY, INDIANA.
said County to serve as such, for tlie term of three years from and after
the date of his said Certificate, which Certificate bears date the 20th day of
March, 1828. On the back of said Certificates is endorsed the Certificate
of John Foster, Esquire, Sheriff as aforesaid, of his having taken the several
oaths prescribed by the Constitution and laws of the State of Indiana — Where-
upon he takes his seat as first Commissioner of said County."
EHsha Chapman presented a similar certificate as second commissioner,
for a period of two years, and John Hunter, as third commissioner, for a
period of one year, all of which were duly recorded in the first county com-
missioners' record.
DIVISION OF COUNTY INTO TOWNSHIPS.
The first official act of the county commissioners after the organization
of the board, on April 7, 1828, at the house of Samuel B. Jackson, was to
divide the county into townships. Three townships were organized. The
minutes of that meeting recite :
"It is ordered by the Board that the County be divided into three town-
ships, as follows, to wit : Commencing at the southeast comer of Section
Thirty- four, Township Fifteen, Range Si.x, thence north to the north boun-
1 —
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1
—
-
BUCK CPS£K
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Hancock County as Laid Off April 7, 1828.
Hancock County. Sept., 1833. to Jan., 1836.
dary of said county, and that all the lands lying west of the said line to the
best boundary of said county shall be known and designated by the name and
title of Sugar Creek township. No ist. And that all the lands lying west of
the lines dividing thirty-four and thirty-five in Township Si.xteen and Range
Seven, thence running north to the north boundary of said County shall be
known and designated by the name and title of Brandywine Township, No,
2nd. And that all the lands lying east of the aforesaid line to the east
COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
63
buundary shall be known and designated by the name and title oi Blue River
Township, No 3rd."
It was soon found advisable to make further divisions of these townships.
At the May term, 1831, several divisions were made. Blue River township
was reduced in size and given its present boundary. The remaining part
of the original Blue Ri\er to\vnshi]i was organized and became known as
Jackson township. Brandywine township was reduced tu a district si.x miles
east and west by five miles north and south, located where it is now except
that the northern boundary was one mile further north than it is now.
Center township was organized and lioundcd as follows : Commencing
one mile south of the township line dividing 15 and 16 at the line dividing 2
and 3 : thence north to the said township line ; thence east one mile ; thence
north one mile: thence west two miles west of the range line dividing 6 anri
7: thence south two miles; thence east to the place of beginning.
Harrison township was organized and bounded as follows : Commencing
one mile north of the township line dividing 15 ;md 16 and one mile west of
the range line dividing 7 and 8 ; thence due north to the north line of said
county : thence west on said line one mile west of the range line dividing 6
and 7 : thence south, within one mile of the line dividing 16 and 15, thence east
to the place of beginning.
_KTir
•Lowisenrc
:'.'^;.? CR-EJC
Hancock County. 1850 to 1853
(Towns as Known Prior to 1850).
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CREEll
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Hancock County Since the Last Division,
1S53.
The •following addition was made to Sugar Creek township: Commenc-
ing one mile north of the township line dividing 15 and 16; north from thence
one mile in width to the county line, one mile in width and ten miles in length.
At the November term, 183 1, Buck Creek township was organized and
bounded as follows : Commencing at the southeast corner of section 34,
64 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
township 1 6, range 6; "thence north one mile; thence east one mile; thence
north to the county line; thence west to the same; thence south to the first
mentioned line; thence east to the place of beginning.
At the September term, 1832, Green township was organized and made
to include all of what is now Green and Brown townships, described as fol-
lows: Beginning at the east side of said county on the line dividing con-
gressional townships 16 and 17; thence west on said line to Buck Creek town-
ship line ; thence north with said Buck Creek tow-nship line to the county line ;
thence east and south with said county line to the place of beginning.
At the September term, 1S33, Brown township was organized and given
its present boundary lines.
At the January term, 1836, Center township was ordered bounded as
follows : Commencing at tlie northwest corner of section 35, township 16
north, range 7 east (evidently range 6 east was intended) ; thence east seven
miles to the northeast corner of section 35 ; thence south three miles to the
southeast corner of section 11, township 15 north, of range 7 east; thence
west seven miles to tlie southwest corner of section 1 1 : thence north to the
place of beginning.
At the May term, 1836, the southern boundary line of Vernon township
was located one mile south of the line dividing townships 16 and 17 north.
At the May term, 1838, it was ordered that the following described tract
of land formerly belonging to Sugar Creek and Buck Creek townships be set
apart and called Jones townsliip. to wit : Beginning at the southeast corner of
section 10 in township 15 north, of range 6 east; thence running west with
the section lines to the southwest comer of section 17 in township 15 north,
of range 5 east ; thence with the county lines dividing tlie counties of Han-
cock and Marion to tlie northwest corner of section 26; thence east with the
section lines to the northeast corner of section 26, township 16, range 6; thence
one mile to the southeast corner of said section 26; thence west one mile to
the southeast comer of said section 26; thence south along the section line
to the ])lace of beginning.
.'\t the September term, 1838, it was ordered that the following described
tract of land formerly belonging to the townships of Harrison, Buck Creek
and Vernon "be and the satne is liereby set apart and called Union township,
to wit: Commencing at the southeast corner of section 30 in township 16
north, of range 7 east ; thence west four miles along the section line to the
southwest corner of section 27, range 6 east; township 16 north ; thence north
COUNTY GOVERNMENT. 65
along tlie section lines five miles to the northwest corner ol section 3 in
township 16, range 6 east; thence east four miles along the section line to the
northeast corner of section 6, township 16, range 7; thence soutli along the
section line five miles tn the place of beginning."
.\l the June term, 1S50. it was "ordered that sections i, 12. 13 and 24,
in tinvnship 16 nortii, of range 7 east, and sections numbered 2, 3. 4, 5. 6, 7.
8, 9, 10, II. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20, 21. 22 and 23, of township 16 north,
range 8 east, shall compose a separate township and shall be designated and
known by the name of Worth township."
On Marcii 11. 1S53. the following entry was made in cimimissiotiers"
Record "C", page 142:
"Tiie l)oard now proceeds to lay off the count}- into townships, as fol-
lows, to wit:" Here follow descriptions of the nine townships of the county
with their present boundaries. No change has been made in the township
lines since that time.
After the division (if the county into townships, the board ordered the
election of two justices of the peace in each township, the first elections to be
held on the first Saturday of May, 1829. Tlie election in Sugar Creek town-
ship was ordered held at the house of William Banks, who lived within or
near the present corporate limits of New Palestine. In Brandywine town-
ship, the election was ordered held at the house of Samuel B. Jackson, and
in Blue River, at the house of Abraham Miller, who lived one-half mile north
and one-fourth mile east of Westland, William ]\IcCance was appointed in-
-spector in Sugar Creek townshi]), Jeremiali Meek in Brandywine, and Jona-
than Justice in Blue River townshii).
The board then appointed trustees for the school sections in the con-
gressional townships within the county. The following appointments were
made :
Section 16. town.sliip 13, range 6, William ?kIcCance, Jacob Murnan.
Josepli Weston.
Section 16. lownslu'p 15, range 7. Elijah Tyner. Samuel Alartin. Lucus
Brown.
Section 16. townshi]) 13, range 8, Samuel A. Hall. James Tyner, Joshua
Bin ford.
Section 16. township 13. range 8, Basil Meek, Samuel Thompson, James
Dennis.
(5)
66 • HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Section i6, township 15, range 7, Meredith Gosney, Benjamin SpiUnian.
Samuel B. Jackson.
Section 16, township 15, range 6, Morris Pierson, Jacob Jones, James
Willetts.
The first day's business was closed with the following order : "It is
ordered by the board that each and every person producing a wolfe scalp or
scalps killed within Hancock County sliall severally be allowed the sum of one
dollar for each scalp over six months old, and fifty cents for every scalp under
six months old, and that the Treasurer shall pay the same out of any moneys
not otherwise appropriated, when a certificate be produced by the applicant
from under the hand and seal of the clerk of said Board."
This order was based on an act approved June 27, 1827, which provided
that in case anyone produced before the clerk of any circuit court, a wolf
scalp or scalps with the ears, within thirty days after the wolf had been
killed, within eight miles of any settlement in Indiana, he should receive the
sums above stipulated. The applicant had to make oath as to the facts,
whereupon the clerk was required to destroy the wolf's ears in the presence of
the applicant. The clerk then ■gave the applicant a certificate which enabled
him to draw his money. The order is interesting as the first step toward
greater security of life and property, and for the light it throws upon the con-
ditions of the times. Quite a number of fees were paid for killing wolves in
Hancock count>- during the first ten years after this order was made.
Among the orders drawn for wolf scalps, as shown by the early com-
missioners' records, are those of Isaac Lucas, two scalps; one Sebastian, three
scalps ; Robinson Lucas, one scalp ; William Records, three scalps ; Reed Fuller,
one scalp ; Joe Kingan, two scalps ; Aaron Pawd, two scalps ; Joshua King, ten
scalps; John Carr, one scalp; Thomas Carr, one scalp.
It was then "ordered that the board adjourn until tomorrow morning at
the hour at 10 o'clock — present the honorable
Samuel Vangilder,
".A.ttest Elish Chapman
"Lewis Tyner John Hunter."
On the next day, April 8. 1828, the board appointed the following count>
officers: County lister, Samuel I\Iartin : county treasurer, Henry Watts.
The seal of the Hancock circuit court was adopted by the board to be
used wheii any instrument in writing required a seal affixed thereto. No
further steps in the organization of the county were taken on that day.
On Wednesday and Thursday. April 9 and 10. adjourned sessions were
COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
67
held, l)ut on April 11, 1828, tlic board received the report from the commis-
sioners appointed by statute to select and locate the seat of justice for Han-
cock county. This report was accepted and ordered spread on the commis-
sioners' record. By the acceptance of this report, the present site of Green-
field became fixed as the county seat of Hancock county. The report is
as follows :
"Indiana, to wit :
I lancdck County
"Pursuant to an Act of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana,
approved December 24, A. D. 1827, James Smock. Thomas Martin, and Levi
Jessup, three of the Commissioners appointed by the aforesaid, met at the
house of Samuel Jackson, in said County of Hancock on Monday the 7th
(lav of April, A. D. 1828. and after being sworn as the law directs: proceed to
the discharge of the duties of our appointment. On Tuesday the 8th' day of
April, John Anderson appeared and was sworn as a Commissioner appointed
by the Act aforesaid, and on the same day Richard Blacklidge appeared and
was sworn as a Commissioner appointed as aforesaid. And after examining the
several sites shown to us and duly considering all their donations offered, we
iiave unanimously agreed to accept a donation of sixty acres of land donated
by Cornwell Meek, John \\'ingfield, and Benjamin Spilman, bounded as
follows to wit : Beginning at the line dividing Sections Thirty-two and Thir-
ty-three in Township Sixteen North, Range Seven East, where the National
Road crosses said line thence running north thirty rods from the north side
of said Road and the same distance south from the south side of said County
Road. Thence west on lines parallel witli the said road one hundred and
sixty rods to the open line dividing Sections Thirty-two and Five, north and
south, to contain sixty acres, which we have selected as the permanent seat
of Justice for the Hancock. And it is further agreed and allowed by us that
the donors aforesaid be allowed ever}- fourth block in that part of the town
respectively donated by them in manner following to wit : John Wingfield
and Benjamin Spilman to be entitled to every fourth block, the County Com-
missioners having first choice, and that Cornwell Meek be allowed every
fourth block on that part of town donated by him, the said Cornwell Meek
to have first choice in the first four blocks and afterward for the County
Commissioners to have the first choice, and it is moreover further agreed by
us that the donors aforesaid be allowed to remove all their building, rails,
boards, and board timber already sawed off which may be included in their
respective donation. And we have further received donations by subscrip-
68 HANCOCK COINTV, IXDIANA.
tioii aniounliiig in cash, laljur, and lumber, to two hundred and sixty-five
dollars. And furthermore we have taken bond on the donors aforesaid for
the con\e\ance of the land above described, which with the papers containing
the suliscriptions aforesaid is sul)mitted to the County Commissioners.
(Signed) "James Smock
"Thomas Martin
"Levi Jessup
"JoHX Anderson
"Richard Blacklidge."
fared C'liajjuian was apiminlcd county agent to sell the lots and account
for the moneys as provided by the statute.
On .\])ril ir, 1828. tlie board also ordered "that the seat of Justice of
Hancock county, shall be known and designated by the name and title of
Greenfield. (The Seat of Justice of Hancock County.)"
Even at tliis early day the countv was not unmindful of tho.'^e who might
be in need. At the May term. 1828. John Hager and Xoble Banks were
appointed overseers of the poor in Sugar Creek township, and James Reeves
and David Vangilder. overseers of the poor in Brandywine township.
Fence viewers were also appointed at the same term, George Baity and
James Anderson for Sugar Creek. William Simmons and Isaac Roberts for
Brandywine. and Harmon W'areham and Al^raham Miller for Blue River
township.
To meet tlie expenses of tlie new county government, the board, at the
^lay term, 1828, made the first tax le\y. The first rate of taxation on the
])ersons and property of Hancock county was as follows: Polls, 50 cents;
horse, 37/4 cents; work ox, 18^ cents; silver and pinchbeck watches, 25
cents: gold watches, $1.00: land, one-half state tax.
John Foster, acting sheriff of the county, was appointed collector of
revenue for the year 1828.
At tliis lime. Ma_\- 4, 1828, the board also appointed the first grand
jurors, wiio were to serve at the September term of the Hancock circuit
court, and who have been named above. On the same day the board also
drew the following list of names from which the first petit jury was to be
chosen for the September term of the Hancock circuit court: Josiaii Van-'
meter, Thomas Phillips, Sr.. Joseph Mitchell, .\donijali Rambo, William Wil-
son, Jr., Jacob Manan, Daniel Smith, Andrew F'lowers, William Simmons,
Warner Copeland, George Smith, John Harwood, Solomon Catt, William
Burris, Ambrose Shirley and Harry Pierson. No jury cases were tried
at this term, hence these men did not serve.
COUNTY GOVEKXMENT. 69
Tlie orj^anization of the Hancock circuit court, as above stated, witli
two associate judties and the presiding judge, was maintained until 1852.
Tlie presiding judge alone, or the presicUng judge and one associate judge,
could hold court, but the two associate judges could not hold court in the
absence of the presiding judge except to hear certain matters in chancery or
equity. The associate judges were not always elected from the legal pro-
fession, but were chosen rather because they were good, sulistantial business
men, in whose character and intelligence peo])le bad confidence. The men
who served one or more terms as associate judge from 1828 to 1852, were:
Jacob Jones, James Stevens, John Ogg, Robert McCorkhill, Nathan Craw-
ford, George Henry, Hector H. Hall, George Tague, Owen Jarretl, Andrew
T. Hatfield, P. H. Foy.
In 1852 the numlier of judges of the Hancock circuit court was reduced
from three to one.
When the court was first organized it was made a part of the fifth
judicial circuit. It remained a part of this circuit until ]'"ebruar\- i, 1859, when
it was luade a part of the seventh judicial circuit. In 1873 the eighteenth
judicial circuit was formed of Hancock and Henry counties. In 1889 this
circuit was divided, and since that time the Hancock circuit court of Hancock
county has constituted the eighteenth judicial circuit. The following men
have presided over this court since its organization :
Judges Elected or Appointed
Bethiiel F. Morris 1828
William W. \\ick 1835
James Morrison 1840
\\'illiam J. Pcasley 1843
William W. Wick 1850
Stephen Major 1853
Joseph S. Buckles i8.=i9
Joshua H. Mellett 1870
Robert J. Polk 1876
Mark E. Forkner 1881
\A'illiam H. Martin 1888
Charles G. Offutt 1894
Edward W. Felt 1900
Robert L. Mason 1906
Earl Sample 1912
yO HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Since the organization of the county there has always been a probate
court, having jurisdiction of the settlement of decedent's estates, the care
and preservation of the property of minors and of persons of unsound mind,
etc. Such a court was first organized at the house of Samuel B. Jackson on
December 8, 1828, by the associate judges of the Hancock circuit court. The
record shows that this court convened in December, 1828, and in March.
1829. It fails to show, however, that any probate business was transacted.
Under another statute, another probate court was organized in 1829, and
was maintained until 1852; Three men presided over this court: Jeremiah
]\Ieek, until 1836: John Ogg, from 1836 until 1850, and Samuel Hottle, from
1850 until 1852. The probate judges, like the associate judges, were elected
because of character and l)usiness ability rather than for their technical
knowledge of the law.
In 1852 the Legislature passed an act establishing the common pleas
courts in the state, which took over all the business of the former probate
courts and also had jurisdiction of some other matters. Under this act, the
common pleas court of Hancock county became a part of a circuit composed
of Rush. Decatur, Madison and Hancock counties. Section 5 of the act of
1852 provided that "the circuit and common pleas courts shall have concur-
rent jurisdfction in all actions against heirs, devisees and sureties of executors,
administrators and guardians, in the partition of real estate, assignment of
dowers, and appointments of a commissioner to execute a deed on any title bond
given by the decedent." This provision means that any action or lawsuit
against any of the persons, or for any of the purposes, set out in the act.
could be brought in eitlier tlie Hancock circuit court or in the Hancock com-
mon pleas court. The common pleas court was in fact a probate court, and
was maintained until it was abolished by the act of March 6, 1873. In the
office of the clerk of the Hancock circuit court may be seen the two sets
of books or records of the courts of the county covering the period from
1852 to 1873 — tlie records of the Hancock circuit court and of the Hancock
court of common pleas. Since 1853 the Hancock circuit court has had juris-
diction of all probate matters within the county, and it is now our only county
court.
The following men presided over the Hancock court of common pleas :
Judges Elected
David S. Gooding 1852
Richard Lake 1856
William Grose i860
COUNTY GOVERNMENT. ^\
David S. Gooding- 1861
William R. W^est 1S64
RolKMt L. Polk 1872
The \alue of property in those days was not very liigh, and personal
property was not very plentiful. Hence, in order to meet the current ex-
penses of the county, other methods than the tax levy were resorted to. The
law of the state permitted the board of commissioners to impose a revenue
upon licenses granted to sell groceries, merchandise, liquors, etc. Our county
commissioners took advantage of this law, and their first rec'T'l'^ '-Antain a
great number of orders like the following:
"It is ordered that Elijah Tyner is licensed to vend foreign merchandise
at his store on Brandywine for and during a term of six months from and
after this date [November, 1828]. And the said Elijah Tyner here now files
receipt from under the hand of tlie Treasurer of his having paid five dollars
as a tax on said license."
"On application of Joseph Chapman foi- a license to retail spirituous and
strong liquors, foreign and domestic groceries at his grocery at the town
of Greenfield in the County of Hancock. Indiana: Tlierefore it is ordered by
the Board that the said Joseph Chapman be licensed as such for and during
the period of one year from the date of his license [November. 1829] upon
payin^t the license fee of $5.00."
"On application of Samuel S. Duncan for a license to open a tavern at
his tavern in Brandywine Township and County of Hancock ; Therefore it is
ordered and considered by the Board that the said Samuel S. Duncan be
licensed as such for and during tiie term of one year from the date of his
paying a tax of S5.00 and by filing his bond with approved security."
As early as 1834 the report of the county treasurer also shows that he
collected a license fee of five dollars f(ir a "circus performance."
Tlic license fees imposed upon the retail and tavern Itusiness \aried from
five dollars to fifteen dollars for different years. The commissioners' records
show that the county collected a large amount of m.oney from this source dur-
ing its early history and in fact until 1852.
As the population of the county increased and business assumed more
important proportions, some features of the early government were reor-
ganized, and in some instances new offices were created. Thus, in tiie very
early history of the county, three men were appointed in each township to ex-
amine teachers, or pass upon their qualifications for teaching. In 1854. how-
ever, a county examiner was provided for by law, whose <lutv it was to ex-
amine all tlie leacliers of the county, but who had very little other power.
^2 HANCOCK COL'XTY, INDIANA.
In 1873 the county superintendent's office was created by a law which gave to
tlie county superintendent supervisory as well as other duties in addition to
examining teachers.
In 1891 the county assessor's office was created, so that one officer might
hiae it within his power to discover the omission of any property from the
tax sheets.
In 1899 a county council was provided for by statute, whose duty it is
to consider the amount of money tliat ma)' be expended for county purposes.
BOARD OF children's GUARDIANS.
The first board of children's guardians of Hancock county was appointed
by Judge Felt, on February 22, 1905. The law under which this board was
appointed provides that such lioard shall be composed of six persons, three
of wliom shall be women and every member of which shall be a parent. The
members of the board are ajjpointed 1)\- tlie circuit court and serve without
compensation.
The board has the care and supervision of all neglected and dependent
children under fifteen years of age domiciled and resident in the county for
which it is created. It has power to take under its control, in the manner
specified by law, any children abandoned, neglected or cruelly treated by their
parents; cliildrcn liegging on tlie streets; cliildren of lialjitual drunkards or vic-
ious and unfit parents; children kept in vicious or immoral associations; chil-
dren known l)y their language and life to lie vicious and incorrigible, and
juvenile delinquents and truants.
The first board appointed by Judge Felt was composed of the following
members, who served during the periods indicated : \\'illiam C. W'clborn, three
years; J. P. Knight, ten years; W. C. Goble, six years; Mrs. J. M. Pogue, one
year; Mrs. Dr. Barnes, eight years; Dr. Mary L. Bruner, ten years.
There have been resignations and the following appointments have been
made to fill such vacancies; Mrs. A. P. Conklin, 1906, seven years; George
J. Richman, 1908. six years; Frank Larrabee, 1911, four years; Mrs. Ella
Hough, 1913, two years; Mrs. Florence Larimore, 1913, two years.
The board at present is composed of Dr. ^lary L. Bruner, Mrs. Florence
Larimore, Mrs. Ella Hough, J. P. Knight, Frank Larrabee and George J.
Richman.
In the performance of its duties, the board has taken and placed in homes
thirty children and has inspected and tried to help in various ways twice as
many more. The greater number of children taken by the board have been
placed in liome-finding institutions, such as \\'bite's Manual Institute at
JARED C. MEEK.
First White Child Born in Greenfield
JOHN FIELUIXG MEEK,
One of Hancock's Earliest Pioneers
JOSHUA MEEK.
First County Recorder
COUNTY GOVICRNMENT. 73
Wabash and the Inchanapuhs Orphans' Home. By tar the greater number of
children taken from Hancock county Iia\e been placed in homes through the
efforts of White's Manual Institute.
In view of the great number of roads that the count)- is taking charge of,
a county road suiierinteiident has been provided for, and the first appointment
was made in this countv in January. 1914.
It is interesting- to observe, in the adniinistration of coin-ity offices, that
when the county was first organized, the offices of clerk, auditor and recorder
were combined, and for four years the work of all of them was done by Lewis
Tyner. For this reason his name appears as clerk of the Hancock circuit
court, and also as auditor or clerk of the board of county comn-iissioners at
their first meetings. The filing- and recording of the first deeds are also
attested b)- his signature in the count\- recorder's office. In 183 J his term
of office expired, and then a dixision was made of the official work of the
county.
In that \'car Joseph Chapman, famous as one of the first ])oIiticians of
the count}-, ruid whose fame bids fair to become national, became the clerk
of the Hancock circuit court. In 1837 he was followed Ijy Johi-i Hager, who
held the office for twelve years. Both Chapn-ian and Hager filled the office
of clerk of the Hancock circuit court and also performed the duties of the
auditor's office. In 1841 John Templin took his seat as the first county
auditor of Hancock county. From 1832 to 1841 Joseph Chapman and John
Hager, as clerk. Joshua ]\Ieek, as recorder, and Morris Pierson, as county
treasurer, were the principal fig^u'es around the court house at Greenfield.
A nunil)er of officers since that time have served eight years, as may lie seen
by referring to the tables appended hereto. During the last fifteen or twenty
\-ears, however, an unwritten law has put a limit of four years on every office-
holder excejit the countv comi-nissioners, the most of whom ha\-e been serving
two terms of three years each.
In 1832 the first county recorder, Joshua .Meek, took his office, and
served three terms of seven years each. He owned a brick factory just north
of what was then the town of Greenfield and much of his time was given to
his individual business. His eldest son, Oscar F. Meek, was taken into the
office when a mere lad and he began copying deeds with a quill pen in 1839-40.
lie developed a beautiful script when a bov. and retained it until the time of
his death, at the age of eighty-three years. His letters were always made small
and he delighted to make little flourishes, and shade his letters. He indulged
in these little exhil)itions of his skill to such an extent that it is even now pos-
sible to point out practically ever_\- deed that he recorded, beginning with Deed
74 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Record "I", page 72, to Deed Record "O", page 220. He did not record
all the deeds that were recorded during those years, but his fine, clear writing,
with his frequent emphasis placed on the words, "This Indenture Witnesseth."
"To Have and to Hold," and "Warrant and Forever Defend," distingviished
his hand throughout the record. Early in 1847 he was seized with a severe
illness which kept him out of the office for quite a while. In the latter part
of that year, however, his presence is again attested by Deed Record "L".
pages 174, 220. 272, etc. The lieauty of those early records inspires frequent
comment to this day among those who have occasion to inspect them. It was
his fine hand that gave them this touch.
Among those who performed distinguished service in the county record-
er's office, and who thereby endeared themselves to the people of the county,
was Miss Mary X. Roberts. She was the daughter of County Recorder
Nathaniel H. Roberts. She entered the office as her father's deputy in 1876,
and performed the duties imposed upon her so efficiently that when her fatlier
died in 1881 public sentiment was in favor of giving her the emoluments of
the office for the unexpired term. A public meeting of the citizens of the
county was held at which a nonpartisan committee was appointed to select
some person as the nominal recorder in whose name she should act. John
W. Ryon was appointed. His name appears upon the record as county
recorder, but Miss Roberts assumed all the responsibilities of the office and
drew tlie salary.
Beginning with the administration of Henr\ A. Swope. a series of depu-
tyships began which developed several very efficient officers. Mr. Swope
took into the clerk's office as deputy, Ephraim Marsh. During the several
}ears that Mr. Marsh served in this capacity, he applied himself very earnestly
to the study of law. In T874 he himself was elected to the office, and served
the people as clerk for a period of eight years. His training as a deputy
under Mr. Swope, together with his legal knowledge, of course, made him an
authority on questions pertaining to his office. Upon his election he selected
as his deputy, Charles Downing. Mr. Downing served as deputy for eight
\ears, then took charge of the office himself, admirably equipped for tlie
execution of his duties, wliicli extended through another period of eiglit years.
In the clerk's office, the present generation, and especially the members
of tlie Hancock bar, will long remember the efficient and accommodating
service of Moses C. Wood. He became his father's deputy in that office
in 1899. He had mastered the intricate duties of the office so thoroughly
wlien his father's term expired on Januan- i, 1905. that he was retained as
deputy by Clerks Hall and Service during tlie following eight years. Not
COUNTY GOVERNMENT. 75
only the successive clerks for whom he served, but the members of the bar
as well, appreciated the ability and the technical knowledge which he brought
to tliat office. In 1912 tlie people of the county honored him with an election
to the office himself. He remained for awhile with his successor, Horace E.
Wilson, then turned in his keys on July i, 191 5, after more than sixteen years
of continuous service.
In the auditor's office the face of the present auditor, Lawrence Wood,
h?.6 long been familiar to the people of the county. His experience in tlie
execution of the duties of that office began during the administration of Law-
rence Boring, under whom he served as deputy for five years. This was
followed with four years more of service under Auditor Richman. In 1910
he was elected to the office for a term of four years, at the close of which he
had rendered.the countv thirteen years of efficient and accommodating service.
A few unfortunate things have also occurred in the administration of
county affairs. On January 12, 1866, the safe in the county treasury was
opened, and about thirteen thousand dollars was stolen. This was before
there were any local banks, and the safe in the treasurer's office was the
only safe in the county. County officers, township trustees, and many private
citizens, deposited their money in this safe. The money for which the county
treasurer was responsible amounted, it seems, to sbout five thousand dollars.
The remaining portion of the money had been placed in the safe at the risk of
the depositors. ' The county treasurer was held to be without fault, and at
the lune session of the board of county commissioners the following order
was entered on their record:
"Whereas, it has been shown to the full satisfaction of the board of
countv commissioners of Hancock county, Indiana, by competent and suffi-
cient evidence, that on the night of the 12th of January, A. D. 1866. the treas-
urer's office of this (Hancock) county was feloniously entered, the iron safe
broken open, and a large sum of money stolen therefrom, of which five
thousand dollars was money belonging to Hancock county, the same having
been collected by Nelson Bradley, treasurer of said county for the year 1865.
and delinquencies for former years ; and,
"Whereas, it further appearing that said loss occurred without the
acquiescence, negligence or fault of said Nelson Bradley, treasurer as afore-
said : therefore.
"Be it ordered by the board aforesaid, that Nelson Bradley, treasurer
of Hancock county, be, and he is hereby relieved and discharged from the pay-
ment of the said sum of five thousand ($5,000.00) dollars so feloniously taken
from llie countv safe as aforesaid."
76 HANCOCK COrXTV, INDIANA.
The ;ib<)\-e finding and order did not satisf\- everybody, and an action
was instituted later to investigate the matter more fully. The investigation,
however, by an auditing committee, only substantiated tlie former finding of
the board of commissioners.
The matter caused a great deal of discussion and gossip, which occasioned
several lawsuits. John Fulton was charged with the robbery. The testimony
in the preliminary hearing of Fulton involved Jonatlian Dunbar. Roth
defendants were acquitted. One Charles Livingstone, alias William Jackson,
was suspected and later arrested at Pana. Illinois, and brought to Indiana for
trial. He was found guilty, but before the close of the trial George Y. Atkison
was indicted for perjury. Atkison was acquitted of this charge. Jon-
athan Dunbar next brought an action against Atkison and McCorkhill for
slander, as did also John Fulton against Taylor W. Thomas. All these actions
terminated in favor of the defendants.
Though Mr. Bradley was saved from loss, not all of the depositors fared
so well. David Priddy, trustee of Jackson township, lost eleven hundred dol-
lars of township funds and others lost smaller amounts.
Isaiaii A. Curry, while county treasurer, also had the misfortune to lose
$7,366.34 in the failure of the Indiana Banking Company's bank at Indianapo-
lis on August 9, 1883. The receiver of the bank afterward paid to the cred-
itors a dividend of fifty per cent, on their claims. This still kept the sum
of $3,683.17, a total loss to Mr. Cin-ry, which amount he paid in full to the
county upon going out of office on November 20, 1884. Ten \cars later,
however, in 1893, a large number of citizens and taxpayers petitioned the
General Assembly of the state, which was then in session, for the passage of
a law for the relief of Mr. Curry and the repayment of the sum of $3,683.17
to him. The petitioners represented to the Legislature that they believed
he was wholly without fault in the loss of that amount, and that such repay-
ment would be an act of justice due an honest, faithful and efficient officer.
The Legislature acted upon this petition, and b\- special statute directed the
county auditor to issue his warrant u])on the county treasurer for the above
amount. By virtue of the passage of this act, Mr. Currv was reimbursed
in full.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
Following are tlie names of the men not elsewhere enumerated, who have
occupied county offices, with the dates of their election or appointment:
COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
77
CLERK.
Lewis Tyner i8j8 Cliarles Dow niiig 1882
Joseph Chapman 1832 R, .\. Black 1886
John Hager 1837 Charles Downing . ,. 1890
William Sebastian 1849
James Rulhertord 1835
George V. .Vtkison 1856
John T. Seb;istian 1857
Morgan Chandler 1861
Henry .\. Swope 1865
Ephraim Marsh 1874
.A. V. B. Sample 1894
William A. Wood 1898
John .M. Hall 1902
W. A. Service 1906
Moses Wood 1910
Horace E. \\'ilson 1914
.\UDIT0R.
John Templen 1841
John Myers 1846
Barsilla G. Jay 1855
Lysander Sparks 1859
Jonathan Tague 1867
A. C. Handy 1870
Henry Wright 1874
James Mannix 1882
James L. Mitchell 1886
Lawrence Boring 1890
Charles J. Richman 189S
William I Garriott 1902
Charles H. Troy 1906
Lawrence Wiiod 1910
Harvey J. Rhue 1914
TREASURER.
Henry Watts 1828
James B. Stevens 1830
Nathan Crawford 1831
William O. Ross 1832
Morris Pierson 1833
Andrew T. Hart 1841
Jacob Huntington 1847
John Barrett 1850
John Foster T834
Elijah S. Cooper 1855
George \V. Hatfield 1857
John .\ddison 1861
Nelson Bradlev 186^
Robert P. Brown 1867
Ernest H. Pant 1872
.Andrew Hagen 1876
Isaiah Curry 1880
C. H. l"ort 1884
William C. Barnard 1888
G. W. Ham 1892
Theodore L. .Smith 1896
James A. Flippo 1900
T. X. Jackson 1904
F'hilander Collyer 1908
.Allen Cooper 19 12
78
HANCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
SHERIFF.
John Foster i
Samuel C. Duncan i
Basil Meek i
John Foster i
Jonathan Dunbar
William P. Rush .
Josliua \y. Shelby
John Osbon
I
. I
I
I
William H. Curry i
Morgan Chandler i
Mordecai Millard i
Taylor W. Thomas i
Samuel Archer i
William G. Cauldwell i
William Wilkins i
George W. Sample i
828 Robert P. Brown 1873
832 William Thomas 1874
834 W. H. Thompson 1878
836 William M. Lewis 1882
840 r. S. Jackson 1884
848 Benjamin F. Pauley 1888
852 Marshall T. Smith 1891
853 Marshall T. Smith 1892
854 William H. Pauley 1894
855 Xoah Spegal 1896
857 William H. Pauley 1898
859 Lewis N. Larrabee 1900
861 John Carlton 1904
863 Jesse Cox 1908
867 Mack Warrum 1912
872
RECORDER.
Joshua Meek 1832
John Milroy 1854
Lemuel Gooding 1857
William R. West 1861
Levi Leary 1864
William Mitchell 186;
J. W. Ryon 1881
Ira D. Collins 1882
Henry Snow 18S6
James Thomas 5890
Raleigh Sitton 1898
William R. White 1902
Amos C. Beeson 1866 Edmund Jacobs 1906
Francis O- Sears 1869 James E. Sample 1910
John Reeves 1870 John T. Rash 1914
X. H. Roberts 1873
COUNTY ASSESSOR.
George Parker 1891 William E. Chappell 1906
Alfred Potts 1892 John H. Reeves loio
Homer Leonard 1896 Eli A. Parish 1914
.A^masa Cohee 1900
COUNTY SURVEYORS.
Jared Chapman
George \\'. Hatfield 1850
Meredith Gosney 1832 C. G. Sample 1854
Morris Pierson 1844 James K. King i860
COUNTY GONERNMENT.
79
William Fries 1864
J. H. Landis 1874
fohn V. Coyner 1878
Winfield S. Fries 1880
fohn V. Co3iier 1882
Winfield S. Fries 1884
John Landis 1886
COKONEKS (
George W. Hopkins 1858
Barnabas B. Gray . ; i860
Isaac H. Ballenger 1861
Charles A. Burk 1863
William N. Johnson 1867
Adam F. Brown 1870
Harrison L. Cooper 1872
Philander Curry 1876
Henry C. Garriott 1878
James R. Trees 1880
Xoble P. Ploward 1882
Ed. M Johnson 1888
Samuel R. Waters 1890
Will J. Cleary 1894
l''rank Lewark 1900
O. H. Monger 1904
James A. Cleary 1908
(j. C. Winslow 1912
SINCE 1858)
W. A. Justice 1S84
Oliver A. Collins 1888
John H. Justice 1892
Frank Garriott 1896
Oscar Heller 1898
Xoble P. Howard 1901
.Milo M. Gibbs 1902
Jesse Ferrell 1904
Joseph L. Allen 1906
Earl R. ( iibbs 1910
William A. Justice 1914
COUNTY COMMISSIONEKS.
Samuel Vangilder 1828
John Hunter 1828
Elisha Chapman 1S2S
William McCance 183 1
George Troxwell 1832
Benjamin Spillman 1834
Enoch O'Brien 1835
Richard \\'illiams 1835
John O'Brien 1836
Daniel Smith 1837
Isaac Willett 1839
Xathan Henry 1840
Jacob Tague 1843
William Curry 1843
Seth Walker 1844
Samuel Shockley 1845
Abram Rhue 1846
Jordon Lacy 1847
lames Tyner 1849
James Hazlett 1850
Reson Perry 185 1
Daniel Wilkison 1853
Shelton Banks 1855
Jacob Slifer 1856
John Collins 1857
Robison Jarrett 1858
Elias McCord 1858
Hiram Tyner i860
Xevill Reeves 1859
Elias McCord i860
William Xew 1861
Elias McCord 1862
John Ilinchman . . . 1863
William New 1864
8o
HANCOCK COUNTY. INDIANA.
Ephraim 'Ihomas . .
James Tvner
William Xew
David Caiidell ....
Jnhn S. Lewis
Jonathan Smith . . . ,
William H. Dye . . ,
John .-\ddison
James Tvner
William P. Brokaw .
John Addison
Jacob Slifer
William P. Brokaw
Augustus Dennis . .
Thomas E. Bentley .
John E. Dye
Edward P. Scott . . .
George Parker
James Tyner
Augustus Dennis .
John B. Hays . . .
M. L. Paullus
John E. Dye
Thomas Hargrove
M. U Paullus . . . .
Andrew Hagen . .
B. F. Wilson . . . .
865
866
867
868
870
870
870
872
872
874
876
876
876
878
878
880
880
882
882
882
884
884
886
888
888
890
8qo
A(|uilla Grist 1892
William M. Thomas 1892
Benjamin F. Wilson 1894
William }>l. Thomas 1894
George Crider 1896
John Manche 1896
Robert G. Wilson 1898
Moses Bates 1898
George Crider 1900
Moses Bates 1900
Robert G. Wilson 1902
William Marsh 1902
Linza Walker 1904
William T. Spell 1904
George W. Gordon 1905
Horace Wickard 1906
Linza W^alker 1906
Horace Wickard 1908
\\'illiam T. Spell 1908
James H. Bussell 1910
William H. Albea 1910
James H. Bussell 1912
George W. Allen 191 2
John T. Burk 19 14
William H. Albea 1914
Daniel M. Ballenger 1914
PROSECUTORS.
Among the men from Hancock county who were elected as prosecutor
before the county was set apart as a separate judicial circuit by the act of 1889,
were Reuben A. Riley. 1844: David S. Gooding. 1848: Montgomery Marsh.
i8s6: William R. Hough, i860; Lemuel W. Gooding. 1865. and George W.
Duncan. 1882. The following are the names of the men who have served
in tliis office since the county has been a circuit within itself:
Edward W. Felt 1890 Charles L. Tindall 1904
John L. McXew 1894 Edward \\'. Ouigley 1908
Charles Downing 1895 Hiram L. Thomas 1912
John F. Wiggins 1896
Artliur C. \'anDuyn 1900
Robert F. Reeves 1 9 1 3
COUNTY GOVERNMENT. 8l
COUNTY ROAD SUPERINTENDENT.
Charles X. Warren 1914
REPRESENTATION IN THE LEGISLATURE.
Date Representatixes Counties Represented
1829 Elisha Long. .Hancock, Hamilton, Henry, Madison, other territory
1830 Elisha Long: ■ .Hancock Hamilton, Henn,-, Madison, other territory
1831 Thomas Bell Hancock and Madison
1832 Thomas Bell Hancock and Madison
183,^ John Foster Hancock and Madison
1834 Thomas Bell Hancock and Madison
1835 Leonard Bardwell Hancock and Madison
1836 Thomas D. Walpole Hancock
1837 Thomas D. Walpole Hancock
1838 Joseph Chapman Hancock
1839 John Foster Hancock
1840 Thomas D. Walpole Hancock
1841 Joseph Chapman, James P. Foley Hancock
1842 Joseph Mathers Hancock
1843 Joseph Chapman, James P. Foley Hancock
1 844 George Tague Hancock
1845 Reuben A. Riley Hancock
1846 A. J. Hatfield Hancock
1847 David S. Gooding Hancock
1S48 Reuben A. Riley Hancock
1849 John Alley Hancock
1830 Aaron Caylor Hancock
185 1 John Foster Hancock
1852 William Handy Hancock
1853 William Handy Hancock
1855 Thomas D. Walpole Hancock
1857 Thomas D. Walpole Hancock
1859 Samuel Shockley Hancock
1861 Noble \\"arrum : Hancock
1861 George Y. Atkison Hancock and Shelby
1863 George Y. Atkison Hancock
(6)
82 IIA.N'COCK COrXTV, IXDIAXA.
Date Re])resenlatives Counties Represented
1863 James L. Mason Hancock and Shelby
1865 John H. White Hancock
1865 Georg-e C. Thatcher Hancock and Shelby
1867 John H. White Hancock
1867 John L. Montgomery Hancock and Shelby
1869 John Addison Hancock
1871 Xoble Warrum Hancock
1873 Charles G. Offutt Hancock
1875 Smith McCord Hancock
1877 Xoble Warrum Hancock
1879 A. C. Handy Hancock
1881 Morgan Chandler Hancock
1881 Isaac Franklin Hancock, Henry and Madison
1883 Morgan Chandler Hancock, Henry and ^ladison
1883 i-lenry Marsh Hancock, Henry and Madison
1885 David S. Gooding Hancock
1885 Joseph Franklin Hancock. Henry and Madison
1887 W. F. Ackuman Hancock
1887 Sidney Conger Hancock. Marion and Slielby
1889 Noble Warrum Hancock
1889 James B. Curtis Hancock. Marion and Slielby
1 89 1 James B. Curtis Hancock, Marion and Shelby
1891 Samuel A. Troy Hancock
T893 Benjamin F. Reeves Hancock
1895 John Q. \\'hite Hancock
1S97 Frank L. Littleton Hancock, Marion and Shelby
1897 Montgomery ISIarsh Hancock
1899 Morgan Caraway Hancock and Clarion
1 901 L. A. ^^'hitcomb Hancock and Marion
1903 W. H. 1 1. Ruck Hancock and Marion
1905 W. FI. H. Rock Hancock and Marion
1907 Harry G. Strickland Hancock
1909 Harry G. Strickland HancocK
191 1 Harry G. Strickland Hancock
1913 Robert F. Reeves Hancock
1 914 Robert F. Reeves Hancock
1915 Robert F. Reeves Hancock
COUNTY GOVERNMENT. 83
Date Senators Counties Represented
1828 Calvin Fletcher ..Hancock, Hamilton, Hendricks, Marion, Carroll
and Madison
i8.::9 Calvin Fletcher . .Hancock, Hamilton, tlendricks, Madison, Marion
1830 Calvin Fletcher, Hamilton, Hendricks, Marion, Madison and Boone
I S3 1 Elisha Long- Hancock, Henry and Madison
1832 Elisha Long Hancock, Henry and Madison
1833 Elisha Long Hancock, Henry and Madison
1834 Elisha Long Hancock, Henry and Madison
1835 Thomas Bell Hancock, Henry and Madison
1836 Thomas Bell Hancock and Madison
1837 Thomas Bell Hancock and Madison
1838 Thomas Bell Hancock and Madison
1839 Thomas Bell Hancock and Madison
1840 Thomas Bell Hancock and Madison
1841 Thomas D. W'alpole Hancock and Madison
1842 Thomas D. ^^'alpole Hancock and Madison
1 843 Thomas D. Walpole Hancock and Madison
1 S44 Andrew Jackson Hancock and Madison
1845 Andrew Jackson Hancock and Madison
1 846 Andrew Jackson Hancock and Madison
1 847 Thomas D. Walpole Hancock and Madison
[848 Thomas D. W'alpole Hancock and Madison
1849 Thomas D. Walpole Hancock and Madison
1850 John Hunt Hancock and Madison
1 85 1 John Hunt Hancock and Madi.son
1853 Andrew Jackson Hancock and Madison
1853 Andrew Jackson Hancock and Madison
1857 David S. Gooding Hancock and Madison
1859 David S. Gooding Hancock and Slielhy
1861 Martin M. Ray Hancock and Siielby
1863 Martin M. Ray Hancock and Shelby
1 865 James L. Mason Hancock and Shelb\-
1867 James L. Mason Hancock and Shelby
1 869 Luther W. Hess Hancock and Henry
1871 Luther W. Hess Hancock and FIenr\-
'^73 William R. Hough Hancock and Henry
^^75 William K. Hough Hancock and Henry
1877 Benjamin Sliirk Hancock and Henry
84 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Date Senators Counties Represented
1879 Benjamin Shirk Hancock and Henrv
1 88 1 Simon P. Yancey Hancock, Marion and Shelby
1883 Simon P. Yancey Hancock, Marion and Shelby
1885 Leon Bailey Hancock, Marion and Shelby
1887 Leon Bailey Hancock and Marion
1889 A. ^L Kennedy Hancock and Rush
1891 Morgan Chandler Hancock and Rush
1893 Morgan Chandler Hancock and Rush
1895 Thomas K. Mull Hancock and Rush
1897 Thomas K. Mull Hancock and Rush
1899 Frank W. Cregor Hancock. Madison and Rush
1901 Frank W. Cregor Hancock, Madison and Rush
1903 Edgar H. Hendee Hancock, Madison and Rush
1905 Edgar H. Hendee Hancock, Madison and Rush
1907 Edward E. Moore Hancock, Fayette and Rush
1909 Edward E. Moore Hancock, Fayette and Rush
191 1 Edward E. Moore Hancock, Fayette and Rush
1913 Carey Jackson Hancock, Fayette and Rush
1915 Edward C. Eikman Hancock, Fayette and Rush
OLD COURT HOUSE
Cut M \ INFIK.MAKV
CHAPTER IV.
COUNTY BUILDINGS.
It has been observed that the first meetings of the Hancock circuit court
and also of the county commissioners were held at the house of Samuel B.
Jackson. The Hancock circuit court continued to hold its sessions there until
the September term, 1829, when it convened at "the court house in Green-
field." The commissioners met at the house of Samuel B. Jackson until
the May term, 1829, when they met at the house of Jeremiah Meek in the
town of Greenfield. Their meetings were tlien held at the house of Jeremiah
Meek until the November term, 1829, when the record recites that they also
convened "at the court house in the town of Greenfield."
THE FIRST COURT HOUSE.
According to the best recollection of Jared Meek, recently deceased at
eighty-seven years of age, the first court house stood just across the street
west of the public square, and south of the old Gooding Hotel. He remem-
bered it as a two-story log house, fronting on what is now South State
street. The first reference to this house in the county commissioners' record
was made at the August term, 1829, when an election was ordered to be held
there. At the November term, 1829, the board allowed to Jared Ciiapman
"in part for his services in building the court house in the town of Greenfield,"
the sum of one hundred and eighty dollars. At the same meeting, November
9, 1829. the board ordered "that the lower south room of the court house be,
and it is set apart for the office of the clerk and recorder, and not to be en-
cumbered with any other business whatsoever." JKt the Novemljcr term,
1829, another claim was allowed in favor of Robert Davidson "in the sum of
fifteen dollars, it being for extra work done by him in finishing the court
house in said county, the contract being previously taken by Jared Chapman."
Tliis court house was used until about January, 1834.
THE SECOND COURT HOUSE.
At the January term, 183 1, the board ordered the county agent to adver-
tise in the nearest newspaper that proposals would be received by the county
commissioners for the building of a court house in the town of Greenfield, at
their May term next, "as follows, to wit: forty feet on the ground (square)
85
86 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
to be made of brick, the same to be done in tlie usual plan." Tlie record
shows that John Hays took the contract for erecting it. It was several
years, however, before the house was entirely finished. At the November
term, 1832, its location on the public square w-as changed. At the May term,
1833. I'l^ foundatiiin was practically completed. On January 7. 1834. John
Hays was paid in full on his contract. At tlie May term. 1834. the board
ordered tlie county agent to advertise for proposals for further finishing the
court house. Among the improvements contemplated were the hanging of
douljle doors, tlie making and hanging of "fasliionable window blinds," paint-
ing the cupola, grading the yard, etc. The contract for this work was let
to Otho Gapen and William Naylor on July 18, 1834.
It is interesting to observe in connection with the construction of this
house, which was the first court house on the public square, that a part of
the necessary funds were raised by subscription. These subscriptions were
eitlier made at the time the site for the county seat was selected, and are the
sul)scri])tions referred to in the report of tlie committee appointed by the Legis-
lature, or else they were subscriptions taken for the special purpose of erecting
lliis building. At different times notes were delivered to John Hays, the
contractor, as so much cash on his contract, with the privilege of returning
them to the county treasurer in case he failed to collect. At tlie Mav term,
1832, the subscriptic)n ]>aper and also some notes of different citizens of the
county w'ere delivered to Hays, "to use due diligence in collecting the same,
and if not collected, to return the same to the treasurer safe." Due care on
the part of the commissioners is also shown in an order made at the January
term, 1835, when an allowance of four hundred dollars was made to Gapen
and Xaylor "in part payment of their contract, it being understood that the
allowance is not an acceptance of the work done, and that the same is here-
after to be examined."
.\t the Alarch term. 1837, the commissioners ordered the county agent
to make provisions for furnishing three rooms in the upper story of the
court house, "i)artitions to be of good poplar jjlank ij/a inches thick, well
seasoned, tongued and grooved, and well put together; a common batting door
to be made to each room with a lock and ke\- to each door, and to be ceiled
overhead with gO(id poi:)lar jilank M-hicli thick, * * * * one of the rooms for
tlie use of tlie Clerk and Recorder." A seat was also ordered made f<ir the
judges and a liannister and seats for the jurors.
At the Ma\- term, 1839, a contract was entereil into with Xatlian Henry
for putting a new roof on the court house. We do not see shingles like them
COUNTY BUILDINGS. 87
any more: "Good poplar shingles, eigiiteen inches long and one-half incli
thick, laid five inches to the weather," etc.
At the December term, 1845, the board contracted w itb Xathan Crawford
for the erection of two buildings as offices for the clerk, recorder, auditor and
treasurer. These offices were built, one to the northeast and the other to
the northwest (if the court house. The buildings were each twenty feet by
forty-eight feet, and had \aults built in tlicni for keeping the county's moneys
and records. Heretofore the records and \alual)le pa])ers had been stored
away and kept by the officers in any manner possiiilc. Xow adequate provi-
sion was made for their safe keeping.
.-\ hall extended through the original Ijuilding from north to south. The
county offices were originally on the lower floor to the west of the hall.
The court room was in the southeast part of the building. In the southeast
corner of the court room was a large fire place, eight or ten feet wide, in
which large logs were burned. The floor of the entire court room was of
brick. It was in this room that Thomas D. Walpole made his reputation
as a trial law\-er. This court house stood and was used until about 1851.
DURING THE INTERIM.
The minutes of the December session, 1850, of the board of county com-
missioners recite; "Ordered that the present session of the board be held in
the auditor's office in ciinsequence of the court house being unfit for the
transaction of business." The auditor's office at that time was located in one
of the buildings erected in 1846. At the same session an allowance of five
dollars was made by the board in favor of the trustees of the Methodist church
in Greenfield "for the use of the meeting house to holding circuit court at
the Septeml)er term, 1831." This church stood on the west side of South
State street, a few ijlocks below Main street. The circuit court continued to
hold its .sessions at the church, and the board of commissioners at the auditor's
office imtil Decemljer. 1854. .\t that time the building known as the county
seminary was taken and used for the court house. In June, 1855, a contract
was entered into between the county commissioners and the trustees of the
Christian church for the use of the church as a court house until the new court
house should be completed. All the court furniture was at once removed
from the seminar}- to the church, and the sheriff was given possession of the
key of the church during terms of court. It was agreed that the church
should suffer no injury, and that it should be occupied free of charge. .At
the January term, 1856, the above order was rescinded, and the courts were
ordered to convene thereafter in the new court house.
88 HANCOCK COUNTV. IXDIAXA.
THE THIRD COURT HOUSE.
On March ii. 1854. ihe commissioners ordered the old court house sold,
and also ordered the county auditor to give notice in the State Sentinel that
proposals would be received by the board on the third day of the next term
for the building of a new court house.
At the June term, 1854, a special tax levy of forty cents was levied on each
one hundred dollars of taxable property for the purpose of building the pro-
posed court house.
On June 9. 1854, the contract for the erection of the new building was
awarded to Nathan Crawford, "the lowest and best bidder," for fourteen thou-
sand and four hundred dollars. At the December term, 1854, Edwin May was
employed as architect to superintend the erection of the house, and an order was
made allowing the sum of twenty-five dollars for every visit he should make to
the building during the erection thereof. Nathan Crawford began his work.
In September. 1855, the board ordered it painted, "the walls stone color, the
cupola a lighter shade, the blinds green, the roof copper color and all other
painting to be left to the painter's judgment and taste, provided it be done in
a good and workmanlike manner." At the same time the contractor was
ordered to place in the cupola the necessary timbers for the purpose of hang-
ing a bell therein.
At the January term, 1856, the board of commissioners ordered "that all
courts hereafter be held in the court room in tlie new court house." This is
the court house that is known to the present generation as the "old court
house." The county offices in this building were on the lower floor, on
either side of a hall extending through the building from north to south. The
court room was upstairs, the court and jury being seated at the east end of
the room. ^Vhen court was in session, the bell in the court house tower rang
every morning at the time of convening. \\'hen the lawyers remained too
long in their offices, it was the custom for the sheriff or bailiff to step to
the door or window and call them. In fact, it was sometimes suspected that
some of the older lawyers of that day appreciated the value of the advertise-
ment in the call to "come to court," and that they delayed purposely.
The bell whose sound from the court house tower was familiar to the
older generation, now calls the people to worship at the Presbyterian church
in the city of Greenfield.
The court room in this building came to be used for various purposes
about the time of the Civil War.- Finally several balls were given there, to
which many people of the county took exception. Public sentiment became
COUNTY BUILDINGS. 89
Stirred up abniit the matter, and the board of county commissioners, at tlie
December session, 1S65, made tlie following order relative to the future use
of the court room: "Ordered b_\- the board, that the court room shall not
hereafter he used for the exhibition of shows or the holding of balls or parties
therein; nor shall the same be used by individuals for anv private purpose
whatever."
This court house stood until 1896.
OUR FOURTH COURT HOUSE.
On September 11, 1895, the county auditor was directed to give notice to
architects that October 4, 1895, had been fi.xed as the day on which the board
would convene for the pui^pose of meeting architects who wished to submit
plans and specifications for the erection of a new court house. On that day
the following architects appeared before the board : A. N. Rush, Grand Rap-
ids, Michigan ; McPherson & Brown, Indianapolis ; Wing & Mahurin, Ft.
Wayne, Indiana ; Louis H. Gilson, Indianapolis ; Labelle & Lormer, Ander-
son, Indiana; G. W. Bunting, Indianapolis; Krutch & Laycock, Indianapolis;
Bell & Kent, Council Bluffs, Iowa.
On October 5, 1895, the plans submitted by ^^'ing & Mahurin, of Ft.
Wayne, were accepted. A contract was entered into with that firm whereby
they agreed to make all drawings, plans and specifications, and to superin-
tend the construction of tlie building, and were to receive as compensation
therefor, three and one-half per cent, of the actual cost of the building.
Samples of stone were submitted by : Cleveland Stone Company, of
Chicago : Matthews Brothers, of Ellettsville, Indiana ; Forest City Stone Com-
pany, of Cleveland, Ohio; Malone Stone Company, of Cleveland, Ohio. The
sample of Matthews Brothers, of Ellettsville, Indiana, of Bedford limestone,
was accepted. On April 30, 1896, the contract for the construction of the
building was awarded to Geake, Henry & Green, of Ft. \\'ayne, Indiana.
In June, 1896, an action in the name of William P. Bidgood was brought
against the contractors to enjoin them from building the court house. In
that action notice was also served upon the county treasurer, George W. Ham,
not to pay any warrant that might be drawn in favor of the contractors. This
had the effect of stopping the work for a while. In the early part of July.
1896, however, a legal opinion was obtained by the coimty commissioners and
other officers from Byron K. EllioU, of Indianapolis, that such warrants might
safely be paid, whereupon work was at once resumed by the contractors.
90 HANCOCK COrXTV, INDIANA.
LAVING OF CORNERSTONE.
The la\ing of the cornerstone of the court house, on September 22. 1896.
was one of the greatest ceremonial events in the history of the county. The
ceremonies were conducted by the ^lasonic order. Members of the Knights
Templar from Rushville, Knightstown, Richmond. l-"t. Wayne and other
points were in attendance to assist in the work. There was a great parade.
It included all of the great secret societies of Greenfield, and representatives
and delegations from all the lodges in the county. The line of march ex-
tended north on Pennsylvania street to ^^'alnut ; west on Walnut to Xoble
street ; south on Xol)le to North street : west on Xorth to School street : south
on Scliool to Alain street ; east on Main to State street ; north on State to
Grant street; east on Grant to Wood street; south on \\'ood to Main street;
west on Main to public square. The following was the order of the march :
E. P. Thayer. Marshal of the Day, and Staff
Ft. Wayne City Band
Ephraim Marsh and Staff
Greenfield Commandery. Knights Templar
Knightstown Commandery, Knights Templar
Odd Fellows
Knights of Pythias
Band
\'isiting Masons
County Officials
City Officials
Speakers
Operative Masons
Hancock Masonic Lodge
The parade was over a mile in length. The school cliildren occasioned
great enthusiasm.
The following was tlie prngram of the day. gi\en on the public square:
Music — Fort Wayne Band
Invocation - Elder \V. M. Gard
Music by Union Choir
Layin.!? of the Corner Stone
Music by Band
Address Judge Charles G. Offutt
Music by-Band
Address ; Hon. William R. Hough
COUNTY BUILDIXGS. 9I
Music by Band
Music by Union Choir
Benediction Rev. M. E. Nethercut
Judge Frank E. Gavin, of Greensburg, acting grand master, conducted
the ceremonies connected with the laying of the cornerstone. He was assisted
by Martin H. Rice, grand treasurer. Henry Geake, John T. Duncan, WiUiam
\\'ard Cook and Homer Bragg.
A large box was placed in the cornerstone w hich contains lists of officers
and members of practically all the lodges and orders in the county. It also
contains copies of the following newspapers : Neiv Palestine Courier, The
Hancock Democrat, Greenfield Republican, Greenfield Herald, Evening Re-
publican, Evening Tribune. Stone-Cutters' Journal. Among other things
deposited in that stone are the pictures of the Greenfield high school building,
and of the court house; a list of the children in the Greenfield public schools:
premium list of the Hancock county fair of 1896: a bar docket of the Han-
cock circuit court, February term, 1896, containing pictures of members of
the l)ar : also bar docket of September term, 1896 ; copies of addresses delivered
by the Hon. Charles G. Offutt and Hon. William R. Hough at the laying of
the stone; Holy Bible, presented by John T. Hatfield, and history of Han-
cock, presented by John H. Binford.
On May 22, 1897. the county commissioners purchased from R. R. Ellis,
a jeweler of Greenfield, the fine two-thousand-dollar Howard clock which was
placed in the tower.
At 10:30 A. M., August 24, 1897, the last stone was laid on the court
house, the builder leaving a small American flag to wave from it.
Among the principal items of expense connected with the building of the
court house were the following :
April 30, 1896. contract for construction of the building $128,764.00
Extras, not including furniture, on account of changes, etc., as
shown by the "Record of Receipts and Disbursements for
New Court House" 80,933.78
Furniture 19,980.50
To Wing & Mahurin. Architects 8,634.60
Other amounts were paid out, not included in the above items,
making the total cost of the building a little more than $242,600.00
The building was completed, and the county officers took possession on
January i, 1898.
92
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
The court house contains forty rooms. It is a magnificent structure, of
Bedford Hmestone, artistically and compactly built ; commodious, well lighted,
absolutely fire proof, and heated by a steam plant that has been installed just
east of the jail. The offices of the county surveyor, the city clerk, city treas-
urer, and the mayor's office, are on the first floor. On this floor are also
a large "record room" for storing old records, a "farmers' room," a G. A. R.
room, and living rooms for the janitor. On the second floor are the offices
of the county auditor, treasurer, road superintendent, recorder, assessor, sher-
iff, and the commissioners' court room. On the third floor are the judge's
office, the large and small court rooms, the grand jury room, the court re-
porter's room, the law library, and the county superintendent's office. The
walls and ceilings of all the offices and halls were handsomely and artistically
decorated with paintings, and all except the ceiling of the third floor are well
preserved. The tile roof with which the court house was covered was not
a success, and leakages have completely ruined the entire ceiling over the
third floor. In 1914 the building was covered with a new tile roof, which, all
are hoping, will prove more satisfactory.
In the hall of the second story is a marble tablet with the following his-
torical inscription :
B. F. WILSON
'
COMMISSIONERS
\\-. M. THOMAS
1897
J. MANCHE
L. BORING,
AUDITOR.
WING & MAHURIN
GEAKE & HENRY
ARCHITECTS
BUILDERS
There seems to be a consensus of opinion among men who visit the city
of Greenfield, that Hancock countv has one of tlie most beautiful and most
artistically designed court houses in the state.
THE FIRST TAIL.
While the old log court house was in use just south of the Gooding
corner, a one-story, or probably one and one-half story, jail was built near the
northeast corner of the present public square. On June 11, 1829, the board
of county commissioners held a special meeting "for the purpose of transact-
COUNTY BUILDINGS. 93
ills' business concerning the jail." On that day it was ordered, among other
tilings, that Robert Davidson and Jacob Blackburn be allowed one hundred
and four dollars and fifty cents "for building a jail in Hancock county." At
the January term, 1832, the commissioners ordered the county agent, Jared
Chapman, to advertise for bids for the erection of "a stairway to be erected
at tlie east side of the jail in Greenfield for the convenience of the upper room
of said jail." The stairway was certainly to be substantial, and timber was
plenty; "tliere shall be four sills ten inches square, of suitable length upon
which the stairs and platform shall stand ; the upright posts shall be six inches
square, the stairs shall be three feet wide in the clear; the platform the same
width of the stairs and four feet long; the posts shall extend three feet above
the stairs, and suitable railings round the same at the top; and the doors of
said jail to be put in good order for oJDening and shutting, all of which timber
shall be of good white oak and all work shall be done in a good and work-
manlike manner; the stairs shall rise the same as the court house stairs and
rail on the outside of the stairs from top to bottom."
In another order Nathan Crawford is "authorized to put a lock onto each
door on the outside of the jail in such a manner as will be more safe and
strong for said jail." The sheriff did not have liis residence in tlie jail
then, hence from time to time orders like the following, concerning the care
of prisoners, appear on the commissioners' record :
"Cornwell Meek is allov\'ed the sum of two dollars and twenty-fi\e cents
for service rendered by him in victualing and taking care of prisoners in
the jail of said county."
"Ordered that Jeremiah Higgins be allowed sevent_\-fi\e cents for
guarding jail and prisoner."
This jail stood only four or five years. About 1833 it contained a pris-
oner, one John Hays, who, it seems, was demented. He apparently tried to
escape by burning his way out. Instead of succeeding, however, the flames
ciinsumed the prisoner with the jail.
THE SECOND J.\IL.
On April 14. 1835. the board of commissioners met in special session
for the purpose of receiving plans for a jail for the county. The plan adopted
was for a one-story building, seventeen feet by forty feet on the ground, "walls
to be of brick and to be twenty-six inches thick and made in the following
maniH'r: Tlic outward half of tlie wall to be 13 inches, two courses of brick
then a plank the thickness of a brick, nine inches in breadth, which will be
placed on the wall four inches from the face thereof and extending to the
94 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
center of the same, whicli will require the width of a brick to fill out the
course, and the innermost half of the wall 13 inches, one course of brick, then
a plank as before 13 inches in width, which will bring the lower edge of the
first mentioned plank with the upper edge of the last mentioned, and to lay
and raise the wall in that manner." At first the floor of the jail was ordered
made of "niggerhead stones," but later it was ordered "that said floor be laid
of hewn timber ten inches thick, and to extend all over the foundation and
that there be a plank laid across the ends of the timber the thickness of the
walls and to be pinned down and laid in sucli a manner as not to break joints
at the same place."
The jail was composed of tiiree rooms. Below is a plan of the building
as it appears on the county commissioners' record :
The jail was to be finished by January i, 1836. It was built directly
south of the court house and within eight feet of the south line of the public
square. The contract for its construction was let to Cornwell Meek, who
agreed to build it according to plans and specifications for twenty-two hundred
dollars. This jail was used by tlie county less than twenty years.
THE THIRD JAIL.
At the Marcli term. 1S52. the board ordered the county auditor to give
public notice "that on the second Monday in April, he will receive plans and
specifications for the building of a log jail for said county, from all who are
willing to suggest a good plan for building a substantial jail."
On April 12, 1852, the board ordered the auditor to give further notice
that at the June term proposals would l)e received for the erection of the jail,
to be of the following dimensions: "Thirty two feet in length and 18 feet
in width, two stories high, the first story to be eight feet and second story
to be seven and one-half feet in height, divided into four rooms with a hall
between them, and one door in front made of Oak plank two inches thick, pro-
vided with a good and sufficient lock: and two good strong doors leading
from said hall into the lower rooms, and two doors leading from said hall up-
C0L■^••r^• luiujixcs. 95
stairs into the roomS intended for jail rooms, the said doors to be made of
good oak timber and of tlie thickness of two inches and filled z^^'it/i good jail
door nails * * * * the floor u])stairs to be laid in timber 6 inches thick and
then drove upon the same a plank floor of i ■ j inches thick thoroughly nailed
zi'ith double 10 {^enny nails closely driven * * * * and overhead, the same as
the last mentioned floor." The walls were built of logs, twelve inches square.
In those days when iron was too expensive, a good substitute for it was
produced b_\' driving hea\ y planks full of nails. This made it practicallv im-
possible for a prisoner to saw or cut his way through a door or wall. It will
be observed that in this jail, the doors and the floor and ceiling were. driven
full of nails.
The contract for the erection of this jail was given to Jonathan Dunbar.
At the March term, 1853, he was allowed three hundred and fifty-eight dol-
lars in full on his contract. The jail was built on the south side of the pvib-
lic S(]uare. and was used until the present jail was built in 1871. This build-
ing is still stanthng cju West South street, just a little west of State street.
THE FOURTH JAIL.
The present jail was built in 1871, under the supervision of Charles H.
Brown, architect. The principal contract for its construction was let to John
R. Reeves. The original contract price was thirty-two thousand, nine hundred
dollars. The commissioners" record, ho\\e\er, shows that over forty-five
thousand dollars was paid out before it was finished.
The front part of the building is used as a residence for the sheriff,
the jail itself being to the rear. The following report made by the board of
state charities on September 4. 1914, will give a good idea of the building:
"Building and Equipment. — An old building of lirick and steel. It is
neither strong nor safe. The lower part is poorly ventilated. Steam heat,
electric light; city water. Plumbing fair, but in good repair. Good sewer-
age. Washtubs are used for bathing. Iron bunks with mattresses and com-
forts in fair condition. The bedding is not washed.
"Managenuvit. — The jail is managed by the sheriff and his wife. No
printed rules for the government of prisoners. Tramps received upon order
of the marshal. Commissioners visit the jail frequently.
"Prisoners. — Five men awaiting trial, two serving sentence; total se\en.
Provision for sex separation, but none for classification. Prisoners bathe
weekly. No rule in regard to the change of underclothes. Papers and maga-
zines for reading. Religious services not held regularly. No emplovment.
Three meals a day. The prisoners seem satisfied with food.
96 HAXCOCK COUXTV, INDIAXA.
"Improvements. — The interior of the jail has been improved bv paint.
"Recommendation. — Bath facihties, standard bedding and printed rules
are recommended.
"Expenses For 1913. — Repairs, $245.22; supplies, including fuel, light,
water, etc., $88.20; sheriff's fees, including boarding of prisoners, $1,112.30;
total, $1,445.72."
C.\RE OF THE POOR.
Among the first acts of the county commissioners, after they had divided
the county into three townships, was to appoint overseers of the poor for each
township. The first claim allowed by the board for caring for the poor, how-
ever, was not until the May term, 1831, when the record shows an allowance
in favor of James Glendon of "the sum of Six Dollars and cents for
services rendered by him in boarding and bedding a pauper in said County
and for removing the same out of the aforesaid county." Several other
claims of a similar nature were allowed at the same term. Among them "Lot
Edwards, Doct. is allowed the sum of Six dollars and seventy-five cents
for services rendered him as a physician employed by the overseer of the poor
in Brandywine Township." This is the beginning of a series of claims of
this kind filed for caring for the poor of the county.
THE OLD APPRENTICE SYSTEM.
In 1843 a law was enacted giving the overseers of the poor within their
respective townships power and authorit)'^ to bind as apprentices the minor
children of any poor person who had become chargeable as a pauper within
the township, or who was supported there in whole or in part at the charge
of the county ; also all minor children whose parents had abandoned them or
had unreasonably neglected or were unable to provide for them ; also all minor
children who were or who would become a county charge and who had a law-
ful settlement in such township. The same law also provided that others
might bind out their children as apprentices. All of such contracts had to be
signed and acknowledged by the parties the same as deeds and had to be
recorded in a special record kept therefor. Sucli contracts were called inden-
tures. The record kept for that purpose in Hancock county shows that in all
twenty-nine children were bound out to service in this manner. No entry lias
been made in this record for over forty years. A good idea of the nature of
such contracts and of the methods pursued may be had from the following
extracts of contracts :
The first is a contract between the overseers of the poor and "John Doe,"
wherein the overseers "have put and placed and bound 'Richard Roe,' a poor
COINIV l!l II.IJIXGS. 97
bov, a£^"e(l four years, nine nmiiths and nine days; the said Ricliard Roe is to
serve said 'John Doe' the term of sixteen years, two months and twenty-one
days, that is to say until the said 'Richard Roe' shall arrive at the age of twen-
ty-one years, and the said (jverseers do Ijy these presents give unto the said
'Jolin Doe" all tiic riglu. i)Ower and authdrit}- over the said 'Richard Roe' and
his services during the term aforesaid which the laws of this state give to a
master in and over a lawful indentured apprentice, and the said 'John Doe' in
consideration thereof dolh on his part covenant and promise and agree witli
the said overseers and their successors in office and each of them and with
said 'Richard Roe' that he will give him, the said 'Richard Roe,' twenty-one
months scliooling, one-half of which is to be given between the ages of nine
and twelve vears, and six months between nineteen and twenty-one years of
age; and to train him to habits of industry and morality, and during the time
of his service to provide him and allow to him sufficient meat, drink, wasli-
ing, lodging and apparel, and all other things necessary during his said term
of service, and the said 'John Doe' further covenants and agrees to gi\e to the
said 'Richard Roe' at the expiration of his aforesaid term of service two suits
of evervday apparel, and also to gi\-e him a freedom suit worth Thirty Dollars."
Following are the essential parts of another indenture, wherein a young
girl was bound out to "John Doe" and wife "to learn the trade and occupation
of a house sen-ant :" "And the said 'John Doe' and wife covenant to teach
the said 'Rosanna Roe' the said trade and occupation and to provide her
during said apprenticeship with all necessaries proper to her age and condi-
tion and to cause her to be taught to read and write and the rules of arithmetic
to the double rule of three inclusive, if practicable ; and at the expiration of said
term to furnish to her, the said 'Rosanna Roe,' the following: one feather bed
and bed clothes for one bed, also a common suit of wearing apparel."
COUNTY F.\RM.
On March 6, 1831. the county cnniniissioners bought fif George Ander-
son the following described reaj estate for the purpose of providing a home
and pr()]ier care for the poor of the county who were unable to support them-
selves and who had no one to care for them : The west half of the northwest
(juaricr of section 7. and the southwest (|uarter of the southwest quarter of
.section 6. all in township 15 north, range 7 east. This land was retained by
the county until 1866, when it was sold to Amos C. Gambrel. The method of
caring for the poor during those years well illustrated by the following con-
tract, made in March. 1836. with William G. Smith:
"Articles of agreement made and entered into this 3th day of March
(7)
9^ HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
A. D. 1856, between Chilton Banks, Daniel S. Wilkison and Rezin Perry,
County Commissioners of Hancock County, Indiana, of the first part, and
William G. Smith of the County and State aforesaid, of the second part
witnesseth :
"That the said party of the first part, in. consideration of the rents, cove-
nants and agreements hereinafter contained, and wliich are to be paid and
performed by the said party of the second part, do rent, demise, and to farm
let unto the said party of the second part the farm in said County and State
known as the poor farm to hold the same until the first day of March 1857
at the rate of One Hundred Dollars per year for the rent of said farm.
"And said Commissioners agree that said party of the second part shall
have the care, custody, and keeping of the paupers of said County for said
term, and shall be allowed the sum of Two Dollars and fifty cents per week
for each and every pauper he may clothe, feed and lodge during said term.
And said Smith agrees with said Commissioners that he will pay the rent
hereby made payable and will take care of, clothe, feed, and lodge the County
Paupers for said term on said farm, in a suitable manner; that he will not
commit nor suffer waste on said premises, that no wood or timber shall be cut
thereon except such as may be necessary for firewood for his own use on said
farm, and that at the expiration of said term he will deliver up possession of
said premises to said Commissioners or their agent in as good condition a?
they now are, fair wear and tare and damage by fire excepted. And said
Smith further agrees that at each session of the Board of Commissioners dur-
ing said term, he will render to them an account of the names, time of arrival
and liealth of all paupers under his charge, and if any shall have left, the fact
and the time shall be so stated and said account shall be rendered under oatli.
"\\'itness our hands and seals tlie date first written,
"Chilton Banks {Seal.)
"D. S. W11.KISO.Y {Seal.)
"Rezin Perry {Seal.)
"VVm. G. Smith {Seal.)"
It seems that during this period there were more paupers at times than
could be cared for by the tenant on the farm. The commissioners entered
into separate contracts with individual householders to care for such paupers,
say for the period of one year.
On June 5, 1866, the county commissioners bought another farm of two
hundred and thirty-eight acres of land about two and one-half miles east of
Greenfield as a home for the poor. This land has been farmed since that time
and the proceeds thereof used for the support of the inmates of the infirmary.
COUNTY BUILDINGS. 99
Tlic first building on this farm was a one-and-one-half-story brick house that
had been buik for a private residence. The house was occupied by the super-
intendent of the farm. Attached to the rear of the superintendent's residence
was a cheap frame building which was used as the infirmary. Mr. Binford,
in his "History of Hancock County," pubhshed in 1882, described the build-
ings as follows : "The building is a discredit to the county, being old and
dilapidnted, and not at all in harmony with the wealth and dignity of our citi-
zens. The superintendent's residence is a plain, old-fashioned, story-and-a-
half brick, built many years since for a private residence. The infirmary
building ])roper is a cheap frame, known by carpenters as a 'plank house,'
built in the rear of, and attached to, the superintendent's residence. The
building is not only cheaply constructed, and poorly ventilated, but small and
wholly inadequate to the demands of the unfortunate."
In 1883 plans submitted by Charles G. Mueller, architect, of Indianapolis,
were adopted by the county commissioners for the construction of a new
building. At the December session of the board, on December 11, 1883, the
contract for the construction of the building was awarded to John R. Cowie,
William New and John Sloan, as partners, for twenty-two thousand, four hun-
dred and fifty dollars. The record awarding this contract was signed by
James Tyner and Augustus Dennis. George W. Parker, the third commis-
sioner, entered a written protest against letting the contract for the reasons.
as alleged, that the taxpayers were already overburdened with taxation; that
many taxpayers were not as well situated as the paupers were at that time;
that it was cheaper to assist these paupers in homes and among their friends,
and that the asylum as contemplated was an extravagance. On the next day,
December 12, 1883, the contract was signed by the two above-named com-
missioners, James Tyner and August Dennis, but Parker again entered a
written protest against contracting for the erection of the building, on the
grounds as alleged, that the architect, Charles G. Mueller, had given the
county no contract by which his compensation could be determined, and sec-
ond, because he was not a "home architect."
The building was constructed in accordance with the plans and specifica-
tions that had been adopted. It furnishes a good home for the poor, and
the report of the board of state charities, made after a visit to the institution
on June 4, 1913. is very favorable and very creditable to the management:
"Far;;;.— -Two hundred and seventeen acres of good land, valued at two
hundred dollars pei- acre. Four acres in garden, in good condition. Variety
of vegetables. Two and one-half acres in orchard. Stock : Twelve head of
cattle, six cows, nine horses, fifty-five swine. Farm buildings in good con-
lOO HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
dition. All are to ije painted. Some old, dilapidated sheds in barnyard have
been torn down. l-"ences good. Two hundred rods of new fence and one hun-
dren and twenty rods soon to be built. Door _\ards well arranged and cared
for.
"Biiililiiig. — Administration building in front. Two-story brick connect-
ing in rear. Inmates' kitchen and diningroom in basement. Men on first
floor, women on second. Separate dining-rooms. In good repair except the
rear porch. Trimmings recently paiiated. Gas plant in basement for light-
ing purposes. Steam heat. Ventilation by doors and windows. Rooms
well lighted and ventilated. .Ample and comfortable furniture. Iron beds.
Chair in each room. Bedding is good, clean and changed fref|\iently. Two
bathtubs. Batiiing weekly. House clean. Floors oiled. Walls newly
whitewashed. Free from odors.
"Iiiiiiafcs. — Population: nine men. seven women Se.K separation. In-
mates clean and well cared for. .Sufficient clothing, clean and well taken
care of. Food consists of meat for breakfast and dinner, good bread, vege-
tables and fruits in season. Mush is served frequently during the winter.
Health good. Reading matter furnished. Religious services held frei|uentl_\'.
but not regularly.
"Management. — Salary of Sujierintendent Clarence G. Cook, one thous-
and dollars : physician, two hundred dollars. Superintendent hires one man
to help. Records very well kept. Superintendent is a good farmer and con-
scientious and his wife an excellent housekeeper. Cooking is done by in-
mates under direction of matron."'
A SUGGESTION.
.At the meeting of the farmers' institute at the court house at Greenfield
in January, 1907. a plan was submitted by the ladies of the Clio Club of the
city of Greenfield for converting the county farm, houses and premises, into
a boys' dormitory, manual training and industrial school. The ladies of the
dull, through the report of their committee, expressed their opposition "to
the term, pauper, and its degrading effects," and held that there was "quite
a difference between poor and pauper."
The suggestion originated with Mrs. A. X. Rhue. and the thought of
the club is pretty well shctwn b}- the following excerpts taken from their com-
mittee's report :
"The tendency to avoid the poor house has been in a measure gratified
since the township trustees are authorized to provide for the poor of each town-
ship. * * * * Alost of the poor, especially the children, are better cared for.
COUNTY BUILDINGS. lOI
very nicely, kindl}- and quietly at their own homes, avoiding the publicity,
shame, and disgrace, and breaking up of family ties by being dragged away
to the poor house.
"As a matter of business economy and common humanit}-, we recommend
that this worn-out issue, this miserable pauper prison, be. changed to a more
modem, more charitable, more profitable institution. * * * * \\'e hope that
sor.ie day the big. empty poorhouse shall swarm like a beehive with a goodly
number of sturdy, ambitious farmers' boys, each one learning his individual
trade, whereby he can made his living, provide a home for himself and fam-
ily, and that when he is old he may sit under his own vine and fig tree, hav-
ing ])ro\en liimself worthy of all the cost and troul'le of establishing the Han-
cock Industrial School.
"AIrs. Ad.'V New,
"Mrs. Ione Reasner,
"Mrs. M.\ttie Thom.as,
"Mrs. Ros.\ B. Rhue,
"Coiiimittec."
After the subject had been presented to the institute a general discus-
sion followed, in which both men and women participated. A number who
expressed themselves, commended the plan ; others were in doubt as to the
results of the proposition.
CHAPTER V.
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTY.
EARLIER PEOPLE.
That there were people in tlie county before the first white settlers ar-
rived, is, of course, well known. Spearheads, arrow points, stone axes, etc.,
may still be found in all parts of the county, especially on the hills and bluffs
bordering the creeks and rivers. Skeletons have been found in gravel pits in
different parts of the county. In the pit on the north side of the National
road, just west of Sugar creek, a well-preserved skeleton was unearthed a
few years ago, with relics, such as beads, arrow heads and implements of war
buried beside it.
The county offers very little evidence of the presence of the Mound
Builders. The following excerpt taken from the report of the state geologist,
for the year of 1885, sets forth about all of the evidence that we have:
"There is, in section 11, township 16, range 7, some curious earthworks
that probably belong to the age of the Mound Builders. These are located
on the farm of Freeman H. Braddock, and lie on the south side of Brandy-
wine, at the extreme point of a very abrupt bend of that creek. A ridge of
clay land some ten feet above the creek bottom, and covered with oak timber,
projects sharply into a piece of marshy land to within three hundred feet of
the creek. From this point a levee, three feet high and ten feet wide, has
been constructed to the ancient bed of the stream. The excavation which
furnished the earth for this embankment is distinctly seen in the projecting
point of high ground, and immediately back of this are three pits about eight
feet in diameter and six feet deep, and east of these, about ten feet, are two
other pits of the same dimensions, but not quite so deep. These works are
evidently artificial and ancient, for large trees are now growing on the sides
of these pits and on the embankment. About fifty yards east of these pits
was formerly a small lake or pond, which may have been an excavation, but
probably was natural. It is now drained. When, by w-hat people, or for
what purpose these works were made, we venture no conjecture."
WHITE SETTLERS.
The first white people came into the county in 1818, and established their
homes in Blue River township. From that date the increase in the population
102
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. IO3
has I)een rapid. During the first twelve years it increased at the rate of about
150 per year: during the next decade, 1830-1840, at the rate of over 600 per
year; from 1840-1850, at the rate of about 200 per year; from 1850-1860, at
tlie rate of over 300 per year. It continued to increase steadily until 1900,
since which time it has decreased a little. The following is the population
of the county as shown by the United States census reports, since 1S30:
1830, 1,436; 1840, 7,535; 1850, 9,698; 1890, 12,802; 1870, 15,123; 1880,
17,123; 1890, 17,829; 1900, 19,189; 1910, 19,030.
TASKS BEFORE EARLY SETTLERS.
When the first settlers came into the county, they were confronted with
three distinct lines of work. The forests had to be cleared away, the land
had to be drained, and highways for intercommunication had to be constructed.
CLEARING AWAY THE FORESTS.
The first and most obvious task was to clear away the forest. To appre-
ciate the rate at which it disappeared, we should bear in mind that our county
contains T96.480 acres. In 1850. 48,600 acres of this land were reported
as improved. At the close of each decade following, the acreage of improved
land was reported as follows by the United States census : 1850,48,600
acres; i860, 80,880 acres f 1870, 98,883 acres; 1880, 122,539 acres; 1890,
139.776 acres ; 1900, 157,114 acres ; 1910, 163,307 acres.
From the above reports it appears that the forest in Hancock county was
cut down at the following rate per year :
1840-1850 3,000 acres per year (estimated)
1850-1860 3.228 acres per year
1860-1870 1,800 acres per year
1870-1880 2.365 acres per year
1880-1890 1-723 acres per year
1890-1900 1-733 'icres per year
1900-1910 600 acres per year
DRAINAGE.
The first homes were established on knolls, where small patches of ground
were cleared for cultivation. There were creeks and rivers in the county
that carried away much of the surface water, yet there were great areas that
were not reached by the streams or their tributaries. The great problem was
to get outlets. In the earl\- history of the county a few nutlets were estab-
lishefl with which arms could be connected. These arms, when covered, were
I04
HAXCOCK COUXTV, IXDIAXA.
at first constructed of wood. Several methods were employed; one was to
cut a channel from a foot to eighteen inches wide, and to tlie proper depth.
Slabs of timber, eighteen or twenty inches long, were then placed along one
edge of the bottom of the channel and made to lean against the other side of
the channel. The ditch when filled left a passage for the water under the
slanting timber. In the construction of the larger covered drains, W'ider
channels were cut to the required depth. Shoulders four or five inches wide
were left along each side of the bottom of this channel, then a second channel
cut to a depth of ten or twelve inches. Timbers were split like those used in
making puncheon floors and laid from slioulder to shoulder covering the
lower channel. \\'hen the ditch was filled a large t>pen passage was left under
the timber to carry away the water. These first methods of constructing
covered drains are illustrated in figures i and 2.
After saw-inills were established, covered drains were frequently con-
structed of boards. Boards were set on edge along the sides of the bottom
of the channel and covered with a third hoard, as indicated by figure 3.
Clay tile were not used in the county until just before the Civil W'ar. In
1858 Isaac Beeson. who then conducted a potter's shop at the southwest corner
of section 12-15-7, where the Western Grove Friends church now stands,
made the first clay tile. They were round tile, turnetl by hand on a potter's
lathe. After being used for a half century they were taken up and found in
good condition. Some of them may now be seen in the geological museum at
the State House at Indianapolis. In 1863. Jacob Schramm l)uilt a tile factory
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I 05
on his farm in the German Settlement, in Suj^ar Creek township, and manufac-
tured wliat were known as "horseshf)e" tile. It had no bottom, hut was con-
structed with two sides and a top, on the principle of the board drains (lescril)ed
above. About this time, or a year or two later. James Thomas, of Jackson
township, also l)rought in some clay tile from a facton- in Rush county. Just
about the close of the Civil War the "horseshoe" tile were replaced by flat-
bottomed tile, which were continued in use for a period of fifteen or twenty
years. They are familiar to most people of the cf)unty, and may still be exca-
vated in repairing the older ditches. During the eigiities round tile came into
general use and since that time have been used almost exclusively in our cov-
ered ditches.
In 1852 a law was passed providing for the incorporation of drainage
companies for the construction of the larger outlets. Under this law, people
interested in the establishment of a drain associated themselves together in
a drainage company. They adopted articles of incorporation, which were
placed on record in the county recorder's office, and, after some preliminary
steps, were ready to begin work. It is not tlie intention here to go into the
details of incorporation, but tlie extent of the drainage w(irk that was under-
taken by these companies can be indicatetl to a degree by an enumeration of
the articles of incorporation that were recorded btween 1866 and 1879. The
names of the greater number of the companies will also indicate the localities
in which they operated.
Incorporated
Hancock Big Slash Draining Company 1861
Littk Sugar Creek Draining Company 1866
Little Buck Creek Draining Company 1866
Jackson Township Draining Compan\- 1866
Hancock and Madison Ditch Compan\- 1866
Indian Creek Draining Company 1867
Crumb Branch Draining Company 1867
Raccoon Slash Draining Company 1868
Black Swamp Draining Com])any 1868
Branihw inc Ditch Comjian}' 1868
Black Hawk Draining Company 1869
Little Brandy wine Draining Company 1869
Xameless Creek Draining Company 1869
Fox Draining Company 1869
Cranberry Marsli Draining Company 1869
Wildcat Draining Company 1870
I06 HAXCOCK COUNTY. IXDIAXA.
Nathan Creek Draining Company 1870
Lake Erie Draining Company 1871
Flatfork Ditch Company 1874
Hancock Draining Association 1875
Cory and Bridges Ditch Company 1879
In connection with the constntction of these large drains, the name of
James H. Carr, who was drainage commissioner of the county for many years
after tlie Civil War, should be mentioned.
While these larger outlets were being constructed by the drainage com-
panies, smaller drains were also being constructed by individuals. Where
smaller outlets were necessary across the lands of others, a method was pro-
vided by law by petition before the board of county commissioners, or before
the circuit courts of the various counties. This method has been preserved
to the present.
The largest work of drainage in the county was the opening of Buck
creek, by dredging it. The work was begun about 1888. Init was not com-
pleted for several years. Much of the bottom land along Buck creek was
marshy and it was necessary to deepen and straighten the stream in order to
reclaim the land. It was an expensive work and aroused much opposition.
Legal proceedings were carried to the highest courts in the state before it was
settled. When the work was finally accomplished, many acres of marshy land
were reclaimed and converted into the most fertile fields of the county. Ed-
win P. Thayer, Jr., was the contractor on this work.
Another drain of similar dimensions that has l)een attempted several
times is the dredging of Brandywine. A petition to dredge Brandywine
creek was filed in the Hancock circuit court, in 1899. and another in 1905.
Several petitions have been filed for the same purpose since that time, and
such a petition is pending at present. This work has always aroused such
opposition that the petitioners have never succeeded in getting an order of
court for the establishment of the proposed work. There is no other work of
drainage left in the county that can reclaim so much land as the dredging of
Brandywine creek.
During the past fifteen or twenty years the tendency has been to cover
all ditches wherever possible, thus overcoming the inconvenience of cultiva-
tion, and reclaiming acres of land. In all parts of the county, public and pri-
vate ditches have been tiled, and this work continues at this time. The larg-
est covered ditch in the county is the Hollis ditch, in tlie northern and eastern
]iart of Center township. Over seven miles of tile are laid in the system.
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. lOJ
The main ditch is over three miles in lenafth. It drains one thousand five hun-
dred fifty-seven acres, and the water gathered up by its arms is finally carried
through a thirty-inch tile for a distance of a half mile. The Briney ditch, in
the eastern part of Center township, is also one of the largest in the county.
It has a number of thirty-inch tile approaching its outlet, but not so many as
the Hollis ditch.
ROADS.
■ In the very early history of the county the state aided in the construction
of highways connecting important points. Hancock county profited by this
aid in the construction of the following roads, all of which can be located by
their names. These roads were under construction at the dates indicated :
Centerville state road ; Brookville state road ; Greenfield and Rushville state
road, 1832; Morristown, Greenfield and Noblesville road, 1832; Greenfield
and Shelbyville state road, 1834; Knightstown and Pendleton state road, 1834;
Greenfield and Lebanon, 1836; Indianapolis and Pendleton state road, 1837.
In the construction of these roads, the Legislature appointed viewers
to view and mark tlie proposed highways and make report thereon. Tlie man-
ner in which this was done, the method of describing the course of the pro-
posed highway, and of marking the same, is rather interesting at this time,
and the following report made by the viewers appointed on the Greenfield and
Rushville state road, taken from commissioners' record "A", page 107, is
inserted :
"Tlie undersigned Commissioners appointed under an Act of the Legis-
lature of t-he State of Indiana for viewing and making a State Road from
Rushville in Rush County to Greenfield in Hancock County, did after being
duly qualified according to the requisition of the Act aforesaid, proceed on
Monday the 23d day of October instant to view and mark said Road, and to
report as follows :■ — Commencing on the Brookville State Road, near the
bridge across Hodge's Creek and leave said State Road in front of Hodge's
House at a sugar tree 18 inches in diameter thence north 60 degrees west pass-
ing south of old Mr. Havens' house then continuing said course to the cross-
ing of the line between Section 35 and 36, Township 14 North, Range 8 East,
thence North 58 degrees west, south of a random line, on the south of a small
deadening and south of a small stream, the waters of Mud Creek, intersect-
ing the random line at a camp meeting ground, thence on said line to the bank
of said Branch to a bench. Tree marked 18 North, thence on the south side
of said Creek to where the true line crosses said Creek, thence North 50 de-
grees west through the farm of Wallingford and William Cassaday, passing
108 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
between said Cassaday's Barn and Spring House, keeping said course 50
degrees west of North to the crossing of Mud Creek thence North 58 degrees
west to the crossing of little Blue River and to escape the crossing of said
River three times run from the crossing 38 degrees west 160 poles to a
branch of said stream near the house of Henry Clendening, thence North 78
degrees west 160 poles to the fence of William Clendening near his northwest
corner of improvements thence north 58 degrees west through the land of
said Clendening, Henry Birt and others to the crossing of Beaver Meadow
Creek near the northwest corner of W'illiam Zoni's land and a county road' on
the east side of said Zorn's land then to escape the crossing of a large swamp
tributary of Beaver Meadow North 75 degrees west 60 poles to a large poplar
in the field of John \\'alker north 41 degrees west 60 poles to the crossing of
said swamp where the old Connersville ruad crosses the same, thence north 59
degrees west through the lands of Snider Phelps and Bentley to the crossing
of Big Blue River at Bentley's ford, passing the southeast corner of Micajah
Binford's land on the bluffs of Blue River thence after crossing the river north
58 degrees west through the lands of said Binford and Henry B. Hill north
of the north side of said Hill's house to the crossing of Six Mile Creek on
the land of Samuel Moore near said Hill's corner on the bank of said creek
thence north 59 degrees west to the north of Samuel Bundy's house. The
entering is marked on a sugar tree 18 inches in diameter on Bundy's improve-
ment pursuing North 59 degrees west to the crossing of a creek called Name-
less on the lands of Abram Miller. Esq., thence after crossing said stream
north 60 degrees west to where it intersects the random line of said swamp
on the lands of Glandon, thence on said random line 54 degrees
w-est to where said line intersects the National road on the east bank of little
Brandy wine. Your commissioners would further state that the above loca-
tion embraces, perhaps, the most suitaljle ground for a road of the same extent
that they have any knowledge of in the counties of Rush and Hancock, that
the ground is generally of good quality and that a very small proportion of
wet land presents itself on said line, and tliat the best of crossing of streams
are nearly on a a line and tliat the several persons through whose lands the
aforesaid location runs seem well pleased. The Commissioners aforesaid
would further state that said Road could not possil)l}- be properly located with-
out a surveyor and chain carriers and tliat they employed Henry B. Hill,
surveyor and Reuben Bentley and Bazil Meek acted as chain carriers and
hereby requests a reasonable compensation for said extra services. The whole
distance of said line from Greenfield to Rushville as measured is twentv-one
GENERAL UEVELOPMEXT. IO9
miles nearly, but by sections is only twenty miles and twenty-five poles. Given
under our hands and seals tliis 12th day of October, 183 1.
"N.VTHANiAL Smith t Seal)
"Bazil Meek {Seal)"
Similar methods were employed and similar reports were, of course, made
on all of the above state roads.
THE NATIONAL ROAD.
The National road was constructed through Hancock county in 1835.
Some work was probably done on it in 1834. The road was built through an
unliroken forest. One gang of men started the work by cutting the trees
and clearing the right nf way. Another removed the stumjis and a tln'rd
graded the road bed.
Originally it was a "dirt road." Its culverts and bridges, however, were
all constructed in the most substantial manner. Small streams were arched
with stone and the larger streams, such as Sugar creek, Six Mile and Brandy-
wine, were spanned by bridges. Enclosed wooden bridges were constructed
over Brandywine and Sugar creek. Each had two drive wa\s, each about
twelve feet wide. The bridge over Sugar creek stood until July, i8()2. when
some one evidently threw a lighted match into a load of wheat that had been
left there. Before the burning straw could be taken out the entire structure
was consumed by the flames.
Bv virtue <if an act of the General Assembly of the state of Indiana,
approved January 31, 1842, it was made the duty of the boards of county com-
missioners of the several counties through which the National road extended,
to place the road under the charge and supervision of the road supervisors
through who.se districts any portion of (he road passed. That act also made
it the duty of such supervisors to kee]) the road in repair.
Bv an act of the Congress of the I'nited States, approved .August 1 1, 1848.
all that portion of the National road lying Ijetween the east and west boundary
lines of the state of Indiana was transferred to the state of Indiana.
By virtue of a special act of the General Assembly of the state of Indiana
the Central Plank Road Company was incorporated and was given control of
all that portion of the National road lying between the eastern line of Han-
cock county and the western line of Putnam county within the state of Indiana.
Section 18 of this act required that the track of said road be constructed of
timber, plank, gravel or other hard material. The act also specified that the
track of said road should not be less than sixteen feet wide.
The Central Plank Road Company improved the road by planking it.
I lO ■ HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
This work was done about 1850 or 1851 through Hancock county. The work
began at IndianapoHs and proceeded eastward. General John Milroy had
the contract for the construction of a large portion of the work through Han-
cock county. Milroy, by the way, was a "General" in the same sense tliat
our present auctioneers are "Colonels."
In the construction of the plank road, stringers four inches by six inches
were laid along the highway at such a distance as to lie under the wheels of
wagons that traveled over the road. The stringers were laid so that the top
was about level with the ground; planks three inches thick and eight feet
long were then laid over them and earth was filled in along the sides to level
the road. The planks were laid along the north side of the grade. Wagons
kept to the right, and hence, teams going west had the right of way ; wagons
going east had to get off the plank when meeting other conveyances. The
planks were not nailed to the stringers and in many places they turned up at
the ends and became a nuisance to travelers, ^^'ithin a few years after they
had been laid the road was covered with gravel. In most places the gravel
was put over the planks ; in some places the planks were removed.
The National road became a toll road when it passed to the control of
the Central Plank Road Company. It then remained a toll road until 1889,
when it was purchased by the county.
A few references are made to the National road on the records in the
office of the county recorder of Hancock county. Deed Record "U" at page
13, shows that on January 11, 1861, the Central Plank Road Company con-
veyed to Barney B. Gray all the part of the National road lying between the
east line of Hancock county and the west bank of Sugar creek, including the
west abuttment of the bridge over said creek.
Deed Record "U," at page 14, shows that on November 18, 1861. Barney
B. Gray and Eliza Ann Gray, his wife, deeded the above described portion
of the National road, lying in Hancock county, to James P. Foley.
Miscellaneous Record "A," at page 104, shows that after James P. Foley
bought the road he, with others, on November 19, 1861, organized the "Foley's
Charlottes\'ille, Greenfield and Philadelphia Turn Pike Company,"' for the
purpose of improving the road.
Just at this juncture the Civil War broke out and the new corporation
found it impossible to raise money to make the improvements contemplated.
In 1864 the Hancock Gravel Road Company was incorporated for the purpose
of improving the same portion of the National road.
It seems that some question was raised as to the right of the new com-
pany to take charge of the road, but the county commissioners seemed to take
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. Ill
the view that the road had been abandoned for several years, and made a find-
ing at their March session, 1865, that the statutes had been, complied with and
therefore gave their consent to and granted the right of way of the above
described portion of the National road to said company. This company then
had charge of the road until it was purchased by the county, in 1889.
Just at present efforts are being made to have the National road paved
witli brick. Several meetings of prominent citizens have been held, but as
yet nothing definite has been done.
COUNTY ROADS.
While the state was gi"\'ing assistance in t!:e construction of roads con-
necting important points, and while the National road was being constracted.
the county also busied itself with road building within its own confines. In
1830 the population was sparse and tlie entire county was still covered with
forest. There were few farms and only a few towns and mills. It is inter-
esting to observe that the first roads constructed under the supervision of the
board of county commissioners were constructed to connect different parts
of the county witli the towns, or for tlie purpose of providing a way to reach
mills. Possibly as many or more higliways were at first constructed to give
access to mills that had been built along the streams of tlie county, than to con-
nect localities with the towns. Two mills that are mentioned quite often in
the petitions for highways are Pierson's mill, which was located on Sugar
creek, five or six miles northwest of Greenfield, and Eellus' mill, which was
located on Sugar creek about two miles north of New Palestine. The high-
way's that were petitioned for in tliat early day did not follow section lines,
but generally followed the most direct road to the mill or to the town or to
some highway that had previously been built connecting with a mill or a town.
One can hardly get a correct idea of the methods that were pursued or the
manner in whicli the roads were constructed in the early history of tlie county,
without reading some of the petitions that were filed with the board of county
commissioners. The first petition was presented to the board, August 11,
1828. It requested the board to construct a road from a point in Brandy wine
township to the town of Greenfield. The petition is as follows :
"To the Honorable Board of County Commissioners of Hancock County :
Greeting : We, the undersigned subscribers, citizens of Brandywine Township
in said county do labor under many disadvantages for the want of roads being
opened through our county. Therefore we pray your honors to grant us a
road in the manner following, viz : to commence at the southwest corner of
Section 32 in Township 15, North of Range 7 East, thence to Sweem's Mill
112 HANCOCK COUXTV. IXniAXA.
on Brandv \\ ine Creek, thence to the southwest corner of Isaac Roberts land,
thence with said Robert's west h'ne to the northwest comer, tlience the nearest
and best way to tlie Town of Greenfield for which your petitioners in dutv
bound will ever pray.
"Signed, etc., June 19th, 1828.
"Othniel H. Sweem,
"Jared Ciiapmax. and others."
Two jietitions came up for consideration on the 12th day of August, 1828,
and asked for the construction of a road from Greenfield to Anderson Town :
"We the undersigned petitioners do think it beneficial to have a county
road opened from Greenfield to Anderson Town and under this consideration
we the undersigned do petition the respected Countv Commissioners of Han-
cock for the grant of a road commencing at the National Road south at the
west side of B. Spilman's first clioice Block, thence the nearest and best route
to the Northeast corner of the northwest quarter of Section 18, in Range 7,
Town.ship 16. thence the nearest and best route to north line of Hancock
County on the direction of Anderson Town. Signed etc..
"W. Wilson axd others."
On May 4, 1829, it was ordered by the board that on a petition presented
to said board by George Worthington and others : "Road to commence on
the soutli line of the county as near Michael Murnan's mill as the situation of
the ground will jjcrmit, running tlience on the nearest and best route to George
Worthingtnn's, thence u> William Pierson's Mill, thence on the nearest and
best route to intersect the contemplated State Road from Greenfield to An-
derson town on the East Side of Su.gar Creek."
On the same day a "Settlement on Buck Creek" presented a petition,
signed by John .Shirley and others, praying for a road "to commence at or
near the Mill of \\'illiam Pierson on Sugar Creek in said County, from thence
in a westward direction to the settlement on Buck Creek, thence in a south
westward direction until it intersects the Centerville State Road near the
house of Samuel Fuller."
On .\ugust Q. 1830. Jose]))! Cliapman and others, filed the followin.g
petition :
"To the Honoral)le Commissioners of Hancock County: Gentlemen, we.
vour petitioners, pra\- your Honorable body to grant an order for a county
road to begin at the south side of Greenfield where the State Road from Shel-
byville to Fort Wayne leaves the same, thence the nearest and best way to
Joseph Thomas, thence the nearest and best way to William Murnan's on the
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. II3
Brookville State Road, thence with said road to the comer between John Snod-
grass. Senior, and William Murnan. thence to the corner between Esom
Thonias and Ehas Tniett at the old State Road, Gentlemen, grant this and
we, your petitioners, will ever pray at the same time," etc.
On that day the following ]ictition for a highwav by George Anderson
and others was acted upon :
"To the Honorable County Commissioners of Hancock Count\-, we your
petitioners beg your honors to grant us a county road^ to commence and end
as follows, to-wit : — Commencing at the east side of William Murnan's land
on the Rushville State Road, thence the nearest and best way to John Baker's
and from thence to Greenfield, the county seat of said county, we further rep-
resent to your honors tliat there is at this time a petition in circulation for a
road to commence and end near the same point but as this will be on the
nearest and best ground and the most beneficial to the public, we beg your
deliberation," etc.
At the January term. 1831, Jacob Zumwalt filed the following petition
which was acted upon :
"It is ordered by the Board that the following petition presented to the
Board by Jacob Zumwalt and others praying for a road to commence and run
as follows, to-wit: Commencing at or near Sweem's and Stephen's Mill on
Brandywine Creek,- thence in a southwestward direction until it strikes the
section line dividing sections 17 and 20, thence with said line west as near
the situation of the ground will admit, to the south west corner of William
Thomas' land, thence the nearest and best route to Bellus' Mill on Big Sugar
Creek, thence the nearest and best route to intersect the Brookville State Road
at or near James Parker's," etc.
At the same term a petition was also presented b\- Allen Simpson and
others for a road "beginning at the Brookville State Road on the line between
sections 28 and 29 and running the nearest and best way to Joseph Thomas,
from thence to Greenfield."
At the Ma}- term. 1831, the following petition was presented to the board
by David Temple and others asking for the following highway along Six
Mile creek :
"We, the undersigned do petition to the Honorable, the Board of Com-
missioners, doing county business in Hancock County. Indiana, praying for
the granting of a County Road leading up Six Mile and ninning up through
Josiah Vanmeter's land up the east side of main Creek until Benjamin Fort's
corner adjoining James Bartlow's. and thence through his land and through
Jackson's lands along up the west side of the Main Creek, on the most suitable
(8)
114 II.WCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
ground and tlience through J(jl:n Call's land and so on to intersect the Ander-
sontown road on the west side of the creek on the most suitable ground." etc.
Following is a petition presented by Levi Leary and others at the Sep-
tember term, 183 1, of tlie board of county commissioners, asking for a highway
from Pierson's mill, to the northeast part of what is now Center township :
"We the undersigned citizens of Hancock County, to the Honorable the
Commissioners of said county, now in session whereas we deem it necessan,'
to have a road from William Pierson's Mill to the northeast corner of Section
15, Township 16, North, Range 7 East, beginning at said mill thence running
the nearest and best route to the south of James Reeves' land, thence with
said lane to the section line north of the school section, thence following said
line to said corner aforesaid — and we your petitioners do ever pray, etc.
"May 28th, 183 1. "Levi Leary and others
"Twelve Lawful Subscribers."
At the November term, 1831, the board made the following entry in rela-
tion to another in Jackson township :
"Petition from James Bartlow, Andrew Jackson and others following,
to-wit : Commencing at the National Road on the section line between John
Burris and Samuel Thom]3son and running up the line until the brakes of the
west fork of six miles, thence by John Fort's east of Benjamin Fort's orchard
and so on up to the west side of the creek on the most suitable ground, and
thence on east of James Dennis' to intersect his land and nmning west until
his meadow and thence running north through Samuel Dille's land, and thence
running past the northeast corner of the school section and thence to intersect
the county road running on the west side of tlie school section on the most
suitable ground. Signed, James Bartlow and others."
At the March term, 1832, the board ordered "that a road be located be-
ginning at the county line near John Jackson's, where a road from the falls
of Fall creek cross the count\- line, tlience the nearest and best way to William
Curr}-'s of Brandywine township."
changes in location of highways.
No attempt is being made here to give a full historj' of the construction
of all the early roads in the county, nor even to give a full history of the con-
struction of any of them. The foregoing petitions have been inserted for
the purpose of illustrating the general plan of making connections with the
roads that were important to the early settlers. It is needless to say that
as soon as the forest began to disappear and the land was put under cultiva-
GENERAL DEVKLOP.MENT. • II5
tion, these roads, running at various angles across the county, made it very in-
convenient to cuhivate man\- of the farms. As soon as fields of any size
were cleared, the farmers began to feel the inconvenience of the location of
these highways, and they began petitioning for changes in their location. The
first of such petitions was presented to the board on January 7, 1833, and
is in the following words :
"To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of Hancock County,
whereas I wish to cultivate a portion of my land on the east township of the
northeast quarter of section 31, range S, township 15, north, tlirough which
a County Road runs angling, I do pray a change of said road as follows to
commence at the northeast corner of said lot thence south a few poles thence
in a westward direction to said road again, and I do further wish said Board
to appoint Viewers for that purpose.
"Festus H.'Vll."
A number of such petitions were filed following this date, but we offer
just one more, which was presented to the board at the September term, 1835 :
"To the Honorable the Board of Commissioners of Hancock County, In-
diana, we, your petitioners, citizens of Buck Creek Township in said County
do humbl}- pray }our honorable Bod}- to grant us a change in the road leading
from the National Road on Buck Creek to William Pierson's Mill on Sugar
Creek, whereas the said road now runs on a line due north one mile and one-
half, then angles through a number of farms to the injury of those wishing to
improve their land, therefore we pray a ciiange in said road," etc. "
Between tiie January term, 1833, and the Alay term, 1838, twenty-five
petitions were filed with the board of county commissioners, asking for
changes in the location of highways. These petitions continued to be filed for
years to come. From 1850 to i860, tiiirty-three changes in the location of
highways were petitioned for, as indicated by the indexes of the county com-
missioners' records. It was not until after the Civil War that our roads were
all generally located on section lines as we now find them.
TURNPIKE COMPANIES.
All that has been said in connection with the great improvement made
in the drainage of the county immediately following the Civil War, can also
be said of road construction during the same period. Up to this time roads
had been laid out and graded, but very little had been done in the way of
building substantial road beds. Across low places, trees and logs were fre-
([uently placed in tlie road to m;d<e pas.sage possilile during wet weather. In
Il6 . HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
1852 a law was passed by the General Assembly of the state of Indiana pro-
viding for the incorporation of gravel road or turnpike companies. Some
amendments were made to this law, but in the main it provided that com-
panies could subscribe capital stock, improve highways, and then maintain
the same by collecting toll from people who used the roads. This brought in
the era of "toll gates," which are still familiar even to the middle aged. A
number of turnpike companies were organized in Hancock county under
this law. From 1865-1882, forty or more highways, from one to twelve miles
in length, were improved under tliis system. Highways leading to the towns
were usually selected for improvement, and during the decade or more follow-
ing the Civil War it was practically imi)ossible to reach any town in the county
without having to pass a "toll gate" and pay the fee for the upkeep of the
road. The "toll gates" were usually built near the edge of towns or at
such points at wliich the greatest number of people passed. At nearly all
of them sweeps were built whicli were kept down except when vehicles passed.
The most of them had a small porch adjoining the road, from which the "toll
keeper" received the fee, usually ranging from three cents to a dime or fif-
teen cents, depending upon the length of the road and the distance over which
the traveler passed.
A great number of people took stock and were financially interested in
these roads. The names of the principal turnpike companies, with the dates
of their incorporation, are inserted. The names of the companies will in most
instances indicate the location of the roads :
Hancock Gravel Road Company (National road) 1864
Greenfield and Brandy wine Gravel Road Company 1865
Eden and Pendleton Turnpike Company 1865
Greenfield and Western Grove Turnpike Company 1867
Fortville, Pendleton and Eden Junction Turnpike Company 1867
Barnard and Troy Gravel Road Company 1867
Greenfield and Pendleton Gravel Road Company 1867
Northwestern Gravel Road Company
Markleville and Knightstown Gravel Road Company
McCordsville and Eden Gravel Road Company
Charlottesville and Brandy wine Gravel Road Company 1869
Brandywine Gravel Road Company 1869
Brandywine and Greenfield Junction Gravel Road Company 1869
Prairie Branch Gravel Road Company
Western Grove Gravel Road Company
Hancock and Hamilton Gravel Road Company 1872
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I IJ
McCordsville and Clarksville Turnpike Company 1872
McCordsville and Buck Creek Gravel Road Company 1872
Greenfield and New Palestine Gravel Road Company 1873
New Palestine and Eastern Gravel Road Company 1873
New Palestine Gravel Road Company 1873
Doe Creek Gravel Road Compan}- 1873
Woodville and Markleville Turnpike Compan}- 1873
Sugar Creek and Philadelphia Turnpike Company 1874
Leamon's Gravel Road Company 1874
German Gravel Road Company 1874
Jackson and Center Township Turnpike Company 1874
Hancock and Shelby Gravel Road Company 1874
Philadelphia and New Palestine Gravel Road Company 1875
Greenfield and Sugar Creek Gravel Road Company 1876
Center and Brandy wine Township Gravel Road Company 1876
Anderson and Warrington Junction Turnpike Company 1878
Sugar Creek and Fortville Gravel Road Company 1878
Buck Creek Gravel Road Company 1882
These roads were operated for a number of years, but in most instances
were not very profitable to tlie stockholders. In 1882 a petition was filed
witli the hoard of county commissioners requesting the county to take over
the "toll roads" and make them "free gravel roads." An election was held
in April, 1882, but the movement was defeated. In the spring election of
1888 tlie question was again submitted to all voters of the county as to whether
the "toll roads" should be made "free gravel roads" by purchase, or whether
they sliould remain "toll roads." In this election the proposition of purclias-
ing the "toll roads" was again defeated.
On August 13, 1889, another special election was held to determine
whether the "toll roads" should be purchased. In this election the movement
was successful and the following roads were purchased by the county at the
prices indicated :
Hancock Gravel Road Company's road $7,500.00
Greenfield and Pendleton Gravel Road Company's road 2,275.00
Greenfield and New Palestine Gravel Road Company's road 1,650.00
Greenfield and Brandy wine Gravel Road Company's road 2.622.50
Sugar Creek and Fortville Gravel Road Company's road 2,665.00
Center and Brandywine Gravel Road Company's road 720.00
Doe Creek Gravel Road Company's road 1,217.75
iiS
HANCOCK COUXTY, IXDIAXA.
The purcliase of the Prairie Branch Gravel Road Company's road was
defeated in this election, whereupon the directors at once surrendered their
charter and their road was made a part of the "free gfravel road" system with-
out cost to the county. The greater number of the "toll roads" had already
surrendered their charters and the few that remained were soon given over by
the directors. The New Palestine and Eastern Gravel Road Company seems
to have been the last to surrender its charter. This was done at a special
meeting of the board of commissioners. X'ovember 22. 1894. At this time
there were between one hundred and twenty-five and one hundred and fifty
miles of free gravel roads in the county. From time to time additions were
made to this mileage by the improvement of other roads.
"three-mile roads."
The next great improvement in road building came with the passage of
the "Three-Mile Road" law in 1905. During the summer of 1906 a number
of petitions were filed with the board of county commissioners in accordance
with the provisions of this law, and a vast amount of money was expended
by the county during the next few years in road construction. Following is
a list of the roads that were improved under this law and under the "count}'
line" road law, beginning in 1907. The Ixnid issue for the construction of
each road is also given :
BUCK CREEK TOWN.SIIIP.
Roads Bond Issue
James M. Evans et al Road $ 6,120.00
James F. McCord et al Road 1,640.00
Franklin Steele et al Road No. i 9.663.60
Franklin Steele et al Road No. 2 8,156.40
Samuel Wallace et al Road 9.820.00
John N. Dobbins et al Road 7.220.00
Edward Eastes et al Road 5.840.00
Daniel Fisher et al Road 5,760.00
*James F. J'IcCord et al Road 3.980.00
Jolin R. Williams et al Road 6.000.00
Ji ihn V. Wallace et al Road 2.660.00
Total $66,860.00
*Buck Creek and Vernon
Date of bond issue.
August 5, 1908
March i, 1909
January 4. 1909
Decemljer 7. 1908
]\larcli
I,
1909
March
h
1909
Marcli
I,
1909
Marcli
I,
1909
December 8, 1908
January i, 1909
April 5. 1909
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.
119
VERNON TOWNSHIP.
Daniel Dinach et al Road .$ 6,160.00
Lewis C. Pickle et al Road 6,430.00
Robert G. Wilson et al Road (West) . . 3,420.00
Robert G. Wilson et al Road (East) . . 4.420.00
J. H. Kimberlin et al Road i. 5.374.60
Henry Collins et al Road 4.960.00
Jesse P. Cook et al Road No. i 6,600.00
Jesse P. Cook et al Road No. 2 8,000.00
Thomas W. Gardner et al Road 30,480.00
T. J. White et al Road 5,140.00
*Lee D. Olvey et al Road 5,600.00
Total $86,580.00
*Vernon and Green
BROWN TOWNSHIP.
Elnathan Hays et al Road $ 4,150.00
Ira W. Sparks et al Road 4,640.00
William Hoppes et al Road 6,080.00
Samuel B. Blackburn et al Road 6,140.00
Harry Davis et al Road 4,660.00
Ji)seph Wilkinson et al Road 10,100.00
* Elmer McComas et al Road 23,000.00
Charles W. Manfold et al 9,700.00
xjoini L. Hanna et al Road 14.000.00
Total $82,470.00
* Brown and Green
xBrnwn, Green and Vernon
CENTER TOWNSHIP.
John L. Fry et al Road $33,640.00
Richard Hagan et al Road 19,940.00
Charles V. Carlton el al Road 34,200.00
*Joseph yi. Henry et al Road 8,200.00
xKim Derry et al Road 88,000.00
Total $104,780.00
*Green, Center and Jackson
xCcnter and Jackson
August 5. 1908
November 6, 1908
March i. 1909
March i, 1909
January 4, 1909
Fcl)ruary i. 1909
February r, 1909
February i, 1909
February i. 1909
April 6, 1909
June 7, 1909
July S. 1908
January 5, 1909
January 4, 1909
January 4, 1909
July 15. 1910
April 15, 191 1
May 5. 1914
July 6. 19 1 4
July 6, 19 14
January 6, 1909
IMarch 4, 1909
February i, 191 5
April 5. 1915
August 2. TOI^
I20 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
BLUE RIVER TOWNSHIP.
Murry Moore et al Road $ 6,420.00 July 15, 191 1
Adam L. Sivard et al Road 10,000.00 January 5. 19 12
Charles E. Coffin et al Road 1.500.00 September i, 1913
Total $17,920.00
SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Columbus M. Jackson et al Road S 2,900.00 December 4, 1911
Fred Hitzman et al Road 2,960.00 December 4, 191 1
^\'illiam G. Lantz et al Road 9,000.00 July 7, 19 13
Total $14,860.00
From the above tabulated statement it appears that from 1908 to the
present (August, 191 5), Hancock county has spent for road improvements
the sum of $373,470.00. This also represents only the face of the bonds that
were issued for the construction of the roads and does not include any inter-
est that is being paid thereon.
At this time (August, 191 5) we have two hundred and eighty-one miles
of free gravel road in the county.
EARLY LIFE IN THE COUNTY.
When the first settlers came into the county the nearest grist-mill was
on Whitewater, where Connersville now stands, or near there. Cincinnati
was the point from which groceries and other supplies were purchased. They
were brought to Indianapolis and to other points in wagons. Whatever the
settlers had to sell, such as grain, hogs and cattle, was also commonly taken
to Cincinnati. Many droves of hogs and cattle and flocks of sheep were
driven to Cincinnati over the National road. Anthony Fort, of Charlottes-
ville, at one time drove a flock of turkeys to market there. In fact, flocks of
turkeys were frequently driven through from central Indiana. Drivers are
said to have had little trouble with them except that when evening came they
always flew into the trees to roost, regardless of the wishes of their driver.
The Indiana Gazetteer, published in 1833, gives the following report
of Hancock county : "The face of the county is generally low or rolling ; the
soil is chiefly a rich loam mi.xed with a sand and covered with a heavy growth
of beech, buckeye, ash, walnut, poplar, cherry and different kinds of oak; with
an undergrowth of spice, pawpaw, hazel and thorn. The staple products of
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 121
the county are wheat, corn, oats, pork, beef, flour and poultry. The county
is advantageously situated for mills : the streams passing through it afford
a number of excellent sites for water-mills ; it is also well supplied with springs
of purest water."
That the eyes of the settlers were open to the advantages of mill sites,
is evident from the number of mills that were built within eight years after
the organization of the county. Following are a few of them and the dates
at which they were established. These mills were propelled by water :
Joshua \A'ilson, 1824, on Blue river, grist-mill.
William Pierson, 1825, on Sugar creek, five miles northwest of Green-
field, grist-mill.
Othniel H. Sweem, 1826, on Brandywine creek, three miles below Green-
field, grist and saw-mill.
John Fort, 1827, Six Mile creek, above Charlottesville, grist-mill.
Steven Bellus, 1828, Sugar creek, two miles north of New Palestine,
grist and saw-mill.
Black and Brother, 1832, Sugar creek, one mile south of Philadelphia,
saw-mill.
David Longnaker, 1833, Six Mile, above Fort's mill, saw-mill.
Isaac Willett, 1834, four miles northwest of Greenfield, grist-mill.
Steven Harlan, 1835, Sugar creek in Brown township, grist and saw-mill.
William Curry, 1835, about four miles northeast of Greenfield, grist-mill.
George Mason, 1835, Sugar creek in Green township, grist-mill.
William Beeson, 1836, in Green township, grist-mill.
Daniel Blakely, 1836, Sugar creek in Brown township, saw-mill.
All of these mills were small concerns. Some of them were hominy mills,
or "corn crackers," as they were commonly called, yet they made it possible
for the people of the county to obtain flour and meal without liaving t) make
a long wagon journey for it.
These were days when people lived in rude log houses, Vv ith. puncheon
floors and oiled-paper windows; when furniture was crude and often home-
made: when clothing was homespun; when the logs crackled in the fireplace
and tlie kettle swung from the crane. They were days, too, when crops were
planted and cultivated with a hoe; when the harvest was gathered with tbc
reap hook, the sc\tiie and the cradle ; when log-rollings flourished, and when
the smoke in the "clearings" was never lost from sight. Game was plenti-
ful. The howl of the wolf broke the stillness of the night and the bear and
the panther were at home in the forest.
T22
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Each township had its board of three townsliip trustees, and each school
district its boarci of three district trustees. Higliways were few and went at
all angles through the woods. Every-where there were swamps, swamps,
swamps. Yet the soil, that "rich loam mixed with sand," was productive.
The streams were furnishing water power for the mills, and the springs weie
supplying purest water. Grocers and merchants were establishing themselves
in the county, and all these tilings were adding something to the comfort of
the people, whose number was increasing daily.
For the purpose of raising revenue for the count}-, all persons wishing
to engage in the sale of merchandise, groceries or liquor had to pay a license
fee. The record of these fees makes it possible now to learn the distribution
of the groceries, etc. Below are given the names of the owners and the dates
on which their first license fees were paid to the county treasurer. Some of
these men made application to sell merchandise or groceries for such periods
as three months and six months. Ordinarily, however, the license fee was
paid for a period of one year. Some of the names appear on the record many
times, since the license fee was paid annually.
GROCERIES AND MERCHANTS.
Name.
Elijah Tyner
James Parker
Nathan Crawford . .
E. & R. Tyner
Joseph Chapman . . .
. James Hamilton . . .
George Troxell . . . .
Amos Dickerson . . .
Morris Pierson . . . .
Lewis Tyner
John Eastes
Jared Chapman . . . .
Thomas Eackey . . . .
Eli Gapen & Son . . .
Maxwell & Johnson
Dunbar & Clark . . .
^\'il]iam Curry
William Curry
T. M. Clark '.
Date.
828
828
829
829
829
830
830
831
«3i
832
832
832
832
832
832
832
833
833
833
Location. Business.
Blue River, Grocery
Greenfield, Grocery and Liquor
Greenfield. Grocery
Greenfield, Grocery
Greenfield, Grocery and Liquor
Greenfield. Grocery
Greenfield. Grocery
Sugar Creek, Grocery and Liquor
Greenfield, Grocery and Liquor
Greenfield, Grocery
X'ational Road, Grocery
Greenfield, Grocery
Charlottesville, Grocery
Greenfield, Grocery
Cliarlotlesville. Grocerj*
Greenfield, Merchandise
Greenfield, Grocery
Greenfield. Grocery
Greenfield. Mercliandise
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.
123
Xamc. Date.
A. T. Hart 1833
John Delana 1833
John White 1833
John and Wilham Justice 1834
George Tague 1834
Henry A. Mih'oy 1834
Crawford & Meek 1833
David Templeton 1834
E. P.. and C. B. Chittenden 1834
Samuel Etter 1834
Charles Bouge 1835
John M. Talbott & Co 1835
Jacob Boyse 1835
Harder & McLellen 1835
Robert Sanford 1836
James Robbins 1836
George Kingen' 1836
Noah Perry 1836
George Henry 1 836
Hill & Overman 1836
Cornwcll Meek 1836
Nicholas McCarty 1836
John Hare 1836
Baxter & Clark 1836
Hiram Burch 1836
Jesse Atkison 1836
Barzilla Rozell 1837
Goodwin & Foley 1837
William Bentley 1837
Taylor W'illett 1838
Atherton & Avery 1838
Asa Gooding 1838
Jacob Schramm 1838
Location. Business.
Greenfield, Grocery
Sugar Creek. Grocery
Greenfield, Grocery
Greenfield, Grocery
Greenfield, Grocery
Greenfield, Store
Greenfield, Merchandise
Charlottesville, Grocery
Greenfield, Grocery
Greenfield, Grocer}'
Sugar Creek, Store
Greenfield, Foreign Merchandise
Greenfield, Grocery
Greenfield, Grocery
Greenfield, Grocery
Charlottesville, Grocery
Greenfield, Grocery
Greenfield, Grocery
Fewishurg, Foreign and Domestic
Merchandise
Charl!:ttes\-i!le, [-"oreign and Domes-
Merchandise
Greenfield, Foreign and Domestic
Merchandise
Greenfield, Foreign and Domestic
Merchandise
Charlottesville, Foreign and Domes-
tic Merchandise
* Portland, Domestic Merchandise
*Portland, Grocery
* Portland, Grocery
Brown Townsliip, Grocery and Liquor
Greenfield, Grocery
Greenfield, Grocery
Charlottesville, Grocery and Liquor
Sugar Creek, Grocery
Greenfield. Grocery and Liquor
Sugar Creek, Grocery and Liquor
124
HAXCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
Name. Date.
Meridith Gosney 1838
Crawford & Hart 1838
Thornburgh & White 1838
C. & I. Lewis 1838
Jonathan Evans 1838
Robert Eakin 1838
James P. Foley 1838
Peter F. Newland 1838
Joseph Lewis 1838
Jacob Slifer 1838
Joshua Stone 1838
William Johnson 1838
John Delaney 1839
John Dye 1839
Solomon Hull 1839
Asa Cooper 1839
H. Worster & Templin 1839
Gavice Richardson 1839
J. C. & R. F. Ramsey 1839
Jacob Huntington 1839
M. Goldberg 1839
C. L Morrison 1839
Thornburgh & Co 1839
Cranforce & Hart 1839
William Garrison 1839
Jefferson Beaucham 1839
William Bentley 1839
William Griffin 1839
Isaac Stevens 1839
Cornwell Meek & Co 1839
P. P. & J. F. Oaks 1839
Joseph Ingles 1839
John Martin 1839
Henry Lehman, Daniel Graft.. 1840
John Wilkinson 1840
A. T. Hart and Lewis Burk..i840
Location. Business.
Hancock, Merchandise and Grocery
Greenfield, Merchandise and Grocery-
Hancock, ^Merchandise and Grocer}'
Sugar Creek, Merchandise, Grocery
Sugar Creek, Merchandise, Grocery
Brown Township, Merchandise and
Grocery
Hancock, Merchandise and Grocery
Charlottesville, Grocer}' and Liquor
Hancock, Grocery and Liquor
Hancock, Grocery and Liquor
Greenfield, Grocery and Liquor
Greenfield, Grocery and Liquor
Sugar Creek, Grocery and Liquor
Sugar Creek, Grocery and Liquor
Hancock, Gracer}- and Liquor
Hancock, Grocery and Liquor
Hancock. Merchandise and Grocery
Hancock, Grocery and Liquor
Hancock, Merchandise and Grocery
Hancock, Merchandise and Grocery
Hancock, Merchandise and Grocery
Hancock, Merchandise and Grocery
Hancock, Merchandise and Grocery
Hancock, Merchandise and Grocery
Hancock, Grocery and Liquor
Hancock, Merchandise and Grocery
Hancock, Grocery and Liquor
(ircenfield. Grocery and Liquor
Greenfield, Merchandise and Grocery
Greenfield, Merchandise and Grocery
Greenfield, Merchandise and Grocery
Hancock, Merchandise
Hancock, Grocer}- and Liquor
Hancock, Grocery and Liquor
Greenfield, Grocery and Liquor
Greenfield. Grocery and Liquor
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.
12 =
These stores must not be pictured as large, commodious, well-lighted
rooms. Some of the above applicants had but a few articles to sell at their
residences. The real storerooms were small and, of course, lacked the variety
that we observe in our groceries of this day. Though this is true, it is ap-
parent that the necessities of life could be purchased at a number of places
along the National road, which was the great highway of travel. The state-
ment also shows that a few stores were located on the Brookville road in
Sugar Creek township and at least one or two on the Knightstown-Pendleton
state road. In this connection it is also interesting to observe the market prices
of that time. The following are the Greenfield prices, taken from tlie Green-
field Reveille, April. 1845 :
W'heat, per bushel $
Corn, per bushel
Oats, per bushel
Flaxseed, per bushel
Corn Meal, per bushel
Flour, per cut i
50 Coffee, per pound .....$ .10
20 Tea, per pound 50
16 Sugar, per pound 06
70 Sugar (Orleans) 07
25 Cotton Yarn, per pound 13
30 Nails, per pound 06%
Hams, per pound . .- 06^ Irnn, bar, per pound 05
Shoulders, per pound
Sides, per pound . . .
Ginseng, per pound . .
Beeswax, ])er pound .
Butter, per pound . .
Honey, per pound . . .
Eggs, per dozen . . . .
05 Molasses, gallon 43
05 Salt, per bushel 44
25 Feathers, per pound 26
22 Lard, per pound 04
08 Cheese, per pomid . o6)X
05 Rags, per pound 02
03 Chickens, per dozen 50
Prices as quoted in the Greenfield Spectator, September, 1848, are about
the same as the above with the following additions :
Cattle on foot, per iir)un<l . . . ..$.02l'j Hogs, per 100 pounds $ 1.75
Calves 2.00 Cows 10.00
Sheep LOG Timothy Hay 5.00
Potatoes, per bushel 18 m; Gunpowder Tea, per pound . . .80
Imperial Tea, per pound 80 Young Hyson, per pound . . . .6214
TAVKRNS.
On May 7, 1833, Daniel Bohn (father of our neighbor and fellow citi-
zen, Daniel Bohn) left his home in Adams county, Pennsylvania, and started
on horseback through the states of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, for the pur-
126 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
pose of finding a new home for himself and his family. On this journey he
traveled over the old Centerville state road, which passed through Green-
field. On June 30, 1833, he again arrived at his home in Pennsylvania.
During the journey he kept a diary in which he noted, among other things,
the taverns at which he stopped and the expenses of his lodging. None of
the taverns were in Hancock county, yet the bills presented to him give a
fair idea of what tavern prices were at that time. A few of the entries are
taken from this diary :
"On May 27. 1833, we lodged at the house of Messrs. Vose & Griffin,
Dubhn, — Night Bill, $1.00.
"May 28, 1833, we lodged at the house of Mr. Wilson, three miles east
of Indianapolis, — Night Bill, $1.00.
"June 4, 1833, we lodged all night at the house of Mr. J. Wilson, —
Bill, $1.00.
"June 5, we lodged all night at the house of Messrs. Vose & Griffin
in Dubhn,— Bill, $i.37><."
The bills included the cost of supper and breakfast, the night's lodging,
and the care of his horse. Meals were ordinarily furnished at 15 cents.
Board, including three meals daily, and l)ed, $1.25 per week.
The great amount of travel westward over the old Centerville state
road and, later, over the National road, caused a great many taverns or eat-
ing houses to be established along this line. The Brookville road, although
it led from Cincinnati, was in 1)ad condition for travel. People from that
point ordinarily came to Richmond or Cambridge City, and then traveled
westward over the National road. There were days in which fifty or more
teams followed each other westward in one train. Many of the travelers
camped along the road, while otliers drove into the large stable yards and
slept in their wagons.
The taverns were among the largest and most commodious houses of
that day. In connection with the tavern the keeper ordinarily had a stable
with a large yard in which the wagons and horses were kept. In fact this
was a legal requirement. For the protection of travelers, an act, approved
Februar)- 12, 1825, provided that no license to keep a tavern should be
granted to any person unless twenty-four citizens (later the number was re-
duced to twelve) should certify that the applicant was of good moral char-
acter, that it would be to the benefit of travelers and conducive to the public
good if such tavern should be opened, and that they believed it to be the
bona fide intention of the applicant to keep a tavern for the accommodation
of travelers. The applicant had to prove to the satisfaction of the board of
GENERAL nF.VELOI'M EXT. 127
county commissioners that he was a bona fide owner or tenant, for one year,
or more years, of a good house with at least three apartments, and a stable
convenient to said house, with at least four good stalls. The applicant had
to show further that he was the owner of at least two beds and bedding over
and above what was needed for his family, aiid that he had all other neces-
sary furniture, etc. He also had to give security for his faithful observance
of all requirements of the statute. Drovers also went along the road with
droves of hogs, sheep, cattle, etc., for market at Indianapolis or Cincinnati.
Many tavern keepers, and in fact others, were prepared to care for such
droves and flocks by having pens and lots fenced near the tavern. A portion
of the tract of land lying between the National road and the railroad just
west of Philadelphia and east of Sugar creek was used for this purpose for
many years by Charles Atherton, one of the very early pioneers of the
county.
Taverns could always be identified by signs that were hung up. Or-
dinarily the word "Tavern," painted on a large board, announced this fact.
Others displayed a brigiitly polished brass plate with a design of some kind
engraved upon it. Travelers always understood that this signified a tavern.
The location of tiie (juymon House in Greenfield, for instance, was adver-
tised in the local papers for man_\' years after tlie Civil \Var. "At the Sign
of the Eagle."
A few taverns were established along the Centerville road before the
organization nf the cnunty. Among them were Samuel B. Jackson, whose
house was located near the the present site of the terminal car barns at Green-
field, and Jeremiah Meek, whose house stood on the north side of the old
state road, about wiiere the county jail now stands. There were, no doubt,
others who made it a business to keep travelers, but of whom we have no
record at this time.
After the organization of the county a fee was collected from all tavern
keepers. This license fee was $5.00 during the greater part of the time.
The first license granted by the board of county commissioners of Hancock
county was issued to John Branden at the August term, 1829. The follow-
ing is the record :
"On the application of John Branden, Esq., by a recommendation of
twelve or more of his fellow citizens within the town of Greenfield and its
\'icinity for a license to open a public house within the town of Greenfield in
said county of Hancock, Indiana.
"Therefore, it is ordered by the board that said John Branden be licensed
as such for and during the term of one year from the date of said license. —
128 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
And the said Branden now produces a certificate from under the hand of the
treasurer of said county of him having paid $5.00 — etc., as a tax on said
license."
At the j\Iay term, 183 1, the board made the following entr}' relative to
the application of Samuel C. Duncan for a license to open a tavern :
"On the application of Samuel C. Duncan for a license to open a tavern,
at his tavern in Brandywine Township and County of Hancock, therefore it is
ordered and considered by the board that the said Samuel C. Duncan be
licensed as such for and during the term of one year from the date thereof,
by his paying a tax on tlie same of S5.00. and filing his bond witli approved
security according to law in such case made and provided. Whereupon he
presents Nathan Crawford as his security which is approved by the court."
At the same term the following entry was made by the board of county
commissioners on the application of John Branden :
"On the application of John Branden for a license to open a house of
entertainment in the town of Greenfield for and during the term of one year
from the date thereof. Therefore it is ordered by the Board that the said
John Branden be licensed as such for and during the term of one year as
aforesaid by his paying a tax on the same of $5.00 to the Treasurer of said
County and filing his bond according to law, in such case made and pro-
vided. Security approved of by Board — William Ryse."
l~or a decade or more, beginning with 1829, taverns were established
and located as follows, as shown by the record of the county commissioners:
Keepers Dates Location
John Branden 1829 Greenfield
Samuel Duncan 183 1 Brandywine township
James Parker i<^.^4 Sugar Creek
Henry Woods 1836 Charlottesville
Peter F. Newland 1836 Sugar Creek
*A. G. Morris 1836 Portland
Jolm Hare i^3^ Charlottesville
*Asa Gooding ^^37 Greenfield
*James Parker 1837 Sugar-Creek
*Washington Landis 1837 Charlottesville
*David Richardson 1837 Sugar Creek
*Elijah Knight 1838 Greenfield
*James Hamilton 1838 Greenfield
*Lewis Burk 1838 Greenfield
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I29
Keepers Dates Location
*Saniuel Goble 1839 Portland
*Basil Meek 1839 Greenfield
*\^'illiam I. Rush 1839 Hancock county
*Wi!Iiain Mullins 1839 Hancock county
*Johnson Woods 1839 Hancock county
*John R. Burges 1841 New Palestine
*Also retailed spirituous liquor "by the small."
Taverns along the National road were advertised in the Greenfield
papers. The following taken from the Greenfield Spectator, September,
1848, calls attention not only to the hotel, but to the wagon vard, accommo-
dations for drovers, etc. :
"PENNSYLVANIA AND OHIO HOUSE.
"six MILES WEST OF GREENFIELD.
"The undersigned would respectfully inform his friends and the travel-
ing public that he has leased for a term of years the above house, formerly
kept by J. Ross, six miles west of Greenfield, where he will at all times be
prepared to accommodate those who may favor him with their custom in a
style inferior to none.
"WAGOX YARD.
"In connection with the above house, there is a large wagon yard; also,
rooms for movers, drovers, etc. His bills will be in accordance with the
times. "Hugh J. Kelly."
TAX LEVIES.
The first tax levy was made by the board of county commissioners at
their May term, 1828. It was not levied upon the value of the property. It
was a specific tax, not an ad valorem tax. Thus a tax of thirty-seven and a
half cents was levied on each horse, eighteen and three-fourths cents on each
work ox, twenty-five cents on each silver or pinchbeck watch. The amount
of the tax was fixed regardless of the value of the property. One horse
might be worth as much as two others, but the tax was the same on all. Dur-
ing the first years the assessors did not have to fix the valuation of prop-
erty. Their only duty was to collect the number of items of a man's prop-
erty and the tax was so much per. The following is the entry in the commis-
sioners' record, which established the tax rate in the year 1828 :
"It is ordered bv the Board that the following rate of taxes be assessed
(9)
130 HANCOCK COUXTV, IXDIAXA.
for the year 1828, on the persons and property of Hancock County, for polls,
fifty cents, for a horse, thirty-seven and ri half cents, for a work ox. eighteen
and three-fourths cents, for silver and pinchbeck watches, twenty-five cents,
for gold watch, one dollar, and for land, half the rates of state taxes."
At the May meetings of the board in 1829, 1830 and 1831, the rate of
1828 was readopted. The following entry was made for 1832:
"Tt is ordered by the Board that there be assessed on Town Lots one
half cent on each dollar, on work oxen, twenty-five cents on each ox. fifty
cents on each horse over five years old, on each watch fifty cents, brass clocks
each, one dollar, on every hundred acres of first rate land, forty cents, second
rate, thirty cents, third rate, twenty cents, for road purposes equal to the
county aforesaid."
The above rate was also readopted for 1833 and 1834. In 1S35 the
following levy was made :
"Ordered that the rates 01 taxation on property for the year 1835 shall
be as follows to-wit : — On' land one half the amount of the State tax; on
jjolls, fifty cents each; horses over ten dollars in value, on pleasure carriages,
watches, fifty cents each."
At the January term. 1836, the following entry was made relative to
tax rates for that year :
"Ordered that the rates of taxation on propert\- for the year 1836 shall
be as follows to-wit: — On land one half the amount of the state tax. on polls
fifty cents each; on horses over ten dollars in value, on pleasure carriages,
and watches fifty cents each ; on work oxen three years of age fifty cents
per yoke; on each tavern license five dollars, on each grocer)- license in the
town of Greenfield fifteen dollars on all such as are taken at this term, those
taken out at subsequent terms in the town of Greenfield twenty-five dollars;
in all other parts of the county ten dollars on such as are granted this term
and such as are subsequently granted, fifteen dollars; license to vend wooden
clocks, ten dollars; license to vend foreign merchandise, ten dollars."
At a special meeting of the board on June 13, 1836, another levy was
made, which was on an entirely different basis, being levied on the \alue of
the property. Under this levy it became necessary not only to learn how
many horses, oxen, wagons, etc., a man possessed, but to assess that prop-
erty at a certain value and then determine the amount of taxes from the value
of the property. The entrv made by the board at this special session is as
follows :
"Ordered that for the purpose of raising a county revenue there be a
tax levying of twenty cents on each hundred dollars of valuation and one
GENKKAL OKVEI.OPMENT. I3I
cent (111 cull lunidred dollars nf \aluation for road purposes, and seventy-five
cents on each poll — for county purposes."
The method of taxation was herein' changed from a specific to an ad
valorem basis and has remained upon that basis to the present. Similar en-
tries were made for the years 1837 and 1838.
As the county grew, more money was required to transact its business,
and it is interesting to observe how the levy became more inclusive from
year to year. The levies made in 1839 and 1840 are very similar. The levy
of 1840 is given because of its greater clearness. Following is the entry :
"Ordered that for the purpose of aiding in raising a revenue for county
purposes, there shall be assessed on each license to retail spirituous liquors
in Greenfield the sum of twenty-five dollars and in all other parts of the
countv the sum of fifteen dollars; on each license to vend foreign merchan-
dise and foreign domestic groceries five dollars for any amount not exceed-
ing one thousand, and two dollars and fifty cents for each additional one
thousand dollars: provided, however, tliat no license on merchandise shall
exceed in all the sum of twent\' dollars : on each license to vend wooden
clocks the sum of fifty dollars ; on each traveling caravan, managerie, or other
collection of animals, or show of wax figures, or circus exhibition to the
people for money, thirty dollars for eacli day's exhil:)ition ; on each one hun-
dred dollars valuation of taxables fifteen cents for state revenue, and fifty
cents on each poll for state revenue, on each one hundred dollars valuation
of taxables thirty cents for county revenue, and seventy-five cents on each
poll for counl\- re\'enue, and on each one hundred dollars of \-aluation of
taxaliles five cents for road purposes."
The license fee established in the entry abo\-e remained in force, and
similar rates were maintained for a number of years. The county treasurer
collected taxes. He did not, however, depend on people coming to his office
to pay. them, but published notices that he would be in the different town-
ships at stated times to receive taxes. The following notice, taken from an
{."^sue of the Greenfield Special or, September, 1848, is illustrative of this early
custom :
"notice
"Is hereby given that the undersigned will attend at the usual place of
holding elections in each township in Hancock county on the following davs
for the purpose of receiving taxes for the year, 1848, to-wit :" ("Here follow
dates and the notice is signed, "J- Huntington, T. H. C." 1
There was also another officer, the "collector of revenue," whose spe-
132 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
cia! l)usiness it was to collect the taxes tliat had not been paid to the county
treasurer. The report of Joseph Chapman, collector of revenue of the county
for the year 1831, shows that he collected $328.78. There was a delinquent
list of $24.38 that year. This left a balance of $304.40. The collector re-
ceived a commission of six per cent, for making collection. His commission
for the year 183 1 amounted to $18.27, leaving a balance to pay to the county
treasurer of $286.13.
The amounts collected annually were, of course, very small compared
with the amounts collected now. The total tax realized on the levy for 1829.
including poll tax. license fees, etc., amounted to $703.17; for 1833,
$787.88^4 ; and for 1835, the last year under the old system S925.28. For the
next year under the ad valorem system, $1,665.74 was collected: evidently
the change from the specific to the ad valorem system was a wise one for the
purpose of raising money.
The returns for 1832 showed 524 polls. 485 horses, 172 oxen. 27 watches
and one clock. The report for 1835 showed 684 polls, 709 horses, 130 oxen,
15 sih'er watches, one gold watch, three pinchbeck watches, and two brass
clocks.
SURVEY OF COUNTY IN 184O. ETC.
In 1840 the county had been organized twelve years. It had been
twenty-two years since the first settlers made their homes within its torders.
The magnitude of what had been accomplished by these early people can be
appreciated, in a measure at least, by a reference to the United States census
report of 1840, in which the statistics of the county are included. We had at
that time, as shown by the report : Horses and mules, 2,743 : cattle. 5,745 :
sheep, 5,789; swine, 28,306; wheat, 28,531 bushels; dairy products, valued at
$283,232; oats, 66,392 bushels; rye, 2,130 bushels; buckwheat, r.641 bushels;
com, 86.095 bushels; potatoes, 11,090 bushels; hay, 1,612 tons.
Several crops were grown in the early history of the county that are no
longer produced. Thus, in 1840, 1,614 bushels of buckwheat were reported;
in i860, 6,841 bushels, while in 1S70 only 544 bushels were reported. The
last report was made upon this crop in 1890. showing tliat 551 bushels were
produced. After 1890 buckwheat disappeared from the reports from Han-
cock county.
Alaple sugar was reported for a number of years. In 1840, 39,080
pounds are reported; in 1850, 38,213 pounds; in i860. 5,564 pounds. A
decade later 557 pounds were produced, while in 1880 only 90 pounds were
produced. In 1890 one-half of this amount was reported.
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 133
Hemp and flax were important in the earl\- crops of the county. Six
and one-fourth tons were reported in 1840. In 1850, 4,926 pounds of flax
straw were reported and 317 bushels of seed. The culture of flax declined
for a time during- and immediately after the Civil War. In the latter part
of the seventies it increased again and in 1880 the United States census reports
2,067 tons of straw and 57.972 busiiels of seed. It was so extensively grown
in the county at that time that reference was frequently made to the crop by
the local correspondents. Thus, on May i, 1879, the correspondent from
Woodburv wrote : "Farmers are about done sowing fla.x and there has been
an immense crop sown in our township this year."
On May 15, 1879, the Warrington correspondent wrote: "The farmers
are getting alarmed about their flax crop. They say if it does not rain pretty
soon the flax will be a failure."
The culture of flax was encouraged by oil crushers who bought the seed
and used it to make oil. The oil crushers furnished the seed to the farms
and agreed to purchase the crop when made. During the later seventies and
the early eighties independent firms sprung up over the country and a war
was made on prices. Flax culture thereafter soon became a matter of his-
tory in Hancock county.
It is interesting to observe also the importance of the tobacco crop in
the earlier development of the county. In 1840, 10,304 pounds were reported,
and 69,432 pounds in i860. Since the Civil War the tobacco crop has been
very light in the county. In 1880, 3,110 pounds were reported, but later re-
ports show less than 800 pounds.
We hzve only one census report in which skins and furs are reported
from Hancock county. That is from the report of 1840, in which their value
is placed at $809.
In the census report of 1840 Hancock county is also credited with one
distillery, which gave employment to three men and produced 10,000 gallons
annually. • •
Wc must bear in mind that in these early days the spinning wheel and
the distaff were found in practically all of the homes. The value of home-
made goods was reported in 1840 at $19,239. The value of the garden
products, on the other hand, for the entire county was reported at only $50.
The census report shows that the nursery and florist's, stock was esti-
mated at a value of $1,150; that this gave employment to three men and
that the capital invested therein was estimated at $3,300. The nursery stock
was owned by Isaac Barrett just north of Charlottesville. A few years later
this stock was moved, or another nursery was started by Joshua Meek on a
farm just across Brandywine, northeast of Greenfield.
134 HAN- COCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Fifteen retail dry goods, groceries and other stores were reported with
a capita! of $51,075.
The \-alue of the wagons and carriages manufactured in the county dur-
ing ihat year was reported at $664. Five men were employed in the wagon
and carriage-making business and the capital invested therein was estimated
to be $500. The owner of the wagon-making establishment at Greenfield in
1845 was H. A'IcClenen.
Nine grist-mills and ele\en saw-mills were reported and the value of
their products per annum was $7,500. The value of hats and caps manufac-
tured in the county was estimated at $1,600. Two persons were employed
in the business and the capital invested therein was placed at $2,000. There
were two tanneries in the county that tanned during the year 350 sides of
sole leather and 400 sides of upper leather. Four men were employed and
$6,050 was invested in the business.
The population of the county was reported in 1840 as J-i^^ persons; of
these. 1,494 were engaged in agriculture and nine in commerce. Tliere were
seven common schools in the county, attended l)y 156 pupils. There were 330
persons in the county over twenty years of age unable to read or write.
The farmers' annual register, issued in 1845, shows that the county had
four attorneys, viz : David M. C. Lane. D. S. Gooding. J. R. Williams and
Thomas D. W'alpole : five physicians, B. F. Duncan, Simon .Alters, Robert
E. Bamett, Hiram Comstock and N. P. Howard. The principal merchants
reported in the county were : John Templin & Company, H. T. Hart & Com-
pany, at Greenfield, and Jonathan Evans at Xew Palestine. Three post-
offices are reported: Greenfield, William Sebastian, postmaster; Philadel-
phia, Charles Atherton, postmaster; Ciiarlottesville, Henry Kinder, postmas-
ter. The register also reports that the X'ational road passed through the
county, and that the Dayton and Indianapolis stage passed east and west
through Greenfield. The Greenfield Rcirille was ]>ublished at Greenfield in
1845-
In 1850 the Indiana Gazetteer continued this report of the county :
"The soil is unusually rich, lliough in some portions of the count}- ii re-
quires draining before it can be cultivated to advantage.
"Wheat, corn and grass, of wiiich a considerable surplus, as well as of
hogs, cattle and horses, are raised for exportation. Tiie estimated \ahie of
the surplus is $75,000.
"There are in the county twenty stores, eigliteen mills propelled by water;
five lawyers, fourteen physicians, thirteen preachers, and the usual prnpor-
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I35
tion of carpenters, smitlis, coopers and wheelwrights. There are twelve
clunxhes, lielonging mostly to the Methodists and l^aptists."
As shown by the United States census report of 1S50, just above one-
fourth of the forest in the county had been cut away. .\t first thought it
would seem that the county was being pretty well cleared. A large portion
of the soil had been prepared for cultivation, yet only fine acre out of every
four of tile bnuid, prairie-like fields o\'er which we now Innk had been cleared
for cultivation. Practically three-fourths of the fields that now fall within
our view were still covered with timber. The cash value of the farms of the
county were estimated at $1,405,948. The value of the li\e stock in the
county was estimated at $238,524. The population had grown to 9,594, of
which 104 were colored persons. The school attendance had increased to
2.413. The days of the large district schools were here or were approach-
ing. .A few of the old records still left in the county gi\'ing the reports of
teachers made in 1854, show attendance of from fifty to sixty pupils in the
ilifferent parts of the county. Charlottesville, Philadelphia, New Palestine.
Xash\-ille and Warrington had all been laid out and contained a few houses,
possibly a store or two and a blacksmitli shop. I'ortville, which had just been
laid out, was known as 'A\'alpole." Cleveland was known as "Portland," and
Eden went by the name of "Lewisburg." Greenfield in 1850, as reported in
the Indiana Gazetteer for that year, contained sixty dwellings, with a pop-
ulation of about 300. The greater number of houses were along Main street.
with a few on the "back street" ( Xcjrth street). Greenfield was incorporated
as a town in 1850 and did not become a city until more than twenty-six years
afterward.
Several state roads had been built in \ari()us directions across the county
but they were all dirt roads, as was also the National road. The Plank road,
of which we hear so much, was not constructed until 1852. There was only one
railroad in the countv. the Knightstown-Shellivxille railwaw The Bee Line,
now known as the Big Four, which passes through McCordsville and Fortville,
was not built until 185 1, and the Indiana Central, now known as the Pennsyl-
vania Line, was not built until 1852.
It is not the intention to give a detailed discussion of statistics. The
accompanying taliulaled statement made from the United States census re-
ports will give an op])ortunity, however, for the study of the increase and
decline of the principal crops and products that have made our development
possible.
136.
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
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GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I37
COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.
This society was organized as an au.xiliary of the .American Bihle Socie|y
in 1837, by Rev. Richmond, who was also its first president. At the opening
of the Civil War, David S. Gooding was the president of the society. He was
followed by George Barnett, F. M. Gilchrist, G. W. Dove, and others. Prior
to the presidency of David S. Gooding, Joseph Mathews, John Rardin and
H. B. Wilson were at the head of the society. The purpose for which it was
organized was the distribution of Bibles among especially the poorer classes.
The society remained active until in the early nineties. At that time quite
a large distribution of Bibles was made and rather a large amount of money
was handled in the county in this work.
COUNTY FAIRS.
The agricultural possibilities of the county were recognized at an early
day and efforts were made to develop them. In 1835 the following entry
was made in the record of the board of county commissioners of Hancock-
county :
"Ordered that the sheriff cause to be put up in each township three notices
that there will be held at the court house in Greenfield, on the third Saturday
of June, 1835, a meeting of the citizens of the county for the purpose of or-
ganizing a county agricultural society."
We have no history of the result of this meeting.
The first agricultural association of which we have any definite history
was organized in the county in 1856, for the purpose of holding county fairs.
Andrew T. Hart was elected president of the group of persons wlio associated
themselves together for this purpose. The first county fair was held at Green-
field during the summer or fall of "1856, at the east end of town, north of
the National road. After the first year, the fair was moved to the south side
of the railroad, east of Brandywine creek, on land belonging to Samuel Mil-
roy. The promoters continued to hold their fair on this land until i860, with-
out having any very definite business organization. They seem to have had
very little capital stock and did not own the ground on which the fairs were
held. In i860, they organized a joint stock company and elected the follow-
ing officers : Robert E. Barnett, president ; Joiin Hinchman and John P.
Banks, vice-presidents; James L. Mason, secretary; John H. White, treasurer.
At that time Henry Newby, Samuel Heavenridge and Joshua Meek
were appointed to select grounds for the fair. The committee made a favor-
able report upon eight acres of land, owned by Samuel Milroy, whicli was
138 HANCOCK COUXTV. IXDIANA.
bougflil. and on which tlie fairs continued to be held until al)Out 1879. Judg-
ing from newspaper reports, tlie fairs must have been conducted pretty much on
the plan of those with which we are familiar. Stock, grains, fruits and all
sorts of products were exhiliited, for the best of wliich premiums were offered.
Then there were also side shows, balloon ascensions, and. in fact, almost every-
thing tliat can be offered as an attraction upon fair grounds.
The year 1867 seems to have offered a \ery successful fair. Almost a
double numljer of tickets was reported sold and one thousand entries were
reported in the different classes. The local paper contains the following
little note concerning this fair: "Tliose fond of sight seeing can be accom-
modated in almost any line from a doulile horse to a hoe-down by tlie sable
sons of Africa." A balloon ascension was advertised for the last day of the
fair.
The following officers were elected in 1874: Wesley Addison, presi-
dent: X. P. Howard, vice-president and general superintendent: William
Mitchell, secretary: John J. Walker, treasurer: Burd Lacey, director eastern
district : John H. \\'hite, director middle district : John Steele, director western
district : John Hinchman, county at large : Joseph Baldwin, county at large.
The men alcove named took an active interest in the management of the fair
for a number of years.
During its later years, the fair seems to have been less successful finan-
cially tlian it was during its earlier years. A fire destroyed Floral hall in
187 1. It was never rebuilt, and the last fair was held in 1879.
In 1883. an effort was made to reorganize the association by issuing one
hundred and fifty shares of stock, at twenty-five dollars each, and distribut-
ing tliese shares in certain proportions among tiie people of the different town-
ships. Xo person was to ha\e more than four shares. The effort at this
time failed. On December 5. 1885, there was a meeting of people interested
in the promotion of another fair, and the following directors were elected:
Blue River, Frank Tyner: Brandy wine, Coleman Pope: Brown, Dr. R. D.
Hanna: Buck Creek, (ieorge Parker: Vernon. Harvey Caldwell: Greenfield,
J. Ward Walker, Epli Marsh and H. B. Tliayer: Center, Marion Steele:
Green, Dr. ^\'illiam A. Ju.stice ; Jackson, K. T. White : Sugar Creek, Anton
Schildmeier, Jr. The following officers were also elected: J. Ward Walker,
president: K. T. White, vice-president: Charles Downing, secretary: Xelson
Bradley, treasurer: Charles G. Offutt, legal arhisor. The association was
organized as a joint stock company with a capital stock f>f twehe thousand five
luuidred dollars.
On December 21, 1885, Boyd's grove, north of Greenfield, was selected
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I39
as the fair ground. Tlie race track was prepared during 1886, and the first
fair opened on August 24, 1886. Fairs continued to be held on this ground
for fifteen years or more, when the association also became financially em-
barrassed. On February 2,^, 1903, William A. Hough was appointed receiver
to wind up its affairs. He afterward sold the ground to George T. Randall.
Mr. Randall platted the ground and it is now known as "Randall i'lace" in
Greenfield.
H.\NCOCK COUNTY SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.
In the early files of the Hancock Democrat notices arc found showing that
township Sunday school conventions were held in different jiarts of the county.
We find no record of a county convention, however, until on July 21, 1868.
Pursuant to a call that had been theretofore given, a con\'ention was held at
Greenfield, at which all of tlie townships were represented. On that day an
organization was effected, which laecanie known as the "Sabbath School
Union." The following were the first officers elected: President, A. K.
Branliani : vice-presidents: Blue River, Elihu Coffin, Jr.; P>rown, Dr. William
Trees ; Brandy wine, John P. Banks ; Buck Creek, Ephraim Thomas ; Center,
M. C. Foley ; Green, R. J. Ramsey : Jackson, James M. Clark ; Sugar Creek,
T. E. Smock; Vernon, Le\i Thomas; secretary, Jonathan Tague ; correspond-
ing secretary, E. I. Judkins ; executive committee. Dr. C. F. Lockwood, M. L.
Paullus and Thomas Kane.
A program had been made out for that day, touching upon the various
phases of Sunday school work and dw-elling upon the necessity and advantage
of closer organization. Since this time county conventions have been held
])ractically everv vear and during some years more than one convention has
been held. The earh- conventions were generally held at Greenfield. On
April 27, 1872, the Hancock Sabbath School Society convention was held-
at the Methodist Episcopal church at Greenfield. In 1873, a Sabbath school
union con\ention was held for a period of three days, April 25, 26 and 27.
Conventions were also held at different ])laces, including Philadelphia, Fort-
ville, Xew Palestine, Charlottcsxille, and likely other points. In later years
the county conventions were ]jracticall_\- all held again at Greenfield, township
con\-entions being held in the separate townshi])s.
The Indiana Gazetteer, 1850, reported in Hancock county thirteen preach-
ers and twelve churches. Some of these churches possibly supported Sunday
schools, but the great growth of Sunday schools from that date to the present
can probably be shown best by the report of a survey of the countx- in 1914.
and published in The Azcakcncr in July, 1914:
140 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Population, age 6 to 21 years 4.736
Total population 19.030
Number of Sunday schools 51
Number of scholars 5, 118
Number of officers and teachers . . . 678
Average attendance 3,229
Added to church from Sunday scliool 379
Number of cradle rolls 32
Cradle roll members 488
Number of home departments 26
Home department members 478
Number of Sunday schools keeping a record of tem-
perance pledges 10
For many years the state apportionment was thirty dollars for this county.
It has been one hundred dollars now for a number of years.
Among the officers and workers in the Hancock County Sunday School
Association none have been more faithful than Mrs. Robert H. Archey, who
has been secretary of the association for the past twenty years, or since May,
1895. The presidents of the association during that time have been Charles
Ratliff, Rev. L. A. Wells, of the Friends church, at Greenfield ; Edward W.
Felt, George J. Richman, W. C. Goble, Dr. B. S. Binford, Milo Goodpasture,
Charles Cook and Henry Hawkins, the latter being president at this time.
The home department of the association was organized at Mt. Comfort
in May, 1895. Miss Emma Parnell was the first home department superin-
tendent.
OLD settlers' meetings.
As the people who first settled in the county grew older, and especially as
those who had spent their younger years in the unbroken forests grew to old
age, there was a desire to live over again the experiences of the older days.
The local papers announced" meetings of the old settlers in various parts of
the state, and on July 18. 1874, a meeting of the citizens was Iield at Warring-
ton for the purpose of arranging for an old settlers' meeting in that vicinity.
On that day the following officers were elected: President, John Vandyne;
vice-president, Benjamin F. Reeves; secretary, A. J. Reeves; A. C. Tharpe
and T. H. Armstrong, marshals ; committee on arrangements, Nathan Over-
man, W. Marsli, R. Blakely, Thomas \\'alker, George Mingle. J. N. Martin-
dale, E. H. Barrett, William Bridges, A. W. Hammer, John Vandyne. S.
McCray, Asa Perkey, E. Burns, James Warrum. James Stanley. W. G. Cauld-
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I4I
well, J. A. McDaniel, Bird Lacy, John B. Hays, John Jackson, R. Cooper,
Allen York.
Arrangements were made to hold a meeting at Holiday's grove, one-
fourth mile north of Warrington, on August 21, 1874. Quite a large assem-
bly of people was present on that occasion, but we have fuller details of meet-
ings that were held at later dates.
Old settlers' meetings continued to be held in that neighborhood from
time to time for a number of years. One of tiie largest was held on Septem-
ber 22, 1883, at Copeland's grove, north of Warrington. A gentleman named
Roach, from Anderson, addressed the people, giving a history of the manners
and customs of the county fifty years ago. He reviewed the price of corn,
stock, labor, the manner of cooking, log rolling, flax raising, manufacturers,
and the good qualities of the old pumpkin pies and chicken pot])ies. He also
reviewed, for the enlightenment of the younger generation, the old way of
sparking and marrying.
A feature of this meeting was an exhibition of relics. The following
were reported in the Hancock Democrat of that time : Saraii Newkirk,
table fork, sixty-five years old ; apron, seventy years old ; song book, made by a
relative, seventy-four years old ; anotlier Ijook, ninety years old ; J. D. New-
kirk, sickle, fifty years old; C. C. Butler, Bible, one hundred and twenty-three
years old; Philip Cronk, sword used by relative in War of 1812; Matt F.
Cook, cotton dress home-manufactured, sixty-five years old ; Matt's first vest,
sixty-two years old; Margaret Garriott, Bible and Testament: H. C. Garriott.
first cap, forty )ears old ; ^^'illiam M. Hays, first pair of pants, forty _\ears old ;
Hattie McDaniel, sugar tongs, one hundred years old : Elizal^eth Bundy,
sugar bowl, seventy-two years old; Sarah Newkirk. reticule, se\enty-five
years old.
A similar meeting was held at Fortville in the same year, and for a
number of years many of our people attended old settlers' meetings at Oak-
landon, in Marion county.
During the week of the county fair, 1S79, a number of citizens of the
county appointed a committee to make arrangements for an old settlers' meet-
ing to be held at Greenfield in 1880. Nelson Bradley, Stephen T. Dickinson
and ^^'ashington Duncan were placed on tiiis committee. The meeting was
set for August 17, 1880, at Boyd's grove, just north of the city of Greenfield.
A number of chairs were provided, and a large stand was erected for the speak-
ers. On the back of the stand was a large oil painting by John Keifer, repre-
senting the habitation of an old settler. It was a log cabin. In the door stood
the wife: at the left, a rosy-faced girl, feeding the fowls: on the right sat
142 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
father, planning for the future; near him stood the son. watching a dusky In-
dian nearbw A coon skin was stretched on the side of tlie house near the
chimney ; a barrel lay on the ground in front of the house, labeled "hard cider,"
and in a tree in the background sat a wise old owl. Xear tiie picture on the
back of the stage was a large American flag.
The addresses delivered on these occasions were, of course, full of remi-
niscences of pioneer daj-s. Quite a number of old settlers were invited to
speak, and a few of the speeclies of this particular day are included herein.
They must always be interesting for the pioneer spirit wliich the\- will reflect.
BY REV. WILLIAM NICHOLS, OF NEW P.VLESTINE.
"Ladies and Gentlemen : At old settlers' meetings it is fitting and proper
to call uj) the past and rehearse memories and events i)ast and gone. I was
born in territorial government, long before it became tiie state of Indiana. My
birthplace is in the Whitewater valley, near Mctamora. As minister 1 have
lived in three or four counties and traveled over all the middle and eastern
part of the state. I could go back in the history of our countr}^ and relate the
many trials of the past and the Iniilding up of the present. I have seen
grand movements arise from a wilderness and poverty. We all began there.
I see many Iiere today wlio can recall to memory all this. You can tell inci-
dents startling and true! So can I, but I will content myself by relating a
little incident, which, although harmless, impressed me deeply : many have
probably experienced similar ones. When four years old. I was terribly
afraid of Indians. A large party of them came to father's house to trade. On
seeing them, my fear was so great that I slipped away and concealed myself
in a hollow stump. As I crawled into the hollow, a grand-looking old fellow
espied me and, knowing my design, lie came after me: taking me uj), he car-
ried me to the front, by the side of all the Indians. I thought I was gone.
He meant no liarni and wished only to scare me.
"We have all felt hardships : have seen enterprises of the republic start
from the bottom, yes. from the forest. Look o\er tiie history of the world :
of every republic that has been established: yet, will any compare with ours?
Being free, the old settlers went to work with energy : into the wilderness they
penetrated : cleared the way for progress and a good republic.
"Young people of today know little of the trials we endured to secure an
education. A log hut. windows made by cutting out a log and pasting oiled
paper over the hole, was our school house. There we learned to read, write,
spell and cipher, and from such places the best men and statesmen of America
have risen. Presidents and other high officers there began their upward
career.
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I43
"I see many old ladies present. No one deserves to be reverenced more.
They liave heard the prowling- of the wolf and savage and never faltered.
Many a niollier and sister present can remenil)er when clothing- made of deer
skin was the best. \\ c!l dn I renienihcr what pleasure it g-ave me to don mv
first pair of pantaloons made of deer skin. My first coat was of deer skin
and, had it not been for the moths and I Iiad I known we would ever thus
meet. I could have kejjt it and worn it today. Thanking you, I will give
wa_\- to others."
BY REV. D.WID C.\UDELL. OF VERNON .
"Old Settlers and Citizens of Hancock: I have no douljt that many of
those present today, when we rehearse wh;it events occurred, will say within
themselves, surely they exaggerate tiie truth. I came to this county on Oc-
tober 28, 1834 — forty-six years agn — a little mer the average natural life of
most people. When I look over that time and the changes wrought, the hard-
ships endured, 1 conclude it is not I tiiat have lived to be present here, yet it is
true. When T canie to the north part of the county and settled in Vernon
township it was a wilderness: no settlement or cabin for miles around. I set-
tled in a large woods and began the work nf clearing. The wnods here is no
con-iparison to the woods at that time. When 1 go back and consider these
things it seems it is not me here today. I can sa\- what many old settlers can-
not say. I have most always enjo_\ed good j-ieahh. Xo matter what kind of
weather, I went out if necessary. Many times have I gone five or si.x miles
to a log-rolling or barn-raising, and I have worked as high as eighteen days
rolling logs without returning home. No matter how much water or snow
was on the ground, we would not stop. Some of the neighbors, old settlers,
can witness everything 1 say to be true. When we look back and see how
young people dressed them, how now, how they acted then and how now, 1
am led to believe they will never fully realize how the way was paved for them
by their fathers and forefathers. Everything is now changed, even the mode
of worship. W'e always held the nieetings in private houses. There were no
attempts at display, and everyone felt that we were on an equality. W'e had to
walk for miles to attend church. In order to save their shoes, the ladies would
carry them in their hands. Irani]) along, wade the swamps, until in sight of
the place of worship, when they would sit down and put them on. After
services, on the return toward home, no sooner were they out of sight than
they would sit down and take off their sliues and trudge along home. You
caimot find anyone who will do that now. Now they must have a horse and a
fine buggv or else they cannot go. ever though the distance be one mile. Our
144 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
women walked four miles and did not grumble. Six A-ards would then make
a nice dress, and they would wear it from six to twelve months. Now it takes
fifteen yards [William Sears: "Some take twenty-five." Laughter], and
they don't wear it five months. The first winter I could fell timber in mv
yard. Our chairs were three-legged stools; the table, a bench with four
legs. Comparing tlie times then with now, it is calculated to bring up feel-
ings that \oung people can never experience."
BY JOHN p. B.\NKS, OF BR.\NDVWINE ;
"In our younger days we would always say 'Ladies and Gentlemen,' but
on the present it is more fitting to say 'Fathers and Mothers.' You have
just heard two ministers tell a little of their experiences. A preacher one-half
centur\' ago, if worth anything wlien he commenced, became poorer and
poorer — one evidence of his sincerity. The people grew wiser and better.
The old pioneer preachers, when worn out, found themselves without land or
other possessions, would fill their jacket pockets with pills, or go to mending
shoes to keep gaunt want and privations from their door. I was born in
old Virginia, at the time wlien it owned this territory. Moved to White-
water valley and went into the block-house with my parents, six miles north
of Connersville. After peace was restored, we settled and soon afterward
I married and went to Rush county. That county was wealthy. I only
had forty acres and, having ambition, I wanted more, so moved on. When I
came here, one-half century ago, Robert Milroy was superintendent of the
National mad, and was building the stone bridge, now standing in Green-
field. Speaking of roads, I want to say a word about gravel roads. U'e old
settlers cleared the way for the roads, helped build them, and today, when we
came to tliis meeting, were compelled to pay toll. It looks like poverty, to
hear that the officers instructed their gate-keepers to remain at home and
collect full toll. It is a disgrace. Shame on such deeds! The women de-
serve praise for their heroism in the early settlement of the country. I have
seen mothers, aunts and sisters, from dark to daylight with gun in hand
and the trigger cocked, keeping away the wolf and Indians. The old ladies
have borne the heat and work for the present. They were faithful, true
and heroic."
BY NOBLE WARRl'M, OF JACKSQN :
"In the year 1840, I was appointed collector of the revenue of Hancock
countv, known now as treasurer. But this duty was not then performed as it
is now. The citizens of the county did not then call at the office and pay
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 145
their taxes ; in fact, we had no office, therefore, I was obHged to travel tlnongh
the county from house to house and receive and receipt, wherever I could find
a taxpaver. Many receipts have I filled on stumps and log^-heaps. and (droll
as it mav seem to j'ou) I have received mink and coon skins in payment tor
taxes. I well recollect on one occasion being over in Vernon township near
where McCordsville now stands, at one \\'m. McCords, of whom I made a
collection and late in tlie evening I started for my old friend, William Cald-
well (who was the first justice of the peace that ever was in Vernon township).
But dark overtaking me, I let my horse have his own way. He guided me
to what was then known as the 'Big Deadening', where I found a cabin occu-
pied bv a familv 1)v the name of Jones, and tiy the way. Mr. Jones was a very
clever gentleman, although thev had just moved in and were unprepared to
receive and accommodate, yet he received me in a very kind and iiospitable
manner. But the will was there, God bless him and his wife for their treat-
ment. The needv shared alike with the wealthy. In those times all loved
one another: but now, when pride creeps in, love creeps out.
"These old settlers came here not to plunder nor to get rich in a month
or a year, but to make an honest living, just as God intended they should.
by the sweat of their lirow. And man)- times their sole sustenance was johnny-
cake and venison, being entirely destitute of salt. And this venison, in pre-
paring it for what was termed jerk, was cut in thin slices, and, by having thin
sticks inserted, were placed over our fires in our log-cobins. where it hung
until perfectly dry: when prepared in this way — kept from moisture — it would
keep for almost any length of time. And occasionally we wonld kill a fat
hear and then we conld afford to shorten our johnny-cake, and if we were
luckv enough to raise an_\" pumpkins, we stewed them and made what was
known as 'pumpkin pone," and on such occasions the neighbors generally re-
ceived a cordial invitation.
"And now, as regards the old pioneer mothers, who were willing to make
their living by the sweat of tlieir brow. I have seen these old mothers, after
spinning nearly all day. sit down, as tliey said, 'to rest", and lake their needle
and thread in hand and make a calico dress before bedtime, a plain calico
dress: they needed none of that artificial beauty. You saw none of those
whalebones nor bumps, Grecian-benders, nor humps — but their bodies were
the most beautiful of GixTs creation. .\nd the young men of that da_\' fonnd
them just as attractive and as interesting as the young men of today consider
the young ladies of the present age, and were just as anxious to place their
arms around them, or steal a kiss from their ruby lips; liut I can"t help saying,
• do)
146 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
God bless the ladies for their good, in all ages, and dressed in anv kind of
a garb."
A roster was made of the oldest people present with the number of years
each had been in the county or state. The following list is taken from the
report made at the time to the local papers: Ruth Hudson, bom 1793, in
county over fifty years; Matilda Catt, in county fifty-two years; Elihu Coffin,
in state fifty-two >ears; Benjamin Reeves, in county sixty years; William
Bridges, in county fifty years; John B.'Banks, in county fifty-one years; David
Caudell, in county thirt)'-six years; Benjamin Price, in county forty-eight
years; George Baxter, in county thirt3--six years; John R. Couden, in county
forty years; Benjamin McNamee, in county forty-seven years; Mrs. Berilla
Cooper, in county forty-six years; George McConnell, in state fifty-six years;
Lewis Jackson, in county forty years; Rolman and Nelson Johns, in Brown
township fifty-three years; Thompson Allen, in Brown township fifty-three
j'ears; Washington Duncan, in county sixty years: Henry Duncan, in state
fifty-one years; Clarissa Duncan, born in state 1808; Melinda Elsbury, in
county fifty years; Martha Roberts, in county forty-five years; Sarah Stuart,
in county forty-six years.
It was estimated that at least six thousand people were present on that
day. A number of amusements were provided for tlic young as well as for
the old. In fact, it seems that tlie amusements provided for the younger peo-
ple proved distasteful to some of the older folks. We take tlie following from
the report made to the Hancock Democrat: "Wt heard much comment,
mostly unfavorable, on the allowing by the manager of the various gaming and
dancing establishments on the ground. One old gentleman, who resides in the
east part of town, on being met as he was leaving the grounds by a Democrat
reporter, and asked why he was going away so soon, replied, rather angrily,
that the 'devil was there', referring to the establishments."
Many relics were also exhibited, which served to remind the old settlers
of the happy hours spent years ago. Among the exhibits were a flax hackle,
a chair, a sickle, horn and a Bible. It was generally reported that many more
relics would have been brought had it been understood that the relics were to
be displayed.
On August 4, 1881, a second meeting was held. It was estimated that
at least two hundred and fifty persons came on the train from the east, and
that from six thousand to nine thousand persons were in attendance. A fea-
ture of this meeting was a choir composed of the old folks, who sang "Auld
Lang Syne," "Morality," "Eternity," etc. Among the relics were a flax
hackle, hemp hook, a boiling pan, and the horns of a large buck killed many
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I47
years ago. The local reporter stated in his paper that "stands and other
places where money can be spent are more numerous than was ever seen at
any county fair."
The third meeting at Greenfield was held on August 5, 1882, and ten
thousand people were reported present. The old people again sang "Liberty,"
"Ohio,'" "Morality," etc., from the "Old Missouri Harmony." A few notes
are taken from the local paper of that date : .
"Ebenezer Scotton, of Buck Creek township, wore an old coat which was
over sixty years old. It was embellished with large buttons.
"Jared C. Meek, of Eden, the first white child born in Greenfield, was
frequently pointed out on the ground as a person with a remarkable history."
The following were the presidents of the old settlers' meetings during
their most flourishing years: 1S80, Nelson Bradley: 1881, Thomas Hawk;
1882, James Tyner; 1883, R. A. Riley.
The old settlers' meetings continued to be held for several }ears. After
the organization of the county fair, and the purchase of Boyd's grove by the
fair association, a day was set apart at the fair as old settlers' day. It seems,
however, that interest began to wane, and in a few years no further effort was
made to continue tlie meetings.
R.MLRO.'iDS, INTERURB.\NS, ETC.
The Knightstown & Shelby ville. railway was completed about 1848
and operated until about 1855. It crossed the southeast corner of Blue River
township, following the south valley of Blue river. The old grades may still
be seen at some places.
Prior to the construction of the Indiana Central railway, the Dayton coach
made its weekly trips over the Centerville state road and, later, over the Na-
tional road, between Indianapolis and Dayton. This was the first line estab-
lished for the carrying of passengers.
Tiie Bee Line, now known as the branch of the Big Four, passing through
McCordsville and Fortvillc. was constructed in 1850. In 185 1 the Indiana
Central railroad, now known as the Pennsylvania line, was constructed through
this county. In 1867 work was begun on the "Junction" railway, now known
as the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton. The work on this road was concluded
in 1869. In 1881 the Indiana, Bloomington & Western was organized, but
trains were not nm over the road until the latter part of 1882 or early in
1883. In 1890, the branch of the Big Four running through Shirley was
constructed.
Work on the first traction line was begun in tlie fall of 1899. The road
I4S HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
was completed in 1900 between Indianapolis and Greenfield. The first car
ran out of Greenfield on June 13, 1900, and the road began carrying: passengers
regularly on June 17, 1900. At first the line had difficulty getting intn the
city of Indianapolis. All cars stopped at Central avenue, in Irvington, and
passengers changed to the city cars. After a few months, however, arrange-
ments were made by which tlie cars of the traction line ran into the city.
The Union Traction line, through Fortville, was completed so that cars
began running between Fortville and Anderson in December, 1900.
The contract, for the construction of the Indianapolis-Rushville line was
let in 1901. As originally planned, the road was to be double tracked and was
graded with this oljject in view. Tl:e company became financially embar-
rassed. l:owever, and the work was delayed. Finally one track was laid. The
road went into a receiver's Iiands and the first cars were not run until ]■»)-
ruary. 1906.
The Honey Bee line, or the Indianapolis, Newcastle & Eastern Traction
Company, running through Maxwell, was begun in 1906, In 1907, work on
the road was halted because of financial difficulties, 'ihe company's affairs
went into a receiver's hands and the road was not completed for traffic for
two or three years. Cars began running in June, 1909.
The Tidewater pipe line was laid across Brandywine and Blue River
townshi])s in 1910. Oil is carried tln'ough this hue from the oil fields of
Illinois to Jersey City. The line enters the county a short distance east of
Finly, and pursues an easterly direction across the corner of tlie county. In
191 5 a large pumping, station was erected in Brand\wine township, a half-
mile north of Fountaintown.
During recent years the people of the county have had the advantage of
traveling in every direction by railroad, w hilc the trolley cars are passing over
the traction lines in either direction at even*- hour.
-Vside from the con\enience of transportation thus offered, these cor-
porations pay a large sum of money into the county treasury annually, as
taxes. In fact, very few people have any idea of the amount of revenue de-
rived from this source. Following are the amounts oi taxes paid by tliese
corporations in the year 1915:
Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway Company. . . .$21,652.02
Peoria & Eastern Railway Company (through Maxwell) 9,608.12
Cincinnati, Wabash & Michigan Railway Co. (through Shirley) 1,329.99
Cincinnati, Indianapolis &■ Western Railway Company (through
New Palestine) 3,690.06
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I49
Cincinnati. Cleveland, Chicago & St. Louis Railway Company
(through Fortville) 7,594.81
Terre Haute, Indianapolis & Eastern Traction Com])anv (through
Greenfield) 4,958.69
Indianapolis, Newcastle & Eastern Traction Company 2,706.79
Indianapolis & Cincinnati Traction Company 1,046.26
Indiana Union Traction Company 1,597.40
Tidewater Pipe Company 768.70
Total $54,952.84
PROPOSED R.\1LW.\Y.
There is no subject upon which so much has been said in the history of
the county and so little done, as upon the subject of a railroad running north
and south through the city of Greenfield. The agitation for a north and south
line was begun about the time of the Civil War, or very soon thereafter, and
has remained a subject of discussion at short intervals from that time to the
present. Tiie first agitation that caused people to believe that such a rail-
way would actually be built was begun during the summer of 1871. The pro-
posed line was the Columbus, Nashville & Greenfield Railway. The agitation
waned with the summer and the project was soon forgotten.
The next railroad, and one that received a great deal more serious con-
sideration, was the Chicago, Greenfield & Cincinnati railroad. At a special
session of the board of county commissioners of Hancock county in 1889, peti-
tions were presented by several townships in the county asking for appropria-
tions by the townships of the amounts indicated below to aid in the constniction
of this railroad through the respective townships. The petitions also asked
that elections be ordered by the board in the respective townships to give the
voters an opportunity of determining whether the said amounts should be
donated. On that day the board granted the prayers of the petitioners and
elections were ordered in the following townships, to be held on November
16, 1889: Blue River, $15,000; Brandywine, $10,000; Center, $43,000;
Green, $12,000; Vernon, $17,000.
In all of the townships except Center and Blue River, the majority of the
votes were cast against making the appropriation. The result of the election
was as follows :
150 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Blue River —
For the railroad no votes
Against the railroad 96 votes
Majority for railroad 14 votes
Brandyivine —
Against the railroad 152 votes
For the railroad 29 votes
Majority against railroad 123 votes
Center —
For the railroad 800 votes
Against the railroad 176 votes
Majority for railroad 624 votes
Green —
Against the railroad 149 votes
For the railroad 80 votes
Majority against railroad 69 votes
Vernon —
Against the railroad 256 votes
For the railroad 226 votes
Majority against railroad 30 votes
The Chicago, Greenfield & Cincinnati Railroad Company was a corpora-
tion organized under the laws of the state of Indiana. Its purpose was to
build a railroad from Noblesville to Rushville, thus connecting with lines lead-
ing to Chicago and Cincinnati. The proposed road was to cross the Pennsyl-
vania line at Greenfield, and the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad at
Fountaintown. Local people were interested in the project. Morgan Chan-
dler was president and Charles Downing was secretary of the company. The
special election, however, determined the fate of the railroad.
In September, 1897, the Greenfield & Maxwell Railroad Company was
incorporated. The directors of the new company were, Ephraim Marsh, S. R.
Wells, W. J. Alford fof Anderson), George Cooper, Jerome Black. J. H.
Moiilden, H. B. Thaver.
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I5I
The purpose of the company, as indicated by its name, was to build a
railroad from Maxwell to Greenfield. On November 12, 1897, a petition,
signed by ninety taxpayers of Center township, w^as filed with the county
commissioners, praying for ah election to be Iield in Center township to vote a
subsidy of forty-seven thousand five hundred dollars to the Greenfield &
Maxwell Railroad Company as an aid in the construction of the line. The
board ordered an election to be held on January 18, 1898. This movement
aroused a great deal of opposition in (he township. The subsidy was asked
for on the theory that the new railroad would have a tendency to lower freight
rates and give greater accommodation to the traveling public of the county. The
opposition to the road argued that these things were, from a practical stand-
point, minor matters ; that the road was a private venture, and that the subsidy
simply meant the payment of that much money into the hands of the promoters.
In the election si.x hundred and nineteen votes were cast in favor of the appro-
priation and nine hundred and twenty-one against it, thus defeating the move-
ment by a majority of three hundred and two votes.
But the most interesting, by far, of all the proposed railways is the story of
BLACK DIAMOND.
The work of locating the Black Diamond system began on April 30, 1893.
The road, as planned, was to extend from Port Royal. South Carolina, to
Chicago. By the spring of 1898. it was reported by Albert E. Boone, general
manager of the system, that the survey from Port Royal, South Carolina, to
the city of Greenfield had been completed and paid for. A mass meeting of
the citizens of Hancock county was called at the court house on May 11, 1898.
The call was given by the general manager of the system, in which he informed
tlie people that four routes liad been suggested from Greenfield to Chicago.
They were as follows :
Route I. Greenfield via Mohawk, Fortville, Noblesville.
Route 2. Greenfield, Maxwell, Ingalls, etc.
Route 3. Greenfield via Mohawk, Fortville, Tipton, etc.
Route 4. Greenfield via Philadelphia. Gem, Cumberland. Hunters, etc.
Tlie route to be selected was to depend upon the interest manifested at
the meeting to be held on May 1 1 . The name of the branch of the road
going through Greenfield was to be the Indianapolis, Vevay & Tidewater
railway. Colonel Boone gave notice that he himself would come to Green-
field on Mav 10, for the purpose of meeting any delegations that might want
any information concerning the proposed railway.
152 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
The mass meeting was held as aclvertised. A large number of the citi-
zens of the county were present. Among those from a distance were, J. V.
Carter, editor of Vevay Democrat; Mayor J. R. Simpson. Paoli. Indiana : Col-
onel Tutt, of Knoxville, and Albert E. Boone, general manager of the Black
Diamond system. The promoters asked the citizens in the townships through
which the proposed road was to run to appropriate seven thousand dollars to
defray the expense of the preliminary survey. At the conclusion of the meet-
ing Mayor Duncan was instnicted to appoint a committee of the business men
of Greenfield to consult with the citizens of the townships through which the
proposed road was to pass, to get their views as to whether they were in
favor of building the road and assisting in defraying the expenses of the sur-
vey, profiles, etc.
From this time, all of the local newspapers between Port Royal, South
Carolina, and Chicago were filled with the doings of the promoter of the sys-
tem. Items from one paper were copied in the others, so that the proposed
work was continually before the people. News of what was being done at
any point traveled along the entire line through the chain of county papers.
On August 25, 1898, a petition, signed by a number of taxpayers of Blue
River township, was filed witli the county commissioners, asking for an elec-
tion to be held in Blue River township to vote an appropriation of $17,941.10
as an aid in the construction of the Indianapolis, Vevay & Tidewater rail-
way. A similar petition was filed on the same day by citizens of Center
township, asking for an appropriation of $76,426.
The board of county commissioners ordered an election in these town-
ships on September 27, 1898. The following was the result of tlie election:
Blue River —
Against the appropriation 153 votes
For the appropriation yy votes
Majority against the appropriation 76 votes
Center —
For the appropriation 923 votes
Against the appropriation 511 votes
Majority for the appropriation 412 votes
These appropriations were to be made on condition that the road be fin-
ished and that no part of the appropriation be due and payable until the line
should be completely finished and trains operated thereon.
GENERAI, DF.VRI.OPMKNT. I 5,^
The proiiK iters seenicd to he f|uile liopetul, as is indicaletl hv the follow-
ing letter written hy Colonel Boone to the editor of the Greenfield Republican :
"Zanesville, Ohio, Septemher 28, 1898.
"From the telegram to the Enquirer. Cincinnati, Ohio. I see the snbsidy
carried at Greenfield (Center township), Init failed in Rlue River township.
I am deeply grateful, as well as satisfied. It guarantees f<pr the lilack Dia-
mond a footing amongst a class of people that will protect the franchise from
any and all attempts to secure unjttst awards at court in case of litigation. I
shall no\\- ]3repare my plans to make Greenfield the pivot point of line to
Vevay, to Chicago and to connect with an outer lielt for Indianapolis.
■'I cannot let this occasion pass without thanking you for the noble stand
you took when the Black Diamond needed loyalty and support. You can
assure your people that every pledge made in the petition will be carried out
to the letter, and the shops shall be no small affair. They will be large enough
for the business of two hundred and fifty-four miles of road — Vevay, via
Greenfield, to Hammond, Indiana. We will take out a new charter in the
name of the Chicago, Greenfield & Tidewater Railway Company, building
from Greenfield (south of Pan-Handle) to Vevay, as the 'Ohio River divi-
sion,' and from Greenfield (north of Pan-Handle) to Hammond, as the 'Lake
Michigan division".
"All the franchise south of Greenfield will be perfected in the name of
the Indianapolis. \'evay & Tidewater, and same then transferred to the Chi-
cago, Greenfield & Tidewater Railway Company. The change is made be-
cause the road will not go to Indianapolis, and then, as we must build from
Maxwell t<:i \'e\a}- to earn the subsidy, the change must necessarily be made.
"I enjoy the hope that I ha\'e made clear my appreciation. With kind
regards to all friends of the Black Diamond cause in Hancock count}-, In-
diana. I am with respect. Albert E. Boone.'"
"P. S. — A debt of gratitude you w'ill forever (iwe to Charles Tutt, of
Knoxville. Tennessee, for his faithfulness to your city. I rejoice that the
name of Tutt will never perish, for it will be amongst the files that the com-
ing of the P>l;ick Diamond to Greenfield was due solely to the work of Charles
Tutt and the friends he secured in your county. The first engine upon your
line shall be called 'Colonel Tutt.' Booxe."
"X. B. — Whilst the name Vevay will be stricken out for the in.sertion of
Greenfield, yet we will compensate Vevay by making a change of name of the
Springfield. Ohio River & South Atlantic to that of Vincennes, Vevay &
Tidewater. Booxe."
154 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
It did not become necessary, however, to take out a new charter in the
name of the Chicago, Greenfield & Tidewater Railway Compan}-, nor did it
ever become necessan*- to change the name of any other branch of the system
to compensate Vevay for the loss of her name in the line to Chicago. Though
the promoters continued to give out information concerning the progress of the
work at different points along tlie line, the optimism of the people of Hancock
county received a rude sliock when the following item was published in the
local papers within less than a year after the appreciative letter of Colonel
Boone had appeared in the same columns :
"J. V. Dill, liveryman of Greenfield, sold the effects of the Black Dia-
mond railway to pay the expense of livery hire of the representatives of the
Black Diamond system," etc.
Since that time we have had rumors of the construction of a belt road
to include a number of county seats in the counties adjoining Marion, but as
yet this road has not passed the stage that was reached by all the others.
The only company that has ever succeeded in operating a line for tlie
regular transportation of passengers north and south from Greenfield has
been the Greenfield Auto Traction Company, incorporated July ii, 1910, and
operated under tlie management of W. C. Welbom, an attorney of the Han-
cock bar. This company operated an auto traction line between Greenfield
and Maxwell, and for a time between Fountaintown and Pendleton. The
line was discontinued in January, 1913.
THE GRANGE.
About 1870, or perhaps a little later, the Grange movement swept over
Hancock county, and within two or three years twenty-one local lodges were
organized. In March, 1874, representatives of the various Granges met at
Greenfield and effected a county organization. The following officers were
elected : President, B. F. Reeves, Warrington ; vice-president. J. T. Dawson,
Philadelphia; secretary, I. A. Curry, Greenfield; treasurer, E. S. Bottsford,
Philadelphia ; business agent, Alpheus Tyner, Morristown ; gate keeper,
Thomas Bentley, Greenfield; executive committee. Smith McConl, R. J.
Moore, William Frost.
Arrangements were also made for the establishment of a Grange store
at Greenfield, of whicli Alpheus Tyner was to have charge. At the meeting
of the Hancock count)- council on the first Saturday of March, 1874, the
following resolution was adopted in recommendation of Mr. Tyner : "Re-
solved, tliat in the election of Alpheus Tyner as purchasing agent of the Pa-
trons of Husbandry of Hancock county, we recommend him as a man of integ-
rity and ability and entitled to your confidence and respect."
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I55
The following lodges were reported in April, 1874:
Blue River, John T. Coffin, master; B. B. Binford, secretary.
Eden, No. 469, E. B. Bragg, master; B. T. Cooper, secretary.
Philadelphia, No. 386, John E. Dye, master ; T. J. Dawson, secretary.
White Haven, No. 924, James Mitchell, master; L. Bussell, secretary.
Fortville, No. 528. J. S. Merrill, master; Cliarles P. Thomas, secretary.
Sugar Creek, No. 892, James Wilkinson, master; Weston Summerville,
secretary.
Sugar Creek, No. 638, J. P. Murphy, master ; T. J. Wilson, secretary.
Buck Creek, No. 509, I. S. Wright, master ; B. F. Millard, secretary.
Cleveland, No. 343, G. W. Sample, master; I. Murdon, secretary.
Warrington, No. 591, J. M. Bundy, master; B. F. Reeves, secretary.
McCordsville, No. 431. Elias McCord, master; John Bells, secretary.
Palestine, No. 505, Uriah Low, master ; Edward Schreiber, secretary.
Milners Corners, No. 764, W. G. Caldwell, master; William McKinsey.
secretar}'.
Cumberland, No. 1045, Abner Newland. master; Thomas Furgason,
secretaPi-.
Shiloh, No. 319, J. F. Hackleman, master; Alpheus Tyner, secretary.
Brandywine, No. , Harrison Wilkinson, master ; F. M. Clark, secre-
tary.
Union, No. 1389, J. Q. White, master; Andrew Williamson, secretary.
Vernon, No. 1378, A. P. Hastings, master; S. E. Collins, secretary.
Six Mile, No. 1629, Charles Fort, master; Daniel Loudenback, secretary.
At this time the Grange of Hancock county had a membership of over
one thousand and five hundred. The organization took an interest in gen-
eral and economic matters, such as the development of farms, the beautifying
of the county, the school system, taxation and, finally, politics.
At a regular meeting of the county council at the Grange hall in Green-
field, on April 4, 1874, the advisability of nominating a county ticket was
considered. It was at this meeting, too, that the council expressed its dis-
approval of the frequent changes in the use of text books and adopted a
resolution in relation thereto. Other matters were presented, but there was a
special interest in this meeting, because the question as to whether the Grange
should enter the political arena was to be determined. The notice that the
advisability of nominating a county ticket was to be considered, in itself
brought a large attendance. Soon after the meeting opened, Mr. Furry, of
Sugar Creek township, offered the following resolution :
"Resolved, that a committee of five be appointed by the chair who shall,
156 HANCOCK COUNTY. INDIANA.
without delay, issue an address, accompanied b}- a call for a mass convention
of those ACTUALLY engaged in agricultural pursuits (not to nominate a
ticket), but for a free consultation on all matters of interest to them. Such
convention may organize and perform all rules necessary to a nominating
convention at a future day."
J. H. White sul)mitted the following as an amendment to the above
resf^lution : "That the committee take into consideration the propriety of
calling such convention, and report at the next regular meeting of this
council."
The amendment, however, was not entirely satisfactory to a number,
and W'illiam Lewis, of Jackson township, submitted the following as a sub-
stitute :
"Resolved, tliat this council instruct each Grange to elect one delegate
for each twenty members or fraction thereof, to meet at the court house in
Greenfield, three weeks from today at 10 o'clock a. m., to make their nom-
inating ticket."
The voting began, in the course of wliicli Mr. Lewis's substitute was
first lost. Then Mr. White's amendment was lost, and finally the original
resolution was defeated. This left the matter of a county ticket undecided.
The council adjourned, to meet again on April 18, 1874. Nothing was done
at the second meeting, and the matter does not seem to have come up again
until at a special meeting of the county council lield at Greenfield on July
18, 1874. At this meeting George Furry introduced tlie following resolution:
"Believing the time has fully come when the agricultural and industrial
interests of the county (judging from tlie past) cannot reasonably expect
redress and protection from either of the present existing parties : therefore,
"Resolved, by the Hancock County Council, Patrons of Hu.sbandry,
this July 18, 1874, that there be an election called of the agricultural and in-
dustrial classes in the several townships in said county, on the last Saturday
in July, between the hours of one and four o'clock P. M., for the purpose of
electing delegates to a county convention — one delegate for each one hundred
votes polled at the last general election, and one for each fractional part
thereof; said delegates to meet in the town of Greenfield in said county on
the first Saturday in August next, at one o'clock A. M., then and there to
proceed to nominate a county ticket of competent, faithful, temperate and
honest men, irrespective of their connection with any political, religious or
social order — men wlio will unflinchingly stand by in sympathy with the in-
dustrial interests of the county, strictly adhering to the principles which should
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.
^0/
characterize every patron : tliat the nomination sliould seek the man and the
man lie nominated."
The reixirt of the vote of the council on this resokition was as follows:
Yeas — T. E. Bentley, R. P. Andis. William Lewis, Aaron Foster, A. J. Lee,
A. L. Or><j', Burd Lacy, J. S. Merrill, George Furry, George L. Judkins, L.
D. Milburn, E. T. Chandler, .\quilla Grist. Nays — I. A. Curry, T. J. Daw-
son, Smith IMcCord, William Frost, T. B. Miller, J. H. White, R. J. Moore,
James Finnell, John E. Dye.
George L. Judkins moved to reconsider the vote adopting this resolu-
tion. His motion was seconded, and entertained by the president, who sul>
mitted it to the council, whereupon there was a bolt from the mom to prevent
its passage. Capt. Adams L. Ogg asked for a call of the house, which, after
being made, showed that a quorum was lacking. The council then adjourned,
to meet in regidar session on the first Saturday in August. 1874. Under the
rules of the council the motion to reconsider stood for action at the next
regular meeting.
Two days later, on Jul}- 20, 1S74, printed hand bills were scattered
broadcast over the county, of which tiie following is a copy:
"take notice
"The Hancock County Council. Patrons of Husbandry, ha\e called upon
the voters of the agricultural and industrial classes generally, to assemble
at their respective townships on Saturday, July 25. 1874, to organize an inde-
pendent party, and to name there all things calculated to release us from
the burdens of extravagant and bad government.
"Many Voters."
Pursuant to the above notice, a number of men assembled at the court
house, on July 25, but the convention lacked unity and coherence. The lead-
ers in the convention seemed to be Capt. Adams L. Ogg, George Furry and
Thomas E. Bentley. Although the motion had carried on July 18, 1874, in
favor of an independent county ticket, it caused much dissatisfaction in the
Grange. On Augiist 2Q. another reform or indei)endent convention was held
at Greenfield, at which both a county central committee was appointed and a
county ticket nominated. The names of the committeemen as well as of the
candidates have been set out in the chapter on politics.
The following resolutions which stood as its platform give a good idea
of the reforms advocated :
"Resolved, that the man receiving the nomination for representative in
said convention shall unhesitatingly pledge himself to a speedy repeal of the
J5o HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
late salary grab of the last Legislature, and pledge himself, so far as he ma}-
be able, to reduce to a fair and reasonable basis, the salaries and fees of all
state, county and school officers, to abolish the office of county school superin-
tendent and many other offices that are useless burdens to the people.
"Resolved, that, in view of the fact that the county officers elected this
year are by law liable to receive the salaries and fees as prescribed by the
present law, therefore the said convention shall not tender to any man the
nomination for either of the county offices, who will not pledge himself that
if elected to any office he will faithfully perform the duty of such office for the
following named reduced salary :
"Clerk $1 ,200.00
Treasurer 1,200.00
Auditor 1,200.00
Sheriff i ,200.00
Recorder (for each deed) i.oo
County Commissioners, per day 3.00
Trustees, per day 2.00
County Assessor, per day 2.00
Members of the Legislature, per day 5.00
"Resolved, that in case the above named officers should be elected by
said independent convention, they shall faithfully collect all fees subject to
the several offices under the present law, and all such money over and above
the above named salaries shall be given in charge of the county cominission-
ers as a county fund, subject to their disposal for the actual benefit of the
county.
"Resolved, that we favor the election of a district prosecutor, who has
the ability within himself to conduct the interests of the state in criminal
courts without employing assistance, except in very extreme and complicated
cases, and then only a reasonable and stated fee."
Up to this time, the Grange had flourished in the county. Farmers took
& general interest in it, and good seems to have been accomplished. Its advent
into politics, however, was its undoing. The ties of party were stronger than
the ties of the order, and within the next year or two it lost rapidly in numbers
and influence. Within three or four years it became practically extinct. We
hear of it again on January g, 1879, when the following notice was inserted
in the local papers, showing that an effort had been made to revive it, and
that new officers had been elected and installed :
"The Grange has been in a feeble condition for some time past, and has
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 159
onlv been meetin.Sf occasionally. It has been rejuvenated and the members
have resolved to liold regular meetings, ^\'ith this purpose the following
officers have been elected and installed for the ensuing year : Worshipful
master, David S. Gooding; overseer, Alfred Potts; secretary, William Fries;
assistant steward, H. C. Willett; chaplain, E. R. Gant; secretary, R. D.
Cooper; gate keeper, A. Little; treasurer, Hiram Rhue : trustees, R. D. Cooper,
W. Collyer and J. W. Comstock, and committee on relief, \\'illiam Sears,
A. Little and Eli R. Gant."
A good social spirit was fostered among the members of the Grange.
Picnics and other gatherings were held from time to time, of which we have
at least one detailed report. This is a "write up" in the Hancock Democrat
of a count}- picnic, held on June 20, 1874. Each lodge was invited to "come
clad in regalia and bring full baskets." The Democrat may not have looked
with favor upon tiie entrance of the Grange into politics. Such a step at least
could not be helpful to tlie Democracy of the county, but following is the
report of the picnic :
"By far the largest number of people, men, women and children, we
have seen in Greenfield for many a day was on the occasion of the Grangers'
picnic on Saturday last. The people came in early from all parts of the county,
and at 10 o'clock a procession was formed by Capt. A. L. Ogg and numerous
assistants, and marched (headed by the Greenfield Cornet Band) to O'Don-
nell's beautiful grove, west of town, to enjoy together, in a good old-fashioned
way, a festive day, free from the cares and strifes of life, to hear enumerated
their many and grievous wrongs, and tlie best manner of their redress; to
listen to eloquent dissertations of best means of freeing labor from the bond-
age of capital, and to have demonstrated to them the great advantage the manu-
facturer has over the consumer. The procession was a fine display of the
bone and sinew, nearly every Grange in the county being represented, all wear-
ing the modest regalia of the order, wliile above them waved their banners,
bearing appropriate mottoes, such as 'We have no litigation in the Grange,'
'Love, friendship and charity,' 'We oppose the salary grab,' 'We buy direct
from manufacturers,' 'We are opposed to monopoly,' and 'United we stand.'
"Appropriate addresses were made by Messrs. Crouch, of Indianapolis;
Pendleton, of Johnson county, and James, of Grant county.
"Tlic meeting was in all respects n grand success, and the liorn\-handed
sons of toil are entitled to great credit for the very orderly and gentlemanly
manner in which they conducted themselves during the entire day. All their
baskets were well filled with the substantials of life, and all left well satisfied
with the day's pleasure."
l6o HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
farmers' MITTAL BENEFIT ASSOCIATION.
During the latter eighties this movement swept over the state, and lodges
were organized in all parts of the county. Meetings were usually held in the
school houses, and the farmers of the community "joined." The "joining"
seems to have I:een the most of it. Its purpose and organization were similar
to the Grange, but very little seems to have been accomplished by the order.
The initiation of new members afforded much amusement. Stories are still
extant of what "happened" on those occasions. The mere mention of the
F. M. R. A.'s" always brings a smile to the faces of those wlio were familiar
with its mysteries.
farmers' INSURANCE .ASSOCIATION.
Foreign insurance companies had operated for many years in the county.
But in the latter seventies there was a feeling current among people that they
themselves could protect their propertv cheaper than it was protected liv llie
old-line companies. On June 12, 1876, a number of farmers associated
themselves together for this purpose. \\'illiam Marsh was elected president
of the company; B. F. Luse, vice-president; Samuel B. Hill, secretary and
tfeasurer. One director was also appointed from each township. On Novem-
ber 4, 1878, this association was incorporated under the name of "Farmers'
Insurance Association of Hancock County." Its object, as stated in the arti-
cles of incorporation, was "to insure property, buildings and personal prop-
erty in buildings, against loss or damage by fire or lightning." As to mem-
bership in the company, the article of incorporation provided, "any person
owning some property in Hancock county, by paying an initiation fee of five
dollars, may become a lifetime nieml)er," subject to witlidrawal or forfeiture.
Money was to be raised by as.sessment after loss. The incorporators of the
company were, Joseph Barrett. Elihu Coffin, Jr., William Fries, George Kin-
der. Henry S. Wales, George W. Reeves, John F. Candell, Isaiah A. Curry,
N. D. Coffin. James Parnell, Henry Loudenback, J. F. Coffin, John Hunt,
Lewis C. Jessup, John R. Cowden, William Brooks, John H. ^^■hite, John T.
Duncan, Jacob Slifer, Wellington Collyer. Joseph L. Binford, Jonathan Jes-
sup, Daniel R. Loudenback, Jesse Cook, Robert W. Davis, James H. Anderson,
Richard F'rost, John H. Hagans, Levi Jessuj), T. E. Bentley, Samuel B. Hill,
Charles H. Fort, B. F. Luse.
Since tiie organization of the company, the following men have served
as president: William Marsh, S. S. Boots, John H. White. Thomas Mints.
William Elsbury.
William Elsljury lias been jircsident of the company since 1896. Tlie fob
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. l6l
lowing men ha\-e also acted as secretary and treasurer : Samuel B. Hill, who
served until about 1886 or 1887. He was followed by John E. Dye, who
served five or six years. Dr. Dye was followed by A. V. B. Sample, who
served a vear or two. until he was elected clerk of the Hancock circuit court.
Mr. Sample was then followed by Mr. Dye, who served another year. Mr.
Dye was followed by Benton L. Barrett, in r8g6, wlio served until 1914. At
present I. H. Day is secretary and treasurer of the companw
The books of the company have been destroyed a time or two and it is
difficult to get e.xact historical information. The following table, however,
made from the assessment sheets and notices sent to members at the dates in-
dicated, give a fair idea of the amovuit of Inisiness that the company has trans-
acted during the past ten years :
Number of
Date Losses and Claims Filed Members
March, 1906 $2,193.55
August, 1906 2,729.78 1604
March, 1907 2,713.80
August, 1907 2,748.95 1612
August, 1908 2,554.04 1621
August, 1909 1,051.57 1616
January, 1910 6,409.00 1583
August, 1910 3-77505 1568
August, 191 1 3-573-5I
February, 1912 4.406.30 .' .
March, 191 3 2,567.16 1238
August. 1913 6,006.35 1210
August, 1914 2,022.18. 1 180
August, 191 5 4,904.81
The report made Ijy the secretary and treasurer on Saturday, October 9,
1915, showed the total receipts for the fiscal year ending October 7, 1915,
$14,199.17; disbursements. $5,541.31: balance on Iiands, $8,657.86. The
present officers are : William Elsbury, president : R. B. Binfurd. vice-president :
I. H. Day, secretary and treasurer.
DETECTIVE C0Mr.\.NlES.
The first effort to organize a detective company in the county was made in
the fall of 1876. On September 8. 1876, articles of incorporation for the
"Police Association of Hancock and Shelby Counties," were filed with the
(11)
l62 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
board of commissioners of Hancock county. These articles had been drawn
under an old law enacted in 1852. The board of commissioners refused to
take any action on the articles for the reason that the law under which they
were drawn had been repealed.
On January 30, 1877, other articles of incorporation were drawn, in
which the corporation was named as "The Hancock and Shelby Police Force."
These articles were drawn under a law enacted in 1865 and were recorded in
the Miscellaneous Record in the office of the county recorder in Hancock
county. The object of the association, as stated in tlie articles of incorpora-
tion, was "the apprehension of horse thieves and other felons and for the mu-
tual protection and indemnity against the acts of such horse thieves and other
felons." The association was to continue for a term of two years. Its mem-
bers were practically all from the southern part of Hancock and the northern
part of Shelby counties.
From all that can be learned at this time, this association did not accom-
plish very much. Within another decade, however, there was a general organ-
ization of the county for the purpose as stated in the articles above.
Under the Voluntary Association act, the Buck Creek Township Horse
Thief Detective Company was organized in 1888 and since that time the fol-
lowing companies have been incorporated under this or later acts :
Organized Mem-
Name bers.
Buck Creek Township Horse Thief Detective Company (I888 19
McCordsville Horse Thief Detective Company 1888 90
Hancock Horse Thief Detective Company 1888 300
Sugar Creek Horse Thief Detective Company .• 1891
Brandywine Horse Thief Detective Company 1893 80
Eden Horse Thief Detective Company 1894
Fortville Horse Thief Detective Company 1897 225
Carrollton Horse Thief Detective Company 1898 45
Wilkinson Horse Thief Detective Company 1899 44
New Palestine Horse Thief Detective Company 1900 95
Milners Corner Horse Thief Detective Company 1902
Willow Horse Thief Detective Company 1902 21
Gem Horse Thief Detective Company 1908 135
The purpose of all of these companies, as stated in the articles of associa-
tion, is "to detect and apprehend horse thieves and other felons and for
mutual protection and indemnity against the acts of such horse thieves and
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 163
felons." The earlier companies were incorporated for a period of fifty years,
but later the law was changed and tlie companies organized since that time,
or that have re-organized since that time, are now incorporated on a per-
petual basis. The primary purpose of the organization of these companies is
the appreiiension of horse thieves and other felons. In this the companies
have been very successful. All of the local companies are units m the state
organization, and the combined efforts of all units have made the property
which they seek to protect, practically safe. There are very few farmers or
others in the county owning horses but who are members of the local horse
thief detective companies.
N.\TURAL GAS.
Prior to the fall of 1886 gas had been found at Aluncie, Noblesville and
Tipton. This indicated the existence of an extensive field immediately to our
north and naturallv aroused discussion as to the probability of finding gas in
Hancock county. Montgomery ilarsh was one of the chief agitators who
aroused interest in the gas question. An effort was made during the fall of
1886 to raise funds with which to drill a well. By January i, 1887, eight
hundred dollars had been subscribed. The Greenfield Gas and Od Com-
pany was incorporated and a contract was let for drilling the first well to
M. H. Porter. The work began in April, 1887, under the immediate super-
vision of a Mr. Yeagley, driller. As reported in the local papers, the first evi-
dence of gas was found on Monday, April 28, 1887. Before reaching Tren-
ton rock it burned to a height of twelve feet. Trenton rock was reached at
a depth of nine hundred and eighty feet. After drilling into Trenton rock to
a depth of four feet the flow of gas was so strong that it became difficult to
get water down to mix with the broken rock to bring it up. It was
let down in a pump and the drilling was continued to a depth of thirteen
feet into Trenton rock, when, as reported in the local papers, "the drill
was raised up and the rope went spinning around at lightning speed, and then
a great volume of gas and rock accompanied with a roaring noise came to the
surface. The derrick was crowded with pe<iple and Driller Yeagley shouted,
'AH go !' — and they did. They left the derrick by all possible means of
escape, some of them bursting out through the boards one inch thick.'"
The work was a success. The well was a "gusher." It burned to a
great height and the reflection of its light could be seen on the skies for a
distance of twelve or fifteen miles in all directions from Greenfield. Of
course, it created a great deal of excitement all over the county. It was
mentioned in the newspapers of all the surrounding county seats. Although
&
164 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
it was in fact a great discoverv for Greenfield, the \vhi>le affair was not
without its humorous side. The following item appeared in the Slidbyz-ille
Times :
"Greenfield is like the boy with the penny and without pockets. It has
a 'gusher' on its hands and does not know what to do with it."
To this the Hancock Democrat replied : "We regret exceedingly that
we cannot return the compliment. The 'gusher' will be taken care of and
the wishes of the citizens of Greenfield fully accommodated, and in addition
we might loan our neighbor a sufficient amount of the wasted article to sup-
ply the wants of his thrifty city."
Such items apjjcarcd frequently in the lucal papers and ailded spice to the
good fortunes of the people in different communities. But the first well at
Greenfield was not only an object of interest to local people. Special excur-
sions were run over the Pennsyhania line and people came in numbers to
see it.
The log of tliis well showed the following strata of eartli through the
first seven hundred and thirty-five feet, as reported in the local pajiers:
Clay 25 feel
Quicksand and gravel 15 feet
Hard, fine and blue clay 40 feet
Sand and gravel 30 feet
Blue and gray clay 70 feet
Coarse gravel 20 feet
Fine sand 5 feet
Drift deposits, timbers, and petrified stone 10 feet
Hard limestone 65 feet
Slate 17 feet
Limestone 68 feet
Slate and shale 400 feet
Trenton rock was reached at a deptli of nine hundred and eighty feet.
This well was located north of Fifth street and west of State street, a short
distance northwest of wliere Dr. W. .\. Justice now lives.
Before gas was found in the first well a .second company was organized
and subscri])tions were taken for a second well. With the success of the first
well drilling began in all parts of the county and a number of gas companies
were organized in rural communities for the purpose of drilling wells for
private use. Other companies were organized for the purpose of piping the
gas to Greenfield and surrounding cities and selling it to consumers. Below
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 165
is given a list of the companies that were organized and tlic dales of their
incorporation :
(Ireentield Gas and Oil Ci^nipany 1886
Citizens' (las Company 1887
Xew Palestine Natural Gas Company 1887
Charlottesville Natural Gas Company 1888
[•'ortville Natural Gas and Oil Company 1888
McCordsville Natural Gas and Oil Company 1888
Central Gas Company 1889
.Maxwell Natural Gas Company 1889
Madison and Hancock Natural Gas and Oil Company, 1889
I'eople's (ias Company 1889
Rock's Natural Gas and Oil Company 1889
Wilkinson Natural Gas Company 1889
National Gas Company 1890
Independent Natural Gas and Oil Company 1890
Mundon Gas Company 1890
Mohawk Natural (ias Company 1890
Pigeon Roost Natural Gas and Oil Company 1890
People's Gas Company of Rushville 1890
\\'estland Natural Gas Company 1890
Western Grove Natural Gas Compan\- 1891
Sugar Creek Gas Company 1891
Pleasant Hill Natural Gas Company 189 1
Davis Gas Company
McCordsville Natural Gas Company 1892
Cushman Natural Gas Company 1892
Citizens' Natural Gas, Oil and Water Company 1892
Fortville Mutual Natural Gas and Oil Company 1892
Dry Branch Natural Gas Company 1892
Mutual Gas Company 1892
Nameless Creek Natural Gas Company 1893
California Natural Gas Company 1893
Hanna & Masters 1893
Vernon Natural Gas and Oil Company 1895
Shady Grove Natural Gas and Oil Company 1897
White Haven Natural Gas and Oil Company 1899
American Oil and Gas Company 1900
1 66 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Shiloh Natural Gas Company 1901
Maxwell Citizens' Gas and Oil Company 1902
Citizens' Gas Company of Wilkinson 1903
Prairie Branch Natural Gas Company 1903
Fortville Oil and Gas Company 1904
Jackson Township Natural Gas and Oil Company. . .1904
Brandy wine Gas Company 19 13
Wells were also drilled by other corporations, including the Southern
Indiana Gas Company and the Consumers' Gas Trust Company. Some of
the above companies put down but one well for private use. while others
drilled a number of wells. In 1890, three years after the drilling of the first
well, the tax duplicate showed the following wells in the county, with their
general location : Westland, one ; Charlottesville, one : \\'arrington, one :
Wilkinson, one; Willow Branch, one; Maxwell, one; Swamp Creek, one;
Milner's Corner, one; Eden, one; Shelbyville Pipe Line, ten; Barrett's Cor-
ner, one: Mingle's Corner, one; Fortville, three; McCordsville, one; Green-
field Gas Compan}-, four ; Kirkville, one ; Martindale Syndicate, two ; Nail
Works, Greenfield, one ; People's Gas Company, Greenfield, three. Total,
thirty-six.
New wells continued to Ije drilled in the county during the following
years, while the flow of gas in the older wells ceased. It would be difficult.,
if not impossible, at this time even to estimate the number of wells that have
been drilled for gas since 1887. There is hardly a section, however, that has
not had one or more wells drilled upon it, except in Sugar Creek and Buck
Creek townships. Gas was found in such small quantities in these townships
that it was unprofitable.
The pressure of the first wells, as reported by the state geologist, ran
from two hundred and fifty pounds to three hundred and twent\-five pounds.
During the following years the pressure was reported by the state geologist,
as follows: 1893, 250 pounds; 1895, -^^ pounds; 1896, 185 pounds; 1897,
150 to 200 pounds, depending upon condition anrl age of wells.
For several years after this there was a general decrease in the pressure
of the wells from eighteen to twenty pounds annually. The pressure now is
very low and pumping stations have been installed to force the gas into
Greenfield and into the surrounding cities within the gas belt. It is used for
cooking and in special heaters during the cool weather of the spring and fall.
The pressure is no longer sufficient to furnish heat during the cold winter
months.
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I67
When gas was first discovered there was a general feeding that the sup-
ply would never be exhausted. Tlie pressure was strong fnough to lilow the
top off of a stove and it was used extravagantly and wastefuUy. It has been
humorously remarked that when the house became too warm doors and win-
dows were thrown open instead of turning off the gas. Hence the people
of this day are lacking in the fuel that might still have been abundant had it
not been used so wastefuUy. The discoveiy of gas, of course, had a great
influence on the people of the county. Greenfield, especially, entered upon
a great lionm. Glass factories, stove foundries, nail factories, and other
concerns came to the city and stayed for a period of years while the gas
pressure remained strong. Wilkinson and Shirley, too, profited in a similar
manner by the discovery of gas.
F.\RMERS' INSTITUTES.
The county fairs were helpful in setting before the people the l)est of all
products that the county produced. The fairs, however, exhibited only
results, throwing little light on scientific methods that produced these results.
Tt was the realization of just this need, the need of more accurate and scien-
tific knowledge among the great mass of farmers, that gave rise to fanners'
institutes.
The first meeting of the farmers' institute of Hancock county was held
at the Masonic hall at Greenfield on January 20-21, 1890. Marion Steele
acted as president of the meeting. Following is the program of the two
days :
MOXD.W.
Management of Horses and Other Stock on the Farm D. L. Tliomas
Mistakes in Wheat Culture Professor Latta, of Purdue
Dairy Farming C. L. Hall
Growth of Sweet Corn. Peas, etc., for Canning Factory
AlcConnell, of Indianapolis
Poultry Mrs, V. P. Binford
TUESD.W.
Potato Culture Marion Steele
Sheep Husbandry Col. S. I. Gray
Culture of Sugar' Cane Christopher Fields
Mistakes in .\griculturc and Horticulture Sylvester Johnson
Drainaee Professor Latta
1 68 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
The meeting of the agricuUural people of tlie county gave them an
opportunity of expressing themselves upon a numljer of matters of interest
to tliem. and before adjournment thev adopted the following series of
resolutions :
"Resolved, that wc recognize the necessity and \alue of organization
among farmers, and heartily advise all farmers tliat attend, to increase the
intelligence, improve tlie methods, and heighten the success of agricultural
classes.
"2. That we favor a permanent association for institute work in this
county and believe that the continuance of the Hancock County Agricultural
and Horticultural Society, broadening its scope so far as may be necessary
for this purpose, would be the most feasible plan of organization.
"3. That we endorse the act of the last general assemhK- in making an
appropriation for farmers' institutes, and favor a furtlier appropriation to
continue tlie work.
"4. That we fa\'or a revision of our present dog law that will give
better encouragement to sheep husbandry.
"5. That we favor a reduction of salaries of public officers to corre-
spond with present conditions, and recommend the passage of laws that will
effect such a reduction and convert all fees into the public treasury.
"6. That we are opposed to trusts and combines to control prices re-
gardless of the laws of supply and demand and respectfully urge legislation
looking to their suppression and control b\- law.
"7. That we recommend the publication of these resolutions in our
county papers and request the secretary to send copies of the same to our
representatives in the state Legislature.
"8. That we e.xtend our thanks to the chairman and local manage-
ment and to the speakers and musicians who have donated their time and
efforts in liehalf of the institute, and to the railroad com])anies for reducing
rates to this meeting. "Will B. \V.\lker,
"B. F. Stinger,
"J. F. Coffin,
■'Committee."
Since tiie meeting of 1890 sessions of the institute liave been held each
year just before or immediately after holidays. Upon at least two occasions
summer sessions have also beer. held. The programs given from year to
vear have included every- phase of farm life. Grains, stock, cattle, sheep,
hogs, fruits, in fact everything that pertains to farm life, has been discussed
liy experts or by people whn have given thought to such subjects. The insti-
GENERAL DIiVELOPMliNT. 169
lutes from year to year have also given the farmers an oijportunity to make
their wislies known, toucliini>- upon any (|uestiou that migiit Ije hefore the
pulilic. As will be obser\ed from the resolutions, etc., inserted herein, our
people have expressed themselves upun eurrent quesiidns and a review of these
expressions ought to be a source of pride to the county.
In 1807, when the compulsory education law was before the general
assembly, the farmers' institute at Greenfield adopted resolutions asking the
Legislature to enact such a law.
.\t their meeting on January 16-17, 1900. wlien the rural free delivery
question was before the people they expressed themselves in favor of this
measure. .\t the same meeting they encouraged the organization of town-
ship institutes and expressed themseh'es in favor of better roads. .\11 of
these matters were embodied in the following resolutions:
"Resolved, that the farmers of Hancock county, in institute assembled,
do hereby express themselves in favor of the establishment of riu^al mail
routes in Hancock count\- whenever and wherever practicable and we con-
sider the establishment of such mail routes practicable at this time.
"Resohed, that we will organize township institutes as aids to the county
institute, to which we may look forward with pleasure.
"Resolved, that we will make better roads so that it will be a pleasure
to travel on them in attending these institutes, and that we respectfully
recjuest the citizens of Greenfield to take as much interest in tbeni as they do
in an\' da\' of an^• political campaign, and that thev hang out the old flag of
our country and let it wave during the entire session."
The attendance at this institute, as reported at the time, was as follows :
First forenoon, 223: first afternoon, 350: evening, 340; second forenoon,
375; second afternoon, 450.
The encouragement given by tbe count\- institute to the organization of
township institutes was not without results. In 1901 a township institute
was held at l'~ort\ille, and in 1902 at Wilkinson. Since then thev have l:)een
conducted in other townships also.
.Mthough the farmers had previously expressed themselves in favor of
better roads, a more definite resolution was adopted in 1903. suggesting a
method of [)rocuring better mads. The sentiment of the farmers upon the
liquor traffic fnund expression in their resolutions. At this institute it was
decided to combine the sessions of the ladies and gentlemen. Since this time
the ladies and gentlemen have jirepared the programs of the institute jointly
and joint sessions ha\e l)een held. '! be fullnwing resolutiims were adopted
at the institute of 1903 :
IJO HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
"Resolved, that we favor a law that will permit the citizens of each road
district to elect their own road supervisors, and we also favor a law that will
require the citizens to work the roads where the supervisor orders.
"Resolved, that the supreme court of the United States having declared
that a greater amount of crime and misery is traceable to the use of ardent
spirits than to any other cause, we hereby declare our hostility to the liquor
traffic and favor its alxalition in order that the expense of government may
lie curtailed and taxes thereby decreased, that the earning power of both cap-
ital and labor mav be enlianced and that the purity of tlie home and the
sobriety of the people be preserved.
"Resolved, that, owing to the inconveniences of holding separate sessions
composed of ladies and gentlemen, we recommend that future sessions of the
institute lie held jointly, and we also recommend that lady directors be
appointed to assist in preparing a program."
On July II, 1905, a summer session of the institute was held at the
court house in (Greenfield, and in igo6 another summer session was held at
the Goble fruit farm. Quite a large number of the farmers attended these
sessions, especially the session at the Gnble fruit farm, which was given veiy
largely to the study of horticulture.
Following the passage of tlie Nicholson bill in 1908, the farmers of the
county took occasion to commend the Legislature for its action on this bill.
Tliey also pledged themselves to the support of a measure which would make
liquor packages in interstate commerce subject to the laws of the state into
which they were being sent. These resolutions were as follow :
"Resolved, that we commend the General Assembly of the state of Indi-
ana for its action in supporting the prelimuiary steps in the great movement
of temperance by passing the Nicholson law, the Moore law, and the Search
and Seizure law, and as farmers of this section of Indiana, we stand ever
ready to advance morality, common decency, and tlie protection of our homes
and families from the arch enemy, alcohol ; be it
"Resolved, that this institute stands pledged to the support of the Little-
field-Carmack interstate commerce bill, providing for the submission of inter-
state liquor packages to the laws of the state to which they have been
consigned."
The session of the farmers' institute in 1909 was held while the Legisla-
ture had under consideration the repeal of the county local option law. Our
people were opposed to the repeal of this law and so expressed themselves in
the following resolutions :
"Resolved, that for the preservation of the sacredness of the home in
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I7I
Indiana, for the sake of sterling manliood of the fathers, and in defense of the
never-dying love of the devoted mother, and for the preservation of our sons
and daughters, that we are opposed to any institution or business that degrades
the home or human race ; therefore we demand that the county local option
law be permitted to remain on the statute books until it is given a trial."
On September i, 1909, a farmers' excursion went to Purdue. Many of
the farmers of the county took advantage of this opportunity to see what the
great agricultural college of the state was really doing.
At the meeting in February, 1910, a series of resolutions was adopted in
which the farmers expressed themselves on a variety of topics :
"Resolved, by the fanners of Hancock county in institute assembled :
"First, that we are proud of our calling and propose to do all in our
power to place it upon a still higher plane of usefulness and influence in the
years that shall pass away.
"Second, we point with pride to the rapid improvement of the farmer
and his family, intellectually, socially, and morally in the past few years,
much of which is due to the just and fair remuneration he has received for
his daily toil.
"Third, that being citizens and taxpayers, we Jiave a right to a vital inter-
est in all matters of government that affect either the material or moral wel-
fare of the whole population of the country.
"Fourth, that as husbands and fathers who love our families and our
homes as we love our lives, we are steadfastly and forever opposed to any
custom, law. institution, or business whose tendency and effect is to debase
and degrade the children of men, and as the abolition of the saloons in Han-
cock county has removed from our midst one of the greatest evil influences
that lead men astray, we are unalterably opposed to the repeal of the county
local option law and demand its rigid and impartial enforcement.
"Fifth, whereas there is an increasing tendency for the creation of new
offices and commissions, and of office seekers, after elected, to want salaries
increased ;
"Resolved, that w^e do not favor the increase of offices and commissions
and are opposed to the increase of salaries until good men refuse to fill and
accept offices at the present salaries.
"Sixth, as our further influence as agriculturists depends upon the kind
of farms we have and the kind of men and women who farm them, be it
"Resolved, that as farmers we use our best efforts in the care, con-
venience and beautifying of our country homes, and the care and influence
in the educational and moral training of our children by encouraging our
rural schools and churches.
172 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
"That as courts and juries are very expensive, we urge the settling of
differences and disputes by arbitration.
"That we realize the great good our state university at Purdue is doing
toward education, which better prepares the younger generation to meet the
future needs of our country," etc.
Tn 1910. townshij) farmers' institutes were held at Shirley, Eden, Fort-
ville, Xew Palestine and Charlottesville. The most of these township insti-
tutes have been maintained since that time. In 1913 a "Purdue Short Course"
was given at Fort\ille. In 1914 arrangements were made for bringing a
similar train from Purdue to Greenfield with exhibits of grains, live stock,
etc., and lecturers who discussed the exhibits as well as other topics. In
Januarv', 1915, a resolution was adopted in favor of the appointment of a
county agent as provided for by the act of 191 5.
One cannot follow the history of the Hancock county farmers' institutes
during the past twenty-five years without feeling that the agricultural people
of this county have given expression to ideals that were pure and lofty. In
every endeavor they have been progressive: in all the resolutions adopted there
is not a single reactionarv note. E\ery position that has been taken on ques-
tions presented makes for purer homes and better living in the county.
The following are the men who have acted as president of the farmers'
institute and the dates of their election as far as it has been possible to make
the list complete. A number of the men served two or more years : Marion
Steele. 1890: J. F. Coffin, 1892: D. H. Goble, 1896: .\lonzo Tyner. 1898:
George Walker, 1900; Vard Finnell. 1902; Vard Finnell, 1903: E. C. Mar-
tindale, 1904; E. C. Martindale. 1905; George Walker. 1906; Joshua H. Bar-
rett, 1907; Richard Hagans, 1909; Thad Snow, George Walker. 1910;
John H. Souder, 1911 ; \\'alter K. Boyd, 1913: Ward Parnell, 1914.
Since 191 1 Isaac H. Day has been elected president of the board com-
posed of the jjresidents of the township institutes. .Ml funds appropriated
by law for the use of the farmers' institutes have been drawn in his name.
STORMS, CYCLONES, ETC.
Hancock county cannot lie said to lie within a storm region, yet on sev-
eral occasions within the last forty years a few destructive cyclones have
passed over the county. On June 5, 1880. such a storm passed over Sugar
Creek and Brandywine townships. On Jul\ 1. 1880. another cyclone passed
over Jackson and Brown townships, carrying away fences and doing much
damage to the crops. On May 12, 1886. a destructive cyclone passed over
\\''ilkinson.
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 173
On May J7, 18S8, anntlier stunii ])asse(l over the northern part of Sugar
Creek townsliip and thmugh Center and Jackson townships. The barn of
Chris Reasner. of Sugar Creek, was blown down. The roof of tlie Elhs
scliool house, east of Grcenfiekl. was taken off and left hanging m the top
of a tree near hv. Culti\'alors standing in the fields south of Gem were blown
as far as forty feet from where they had been left, and many gas well der-
ricks around Greenfield were blown down. Many other buildings in the
p;uh (if the storm were also seriously damage<l.
The most destructive cyclone that has ever passed oxer the county prob-
ably came on June 25, 190J. It will ne\er be forgotten by those who lived
within its course. The portion of the county receiving the greatest damage
extended from McCordsville eastward and s<iuth. All crops, including com.
wheat and oats, within its track, were completelv destroyed. .Much of the
straw was whipi)ed into the ground and covered with dirt by the rain that
followed. Much nf the corn was broken off level with the ground and the
rest I if it lay flat. There were few Iniildings of any kind within its range
I hat were not seriously damaged and by far the greater numl)er were prac-
tically destroyed. Orchards and forest trees were broken down, while the
rails from fences were carried for long distances through the air. .\ funeral
was being held at Cleveland, at which .\. \'. B. Sample, fnrmcr ck'rk of the
Hancock circuit court and a prominent teacher during his earlier life, was
killed. This storm worked a great hardship upon tenants, whose crops in
many instances were completeh destroyed and who had nothing left with
which to pay their rent.
EPIDEMICS.
.\n epidemic of smallpo.x in Buck Creek township ui 1847 is discussed
in the cha])ter on the "Practice of Medicine."
Since that time contagious diseases have fre(|ueinlv appeared in the
county. In fact hardly a scliool year has ])assed without the ap])earance of
Sf)me one nr nther n\ such diseases. During the winter (if i88i-8j. however,
small])ox was quite jjrevalent in the county, as well as in the state.
On I'^bruary i. 1882, the county board of health of Hancock countv
adopted the following rules governing vaccination, which had been adopted
by the state board of health on Jainiarv t, 1882:
I. .After January i. i88j, no ])erson until after thev have been success-
fully vaccinated shall be admitted into any public or private school or insti-
tution of learning within this state, either in the capacity of teacher or pupil,
and rdl persons admitted therein shall present to the ])rincipal thereof the
174 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
certificate of a reputable physician as to the fact of their being successfully
vaccinated.
2. It shall be the dutv of all unvaccinated persons within this state to
be successfully vaccinated within sixty days from January i, 1882. And ail
unvaccinated persons coming into this state shall be required to be vaccinated
within sixty days after coming into the state.
3. All children born within tiiis state shall be successfully vaccinated
within twelve months after birth. All vaccinations shall be with reliable
bovine virus.
The county board of health also adopted the following specific rule
relating to Hancock county :
"After March 3. 1882. all who attend the schools in any capacity will
be required to furnish a certificate of successful vaccination from a reputable
physician. School boards and township trustees are required to suspend all
pupils after March 3. 1882, who have not complied with the rules of the
health boards in reference to vaccination."
These rules created more or less excitement in the county, and at least
a few of our citizens gave expression to their feehngs through the columns
of the local papers. The following is an illustration from Green township :
"Editor Democrat : I wish to say a few words to the doctors of Green-
field about vaccination to save them from ruin and destruction ; that will
be their fate as sure as they attempt to enforce this law. as law they call it.
Our forefathers fought for freedom and independence, and why not we?
As we do not propose to be ruled by a king, as they would like to be called,
especially Dr. Howard, who is the foreman of the ring. There are five
hundred men ready now to come forward and show them that the giant pow-
der was not exhausted at New Palestine. As this vaccination is just to put
in the doctors' pockets a little more money, we want them to know we mean
business, sink or swim. As almost half of this countv have to work for the
pittance of fifty cents a day it is about all they can do to keep starvation from
their doors when they have families to support. But still, you have got to pay
Mr. Doctor fifty cents a piece for vaccination. And now, Mr. Editor, to
make a long story short, we will say the first man that is fined they had better
say their prayers for there is always a stopping place. Please print and save
trouble."
But not everylndy in Green township felt just like the writer, as may
be seen from the following paragraph taken from the Eden items :
"We noticed in the last number of the Democrat that there is a prospect
of a war to be waged against the M. D.'s of Greenfield if they attempt to
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 175
discharge their duties as prescribed by the state board of heaUh and enacted
by tlie Legislature of the state of Indiana. How could such an anny of men,
five hundred strong, be mustered into service from such a township as Green,
which only contains about three lumdred voters? Rise up, my little man,
and put your John Hancock to your communication. Let us see your height.
"Are you so tall that you can stand like some steeple high, that while your
feet are on the ground your hands could touch the sky ?'
"Notwithstanding the terrific threat made by one of Green township's
patriots last week in regard to vaccination, the giant powder has not been used
as yet, no blood has been spilled for the sake of freedom or independence, nor
has any poor soul as yet shuffled off this mortal coil at the hands of this
liberty-lovmg people. But, on the contrary, the people through this part of
Green township have cheerfully complied, like law-abiding citizens, with the
requirements of the state board of health. When thev go to beating up for
volunteers they need not come to Eden."
In 1902 a serious epidemic of smallpo.x broke out at Greenfield. A pest-
house was erected south of the city and east of State street, where a number
of patients were treated by Dr. J. P. Black.
Early in the spring of 19 14 smallpox in a light form broke out in differ-
ent localities of the county. An order was issued by County Health Com-
missioner Dr. Joseph L. Allen requiring all school children to be vaccinated.
There was again some opposition to the order, but by far the greater num-
ber of people complied therewith. The disease was so general in the county,
however, that but few schools finished their regular terms, and in several
townships they dismissed on different dates because of the absence of the
pupils.
SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF TUBERCULOSIS.
The Hancock County Society for the Prevention of Tuberculosis was
organized December 12, 1912, with the following officers: President, Joseph
L. Allen ; vice-president, Lucy H. Binford ; secretar}', Percy M. Gordon ;
treasurer, J- L. Smith : vice-presidents, Martha J. Elliott, Carthage, rural
route No. 21; Edgar Hope. Greenfield, rural route No. 4; J. A. Fort, Wil-
low; Mrs. J. P. Black, Greenfield: A. E. Curry, Greenfield, rural route No.
5; Cynthia Peacock. Charlottesville: Gertrude Ashcraft, Greenfield, rural
route No. 4 : J. W. Ray, Fortville.
Walter Hatfield, Miss Tillie New and Miss Selma Stephens have been
elected to fill the \acancies caused by the death of James L. Smith, and the
removal of Madames Gordon and Black, respectively, from the county. The
176 HANCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
membersliip consists of thirty-two lite members, one hundred annual con-
tributing members, three hundred honorary members and ten advisory mem-
bers.
The first work of the society was the selling of Red Cross Christmas
seals, which netted fifty-three dollars and forty-nine cents. The society col-
lected two hundred and se\enty-seven dollars for the relief of flood sufferers
in Indiana in IQ13. It lias had three patients in the state sanitarium at Rock-
\ille. Indiana.
The present officers are : President, Joseph L. Allen ; \ice-])resldent.
Lucy H. Binford: secretary. Tillie Xew; treasurer. Walter Hatfield.
H.XNCOCK COUXTV FEDER.VTIOX OF COLXTRV CLUBS.
A federation of the country clubs was effected in March, 1914. with the
following officers: President, Mrs. Iduna AI. Barrett, Greenfield; vice-presi-
dent, Miss Edith J. Hunt. Charlottesville: secretary. Miss Hazel Parnell.
Greenfield, rural route No. 3: treasurer, Mrs. Harry Porter, Morristown.
The object of the federation, as stated in the constitution, is the "consid-
eration of questions pertaining to social, educational or literary matters and
methods for the best culture and advancement of the county."
The charter members of tlie organization were as follow : County Lit-
erary Club (Blue River and Brandywine townships). 1903: Western Grove
Woman's Club (Blue River township), 1910: Thursday Circle (Charlottes-
ville), 191 1 : Klover Reading Klub (Brandywine township), 1912: Four
Corners Society (Blue River township), 1912: Westland Ladies' Sunshine
Club (Blue River township), 1913.
Tlie I'riscilla Club, organized in kjij ( B)]iic l\i\cr townshiii). united
'&
with the federation in the spring of 191 5. There are several other country
clubs that do not belong to the county federation.
NEWSPAPERS.
Following is a synopsis of the life of each newspaper published in tlie
countv since the date of its organization, as far as it has lieen ]iossible to make
the list complete. The Home and School I'isifor and The Independent Med-
ical hn'esti<!;ator are discussed elsewhere.
77k' Coon Shin was a Democratic sheet published at Greenfield by Joseph
Chapman. John Hardin Scott, now eighty-six years of age, has a clear recol-
lection of the paper in the jiolitical campaign of 1844. The publication of
the Coon Skin was suspended not later than the outbreak of the Mexican
War when Chapman enlisted.
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 17/
The Greenfield Reveille, published January i. 1845. l)y Jonathan H.
Hunt as puhlislicr. and James II. llunl as editor and proprietor. It was a
Whig organ. pubHshed weekly.
The Ini'estigator, published at Greenfield in 1847 hv Mitchell \'aughn ;
later by K. .\. Riley. Riley was prominent in the county Democratic con-
vention in 1845, '^""J ''^ 's probable that the Ini'estigafor was a Democratic
newspaper.
The Greenfield Spectator, published September i, 1848. by John Myers;
John D. Doughty, editor. The policy of the jiaper was expressed in prominent
letters across the top of its front page, "Neutral in politics, devoted to litera-
ture, science, arts, ag'riculture, miscellany, markets, general intelligence, etc.,
etc." A large part of this paper was given to stories and poetry.
The family Friend. — When the old court house was offered for sale in
1854 the county auditor was ordered by the county commissioners to adver-
tise the sale therenf in the I'aniily Friend. Mrs. Permelia Thayer has a clear
recollection of the paper. It seems to ha\-e been similar to the Greenfield
Spectator.
.-Unerican Patriot was published in March, 1S54, by J. P. Hinshaw. It
was a four-page sheet, "independent in all things, neutral in none." It was
devoted to "pure literature, morals, temperance in all things, agriculture,
commercial and general intelligence." Its publication was sus]:)ended after
a year or two.
The Greenfield Sentinel, a weekly newspaper publishetl in 185; bv
Thomas D. W'alpole, and was later edited for a time by William Miichell.
Democratic.
The Hancock Democrat, pulilished in 1859 b_\- a slock companv com-
posed of .Xdble W;irrum, D. S. Gooding, William K. \\'cst and George Y.
.Atkison. Judge Ciooding was editor-in-chief for several years, and William
Mitchell, local editor. Before the close of the Civil War William Mitchell
assumed full control of the ])aper. John V. Mitchell took charge in 1876.
John F. Mitchell. Jr., entered tin; fimi in 1907. Has alwa\-s been a Dem-
ocratic newspaper except during the Civil War. when it became the countv
organ of the Union party. Xow published by the William Mitchell Printing
Company.
Constitution and I'nion. publi-^hed in January. 1861. by Lee O. Harris.
Publication suspended after about two months. Issued in the cause of pre-
serving the National Union.
Family Visitor, published in 1864 bv a man named Wright. Later trans-
(12)'
1/8 HANCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
ferred to a Mr. Hinshaw. Seems to have been a sheet similar to tlie Green-
field Spectator, described above.
The Greenfield Commercial, Republican newspaper, published in 1867
by Amos Beeson ; later by L. E. Rumrill. Was published for several years.
The Greenfield Nezvs, a weekly newspaper published during the seven-
ties by \\''illiam Walker and Walter Hartpence. Republican.
Greenfield Republican, Republican newspaper, published a short time
during the seventies by D. B. Deem.
The Jeffersonian, published in June, 1878, by R. G. Strickland. Dem-
ocratic. Bought in 1890 by Gus Morton and Charles Teel. Bought bv Eu-
gene Lewis in 1892 and name changed to The Greenfield Herald. Purchased
in 1893 by S. S. Boots and shortly thereafter taken over by the Herald Pub-
lishing Companw Publication suspended about 1906.
The Greenfield Herald, Democratic; 1893, as stated above.
Greenfield Republican, a Republican newspaper, published in 1880 by
Robison & Cooper. Later owned by Nixon, Henry Marsh and Robert Lynn.
Purchased by W. S. JMontgomery in May, 1888. Sold by Mr. Montgomery
to Newton R. Spencer in February, 1910. Now published by Spencer Pub-
lishing Company.
The Tooth Pick, published for "forty days and forty nights" in 1885 by
Marry G. Strickland, Noble Warrum, Jr., and R. E. Bragg. Humorous
sheet. Printed on paper of various colors. Pony delivery. Daily Pub-
lished at Jeffersonian office.
The Tribune, daily, published at Greenfield by Howard Branham about
1888. Later by Charles Pauley and Austin Boots. At first independent in
politics. Later had Democratic tendencies. Purchased by W. S. Mont-
gomery', proprietor of the Greenfield Republican and Daily Republican.
Tribune and Daily Republican merged under name of The Tribune about 1895.
Daily Republican. — Daily Republican sheet, published by W. S. Mont-
gomery in NoNcmber. 1893, and merged with The Tribune.
Daily Democrat. — Daily Democratic paper, published by William
Mitchell Printing Company during the political campaign of 1900. John
Hufford, editor.
Evening Star. — Non-partisan. Published in August. 1906. by Eugene
Royden. Purchased by Ben Strickland and Newton R. Spencer, December i,
1906, who soon afterward sold a third interest to Eugene E. Davis. Pub-
lished at the Globe plant.
Greenfield Daily Reporter. — Non-partisan. Published by Newton R.
Spencer. April 27. 1908. Bought Evening Star and published both as Green^
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 179
field Daily Reporter in February, 1909. Took over The Tribune in February,
1910, and has since published both as The Greenfield Daily Reporter. Now
pubhshed by Spencer Pubhshing Company.
Fortville Journal, published for a few months, about 1879 or 1880, !)y
George Hacker and Mr. Melton. Local news.
fortville Journal, published in September, 1883. Burned in December,
1883. Reestablished in 1884. Ovvned and published by Green & Williams,
\y. S. Rader, W. S. Nagle. Name changed to Fortville Sun m February,
1886. Local news.
Fortville Sun. — February, 1886. Sold to George E. Simmons in May,
1887. Other owners, Cal Gault, Lon Graffort and John C. Jenkins. Was
the organ of the Farmers' Alliance in the campaign of 1882; S. B. Prater,
editor. Destroyed by fire in 1893. Reestablished in 1894. Publication
suspended in 1895. Local news.
Fortville Tribune, established in fall of 1893 by Robert Maranville.
Other owners, Ora Pogue and George Simmons. Purchased in April, 1909,
by Gus E. Stuart, the present editor and proprietor. Local news.
Th^ Fortz-ille Reporter, published for about three months during the fall
of 1901 by Gus E. Stuart.
Nexv Palestine Star, weekly ; published at New Palestine bv Julius C.
Melton in 1887. Suspended after a year or two.
Nezv Palestine Courier, weekly; published by a company of persons in
1883. William Parish took charge in November, 1895. Discontinued in
April, 1897. Local news.
A'eu' Palestine Neii's. weekly, published in September, 1897, by Julius
C. Melton. Local news. Suspended in September, 1899.
Ne?i' Palestine Nezcs, weekly, published February 15, 1900, by George
Metzger. Purchased by Paul Bell. Suspended in May, 1903. Local news.
Wilkinson Herald, first published at Wilkinson about 1897 by Dr. B. H.
Cook. Moved to Shirley about 1899 and sold to Frank Martindale and name
changed to Shirley-Wilkinson Nezt's. Local news.
Shirley-Wilkinson Nczi'S, first published at Shirley about 1899 by Mar-
tindale and later by his son. Sold to one McClain who changed the name
to Shirley Gazette. Local news.
Shirley Enterprise, estaljlished about 1901 and published for two or
three years. Local news.
Shirley Gazette, first published at Shirley about 190 1 by McQain. Later
owned by one Gordon and C. B. Shields. Name changed to Shirley Nex^'s
about 1905. Local news.
l8o HAXCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
Shirley Nezcs. first pul)lislie(l aliout 1005. Xow owned and published
by Roy Ensimger.
WUkinson Gazette. pubHshed August 29, 1907. by A. L. Goodwin.
Local news. Discontinued after a few months.
Charlotteszille Neix's, weekly, published for a year or two about 188S
by Otto Bennett. Local news.
Home and Farm, published by S. C; Rhue at Charlottesville in .Septem-
ber, 1906. Suspended in a short time.
The following newspapers are now published in the county : The Han-
cock Democrat. Greenfield Republican. Greenfield Daily Reporter. Portx-ille
Tribune and Shirley Nen-s.
AERIAL NAVIGATION.
(William R. Hough, in Hancock Detiiocral.)
One day in the summer of i<S5Q or i860, as to wiiich of these years it was
mv memory does not now exactly serve me. the citizens of our then little town
had their curiosity somewhat aroused by the discovery of a number of
quarter-size jirinted posters tacked up in several of the most public places in
town, announcing that on a certain evening in the following week this man.
Joint .\lley. would deliver a lecture at the court house on the subject of
aerial navigation. At the appointed time it was my good fortime to ])e pres-
ent with a considerable number of other of our citizens, and to hear advanced
what we then regarded with amusement as the vagaries of an eccentric, if
not an unbalanced, mind. His ideas in relation to the construction and opera-
tion of a flying machine were not well matured, but were \ague and incon-
clusixe. and the lecture did not meet the expectations which the contents of
the posters announcing the same liad excited in the minds of his audience.
His ability as a poet and prophet was l^etter evidenced by the contents
of tlie ])osters than liy the lecture. These posters were so much out of the
ordinary and of such interest to me that I have never forgotten the principal
features tliey contained, and they were \ery vividly recalled to my mind by
the successful operation of the flying machines which I witnessed at the
exhibition at the Speedway, near Indianapolis, a few days since, and in
which I witnessed so complete a fulfillment of the prophecy contained in
them that I feel impelled to give it the publicity which I think it deserves by
asking a place for it in the columns of the Star, and so to do what I may
toward the perpetuation of the memory of one who has hitherto Ijeen "to
dumb forgetfulness a prey." although entitled to rank as a true prophet of
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. l8l
modern times. The to\) line nf the posters read as follows: "T'ly. fly. cleave
the sky: if a man can't, pray tell mc why!" Then the date, the subject of the
lecture and the name of the lecturer was given, and then came the closing
prophetic poem, as follows :
"The time long looked for is at hand,
When man, grown tired of sea and land.
On artificial wings shall fly
And navigate the liquid sky.
Xot in balloon made fast to lioat.
And only with the winds to float.
But, moiinted on a flying car.
He'll steer his course through trackless air,
Cross counter winds, confront to breeze.
And over mountains, lakes and seas,
Survey all nations with delight.
Outride the eagle in his flight.
And teach the world from freedom's home
To every land where man may roam,
The light of science, re\-elation,
Man's high eternal destination.''
This backwoods seer, "to fortune and to fame unknown," a few short
years after the delivery of the lecture mentioned, in 1863, without having
created more than a ripple of amusement in the minds of his unsophisticated
neighbors, by this, in the light of the present day, most remarkable prophecy,
"died without the sight" of its fulfillment and, freed from the limitations of
his poor unprepossessing physical habitation he passed into the life invisible
"unhonored and unsung."
CHAPTER VI.
EDUCATION.
BASIS OF SCHOOL FUND.
It will be recalled that the first step toward the establishment of a
school fund was taken by the Continental Congress in adopting the ordinance
of May 20, 1785. This ordinance provided that section 16 in each township
should be reserved for the maintenance of the public schools within that
township. Under the early laws of the state the custody and control of this
land were given to the trustees of the respective townships, and among the
first acts of the board of county commissioners of Hancock county after the
organization of the board was the appointment of trustees for each of these
school sections. These trustees, with a few changes in the law from time
to time, had power to lease such lands for any term not to exceed three
years, taking rents payable in money, property or improvements to be made
on the real estate. If directed by a majority of the qualified voters of the
township such leases could be made for any term not exceeding ten years.
For a longer term a special act of the Legislature was necessary, and such an
act was approved January 24, 1828, permitting the trustees of section 16,
town.ship 15 north, range 7 east fin Brandy wine township), to lease a part of
said section to Othniel H. Sweem for a period of twenty years for the pur-
pose of building and operating a mill thereon. The trustees had and exer-
cised all the rights and powers of a landlord in coercing the fulfillment of
contracts relating to such lands and prexenting waste or damage. By an act
approved January 23, 1829, ^"y ^'^'^ freeholders in any township could call
a meeting of the voters to determine whether the school section in that town-
ship should be sold. A few years later another law was passed providing
that at any time when five qualified voters of any congressional township
should petition the trustees of such township, setting forth their desire for a
sale of such land, said trustees should insert in the notices for the annual
election of ti-ustees, the further notice that a balloting would be had to
determine whether the land so petitioned for should be sold. At the time of
the election each voter favoring the sale of such land wrote on his ballot the
word "sale" ; if opposed, he wrote the words "no sale." If a majority voted
in favor of the sale, the land was sold. In some of the counties of the state
X82
EDUCATION. 183
this land was managed for many years in accordance with the provisions
of these statutes, and the income therefrom was used for the maintenance
of the schools. In Hancock county, however, these sections were sold soon
after the county was organized. The dates of the sales are as follow :
Sections 16, 15, 7, Brandywine — April 5, 1830.
Sections 16, 16, 7, Center — July 28, 1830.
Sections 16, 15, 8, Blue River — November 15, 1830.
Sections 16, 15, 6, Sugar Creek — October 29, 1830, to January 7, 1833.
Sections 16, 16, 8, Jackson — July i, 1831, to March 8, 1833.
Sections 16, 17, 7, Green — February i, 1834, to February 6. 1837.
Sections 16, 17, 8, Brown — November 21, 1835.
Sections 16, 17, 6, Vernon — November 16, 1841, to December 17, 1830.
Sections 16, 16, 6, Buck Creek — January 2, 1845, to November 28, 1849.
The most of the school land in Hancock county sold at one dollar and
twenty-five cents per acre, although a few tracts brought from three dollars
to five dollars per acre.
COUNTY SCHOOL COMMISSIOXERS.
Before the office of county auditor was created the countv school com-
missioners sold school lands, loaned and accounted for the school funds, and
distrilnited the proceeds thereof to the wirious school corporations. In Flan-
cock county the school commissioners sold practically all of the school sec-
tions before the first county auditor was elected. The duties of the county
school commissioners were at first shared and finally taken over entirely bv
the county auditor. The men who filled the office of school commissioner
from 1830 to 1852 were: Meredith Go.sney, John Justice, William Johnson,
Asa Gooding, James D. Henry, Morris Pierson, John Avery, J. Etter, J.
Tharp, Orlando Crane.
TOWXSIIIP GOVERNMENT PRIOR TO 1859.
L'ntil 1839. with a few minor changes, the business of each township
was managed by a Ijoard of three trustees. At the first election in each
township one trustee was elected for one year, another for two vears, and a
third for three years. Afterward one tnistee was elected at each annual
election for a term of three years. The board appointed one of its members
clerk, who was ex-officio president of the board. It was his duty to call
meetings, to keep a record of the proceedings of each meeting, to record and
plat the school districts, and to do such other things as the trustees should
184 HAXCOCK COCXTV, IXDIAXA.
order him to do. Anotlier member was appointed treasurer. It was his
duty to receive all rents, profits, interest, etc.. belonging to his township, to
pay out the same according to orders of the board; to keep accurate accounts
of his receipts and expenditures and to make reports to the board of the
financial condition of the township when required by the board to do so.
Each board also divided its township into school districts as circumstances
required. In fact, the school districts as we now know them, were, for the
most part, laid out by these township boards. They caused the districts to
be organized, and when established caused a notice to be given of the first
general meeting for the election of district trustees. They reported to the
county school commissioner, and later to the county auditor, the enumeration
of all children between the ages of five and twenty-one years, resident within
the township. They divided semi-annually the school funds received into
the township treasury, among the districts within the township.
DISTRICT MANAGEMEXT PRIOR TO 1859.
.Ml school districts that had been organized prior to 1843 ^^ere recog-
nized and confirmed as such by a statute of that year. Each when organized
became a body corporate by the name of "School District No. — . of Tow-n-
ship No. — , in Range No. - — , in the County of , in the State of
Indiana." The districts as laid out, and as numbered under this act of 1843,
are still generally know n Ijy such numbers in Hancock county.
The business of each district, with some minor changes again, was trans-
acted b}- three trustees, also elected for a term of three years. In case of a
tie the election was settled by lot in the presence of the inspector. The dis-
trict trustees took their certificates of election from the hand of the township
clerk. This board appointed one member clerk and another treasurer. They
met when any district Inisiness required and gave notice of all elections and
meetings of the voters of the district. \\"henever there was a meeting of
voters of the district one of the trustees presided, the clerk, if present, other-
wise the treasurer. In the absence of both the third member of the board
presided. The person presiding kept a record of the proceedings and votes
of the meetings and entered them on the record book of the district. The
general powers and duties of the trustees are set out in the following para-
graph of the statute :
"The trustees shall make all contracts, purchases, payments and sales
necessary to carry out the vote of the district, for the procuring of anv site
for a school house, building, hiring, repairing, or furnishing the same, or dis-
posing thereof, or for the keeping of any school therein; and in the absence
EDUCATION. 185
of instructions l)y a district meetinsr may contract witli a teacher, to be paid
in whole or in part out of the pubhc funds, or l^y persons sending in due pro-
portion, or according to their private subscriptions."
The\" also kept a record of all voters in Ihe district and of the number
of children in each family between five and twenty-one years of age, and
had the right to determine what branches should be taught in their district
school, provided they were such as were generally taught.
DISTRICT MEETINGS PRIOR TO 1859.
The law ])ro\i(led for a general meeting of the \-oters of each district
to be held 1)11 the first Salurda}' of October of each year. Special meetings
could be called at any time. To be entitled to vote at these meetings one had
to be a resident of the district and also either a freeholder, or a householder
with children of school age. x\t these meetings district trustees were elected
or vacancies filled. The people also had the right to designate the site for
a school house ; to direct the building, hiring or purchase of a school house
or site for the same, and to fix the sum to be expended therefor, or for the
furniture or library therefore, and for the keeping of the same in repair.
They also had the right to direct the sale of any sclinol house or the site
thereof, or of any property, real or personal, belonging to the district. They
could determine the length of the school term and the manner in wdiich the
teacher should be paid, and could also direct what part of their distributive
share of the school funds should be applied to the purchase of a site for a
school house or for the building thereof. The school sites in Hancock county
were not very expensive in those days and it was a \'er3- common ])ractice
for a donation, usually of a half acre, to l)e made l>y someone for school pur-
poses. ]\lany of the school sites are still held li}- the townships bv \irtue of
these deeds. In order to expedite the construction of school houses an act
of 1843 provided that the inhabitants of each district should have the power
of assessing a "lalior tax," or uf determining the anmunt of work to l)e done
by each able-bodied white male resident of the district between the ages of
twenty-one and fifty years toward building a school hou.se, not to exceed two
days work for each : or they could dctemiine the amount of monev to be
paid as a tax instead of i)crforming such labor. By the act of 1S43 ^'^^ ^<i^
for school purposes was limited to twenty-five cents on the hundred dollars.
h'rom the earliest days of the county the people of the districts exercised
their rights under the law. The hardy pioneers, clad in homespun, repaired
tn the little log school house with its puncheon floor, oiled-paper windows,
huge fireplace .'nd nnigh hewn seats, and there deliberated upon then- local
l86 HAXCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
affairs. If one of the district trustees was present he presided. In the
absence of all members of the district board some otlier person opened the
meeting. Matters considered were settled by vote. The decision was reported
to the district trustees who made it a part of their official record. Not the
least among the matters settled each fall was the question as to who should
teach the district school during the coming term. The selection of the teacher
by the district meeting finally came to be the established custom in many
localities of the county. In fact it prevailed in some communities for many
years after the present township trustee law was passed in 1839. In 1864,
for instance, the following bit of record was entered on his books by Lemuel
Hackleman, trustee of Blue River township :
"April 22, 1864.
"Samuel B. Hill, director for district No. i, Blue River township, Han-
cock county, Indiana, reports verbally that the citizens of said district have
unanimously consented to employ Margaret Brown to teach a school in said
district the fourteen days due said district ; said Margaret Brown shall receive
one dollar and ten and one-half cents per day, tlie balance of the time a com-
pensation of fifteen dollars per month ; therefore we ask the trustee to employ
said Margaret Brown and we wish lialf the public money applied.
"Samuel B. Hill.
"Director."
Following the abo\e entry appears the contract of the trustee with
Miss Brown as teacher.
As late as 1882 the county iioard of education of Hancock county con-
sidered the advisability of pemiitting the people of the districts to select the
teachers for their schools. In the minutes of the May meeting of the board in
1882 appears the following: "The question of allowing school meetings to
select teachers was discussed at some length by the board. It was generally
conceded that the better and safer plan was for the trustees to select and
employ the teacher."
In many localities, however, the teachers were "elected" at the district
meetings until about 1890. In other localities the selection was left to the
township trustees.
The first schools of the county were subscription schools. During the
days of the subscription school it was the custom for a teacher to canvass
the district and secure as many signatures and as large an enrollment on his
"paper" as possible. \\'hen a teacher had secured the subscription of the
people of the district, the district trustees employed him in case public money
was also to be used in defraying the expenses of the school. In this instance
EDUCATION. 187
the district determined by petition what was in other localities settled by
district meeting.
MANIPULATION OF SCHOOL FUNDS.
First, the district trustees of each school district took the enumeration
of the children within tlieir district Ijetween the ages of five and twenty-one
years and reported the same to the township clerk. The township clerk then
made a report for his entire township, first to the school commissioner, and
after 1841 to the county auditor. The county auditor then apportioned the
school funds to the different townships on the basis of the enumeration.
When the amount due each township had been determined the township
trustees ordered the county auditor to pay the same to the township treasurer.
The township treasurer then apportioned this amount to the different dis-
tricts of his township upon the basis of their enumeration. The sum due
any district was paid to the district treasurer upon the order of the township
clerk, granted upon the order of the district trustees, certified by their clerk,
directing the treasurer to draw the same.
The township and district records of Hancock county previous to 1859
have nearly all been lost. In one of these old trustees' records, however, we
find receipts like the following:
"March 4, 1839.
"Received of James D. Henry, School Commissioner of Hancock County,
one hundred and fifty dollars and six and one- fourth cents for Township 15,
Range 8 East, (Blue River) by me, A. Allen, T. T."
In this record we also find the first steps taken toward getting a share
of the school fund, and also some of the orders made by the district trustees
directing the township treasurer to pay to the district treasurer the monev due
the district. The following are taken from the township record kept by
Adam Allen, township treasurer :
"State of Indiana, Hancock County :
"Personally appeared before me, A. Allen, treasurer Congressional
Township 15, in Range 8, in the County of Hancock and Rush, Samuel
Brown, Treasurer of School District No. 3 in said Township, who says on
oath that there is in said district a school house of convenient size with suf-
ficient light and that it is finished so as to render the teacher and pupils com-
fortable.
(Signed) "Samuel Brown,
".Affirmed and subscribed before me this 26th day of February. 1839.
"A. Allen,
"Treasurer of T. 15. R. 8."
l88 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
I'ollowing- is an order for money on the townsliip treasurer, to lie applied
toward finishing a school house :
•'We, Elihu Coffin, Samuel Brown, James Hazlett, trustees of School
District N. 2 Township N. 15 N. of R. 8 E. in the district of lands at Indian-
apolis, in the county of Rush and Hancock do hereby order and direct the
sum of thirty dollars for the use of finishing the School House in said dis-
trict and wish the township treasurer to pay the money to Samuel Brown,
district treasurer. Given under our hands this February 28, 1839.
"Elihu Coffin,
"S.'VMUEL Brown,
"James Hazlett."
Below are two orders for money to be applied toward paying the
teachers :
"State of Indiana, Hancock County, March 16, 1839:
"We the undersigned trustees of school district N. 8 in Township 15,
Range 8, East in said County, do order and direct that our proportion thirty-
nine dollars of said Township shall be applied for the purpose of paying our
school teacher James McAdams for the term of three months past, for which
we wish the Township Treasurer for that purpose to pay the above named
sum over to our district treasurer, Isaac Adams.
"Isaac Adams,
"Caleb Holding,
"Lewis T. Adams."
"We, David Smith, John Hunter, and Harrison James, Citizens of
School District. No. 4 in Township 15, Range 8 East of Lands sold at
Indianapolis in the County of Hancock, have employed a teacher to teach
our children in said district school for the term of three months as a private
school and we wish the Town.ship Treasurer to pay us our portion of the
school funds in his hands this ^larch the 8th. 1841.
"David Smith,
"John Hunter,
"Harrison James."
the COUNTY seminary.
The state Constitution of 18 16 made provision for the establishment of a
public school system from the primary- grades to tlie state university. The
early statutes of the state provided for the estalilishment of a seminary in
each county. The fund used for building such a school was derived from
OLD COUNTY SEMINARY
EDUCATION. 189
moneys paid as an equivalent by persons exempt from militia duty, wliich was
divided by the state among the counties equally, and of all fines assessed for
any breach of the penal law, which fines were applied in the counties where
assessed. The count}- commissioners at once after the organization of their
biiard in iS_'8. appointed Meredith Gosne}- trustee of the seminary
fund ()f Hancock county for a term of three years. In 1829 Benjamin Spill-
man was ap])ointed as such trustee "in the room of Meredith Gosney, re-
signed." In 1832 Edward B. Chittenden was appointed. These men and
their successors in office collected the fees assessed, etc., and kept the same
on interest until September 3, 1842, when the report of A. M. Pattison, W.
M. Johnson and J. Mathers, trustees of the seminar}-, shows that they had on
hands bonds and notes and moneys amounting in all to one thousand and
forty-three dollars and seventeen cents. This was sufficient to liegin the
construction of a building.
On January 8, 1842, Morris Pierson and his wife. Elizaljeth, conve}-e(l to
the trustees of the seminary a plot of ground twelve rods square, "to be
appropriated to the exclusive use of a county seminary to be thereon erected."
This ground was located just south of the corner of South Pennsylvania
and South streets. The seminaiy building erected thereon stood on ground
now occupied by South Penns}l\-ania street, just niM'lh of the railroad.
On August 23, 1843, the trustees entered into a contract with Cornwall
Meek, "for the construction of the walls and roofing, and enclosing of a
seminary building on a lot adjoining the town of Greenfield in said county —
the size of the Iiuilding to be thirty by forty feet — and the contractor to com-
plete the work by the fifteenth day of Novemlier. .\. D. 1842.
"In consideration of which the said trustees are to pav to the said Corn-
wall Meek as a full consideration for said contract the sum of six rlollars and
fifty cents per thousand for the brick work, to be measured in the wall — and
six hundred and seventy-five dollars for the carpenter work, and lumber-
payments to be made as follows: — The sum of one thmisand and sixteen dol-
lars and fi\-e cents cash obligations to be paid so soon as the said Cornwall
Meek files with the said trustees a bond for the faithful performance of said
contract — and the remaining balance to be paid to the said ^leek as soon as
the same shall be collected by said Trustees."
John h'lder drew the plans and specifications for the building, for which
he received twelve dollars.
The following notice taken from a September issue of the Greenfield
Spectator, 1848, gives a good idea of the schools, its curriculum, etc. :
igO HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
"HANCOCK SEMINARY.
"The undersigned will commence his Second Term of School in the
above building, on Monday, the 24th day of September, 1848, assisted by
Miss M. Walls.
"Rates of Tuition:
"For Spelling, Reading, and Writing $2.00
"For Geography and Arithmetic, with the above branches. . . . 2.50
"For Grammar, with tlie above branches, and any of the pri-
mary branches of an English education 3.00
"For any of tlie higher branches, including Philosophy, Astron-
omy, Botany, Chemistry, Geometrj^ Plane and Spherical
Trigonometr}-, Algebra, Surveying, Navigation, and
Latin 4.00
"P. Lawyer."
The following paragraph taken from tlie same issue of the Spcctcftor
also indicates some of the difficulties that were encountered by the profession
under the old system :
"in want of 'dimes.'
"The undersigned takes this method of informing those who are indebted
to him for tuition for last quarter to call and settle witli him before the l)egin-
ning of the next. P. Lawyer."
.Another teacher in the seminar)- was William T. Hatch, who taught
until 1850. He was followed by John \\'ilson. H. R. Morley and James L.
Mason, who taught successively until 1854. Though the building was erected
by the county, it was before the days of the free school system, and parents
paid tuition for their children who attended just the same as those who sent
to the subscription schools in the districts.
From December, 1854, until June, 1855, the seminary building was used
ns a court house. At the June term, in 1855, the county commissioners
ordered the county auditor and treasurer to proceed to sell the property
known as the county seminary in accordance with the provision of an act
approved June 12, 1852.
After the county had disposed of its interest in the property of the
seminary, another school was established and conducted in the same building
for several years which was attended by students from all parts of the county
and from surrounding counties. This was the school known as
EDUCATION. 191
GREENFIELD ACADEMY.
In the issue of the American Patriot of February 28, 1855, notice was
given that the first term of the (ireenficlcl Academy would commence at the
Metiiodist church on March 12, 1855. The school year was divided into three
terms of fourteen weeks each, with tuition as follows : Collegiate studies,
$7.50: academic, $5.00; primary, $3.00. A. D. Cunningham was named as
principal. Ji-'lin Herod had taught in the new school on North street during
the same winter. Another school under the same was started in December,
1857, by the Rev. David Monfort, a Presbyterian minister.
The following paragraphs, taken from its catalogue issued in i860, gives
a good idea of its work :
"Course of Study.
"The Course of study recently introduced, embraces in the Scientific
Department, all the branches of Mathematics, Natural Science, Philosophy,
History and English Literature, usually taught in colleges ; and in the Classi-
cal Deparlment all that is required to prepare the student for entering the
Junior Class in the best colleges of the West.
"Location. Facilities, and Ilcalth.
"Greenfield Academy is located at Greenfield, Hancock County, Indiana,
twenty miles east of Indianapolis, on the Indiana Central Railway. It is a'
pleasant and retired village, where the student is under the best social in-
fluence and free from the temptations and vices of more populous towns.
Good boarding can be had at private houses from $2.00 to $2.50 per week.
"Go'i'crnuiciit.
"The government of the Academ\- will be maintained, as far as possible,
by an affectionate appeal to reason, common sense, and the higher moral feel-
ings, rather than by stern command or excessive punishment. The govern-
ment is MILD, yet FIRM, encouraging the timorous and checking the way-
ward.
"Religions.
"The lalx)rs of each day are commenced by reading the Word of God,
with brief explanations and practical applications, and invoking the Divine
blessing and direction. All pupils are required to attend these exercises.
"There are three churches in Greenfield : The Christian, the Methodist,
and the Presbyterian. The student is left to iiis own choice as to which of
these he will attend.
192 IIANXOCK COUXTY, IXDIAXA.
'luiiiiccincHts to Teachers.
''Special pains are taken with young ladies and gentlemen wlio are desir-
ous of qualifying themselves for teaching.
'"Since the Academy was established, about t\\enty-fi\e of the pupils have
engaged in teaching in this and the adjoining states, and so far as we are
informed they have been successful.
"MiisicLil Department.
"We would especially invite attention to the Musical Department which
is under the care of Miss Fannie Martin, an able and exi>erienced teacher,
where great facilities will be afforded to young ladies for the development of
musical talent, which will meet the highest demand of the age."
The academy maintained three departments. The subjects taught in
each department, with the tuition per term of fourteen weeks, were as follow :
"Primary Department.
"Spelling, Reading to the fourth l^ook, first part .Xrithmetic and
Primary Geograpliy $3-50
"Middle Department.
"Mental and Practical .\rithmetic. Geography, English. Gram-
mar. History. Penmansliip. Composition, and Declama-
tion $5.50
"Classical Department.
"Latin. Greek, .\lgebra. Geometry. Surveying. Bookkeeping.
Natural Philosophy. Mental Philosophy. Moral Science.
Rhetoric. Logic. Physiolog}\ Botany, Chemistry, Geology,
Astronomy, etc $8.50
"Snmmary.
"Number of ptipils in Classical Department 34
"Number of pupils in Middle Department 74
"Number of pupils in Primary Department 138
"Total diuMug year 246
"Board of Directors.
"R. E. Barnctt. M. D.. president; Hon. R. .\. Riley, secretary: George
Walker, treasurer.
EDUCATION. 193
"Board of fiislntctors.
"]. H. Stevenson, A. B., and J. R. Hall. Joint Principals and Teachers
of Classical Department; J. R. Silver, Teacher in Middle Department; Miss
Mazie P. Hall and Miss Sarah Stevenson, Teachers in Middle and Primary
Departments ; Miss Narcie V. Lochwood and Miss Fannie Martin, Teachers
in Musical Department."
On the student list appear the names of Hamilton J. Dunbar. Bell Reed,
Henry Snow, Isaac R. Davis, Flora T. Howard. Thomas H. Offutt. Willie
M. Pierson, Richard Warrum, Bell Boyd, Emma Lineback, California Offutt,
Willie Swope, Sarah Oshorn, Edwin Howard, Oscar AI. Barnett, Nannie
Foley. Berrysills Johnston, J. E. Earles. Mary E. Longnaker, A. V. B. Sam-
ple, Warsaw Barnett, John Davis, Almond Keifer, Sophronia Ogg, James
Riley, Noah Bixler, George W. Carr. Jerry Martin, Melvina Ryan, Lizzie
Welling, Pet Guyman, William H. Duncan, Wilson Chandler, Jehu Heaven-
ridge. W. H. H. Judkins, C. G. Offutt, Asa E. Sample. James R. Boyd. Inez
L. Guinn, Cerena Martin. Fannie Pierson. Levi Thayer, Josephine Boyd,
Eliza J. Hammell. John Mitchell, Mary C. Swope, William Wood. Cindie
Gebhart, William Pratt, Sue Foley. Elizabeth M. Galbreath, John A. Guyraan.
COUNTY LIBRARY.
It is rather interesting to obseiwe that when Hancock county was carved
out of the wilderness, the act providing for its organization contained the
following section :
"The agent who shall be appointed to su])erintend the sale of lots at
the county seat of the county of Hancock shall reserve ten per cent, out of the
proceeds thereof, and out of all donations to said county, and pav the same
over to such person or persons as may be appointed by law for the use of
the library of said county, which he or his successors shall pay over at such
time and in such maimer as shall be directed bv law."
This section gave a source of revenue for building up a library in the
county. From time to time report was made of this money to the county
commissioners. At first the county agent had charge of the fund, but later
trustees of the county library were appointed by the board. Among the first
trustees were Lewis Tyner, Harry Pierson, Lot Edwards. Benjamin Spell-
man, John Sweens, John S. Ogg and John Foster. At the March term. 1833.
Joshua Meek and Leonard Bardwcll were appointed trustees in the place of
Ogg and Foster, resigned, "to serve until their successors are elected and
qualified." In 1843 Otho Gapen was appointed. Books were purchased by
(13)
194 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
tliese trustees Iruni time to time, and a lil)rarian was appt)inted to care for
the books. Gradually. ho\ve\er. they disappeared and were lost. Tiie United
States census report of 1850 shows one public librai")- in the county with two
hundred volumes. But the following report of W. R. West, librarian, made
in December, 185 1, with the accompanying entry on the commissioners' rec-
ord, constitutes about tine last ciiapter on the count}- library :
"To the Honorable Board uf Commiissioners of Hancock county :
"I would respectfully make the following report as librarian of Han-
cock county, — first, on examination of the libran-, after I accepted the ap-
pointment of librarian, I found it consisted of the scattered fragments of
books saved from the fire at the time tlie library was burned and those remain-
ing being only parts of works and even them so injured by fire that they
are nearly entirely valueless, and a part of those that escaped the fire were
scattered and it was impossible to collect them. And finding the library in
this impoverished condition, I did not deem it my duty to attempt to keep the
remaining fragments together, and consequently they have passed from my
control and possession, and I am willing to restore to the countv the value
of the books I received as librarian and herewith tender my resignation as
librarian of Hancock county. W. R. W'E.'iT. Librarian."
"And now comes into open court William R. West and produces to the
court the treasurer's receipt for the sum of twenty dollars, the amount re-
ferred to in the above report, which is accepted by the court, and said \\''illiam
R. West having tendered his resignation, is hereby discharged from further
action as such librarian."
Peo])le who remember this library say that at one time it contained
quite a collection of books. Many of them dealt with historical and biograph-
ical subjects, but it also contained ston- books and fiction. The librar\- trus-
tees made rules and regulations for the use of the books. Everv inhabitant
(if tJie county giving satisfactory evidence for the safe keeping and return
of the books was entitled to use them.
TOWNSHIP I.IHR.XRIES.
As a part of the general school law of the state, enacted in 1852, provi-
sion was made for the establishment of what became known as "township
lil)raries." .\ state ta.\ of one-fourth mill on eacli dollar was assessed, also a
[loll tax of twenty-five cents, the moneys raised thereby to be applied ex-
clusively to the purchase of township school libraries. The lx)oks were
bought by the state board of education and then distributed bv the state board
EDUCATION. 195
among- the several counties of the state. When distrihuted the books became
the property of tlie townsliips receiving them.
In 18 S4 these books reached Hancock county. Three boxes were re-
quired to hold one complete librar\-, and for purposes of identification the
boxes were marked "A," "B" and "C." At the December meeting, in 1854,
of the board of county commissioners they made a distribution of the libraries
among the \-ari()us corporations, as follows :
■'To Center Townshiji and the town of Greenfield, one full school library
jointly.
"To Brandyvvine and Blue River Townships, one full school library
jointly ; Brandvw ine Township to take bo.x 'A,' and Blue River, Box 'B' ; Box
'C to be divided equallv between them and to change every six months."
.V similar division and arrangement was made for Brown and Green
townships ; Sugar Creek, Buck Creek and \'ernon were given two full libraries,
and Jackson one full library.
There were in the collection some very valuable books. Whether tliey
were as generallv read as had been anticipated is rather questionable. At the
September meeting, in 1874. of the county board of education, tine to])ic, "How
can we make the township libraries more useful?" was thoroughly discussed
by the county superintendent of schools and the township trustees. The rec-
ord of that meeting recites that "it was found that these libraries, which con-
tained manv excellent books for teachers, pupils, patrons, and others fond of
good reading", are not doing the good for which they were designed. Many
libraries are but little read. It was thovight that more attention should be
given to the manner and place of keeping them. Trustees were advised to
observe the school law. which says : 'Tnistees at the commencement of each
school term, at each school house in their respective townships, shall cause
a notice to be posted up stating where the libran^ is kept, and inviting the
free use of the books thereof by the persons of their respective townships.' "
Science, biography, history, fiction — in fact, something on almost any
subject, was included in the libraries. They were substantial leather-bound
volumes, bearing on the outside of the back the imprint, "Indiana Township
Library." There are still a numlier of these books in some of the townships;
in others they have all been lost.
YOUNG people's RE.'VDING CIRCI-E libr.^ries.
In 1888 the ^'oung People's Reading Circle Board was organized for the
state. This board recommended its first list of books for the children of the
state in that year. .\ number of these books were put into the schools dur-
196 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
ing the term of 1888-1889. .Additions have been made from year to year
until now tliere is hardly a district school in the county without its case well
filled with choice books.
FREE SCHOOL QUESTION.
The question as to whether the public schools of Indiana should be
maintained entirely by taxation, with tuition free to all, has been submitted
in one form or another to the voters of the state on three different occasions.
In 1848 the people were asked to state their preference by ballot, as between
free, state-supported schools on the one hand and private or denominational
schools on the other. In this election there were 1,489 votes cast in Hancock
county, as follows : Si.x hundred and sixteen for free school, eight hundred
and seventy-three against a free school system. Although a majoritv of the
votes in Hancock county were cast against the free schools, the measure was
carried in the state as a whole. In 1849 ^ specific law, broad in its scope,
covering the entire matter of school administration, was submitted to the will
of the people. In this election the majority of the votes of Hancock county
were cast against the proposed law. It should be observed, however, that the
law submitted in 1849 presented numerous questions on all phases of school
administration which may have been objectionable, and that the matters
presented in the two elections were quite different. The fact that Hancock
county voted against both measures does not necessarily mean that her people
were not progressive.
On August 6, 1849, the question of a constitutional conxention was sub-
mitted to the votes of the people. In this election 1,473 ^'otes were cast in
Hancock county: 1.033 fof '^'"'^ convention, 394 against it. In 1852 our
present state Constitution, making provision for a free school system, with
tuition free to all, was submitted to the voters of the state. In this election
Hancock county cast 1.434 votes, 1.358 for the constitution and only 76
against it.
TE.\CHERS, COURSE OF STUDY, ETC.
The first qualification of a teacher to lie considered and inquired into
was his disciplinary power, which meant his ability to wield the birch and
hold his own against the larger boys of the school. If he could do this the
first and greatest point was settled in his favor.
Under the law the district trustees had the power to direct what sub-
jects should be taught in their school. As a matter of fact, however, it was
more often determined by what a teacher was able to teach. Reading, writ-
ing and arithmetic contained the fundamentals, and the school that procured
EDUCATION. 197
a teacher who knew arithmetic to the "rule of three." and whose discip-
Hnary powers were up to tlie standard, was ready to take a forward step.
If a teacher knew a httle history or geography, or perhaps grammar, those
subjects were added to the curricuhim for the term. Tlie subjects that the
teacher did not know were, of course, omitted. Later .on, in the fifties and
early sixties, grammar, geography and history were frequently added and
even sucli subjects as algebra, trigonometry, natural philosophy rmd chem-
istry appear upon the teachers' reports. That some of these higher subjects
were intensely interesting and helpful is beyond question.
Following is a report made by a teacher in the county at the close of a
three-months term in 1854, giving the names of his pupils, their ages and the
subjects taken In- each :
Thomas Moore, 13 — Orthography. Reading, Writing, Arithmetic.
Elias S. Marsh, 7 — Orthography, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic.
Eliza J. John, 10 — Orthograjihy, Reading.
Martha R. Iliff, 9 — Orthography, Reading.
Rebecca J. Hendricks, 7 — Orthography, Reading, Writing. Arithmetic.
Lucinda A. Cannon, 8 — Orthography, Reading.
Mary Jane Cannon, 7 — Orthography.
Margaret E. Marsh, 7 — Orthography, Reading.
Nathan Catt, 11 — Orthography, Reading, Arithmetic.
Benjamin Catt, g — Orthography.
Silas Moore, 8 — Orthography, Reading.
Eli Catt, 7 — Orthography.
Alartlia Elsbur}-, 1 1 — Orthography, Reading, Arithmetic.
Margaret Elsbury, 4 — Orthography.
Calvin Elsbun,-, 9 — Orthography.
W^illiam A. Sleeth, 1 1 — Orthography. Reading.
James M. Sleeth, 7 — Orthography, Reading.
Eliza C. Sleeth, 9 — Orthography, Reading.
Sarah J. Marsh, 6 — Orthography.
Margaret Heavenridge, 14 — Orthography, Reading. Arithmetic.
John Heavenridge, g — Orthography.
Christopher C. Marsh. 9 — Orthography. Reading.
Aaron A. Sleeth, 13 — Orthography, Reading.
Margaret John 14 — Orthography, Reading, Writing.
Margaret McLaughlin, 1 1 — Orthography. Reading.
Louisa J. Cartwright, 10 — Orthography, Reading, Arithmetic.
198 HANCOCK COUXTY, INDIANA.
Mary E. Moore, 3 — Orthog-rapliy.
John B. Anderson, ic — Orthography, Reading.
Cynthia .\. Sebastian, 19 — Orthography, Reading.
Sarah E. John, 16 — Orthography, Reading.
Josepli L. Cartwright, g — Orthograpliy.
Hannah M. Cannon, 4 — Orthograph}-.
James M. Price, 8 — Orthography, Reading.
Mary Price, 6 — Orthography.
Mary Heavenridge, 3 — Orthography.
Mary Jane Marsh, 13 — Orthography, Reading.
Eh Galbreath, 8 — Orthography, Reading.
Lucretia Gall)reatii. 6 — Orthography.
Ehzabeth Galbreath, 15 — Orthography, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic.
George W. New, 10 — Orthography.
John Price, 6 — Orthography.
Sarah E. New, ic — Ortliography.
Caroline Phillips. 13 — Orthography. Reading, Writing.
It will be observed from the report that in this school the vounger pupils
studied nothing but orthography. Those a little older also studied reading,
while those farthest advanced took the full curriculum, reading, writing and
arithmetic. Between the lines of that report also appear the teacher's lim-
itations. Following is a report of another teacher made at the close of a
three-months tenn in the same year:
Mary C. Rawls, 15 — Grammar, Arithmetic, Geographv, Physiology.
Maranda W. Rawls, 14 — Grammar, Arithmetic. Geography, Reading,
Spelling, Writing.
Taljitha J. Rawls. 8 — Reading. Writing. Spelling, Arithmetic.
Mani' Brown, 8 — Reading. Writing, Spelling, Arithmetic.
Mary J. Bundy. 9 — Reading. \\'riting. Spelling, Arithmetic.
Ruth .A. Bundy. 7- — Reading. Spelling, .Arithmetic.
• Emily Brown, 12 — Reading, Writing. Spelling, Arithmetic.
Selah Brown, 8 — Reading. Writing. Spelling.
Elmina Coffin, 8 — Reading, Writing, Spelling.
Emily Coffin, 5 — Spelling.
Sarah A. Myers, 10 — Reading. Writing. Spelling.
Eliza Bundy, 5 — Spelling.
Alniira Galbreath, 5 — Spelling.
Sarah E. New, 10 — Sjielling.
Delphina C. Davis. 15 — Reriding. Writing, Arithmetic, Geography.
EDUCATION. 199
Matilda Xe\vl)y, 11 — Reading-, Writing. Arithmetic, Spelling.
Joseph O. Ijinford. 11 — Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Cicograjjhw
Spelling.
James L. Ihnfurd, 8 — Reading, Writing, Aritlmietic, Spelling.
Micajah Butler, 8 — Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Spelling.
Oliver Brown, ic — Reading. Writing, Arithmetic, Spelling.
Milton C. Brown, 11 — Reading, Writing, .Arithtnetic. Spelling.
Eli Galhreath, 8 — Spelling.
George W. New, 6 — Spelling.
Albert Binford, 5 — Spelling.
Sylvester E. Hamilton, 8 — Spelling.
Even a casual CDmparison ni the two reports will most likelv disclose
a difference in the wealth of what was offered to the aljove schools.
Still another report, made in Alarch, 1855. at the close of a three-months
terin, shows that the following liranches were taught: Spelling, reading, writ-
ing, arithmetic, English, grammar, philosophy, algebra and geometry. The
report also shows the number of ])upils taking the different subjects, as
follows: Spelling, 59: reading, 56: writing, 50; physiology. 6; arithmetic.
51; English grammar, 14: ])hilosophy, 7: algebra, 5: geometry, 3.
If one mav judge from the report alone, the pupils of this scho(il had
cause to he congratulated for having a teacher who was able to offer them
something worth while and to lead them into richer fields of learning. The
above re]>orts also form a concrete illustration of the fact that the curriculum
of any school \\as determined by what the teacher was able to teach. Tlie
same truth is e\'en more forcibly illustrated by an enumeration of the sub-
jects taught and text books used in the schools of the county before the Civil
War. At the close of each term of school during those years the teacher
reported among other things the suljjects taught and the text l)Ooks used.
-An examination of a number of these reports shows that in t!ie district
schools of Hancock count}- prior to the Civil War, different teachers" taught
some or other of the following subjects, and that all of the text books
enun-ierated below were at some time used:
Spellers — McGuffey's, Webster's, Murray's.
Readers — McGuffey's, Bronson's Elocution, Murra}-'s. Indiana Series.
Writing — Spenceriai-i.
Aritlmietic — Ray, Ray and Talbot, Davis, Ray and Stoddard, Stoddard.
Geography — Mitchell, Smith, Olney, Patton, Sn-iith and Montieth. Cotton.
Histor\- — llun-ie's Ilistorv of England.
200 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Physiology — Cutter, Taylor.
Grammar — Brown, Pinne's, Green, Smith, Kirkam.
Philosophy — Omstead, Parker.
Algebra — Ray, Davies.
Geometry — Davies.
Trigonometr)- and Conic Sections — Legendre, Davies, Lewis.
Surveying — Lewis.
Chemistry — Youngman.
Geolog}- — Hitchcock.
Physical Geography — Fisk.
Astronomy — Mattison.
Botany — Woods.
Although a number of these advanced subjects as they were taught in
the district schools would no doubt have failed to stand the present day test,
they undoubtedly evoked great enthusiasm and were the life of the school
for the young men and women then in attendance.
Some of these very early schools of the county, too, were conducted as
"loud schools," or schools in which each pupil studied his lesson aloud.
Oscar F. Meek, deceased, late of tliis county, used to grow eloquent in relat-
ing his experiences as a pupil in the "loud school." Tared Meek and John
Harden Scott, octogenarians, the latter of whom is still with us, were also
pupils in these schools. Although ver\- few now among us have ever attended,
or heard, the "loud school," we are yet many who learned our geography in
songs, and who can still hear distinctly in memory's ear the measures of:
"Maine, Augusta, on the Kennebec River,
Maine, Augusta." etc., etc., etc.
The capitals of tlie states were learned in songs in some of the schools
of the county as late as 1885.
teachers' remuneration.
The first teachers in the county depended for their remuneration upon
subscription lists. The term of school was usually about twelve or
thirteen weeks in length, and the teacher received from one dollar and fifty
cents to two dollars per pupil for the term. The teacher frequently appended
to this contract the condition, that if a child missed any days, the parents
might send another child for the number of days missed, without extra
charge. This enabled the teacher to collect for full time. Either cash, or
EDUCATION. 20 1
anything convertible into cash, was taken in payment for services. This was
the time, too, when teachers "boarded round" among the patrons of the
schools as part compensation. Later, however, when more money was
raised by taxation and school t'und money became a\ailable, the teachers
were paid in cash. During the decade preceding the Civil War teachers were
paid on an average of alx)Ut fifteen dollars per month. During the Civil
War period teachers' salaries rose to a little more than one dollar per day.
Ladies received from fifteen to thirty cents less than tiie men. The follow-
ing contract, made when he was nineteen years of age, by our highly re-
spected and honored fellow citizen, lately deceased, is typical of the teachers'
contracts of that time :
"Blue River Township, Hancock Co., Tnd.
"Article of agreement this day made and entered into between Jolin H.
Binford, a School teacher of the one part, and James P. New, Trustee of the
other part. Witnesseth, that the said John H. Bmford agrees to teach school
in District No. 4 in Blue River Township, Hancock County, Indiana, for
the sum of one dollar and 15-100 per day. Said school to commence on the
1st day of January, 1864, and continue for forty-eight days. And for said
serv^ices properly rendered said James P. New, Trustee of said Township,
agrees to pay tiie full amount of wages due said teacher as ascertained by
this .Article of Agreement.
"Witness our hands this November 26, 1863.
"James P. New, Trustee,
"John H. Binford. Teacher."
Experienced teachers with established reputations were ])aid a little
more than the above amount per day. A few contracts can be found show-
ing that district teachers, and practically all of the schools in the county
were district schools at that time, received as much as one dollar and sixty-
five cents per cla}-. E\en at that time, however, some people of the county
began to realize that the schools could never be lifted to a very high state
of efficiency unless the teachers were better paid. It is interesting to find
among the old records of Blue River township the following letter addressed
to the township trustee in which expression is given to tiiis fact :
. "7th March, 1864.
"Friend Lemuel Hackleman, Trustee:
"We have a glimmering prospect of hiring a teacher for our winter
school at about Sso'.co per mo. and we think our neighborhood demands such
202 HANCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
a teacher and I wish to know whether thee would approve our action at the
price mentioned. We have not been extravagant heretofore and for my own
part I believe a great deal depends upon improving the class of teachers for
our common schools. Please give an answer through the liearer. Also
about how many days we will be entitled to.
"Respectfully.
"Samuel B. Hill."
The record, however, fails to show that the trustee entered into such a
contract with any teacher.
The compensation of the teachers became a little better after the Civil
War. A report made by the county examiner in 1865 shows that men were
paid on an average of about one dollar and seventy-five cents per day. and
ladies about one dollar and fifty cents per day. A report made by Superin-
tendent John H. Bin ford in 1873. shows the average daily wages of men were
two dollars and thirty-five cents per day, and of ladies, one dollar and sixty-
five cents. At the September meeting of the county board of education the
following resolution was adopted for the payment of teachers : "Resolved,
that for the present school year we w ill pay all teachers in nur employ, except
those engaged in graded schools, according to the following equitable plan,
viz. : Two cents per day multiplietl by the general average of the license, added
to two and one-half cents per day multiplied by the average attentlance of
the school." But at the Mav meeting of the countv board of education, in
1878, the following resolution relative to teachers' wages was adopted :
"Rcsok'cd, that we are not in fa\-or of paying- teachers more than one dollar
and seventy-five cents per day for the fall and winter term of 1879."
In the last decade of the century just past, Ijeginning teachers were
usually paid one dollar and seventy-five cents per day. and the older and
experienced teachers were paid from two dollars and twenty-five cents to two
dollars and fifty cents in the districts, and the princi])als of small town schools
from two dollars and fifty cents to three dollars per day. \\"hen the town-
ship high schools were organized the teachers were at first usually paid
three dollars to three dollars and twenty-five cents per day. From 1003 to
1907 the salaries of high school teachers rose on an average to four dollars
and four dollars and fifty cents per day. During the next three or four
years nearly all the principalships were raised to five dollars per day. and
during the last year or two the principal.ships of Westland. Charlottesville,
W'ilkinson. McCordsville and New Palestine have lieen paying six dollars
per day. Grade teachers, since the passage of the teachers' wage law of
EDUCATION. 203
1907. have generally received such compensation as they were entitled to In-
virtue of their licenses.
SCHOOL HOUSES.
The first school house erected in the county was built in Blue River
township in 1823. In 1824 a building was erected on the present site of
Greenfield, and from 1830 to 1836 houses were erected in Jackson, Sugar
Creek, Green and Brown. Buck Creek and W-nmn townships, now among
our banner townsliips for fertility of soil and natural wealth, were at that
time swampy and were not populated as early and as rapidly as some of the
other townships, and consequently their schools were not established until
a little later. Many of the first buildings were small log houses, not to exceed
twenty feet square, though many were built later about twenty-six feet
by thirty feet. They were covered with clapboards and had oiled-paper
windows. A huge fireplace was liuilt at one side or one end nf the building
which enabled the children to keep warm on the side next to the fire. All
had puncheon floors; that is, floors made of slabs or logs split or hewn
instead of being sawed. The seats were made of split saplings or mill slabs
friini twehe to fifteen feet in length. Usually seats were placed on either
side and extended back from the fireplace. Another was placed across the
front of the fireplace. To the rear of these seats a table, possibly three feet
wide and twelve or fifteen feet long, extended across the room, and on either
side of the table were placed split pole or mill slab seats, each of the length
of tlie tabic. .\t this table or desk the children faced each other and were
enabled to work with some degree of comfort. Those occupying the other
seats had to hold their slates and books on their laps. Frequently, and in
fact ver\- c<imnii)iih-, another desk was made along one or two sides of the
house by driving ])egs into the logs and laying a wide board on them. This
was called the "writing desk." In some of the very early school houses
there were no blackboards at all. In others a wide board was hung on pegs
driven into the logs. In manv buildings there were two additional pegs
driven into the wall near or over the teacher's desk. Across them might
have been seen a bundle of sticks several feet in length. The teachers of
those days believed tli;it there was great virtue in their presence in the school
room.
Of course, the "furniture" and the rooms were not arranged alike m all
schools, but the room and equipment above described are rather typical of
that very earlv day. The log schools were retained until about the time of
the Civil War m- ;i little later, when they were replaced by frame buildings.
204 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
In the latter eighties and during the nineties those frame buildings were
replaced by the one-room brick schools of which a number are still standing.
In the towns larger buildings were constructed, and during the last few years
the best types of sanitary buildings have been constructed for the consolidated
and grade schools. For many years none of the old frame buildings have
been in use anywhere in the county except in Brandywine township. There
practically all of them are still retained.
IMPROVEMENT OF SCHOOL SYSTEM.
When the first settlers built their cal)ins in the wilderness of Hancock
county, from 1818 to 1835, and even later, actual conditions imposed upon
them other duties than the perfecting of school organizations. Teachers,
men and women, fresh from the colleges, found more lucrative and more
desirable fields for the practice of their profession than in the wilderness.
Hence the first teachers of the county were generally such persons as were
able to read, write and cipher a little, and who for the time had nothing
else to do.
Under the first laws of the state the circuit courts appointed three per-
sons to examine the teachers of the respective counties. At the Februarj'
term, 1842, of the Hancock circuit court, for instance, the following entry
was made :
"The Judge, the Associate Judges being present, appoints Thomas D.
Walpole, Morris Pierson, and Anderson M. . examiners of school
teachers in Hancock County."
At the March term. 1850, a similar entrv was made, by which Reu-
ben A. Riley, Meredith Gosney and William E. Hatfield were appointed.
The first step taken toward an improvement of these conditions' was the
passage of a law providing for the appointment of "three suitable persons
in each township as examiners of common school teachers, who shall con-
tinue in office until others are appointed in their place. Such examiners
shallexamine such persons as may apply for that purpose, and certify what
branches they are qualified to teach. No teacher shall be employed unless
he is a person of good moral character, nor shall any teacher be paid as a
teacher of a district school without having procured a certificate of qualifi-
cation as provided in the next preceding section."
This law was enacted in 1843. ''^t the December term, 1843, the board
of commissioners appointed the following school examiners for the county :
Buck Creek, Barzillia G. Jay. John Collins: Harrison. Isaac Barrett. William
H. Curry; Center. Harrys Pierson. D. M. C. Lane: Vernon. William Cald-
EDUCATION. 205
well, Elias McCord; Union, George Pherson, William Shaffer; Green, An-
drew Hatfield. George Henry; Brown, Mr. Reeves, William Denwiddie;
Blue River, Orlando Crane, George Hatfield; Brandywine, Hiram Comstock,
Eleazer Snodgrass ; Sugar Creek, Samuel Valentine. George Leechman ;
Jones, Charles Atherton, H. H. Hall; Jackson, Robert McCorkhill. James
P. Foley.
In 1853 provision was made for a county examiner. By virtue of an
act approved March 5, 1855, provision was made for the appointment by
the l)oard of county commissioners of at least one and not more than three
schi)ol examiners for each county whose terms were to expire on the first
Monday of March of each year. The county examiner examined all teachers
and licensed them "for any time not to exceed two years, at the discretion
of the examiner." The license had to specify the branches the applicant was
able to teach, and the examiner was entitled to a fee of fifty cents in advance
from every person taking the examination. Every applicant had to ha\'e
a knowledge of orthography, reading, writing, arithmetic, geograpliy and
English grammar.
On March 6, 1865. an act was approved pro\'iding for a general system
of common schools and matter properly connected therewith, etc., which
gave the county e.xaminer many of the powers and duties now exercised
by the county superintendent of schools. Among other tlnings this act con-
tained the following provision : "Said school e.xaminer shall examine all
applicants for license as teachers of the common schools of the state, by a
series of written or printed questions, requiring answers in writing, if he
wishes to do so, and in addition to the said questions and answers in writ-
ing, questions may be asked and answered orally." Examinations were held
each month in the year. "Eor each person examined he shall be entitled to
a fee of one dollar, which fee shall constitute the only compensation he shall
receive for services rendered in examining teachers."
Under the township examiners the examinations generally consisted
merely of conversations with the applicants and inquiries touching the extent
of their knowledge, etc. Even under the first county examiners the exam-
inations were principally oral and could hardly be said to involve a test of
fitness at all. jMany stories are still told by the teachers of those days of the
examinations they took following the wagon while the examiner gathered
corn, etc.
The men who served the county as county examiners were : James Ruth-
erford, from Tunc. 1S53, to March, 1856; Reuben A. Riley. March, 1856, to
March, 1857: James L. Mason, March. 1857, to March. 1850: William R.
206 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Hough. James L. Mason and David X'anlaninghani, March. 1859, to .March,
i860; James McKean. A. V. B. Sample and WilHam R. Hough, March, i860,
to March, 1861 ; Jonathan Tague, Asa Sample and George W. Stanley. March,
1861, to June, 1861 : William S. Fries, June, 1861, to June, 1864; Mansfield
C. Foley, June, 1864. m June, 1868: A. Y. B. Sample. June. 1868. to June.
1871; James A. New. June. 1871, to June. 1873.
During the regime of the county examiners the following notice
appeared for a number of years in every issue of the Hancock Democrat,
Ijeginning in the early sixties :
"notice to teachers.
"I will examine teachers at the Masonic Hall ( late at the School House)
in Greenfield on the first Saturday of each month and at no other times. .\H
examinations will be public, commencing punctually at 10 a. m. of each day.
Applicants must be present at the commencement, or they will not be exam-
ined for one month.
"In addition to the ordinary branches, teachers are expected to pass an
examination in Physiology and History of the United States.
"When not personally accjiiainted with the examiner, applicants must
produce the testimonial of good moral character.
"Licenses will be revoked on proof being made to the examiner of in-
competency, immorality, cruelty or general neglect of the school."
(Signed by)
"\\'iLLiAM S. Fries, M. C. Foley, A. \'. B. Sample, et al,
"County Examiners."
In 1873 an amendment to the act of March 6, 1863, was approved, by
which the count}- superintendent's office and the county board of education
were created. This amendment ga\e to the county superintendent the gen-
eral supervision of the schools of the county and lodged in him the power
of final determination of all local questions pertaining to the schools. Under
this act and the acts amendatory thereof, the following men ha\e been elected
to the i)ffice of county superintendent of schools of Hancock count\- : John
H. Binford. 1873: William P. Smith. 1875; Aaron Pope, 1879; Robert A.
Smith, 1881 : Will H. Glascock, 1885; Quitman Jackson, 1889; Lee O. Har-
ris, 1897: George J. Richman, 1903: Frank Larrabee, 1907; Geoge J. Rich-
man. 191 1.
It was fortunate for the county that a man of Mr. Bin ford's organizing
ability was elected as the first county superintendent of schools. He organ-
ized in every department, possibly to a fault. There were regular dates for
EDUCATION. 207
lowiisliii) inslitutes, uIIilts 1(ji- juinl ur cunibincd tmvnsliip inslitulcs, and
still others lor regular nicclings uf all I'.ie teachers in the C(junt_\-. Though
so much organization grew burdensome to the teachers, it introduced order
and system into the educational \\ork of the county, which has not been lost
to this day. In time many features uf the organization were abandoned,
but the teacliing profession has always retained organizations in smaller vniits
as well as in the county as a whole, it would he difficult to say now to just
what degree the educational standing of the county during the past years. has
been due to Mr. Binford's vigorous and aggressive methods.
Of the men abo\e named, .\aron I'ope died while m office, lie had
endeared himself to his co-workers, and today there stands at a short dis-
tance to the southwest of the mound in Park cemetery at Greenfield a white
marble shaft with the following inscription :
To the Memory of
AARON POPE
Born September 16, 1844
Died July 21, 188 1
This monument is erected b\' the teachers
of Hancock County as a tribute of re-
spect for him as a man, and of honor to
him as a faithful and efficient worker
in the schools over which lie presided as
County Superintendent from March,
1879. until the time of his death.
After leaving the county superintendent's office, Superintendent Glas-
cock became deputy state superintendent of public instruction. Later he be-
came su]jerintendent of the State Institutiim for the lilind at Indianapolis.
.\t the time of his death he was superintendent of the city schools at Bloom-
ington. Ind., and was also an instructor at Indiana University, at Bloom-
ington.
Capt. Lee O. Harris, poet and prose writer, was appreciated by the peo-
ple of this county while he li\ed. and since his death they have not ceased to
honor his memory. He took great interest in establishing and perfecting the
organization of our high schools, and deserves to be known as the father of
the township high school system of Hancock countv.
COUN'TY BO.\RD OF EDUC.XTION.
The county board of education has always been composed of the county
supenntendent, ex-officio chairman; the township trustees and the presidents
208 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
of the schoo! boards of incorporated cities and towns. The first board of
education of Hancock county under the new law met on September i and 2,
1873. In fulfillment of the purpose for which it was organized, it made a
number of rules and regulations for the schools of the county, some of which
certainly "I)lazed" the way for things we iiave todav. Among those of
special interest to teachers are the following:
"All teachers in the public schools shall be at their respective school
rocHDS at least twenty minutes before the time of commencing school. They
shall not pemiit loud and boisterous talking in the school room, running over
the floor, and climbing over tiie desks, and other unnecessary noise before
school and during recess.
"Teacliers shall prohibit communication during study hours and exer-
cise due diligence in preserving the school buildings, furniture, apparatus,
etc., in a neat and respectable condition.
"Every teacher shall make fires, sweep and scrub the school room in
which he is employed to teach, or have the same done at his own expense,
except in buildings where a janitor is employed by the trustee or trustees.
"The study of primary arithmetic may be begun when the pupil has
finished the third reader; primary grammar when the pupil has read one
term in the fourth reader; United States history when the pupil has finished
the fourtli reader; and physiolog}' when the pupil has read one term in the
fifth reader.
"No public school shall be taught on Saturday more than one dav dur-
ing a term, except in connection with the township or countv institutes.
"In no school shall any teacher conduct two classes of the same grade
in two different text books on tlie same subject.
(Signed) "Joiix H. Binford, President.
"A. H. Barrett. Secretary."
During these early years of the board's organization the record shows
that they considered and discussed such matters as an equitable plan for pay-
ment nf teachers; the wants of the school, such as the proper seating of the
houses, more and better blackboard room, outline maps, charts, dictionaries,
globes, ash buckets, shovels, pokers, necessary rear buildings, etc. The
adoption of text books was also made by the county board until the passage
of the state text liook law in 1889. In 1874 the following text books were
un;mimously adopted: Montieth's geographies, two books; Harvey's gram-
mar. Barnes' Iiistoiy and Steel's physiology. In 1876 the American Educa-
tional readers, Ray's arithmetics and McGuffey's spellers were adopted. In
EDUCATION. 209
1877 Ridpatli's history and Harper's geographies were added to the h'st.
These books, with a few changes, continued to be used in the county until
the state adoption was made in 1889.
The selection of text books was a matter that gave the board more or
less concern for many years. People of the county felt the burden of fre-
quent changes and protested against them. The county papers during those
years had occasion to puljlish many letters- from ''patrons of the schools,"
in which the "patrons" expressed their views on the te.xt book question.
Various organizations from time to time also adopted resolutions touching
upon changes of text books. One series of such resolutions, adopted by the
Hancock county council of the Patrons of Husbandry, or "Grangers," on
April 4. 1S74, is offered herewith :
"Whereas, it is stipulated b}' the law of the state that the ti^wnship tnis-
tees and trustees of incorporated cities and towns, may or shall establish a
series of text lx)oks to be used in the common schools, and
"Whereas, an entire change of said books would involve a very heavy
additional expenditure of money upon an already almost intolerably taxed
people, at a time when it seems to us that economy and reform should be
the watchword of ever}'bod_\-, individually and collectively, in public as well
as private life, and
"Whereas, there seems to be no necessitv for a change, as the school
districts are already very satisfactorily and uniformlv supplied with a series
of books that seems to us in the main to be unsurpassed in quality or price, and
"Whereas, we represent directly in common council the Patrons of Hus-
bandry of at least one thousand and five hundred adults, and we believe
almost the entire population of Hancock county, and we know of none asking,
demanding, or pressing a change except book publishers, amateur agents and
speculators, and
"Whereas, an order for a change would perhaps be respected bv a por-
tion of our people and disregarded by otiiers, if for no other reasons, because
of financial inability to comply with such order, and as there is no power
in law by which a change can be enforced, the difficultv that should be
avoided would, in our opinion be greatly increased, instead of diminished :
therefore,
"Resolved, that in accordance with the foregoing, we respectfullv
though earnestly, memorialize said board of trustees, and request that thev
make no further change upon this subject."
ri4)
2IO
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
As a matter ut fact book agents were active and pnljlishing houses vied
with each other in securing tlie adoption of their books by county boards
of education.
On several occasions the board also ordered the county superintendent
to prepare a course of study for the county. These manuals also included
statistical matter, lists of teacliers, etc. The earlier ones are lost, but in 1884
Superintendent R. A. Sinitli prepared a manual of about thirty pages for
the county. In 1886 Supermtendent Will H. Glascock prepared one of forty
pages, and in 1889 another of about forty-five pages. In 1890 Superinten-
dent Quitman Jackson issued a "Manual of the Public Schools of Hancock
County" of forty-two pages. Since that time the state course of study has
been made full and complete, and no other manuals have been issued.
During the several years just prior to 1900 high school classes were
formed and the organization of the township high schools was begim. The
state high school cotirse had not been very fully developed nor had a state
adoption of high school text books been made. This necessitated further
action of the board during these years in preparing a county high school
course of study and in adopting high school text books. In 1898 the board
organized the schools on a three-year basis with uniform text books, examina-
tions and ]n"omotions. From time to time the county superintendent was
ordered to prepare a manual for this purpose. Uniformity was maintained
in the county in these matters, so that, if necessan'. students could go from
one school to another without additional expense or loss of time. The com-
pletest of these manualij was a small booklet of thirteen pages issued on May
I, 1906. The following tabulated statement taken from the manual shows
in a general way the scope of the work included m this three-year high school
course :
COURSE OF STUDY FOR HANCOCK COUNTY TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOLS.
Second Term
Algebra Latin Phy. Geog. History
BAB B
History
D or Latin
Physics C
B
Pliysics
Geometry English B or Latin
B niB History E
D
Years First Term
I Algebra English Phv. Geog.
A I A
History
A
H Algebra English
C IIA
History
C or
Physics
A
Latin
B
HI Geometry English
llIA
Physics
A or
History
C
Latin
D
The following
excerpts
from 111
.Algebra English
D HB
of the board in making the course :
EDUCATION. 211
Tlic forcgoinj^- courses li;i\c Ik-cii ;irran,i;x'(l with a \ie\v t'jwaixl intensive
rather than extensive study.
The work in rhetoric has heen designed to provide for all the drill pos-
sible in sentence, paragraph and theme writing; to give a knowledge of the
principles underlying composition and literary work, and to give the pupil a
basis for the study and appreciation of the mechanical side of an author's
work as well as of his ideals.
The courses in literature have been arranged wnth two objects in view :
to give the pupil a close actiuaintance with a few American authors, and to
enable him to make an intensive study of two forms of hterature, the novel
and drama.
The suggestions for the study of the novel and drama have been ap-
l)ended simply for the sake of uniformity of work as far as uniformity is
desirable.
rL.\N FOR STUDY OF NOVELS.
1. The story — plot, action, etc.
1. Does the plot ha\'e structure?
2. Are there many incidents?
3. The chief incidents.
2. Characters.
1. Who are the principal characters?
Groups of characters?
2. How portrayed? Author describe them?
Others talk about them? By their actions?
3. Setting, background, or place.
Much description?
4. ^\'hat is the author's conception of life?
1. Hopeful or depressing?
2. Does he look at many characters superficially or study a
few deeply?
5. Purpose of the Novel.
Is the story worth wliile? \\'hy ?
PLAN FOR STUDY OF PLAY.
I. The Story.
I. The incidents with reference to arrangements.
Which belong to introduction, which to climax, which to
conclusion ?
2 12 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
2. Why have tliese incidents heen selected rather than others?
2. Characters.
1. Who are the chief characters?
2. \\'hat is tlie principle bv which the characters are formed into
groups ?
3. Do the cliaracters act according to their nature?
4. Is the end of each character justified by actions in the play?
3. W'hat use is made of conversation and descriptive passages?
4. As far as can be judged, does tlie dramatist punish evil and reward
good? Does he have faith in man, and does he leave a hopeful or
depressing view of life?
5. Is the theme of the play real and universally true? Does it appl_\'
to us?
6. What is the essential difference between comedy and tragedy?
Show in the play before you how, if tragedy, it might have become
comedy, and if comedy, it might have become tragedy.
COMBIX.\TIOX OF CL.ASSES.
Twelve recitations will be required to carry out the present course of
study without combining classes and alternating subjects. Wherever this
can be done physics will be ])ut in the third year and mediae\al and modem
history in the second year. If the teaching force of a school should not be
sufficient for twelve recitations daily then the second and third vears should
combine their work in physics and mediaeval and modern history, taking
those subjects in alternate years. Physics will be taken up in the autumns
of the even years, '06, '08, etc. ; mediaeval and modern history- in the autumns
of the odd years, '07, '09, etc.
As the course is now arranged there should be no other combinations.
REQUIREMEXT.S FOR GK.\DUATION.
General.
The school year is divided into two terms or units. In order to be en-
titled to a diploma the student must be able to present passing grades in
each subject for each unit of work as indicated by the course. If a student's
work is not up to the standard required in any subject such additional work
shall be required of him as will justify the principal of the high school in
giving him a passing grade.
EDUCATION. 213
Physics.
Each stiulenl shall he rciiuircd to keep a laboratory note-book in which
he illustrates and explains all experiments that he performs or that may be
performed before the class. Each pupil shall be able to present such a lab-
oratoiy note-book before he is entitled to a diploma.
Thesis.
Each pupil shall prepare a thesis upon some subject related to the work
he has gone over.
High school examinations will be held at the end of each term. Teach-
ers will be notified as to the dates of these examinations. Each member of
the above named committee will prepare lists of questions for each examina-
tion on the subjects assigned to him. and send the same to the county super-
intendent three weeks before the dates of the examination.
TEXT BOOKS ADOPTED BY COUXTV BOARD OF EDUCATION.
Algebra — Wells, D. C. Heath & Company.
Plane Geometry — \\'ells, D. C. Heath & Company.
Latin — Bennett's Foundations, Allyn & Bacon.
Caesar — Kelsey's, Allyn & Bacon.
Ancient History — Myers, Ginn & Company.
Mediaeval and Modern History — Myers, Ginn & Company.
Physical Geography — Dryer's, American Book Company.
Principles of Rhetoric — Spalding, D. C. Heath & Company.
Physics — Hoadley, American Book Company.
English References — Newcomer's American Literature, Moody &
Lovett's First View of English Literature.
Since the passage of the law in 1907 the high schools of the county have
been organized in conformity with the state high school course of study.
teachers' ASSOCIATIONS.
There were likely few, if any. general teachers' meetings in the county
prior to i860. In Febnian,-, 1861, a notice was inserted in the Hancock Dem-
ocrat, calling a meeting of all the teachers of the county at one p. m., February
16, 1861, at Forest Academy, three and one-half miles northeast of Green-
field, for the purpose of organizing a teachers' association. The notice
recited that the teachers would be addressed by Professor G. W. Hoss. of
Northwestern Christian University, and that in the evening J. H. Stevenson,
principal of Greenfield Academy, would address the association.
214 HANXOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
The weather on that day was inclement and the roads were almost im-
passable, yet a number of teachers were present. J. H. Stevenson was
elected president of the meeting, and M. \'. Chapman, secretan,-. During the
afternoon the teachers adopted the following :
CONSTITUTION.
"Article i. This association shall be known as the Hancock County
Teachers' Institute.
"Article 2. Its object shall be. first, the improvement of its members
in knowledge of the branches common to the profession ; secondly, in modes
of teaching.
"Article 3. The officers shall be a president, two vice-presidents, a
secretary and treasurer, who shall be elected annually by ballot. These offi-
cers taken as a body, shall constitute an executive committee.
"Article 4. Any teacher or other friend of education may become a
member of this institute by signing the constitution and jiaying fift\- cents
into the treasury."
After the adoption of this constitution the following officers were
elected for the ensuing year : President. J. H. Stevenson : vice-presidents,
Martin V. Chapman and William T. Pratt: secretary, Riclianl Frost; treas-
urer. J. E. Earls.
When the organization liad been cunipleted the hour was growing late,
rind (ieorge Lipscomb, a teacher present, moved the association that the
organization of classes be deferred until after another preliminary meeting.
This motion was carried. After a long discussion it was determined to hold
another preliminary meeting at the Ma.sonic Hall at Greenfield on March 30.
and a strong effort was made to have a full attendance of the teachers at
the second preliminary meeting. Quite a long argumentative appeal was
made to the teachers through the local papers, setting forth the necessity
and tlie advantages of such an organization. Their efforts were attended
with a fair measure of success. Over forty names were enrolled at the meet-
ing and the Masonic Hall was filled with visitors. Professor Hoss deliv-
ered his lecture on "Parents and Teachers." and among the local people,
James L. Mason. \\'. R. Hough. Parr and Stevenson, made short addresses.
Before the adjournment quite a contest arnse as to the place of holding the
next meeting. The "Forest Academy" people had no hope of getting the
meeting, so the\- united with the eastern teachers in an effort to have the
meeting held at Cleveland. Many teachers of course wanted to have the meet-
ing held at Greenfield. Thev were led bv Stevenson. Bond and Silver. The
EDUCATION. 215
eastern teaciiers were led by Welling and Chapman. It was finally decided
to hokl tlie meeting" at Greenfield on .\ugust 12. 1861. The vote stood,
Greenfield. _'i; Cle\'eland. 19, as reported by Richard Frost, secretary.
Tn the mcantinic the county was stirred with the excitement of the Civil
War, and it became necessary for the teachers to make some changes in their
arrangements. In July, 1861. the follnwing notice appeared in the local
paper ;
"Session of the Hancock County Teachers' Institute, which was to have
been held in Greenfield, has been changed to Cleveland. Owing to unavoid-
able circumstances, many influential teachers have been called away to the
battlefield from this place and \icinit}' — those upon whom much depended for
its success ; hence its removal.
"It will commence Monday, August 12, 1861, at the M. E. Church.
"It will be opened by a lecture by Prof. Miles J. Fletcher, Superinten-
dent of Public Instruction of the State."
In the above notice, likely, we have the only reference to a depletion in
the ranks of the teachers on account of enlistments in the army. In this con- /
nection. though it was perhaps an extraordinary instance even for that time, (/
the following humorous incident is taken from the issue of the Hancock
Democrat of Se])tember 11, 1861. as illustrative of what was likely to tran-
spire during those days:
"got the war fever.
"William Dunlap, a school teacher of Jackson townshi]). went off \ery
suddenly with the disease on Monda\- of last week. He opened his school
as usual on the morning of that day, took the fever about 10 o'clock a. m..
boarded the cars at 12 m., and before night was a soldier in the War for the
Union, anned and equipped. Bully for Hancock !"
But to resume. The institute at Cleveland was reported a success. Not-
withstanding the excitement of the times, many teachers were present and
great interest was manifested. The session continued for one week. Classes
were orgaiu'zed in elocution, with Prof. E. M. Butler in charge. Physiology-
was taught by Dr. A. P.. Bund)-, of Clexeland. and rhetoric and composition,
by Professor Hoss.
On motion of Professor Smith, of Indianapolis, the following reso-
httiiin was adopted at this meeting: "That we. as teachers, a])prove the in-
troduction of music into our common schools as an agreeable and harmon-
izing agent in discipline and mental culture."
Many visitors were in attendance during the week, and liefore the insti-
tute closed, they adojjted the following resolution, offered bv Mr. Bedgood:
2l6 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
"Resolved, that we as citizens of Cleveland and vicinity, having been
happily, intellectually and beneficially entertained b}- the sessions of the
Teachers" Institute in our village, we vote to the professors, teachers, and
members our cordial thanks."
"After a social reunion on Friday evening, on which occasion a num-
ber of toasts were read and responded to, tlie session adjourned, all de-
lighted with having spent a pleasant and profitable week at the Institute.
"M. V. Chapman, President,
"Richard Frost, Secretary."
From the report of this meeting it is evident that a good spirit pre-
vailed. Certainly the institute was not without its feature of entertainment,
and, if we judge rightly, elocution and gymnastics must have been happily
combined in Professor Butler. Immediately after the close of this institute
the following notice was published in the Hancock Democrat :
"Mr. Editor: Please announce that Mr. Butler will repeat the exercises
m Gymnastics, in Masonic Hall, on Friday night next, which he exhibited
with so much applause at the Teachers' Institute.
"I think Mr. Butler will highly entertain anyone who will favor him
uith an audience, as I had the pleasure of witnessing his exercises at the
Institute. It will be free to all."
On Saturday, October 12, 1861, a one-day session was held by the
teachers of the county at the Masonic Hall at Greenfield. This meeting was
known as the "Teachers' Association" and was "appointed by the institute."
ihe following was the order of the exercises on that day
Open, 9:30 A. M.
Recitations commence, xo:oo.
Written Arithmetic, 10:45, J- E. Earls, teacher.
Discussion of same, 1 1 :oo.
Orthography, 11:45, Miss Mattie Rawles, teacher.
Discussion of same, 12:00.
AFTERNOON.
Open. I :30.
English Grammar, 2:15, D. S. \\'ell!ng. teacher.
Discussion of same, 2 :30.
Primary Reading. 3:15, E. M. Butler, teacher.
Discussion of same, 3 :30.
Miscellaneous Business. 4 :oo.
EDUCATION. 217
On Satiirda}- evening. December 28, 186 1, the teachers of the county
gave an entertainment at the Alasonic Hall at Greenfield. It was given for
the purpose of arousing interest in the teaching profession and of elevating
tlie professiun in the county. The enterlaiiinient was a<lverti.sed as a "Teach-
ers' E.xhibition" and among those taking part in it were : A. K. Sample. John
Bousloy, Eli Butler, George L. Lipscomb, Richard Frost. HeniT Snow,
Melissa Bond, Leonidas Milburne, A. V. B. Sample, James Shap, Dr. Butler,
Bell Mathers, George West, M. V. Chapman, Samuel \Vales, L. O. Harris,
J. E. Earles, E. M. Lucinda, Joseph Hunt, J. M. Alley, William Pilkington,
Pelatiah Bond. W. H. Judkins, George Glass. \\'e have no report of this
entertainment.
On Monday, August 11, 1862, the second regular session of the Han-
cock County Teachers" Institute convened at the Masonic Hall and con-
tinued for two weeks. Classes were organized and recitations conducted
daily in the subjects given below : Elocution, E. M. Butler, teacher ; Eng-
lish grammar, H. Mendenhall, teacher; intellectual arithmetic, M. Collier,
teacher; natural philosophy. William Fries, teacher; physiology; geography;
vocal music. William Morgan, teacher; object lessons, G. W. Hoss, teacher;
gymnastics. Hunt and Butler, teachers.
The following- text books were used during this institute: Readers,
McGuffey's sixth ; music, Golden Wreath : written arithmetic. Ray ; intellec-
tual arithmetic, Stoddard; physiology. Cutler: rhetoric, Quackenbos.
E. M. Butler was president of this institute and JK. V. B. Sample,
secretary.
Though the first general session of the Hancock County Teachers' Insti-
tute was very enthusiastic, the organization seemed to have difficult\- in hold-
'"ng the attendance of the teachers. After the meeting in .\ugust, 1862, re-
ports of the institute are very meager and the organization seems to have
been abandoned after a year or two.
On December 3, 1864, a number of teachers met at the Masonic Hall
at Greenfield for the purpose of effecting another organization. James
Williamson was elected chairman of this meeting and George L. Lipscomb,
secretan-. At this meeting the following resolution was adopted :
"Resolved, first, that a school be established at this place to be known
as the Hancock County Normal Institute.
"Resolved, second, that the officers of the institute shall consist of a
president, two \ice-presidents. a secretary and a treasurer. These officers
shall constitute a board of managers and teachers, and shall take charge of
such classes as may be organized."
2l8 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Following the adoption of these resolutions the following officers were
elected: President. M. C. Foley (then county examiner) ; vice-presidents, A.
J. Johnson and G. L. Lipscomb: secretary. James Williamson; treasurer,
Richard Frost.
The institute was to meet at the Masonic Temple at Greenfield once
every two weeks on Saturday at lo a. m., and was to adjourn at 4:00 p. m.
Arrangements were made for conducting classes in the following subjects:
English grammar. James Williamson, teacher; mental arithmetic. George
Lipscomb, teacher; written arithmetic, M. C. Foley, teacher: spelling, Rich-
ard Frost, teacher.
Arguments were again presented through the county papers showing the
necessity of raising the standard of teaching and urging the teachers to
attend. The following statement taken from the Hancock Democrat, gives
a good idea of the spirit of the teachers in making this effort :
"W'e call your attenti(jn to the secretary's report of the organization of
a normal institute for the purpose of drilling and perfecting teachers in their
profession, and the advancement of the cause of education throughout our
county, and ask your hearty cooperation with us in the good work. This is
not merely an experiment, but a bona tide institution, thoroughly organized
and entered upon with determination to succeed. The benefits to our educa-
tional interests arising from it are many and various. A.mong the principal,
aside from the drilling of the teachers, is that it will tend to establish a uni-
form system of teaching throughout the county, which all teachers must
acknowledge would in itself b.e an ample reward for the exertion. The
nucleus is formed, and if teachers and the friends of education will gather
about it and lend us their assistance, the educational interest of Hancock
county will receive an impetus that will overcome all the difficulties we have
formerly labored under."
An effort was also made to conduct an "educational column" in the
Hancock Democrat, beginning with January. 1865. The first article, a full
column, appeared "On the Imprn])er L'se of Language."' and another on
"The Responsibility of the Teacher."
After a few weeks, however, no more articles appeared. "The Han-
cock County Normal Institute"' seems to have met alxiut the same fate as its
predecessor, the "Hancock County Teachers' Institute." There were teach-
ers in the county who were earnest in their efforts to raise the standard of
their profession, but the difficulty lay in interesting the profession generally.
In 1865 a law was passed making provision for holding county insti-
tutes under the supervision of the comity examiners. In 1873 another law
EDUCATION. 219
was passed creating tlie count}- superintendent's office and giving tlie county
superintendent of schools and the county board of education greater powers
in tlic administration of the school work. I''ollowing tlie enactment of these
laws the following resolution touching upon teachers' meetings was adopted
by the county board i>f education of Hancock county at their December
meeting. 1873 :
"The county superintendent is hereby authorized to hold a county insti-
tute at Greenfield on the fourth .Saturday of each month having five Satur-
days, for the interest, benefit, and professional improvement of the teachers
of the county. Such institutes shall begin at 10 a. m. and close at 4 p. m..
and each teacher of the county shall attend the full session of each institute
or suffer the same penalties therefor as prescribed in section for non-attend-
ance at township institutes." (Author's Xote : The penalty was to "forfeit
one day's wages for each day's absence therefrom and fifty cents for each
hour or fraction thereof.")
In the above resolutions the teachers' meetings are designated as "insti-
tutes." but the meetings above contemplated were in addition to the town-
ship institutes and the county institutes as we know them toda\-. The record
indicates that at least two general teachers' meetings of the county were held
for several years. At some time before 1880, however, these meetings were
combined into one, and a one-day session was held on the Saturday before
Christmas, or during the holidays.
Among the teachers who were active in the profession for several years
or more in the early seventies and during the decade or two following, should
he mentioned: Lee O. Harris, George W. Puterbaugh, Henry Wright, Will-
iam M. Coffield, Ella Bottsford. Vania Gates, Scott Mints, Alpheus Rey-
nolds. A. V. B. Sample. Will T. Walker, Maggie Brown, Mary E. Dille,
Sarah J. \^'ilson. Florence C. Taylor, W. H. Glascock, Ida GeaiT. Jennie A.
Bnchel, \'ard I'inncll, Joshua Barrett. J. W. McCord, Ann.i Harris, J. S.
Jackson, C. M. Curry, E. E. Stoner, J. H. \\'hite, Moses Bates, W. B. Botts-
ford. Anna Chittendon, Mattie A. Sparks, William A. Wood, Morgan Car-
away, John Tliomas, Kate R. Geary. Mattie J. Binford, Duncan McDougall,
E. C. Martindale. A. X. Rhue, Angle H. Parker. Henry B. White, George
Caraway, Walter S. Smith. Ezra Eaton, Ira Collins, Worth Trittipo, S. C.
Staley, Clara Bottsford, W. H. Craig, Harvey Barrett. N. B. Brandenburg,
W. H. Simms, Maggie Buchel, Mary Lynch. Robert Hurley. Victor Lineback,
J. W. Smith. C. A. Ogle, Lulu Dove, Rena M. Wilson. William M. Lewis,
James K. Allen. Isaac Hunt. \\'. P. Smith. R. A. Smith. Dugald McDougall.
220 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
R. H. Archey, Will-am Elsbury, James L. Foley, Allie Creviston, \\'. W.
Harvey, W. J. Thomas, J. F. Reed, Quitman Jackson, Addie Wright, John
W. Jones, Porter Copeland, Aaron Pope, Will F. Handy, Edwin Bacon,
Lizzie Gilchrist. Clara Fries, S. S. Eastes. R. Warrum, J. P. Julian, J. L.
Smith, Jennie Willis, James Goble, J. W. Stout, Edward H. Tiffany, George
S. Wilson, Philander Scudder, Charles J. Richman, Emma Hill, Allen S.
Bottsford, Fannie Fish, May McDougall, Sallie Cotton, A. E. Lewis, Frank
Morgan, W. C. Atherton, John Brooks, Anna Woerner, John \V. Winslow,
Logan Glascock, Flora Love, M. O. Mints. O. P. Eastes, Ada Anderson,
Laura Dance, Cicero Reeves, Arthur L. Foley, Clay Vanlaningham, Edwin
Braddock, William Whitaker, Kate Applegate, Lucy Hill, B. F. Eubank,
Ellsworth Eastes, Kate Armstrong, Asa L. Sample, John W. Scott. J. D.
Dennis, E. W. Felt, S. C. Staley. Laura Pope, Thomas J. Wilson. Alice Coiey,
Emma Parnell, Fassett A. Cotton, I. N. Hunt, J. A. Everson, Ada Mitchell,
James M. Bussell, J.' V. Martin, George C. Burnett, E. B. Thomas. Charles
R. Reeves, Edwin Keller.
At the May meeting, 1886, the county board resolved "that the township
institutes be dismissed in the month of December in townships where the
teachers agree to attend the county association." About 1895 the association
began holding two-day sessions annually on Friday and Saturday after
Thanksgiving. The work was usually given in large part by the teachers
themselves and touched all phases of the problems presented to the teaching
profession. In 1908 the plan of a one-day session was again adopted, and
since 1909 the teachers have convened annually in general session on the
second Saturday of November.
Among those whose faces have been familiar in the count\- meetings of
the teachers for several years or more during the last quarter of a century,
and who are no longer engaged in the profession, or have gone elsewhere,
are : O. J. Coffin. Etta Barrett. A. C. Van Duyn, Leona Wilson, Lawrence
Wood, Date Glover, Alice Meek, J. W. Jay, John Hervey. Harvey Apple,
H. L. Thomas, W. A. Service, J. E. Radcliffe. John Larrabee, Jeremiah S.
Bates, James Furgason. Maggie Addison, Charles L. Collingwood, Charles
C. Collier, W. G. Bridges, Clarence Luse, Cora Weber, Eunice Barrett, Alvah
N. Reeves, Estella Boyce, Isaac H. Day, John F. Wiggins, Millie McCord,
W. H. Larrabee, Minnie M. Grist, Leora Jessup. O. W. Kuhn. Nida Card.
Albert Frost, John T. Wilson, , Barclay O. White, Rhoda Reeves, Neva
Roney, Milo Gibbs, Kizzie Staley, Luella Eastes, Anna Ostermeyer, J. F.
McCord. S. B. Prater. William A. Meyers. Eliza Everson, Inez Martin,
O. F. Boyce, Walter H. \\"elborn, W. H. Alger. Gilderoy Winslow, Ozrow
McCORDSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
EDUCATION. 221
Kemerly, G. C. D'Camp, Alaishall T. Hittle, Will Leamon, J. Q. McGrail,
Pearl Green, W. B. Stookey, Elwood Morris, Kate D. Wilson, Lizzie Bald-
win. Nancy V. Cook, Merritt Wood, Clarence Dunbar, Bert Cohee, O. L.
Morrow, Edward Eikman. Bessie Z. Jackson, Georj^e R. Thomas, George H.
Trees, Estella Ham. Hugh Souder, Maude Bradley, Frank McClarnon, Car-
lin Griffey, Edgar Hope, Arthur Boone, John T. Johnston, Gertrude Mur-
phv, George W. Kennedy, Leonard Cook, Myrtle Garriott, Harvey Rhue.
Harvey Power, Samuel S. Cory, Eva Pusey, Mabelle Ham, Chester B. Mur-
phy. Adolph Schreiher, Maude Thomas, Virginia Morton. Lillian New, Maud
Jackson, Mabel Smith, Belle Schramm, LaVaughn Evans, Mary Sample,
Allen Eastes, Raymond Wilson, O. S. Julian, Minnie Staley. Ethel Smock.
John T. Rash, Jennie Pope. J. M. Pogue, Audrey Binford, Charles E. Cook.
Will E. Curtis, Rhoda Coffield, Stella Newhouse, Clara Armiger, Sallie
Bolander, Gertrude Larimore, Minnie Houck, Ethel Clift, Robert F. Reeves,
Charles H. Wright. Ethel Harlan, Horace Martindale, Herman Ehlert, Chal-
nier Schlosser, Martha \^'iggins, W. C. Goble, Frances L. Petit, Ethel Ake-
maii, Edward Slaughter, J. Henry Perry, Pearl Stant, Jennie Jackson, Clar-
ence Trees, C. May Heller. Horatio Davis, Claudia Teel, Pearl Collyer,
Mildred Trittipo, Hannah M. Test, Martha Stockinger, Roscoe Thomas.
Albert Reep, Catherine Pusey, Verna Walker, Bess Hittle, Abbie Henby,
Margaret Black, Elmer Bussell, Clara Hagans, John A. Coffin. Tamma
A\'hite, Alpha Green, Nellie Larrabee, C. M. Cannaday, Viola Ham, Anna
H. Randall, Mack Crider, James O. Davis, Effie L. Alford, Pet Roland.
Carrie Jackson. Shady Wilson, Elsie Hudelson, Myrtle Binford. Nettie Bates,
Earl R. Gibbs, W. R. Neff, IMaggie Martin, Hettie Hunt, TiUie Craig, Har-
riett WHiite, Earl Binford, Hugh Johnson, John H. Whitely. Sarah \Miite.
O. W. Jackson. Flenry Hammer, Frank L. Marsh, Lee Justice, Hattie Silvey.
Venice Curr}-, L. L. Lydy, Kate Morton. Ora Staley, Alta Trittipo, Maude
lliff, Laura Black, James Snodgrass. Stella Z. Miles, Nelle Martin, Mabel
Felt, Edith W^eber, Mary Binford, Nelle Reed, Nannie Hagans, Marion
Bottsford, Lester Foster.
COrXTV NORMALS.
Following logically the earlier efforts that had been made in the county
to raise the standard of the teaching profession, county normal schools were
organized annually for a series of years. The first one was organized in
Greenfield in 1875 '^y Ex-County Su])erintendent John H. Binford. Tn 1S76
normal schools were organized at Greenfield, McCordsville and Charlottes-
ville. The school at McCordsville was conducted b\- W. H. Motsinger, prin-
222 HANXOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
cipal of the public schools at that place. County Superintendent Smith con-
ducted the one at Charlottesville, assisted by R. A. Smith and J. Worth
Smith. The following notice, published in the county papers, gives a good
idea of the school :
"normal institute.
"I will conduct a Normal Institute at Charlottesville, Hancock County,
Indiana, beginning July 17, 1876, and continuing seven weeks. The Course
will comprise a rapid review of the Common Branches together with such
other instruction as is necessarily involved in the science of teaching.
"A Model School will probably be conducted in connection with the
Institute.
"The best teaching talent will be secured.
"For Circulars, address,
"W. P. Smith, Co. Stipt.,
"Greenfield, Ind."
The enrollment at this school consisted of forty-eight students in the
normal dei)artment, and forty-one pupils in the model school, .-\mong the
students who attended were : Mrs. Florence Taylor Larimore. Mrs. Belle
Craft McCraw. Mr. Campbell, J. K. Allen. ^lary Ross Allen, Miss
Overman, ^lary Morrow.
The following advertising literature gives facts concerning the norma!
conducted by Mr. Binford in 1876:
"Iiistniciors — John H. Binford. B. S.. principal Greenfield graded
schools; Prof. W. A. Yohn, of Valparaiso Normal School: Mattie Binford,
A. B., Earlham College; Kate R. Geary, formerly of Greenfield schools.
"Lecturers — Hon. James A. Smart, state superintendent ; Prof. George
\V. Hoss, of Indiana University; Prof. D. Eckley Hunter, of Bloomington,
Indiana.
"A Model School, under the immediate instruction of Miss Kate R.
Geary, will be one of the many commendable features of the schof)l. Here
teachers will first learn by obserxvtioii. then b\- practice, under the eye of
the critic teacher.
"T/ie Course of Study will embrace a thorough review of the common
branches: the science of pedagogics, and beginning and advanced review
classes in the higher branches to suit the wishes of advanced pupils.
"Tuition — Per term. $5.00; in the Model School, $2.00 to $3.00."
These excerpts from the advertisements of the countv normals give a
EDUCATION. 223
good idea of llie schools. Tlioy were continued in this county until i.SRo.
Others were held in 1887. 1888. i8qi and 1896.
Among- the instructors at tiiese normals who arc well remembered in
the county are: T'crrv Smith, Walter Smith. R. A. Smith, Quitman Jackson,
\V. H. Sims. j. W". Jay. li. 1 ). Allen, E. M. Blanchard, W. H. Glascock, J.
Worth Smith, Dr. L. B, Griffin, W. H. Motsinger. Mrs. Leon (). Bailey. J. V.
Martin. W. H. Craig, W. A. Wood, George S. Wilson. A. H. Reynolds, H.
D. Barrett, Olmie C. Steele.
That these normals did efficient serxice for the uplmilding of the teach-
ing profession m Hancock county is e\i(lent ivom the following list of per-
sons who enrolled at some one or other of the sessions: W'illiam C. Ather-
ton, Amanda Kinnick, Iduna Smith Barrett, Jennie Snodgrass Major. Fred
Lipscombe. Walter Orr. Cynthia Fries Peacock, Mary McDougal. .\nna
Snodgrass Xeier. Rilev Luse. W. H. Sherry. Ada Mitchell Fort, Sadie Els-
bury Warrum, \"ania Gates, Mattie Black Gipe, Ida Gearw J. F. Reed, John
S. Frost, Alice Creviston Glascock. Bertha Scott Hunt, \"ictoria Lineback
White. Jasper McCray. Jennie Bucliel Hogle. Julia Fields. How-ard Barrett,
Harvey Barrett. Anna Harris Randall. W. A. Wood, Clara Bottsford. Will
Reeves. W. E. Walker, N. B. Brandenburg. M. O. Mints. R. A. Roberts,
Mary Goble, lola Coffin Bragg, Flora Catt Thomas. George Grimes. James
Goble, George S. Wilson, Berry White. Ida Cook Curry. Rhoda Cioble. Agnes
Jordan, Millie McCord. W. H. Craig. O. S. Coffin. E. W. Felt. Mellie Thomas
Lowry, Mrs. Cassie \'each Barrett. F. O. Fort. Frank Larrabee. Will Bar-
rett. Henrietta Gates. Laura Pope Reed. Charles Reed. W. H. Glascock,
Victoria \\ ilson ^Nlnrford, Pliaralia Wolfe, Roscoe Anderson. Maggie Buchel
.\shcraft, Flva Thornberr\-, i\Iark Catt, Joshua Barrett, Agnes McDonald
Hamilton, Emma Parnell. Ella Bottsford. Mabel Bottsford Cooper, Edith
Lamb, W. J. ^^'alker. Mary Lynch, Rol^rt Hurle\-. Maud America Everett,
W. M. Coffield. Ella Bogue, Irene \\'ilson Stoner, Eugene Lewis, Christine
Gilchrist, Thomas Wilson, ^lanie Chandler Burke. George Burnett. Isaac
Hunt, Kate Bussell. J. W. Jones. Rosa Grass Quick, W. H. Handy. Mattie
Thomas Felt. Fanny Denton.
ATTEMPTS TO PROCURE HIGHER INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING.
At least two attempts have been made to procure the location of higher
institutions of learning within the county. The first effort made was to
procure the location of the
INDIA.XA AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
At the time the question of the location of the state agricultural col-
lege was l)efore the people, James L, Mason represented Hancock county
224 HAXCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
in the state Senate. He introduced a bill into the senate in 1867, providing
that this school be located in this county. Efforts were being made by a
number of counties to secure this institution, but it seems that Mr. Mason
had sufficient support in the Legislature to give the people of the county some
hope of getting it. At that time our board of county commissioners offered
to donate $100,000 toward the establishment of the school in case it should
be located within Hancock count}-. The matter remained undecided for the
next two years, when on February 6, 1869, our board of county commis-
sioners met in special session to consider further what this county shoukl do.
After deliberating upon various propositions and hearing representative citi-
zens of the county, action was taken liy the board and the following order
entered upon their record :
"The board of county commissioners of Hancock county, in the state
of Indiana, propose, offer and bind said board of county commissioners of
said county, and their successors in office, to pay to the state of Indiana, on
condition that the proper authorities of said state will locate and erect the
contemplated agricultural college of said state in the vicinity of Greenfield
in said county, the sum of $100,000 in cash, by the first day of June, 1869,
or for that purpose they will pay to the state of Indiana the sum of $125,000
in cash in three equal annual installments, the first installment on the first day
of June, 1870. $41,666 2-3; .second installment. June i, 1871. $41,666 2-3:
third installment, June i, 1872. $41,666 2-3.
".And the state of Indiana by her proper authorities shall iiave the option
of the acceptance of either of the above propositions. And when so selected
and accepted by the said state the accepted proposition shall be binding on
said county of Hancock. "William Xew.
"James Tyner.
"Commissioners."
The location of the college still remained undecided through the sum-
mer of 1869. In November of 1869. however. Mr. Purdue, of Lafayette,
made an offer that was unequalled anywhere else in the state, and procured
the school for his county. This decision was .announced to the people of
Hancock county by the Hancock Democrat with tliis finishing touch :
"A Mr.' Purdue, of Lafayette, offered one hundred thousand dollars
of liis own money, in addition to the offer of the county, for the location of
the agricultural college at the Battle Ground. His condition is that it shall
be called 'Purdue Agricultural College.' This is a most munificent offer,
but why should the Legislature favor the rich against the poor?"
EDUCATION. 225
During the winter of 1880-81 a movement was begun to establish at
Greenfield a normal known as the
IXDIAXA NORMAL SCHOOL.
An association was organized and incorporated under the laws of the
state to promote the project. The incorporators were S. S. Boots, Nelson
Bradley, Morgan Chandler, Noble W'arrum. William New, Philander H.
Boyd, Israel P. Poulson. Heniy L. Moore, Ephraim Marsh and T. E. Glid-
den. In the fall of 188 1 the incorporators each subscribed one thousand
dollars, nn condition that ten thousand dollars additional be subscribed. The
following resolution was adopted relative thereto :
"Be it resolved, that when ten thousand dollars shall be donated to the
'Indiana Normal School.' we will proceed without delav to erect suitable
buildings in or near the city of Greenfield, to accommodate all the students
that may attend said school, and will thereafter maintain and operate the
same."
John W. Jones, an attorney of the Hancock bar, was the nio\ing spirit
in this project. He publislied a nunilier of articles in the county papers urg-
ing the expediency and advantages of establishing such a school in this county.
On February 15, 1882, the incorporators asked Mr. Jones to set a date for
a general discussion of the matter, at which the citizens could attend and be-
come acquainted with the probable results of such a school. Such a meeting
was held February 2j. 1882, at t'.ie court house. A number of speeches were
made at this meeting and much more interest was taken than at any previous
time. A resolution was adopted unanimously fa\oring the purchase of a tract
of land by the city, to be turned over to the incorporators. .\ number of
petitions were circulated among citizens askmg the city council to order an
election at an early day to take the sense of the voters on the question. In
the issue of the Hancock Democrat of March 2, 1882, appeared the following:
"Our people are becoming stirred up on this subject. The public impor-
tance of the school is so apparent and the opportunity now at hand is so fa\-or-
able and the fear that if this enterprise does not now succeed it will never
be offered again, are each combining to stir up the energy of our citizens."
The effort, however, did not succeed. Subscriptions to the necessary
fund were not forthcoming, and the movement was soon abandoned entirely.
COUXTV AXD TOWXSnU' IXSTITUTES.
The act of March 6, 1865, also made provision for holding county and
township teachers" institutes, and for appropriating fifty dollars anniiallv r.f
(15)
226 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
the county funds to help defray the expenses of the county institute. In
Hancock county the first institute was held in the fall of 1865, at Greenfield.
There were l)ut a few teachers present. Instruction was given in orthography,
reading, arithmetic and English grammar. In 1866 no institute was held.
In the county examiner's record, under the topic of "Teachers' Institutes."
appears the following note : "Failure. County commissioners would make
no provision as other counties and as the law provides."
The first full report of a county teachers' institute held in Hancock
county was made by James A. New, county examiner, in 1871. The report
is as follows :
"i. Number of teachers' institutes held within the year, one.
"2. Where held, Greenfield, Hancock County, Indiana.
"3. Number attending — males, 92: females, 25; total, 117.
"4. Branches taught, orthography, oral grammar, grammar, writing,
geography and map drawing.
"5. Number of evening lecturers, two.
"6. Money drawn from treasury, $50.
"7. Total cost of institute, $35.
"8. Number of township institutes held, one.
"9. Number of townships sustaining teachers' associations, one.
"James A. New, Examiner,
"Greenfield, Indiana."
There were difficulties to be overcome in those days, as disclosed by
the following entry made in the county examiner's record on August 17. 1871 :
"The following is a list of the names of persons w^ho have paid the
requisite fee, and become regular members of the institute, and who shall
;md zcill receive the advantages derived from being members of same to be
given by examiner and trustees.
"This measure becomes necessary in order that the Common Schools
may be benefited, and that the expenses incurred by Institutes be paid.
Names. Residence.
John Tbonias
James McKean
James E. Johnson Philadelphia, Indiana
William A. Wood Philadelphia, Indiana
John M. New A\'estland, Indiana
Harper F. Sullivan Westland, Indiana
EDUCATION. 227
Xame Residence
William S. Fries (ireenfield, Indiana
Henrv Wright Mt. Comfort, Indiana
William A. Dunn Philadelphia, Indiana
Benjamin h". r^larsh W'estlancl, Indiana
Theodore \\'inn Greenfield, Indiana
Morgan Caraway W'eslland, Indiana
Isaac X. Hunt W'estland, Indiana
James K. Allen Cleveland, Indiana
(ieorge W'. Puterbaugh Greenfield, Indiana
Lee O. Harris Greenfield, Indiana"
That some of the teachers were interested in better supervision and a
more effective organization of the schools of the county is evident by the
.idoption of the following resolution at this institute :
"Resolved, That it is the ojiinion of the members of this institute that-
there should be a county superintendent of public schools in every county,
whose duties, in addition to those at present performed by the examiner,
shall be to devote his entire time during the continuance of said schools to
visiting and superintending the same. And further : That said superintendent
should in all cases be a professional teacher. Therefore, we the teachers of
Hancock county do earnestly commend this measure to the consideration of
our state Legislature.
"Rcsoh'cd, that while we feel thankful to those citizens of Greenfield
and vicmit\- who have been present at our institute, and have felt encouraged
thereby to continue our labors in the educational work, we cannot but deplore
the lack of interest shown by our township trustees and many teachers of the
county, as manifested by their absence throughout the entire week. This
we mention more in sorrow than in anger, and still hope for better times
and more energetic men.
"Resolved, that we, the members of this institute. belie\e that our
school law should be so changed or modified as to make the drawing of the
public money by each county contingent upon an additional amount to be
raised by a tax within said county for the purpose of continuing our public
.schools for a period of at least six (6) months.
"Resolved, that we consider the principles contained in the foregoing
resolutions of \ital importance to our county: that a committee of three be
appointed by the president of this association to wait upon the representatives
from this county and the senator for the counties of Hancock and Henrv
J2S HANCUCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
immediately after the election and call their attention to these, our wishes,
and earnestlv solicit them to work for this end in their official capacity.
'George VV. Puterbaugh,
"William A. Wood,
"Lee O. Harris,
"Committee on Resolutions."
The first county institute conducted by a county superintendent of schools
was held September 29 to October 3. 1873. Superintendent Jr>hn H. Binford
reported eighty-si.\ males and thirty-five females present : "The eight com-
mon branches, ora'.s, composition, science of government, theory and j^ractice.
etc., etc.," were presented. The cost of the institute was sixty dollars. At
the bottom of the report is tlie following note : "The numlier reported includes
many that were not teachers — tliere was an average of actual teachers of
about thirty. The institute was a decided success."
During that year there were ninetj^-nine teachers in the county, so that
only about one-third of them were in actual attendance at the institute.
During the ne.xt ten or fifteen years the work of the county institutes
was directed toward a discussion of the sul)iect matter of the common
branches. Possibly it was because the opportunities for qualifying were lim-
ited as compared with today, and that necessity demanded that the teachers
concern themselves with zchal Ui teach, rather than with lio\\- 10 teach it.
During the eighties and nineties, however, and with the increase in the num-
l)er of colleges and universities, tiie instructors who came to our countv insti-
tute took up questions of method, psychology, etc., and the greater emphasis
was placed on /lozi' subjects ought to be presented. During the last decade
the inspirational feature of the county institute has been perhaps even un-
duly emphasized. With the passage of the vocational law of 1913 the atten-
tion of our institute has again been directed to the question of zi-hat to teach
Ml these new lines.
The attendance at the Hancock county institute has remained about the
same as reported by Superintendent Binford in 1873. The cost of conducting
it, however, has increased greatly. Able institute instructors are paid on an
average of one hundred and twenty-five dollars per week, and the total ex-
penses of conducting our institutes for several years have been rcspectiveh' :
1889, $141.00: 1890, $158.00; 1892, S165.00; 1894, $181.00: 1898. $200.00;
1902. $227.00; 1905, $249.77; 1909. $290.00; 1910, $291.00; 1913, $242.25;
1914, $268.14. To defray these expenses, one hundred dollars is drawn from
the countv treasure An institute f'ee of one dollar is collected from eacli
EDUCATION. 229
teacher during the county institute, and an examination fee of fifty cents is
collected from eacli applicant taking the examination for teacher's license, all
of wliich is ])ut into the institute fund.
Township institutes have lieen lield in each township on one Saturday
in each month during school terms since the passage of the act of 1873. In
1872 James A. Xew. county examiner, reported one township as sustaining
a teachers' institute or association. In 1873 Superintendent John H. Bin-
ford reported: "Township institutes held within the year, none." At the
September meeting of the county board of education, in 1873, however, the
following resolutions were adopted :
"Resolved, that we will employ no teacher who does not attend the
teachers' institute appointed by the county superintendent, and that we will
to the full extent exact the penalty prescribed by the law for non-attendance
on the same.
"There shall be organized in the county by the county superintendent
three combined township institutes for the months of October and March,
each of which shall hold one session during each of said months. The first
shall be composed of Blue River, Jackson and Brown townships, and shall
meet on the first Saturday of October and March at the pul)lic school house
in Cleveland, unless otherwise ordered by the county superintendent. The
second shall be composed of Brandywine, Center and Green townships, and
shall meet at the school house in Greenfield on the second Saturday of Octo-
l.ier and March. The third shall be composed of Sugar Creek, Buck Creek
and Vernon townships, and shall meet on the third Saturday of October and
March at Mt. Comfort, unless otherwise ordered bv the county superin-
tendent."
At the September meeting of the board in 1875, the month of Novemlier
was substituted for the month of October, and the institute for the western
tier of townships was abolished. At the September meeting, 1880, the joint
institutes were "deemed impracticable since the teachers are not willing to
attend the same." The attendance of the teachers at the township institutes
received a great stimulus in the passage of the act of 1889, providing that
teachers be paid for attendance at these institutes.
TERMS OF SCHOOL.
With the increase of teachers" salaries came also longer terms of school.
A report of the county superintendent made in 1875 shows the average
length of the school term as follows: Blue River. 142 days; Brown, 80 days;
Center, 78 days; Jackson, no days; Brandywine, 86 days; Buck Creek, 123
230 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
days: Green. 88 days: \^ernon. 100 days: Charlottesville. 100 days; Fortville,
83 days ; Greenfield, 90 days.
During the next decade the townships practically all began maintaining
a six-months term. Within the last ten years another month has been added,
while our high schools and some of our township schools now are beginning
to maintain an eight-months term.
ENUMERATION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.
Tlic records of the enumeration of school children during the early years
of the county's history are incomplete and many of them have been lost.
The United States census report shows that in 1840 seven common schools
were conducted in the county with an attendance of one hundred and fifty-
six pupils. In 1850 an attendance of two thousand, four hundred and thirteen
pupils was reported. The enumeration taken in 1866 shows that there were
in the county the following number of children between the ages of six and
twenty-one years: Males, 2,621: females, 2.471: total, 5,092. The number
of children kept increasing for a number of years, and then began to decrease
as shown Iw the following table:
Enrollment
Average Daily
in Schools
Attendance
Years.
Enumeration.
for the year
for the year.
1866
5,092
4-324
1873
5,310
4-438
2.652
1876
5.600
4.287
1882
5.581
1884
5,660
t886
5-742
1887
5-745
T889
5.857
1890
5-857
4.653
3-510
1892
6,118
4.730
3-599
1893
6.348
4-693
3,458
1894
6,401
4.736
3-6.M
1895
6.353
4.908
3-585
1896
5-950
4.838
3-582
1897
6.064
4-775
3-791
1898
6,162
4-741
3.906
1899
5-931
4.753
3.689
1902
5-949
4.688
3-679
1903
5.849
4-534
3.629
1914
4-671
3-793
3,266
EDUCATION. 231
W'itliout giving tlie talilc for all the years, the enumeration of school
children of the county has decreased at the rate of ahout one hundred pupils
per year during" the last eleven years. According to enumeration reports
there are fewer children hetwecn the ages of six and twenty-one _\-ears in the
count}' now hy ahout four hundred than there were at the close of the Civil
War. The numher reached its maximum in 1894. The highest average daily
attendance. howe\er. was reached in the schools in the school year, 1897-8.
It will lie observed that the enrollment in the schools in 1872-3 was only
about one hundred less than in 1903, yet the average daily attendance of
that year is almost a thousand less. This is. no douht, accounted for by the
fact that in 1873 a large number of the young people attended school for a
short time during the winter term, but were absent on ''good days for work,"
and withdrew early in the spring. This gave the schools a large enrollment,
hut a low average daily attendance.
The great decline in the enumeration of school children is also having
a marked effect on the county's distributive share of the school funds drawn
from the state. For instance, the state school tax levy for 1914 was thirteen
and six-tenths cents on every one hundred dollars of taxable property. Dur-
ing the vear thirty-two thousand, one hundred and ninety-two dollars and
thirty cents was collected in taxes and interest on school funds. r;nd paid
over to the state treasurer. But when tlie state funds were again apjjortioned
among the cininties. on the basis of their enumeration, Hancock county re-
ceived only $19,571.49, or $12,620.81 less than was collected by this county
and paid into the state treasury. The figures above illustrate wdiat occurs
from year to year in the collection and distribution of the state school taxes.
CONSOI.in.VTIOX OF SCHOOLS .\XD ORGANIZATION OF HIGH SCHOOLS.
In 1865 the county examiner reported eightx-seven district schools in
Hancock county, but he reported no graded schools at all in the townships.
Tn 1873, ruid again in 1876, eighty-nine districts were reported. During
more recent years the number of district schools having only one teacher
was reported as follows: 1892, Sy; 1893, 85; 1896, 84; 1897, 81 : 1900, 67:
1902, 66; 1903, 63: 1906, 62; 1907. 61 : 1908, 32; 1909, 49: 1911. 47: 1912,
41: 1913. 38: 1914. 37 ■• 1915. 32-
With the abandonment of district schools from vear to year, the children
have been transferred to larger centers, where they have the advantage of
better gradation, etc. This movement has also made possible and expedient
the organization tif tciwnship high schools. Several high schools, including
those in r.lue River, Brown. Green, Jackson and Vernon townships w^ere
232 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
organized, or at least classes had taken up high school subjects by 1895. All
the remaining townships except Brandywine had high school classes started
not later than 1900. The organization of tiiese schools was well begun by the
time that Count)- Superintendent Lee O. Harris took his office in 1897. At
that time Hancock county still had practically all her district schools, but it
•Aill be observed that by the end of his administration, in 1903. eighteen dis-
tricts had been abandoned. The pupils from these districts were attending the
consolidated schools. Since that time almost one-half of the remaining dis-
tricts have been abandoned. Blue River township had all her pupils in the
consolidated school at \\'estland during the school year of 1914-15, under
the trusteeship of Obed J. Coffin. During the school year of 1914-15 the
\arious school corporations expended $7,325.00 for the transportation of
pupils to the consolidated schools. The school houses in which our children
now attend may be grouped as follows: Stone, i ; brick, 66; frame, 8; total, 75.
CUSTOMS OF DIFFERENT PERIODS.
r^Iention has been made of the fact that in 1865 an "Educational Col-
umn" was conducted for a time in the Hancock Democrat by the Hancock
County Normal Institute. In 1876 County Superintendent W. P. Smith
again conducted such a "column." Articles were contributed by Mr. Smith
and also by the teachers of the county. The first article to appear was offered
by Lee O. Harris on "Composition." Another article of some length was
contributed by A. V. B. Sample on "Duties of Parents." Other articles under
the captions, "Force of Habit." "Description of School Room," "Cultivation
of the ]\Iind," and "Words," appeared from time to time for several years.
In addition to such articles personal mention was made of the work and doings
of teachers. In fact, a sort of an "exchange" was maintained in these columns,
to which the teachers felt free to contribute, and which reflects a general
cooperative spirit in the profession.
About the same time, or rather in 1875. knottv problems in arithmetic
l)egan to appear, for which solutions were asked. Teachers vied with each
other in their efforts to solve these problems and publish their solutions in
the local paper. Frequently different solutions giving different results were
published, which gave rise to interesting arguments running from week to
week on the solutions offered. Following is a problem which may probably
be called typical, selected at random from those offered :
"Three boys start to sell oranges; one has ten, one has thirty and the
fither fifty; they want to sell them at the same price and all receive the same
amount of money. At what price must they sell and how much did each
receive?"
EDUCATIOX. 233
During the winter of 1870-71. X. W. Fitzgerald, principal of the (irecn-
field school, adopted a plan of encouraging attendance, good behavior, indus-
try, etc.. in the Cjrecnficld schools by esiablisliing "honor rolls." The "honor
roll" was made up at the end of each week. Pupils who had been neither
absent nor tardy, who had been "perfect"' in recitations, and who had a
grade in deportment of not less than, say ninety-five per cent., had their
names placed on this "roll." At the end of each week the "honor roll" was
published in the local papers. During that winter a few teachers in the
county adopted the same plan and published the "honor rolls" of their schools.
In a year or two this custom became verj' common, and "honor rolls" from
schools in all parts of the county were published. This practice was con-
tinued in the county pretty generally for about sixteen years.
In the .spring of 1871, W. P. Smith, later county superintendent of'
schools, finished a term at the Pleasant Hill school in Brandywine township.
The term had been successful, relationships had evidently been cordial and
agreeable, and in the issue of the Hancock Democrat of March 30 of that
year he made the following public acknowledgment :
"Many thanks to the friends and patrons of the school for the jirompt
and cheerful cooperation they have rendered me during the term, and for the
many 'good things' they provided for us and our visitors on closing day.
"To the Scholars : You will please accept my thanks for strict obedience
to the rules of school, punctuality in attendance, promptness in recitation
and close application to study ; and now that school is out let me ask you not
to lay aside your books entirely, but spend your leisure moments in reviewing
the lessons you have recited at school that you may be alile to begin your
studies at the next term where you left off this.
"With best wishes for your future success in life. I hid vou adiew, as
your teacher for the present. \V. P. S.mitii."
To this letter was also appended the "honor roll" of this school: Reuben
Bentley, Joseph Kelm, James Parnell, Abijah Kemmerly, Henry C. Marsh,
b)hn J. Roberts. William Kennedy, Willie H. Marsh, Andrew J. Smith, James
H. Smith, Newton Rhue, Charles P. Duncan, Mary E. C. Kelm, Emma Par-
nell. Tduna ^lay Smith. Ella Grjggsby, Emanuel Smith, Henry McKinney,
Dard Roberts, Laura Parnell, Malinda E. Smith, May J. Smith, Rebecca
Stump. Isaac T. Winn, James J. Duncan, James Roberts, Harriett Parnell,
Sarah .\. Smith, Inez E. Smith.
This was the beginning of a series rif such acknowledgments which often
appeared at the close of schools during the seventies and eighties. They
were not always in exactly the same tone, as will be seen from the following,
234 HANCOCK COL.NTY, INDIANA.
whicli came from the teacher of district No. lo in Vernon township in tlie
spring of 1872 :
"1 would say to the scholars, the most of you have treated me well, and
have not caused me any trouble. Hoping you will retain these few instruc-
tions 1 have given you until a good old age, you have my best wishes through
life.
''To the patrons of the school : I am sorrv^ to say you have done but little
in word or deed to encourage me in my work, but I trust you will do 1)Ctter
in the future. J. H. Scotton, Teacher."
Sometimes the acknowledgment also included a narrative of the "last
day," like the following from district Xo. 2 in Green township, in March,
.1876:
"The day set in very inclement, but nevertheless, scholars, patrons and
friends came marching in with turkeys, chickens, pies, cakes and everything
that would tempt the palate.
"The morning program was as follows : A complete review of the
analysis of the alphabet, ad\anced reading, written spelling and manuscript
histon-. After these exercises we had two tables spread across the house
with even-thing nice to satisfy the appetite.
"The afternoon program consisted of concert reading, Grammar. Geogra-
phy. Arithmetic, and closed by remarks from patrons and teacher. The
scliolars Jiave been industrious, obedient and kind. I will return my thanks
through your paper for the kmdness and hospitality, both bv patrons and
pupils, shown me while teaching in their district."
"J. Benson, Teacher."
I^ocal pride was also reflected :
"School No. 9, near Willow Branch P. O.. closed March 15, 1876, with
a general turnout of patrons, pupils ;md visitors. The forenoon exercises
consisted of, first, recitations in primary spelling and reading, after which
the time until noon was spent with arithmetic classes. Xoon now at hand, we
dismissed for dinner. We set two tables, each twelve feet long-, which were
covered with edibles of all kinds.
"I will say in conclusion that we have had a very pleasant time this
winter. This being my third term at this place, and very likely the last, I
can say that I consider it a credit to any teacher to occupy old Spiceland
school house. No. 9, Brown township.
"I now return my thanks to patrons and pupils for their kindness toward
me as their teacher, and may thev ever be found moving forward in the inter-
est of an education. James L. Smith, Teacher."
EDUCATION. 235
fn the spring- of 1876 the teacher oi Benevolence school in Center town-
ship n-uide the following statement in the local paper :
"Pupils reported as most industrious and consequently most successful :
Alice (iohle. John Handy. Phebe Price, Ella Kinsey. James Pleffernan, Ollie
Wiggins, M ollie Trees, Eddie Gray, Rufus Temple, and George Wiggins.
"I can safely say for all that more practical pupils cannot he
found anywhere. No cases of tardiness in the school during the term.
"The patrons of the district have my sincere thanks for the dinner fur-
nished on this occasion. Theodore Winn, Teacher."
Many other acknowledgments could he added to the foregoing, but they
illustrate the types of public acknowledgments that appeared in the columns of
our local papers during those years.
But expressions of good will did not all come from the teacher alone.
On several occasions the pupils also had something to say, and some of their
doings at least found their way into the local papers. We offer the following
from the pupils of "Sparks school," district No. i, in Brown township, at the
close of their school, in March, 1876:
"Resolved, that we return our earnest thanks to our well esteemed teacher
for the general hospitality he has shown us during his two terms of school.
"Resolved, that we return our thanks to our teacher for discharging his
tluty among us as pupils without showing any partiality.
"Resolved, that we return our thanks to our esteemed teacher, A. J.
Larue, for the information he has imparted to us as pupils since he came to
our school.
"Resolved, that we are under many obligations to our teacher for rais-
ing us up from the degrading name which the pupils were under in our dis-
trict, caused by unruly pupils, and elevating us upon a level with other dis-
tricts in the township and county.
"Resohed, that we recommend our teacher to any class of scholars that he
may chance to meet in the future.
"Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be presented to the teacher's
father. John R. Larue.
"Resolved, that we request William Marsh, trustee of P own township,
to send a copy of these resolutions to the Hancock Democrat for publication.
"Resolved, that if our teacher thinks these resolutions worthy, we re-
quest him to present a copy of them to the county paper in which he resides.
"Resolved, that we return our thanks to our teacher for giving his con-
sent to return at our next term of school and assist us in advancing our
education."
236 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
"Signed by scholars. Obee H. Garrett, James B. McDaniel, Jolin H. Smith,
Samuel N. Hunt, Charles Riggs, Levi L. Keesling, William Smith, Bay Cook,
Lilly Cook, Marj' A. Cook, Cimmie Cook, Hattie Giles, Florence Cook, Tidy
Cook, Henry J- Garrett, Joseph McDaniel. Joel A. Cook, Sanford Dudley,
Cora Leiber, Eilnore Cook. W'illiam J. Dudley, Daniel M. Smith, Laura Cook,
Mary A. McDaniel, Emma J. McDaniel. Nancy Cook, Fannie Broomfield,
Delia Cook, Isaac L. Garriott, John R. Keesling, James Broomfield, Charles
McDaniel, Levi McDaniel, William R. Riggs, Mattie Cook, Luvina A. Gar-
rett, Missouri Cook, Mary Smith. Annie Giles, Nancy McDaniel, \'isy Cook."
On the same occasion the patrons of the above school gave the following
signed statement to the Hancock Democrat for publication :
"We, the employers of .school District No. t. return our best wishes and
thanks to A. J. Larue for his general hospitality and moral conduct, and for
discharging his duty impartially, and for such we recommend him to any and
all schools that he may chance to meet in the future.
"(Signed) : Joseph Garrett, Joel Cook, Morris Cochran, J. A. McDaniel,
Lorenzo D. Cook, Daniel Hedrick. James C. Smith, Matt F. Cook."
At the close of school in the following spring, 1877. the pupils at Lea-
mon's Corner, in Jackson township, no doubt felt that their teacher was
worthy of as much recognition as might be given to the teacher of any other
school. It is interesting to obsen-e that among the pupils who signed the
following resolutions are some whose names have long been well known
throughout the state of Indiana :
"School closed here last Saturday. We, the pupils, return to our teacher.
Miss Mattie Lineback, our sincere thanks for the kind and faithful manner
in \vhich she performed her duty.
"Resolved, that we will treasure up the seed which she has sown, and will
improve every opportunity that will advance us one step further up the hill
of science. (Signed) William H. Glascock, George Burnett, Jennie Mc-
Corkle. Louiza Sheets. Cora Felt. Charles Chandler, Eugene Lewis, Emma
Bucket, Anna Chandler, James Clift. John Felt. Eliza Shipley. Mattie
Glascock."
In the spring of 1879 the pupils of the Thomas school in Brandy wine
township adopted the following as a tribute of respect to Napoleon B. Branden-
Imrg, who was a very popular teacher in the county for a number of years.
in Sugar Creek, Brandywine and Center townships :
"TRIBUTE OF RESPECT.
"We, the pupils of school district No. i. Brandywine township, feel it
our dutv to tender our teacher. N. B. Brandenburg, a series of resolutions
EDUCATION. 237
of respect for liis services rendered as teacher for our benefit, as they now
come to a close.
"Resolved, that he has labored diligently and earnestly with us and in
our behalf to bestow upon our minds something that will enable us to occupy
the positions to which we may be called.
"Resolved, that in performing this work he has not been partial in any
respect, but has imparted instruction willingly and in the best possible manner
to one and all, ever}'thing of a mysterious nature vanishing into ideas with
a clearness that moulds upon the mind never to be forgotten.
"Resolved, that we unite in complimenting our teacher for his faithful
efforts as a teacher in advancing us in our studies and for his untiring
exertions to adv^ance our best interests, and we heartily commend him to
those among whom his lot may be cast as a teacher, efficient, capable, and
worthy of their respect. Happiness and prosperity go with him. (Signed)
Thomas Hope, Julia Fields, Julia Hutchison, Willard Hutchison, Lillie Woods,
Lura Thomas. Thomas Wilson, Mary Collyer, George Potts. Ira Davis,
Charles Thompson, Lida Potts, Emma Collyer."
The patrons on that occasion adopted the following : "We, the patrons
of said school, vouch for the propriety of the above resolutions: I .Signed")
John Sylvester. .\. J. Jeffries, John V. White, A. M. Potts. William Kidwell,
Wellington Collyer, B. F. Frj-, H. J. Fry, Hiram Thomas, Smith ?Iutchison,
Christopher Fields."
It was during these years, too. — the seventies — that ilie closing dav of
school came to be a social event in every district. It is still so lovingly re-
ferred to as the
The "last day" also received ample space in the columns of our local
papers, and the "visitors" shall tell their own stories. We begin with the
last day at Carrollton, ]\Iarch 25, 1876:
"W'e had a school of five months, which could not be beat in the town-
siiip. and which closed Saturday, March 25. It was taught by Cyrus Boring.
Between the hours of nine and ten the parents came pouring in with baskets
filled to the brim. They went immediately up' to the Grange Hall to prepare
a dinner for the school, which was done directly and in order. We had two
tables, each thirty feet in length. These tables were well filled with as nice
I'loking victuals as my eyes ever beheld. Tiie dinner was compo.sed of lioiled
ham. baked chicken, fruits, pies and pickles of all descriptions, and nineteen
large cakes from three inches to fifteen inches thick. These were covered with
238 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
icing as white as snow and trimmed with various colors of candies. The
tables were covered with small edibles too tedious to mention. After the tables
were prepared they all left the hall and went down to the school room, where
they had the privilege of listening to splendid music. Then they marched,
two and two, up to the hall. The scholars occupied one table, and the parents
and visitors the other. Then Mr. Boring called all to order and thanks were
returned by John D. Lucas.
"Then the feast commenced, and in a short time our nice victuals all
disappeared. Then we returned to the lower room, where we had splendid
music from the organ and singing from the scholars for one hour and a half.
The school was then called to order by the teacher and a piece was read
by James Reed from The Democrat of March 16. prepared by A. Y . B. Sam-
ple, subject, "Dutv of Parents." Then the parents were called on to make a
few remarks. Then the small children were called on to speak their pieces,
which were vers- interesting. Then Mr. Renecamp was called upon to make
a few remarks, which he did, and they were very appropriate for the occasion.
Mr. Boring then got up and talked some fifteen minutes to the scholars and
parents. He said he had not been mad during his five months of school.
This speaks very well for Mr. Boring. He taught his first school in this place
twelve years ago. He had only one scholar this term that came to him then.
"Gumbo."
William M. Lewis, at present the genial proprietor of the book store, no
doubt has many pleasant recollections like the following:
"On Tuesday last (February 20, 1877) Mr. William Lewis closed his
fourth school at Brown's Chapel school house, Jackson townshij). The day
being a fine one, I concluded I would visit the school. Among the more im-
portant exercises in the forenoon were advanced grammar and arithmetic.
The several classes did their work in a maimer that desened great credit ;
the rough roads of aritiimetic seemed to fade away before them and every-
thing seemed easy for tl:em. At twelve o'clock it seemed that the exercises
were stopped, but \ve were pleasantly mistaken, for it turned out that thev were
only changed in order to make them more general. In a few minutes the
ladies changed the scene into one of the most bounteous displays of good
things to eat imaginable. After partaking of a hearty repast the young folks
repaired to the play ground, where the bright light of the sun shone on fair
young ladies and brave young men present. About one and a half o'clock
Mr. Lewis called the crowd together to hear the exercises of the afternoon.
The first exercise was a class in elocution, consisting of J. E. Stephens, Henry
H. Crider. Lafe Crider, John Slifer and Miss Emma Scott, .\mong the selec-
EDUCATION. 239
tions read were '■G<:>ne With a Ilaiulsomer ^fan," and "Courting in the Coun-
try"; and I mujit say that llie reading was certainly excellent, and the effect
produced by some of the reading was very interesting. After the class was
dismissed Henrv Crider and Miss Scott were recalled and read "Hiawatha's
Wooing" and "The Famine," Mr. Crider reading the former and Miss Scott
the latter. Tliev Ixith did splendidly. After the reading was over came
declamations, essays, etc., which kept us interested until near four o'clock,
when Mr. Lewis made a few remarks which were veiy interesting, followed
by others present. On the whole I have concluded I spent one of the most
pleasant days of my life, and after this 1 shall visit schools more frequently.
"Visitor."
The following from "Xel;raska school," in C"enter township, also in
1877, is interesting for the clearness with which it sets before us the festivities
and exercises of the last day. and because of some of the men whose names
appear therein as pupils of this school :
"At tweh"e o'clock school was dismissed for dinner, which had been pre-
])ared liy the patrons of the school. Dinner being spread, it was interesting
to see the polite and genteel manner in which Miss Mattie Lineback served
her guests at the table. One side was reserved for visitors, the other for the
])upils. who were marched up in good order, .\fter thanks were returned by
our friend. William Brooks, all partook of the dainties which were spread
liefore them and good enough ff)r a king. Dinner being over, we enjoved
ourselves in social chat for an hour, there being some forty or fifty visitors
present, besides quite a number of pupils. At the ringing of the bell all took
their places to hear the afternoon e.xercises. which were mostly literary and
delivered in good style. T was diverted to see little Johnnie Wiggins, son of
our friend, John F. Wiggins, come to the stand to speak. He came so earnest,
witii eyes sparkling like jewels. There is something noble in tliat little fellow.
He has had the misfortune to lose one of his hands, but he is not without tal-
ent. I would say to Mr. Wiggins, give that boy an education and he will make
a man of himself. Much credit is due Miss Ettie Felt for the liecoming man-
ner in which she acted the part of the old lady, with her cap and spectacles
on. By the way. Eugene Lewis is a very good speaker and Billy Glascock a
very good journal reader. Everything was done decently and in good order.
The last was an essay by Miss Lineback. which was gotten up in good style
and read with politeness. I am happy to say that Miss Lineback is an ac-
complished lady and understands her ])usiness. ,-\t four o'clock the school
closed and I returned home much pleased with w'hat I had seen and heard.
"A Visitor."
240 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Though the "eats" were lacking, the program rendered at Xew Palestine
on closing day in 1879 was thoroughly in harmony with the spirit of the
times :
"Last Thursday and Friday were spent in oral examinations at the Xew
Palestine graded school and the result is satisfactory to all. Rev. Winches-
ter asked a few questions, to which answers were readily given. The schools
of the upper department assembled in the lower room when the literary exer-
cises commenced. Among the many creditable acquittals I will men-
tion a few: "Darius Green and His Flying Machine," by AUie Bottsford. a
boy whose executive ability is unsurpassed by one of his age. Xext a dia-
logue, "Mrs. Partington's Tea Party," by Ida Lipscomb, Cora Ulrey, Kate
Armstrong and Annie Warner. A declamation entitled, "Old ^lan of Fifty-
three." by May Bottsford, was well done. Two renderings by Henry War-
rum, of Nameless Creek, entitled "A Sermon to Ladies" and "Woman's
Sphere," were well delivered. Essays were read by Willie Buchel. John
Sharp, Flora Rice, Rosa Warrum, Glennie Hook, Lulu Vansickle, and many
others. They also had an excellent paper read by Misses Jennie Bucliel and
Cora Winchester.
"Mr. Wood having engaged the services of State Superintendent Smart,
we Iiad the pleasure of listening to one of his interesting lectures at the
.\L E. clnirch. The teachers at this place, though they have not as suitable a
nouse and apparatus as others, have given satisfaction as far as I have been
able to learn, and deserve credit for thejr untiring efforts to advance tlie cause
of education. May they as teachers ever be prosperous.
"A Wkll Wlsher."
. These narratives could be duplicated many, many times from the columns
of the local papers during those years and for a decade following.
SPELLING SCHOOLS.
■ The .spelling school was an institution that dated Itack almost to the be-
ginning of the schools themselves. It was one of the first forms of entertain-
ment that our schools offered to the communities. Many years Ijefore the
L'i\il War schools had their "best spellers." Scliool met school, well knowing
that their "liest spellers" could spell every word in the old McGuffey spelling
book, and that their opponents must go down in defeat or the match must
be a draw. Xot only did the school have its best speller, but the community
had its best speller, and he was relied on, "sent for" if necessary. Where is
the community in the county that did not have at least one or more farmers
who worked all day and then spelled to the wee hours of the night to uphold
EDUCATION. 241
llie reputatiini of the districi in ;iny nialcli that a challenge might hring
forth ?
In the earlier days especially, one school challenged another. Often,
simplv a "spelling school" was announced. When the people had congre-
gated captains were announced who chose the spellers. Then different plans
were followed. Sometimes "runners" were cliosen ; sometimes the contest
was to see who could "stand the longest"; and sometimes it was determined
in favor of the side missing the fewest words. Generally the contest was
entered for entertainment and to win. But it was not an uncommon thing
for some patriotic and enthusiastic citizen to offer a jirize to the winning side
or to the winning school.
It seems that spelling schools hegan almost \\ ilh the organization of
schools in this county, and continued more or less generally until within a
decade or two of the close of the last century. They were conducted not
only by the public school as an institution, but by organizations, societies, etc.,
and were frequently the means of raising funds, just as we now give enter-
tainments, socials and suppers for the same purpose.
One of the most interesting spelling matches in the county was arranged
b}- the ladies of the Greenfield Benevolent Society. The ladies canvassed the
city and procured tlie consent of a number of business men and others to spell.
Among them were: \\'. S. \\'ood. J. .\. Xew. J. L. Mason, L. W. Gooditig,
.\. Reynolds. G. T. Randall, O. Moon, William r^Iitchell, Lou Hammel, Mrs.
Dr. Martin, Colonel Roberts, War Thomas, J. Ward W'alker. I. P. Poulson,
George B. Cooley, .\. B. Linebeck, J- H. Binford, A. T. Hart. W. Hammel.
Kate Geary. Hattie Havens, William J. Mattliews. R. A. Rilev. Lee O. Har-
ris, H. J. Dunbar. James Walsli, Dr. E. I. Judkins, W. R. Hartpence. J. Roth-
enlierger, W. O. Thomas, Rev. \\hite. Marg. Roland, Emma Swope, .\. ^^^
Hough, H. L. ]\Ioore, Mrs. H. C. Chapman.
The contest was set for the exening of March 13. 1873, at the court room.
By common consent the following appointments were made: J. H. White.
master: G. W. Puterbaugh, umpire: J. \\'ard Walker and William ^Mitchell,
captains.
It was also agreed that the winning side should be awarded three cords
fif wood and a ham of meat for the Ijenefit of the societv. The contest was
to determine which side could remain standing the longer. Since so manv of
the spellers are clearly remembered, it is interesting to observe the order in
which they "went down." and the words they misspelld :
1. Lee O. Harris, petrify. 3. W. S. ^\'<)od. tvpifv.
2. James Walsh, typifv. 4. I. P. Poulson. tvpifv.
(16)
J4-2 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
5. Capt. A. L. Ogg, adamant. 19. L. W. Gooding, liypothenuse.
6. S. E. Duncan, adamant. 2C. B. Clayton, idolater.
7. Mrs. H. C. Chapman, license. 21. J. Ward Walker, belligerent.
8. ^Irs. A. C. Heaton, habitude. 22. Theo Winn, consulate.
(). Miss Sarah Walker, pestilent. 27i. Charles \\inn. serious.
10. Colonel Roberts, impanel. 24. Riley Cross, aromatic.
11. U. Royer, pursuant. 25. Dr. E. I. judkins, allegoric.
12. William ]\Iitchell, metallic. 26. Mrs. Brown, panegyric.
13. Mrs. Gwinn, metallic. 2j. \\'illiam Hammel. vicegerent.
14. }klrs. F. ?I. Crawford, satirize. 2N. W. R. Hartpence, decimal.
15. Mrs. W. S. Wood, satirize. 29. H. R. Clayton, epilogue.
16. Capt. R. A. Riley, azimuth. 3c. James A. Xew, vapory.
17. G. T. Randall, calabash. 31. II. L. Moore, repellent.
18. Mrs. L. W. Gooding, maccaboy. 32. Rev. C. T. White, seizure.
At this point, John H. Binford, who had been chosen liy Mr. Walker,
was left standing alone, and the honors went to Mr. Walker's side. The
Svmphonv Glee Club furnished music during the evening, and the receipts
netted the Benevolent Society eighteen dollars and ten cents.
Sijelling matches similar to this one were lield in \arious parts of the
county, in which old and young participated. One other very interesting
match was arranged between Greenfield and Knightstow-n. Each side spent
more or less time in practice for the contest, which was held at the court
house on the evening of May 14, 1875. Among the contestants from Green-
field and vicinity were: H. J. Dunbar, I\Irs. Xellie Brown, Mrs. C. W. Gant.
Miss M. E. Dille, L. W. Gooding. John H. Whhe. L. M. Test. I. P. Poulson.
Ephraim ]\Iarsh, !^Iiss Royer, J. H. Binford. William Hammel. James .\.
Xew, D. S. Gooding, G. W. Puterbaugh. Capt. A. L. Ogg, Oscar F. Meek,
W. B. Hartpence. E. W. Smith, James Walsh, C. F. White, H. R. Clayton.
.Mrs. X. P. Howard. Mrs. L. W. Gooding.
Tliis contest was put on a basis that required not onlv good individual
spellers, but good team work, to win. The side which lost the fewest points
in misspelling words was to be declared the winner. Unfortunately for our
spellers, the\- misspelled more words than did their opponents, and Knights-
town carried off the honors of the match. This occasion, however, was also
attended with a good time socially. The Knightstown team came over early
in the evening and were entertained by the Greenfield people. Several arti-
cles and letters from members of the visiting team appeared in the local papers
here afterward expressing appreciations of hos])itality .and of the good time
generally.
EDUCATION. 243
Fortunately hut one generation has arrived in the cnunt\- too late to
become famihar with the old-time spelling- school.
Tow.vsiui' co.m.mk\ci-:me.\ts Axn corxrv or.vtoricai. contests, tkizes, etc.
Commencement exercises began to be held in some of the townships in
the early eighties. The}- were not very elaborate, however. As late as 1891
the common school graduates of Sugar Creek township niet on commence-
ment evening without a previously arranged program. The graduates were
pre])ared to "speak their pieces," and when the county superintendent arrived
a program was arranged. A choir was made up from the young people of the
audience, who sang several selections from the regular Sundav school books
that were m the church ; the children spoke, and this concluded the program.
During the decade following, however, these occasions grew to be much
more pretentious. Elaborately embossed in\itations began to be issued, or-
chestras were employed, the rooms decorated, and the parents went to great
expense in purchasing apparel for the graduates. Neither parents nor chil-
dren wished to be outdone, which made it very hard for people who could
ill afford to niake such outlays. The same thing was true during the first
decade of the present centuiy. The countv board of education considered
these matters at se\-eral meetings and recommended greater simplicity and
less expense in the matter of dress, etc. During the last few years the par-
ents and graduates have begun to take the same view. At a numl)er of com-
mencements during the last three or four years the boys have been wearing
a plain, but neat uniform suit. The girls, too, have adopted a uniform dress,
usually a plain white regulation suit with red tie. The classes appear to a
ven,- good advantage, the commencement is not expensive, nor so foolish, say
many.
During the early history of the township commencements all the grad-
uates recited their own selections. This was continued very generally until
four or five years ago, when the ciimmon school commencements l>egan to
be conil)ined with the high school commencements, for which a professional
speaker has been employed.
.At the September session, 1889, of the county board of education. Trus-
tee James P, McCord, of Vernon township, moved that the county superm-
tendent l)e ordered to arrange for a county oratorical contest, and that he
select suitable prizes for the same. This motion was carried and the countv
oratorical contest became a feature of the county institute week at Green-
field until about 1910. .-\t each township commencement the "best speaker"
was chosen to represent the township at the contest. The selections spoken
244 HANCOCK COrXTY. IXDIAXA.
at the oratorical, and also tor a time at the township commencement were sup-
posed to he original, and many of them were, hut entirely loo many i>i them
seemed to he composed under the nispiralion of the "Royal Path of Life,"
"Portraits and Principles," and other hooks of similar ty])e. There was a
great deal of interest in the contest, and sometimes also a great deal of feel-
ing, even among the school officers over a failure of their representative to
take the prizes.
For several years, from 1886 to 1889, the county Iward of education
offered prizes to the schools for the hest attendance during the term. At
the June meeting, 1887. the meml)ers of the board expressed themselves as
being pleased with the results ol)tained. For the school vear. 1887-8. the
prizes consisted of ten dollars each, and diplomas were gi\en to pupils per-
fect in attendance during the past year. In 1888 Lossing's "Encyclopedia of
United States History" was selected as the prize.
COUNTY EXHIBITS.
The first exhibit of the school work of the county was made at tlie
west scliool jjuilding at Greenfield in the spring- of 1876. I'rom this exhibit
the hest work was selected as the county educational exhibit at the Cen-
tennial Exposition at Philadelphia. In order to defray the expenses of mak-
ing the state exhibit at Philadelphia the schools of all the counties made
efforts to raise funds. In Hancock county "school exhibitions" and enter-
tainments were held in practically all of the towns and townshiijs. "There
will he a school exhibition at F.llis school house, northea.st of (Greenfield, on
Saturday next. The exercises will be varied. Admission, ten cents. Pro-
ceeds to go to the Centennial fund." So ran the announcements in the col-
umns of the local papers during the early months of 1876. At l-'ortville. Mc-
Cordsville. New Palestine and Cireenfield elaborate exhibitions were gi\en.
and in some instances repeated. Churches, halls and school houses were
utilized, and at several points comjiaratively large amounts were raised. .\t
the exhibition of the Greenfield pupils at the Masonic Hall over forty-eight
dollars was taken in on two evenings, and a total of over seventv-six dollars
was raised by the Greenfield schools. At some of the other towns in the
county as much as twelve dollars and fifteen d<illars was contributed to the
fun<l. This method of raising funds was adopted on the suggestion of the
state central committee, who asked the stale to contribute twenty-five thou-
sand dollars to assist in erecting suitable buildings, defraying expenses, sug-
gesting that the money be raised by school exhibitions, concerts, etc.
In .April, 1882, another exhibit was made at Greenfield. It consisted
EDUCATIOX. 245
niosilv 111" mnnuscripts on tlie various school subjects, maps, etc. It was esti-
mated tlial tin tlimisand jiag'cs nf nianuscrijit and seven hundred nrips were
exhihiled.
Ill the fall of 1884 preparations were made fur holdnig anuther enunty
sciiool exhibit at the close of that term of school. A committee was ap-
pointed to devise plans and \va\-s and means for holding' the exhibit. Thev
reported as follows :
"RETORT OF COMMITTEE OX SCHOOL EXTIII'.IT.
"We, the cnmniiuee on sclimjl exhiliit. appointetl b\- tile ciiunl\- super-
intendent. sul)niit the following' report:
"Time and Place — The exhibit shall be held on the second Snturdax' in
Ai)ril in the west school building in Greenfield.
"Plan of Work — (a). Higher Grades. County suiierintemleni shall
prepare a list i.if fifteen (pieslions for the fourth and higher grades, ten of
which are to be selected and written upon by the pupils. The examination
to be held on same day in each school. One-half the work to l)e done in Jan-
uary, the other half in February-.
"(b). Liiwer (irades. Work of third and lower grades to consist of
manuscripts, maps, drawings, and such other miscellaneous work as the
teacher may see proper.
"(c). General Work. It is imderstood that the work of an\- or all
grades shall not be ci.mfined to the work designated aliove. Inn may consist
of any work which, in the discretion of the teacher, would add to or show up
the work of his school. Such as miscellaneous drawing, paintings, outlines.
diagrams, work in higher branches, etc.
"Rules — I. All work exhibited in the abo\'e classes niust be performed
by bona fide members of the school and strictly mider the discretions and
regulations governing monthly examinations of teachers.
"2. All manuscript work should be written with ]ien and ink in books
prepared for that imrpose. which will be placed in the book stores.
"3. The answer should be nunibered to correspond with the number
of its ((uestinn and a list of questions should accompany each suliject.
"4. .\11 work should be completed by the ist of .April, and it shall be
the duty of each teacher to prepare his work in convenient form and see that
it is ])resented for exhibit.
"5. The questions prepared for examinations shall be held by county
superintendent and submitted to the teachers just before the examination and
24^) HAXCOCK COLNTV, IXDIAXA.
not he unsealed until the morning- of examination in the presence of his
school.
'Miscellaneous — Each teacher is requested to contribute ten cents, to be
paid to county su])criiitendent. for the ptirpose of defraying necessary
expenses. "T- W. Smith,
"J- Ix. Allex,
"E. \V. Felt,
"\V. S. Porter,
"W. C. Athertox,
"Ollie Stoxer,
"AIattie TiroMAS,
"Committee."
This exhibit was held as planned in the spring of 1885. A large number
of pupils froiTi all ])arts of the count}' were ni attendance.
Dtu'ing the winter of 1886-7 f|tiite a large number of manuscripts, in-
cluding maps, etc., was collected in the county and displayed as an educational
exhibit at the county fair at Greenfield in 1887. A similar exhibit was made
at the county fair in 1888.
The next exhibit was prejjared during the winter of 1892-3. The county
exhibit was held at Greenfield, from which work was selected for the Colum-
bian Exposition at Chicago in 1893. This work consisted largely of written
work, maps, etc., that illustrated the regular work of the schools. A large
part of the necessary funds for defraying the expenses of making the school
exhibit at the Chicago exposition was also raised by the school children of the
state. A "Penny Fund" was originated, inm which the school children con-
tributed their pennies to an amount of about five thousand dollars. In the
raising of this fund the children and teachers of Hancock county participated.
During the winter of 1903-4 another county exhibit of school work was
made ai the high school building at Greenfield. This work consisted of
examination papers from all grades, including the grades and high schools,
ci impositions and other manuscripts illustrating the dailv work of the schools.
Ample space was also given to music and drawing. Stenographic reports of
recitations, township, town and city histories, collection of Riley pictures, and
photographs of the best school houses in the county, formed the features of
the exhibit. From the county exhibit a rather large exhibit was selected for
the St. Louis Exposition in 1904.
Xo collection of class room work was submitted to the Panama Expo-
sition at San Francisco, in 191 5. A photographic exhibit, consisting of pic-
EDUCATION. 247
tures of the oldest type of frame scliool buildings, the latter tj-pe of one-room
brick school houses, and some of our best high school buildings, including also
inside views of industrial arts and domestic science depariments. was sub-
mitted as a county exhiliit from Hancock cnuntv.
teachers' UNIUXS.
During tlic w inter of 1877-78 this matter was presented to the teachers.
It likely was not considered seriously by the teachers as a whole, vet several
letters were ])ublishcd in the local papers in. which individual teachers urged
the aihisability of effecting such an organization. Several letters were also
published in which other teachers advised against taking such steps. The
argument advanced for a teachers' union was practically the same as that
advanced for labor unions.
.V more definite step in this direction, however, was the organization in
1904 of a chapter in the county of the Order of Pestalozzi. A lodge was
instituted at Greenfield during the week of the county institute in September,
1904. Ora Staley. then principal of the Charlottesville school, was elected
as the chief officer. The lodge never convened. howe\'er, after the evening
of its institution, and very few of our teachers ever became familiar with
its mysteries or its purpose.
LINCOLN- FUND.
During the winter of 1914-15, while the great European war was rag-
ing, the Red Cross Society made an appeal to the school children of America
to contribute a penny each for the relief of the suffering children of the war
zone. The response everywhere was generous. In Hancock county,
especially in those schools where a proper explanation of the matter was made,
the children responded gladly. Though not all schools participated, the fol-
lowing contributions amounted to a little over two cents per capita for all the
school children of the county :
Blue River Toziiisliip.
Consolidated school S3. 92
Brandyzcine Tonmship.
No. I — Alpha Smith, teacher S3. 25
No. 2 — Elijah Reeves, teacher i.io
Xo. 3 — lessie Pioring. teacher i.oo
248 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Brozctt Toz\-iiship.
Warrington, room 3 $ .45
Shirley schools 2. go
Wilkinson schools 3.54
Xo. 9 — Charles Carlton, teacher 96
Buck Creek Toit.'iislii{y.
Xo. 4 — Esther Luse. teacher Si. 00
Mt. Comfort schools 2.30
X'o. 6 — Ward Davis, teaclier 50
X^'o. 7 — Ethel Snider, teaclier i.oo
X'^o. 8 — Etl'ie Welling, teacher i.oo
Center ToTeusliip.
Xo. 1 — Gladys Teel. teacher .S .75
Xo. 3 — Hazel Hanes. teacher 75
Xo. 6 — M. Bns.-^ell. teacher 64
Xo. 7— Thelma Bussell. teacher 50
Maxwell schools j.80
Xo. 14 — Ernest Hiday. teaclier 50
Xo. 15 — Rosa Garriolt, teacher 70
Mohawk schools i.oo
Green Township.
Xo. I — Dean Baker, teacher S .50
X'o. 2 — Will Reed, teacher i.oo
Eden .scliools 2.C0
Xo. 7 — Wynema Binford, teacher i.co
Jackson Tozensliip.
Xo. 4 — Julia McClarnon. teacher S .83
Xo. I — Rohert Hunt, teaclier ^4
Xo. (' — .\I;iry Payne, teaili.r i.oo
Cleveland .schools 1.60
Xo. 9 — Grover Van Duyn. teacher 1.05
Charlottesville schools ^.^^2
Xo. 3 — Martha Coffin, teacher i.oo
EDUCATION'. 249
Sugar Creek To'cnsliif^.
Pliila(l(.-I])hia scIidoLs $1.10
Xo. 3 — Julia Ilerrlich. tcaclier 2.25
Xew Palestine schools 3.00
Vernon Toxenship.
^IcCordsville schools S 3.8^
Xo. 3 — \\\\\ AlcCord. teacher i.oo
X'o. 5 — J<ihn Walker, teacher 1.30
Greenfield schools 14-35
Total S72.55
This fund was known as the "Linc<iln I'und." in honor of our martyred
President, who «-ave his life in the ser\ice of humanity. The money, amoutit-
ing to over si.x thousand dollars, from the state of Indiana, was distrilnited
to the destitute children of all the warriu"- natinns of liurope.
CO.MPLI..SORN' El)LC.\riO.\.
The first compulsory education law of the state was ])assed in iS'o/- It
made provision for county truant officers, also for a truant officer for in-
corporated cities. Since 1899 one truant officer has served the entire county.
The officers appninted for the count\' under the ahove and succeeding acts
are:
Charles Huston — .Appointed in 1897, for fireenfield; served four years.
James H. Kimhcrlin — Appointed in 1897, for \'erno:i. Buck Creek,
Brown and Creen lc_)\\nsliips; served two years.
James \'each — .\])i)ointed in 1897. for Jackson. !'>lue l\i\er. Center, Sug;ir
Creek and IJrandvwine townships: served two years.
Charles Huston — .Appointed in 1899, for county: served two years.
George \\\ Shekell — Appointed in 1901, for county: served three years.
George Hull — Appointed in 1904. for county: served two years.
William Morse — .\ppointed in 1906, for county; served one year.
F. M. Carpenter — .Appointed in 1907, for county; served one year.
William P. Wirick — .\])pointed in 1909, for county; served se\en years.
The most of the work of the truant officer to this time has hcen among
the poor in the cities and towns of the county. Very little need for such an
officer has existed in the townslu'ps. .\ few prfisecutions ha\e heen made
250 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
from year to year, but his duties Iiave been principally to serve the notices
required by law in such cases.
BOY.S" CORN CUB.
During the winter of 1906-7 steps were taken by the county superin-
tendent of schools to organize a Iwys' ci>rn cluli. In the spring a quart of
good high grade seed was offered to each boy and a hundred or more boys
entered the contest. The business men offered a number of valuable prizes.
Among them were: Thomas & Son. riding cultivator, $25: Spot Cash, suit
of clothes, $15: J. Ward Walker, suit of clothing. $15: T. W. Cooper, double-
barrel shotgun, pair of skates, game of carom, hand printing press: Hancock
Democrat, $15 in cash: Greenfield Republican, magazine or journals, one
year's subscription; Greenfield Publishing Company, magazine or journal,
one year's subscription; \\". S. Fries, $5 in cash; George Walker, $5 in cash;
Cuvler studio, one dozen $6 photographs; Service & Rogers, pair of Walk-
Over shoes; Greenfield Star store, rain coat; J. G. Heath, $1.25 pocket knife;
U'illiam ^1. Lewis book store, $1.25 liook.
On the Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving a corn show was
held at the court house at Greenfield. Prof. M. L. Fisher, of Purdue Uni-
versity, scored the corn and on his decision the premiums were awarded. The
dull was maintained fur ;il)out four years by County Suiierintendent Larra-
bee, in conjunction with the farmers' institute. There was a general interest
in the club among the boys, but it was finally discontinued Ijecause of a
general lack of interest in the organization by the farmers' institute and tb.e
difficulty of financing it.
\l)C.\TI0XAT, WORK.
The legislature of 1913 passed a bill introducing vocational wDrk in
the public schools of the .state. The McCordsville school at once introduced
the work in manual training and dome.stic science. All the other tnwnshi])
schools introduced the work in agriculture and domestic science. The teachers,
of course, did not pretend to know much about these subjects, but by far the
greater numljer of them have made a Ixma fide effort to accomplish some-
thing along these lines during the past two years.
For the work in agriculture te.xt liooks were adopted in both the grades
and high schools, and such experimental work was done as was possible. A
similar plan was adopted in teaching domestic science. The theories under-
lying different processes were discussed and the pupils were encouraged to
experiment at home. At the opening of the schools in 1914. however, a
EDUCATION. 251
much greater equipment was supplied, especially in the consolidated schools,
i'or most of these schools a sufficient equipment was provided to enable
the pupils to experiment under tlie direction of the teacher. During the
term of I(;i4-15 (me or more dinners were also served by the domestic science
classes in most of the schools on special occasions, and the guests especially
were impressed with the importance of this new departure in school work.
I'AREXT-TE.XCHERS' ASSOCIATIOX.
There has been organized within the county one Parent-Teachers' Associ-
ation. On Tuesday evening, December i. 1914. the parents and teachers of
the Charlottcs\ille schools met at the high school building for the purpose of
organizing such an association. The following officers were elected : Presi-
dent. ]\Irs. \\'ilbor Wright: secretary. Miss Mina Overman; program com-
mittee, Airs. Albert Luse, Airs. Anna Niles and Airs. Cynthia Peacock. Those
jiresent at that meeting were : Mrs. Wilhor Wright. Airs. Albert Luse, Mrs.
Oscar Adkins, Aliss Ruth Reeves, Mrs. Roy Lowe. Airs. Clarence Haskett,
Airs. Percy Bantz, Air. Lawrence Cox, Miss Katherine Rutledge, Airs. Cynthia
Peacock. Aliss Mina Overman. Air. Walter Orr. Air. and Airs. John \\'alker.
and Air. and Mrs. Charles Ramsey.
Regular meetings of the association ha\e l)een held in connection with
the Jackson township institute, at the afternoon sessions on the first Saturday
of each month.
The sulijects that ha\e been considered during the winter are: "Habits,
Manners and Alorals of the Child." '"When and How to .Appreciate the Child."
"Why Should Our Children be Given Alanual Training and Domestic Science
\N'hen Our Fathers and Alothers Did Not Receive Such Training?" "Con-
fidential Relation of Alother and Son," "Efficiency in the School Room," and
"Efficiencv in the Home." At these meetings inusical numbers have been
interspersed, including piano and vocal solos, quartets, songs by schools, etc.
Though a mere beginning has been made, both parents and teachers who
ha\e participated in the work of the association feel that it has been eminently
worth while for a better mutual understanding of the child, and a deeper
appreciation by each of the viewpoint of the other.
A similar organization was effected at Wilkinson in 1915-16.
TEACHERS, 1915-16.
Following are the names of the teachers now teaching in the county:
252 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Blue Rk'cr Toti.'iisliip.
Westland High School — Francis C. Landrus, Hazel C. Binford, Elsa
Ropp.
Grades — Xoblc Crider, Arthur D. Ciray. i'rances Burk. liilda (!'<)ffin.
BrcTiitlyi^inr Township.
Xo. I. Georgia ^loore; Xo. 2, Hazel Wood: X'o. 5. \'irgil Duncan: X'o.
6, Bernice Boone; Carrollton, Orville Pope. Hazel Hanes.
BroiKii Ti'wiiship.
Xo. ], I'Moyd Walker: Xo. y. Mrs. Alaggie Willis.
W'arrington — O. W. Kuhn, Kate Kennedy, Essie McCray.
Shirley — Earl Kuhn. Leonard Bussell. Elijah Recves, Margaret Reed,
\gnes Dovey, Tressa Blakel\-.
Wilkinson High School— J. P. Amick. W. G. Willis. Helen Beers.
Wilkinson Grades — Obe \'anDuyn. Kate Reeves. Effie Reed.
Buck Crccic Toi^'iiship.
Xo. I, Gloyd Biiner: Xo. 4. Frank Leslie: X"o. 6, Marguerite Plessinger;
X'o. 7. Columbus Griffith: Xo. 8, Ethel Snider: X^'o. 9. Esther Luse.
Mt. Comfort High School — Carey E. Munsey. ?ilrs. Leo C. Mogle.
Mt. Comfort Grades — Samuel E. Wallace, Merle Ashcraft.
Center To'a'nsliip.
No. 3, Rosa Garriott : Xo. 6, X'aomi Tapscott ; Xo. 7. Thelma Bussell ;
No. 14. Ernest Hiday; X'o. 15, Marshall FUissell ; X'o. 16. Gladys Teel.
Mohawk — Harry Ostermeyer, India Wright.
Maxwell High School — A. M. Brown, Oakley Luse.
Maxwell Grades — Florence .\mick. Hazel Rees, Anna Reeves.
Supervisor of music, art and domestic science, Pearl Butler.
Green TcKensliip.
Xo. 1. Dean Baker: Xo. 2. Irene McDaniel: X'o. 4. Sherman Rothcrmel ;
X'o. 7, W. H. Reed.
Eden High School — O. W. Jackson, Stella Bussell.
Eden Grades — Ernest Warrum. Leora Beagle.
Supervisor of music and art, Marie Hendren.
EDUCATION. 253
No. 1, i{elen Craft; No. 3. Lucile Ging; No. 4, Julia McClarnon ; No. 5,
Lawrence Cox: No. 6. Earl I'owers; No. 9. Grover \'anDuyn.
Cleveland — R. M. Julian, Alice Glascock.
Charlottesville Hij^h School — \\'alter Orr, Ruth Reeves, Marvel I'rost.
Charlottcs\-ille Grades — Merrill Wilson. Mina Overman, Cynthia
I'eacock.
• Supervisor of nuisic and art, Lola Beeler.
Sugar Creek To:<'iishil^.
No. 2, Anna Kimjjle; No. 3, Julia Herrlich.
Philadelphia — I'rank S. Boone, Geraldine Conklin.
New Palestine High School — W. W. \\"inn, Caroline Luhbe, Helen
L. Self.
-Xew Palestine firades — Glendale Brandenhurg, (iertrude Ashcrafl, Hazel
Mitchell. Margaret Williamson.
J'cnioii Tozcushi/^.
No. -\. John D. LesHe; No. 5. I'rank I. Irvin.
McCords\ille High School — Leonard Luce. Ann.alee Shonridge. Ethel
Moc.
McCords\ille Grades — Peter Hinds, John Walker, Nevada Davis. Edna
Trittii)o.
Fortzillc.
High School — Roy R. Roudebusli, Lloyd R. Carter. W-ra Trittipo, Car-
oline Crouch. Frances ^McGregor.
Grades — Samuel J. Stokes, J. L. .Smith. Ruth Cheney. Glenn Moon,
I'.ertha Helius. Liez Teague, Lsa Pollard.
Greenfield.
Superintendent — Frank Larrabec.
High School — Elmer .\ndr6\vs, Lenore McShane, Nora Corcoran, Flo^-d
Garrison. Thomas LLarney, Beatrice Hayes, Eloise Henley.
Departmental — Lawrence Bridges, Helena .\mick, Edith Shelby. Charles
Boone.
Washington School — Arthur \\'iliiamson, Daisy Harlan, Margaret Bald-
win, Louise Hill, Edna Butler, Lizzie Llarris.
254 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Longfellow School — Anna Jackson. Elizabeth Hanes, Kate Martin,
Iduna Barrett.
Lincoln School — Howard Macy, Hester Yelton, Alma Justice, Xelle
Kinsley.
East Greenfield School — Elizabeth Curry.
Supervisors — Merle Brandenljurg, drawing: Hazel Dillon, cooking;
Catherine Fern Trees, music; Selma Stephens, sewing: Charles Boone,
manual training.
CHAl'TKR \'\\.
Mir.ITARV.
Tiiree times since tlie organization of the county have otir citizens heard
the Nation's call to arms. Each time the people have responded
enlluisiastically.
The first call was made at the outbreak of the Mexican War in 1846.
Company D, Fifth regiment. Indiana volunteers, was organized in Hancock
county under James K. Bracken. The cmiipany was mustered in Oclolier 8,
1847, to serve during the war. The Fifth regiment was under the command
of Col. James H. Lane, and ser\ed with General Scott until Jul\- 28, 1848,
when it was mustered out.
The company organized at Greenfield was composed of the following
men, as nearly as can be ascertained: James R. Bracken, captain: Andrew
M. Patterson, first lieutenant: James Fiamilton, second lieutenant; Hugh
J. Kelly, third lieutenant; ]\Iicajah Francis, first sergeant: Henry Ramsey,
second sergeant: Isaac Tamplin, third sergeant: Lewis T. Osborn, corporal;
Robert Walker, corporal: Robert Smith, corporal; Henry Galloway, musician.
Privates — Joseph Anderson. Ezra Conoway, Robert H. Caldwell, William H.
Chapman. Sylvester Childers, John Chapman, John L. Liming, William
Black, Moses B. Cook, Burt W. Jackson, Jared Arnold, Jacob Cnhee, John
Childers, Alexander Andis, William R. Gaston, James H. Carr. William
Daily. .Alexander Cook. Samuel Chapman, Richard Lindsey. Joseph Chap-
man, Cicero Chapman, Solomon Kauble, William Banks, Harvey Carr, Alfred
Denny, Robert P. Andis. Daniel Goodwin, Noah Carr, Miles Elsbury, fsaac
X. Ferree. John Furgason, James H. Gray, Templeton Hatfield, James Hub-
ble. \\'illiam Jordon, Thomas Lineback, Eli Marsh. Jefferson Xugen, James
Reed, Jesse Shoate. Hiram Tyner, Hugh McClellan, Edward Pierson, John
L. Scott, -Andrew Flowers, Henry Galloway, James Goble, James Hunting-
ton. George W. Johnston, Jameson, Samuel Liming, Thomas
Maston, John Probasco, Robert Romack, George Street, Henry Martin,
Adams L. Ogg. Howard Richardson, Robert Smith. \Vashington Flowers,
Henry Goodwin, Jeremiah Hendren, William Jones, William K. Jacobs,
James Kinghan, Rigby Marsh, James Montgomeiy, James Parks, Newton
Scott, George Tooley, William Mitchell. Andrew Pauley, Rus-
sell. George W. Swain. John Tryon. Matthew L. Paullus.
Little can be said of the experiences of these men at the front. The
255
256 HANCOCK COUNTY. INDIANA.
fullnwing Icitcr ])rt:serve(l Ly the writer's people and-publislied in the Hancock
Dcmocrnt on June _'i. 1877. gives us just a glimpse of what tliev saw and
e.xperionced :
"Jalpa. Mexico. Decemlier 3. 1S47.
":\Iy Dear Wife and Cliildrcn :
"Agani i am ])laced in my tent, very tired. Imt cheerful and ha])i)v as
ever I was in my life, and 1 sup])ose that I need not sav that I hope that
these few lines may find you enjoyin.£^- the same state of health, as I do think
}(ju will Ije ready to acknowletlge and heliexe that my very soul has ahvavs
been wrajjped up in the love of my family.
'■\\'e have lra\eled si.x hard days' march towards the city of Me.xico,
and w ill have some ten or twelve more before we get there, as it is verv lalx>-
rious niosing a large army. Tlie wlu'le country through whicli we have
passed is hilly, mountainous and rocky, but looks romantic, and in some
places very inetty, as the trees are now covered with blossoms. ])ut there is
but little fruit. There is but little danger here, or indeed do I think there is
but little dan.ger any place in this countrv. as we can hear of no armv any
place in the government. Th.ere are a few guerillas along the road but
da'v not ap])ear or show fight. I saw one who had just Ijeen killed and some
of the bo\s say they saw six or eight more. 1 was out hunting and saw a
lew black fellow s. but they run like devils, and I got no shot. There were
out two of us, A, Pauley and myself, but it appears as thou.gh one can chase
a dozen. There is still no immediate prospect of peace.
"On ihc ascent from \'era Cruz to Mexico the climates succeed each
other, as it were by stories, and in our travel we have passed through every
\ariet>- of \egetation. The tropical plants are succeeded by the oak, and the
salubrious air of Jalapa replaces the deadly air of \^era Cruz. The sky is
generall}' cloudless, and but \ery little rain, and ;i succession of hills, seem-
ingly at some day the b.oundary (it lakes are now the limits of extensive
plains or i"t)lliug prairies but the rocks or stones all verv near the surface.
The country is barren because it is very dry and stony, but every stream is
accon'])anied with some fertile land. The snow is in sight on the mountains
and contributes much to cool the air now. as it is cloudy: and it is said to be
the coldest day ever experienced in this country. It would be called cold in
our ct uiitr\- in May. The coffee bush grows here. The berries are now
rip■.^ and is a small red berry, very juicy, and as poisonous as can be.
"The timber is low and crooked. I have seen no tree in the country that
wcjuld have made a rail cut. Everythin.g. weed, bush and tree, except t!ie
scrubbv oak and orange Inish and coffee bush b.is thorns on. The thorns
-MIUTARV. 257
reseml)le ilu- tlmni on llie hdiiey locust. Init thev are more crooked and as
tliick' as they can i;row from to|) to bottom, leaf and all.
"Jo.SKlMI Ch.M'.M.VX."
On ^larch 27, 1879, a notice, signed by Thomas H. Branham, Robert
Smith. Jerry H. Hendren, Robert P. Andis and Adams L. Ogg, and j)iib-
lished in the local papers, called a meeting of all Mexican War veterans at
the mayor's office at (Ireenfield for the jiurpose of organizing an association
of the veterans of that war. The following veterans were present at the meet-
ing: Adams L. Ogg, John Roberts, Jerry H. Hendren, Robert V. Andis. Dr.
E. W. Pierson. Thomas H. Branham, Louis T. Osborn. John H. Childs.
Alexander .\ndis and Xewton Scott. An organization was effected with
Adams L. Ogg, i)resiilent, and Thomas H. Branham. secretary. .Although
tliere were but a few of the soldiers left it seems that this organization was
maintained for several years. Annual meetings of the veterans were held in
different parts of the state as long- as any sin-vixiirs were able to attend. The
state encampment was held at Greenfield in 1904.
There are no longer any members of this company li\ing in Hanc<_)ck
county. Among its last survivors were Robert Smith. James H. Carr and
Jeremiah Hendren, who departed this life five or six years ago. Jeremiah
Hendren. the last of our ^Mexican War veterans, died on October 29, 1911.
THE CI\"IL WAR.
When the first call of President Lincoln was made at the outbreak of
the Civil Wav. a fife and drum corps was organized by Capt. Reuben A.
Riley, Henrv Snow and others, who made a circuit of the coimty to stir up
enthusiasm in the enlistment. .\ compan\- was organized and mustered in
at Indianajiolis on April 22. 1861, as Com])any G of the Eighth regiment,
Indiana volunteers (three-months service). The muster roll is as follows:
Reuben A. Riley, captain ; John Stephenson, first lieutenant : Lee O. Harris,
second lieutenant: John M. Stevenson, first sergeant: Marion ^L Stevenson.
Pilatiah Bond and John S. Edwards, sergeants: John H. Duncan, Samuel
Marsh, John S. Cliittenden, Henry Snow and Elberlee S. Duncan, corporals:
Jacol> Mullen. George P. Stevenson and Syh'ester Shorn, musicians: i)ri\ates,
William W. Alexander, Jacob T. Battett, John S. Alli,son, Benjamin Bond,
Lusettus Anderson, Arthur S. Brown, James Buchanan, Martin V. Chapman.
Jesse D. Dobbins, John Dye. Jr., Orando Ellis, Jabez E. Harrison, Jacob
Hook, George W. Johnson. Thomas S. Jones, John .\. Lynam. Thomas M.
Martin, Henry Mickle. John Pope, Nicholas Remeshart. \\illiani H. Scott.
(17)
_'58 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Joseph T. Short, \\'illiam Sleetli. George. \\'. Smith. George W. Travis
James L. Clayton. Thomas Day, Martin Dunn, Samuel Dye. Alfred Gapen,
Charles Hartner, Aaron Hutton, Isaac T. Jones, Miller J. Laporte. Seth
^larsli, George F. McXamee, John A. Morford. Xewton Pope, Jasper Rawl-
ings, William J. Scott, William H. Short, Lafaxette Slifer, Andrew Stutsman,
David X. True, William Campbell. Ciiarles Dipper, Fred Dye, Benjamin
Elliott, William Gapen. William G. Hill. Milton Jackson, Henry Jones, George
L. Lipscombe, Lot W. Martin, Jasper C. McKelvey, Marion Philpott, James
S. Reeves, George Rynerson, Conrad H. Shellhouse, Aaron A. Sleeth. Levi
Slifer. Calvin Sullivan, Elijah Tuttle, David Uler}-, John Wolf.
On starting for the front this company was presented with a large flag
made by several of the Greenfield ladies, Mrs. Pemielia Thayer, Mrs. A. P.
Williams, Miss Alice Pierson. Miss ^Martha Meek and others. The flag
was made in the house now occupied by Mrs. Permelia Thayer, on the north-
east corner of Main and Pennsylvania streets in the city of Greenfield.
The "three-months men" were mustered out on August 6, 1861, after
having been as far east as \'irginia, and having participated in the engagement
at Rich ^Mountain in that state. Many of them, however, reenlisted at once for
a period of three years, or during tlie war.
THE VETER.\NS OF THE CI\II. WAR.
It is exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to make a complete roll of
the men who enlisted as volunteers from this county and who were among
the veterans of the Civil War. By far the great majority of our boys en-
listed in Indiana regiments. But many, who were temporarily absent from
home, also enlisted in other states, and Indiana has no record of their names.
In going over the records in the adjutant-general's office, page by page, it is
still practicallv impossible to make a correct roll, since in so many instances
the record is incomplete, failing to show the residence of the men. In such
cases personal acquaintance would be required with eacli man to determine
accurately to whicli county he belongs.
Below is gi\en the roll of enlisted men from our county as nearly cor-
rect as we have been able to make it. Some of the men who enlisted as pri-
vate soldiers were later commissioned as officers. Others were transferred
to different regiments. Some of the officers were also promoted from time
to time. This accounts for some names appearing several times, especially
in the companies that were filled almost entirely with Hancock county boys.
Tlie men have been grouped in companies, showing tlieir associations during
the war.
MILITARY. 259
Among those who always claimed Hancock county as their home, but
who were not credited to this county, were Gen. Oliver P. Gooding-, who was
for many years in the regular army, but who was appointed colonel of a
Massachusetts regiment during the war, and who rose to the rank of lirig-
adier-general. Adams L. Ogg, who was in Iowa, organized a company there
and was captain of Company G, Third Iowa volunteers.
The following -men enlisted and were credited to Hancock county :
FIFTH CAVALRY, NINETEENTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
Company G.
Reuben A. Riley, captain; Solomon T. Kauble and William H. I'ilkin-
ton, first lieutenants; John H. Duncan, Lee O. Harris and William H. Pilkin-
lon, second lieutenants; Elias Marsh, first sergeant; James Furrj-, commissary
quartermaster sergeant : William A. Pope, commissary sergeant ; Jasper X.
Pope. James T. Pope, Milton T. Morris and John Galliher. sergeants; George
S. Andrick, George H. Alford, Da\id Bellville Joseph Marsh, William G.
Ritchie. George \\". ^liller, Rezin D. Collins and William W. Price, cor-
porals; \\'illiam Smith and Herman Ridlin, buglers; Ldyd Offutt, farrier;
Jared C. ]\Ieek, blacksmith ; Jonathan Cartwright, saddler ; John R. Hoobler,
wagoner. Privates — George S. Andrick. George H. Alford. Alexander An-
■lis, Perrv H. Andrick. William S. Ayers. David Bellville, Landon Bellville,
John Breece, John Burnwick, Marion T. Burris, Francis M. Brizendine, John
[. Chapman, John Copeland. Charles W. Campbell. Charles Campbell. Samuel
P. Cottrell. John Day, John Dye, Jonas H. Davidson. William Daugherty,
George W. Duncan. John Egger. Morris Font. Jnhn Galliher. \\ illiam H.
Gooding. Marshall M. Meek, Benjamin F. Gant, Henry C. Gant, Henry
Harris. Xathaniel Haskett, Adam Hutton. James Hudson, ^lilton Jackson,
John Kellum, John Kiger, Paul Kowan, Almon Keefer, Hiram Lawson,
Joseph Marsh. George W. Miller. Joseph Martin. Henderson McFarland.
Thomas Mack, Jesse McKinney, Jared C. Meek, George McGee, William P.
Mints. Albertus Milroy, William H. Pilkinton. Jasper N. Pope. Peter S.
Poi:>e. Albert Martin. Lewis Gillum, Herman Ridlin, Jeremiah Reedy, Jubn
Rockey, Jonathan Snow. Andrew T. Smith. Oliver H. Smith, John H. Smith.
John A. Samuels. William A. Pope. William Price. William M. Sktth.
Zachariah T. Snell, Henry W. Thornton, Samuel C. Th<)m])snn. Ralph L.
Phompson. James Thomas, John H. Taylor, John \'ail. Jubn Wort. Charles
J. Willett. Ephraim P. Witham, James T. Pope. Isaac Powers, James Pugh,
Sanford Grigsbv, Ransom M. Meek. William G. Ritchie.
260 IIAXCOCK COUXTV, IXDIAXA.
XINTH CAVALRY, OXE HUXDRED AND TWEXTV-FIRST REGIMEXT, IXDIAXA
VOLVXTEERS.
Colonel. George W . Jackson : major. William R. Walls.
Company B.
\\'illiani R. Walls and John C. Rardin. captains: John C. Rardin and
John B. Harmd, I'irsi lieutenants: John B. Ilarnul .'uul John \'. Hinchman,
second lieutenants. Privates — James D. Anderson, Asbury E. .Anderson,
Benjamin F. Alexander, John Bennett, George S. Bailej-, Frederick W. By-
field, Leroy Bush, Jacob T. Barrett, James Burris, Heny Beachman, Jacob
Buchel, Thomas Cady, Joseph Graining, Rossville Curry. Charles A. Kirk-
hoft. John Manche, Mark Hamillnn, Willis Hudson. Francis P. Jones. .\n-
drew S. Mctiahey, George Parker, James W. Pilkinton. James Shaffer, John
Steward, Hugh Short, John H. \\ alls, John A. \'ernon, Benjamin Waller,
Joseph Conner, .Alexander Copper, William H. Cross, Charles E. Church.
George W. Crews. Michael Chancery. David Connett. Calvin Clark, l-'red-
erick Blessinger, Odell Despo. Ei)hraim C. Duncan. Andrew Dunn. John W.
Davis, Deane Lewis, Mathias Kiger, John C. McCorkle, .Aanm J. Rawlings,
Wilson Hamilton, Henry Jones, Joseph H. Pauley, George Parsons, Joseph
I\I. Russell. Isaac Shaffer, Calvin Sullivan, Christian H. Seers. Marcellus
\\'alker. William H. Waller, Aaron D. Xixon, William Lamb, John S.
Loehr. .Ambrose .Miller. Reuben Xiles. Charles Everts. James Elmore. John
Egger, Isaac Grigsby, Josejib M. Gray, John (irigsby, William Harvey,
Thomas R. Henner, Joseph \'. Hinchman. Patrick Hanley. Othniel l-'isk,
Edward Hudson. James Hook. Joseph Hutton. Daniel McPhall. l-"ranklin
R. Poole. Ephraim Parmon, \\ illiam Robison, John W. Sherrill, .August
Smith. Francis O. Seers, Daniel Thornton, John J. Winn, William Smith.
THIRTEEXTH CAVALRY, OXE HUXDRED AXD T H IRTV-FIRST REC.IMEXT, IXDL\XA
VOLUXTEER.S.
Com pa II V I.
Samuel P. .Ander.son. Isaac McBane. Benjamin T. Robison, .Albert .\lyea,
Isaac Lane, Samuel C. Willis. Samuel E. Collins. James T. Reynolds. Thomas
J. Lincoln felter.
EIGHTH REGIMENT, IXDIAXA VOLUNTEERS.
Company B.
William R. Walls. Samuel H. Diuibar. Philander Smith. Stephen .\.
Jones, captains: Solomon T. Kauble, Samuel H. Dunbar, William G. Hill,
MILITARY. 261
riiilaiulcr Smith, Stephen A. Jones and George H. Black, first heutenants;
Samuel 11. Dunhar. William G. Hill. T'hilander Smith and Xicliolas Miller,
seccnul lieutenants: William G. Hill, first sergeant: William Short. John S.
Chittenden. Elijah Tuttle and Philander Smitli. sergeants; Aaron Scott.
Thomas M. Martin. Richard Lamh. William Branson. William Ga])en. David
M. Dove. James Hawkins and Richard Leamon, corporals: [ohn S. Davis
and John I'lrey. musicians: Jacoh Mullin. wagoner. Privates — William W.
Alexander. Da\id Adams. George Black, Henry Bush. Samuel S. Brooks,
James Bush, David Dove. William C. Dove. Jacoh Dinkle, Francis M. San-
ford. James P. Scott, John Scott, Ehenezer C. Scotten. William W. Scotten,
Martin ShcUon. Samuel Shelliy. Wilson S. Slifer, Ruel Stevens, Aaron Scott,
Philander Smith. William H. H. Seeley, (ieorge W. Smith. William H. Sip-
linger, Peter Sellery. John B. Scotten. Lewis Snell, William T. Snider. Isaac
P. Thompson. Henry P. Thomas. John B. Anderson. Andrew J. Alyea, Will-
iam P.ranson, John Eiush. Xoah Fh'xler. Charles H. Clapper. Samuel Du.nl lar,
James Derry, Thomas Dinkle, George W. Dixon, George M. Davidson, John
Dorman, Joseph Da\is, Samuel H. Dillman, Fred Elsbury, Amos Everson,
Ira }'. lunintain, .Andrew J. h'uller, Andrew J. Gilbert, Eli Gapen, John C.
Gephart. Hcnr)- Goar, James M. Goljle, Chaides G. Gunn, William Hill,
Thomas J. Huston, C}rus Haines, John Hall, Francis H. H. Hudson. William
T. .\skins. John A. Alyea. John Brock. Jacob Bower, .Abijah Bales, Levi
Collier, Charles E. Deppery, Alexander Derry, Richard Lamb, Richard Lea-
mon, I-saac Lineback, Peter Lamb. Albert Lake. Adam V. Louder, Alfred
Louder, \\'illiam Louder, Jacob Mullin, James Louder, Henry McCorkle,
\V. H. H. Morgan, Emanuel Morris, Francis Miller, Lsaac McGee. William
McConnell, Jacob Martin. Lester R. Moore. Clark McDonald. William B.
Martin. Henry Mann. William S. Thomas, Elijah H. Tyner, John Clrey,
John X. I'nderwood, James AI. Underwood, John F. W'iggins, Lawson Wig-
gins, Alfred Wilson, .\dams I'. Wilson, Edwin H. \\'ilcH)xen, Stephen .\.
Jones, Isaac T. Jones, John Jennings, John Jack, Thomas Jones, John Jack-
son, Solomon T. Kauble, Christian Kreager, William W. Welling, Ste]jhen
B. Meek, .\zor .M. Xixon. Marion Philpot. Samuel Robinson, Edward H.
Rnney. Benjamin .\. Roney, Xicholas Reamsheart, Christian Redmire, lohn
S. Welling.
Coiiil^aiiy C.
John ( i. 1 lend ricks.
Coiiipaiix D.
Alexander Osborn.
2G2 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Couipany G.
John Raker, Henry H. Burn's. Jolm \\'. Long", Steplien R. Meek. Robert
J. Smitli.
Company H.
John Brock, John W. ElHs, James P. ]\IendenhalI.
NINTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
Company C.
Joseph F. Bartlow. Jonatlian Bundy, James M. Bragg, Simeon Dennis,
Henry Frederick, Henry Kinse}', Thomas W. ]\Iondon, Lawson Rash,
Thomas H. RoI)l), WiUiani Simmons. Robert T. Wood, Daniel Welt, John
M. White, Joseph Wolf.
Company D.
Albert Banta. John H. Bolander, James W. Cooper. James S. Davidson,
Jacob Brantlinger, Lewis C. Davis, Francis M. Hays. \\'illiam ]\IcKinley,
William Personett, James T. Russell, Isaac Whetsel, Eli Prickett, William
H, Russell, Peter Robison, Rufus Scott, William Sanders, John W. Simcox.
Company E.
Granville Bellville, John Price, William F. McCorkle, John Lockwood,
Oliver Dinnian. James Pauley.
Company. F.
John S. Hackleman.
Company G.
Henry Collins. Albert Roberts.
ELEVENTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
Company A.
Henry S. Davidson.
Company I'.
Stephen Bedgood. Flernian Kunz.
Company I.
John J. Earl. William Rudrick. Charles J. Williams.
MILITARY. 263
f
Company K.
Jolm W. (.ircuier.
TWELFTH RE(;IMF,.\T. IXDIAXA \"(ir,UNTEERS.
Solomon D. Ixcniptoii. lieutenant-ci:>!oncl ; Xnhle P. Hdward. assistant
surgeon; Gordon Brdwning'. cijnimissarv sergeant.
Coiiil^aiiv .-/.
Jesse McDaniel.
Company B (One-Year Service).
Thomas B. Xoel, captain: Solomon D. Kempion. first lieutenant: James
Huston, second lieutenant : J(ihn W. Statts, first sergeant : Xewton S. Dex-
ter, Peter Statts, Isaac P. Ringwalt, John Hall, sergeants : Samuel P. Col-
well, William G. Elliott, Homer L. Bnntrum. Various Virgin, William O.
Irish. Anizi \\". Tliomas, Alexander H. Pile and Richard W. Jones, corporals;
Rohert .\lfont and ]n\m L'. ^IcConnell, musicians; Harrison McGuire, wag-
oner. Privates — Benjamin F. Alexander, George Alley, Albert Alfont, Har-
rison H. Adams, Eli Abney, Christopher Alt, Hammer L. Bentrecn. Isaac
Butcher, Darius Collins. James Dowling, William Hasley, George W. Knotts.
John D. Kirkman, Claud Hugeneard, John W. ]McConnell, James H. Lewis.
Theodore ]\Iosier, George Romack, Thomas Sherman, James A. Watson,
William V. Bright. Samuel P. Cottrell, Edward Clampet, Joseph A. Gwinn.
Ulysses P. Haskell, Herman Kasslcr. \\'illiam O. Irish, Cornelius Laymon.
Ira McCullom, James N. Lister, John A. Messier, John H. Savage. Joshua
Winn, William R. Windle, John C. Burris, George W. Clark. Xewton Dex-
ter. James C. Jordon. Brazil Johnson. Albert Keffer. Roliert Faucett. Har-
ri.son McGuire. Amos McGuire. ]^Iichael Larkin. Ransom Olney. Edward
Smith. David T. Winn. Levi Wiseman.
Company G (Three-Year Serznce).
James Huston, captain; Easily Helms, first lieutenant: .Abraham Whel-
chel. I'enjamin F. Alexander, sergeants; Jacob Hida\-. Ezekial Cooper. Mil-
ton Curry. James Barnard. Abraham Bannon, corporals; John Waterman.
wagoner. Privates — Benjamin F. Alexander, John H. Bannon, John Brant-
linger, John B. Boone, John C. Cottrell. Thomas Cottrell, .\lfred Di^bbins,
William H. Ellingwood, .\rchibald Gardner. Thomas Hiday. Mell Hunter,
Samuel Lister, Erasmus Myers, George Piper, Thomas M. Rash. John T.
Rash, John ?, Sanii)le. William Shaffer, Milo Shaffer, William Wright.
264 HANCOCK COUXTV. INDIANA.
John A\lielchel. Samuel B. Allison, Thomas B. Bannon. Abraham Bannon.
Robert Chit\vood, John Clark. James H. Crossley. James Dunham. Andrew
Forgey, John Ginder. Jacob Hiday. Elijah Lunstord. Elijah Marshall, John
W. Reynolds, David Richards, William Scott, Peter Shaffer, John Sluill,
George D. Walker, Aaron C. Wright. Richard Allison. William C. Bannon,
James Barnard. Milton Curry. Davis Catlin. George Denny. Henrv Edwards,
Hugh Forgey. Hiram (lardner. John Hunter, James M. Lister, Joseph Mc-
Guire, Amos Rash. Daniel Rash, Dezra Shroy, Joseph Shaffer, Hiram Shaf-
fer, Freeman Shuil, ^larcellus B. Waler. James Humphreys. Jacob Shaffer.
James Lister.
Company H.
Samuel Applegate, Elijah Asbury, Aaron Bills. Xelson Bills, Abner
Brown, Benjamin Brown, William H. Bolander, John Brooks, Anion Bucy,
Nicodemus Camp, William Camp, William Brantlinger. Joseph D. Camp.
George W. Camp, David Davidson, Jacob Hooker, Elijah Horton, James
Luntsford, Michael H. Mack. W'illi<''.m Olvey, Francis \'anzant, Jose])h \'an-
zant, Jesse \'anzant.
SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
Coiiipaiiy J.
Thomas J. O'Reilly. Ebenezer Toon. Oliver H. Tuttle.
EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLVNTEERS.
The Greenfield band enlisted and became the regimental band for this
regiment. Professor Eastman, prominent in Greenfield musical circles at
that time, was its leader. The following were the members : Omer Arnold,
Samuel W. Barnett. F. M. Crawford, James E. Cravens. James H. Crowder,
William Elliott, Albert G. Griffith. William E. Hart. John W. Lambertson,
Edwin M. McCrarey. Samuel M. ]\Iarlin. John H. Noble. William L. Ogg,
Martin E. Pierson. Thomas E. Richardson, James T. Reed, Henry Snow,
Xathan Snow, James V. Stewart. Alfred M. I'liornburgh, David ^"oust.
NINETEENTH REGIMENT. IXDI.VNA VOI.fNTEERS.
Company F.
Joseph L. Hartley. Leroy Holding. John Cly. Theodore Ward, .\bram
V. ly. F'eter Lamb. }. tlolden.
-MILITARY. 265
TWEXTV-SIXTH REGIMENT, IXDIAXA VOLCXTEERS.
Lemuel Bailey, Sheltnn P.ailey, William Bannon, John e'lark, John Ca-
hill. William .Mesler, William J. SliuU, .Mark Thompson.
Company I.
James G. Boyce, Samuel Burk. John Davis, Irvin B. Lutes, Richard
Meek, \\'illiam Sapp, Conrad Shellhouse, Wdliam J. Siberrv, William Si-
berry. James Roherts, Charles C. Wilson. Jefferson L'lery.
TWEXTV-XIXTII REGIMEXT, IXDIAXA VOLL'XTEERS.
Company K.
Perry J. Rhue.
TIIIRTV-FOI'RTII RECaMEXT, IXDI.\XA \"OLUXTEERS.
Company D.
Benjamin (iriffith. Jefferson Roland, Thomas S. Surgnar. Charles S.
.Smith. John \'arner. Samuel Walker.
Company E.
Thomas Lymon.
THIRTY-EIGHTH REGIMEXT, IXDIAXA VOLUXTEERS.
Company A.
Thomas L. Brooks. Oliver Bartlow. Henry Carroll. Alexander I'oley.
Jackson C.alloway, Abraham Miller. John (). Moore, Adam I'arkhurst. Robert
I'auley.
Company D.
Thomas Bin"ris. lames 1"). Cuiuiingham, Ma.nley Colljurn. David M.
True, Moses Conner, P.enjaniin i-dliott. Marion Owens, George D. Owens.
William Rvnerson. Andrew StiUsman.
Company E.
Alpheus T. Collins. James A. Lacey. Xinn-od Lacey.
FORTIETH REGIMEXT, IXDIAXA VOI.f XTEERS.
Company C.
Thomas C. Welsh, John S. Welsh.
266 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT. I.XDIAXA VOLUNTEERS.
Conif^cniy C.
Reason Shipley. \'inton Whitelnirst.
FIFTY-FIRST REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
Coinpaiiv D.
Jonathan Dunbar, first lieutenant; Seth Marsh, second lieutenant: Seth
Marsh, sergeant: William Curry, Henry C. Duncan and John Hook, cor-
porals. Privates — Moses Burris. Williani Curry. Cyrus Creviston, Juhn Hook-,
Seth Marsh, Ralph L. Thompson, Elisha Whorton, Tavlor B. Burns, Tames
Dorman, Henry Duncan, Benjamin Hudson. Jesse Stump. Samuel E. Thomp-
son, George Windsor, James K. Banks, Ebenezer Cmss, Jere Ferrin, John
Rittenhouse, George Slifer, \\'ellington Thomas.
Company F.
John K. Henby.
Company I.
George W. Farris. A\'illiam X. Kitchen. Cieorge \\". Owen. Lerov
\\'agoner.
CoiiipiUiy K.
William Anderson. William Chappell, John W. Chappell. John L. Dun-
c;in, Joseph Shutes, Reason Hawkins, David Snow.
FIFTV-THIRI) RKCIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
Company A.
Taylor Thomas, W. W. Ragan. first lieutenants: Samuel Marsh W. W.
Ragan, second lieutenants: Henry C. Perkins, first sergeant: Aaron Hutton,
sergeant; Samuel Marsh, Aaron Sleeth. coi-porals; Andrew J. Bridges,
musician. Privates — Henry Anderson, William H. Boman. Harrison Berrv,
Conde Burns, Richard M. Casto, Lucellus Anderson, Harrison Black, Seth
Bellville. John G. Berry. William Casto, Joseph B. Atkison, \\'illiam R. Berry.
George W. Berry, Perry Beaver. Oliver Carson. Xoah W. Carr, Isaac Cnn-
!;on, John Grigsby, Alexander Handy, John S. Lochr. John Mitchell. Chris-
tian Meyer. Asbun- Xeal. Jasper Oslxn-n. James K. Ragan, James Scott. John
M. \\'illiams, \\'esley \\'illiams. John Whitecotton. George W. Carr. Charles
M. Dubois, Joseph Hubble. Joel H. Knight, Joseph Martin, Xathan C. Meek.
MII.ITAKV. 267
Augustus Munden, Benjamin Oshorn. James M. Personclt, \\ . W. Ragan.
Bert Scott. George \V. Wiggins, James A. Watson, John W. Dubois, Arch-
ibald Coleman, Theodore Edwards. Calelj Holden. Jacol) Kessler. Edward
.Martin, John Mayor. Samuel Marsh. Thomas O'Donnell, James M. Price,
Stephen L. Stowder. Jasper M. Wingfield, James M, W'hittaker. William
Whittaker.
FIFTY-SEVEXTH REGI.MEXT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
Company A.
John A. Craft, Isaac T. Earl, captains: Jolm A. Craft. Isaac T. Earl,
first lieutenants; John A. Craft, first sergeant; George Kinder, corporal;
Thomas Pyeatte, musician; Jonathan W"'olfe. wagoner. l'ri\ates — Joseph
Brooks, Eden Burris. William T. Byers. Henry Carroll. Charles H. Fort,
John W. Fletcher, John D. Gibbs, John V. Halley. William F. Lakin. John
Madison, Thomas E. Xiles. Joseph AI. Reynolds. Ira Shaffer. Alarshall Van-
dyke, John j\I. Tygart. Oliver H. Bartlow, William Boyer. Samuel Boyer,
George L. Chandler. Americus Fish, Granville Fisk. Thomas H. Griffith,
William H. Jones, George W. Landis, John McCorkle. John Probasco,
Joseph Roland. Thomas M. Tygart, Charles H. Weaver. Daniel Burk, Jere-
miah Boyer, Homer Craft. Lorenzo D. Fort. James 'SI. Fletcher, Henry C.
Garrett. Hiram Griffith, Jonathan Keller. Charles W. Lemay. Benjamin Mil-
ler, Lewis B. Parris, Robert A. Smith, James Thomas. Michael Ward,
.SIXTY-SIXTH REGIMENT, INDIAXA VOLUXTEERS.
Company H.
James W. Adams. William R. Renan.
SEVENTIETH REGIMENT, INDIAXA VOEUXTEERS.
Company A.
Perry Dnmmanget.
Company K.
William Crossley.
SEVENTY-FIFTH REGIMEXT. IXDIAXA VOLUXTEERS.
Company I.
Isaac AlfrcN, Samuel DeCamp. (ieorge Garl)erick. John Ledmore. Will-
iam H. Sanders. Melvin lirooks. Abram T. Helms. Bvmn Kurtz. Tdhn Sher-
268 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
man. George W. Wallace. Xehemiah Brooks. William H. Hiembles, John
Kinneman. Jeremiah Sherman. Joel K. XN'nods.
SEVENTV-NIXTH REGIMENT, INDIANA \OLlNTEERS.
John G. Dunbar, major.
Com pan y D.
Jolin G. Dunbar, captain ; John G. Dunbar, first lieutenant. Privates —
George W. Ashcraft. James M. Boyce. Alfred Bnick. James B. Gai)en.
Tliomas Glass, Dudley Hudson. Charles W. Killenbarger. William Morgan,
John Pope. Ralph Robertson, Bayan Sheets. Clay \\'illett. Jesse Black, Xel-
son Boyce, Thomas J. Carr, William Gapen, George Hall, William Hutton,
Jacob Leonard. David Muth. Joseph B. Richcy. George Robertson, Isaac
Stutsman, William H. York. Alfred P. Boyce. Martin Brecce. James M.
Elliott. Daniel Beeson. Samuel T. Hook, h'rancis M. Jime.-^. William H. Lucas.
August Muth. Isaac Richey. George Shaw. William Tague.
Coinpau\ C.
Sydney ^loore. William Reynolds, sergeants; Ransom K. Alve\-. Cor-
nelius Mingle. George H. Jackson. James M. Jarrett. corporals. Privates —
Ransom R. Alvey, Andrew Brown. John W. Cooper, Enos Denny, .\ndrew
J. Eakes, James Frazier, Peter Hudson, Huander Jackson, John G. Loomis,
Lewis Price. Samuel Steele. William Wallsmith. Samuel Torrence. Thomas
y. Brinegar. Philander Cox. Benjamin T. Cooper. Tunis Dangler. Richard
Foster. Robert Faucett. Charles Harvey, James M. Jarrett. P.enjaniin Loomis.
William H. Roberts, ^^■illlam Torrence. James S. Walker. JoJm Blanton.
Isaac Chappel, Cornelius Collins. Joseph R. Eakes. William J. iM-anklin.
William H. Hunt. George H. Jackson. Hiram Leonard. Francis M. Pardue.
\\ illiam Reynolds. William \'alentine. Xeal McCole.
Coiiipany J).
Ezra Buchanan, first sergeant; William Ricliman. corporal. Privates —
Christian Brier, Amos Deshong, James A. Eastes, Fred Knoop, George F.
Langenberger, Samuel McDuffey, John P. .Murphy, Samuel Roney, Jacob
Sewell, Henry Sumwalt. William C. Wright. Charles H. Burris. James Dill-
man, F. M. Eastes. William Knoop. John L. Lynch. William -Miller. Henry
Philpot, John Stanley, Joseph H. Snider, Leroy X'anlaningham. William Col-
lins, Michael X. Dunn. Henry Eikman. George Kuntz. Christian F. Meyer,
Cyrus P. McCord. Anton Rabe. Martin \'. Stanley. Christian S])ilker. Anthony
Wishmever.
MILITARV. 269
Coillpdlly G.
]nhu Allen, John C. Reeson. Xatliaii fatt, Charles W. Cook. Jolm 11. ]•.
I'ouly. David Harrison. James II. Lewis. Jdhn McP.ane, Samuel Richey,
Sylvester I'arrett. Harmon W. IJoles. John X. Cline. Daniel Copeland. Jacob
11. (;il)l)(ins. George W. Johnson. Nimrod Low. Solomon Richardson. |ohn
H. Scotl, Amos C. Beeson, John W. Eoles, Benjamin V. Conner. Warren
Cross, Fleming Glass. William Langford. William T. Miller. John W. Richev.
NINETV-NIXTH REIIIXIKXT. I XDI AX.Ji VOLIXTEKRS.
Coiiipiui\ B.
James LI. Carr. George Tague, Robert P. .Vndis. Isaiah Curry, ca])tains ;
George Tague, Robert P. Andis, Isaiah Curry. John .\L Allev. fn-st lieuten-
ants: Robert P. Andis. Isaiah Curry. Hem-y Miller. James R. Brnwn, second
lieutenants; Lsaiah Curry, first sergeant: Thomas Holland, John M. .-\llev.
Perry McOuerry, sergeants: Thomas J. Collins, John B. Herrod. Larkin
Potts, Henrv C. Tyner, Amos Milner, Tilghman Collyer. Richard L I'arrett.
William Shi])man. Lewis F. Richman, corporals; Andrew Curr\-. musician
(fife); \\'illiaiu R. Curry, musician (drum)'; Thomas P. Mealis. wagoner.
Privates — John '\l. Alley, Richard Allen, Richard J. Barrett, (ieorge \\'.
Blakel}-. James Bussell. James R. Brown. Jnseph H. llonian. Tilghman H.
Collyer, Wesley S. Catt, George H. Allen. Henry B. .^shcraft, Joseph Bald-
win. Xathaniel Blakely. Loran Butterfield, Garrett Baldwin, Zachariah B.
Curry, .\ndrew Ciu'ry. William Catt, Samuel D. Allen. Salem C. Ashcraft,
Augustus M. Barrett. Siuith Piright. Jnhn L. Butcher. Jonathan ISaldwin.
Thomas J. Collins, James W. Cass, John H. Collins. William Curry. Jacob
Davis. John X. Flowers, George B. Hudson, Samuel (jard. Abram Hedges,
.Amos Miller, Joseph T. IMilner, Joseph B. Morford, George S. Morris.
Charles Myers, Harrison X'ibarger. \\''illiam H. Power, Xe\il Reeves, George
Roland. Williaiu R. Sh.aw. William Siddell, Charles W. Scott. Francis :\[.
Shiplc)-. Seward \'andyke. Willi;un Wilson. Madison Winn. Michael J.
Youse. James A. Cook. William Fletcher. Jnhn B. Herrod. Samuel H. Har-
lan. .\lonzo M. Gibbs. Riley Kinghan. Thomas McGuire, William Milner.
John A. Morford. James Murphv. John X'ibarger. Thomas J. Xibarger.
Michael Redman. William W. Reeves. Lesvis F. Richman. J.amcs J. Ship-
man. Le\i Slifer. lames Q. Sample. Ilenrv Tibbetts. Robert 11. X'ernon. \\ ill-
iam M. Wilson. \'inton Withurst. Ximrod Davis. James Mowers. Charles P>.
Hamilton. John M. Harlan. James Gard. Perry McOuerry. Thomas J. Miller.
Job Milner. Flisha Morford. Henry Miller. Lemuel L X'ibarger, Christian
270 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Ortel, Oliver Reeves, Riley A. Reeves. William Shipman, Isaac P. Shaw,
Edward C. Smith. Reason Shipley, Henry Trice, Samuel ^^■. Waters, Jere-
miah Wood, Henry W. Wright.
ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
Company K.
John P. Armstrong-. David L. Anderson. David O. Bennett, [nhn Bogg,
Jacob Everson, Levi 'SI. Kennedv.
ONE HUNDRED AND TH IRTV-SECOND REGIMENT. INDIANA VOLU.XTEERS.
Company F.
Henry Heller.
Couipanx I.
James AI. Berry. Roliert ReAnulds. Henr_\- M. Edmunds. Mark Tlmmp-
son. Thomas W. Dickey.
ONE HUNDRED AND THIKTV-FOURTII RElilMENT. INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
(ONE-HUNDRED-DAV SERVICE).
Company K.
Cornelius Bartldw. Eli Black. William Cha])man, Edward CntfiiL Wil-
son Catt. Jeremiah Oldham. Isaac W'yant. Isaac Waller. Henry H. Bevel,
Joseph Burk. John Drake. Allen Curry. Richard Frost, Xewtun C. Reeves.
Robert W. Wood, James Jack. Jnhn Barr, George W. Dugan. l'"r;mcis M.
Cooper. Wesley Carroll. William P. Lacey. Joseph Stetfey. \'anes \'irgin.
ONE Ill'NDRED .\ND FORTV-I-niRTlI REGIMENT. INDIANA VOLCXTEER.S.
Company E.
Henry Ash.
ONE m.VDUED AND EORTV-SEVE.NTII REGIMENT. INDIANA N'Ol.UNTEERS.
(ONE-YEAR SERVICE).
Company F.
Richard McO.rkle.
Company H.
W. H. H. Rock, second lieutenant. Privates — Cornelius Bartluw,
deorge J. Dille. Andrew Ormsten, \\''illiam C. Watson. Henry Barr. Perry
MILITARY. ^ 271
Lynam, Ira Sliaffer, Asa Allisim, IMiillip l^cnnv, James C. Pratt. I.isepli
Steffey, Eli Gordon.
one hundred and forty-eighth regiment, indiana volunteers.
(one-year service).
Company A.
William Rozel.
Coiiipaii\ C.
Lee O. Harri.s, John B. Howard, first lieutenants. Privates — Olixer
Andis, William Bracken, Charles W. Baser, John D. Carmichael. Mild Hick-
son. John A. Gross, Fred C. Keft, Robert Johnson, Riley Madden, William
ilyers, Samuel T. Patterson, William R. Shirley. Asa Smith. James I.
White, Calvin Bennett. ^lartin Coble, Oliver P. Cochran. David Bixler,
George W. Bennett, Elijah Hunt. Wesley Kinder. Gilman Lane. Robert
Morical. \\'illiam H. McFadden. Aaron Reitsell, Addison Soots, Christian
Wishmeyer, Hamilton \\'elling, John W'. Hunt, Lansford Clements, David
Carson, William Curry. James AI. Baker. Henr^- L. Dawson. Jacob Hook,
David Gray, Thomas \\'. Lankford. Isaac Miller. Eli X. ^lar.shall, Cornelius
Ramsdell. 01i\er Strahl. ^lorris Whittaker. Leven T. Young.
Ci'iiipaiiy F.
John A. Sandy. Solomon Stranbrough, John Courtney. John \\'elsliy.
Company G.
Thomas L. Purdue.
Company I.
Adam Bird. Francis M. Christian, David Clark, .Anthony Hansing, Rob-
ert M. Dunlap. Henry Hensing, Thomas \\". Lankford. Reuljen Pardee.
James E. Reynolds, Elijah White, Lewis H. Brown. William H. Smith,
Joseph Fetron, ^^'illiam Woodall, Jacob IMiller, Oliver Squires, Jacob V'olmer.
TWEXTV-EIGHTH UNITED STATES REGIMENT.
Co)npany /•'.
Henry Snow, captain.
Xelson Hunt and Junius Hunt (colored).
The soldiers from Hancock county were, in the main, kept in the western
theater of the war during the early part of the struggle. Many were in
-7- HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Arkansas, :\Iissouri. with Grant along the Mississippi, with Tiiomas. Rose-
crans anJ Buell. in Kentucky and Tennessee, and a \ery large number were
with Sherman on liis famous march to tiie sea. In tlie latter part of the war
these troops were, nf course, with Sherman and Grant in the eastern field.
But what the veterans of tlie Civil War have done has been written large on
the pages of the nation's history, and ni> attemjii will be made to detail that
story here.
It was a common practice for the men at tlie front to return their sav-
ings to tlieir famdies from time to time. Frequently a numlier of tliem who
had come from the same locality sent tlieir monev in one amount t(j some
person in whom all had confidence. In Februarv. i8f')3, for in.stance. the
men of Company B. Eighth regiment, forwarded to Capt. .\. K. nranham
one thousand, eiglit hundred and twenty dollars to be distriinited to persons
in various parts of the county. We cannot know at this time just whose
money was includt-d in this amount, liut after a large part of it had been dis-
tributed Captain Branham inserted a notice in the Hancock Democrat that
the money belonging to the following persons would be sent as directed bv
them: William Everson, Abram Hanes, Thomas Lake, Mrs. Mary A. Snell.
New Palestine; Samuel Fuller. Cordelia Shelton. Catherine Jones. Juha Scot-
ten, Philadelphia ; Hamilton Welling. Christian Kreager. Cumberland : John
M. Miller. Rebecca Davis, Cleveland: John Jackson Pendleton: John Roney.
Mt. Comfort.
In Oct<iber. 1863. Andrew T. Hart received a package containing one
thousand, one hundred and thirty-seven dollars from Company B, Ninety-
ninth regiment, for the following persons: Benjamin Reeves, Lysander
Sparks. Rosannah Hamilton. James Milner. Phoebe True, Jesse Allen, Louise
E. Shaw. Marv C. Curry. William Watts, Thomas Bright. Margaret Milner.
Sarah Curry. Sarah Milner. Elizabeth Reagan. J. H. Curry. Daniel Butter-
field, Susanna Redman. Eleanor Hudson. L. J. Yoiise. Elizabeth Cass. Cath-
erine McGuire, Joseph Morford, .Martlia Tilibits, ^^'iIlard Lowe.
These instances might be multiplied, lint they illustrate the practice i^f
the .soldiers in sending home their money, either for the use of their families,
or to be saved until their return from the war.
Some of the personal experiences of the boys, however, and something of
their military life, is reflected from the following letters. The fir.st two let-
ters, from Lee O. Harris and R. A. Riley. gi\e the experiences of the com-
pany of "three-months men" who went to the front from Hancock county.
The third letter, from Samuel \. Dunl)ar. gives a good idea of the canijiaign-
ing of Company B. Eighth regiment, in Arkansas, while the last one. writ-
MILITARy. 273
ten liv a ineniher of Cnmpany 15. Xiiiely-niiUh regiinent. comts trnm llic field
of heavy fighting' annnul Missionary Ridge.
"C.\.Mi' Hkxtox, \a., June 25. "61.
"Editor Ha.vcock Democrat axd Friknds at Ho.\rK:
"I am now writing in tlie sliade of a tree, in Canij) !k'nl<jn. which is
.situated on one of the higliest liills in Western \'irginia. Itelow uie lies a
beautiful \ alley, stretehing between tlie lofty hills. A l)cautiful stream winds
its way through it. while at the foot of the hill on which our canij) is situated,
lies the town of Clarksburg, the capital of Western X'irginia. It has a beau-
liful site, situated here on the .summit of this lofty hill, the valley King in
quiet beaut\- below me, and niouulain on niniintain piled to t'.ie clouds and
stretching awa_\- in eyery (lirecti(jn as far as the eye can reach. Pxith regi-
ments are encamped up(^n this hill, and are now busy fortifying it. .\ wall,
breast-high, is now alnuist completed, extending entirely around the hill, and
a battery of six cannon is stationed on one side. Our p,osition is one of the
strongest natural defenses 1 ha\-e eyer seen and commands the whole of the
surrounding country. The enemy have no access to the town except o\er the
inoulhs of our cannon, "a hard vo'dd to tra\-el.' I believe.
■■.\ regiment of the Ohio troops arrived in town today: there was a regi-
ment here before we arrived, and another picketed along the railroad from
Parkersburg to Grafton. The boys are all in fine spirits and eager tor the
fight, though I do not anticipate an attack at this point, now that we are all
so well prepared. It is reported that e.x-Ciovernor \\'ise is on Laurel Ridge,
about thirty miles from here, with five thousand men, yet. in this position
we do not fear twentx' thousand. .Several secessionists have been captured and
brought into cam]), but released on swearing allegiance to the government.
Having given you a general description of our camp. I will go back and tell
you how we got here.
"On Wednesday morning. June ig. 1 w;is awakened about thne o'clock
by the blowing of trumpets, rattling of drums and shouting of men; such a
noise I have never heard before. Tt sounded like the howling of fiends or the
midnight orgies of devils. On inquiring the cause I learned that we had
received our marching orders and. notwilhstanding I am a (|uiet man in the
:nain. I w;is infected with the general joy and shouted long and loud. I r.iii
to the door oi my tent and saw soldiers running, jumping, turning hand-
springs and summersets, and making the most extravagant demonstrations
of joy. They were considerate enough to leave off. however, as soon as all
were completely exhausted, mid the longest winded could not -^hout above a
( iR)
J74 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
whisper. Sliortly after breakfast we began to take down our tents and pack
our liaggage. and before noon we marched to Indianapohs. where we em-
barked on the cars, and taking the Lawrenceburg & Cincinnati raih-oad. we
were soon fi\ing on our course on the wings of steam, followed 1j\^ the shouts
of hundreds who had collected to see us off. Everywhere along the road
it appeared as if the v/hole community had collected along the track and
greeted us with shouts and waving of hats and handkerchiefs. At Greens-
burg the patriotic citizens were awaiting us. and as soon a-^ the train stopped,
the cars were surrounded by detachments armed with well charged baskets,
buckets and pitchers, and immediately began the attack, filling our haver-
sacks with provisions of every imaginable kmd. Our men faced the music
like heroes and pitched into the eatables with a will. Long life and great hap-
piness to the noble hearts of Greensburg! May heaven bless them as they
deserve ! At six o'clock we arrived at Cincinnati. Here we were met In- the
citv militarv, amounting to nearly two thousand, who escorted us tc the
Fifth street market house, where we were regaled with a splendid supper.
All Cincinnati was alive with excitement ; the streets were crowded from one
end of town to the other, and at every turn the cry was, 'Huzza for the Indi-
ana troops! Huzza for the Eighth and Tenth!" On the comer, near the
market house, was a banner with this inscription, 'Cincinnatians' \\'elcome to
the Xoble Sons of Indiana: may God liless and preserve you!' We marched
from the market house to the Marietta & Cincinnati railroad and cmliarked
on the cars, where we lay all night, and on the next morning started for
Marietta, a town about two hundred and fifty miles up the river. Through
Ohio we were met and welcomed with the same demonstrations of joy that
we witnessed in Indiana. At Chillicothe we were welcomed with another
attack of provisions and good things. We arrived at ]^Iarietta about dark,
when we were marched on board of steamboats, where we lay all night. Xext
morning we sailed down the river to Parkersburg, where we remained until
Saturday night, when we embarked on board the cars on the Baltimore & Ohio
railway and started en route for this place, arri\'ing hei"e on .Saturday about
noon, where we are likely to remain for some time. .You shall hear from me
again soon if my life is spared to write.
"Yours truly.
"L. O. Harri.s, U. S. a."
"Beveri-v. Va., July 14, i86r.
"Mr. Editor : — Dear Sir :
"Since our march from Indianapolis, such has been the constant hurry
MILITARY. 275
and bustle, care and luil. ihai I have never had lime tn write wlien I could
command paper and ink, tnal 1 iiave not written you before. We first set
font on "X'iri^inia's sacred soil' at J'arkersburg, the third day from Indian-
apolis, from thence two da\s after to Clarksburg by railroad through tunnels
of pitchy darkness and over dizzy precipices. The road was guarded all
along. At Clarksburg (the capital of western Virginia)' we took possession
of a hill about three hundred feet high, immediately south of the town, com-
menced to fortify it, and about i o'clock A. M. Capt. Loomes' flying battery
six pieces arrixed. It was hauled to the foot of tlie hill, and there we took
it apart, attached long ropes, and piece at a time, with two hundred men to
a piece, pulled it up to the top, and by daylight had cannon, ammunition
and all in position on the hill, and commanding the whole surrounding town
and country within its range. We then resumed work on our fortification,
and by night had a breastwork from six to ten feet high, for nearly a mile,
in an oblong circle. The traitors had prepared to burn the town, and expel
or hang all Union men there, the day after our arrival. We were tno f|uick
for them, and they fell back to a pass called the A'alley of Death,' in the
Rich Mountain, widiin ii\c miles of Beverly, where thev were strongly for-
tified at a pass called Camp Garnett, one and one-half miles further on the
Beverly road, and at the ^'alley of Death they had breastworks of logs and
rocks, ])robably 400 yards in length and two pieces of artillery (that w^e cap-
tured). I think they had three. At 4 P. i\L on the loth, six companies of
the 8th and 10th Indiana X'olunteers marched to the ad\-ance, on hearing tliat
they were coming to give us battle. We took our position in advance of
our encampment — consisting of eight regiments — in line of battle but the
rebels went back to their holes again. The 8th regiment, that is, six com-
panies of it, held their position on the field for the night, and Company I,
consisting of 53 men, rank and file — 33 of Company I, and 20 of Company
E — took the picket guard, running a chain of sentinels within two hundred
and fifty-nine yeards of their fortification, and then transversely with the
same, and remaining sleeplessly vigilant the entire night. JuSt after daylight
on the morning of the nth. six companies of the 8th, loth, and 13th Indiana,
and the igth Ohio regiments filed right leaving the road, without cutting
one for their access, and climbed over Rich Mountain, through hea\y woods,
barrens, thickets, among the laurel and hucklel>erries, among rocks, cliffs
and precipices, on dizzy heights and sightless depths, a distance of from 12
to 15 miles, entirely flanking and sur])rising the enemy in the ^'alley of Death.
"We arrived on the battlefield at about half-past t P. M., when the
picket fired on i.ur ;idvance guard led by Ca])t. Chris. Miller, of the loth.
2j6 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
severely if not fatally wounding him. and also wounding severely in the arm
one of his men. The skirmish then commenced, on our side, while round
shot, hombs. and spherical-case shells hissed and bursted over uur heads.
We continued skirmishing for o\er an iiour. waiting for the Ohio regiment
to come up, to get our positions, and for the cessation of one of the heaviest
rains I have ever seen fall. Thus drenched and chilled the Ohio regiment
came up the mountain in sight and the rain ceased, when the loth Indiana
regiment engaged their left wing out of good range of their artillerv. The
left wing of tlie 8th la\- right in line. \iew and range of their artillery, when
they fired a shell that exploded tlirectly over them (the 8th). tlien a round
shot that went through a tree about 12 feet over the heads of the 8th. 1 told
Col. Benton that the enemy had a jioint blank range on the regiment, and to
Itt the regiment lie down. The command was given and the boys dropped,
when instantly a charge of grape poured over them, about breast high but
liarniless. The enenu' cheered, thinking the regiment was ciU to pieces (as
they afterward told me) while indeed the boys were lying like crouching
tigers, waiting for the command to pounce upon theiu. W'e remained there
for about half an hour, when the word came, and the boys wen.t down the hill
o\er rocks, logs and brush, firing and richancing. without much order — for
that was impossiljle. from the nature of the ground — but with terrible pre-
cision, shooting with direct aim at e\ery moving object distinguishable in tlie
smoke before them. Then followed the most sublime and terrible concerted
regimental firing that ever waked the echoes of that old mountain. C<jm-
])any T. commanded by I^ieut. Walls, directed their fire u])on the gunners f)f
tiieir artillery, and leaving but ime standing, and him wounded in the hand
and side. Then the rush from the cannon from both sides, when otu- men
hoisted one poor fellow off of the cannon with their bayonets. The enemy
gave way. and the retreat commenced, and firing after and pursuit. Wither
of the latter continued long. Then came the congratulations over the victory,
mixed witii the groans and cries of the wounded and dying, then the search-
ing and care for the wounded. Then a collection and burial of the pale and
bloody dead. The busy and bloody dianded surgeons, with lint, chords, band-
ages, saws, scalpals. probes and bullet forceps were busv bandaging and
dressing what could be saved, and aminitating hopelessly shattered and lacer-
ated limbs. T walked over a ])art of the battlefield that evening, and I hope
never again to witness such a sight of blood and carnage. .\t one large rock
about 30 feet long Ijehind which the enemv had concealed, .shooting over,
there laid piled upon and across one another, sixteen men, e\erv one of whom
was shot through the brain. I will iKit further attemi)t to describe the car-
MILITAKY. 277
iiage. The enemy had lietween 1,800 and 2,200. with two pieces nf artillery
which we captured. The six companies nf the 8th, loth, and 13th Indiana
Keg^iments, amonniing- to ahoiit 1,500 to 1.700 men. did ilie fiqhling. the Oiiio
lieing held mainly in reserve, and comins^ in just at the close.
"The counted dead of the enemy on the field is T_y and is doubtless
more than doulile that number, as many were seen carried off. Some were
found in the bushes and coal banks and among- the rocks over a quarter of a
mile from their breastworks. We have about qoo prismiers, six pieces of
artillery, a large amount of siuaH arms, se\'enty-two wagons, and from
.$60,000 to .$100,000 wiirth of captured niilitar\- propertv. L'pon the rebels
being so terribly defeated, shiughtered and routed at the 'X'alley of Death,'
they fled into the mountain — they abandoned their arms, camp tents, ammuni-
tion and fortifications at Camp Garnett, one and a half miles distant and in
the night left all. some e\'en throwing awa\' their blankets and cuats and fled to
the mountains. They also flecl from Beverly, five miles distant. The next day
a flag of truce was sen.t in and seven hundred who had been in the battle,
came in a bo(ly. stacked their arms, and surrendered themselves prisoners of
war. The}-, with those taken in the battle and since swelled their nuni1)ers to
about i)00, as liefore stated.
"1 am informed, by a messenger from there, that Cieneral Morris cap-
tured 1 .Soo rebels at Laurel Hill, together with their cannon, ;irms. and mili-
tary stores, on the next day after the battle. Yesterday a detachment was
sent froni liere to Stanton, twelve n-iiles from here, and a mes.senger came
back today saying the}- had fled panic strickei-i from there.
■"The war in western X'irginia is ended for the present, if not forever.
"Xone of Company I were killed or missing. Sergeant M. M. Stephen-
.■■on was severely wounded by a musket ball a little above the right knee, the
ball passing lielow the bone without breaking it. The hemorrhage was great,
but upon its being staunched, reaction took place, .and he is now doing well,
and will ]irobablv recoxer without material lameness or injury. James Buch-
anan was wounded in the fleshy ])art of the hi]), just above the hip joint, but
got up. straightened his leg. tried it, cursed the traitors, and fought on with
redoubled energy, .\ndrew Stutsman was wounded on the knee by a fall on
the rocks while making the charge. Charles Weaver had his wrist bruised
and sprained bv the bark and splinters knocked from a tree iicar which he
was. b\- grape shot. All who were in the battle were brave to a fault. Our
boys were much fatigued and exhausted by hunger, cold, rain, watching,
niarching and fighting, but are getting rested and ready for more work if
needed soon. The health of most of them is tolerable, some are suffering
278 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
^^'itl^ diarrhoea and ><'me with flux. Three or four are in the hospital, none
dangerous I think.
"While I have been telling of the enemy's heavy losses, etc.. I had almost
forgotten to speak of our own. Thirteen cf the Indiana troops were killed,
and about forty wounded.
"My own health is poor and broken down. Five days ago I was taken
with diarrhoea, and from weakness, loss of sleep, hunger, and the long, toil-
some march over the mountain, and the sudden cold and lieavy rain, I sat
down, cramping and exhausted, by a tree, in the midst of the battle, delivering
the command to Lieut. \\'illiam R. Walls, who gallantly led the boys through
tlie balance of the fight. Shot, shells, grape, musket and rifle balls were
bursting and hissing over and around me. There is an excitement and
sublimity in a well contested battle, that can neither be appreciated or realized
by any one wdio has not witnessed it and participated in it. Our boys w!io
were left behind to guard the camp, and too sick to make tlie toilsnme march,
are filled with regret and chagrin because circumstances forbade their par-
ticipation in the fight.
"W'e expect to he 'home again' in a few weeks, bringing Company I
back without the loss of a man. My paper is exhausted. My compliments
and love to all. R. A. Rilev."
"Helena, .\rk.. July 14, 1862.
"Dear Mitchell: —
"Having had no opportunity for a long time to write to you, or anyljody
else, and supposing tliat our friends are anxious to hear from us. I hasten to
write you. I joined my regiment at Sulphur Rock, on the i ith of June, aufl on
the 22nd we left there for Clarendon, on White river, to join our gun boats.
We approached said point by easy marches, until the day we entered Augusta,
when we marched eighteen miles. The day after we arrived, at 2 o'clock in
the morning. Companies .\ and B of the 8th, under command of Maj. Thomas
Brady, and a battalion of cavalry, commanded by Col. Baker of the ist Indi-
ana, by special order, went in search of a regiment of rebels, mostly conscripts,
under Col. Matleck. After a march of ten miles we came upon t'.ieir canip.
freshly evacuated. The infantry deployed as skimiishcrs in the cane brake,
which is the hottest and hardest work ever tlie lot of man to perform. We
remained thus for two miles, rallying at a point on the river, three miles
above a ferry where the butternuts were crossing. Col. Baker hastened for-
ward, arriving a little too late, but in time to fire one of his mountain
howitsers, killing two and dispersing them in every direction. He took
MILITARY. 279
their camp equipage and proxisions. W bile this was going on Maj. Brady
lieanl of a train concealed four miles above our position in tbe cane brake,
and of course \\c made for it. We found five wagons richly laden with the
good tilings fi.xed up by the special friends for palates of the traitors. They
didn't get it. We eat our supper, sa\ed our breakfasts, and turned the bal-
ance o\-er. Tliis was on the I-"<nirth of Jul}'. On the jlb we returned to camp.
arriving tired and worn out. The next morning at two o'clock we left camp
and marched si.xteen miles, lialting on the bank of Cache river. The road on
each side of the stream having been lilockaded 1i}- the rebels cutting timlicr
across it, — a game they ba\e pla\\;d until it is played out. When our advance
arrived at this point a small party of them, concealed in the blockade, fired
upon the guard, hitting nobody. Our men killed one, who fell into our hands,
and knocked seven off their horses, but they got away badly wounded or
dead. Lieut. Mill, whci commands the pioneers of the brigade, went to work
on the blockade and in two hours had a road cut through and the troops pass-
ing over. In the morning a portion of the nth \\'iscoiisin and ist Indiana
Caxalry went out upon the road in advance to feel for the Texas Rangers,
who we knew were in the neighborhood. About noon they came upon about
two thousand of the gentlemen King along the side of the road. Our l)oys
went int(^ them with fury, both sides fighting like fiends. More caxalry and
the 33d Illinois were ordered forward first, and then the 8th. We arri\ed
upon the ground and rlrove the rebels five miles, when night came on, and
they got away from us. Xews of this fight spread like wild fire through
rebeldom, and u|)on our arrival here we found that transports had been sent
from Mnuphis to Clarendon, to gather up the remnant of our army, sup-
po'ied to be cut to pieces and in a starving condition. The rebels every-
where throw it in our faces, and crowed loudly. Poor, deceived fools, why
did they not know the true result of the engagement? We found nearly
200 of their de.id upon tlie field, and tlieir wounded filling every house along
the road. Our loss was between forty and fifty. — eight killed and the balance
wounded. The night after the fight we encamped beyond Cotton Plant, on
a bayou. The next day we marched to Clarendon, a distance of 35 miles,
under the hot sun of this climate, and through the deepest sand and the thick-
est and most suffocating dust. For miles we had to march without water,
and when we did get anv it was swamp water, the filthiest you ever saw in
any swamp. This march beats everything in our military histoiy. and had
we not been ironclad we never could have stood it. On our arrival at Claren-
don we found that our boats had from some cause or other given us out and
retired. Duvall's Bluff, above C'arendon, was evacuated bv the rebels, thev
28o HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
reliring to Little Rock. On the iitli we left tliat point for this, and by some
management not in army regulations our wagons. i)ro\ isions and camp ef|uip-
age were started upon one road, and we upon another. Our suffering would
have been extreme had it not been for 4 crackers to the man wh.ich we found
in a wagon belonging to Curtis' quartermaster. On this scanty allowance we
traveled 18 and 23 miles a day until last m'giit. Our train arrived this morn-
ing, we having lived from the time we started until this morning on four
crackers to each man. We are now encamped on the bank of the Mississippi.
Helena is a beautiful little town, clean and neat. Shortly after our arrival
a trading boat came down and you should have seen the effect it had upon
the men. So long shut up in the darkness of Arkansas hills and swamps, cut
■,)ff from all correspondence with friends and the world, exposed to danger
and disease, almost naked, and but a few days' rations of crackers left, you
can imagine how exhilarating the sight of a boat would be. We are Ijelow
^lemphis about 100 miles. Last night was a moon light one, and Lieut. Hill
and myself, after the camp had become still, seated ourselves upon the bank
of the river and looked upon a scene as beautiful as I ever saw. At this
pf)int the river is one and a half miles wide. Mississippi forming the other
side.
"The Indiana troops arc almost naked, having drawn but few clothes
since leaving Otterville. and but few uniforms can be found among them. W'e
will get a new suit here and cut a <tiff. Lieut. Bill- Hill, with bis pioneers
attended tlie train and through the most desperate swamps building and cut-
ting roads with an energ},- and celerity that drew from General Benton a
very high compliment. This morning the camp is all gayety and life. The
boys are enjoving the highest spirits. Besides the prospects for bread, meat
and clothes, we have a faint hope of being ordered out of Arkansas.
"Col. Baker and his cavalry are covering themselves with glory. They
fear nothing; fight any force, no matter how large, when or where tiiey find it.
"Gen. Hindman lives here. Gen. Curtis occupying his mansion, with, the
stars and stripes floating above it. The health of our company continues ex-
cellent, much to our surprise. Our friends can rest assured that for the
present we are all doing well.
"Yours res])ect fully.
"S. H. DUNB.\R,
"8th Indiana Regiment.
"X. I). In the fight I have spoken of. at one time the rebels were in
the woods, but in hearing distance. The Wisconsin boys were supporting
MILITARY. 281
tlie Indiana Imw itsers, w lien tliey heard the command gi\cn liy llie relxd com-
mander. 'Take tlie t;iin !' Our l)oys came to a 'ready." and the line of rebels
came rushing forward. Wisconsin waited until they came within fifty yards,
when they poured a desperate volley into them, charging- bayonets immedi-
atelv. and throwing the enemy into confusion. ']"bey rallied again, after
which one C)f om^ boys yelled out to them; 'Here is that gun. why in tiie hell
don't you come and take it?"'
"He.\dqu.\rters 8th Indiana Infantry.
"Near Vicksburg, Miss., May 28, 1863.
"Dear Mitchell: —
"T wrote you from Port Ciibson a day or two after the fight of the ist
Inst. I then informed yon of the loss of Company E. and presume ere this
vou have published it to our friends. Since that writing we have engaged
in the unfortunate engagement of 'Cham])ion Hills' and 'Black River Bridge,"
not having a man hurt in cither. On the iqth inst. our artillerv opened on
the fortifications protecting \'icksburg. and skirmishing began, (hir divi-
sion was at once thrown forward, in rifle range of the rebel works, and a
spirited fight at once began with the rebel shaipshooters. \\'e soon discovered
that we could effectually silence their artillery by keeping a storm of bullets
pouring" into their port boles. We played this game upon t'leni without
material loss, until the 22nd of May, when General Grant peremptorily ordered
that at 10 o'clock A. M., the whole line should charge, reaching from the
Yazoo to Warrenton. Upon this announcement being made to the men, a
gloom and hopelessness was visible on everv face. .\11 wire fu'lv convinced
tliat it was a mad move, and that we would meet slaughter and defeat. Xe\er-
theless, at the a])pointed hour, we fell into line and moved forward. The
column had been in motion Imt a few moments when the enemy opened upon
it from rifle pits and forts, with musketry, grape, shell and schrapnel. Con-
fusion at once began. Men fell dead and wounded at e\'ery step. Many
being wounded were afterward killed, and the slaughter was terrible. The
8th started in the charge with 4^6 men. losing in killed and wounded, 114.
The 33d Illinois with a less number of men, lo.st the same, the 9C)th Illinois
lost 170. And other regiments, so far as I .can hear, suffered in the same
])roportion, — Comiiany P. started into the charge with, 43 men, officers in-
cluded. Its loss was 13 wounded and 3 killed.
"On the 20th, while advancing our brigade from a hollow to one nearer
the enemy, .Mfred Wilson was killed by a grape shot striking him on the
head. He did not die immediatelv, and when assistance was sent to remove
262 HAXCOCK COCNTV, INDIANA.
him lu the hospital he would not l-e removed from the field until he laid
hold of his gun. which he persisted in carrying with him. On the follow-
ing morning while the company was sharp shooting. Richard Lamb was
l<illed by a niinnie ball striking him in the bowels, and George X. Bhck was
slightly wounded in tlie shoulder. He did not leave the field, though in too
much ]);iin to load and shoot, but carried water from the spring to the boys
while they fought. On the day of the charge we lost as follows:
"First Sergeant,' Frank Mays, killed.
"Private, John Scotten. killed.
"Alfred Lowder. died from wounds.
•IVoumkd.
"Corporal, F. M. Miller, slightly in chin.
"Corporal, W'ni. W, Welling, severely in side and arm.
"Corporal, Clark McDonald, slightly in hip.
"Private, Thomas M. Martin, arm amputated.
"Private, \\'. \\'. Alexander, severely in arm.
"Private, W'm. X. Siplinger, sli.ghtly in foot.
"Private, Charles Clapper, slightly in arm.
"Private. Andrew J. Fuller, ])ainfully in ankle.
"Private. James X. Underwood, arm amputated.
'■Pri\ate, \\n\. H. Morgan, collar bone broken.
"Lieut. A\'. G. Hill, ]iainfullv in right hand.
"The wounded are doing as well as the circumstances will permit. They
arc gdurall}- cheerful and confident of recovery. I understand thev will be
sent north as soon as possible. We are reducing \''icksburg by seige. since to
attempt to take it by storm is folly and madness; Our regiment is Iving on the
protected side of a hill, in four hundred yards of the rebel works. Musket balls
whiz liarmlessly al;ove us while our artillery keeps the air filled with the
smoke of powder and the earth trembling. The enemy does nothing with its
artillery. Today, for the first time, two or three fired a shot at one of our
batteries. Scarcely had the report been heard when Capt. Klauss of the ist
Indiana let a shell fly and blew up the secesh's caisson, killing a good manv of
them doubtless, besides leaving a tremendous moral effect. .\t night war
ceases, except an occasional shot between pickets who stand within one hun-
dred yards of each other. .\ few days ago the enem\- sent in a flag of ivuce.
giving us an opportunity to liurv our' dead that were left on the field after
MII.ITARV. 283
tlie fatal charge. Ilie rcliels came <jut nf iheir Imles li\' tlmusands. while the
surrouncling" hills were covered .with Ijlue uniforms, gazing on the novel scene.
I\Ianv of each side met, shook hands and conversed freely. Soldiers, both
rebel and Union, were unanimously of the opinion that they in an hour like
that could settle the war. if submitted to them. One rebel said he wished the
truce would last f(ire\er. 1 heard uf several instances where friend found
friend, and in two or three cases, brother met limlher. Desertions frei|uently
occurred. The number no doubt would be double, did they not keep so rigitl
a guard. Two nights ago I was working in our ditches when two strapping
Hutch boys who had escaped, jumped almost on top of me. After they were
assured that it was all right, and got into the riglit place, they were the hap-
piest fellows I e^-er saw. They give a dreadful account of the rebel rations
a-.id of the terror which our artillery and sharpshooters keep them in. If we
succeed in keeping at bay the apprehended attack in the rear a little longer,
Vicksburg will surely surrender. The mortar fleet I liked to have forgotten.
It opens after dark and keeps up a terrible shelling during the night. The
city has been on fire several times, but they have succeeded by some means
in extinguishing the flames. The mortars surel}- scare tiiem awfully, and T
don't see how they help killing many. It is generally thought that hard fight-
ing here is over, but nobody knows. The rebels before surrendering may
come out and make a last desperate effort to escape. The nights are lovely
and oiilv when disturbed b\- tlie occasional crashing and bursting of shell, are
so serene and still that we can hear the town clock in the city.
"Let our ladies at home know that everything they do. no matter how
little, for the comfort of our sick and wounded, is fully appreciated, and does
much more good tliaii ihev could imagine. Too great a c|uantity of the
delicacies, and of clothes, etc., cannot be sent here. The probability is that
we will remain here sometime. Many will be wounded, and many and many
more will be sick in consequence of the climate and the way we have to live.
Our jiien ha\e lail one suit of clothes, and that is deficient, worn and dirty.
We have no time outside of the ditches to wash, and when a man falls sick or
is wounded he ca!i only look to the efforts of friends at home and the sani-
tary commission for clean clothes. Ladies, do all >-ou can for us. We need
your assistance.
"Xone of the Greenfield boys ha\e been hurt, and without one exception
ha\e been in the fight and have done their duty manfully. Our company is
sadl\- in neefl of recruits and must be filled up. There is no difficulty in
getting into an\- comjiain- the recruit may designate. AVill not some of our
284 HANCOCK COLNTY, INDIANA.
young men make the break and come to our assistance? I will write asjain
after, and perhaps before the fall of Vicksburg.
"Respectfully,
"S. H. Dunbar.
"8th Ind. Infantry."
Following is another letter from Mr. Dunbar, dated October iS. 1863.
at \'ermillicin\ille, Louisiana:
"Dear Mitchell:
"Suddenly our Brigade has received orders to march. It goes alone,
and starts tomorrow morning. Our mission is not for letters f)r newspapers,
as we expect with all the secrecy that can be exercised, to have some warm
work. I write merely that you may present tii tlieir friends tlie n:imes of
Company B, left in the hospital in New Orleans. They are. John W. Under-
wood. Amos W. Everson. Elijah H. Tyner (nurse), Henry McCorkliill (sent
from Berwick). George ^I. Davidson. Francis X. C. Hodson. .Albert W. Lake.
"I did not feel apprehensive of the death of any of them, even when
they left, ague and diarrhea being tlie principal diseases. Tliev liad been sick
but a few days, and with the excellent attention which I learn is liestowed
upon the sick in hospitals in that city, I have no doubi thev will soon recover.
"John Sciitt. a good citizen of Brandywine townshi]), who had deservedly
many friends throughout his neighborhoud. died in h(:s])ital at Xew Orleans.
September iith. .All must symi)alhize .with his afflicted family and honnr
his memory for his good qualities.
"Searg. Cyrus Hanes and Elijah Tuttle of Company B, in company with
four others, after receiving instructions from the Cieneral. left, — on a critical
mission. They pressed an oystep boat, sallied out into the Gulf, and frnm
thence through innumerable bayous, lakes, and bogs, far into the interior
of Louisiana, passing themselves among the enemv for smugglers. Tiiey
accomplished, to the full satisfaction of the power that sent them, all they
were sent to perform, returning in ten days from the date of their departure.
They frequently saw and conversed with detachments of the enemy. Too
much honor can not be awarded the men who will brave every danger, take
life into their hands, peril everything for their country, and in obedience t<^
orders. Let the names of all such gallant actors stand out in bold relief, high
on the scroll of honor.
"Yours respectfully.
"Sa.m. H. DixBAK. ■
MILITARY. 2S5
FROM THE XINKTV-XIXTIl INDIANA.
"SC0TT.-^l!0K()L(ilI, Al.A.
'"Sunday, January in. 1864.
"ICurroR IIa.ncock Dicmocrat :
"On ^Monday. N(i\eni1)er jyl. our division restetl (juittly belimd a ranjje
1)1 hills, near the Tennessee Ri\er. waiting; for the engineers and pontooniers
to Complete tlie prejiarations tor throwing a pontocjn across tlie river. Tl'.e
work was done, the attention of the rebels was drawn to the extreme rij^ht.
where General Hcioker was making- some heavy demonstrations, and a favor-
al)le opportunity for our crossing presented itself; accordinglv we were
ordered to he ready to march at 4. o'clock next morning. Morning came,
November 24, and we set off. The day was foggy and misting rain. We
reached the river har.k, which was lined with heavy cannon, ready to lielch
forth destruction to any one who might oppose our crossing.
■■(3ur workmen had been husv at work all night, and the piMitoon was
al.out half completed. The lx)ats were used as ferr\- boats until readv to be
])laced in their positions in the bridge. We embarked immediately, crossed,
stacked arms and waited for our artillery, ammunition wagons, iiorses and
ambulances, which could not be brought over until the bridge was completed.
"All was over by 9 o'clock A. M., and we were ready to advance. A
ver\- short distance now lay between us and the enemy on Missionary Ridge.
Our artillerv kept u]i a languid fire on them from across the Tennessee, be-
■^ides which \ery little seemed to be doing in the way of battle. We prepared
to ad\ance. Our guns were loaded and capped. Skirmishers were thrown
nut to the front and flanks, four or five from a compan\'. Serg't. George
W. Watts, Wesley S. Catt, Charles Meyers, and Christian Ortle were de-
tailed from Companv B. All things being ready, we moved on slowly, at
a left face, the thick under brush rendering it next to impossible to preserve
a line of battle.
"Our skirmishers soon waked up the rebs. A lirisk firing was com-
menced in front. We halted a short while, to give tiiue to the skirmishers.
We could now plainly see the summit of the first hill, but no enemy appeared
thereon. We advanced slowly and halted near the top. when the rebs opened
fire on us w ith their artillery. I''ort'.uiateI\- our Chief of Artillery was with us.
and got the ])recise location of the rebel battery. He immediately ordered up
Richardson's batterv, and opened on the enemy with one twenty-foiu' pounder
and several guns of smaller caliber. The rebs. who had been ovcrsliooting,
lowered their pieces an<l replied vigorously for a while, the balls shaving
286 HANCOCK CUL".NTV, INWAXA.
'very close.' Our boys who were carrying balls from the caissons ran almost
on 'all fours." while the balls hissed over their heads, and showered the limbs
of trees around them. One projectile knocked off the whole top of a tree
and hurled it into a regiment of the second brigade : but owing to some e.vpert
dodging, no one was injured. Th.e rebs having one gun dismounted, and
fearing for the safety of the remainder, removed their battery from \iew,
and were silent the remainder of the day.
"Our skirmishers were advancing down the opposite side of the hill,
and driving the rebel skirmishers up tlie next ridge on which the\- were
fortified. The night found us. W'e rested on our anns, expecting a vigorous
renewal in the morning.
"The 1st brigade of our division lay on our right, and the second on our
left, leaving us to occupy the center. Gen. Ewing, our division commander,
ordered our brigade to fortify their position, and to remain as a reserve. W'e
went at the work witli energy, and, Ijy midnight, had a row of rifle pits
stretching for half a mile, and facing the rebel works.
"Gen. Ewing, Gen. Blair, our coi-ps commander, and Gen. Sherman all
established their headquarters with us. and also the signals were displayed
near our regiment. This was very interesting to us. as we could witness the
maneuvers, and hear tlie dispatclies that were constantlv coming and going.
They kept the aids busy.
"The morning of the 25th daw ncd. The fog had cleared away, and the
sun rose in his radiant splendor: all was yet quiet. Both armies had l:)een
maneuvering during the previous night, and now lay in plain view of each
other. Gen. Hooker had advanced his lines far up the mountain, while strong
batteries and earthworks lined th.e valle\ at the foot of Missionary Ridge.
The operations of the day were opened by a broadside from Richardson's
ijattery. aimed directly at the rebel works on the next ridge, plainly visible:
and not more than half a mile distant. The rebel gims replied. Otir guns
opened from across the Tennessee, tiie rebs returned the compliment. The
boom of cannon then came up from the battle l^elow, and were only answered
by the cannonical language of Missionary Ridge. The cannonading was now
terrific along the entire line, from the summit of Lookout to tlie banks of the
Chickamauga. The surrounding hills and mountains smoked like so many
volcanoes, and the thunders of artiller\- rolled along the valleys of the Ten-
nessee. Oh, how sublime! The reverberations among the hills reminded me
much of the poets' beautiful description of 'A Thunderstorm on the Alps."
The noise of battle increased : the sound of musketry and of the charge was
continuallv heard.
MILITARY. 287
"L'ntil this tiiiK'. we were adniiring the scene, and estimating the dis-
tance of certain guijs by tiie difference Ijetween seeing the flash and hearing the
report. Some of tiic boys were mounted on trees to obtain a better prospect,
but our admiration ceased wiien we saw our woundt^d come hmping in, sup-
ported on either side by their more fortunate comrades, or home on htters;
some with heads Ijleeding, others witli tlieir shattered Hnibs danghng power-
less by their sides. .\t first the sight was revolting, but when we could
I>egin to count tmr wnunded 1)\- sc.ires and hear their stories of narrow escape,
and hear tiieir groans, we got mad and wanted to fight. If the 3d brigade
had been turned loose, they would have stormed the very gates of purgator\';
but 'Xo'" said Gen. Ewing. 'you must hold this ridge".
■■Just then Brig. Gen. Corse of the second Ijrigaile was carried in with
a severe wound in his thigh. He swore a 'lilue streak^ as lie passed. Says
he. 'If they had wounded me in the head, or some place in the Ixxly so that
I could keep tlie field I would not care: but thev have shot me in the thigh
and I must retire.' Gen. Ewing" started to go to him. Ijut he shook his head,
and Ewing returned.
■■The first brigade now formed in the valley, and were ordereil to carry
that part of the ridge in their front. This brigade consisted of the uth and
loth Indiana, and the second and 90th 111. They made a brilliant effort, and
carried the rebel works. Col. Loomis, their brigade commander, rode up to
Gen. Ewing and informed him that he had gained the heig^hts as ordered,
but with severe loss, especially in point of officers. The Col. of the goth
Illinois fell mortally wounded: the Lieut. Col. of the looth Indiana, was
wounded : Capt. Brouse of the same regiment was killed, and many others.
Hardly had Col. Loomis returned to his command, when the rebs charged
and recaptured their old works, driving the first brigade enlireh- from the
ridge. (I think, however, that this was a preconcerted arrangement, to daw
the rebs into a trap. ) They retreated back across a piece of timberland, while
the rebs poured in volleys of shot and shell at their glittering bayonets. The
air was fairly vocal with the sound of exploding shells and hissing fragments.
"About this time. Christian Ortel of our own company was carried in.
severely wounded in the thigh. He was a noble young man. and had the love
and esteem of all who knew him. His w<iun(ls jiroved fatal. He died Decem-
l>er i-th. and now rests in tiie cemetery at Chattanooga,
"Stern is the decree of fate which hath bound him,
And laid him to rest by stranger's hand ;
Xo loved ones near to weep around him.
As he sleeps alone in a stranger's land.
2(S8 IIAXCOCK COUXTY, INDIANA.
"It is sweet to die for one's coinitrv."
"The stars and stripes were now nn furled from Point Lookout and
tiie sound of battle died away as llie shadows of evening covered t!ie hills and
\alleys: all husiied to quiet; we retired to rest and ere morning's light den.
Bragg with all liis army was hurrying toward Atlanta.
"'S'ours truly.
"M. .v.. Co. B."
The above letter was evidentU- written b\- Marshall .\lley. whose name
appears on the muster roll as John M. .Mlew
HO.ME Gf.VRD.S.
In addition to the three-months men and the veterans of the Civil War.
the Legion of Indiana was organized for home protection. Companies of
tlie Legion were known as "Home Guards." During the Ci\il War several
of these companies were organized in Hancock county, known as:
Fortville Guards, organized June 4. i<S6i. James H. Perry. P. Bond,
captains : John K. Faucett, first lieutenant : Charles Doty, second lieutenant.
Hancock Guards, organized June 10, 1861. Alexander K. Branham,
llenrv .\. Swope, captains: Henry .\.. Swope and William E. Hart, fi'-st
lieutenants: William E. Duncan, William Lindsey. Ceorge H. Walker, Joshua
Edward, second lieutenants.
Braudyzcine Guards, organized .\ugtist 26. 186 1. Robert Andis. cap-
tain: Ezra Fountain, first lieutenant: Jjhn M. Dixon, second lieutenant.
.-iudcrsoii Guards ( Xew Palestine), organized September 13. i86t.
Thomas C. Tuttle. captain: Conr.id Shellhouse, first lieutenant: George W.
Stineback, second lieutenant.
J'criwn Tozcnsliip Guards, organized, 1863. Sylvester Gaskins. cap-
tain: Thomas J. Hanna. first lieutenant: Perry J. Brinegar. second lieutenant.
['iiiflu Hancock iCaz-alry), organized. 1863. Taylor W. Thomas, cap-
tain: .Sdlomou 1". Kaul)le. first lieutenant: Williruu E. Henry, second "lieuten-
ant.
Jackson Guards, organized. 1863. John .\. Craft. Joseph H. McKown.
captains: Joseph H. McKown. John M. Davis, first lieutenants; .\sa H.
Allison, second lieutenant.
The last three companies were organized during the excitement of the
Morgan raid in 1863. At this time these comjianies were organized and
known as the Hancock Battalion. Its officers were : .Mexander K. Branham.
MILITAKY. 289
Lee O. Harris, majors; Solniiion !•". Kaulile. adjutant: Drlando M. ]".(l\vards.
assistant surt^eon.
A CDUipany was also organized in Buck Creel< luwnsliip. .Xnotlier com-
pany "t aliiiul I'nrty (icrnian l;oys was organized and drilled at Xew I'alesline
l)v Dr. i'.ucliel. a (ierman pliysician. Greenfield boys, too young for service,
were organizetl as the (ireenficld Union Cadets, witli ilie following officers:
Hamilton Dunl>ar, captain: James W. Knight, first lieutenant: James Gapen.
second lieutenant: Oscir Thnmas, third lieutenant.
The Home (iuards. howc\er. were continually changing because the
boys were constantly etdisting in the volunteer companies. Dr. Buchel's com-
pany at Xew Palestine finally disbanded because practically all of its mem-
bers had enlisted in the active service. Some of the otlier conijianies main-
tained their organizations throughout the war bv continualJv filling their
ranks with recruits.
Each cinnp;ui_\' had its own drill gmund. In the smrdler towns tiie.
school grounds or commcjus were appropriated or the bovs drilled on the
streets. Adjoining the town of (jreen field on the northeast la\- a large blue-
grass pasture. It included a tract lying east of State and north of North
streets, and was owned by lienjamin Osborne, a resident of Kentuck\-. Here
the Hancock Guards gathered once a week, usually on Saturdav afternoons.
The drilling of the company on the slope and hill north and east of the branch
in the region of Grant and East streets, was :i \ery familiar sight in those
days.
Two of tliese companies, the Hancock Guards, under L'apt. A. K. Bran-
ham, and the .\nderson (hiards, under Ca])t. Thomas C. Tuttle, were in the
active serxice al:out a week during AhDrgan"s raid. Captain llr.-mham's com-
pany was mustered in on July 1 1. 1863. as Company E of the One Hundred
and Eifth regiment of Indiana X'olunteers. The company at that time was
composed of Alexander K. Branham. captain: William E. Hart, first lieuten-
ant: George W. Walker, second lieulen;int : John Hatfield, first sergeant;
Joshua Edwards, Ereeman H. Crawford. William Mitchell, Samuel \\ . Bar-
nett, .sergeants; Samuel E. Duncan, Jacob Wills. Xathaniel Snow, James L.
Dennis, coiporals. Privates — Fred Allinnn, .\sa .\. .\llison, Daniel .\cker,
A. J. Banks. Calvin Bennett. X. F. Ihu-ford. J. M. Baker, Thomas M. Bcd-
.good, X. B. Ballcnger, Samuel Boyer. David Bi.xler, George Bennett, T- E.
Burdctt. Leroy Bush, Milton Catt, X. X. Church, D. B. Chittenden. Charles
^"liff. S. T. Dickerson. Ephraim Dinu';in. Odell Des])o, \\'illiam Evans, John
Egger, David S. Gooding. Lemuel \\'. Gooding, G. W. Glass, Charles Hook,
(). D. Hughes. James Hood. Ferdinand Hafner, \'incent Hinchman, Samuel
( 11))
290 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Jones, Hiram Kem, A. B. Lineback, John P. Laird. John McCordhill. Steplien
R. iieek, ^^lattliias Martin, John Porter, Benjamin Porter, William Porter,
B. H. Pierce. B. T. Rains, T. C. Rardin, M. A. Sleeth. Alfred Skinner, H. A.
Swope, Hugh Short, Samuel Thomas, Ezekiel Thomas, A. D. Wills, David
W. West, J. M. Williams, William H. White, John Walker. Sr., Isaac Waller,
Thomas \\'ellington, John Dailey, Charles G. Offutt.
After reaching Indianapolis the One Hundred and Fifth regiment, of
which this company formed a part, was ordered to the southern part of the
state. The adjutant-general's report gives the following facts concerning
the trip : "After IMorgan had left Indiana it was reported that he was return-
ing to capture Lawrenceburg. The regiment moved out to check him, and
while getting into position an indiscriminate firing took place among the men,
resulting in kUling eight and wounding twenty." Among those killed in the
action were Ferdinand Hafner and John Porter. W'illiam E. Hart died later
:f his wounds. Among the wounded who recovered were Captain Branham.
David S. Gooding and Benjamin T. Rams. Tlie company was mustered out
on July 18. 1863.
On July 10, 1863. the .\nderson Guards, under Capt. Thomas C. Tuttle,
were mustered in as Company D of the One Hundred and Sixth regiment
of Indiana \'olunteers. The members of this company were : Thomas C. Tut-
tle, captain: Conrad H. Shellhouse, first lieutenant; G. W. Slineback, second
lieutenant; James G. Boyce, first sergeant; James T. Rice, F. M. Taltman,
William M. Moore, John M. Toon, sergeants; Henry Gates, Eb. L. Toon,
David X. True, G. H. Kirkhoff, corporals. Privates — Samuel Burk, T. J.
Belor, M. P. Davis, Bluford Eaton, Charles W. Eaton, John W. Eaton, John
England, A. C. Bowler, George W". Gray, John Gundrum, Thomas J. Hohbs,
T. W. Higginbotham. W'illiam Kitchen, G. F. McNamee, Stewart Xichols,
E. H. Richardson, Oliver P. Swift, Pressley H. Stirk, Ashley Sutherland.
Jefferson Ulrey, George Wright, George Baily, Moses Conner, John Dorman,
Leland M. Eaton, Lewis Eaton, Joseph Everson, John Elliott, Francis Furry,
David Gray, G. W. Harris, Adam Hawk, John Johnson, John Manche, An-
drew McHaughy, Perry E. Rice, John Russell, C. W. Shellhouse, Andrew
Stutsman, Oliver H. Tuttle, Roland Vest, L. B. Belor, G. W\ Carr, W. T.
Eaton, Thomas S. Eaton. Charles Eaton, J. M. Ely. Benjamin Fowler, John
H. Gray, W. T. Gibson, William Harris, Edward Hudson. John Kingery,
H. M. McRoberts. Lewis R. Murphy, H. \\' . Richardson, John Stewart, H. A.
Schreiber, H. G. Stutsman, Andrew Thompson, H. B. \\'ard.
This company went as far as Cincinnati, then returned and was mus-
tered out on July 17. i8f)3, without having been in any engagements.
MILITARY. 291
Excitement ran high cUiring Morgan's raid and everywliere tlie soldiers
received ovations. Companies were marched into IndianapoHs, and several
passed through this county o\er the National road. It was a common occur-
rence for people wlm ii\cd along the road to call for tln-ee cheers for Abra-
ham Lincoln when a company marched past. Of course they were always
given lustily. Liut even under the most serious conditions a little amusement
and nonsense were mixed witii their patriotism. The cheers were frequently
followed by a call for three groans for John Alorgan. The response of dis-
consolate discords would sometimes have done credit to a companv of oriental
mourners.
P.^TRIOTIC SENTIMENT OF THE COUNTY.
.\t the outbreak of tlic Civil War the patriotic sentiment of the county ex-
pressed itself in the attitude of those who had to stay at home, as well as in
the enlistment of the men. Oratory flourished in the county. The eloc|uence
of the speakers was surpassed only by the irresistible sentiment of patriotic
songs sung by groups of girls in ever_\- community. The forms of David S.
Gooding, R. .\. Riley, \\'. R. Hough and others as they spoke from goods
boxes on the street or at picnics and other patriotic meetings in the townships,
are still familiar to those who lived through that period. But no less clear
to memory's eye and ear are the choirs and groups of young- ladies and the
songs they sang in patriotic support of those who felt the weight of the
nation's burdens. They were kept busy learning songs. They learned them
during the day to sing them in the evening. Though at first there was more
or less enthusiastic excitement about the war. after the great armies began
to face each other and the newspapers reported the heavy tolls in human life,
then anxiety for those at the front filled the hearts of those who were left at
lionie. Then tlie papers were not scanned with idle curiosity; these were the
hours "that tried men's souls." And who now, even among those who under-
stand the power of music over the minds and hearts of men, can measure
the moral effect of the loyal attitude of those girls, and who will attempt to
.'iay to what degree their songs, and the eloquence of speakers, strengthened
the hearts of fathers and mothers and brothers during that great struggle?
WORK OF WOMEN .\NI) (URLS.
The women and girls of the county gave more than moral support to
the Union cause. In practically every community a society was organized that
sewed, scraped lint, solicited, etc., and prepared such articles as could be used
by the men in the field. These societies usuallv worked under the directions
292 HANCOCK COLXTV, INDIANA.
cif tlie Indiana branch nt the United States Christian Commission or tlie State
Sanitary Commission.
During' the early part (jf the war some of the societies made "comfort
l;ags." A "comfort bag" consisted of a piece of cloth with a number t>f
pockets sewed on one side, into which stamps, combs and other small aiAicles
could be placed. The "bag" was made to be rolled together and tied so that
the articles could not be lost. Often the girls slipped their names and
■ iddresses into one of the pockets, and man}- of them later received letters
from tlie recipients, thanking them.
Underwear, shirts and socks were made in (juantities and sent tn the
front. In some communities the older ladies cut out garments and the girls
sewed them. The sewing societies generally had a regular day for meeting.
.\t (ireenfield a numl;er of ladies met at the Christian chapel on October
15. 1861, and organized the (ireenfield Military Aid Society. Mrs. Lot
Edwards was elected president and Mrs. P. A. Thayer, secretary. The
society appointed a soliciting committee of three, also a committee of two
for cutting clothes. Otlier societies were also organized, of one of which Mrs.
Morris Pierson was president and Mrs. K. E. Barnett. secretary. Among the
girls who took an active interest in the work of these societies were .Mice S,
P>arnett. Frances S. Pierson. Inez L. Gwinn. Estella Bailey. Marv .\. Oakes.
Julia Mathers. Malinda Ogle. Amanda Barnett and Cerena Martin. Fossibiv a
better idea of the work that was accomplished by these societies urn- be had
from a notice given by tlie Ladies" Military .\id Society, calling a meeting at
the court house at (jreenfield on Sejiiember 17. 1862. at two o'clock p. m. The
following is a portion of the call that was printed in the local i)a])er :
"It is desired, hoped and expected by those active in the good work that
all the ladies of the town and county will he jiromptly present at the time and
place appointed. Every lady attending is expected to bring all t!ie old cotton
and linen sjie can coiucniently spire for the piu"pose of making bandages and
lint. Those who have none of these desirable goods are e.xpected to Iiring
with them a little 'change.' as it will not go amiss in securing necessary articles
for the sick and wounded. This is the crisis of the war. and preparations
should be made for the wounded of the impending battles."
In response to a call of the governor of Indiana for clothing and blankets
for the soldiers, a citizens' mass meeting was held at Xew Palestine on Tues-
day evening. Octolier 15. 1861. .\ large number of people were present.
Thomas Tuttle addressed the meeting for a time, whereuixm a committee of
sixteen (two in each school district) was appointed to receive what the
lieop/ic had to contribute for this purpose. The committee solicited articles
MILITARY. 293
from the people and deposited them with R. P. Brown, at Xcw Palestine.
These articles were then boxed hy Mr. Brown and forwarded to Indianapolis.
In the issue of the Hancock Democrat of October 23, 1861, also appears the
statement that the ladies of Hancock conntv rcs])(>nded nolilv tn the above
call of the governor.
The old Masimic 1 lall at (ireenfield came to be a regular meeting place
for the workers. One <la\- each week was "open day" at the hall, when young
ladies, and \nung gentlemen, loo. gathered there t(.) scrape linl. I'or this
purpose old linen was collected, cleaned perfectly, and then cut into strips
about one and one-half inches wide. The strips were then laid on clean
boards and s(,r;i])ed with clean knives. The lint had to lie ])repareil very care-
fully so that no thread at all rem.ained in it. Many bo.xcs of it were sent frum
this county to the above named commissions, from whom it was sent to the
field hos]n'tals to be used in stanching the flow of l)lood.
In .addition to this wnrk funds were raised bv gi\'ing suppers, entertain-
ments, tableaus. etc. On Christmas night, 1862. the young ladies of Green-
field gave a tableau part\- at the Masonic Hall. The price of admission was
ten cents and the pruceeds were given to the Ladies' Scildiers' Aid Society.
The local ])apers made a \ery fa\(irable report of the party, making special
mention of the singing of Flora Howard and Alice Pierson and others, and
of the music rendered bv Professor Eastman's band.
On July \(>. 1863, a supjjer was given at the ^Masonic Hall by the ladies
of (ireenfield. Cakes, pies, chickens, bread, etc., were solicited and a sump-
tuous rejjast was served. An admission fee of twenty-five cents was charged,
and the proceeds were used fur the benefit of the societies.
This is merelv illustratixe The following letters also ni<licaie what was
(hme by the women and girls, not only in Greenfield, but in all parts of the
county :
"Offick of St.me S.\,\rr.\Kv (.'o.m.missio.v,
"TndianaiHilis. Indiana. Jan. 3, 1863.
"Mrs. C.\th. F.nw.vRDS :
"Madam; — "S'ours of the 31st Clt. is at hand. The Package of socks
came to hand this morning. Xo contribution could have been more accei)tal)le
than socks. We have great difficulty in keeping a supply.
"Please tender the ladies of your society our thanks for the very liberal
donation to the suffering of our army.
"Yours truly.
"\\'m. H.\x\.\.m.\n."
294 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
The packa.s^e referred to above contained fift\-six ]>airs of socks which
had lieen innxhased with money from concerts given b}' tlie young ladies. The
following letter is also self-explanatoiy :
"Indiana Braxch United Statk.s Christian Commission.
"G. W. Clippenger, Pres.
"James M. Ray, Treas.
"J. H. Croll, Sec'y.
"Charles X. Todd, Cor. Sec'y. and Gen. Agt.
"Miss Fannie Pier.son : —
"Your letter and two boxes of nice things came duly to hand. The arti-
cles are very acceptable, and in behalf of the Commission I wish to thank you
and all your associates for their generous contribution to the cause of the
country and the good of tlie soldiers. We hope you will continue on the good
work as long as it may be necessary. In the midst of rejoicing at the pros-
pect of returning peace, our hearts are filled with gloom and mourning at
the sad news that our good President is dead! What a terrible calamity!
One of the piu'est and noblest of men has gone.
"Yours truly,
"Charles X. Todd."
General subscriptions were also made to support the work of the com-
missions, and in the issue of May 14, 1863, of the Hancock Democrat, we
find the following: "Subscril>ers to the sanitary fund wlm have not jiaid are
requested to call on \\'. R. Hough, who is authorized to receive the same."
loyalty.
The patriotic sentiment of the county asserted it.self further in expres-
sions of loyalty and in the measures taken to support the government. Just
after the election of Lincoln, when the dark clouds of war were gathering,
the following editorial ap])eared in the Hancock Democrat, from the pen of
its editor. David S. Gooding:
"watchman! what of the night?
"In the dark hour when cjouils lower around us. .and gloom hovers over
the land ; when fearful forebodings of terrible disaster and final overthrow
of our government are weighing down and saddening the hearts of patriotic
and intelligent men. Xorth and South, East and West, our duty as watch-
man upon the walls of our political Zion impels us to cry aloud and spare not.
MIMTAUY. 295
and lell our people of their political sins. This we will endeavor to do. Our
people must not exjiect us to c;v Peace, zehcii there is no peace. Within the
next four niontlis, one or more stales of this Union will have gone from
among us to return no more forever. God only knows what results will
follow. Perhaps Civil War. with all its horrors, and the se])aration of the free
and slave states, with the final disruption of the hest g-overnment 011 which
the sun c\er shone. Tiie handwriting is upon the wall — Mene. Mene. Tekel.
L'pharsin! Jn the madness of the hour, the peo])le seem to have forg(jtten
(he God of their fathers, and to ha\'e spurned Hca\-en's favors to them.
"'J'he cloud, which in the da}-s of John C. Calhoini was hut the size of a
man's hand, has spread imtil it now overspreads the heaxens ahove us. Wc
will not deceive you. fellow citizens ; Northern Aholitionists and Southern
Disunionists have fanned the flames of civil discord and sectional hatred until
the fiery volcano is ahout to hurst forth, and with it destro_\- the hopes of
the world. There is but a faint hope, a mere possibility, that the union of
these states can be perpetuated and maintained inviolate. For this, while
there is hope, however faint, let us, if possible, awake the people to the danger,
and labor for the desired end. Let us not forget to look to the God of our
Fathers, to calm the agitated sea of public mind, and dri\'e awav the black,
lowering, tempestuous clouds of disunion and treason."
The following editorial taken from the issue of January 9, 1861. of the
Hancock Democrat, also reflects the feehng and state of min<l of the people
at that time :
"We hope the citizens of the town and vicinity will turn out on Satur-
day next to see and hear what the Hancock Guards will have to do and say.
'Grim \isaged war.' with its attendant horrors, is brewing in the distance, and
the strong- arms and stout hearts of our citizen soldiers will lie in requisition
to sustain the honor and glory of our Nation's flag, and the authority and
supremacy of her C'onstitulion and laws.
"Judge Gooding will certainly entertain the Guards, and those who may
be present, with an address.
"The Greenfield Sax-Horn Band has consented to be ijresent and enliven
the occasion with our national airs and other music."'
The report of this meeting made in the issue of January \G. iRf)!, is also
interesting for the spirit it reflects :
"the HAXCOCK Gl'ARDS.
■'.\t a meeting of the com])anv on Saturday last, held ])ursuant to notice,
being participated in by a respectable number of citizens irrespective of party,
296 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
of whicli Col. George Tague was cliosen president, the following resolution
was unanimously adopted :
"Resolved. By the Hancock Guards and the citizens here assembled, that
in view of the present imminent danger to the perpetuity of our country the
constitution and laws are our only safety : that we pledge ourselves to stand
by those in power who faithfully maintain the one and execute the other: and
that in the language of General Jackson, 'this Uunion must and shall he pre-
served.'
"Before the adoption of the resolution, the meeting was addressed by
Judge Gooding and Major Riley, in appropriate and eloquent language."
Notices like the following ajjpeared almost weekly in the local papers:
"attention, guard.s!
''You are hereby commanded to appear at your armor\- in full dress on
Saturday. January 12. at two o'clock. P. M. The Hon. David S. Gooding
will address the company, and such, others as mav lie present, immediately
after iiarade, in the court room.
"By Order of the Captain.
"W'.M. Mitchell, O. S."
The following editorial, taken from the issue of January 16, 1861, of the
Hancock Democrat, shows that the feeling of the people in relation to seces-
sion was becoming more clearly defined. It also reflects the arguments then
current among those who were opposed to a rigorous prosecution of the war.
This is another editorird froni the ]3en of Judge Gooding:
"coercion WAR ON THE SOUTH.
"Much is being said and written by the sympathizers with South Car-
olina in her treason to the go\ernment of our fathers, against 'coercion' and
'war on the South.' We know of no sane man who proposes to make w;u'
on the States- or people of the South, to compel them to remain in the Union.
but we do know patriotic citizens who are in favor of all jniblic officers doing
their sworn dui\-. not excepting the President of the L'nited States, whose
diUy it is to 'take care that the laws be faithfull\- executed," and who regard
it as the duty of all good citizens to aid and assist in the execution of the laws
if necessary. In the faithful execution of the laws, no war is made on any
state or section. There can be no war growing out of the faithful execution
of tlie law s, unless resistance is made to the lawful authority of the govern-
ment. If such resistance is made, the responsibility and consequences will be
MILlTAkV. J(J7
on those who resist and defy the government. Our government always has
'coerced' lawless men to ohey the laws or sulimit to the ]mnishment. \\"hen-
ever it ceases to 'coerce' it will cease to he a government. All governments
'coerce' ohedience to the laws. .\ goxernment without this power would lie
impotent for good, and a miserable delusion. Only such persons as commit
treason or resist the execution of the laws must he suhdued. Men in the South
who are patriots, must he protected in person and in properly as fully and
completely as any others are protected. In short, treason and resistance to
law must he put down whene\er they occin-, and by whomsoever committed
in any and ever\- jjart of the country. When law-def_\'ing men seize t!ie pro])-
erty of the government, some men cry out. 'Don't coerce them to yield it up,
let southern ultraists get "mad" an<l make ci\il war.' We are disgusttd witli
such miserable stuff. If we are men let us talk and act like men. If we are
patriots, let us show it by taking the side of our government in a war with
traitors."
On b'cbrnary 20. 1861. a county Union mass meeting was held at (ireen-
field for the purpose of appointing delegates to the 22(1 of February mass
meeting al Indianapolis. The people assembled elected Jacob Slifer. presi-
dent; Landen Eastes and James Collins, vice-presidents, and 'SI. C. Foley and
William Mitchell, secretaries. At this meeting every citizen of the county
faxorable to the Union and the Constitution was appointed a delegate to the
state mass meeting. Dr. Hervey, Judge Gooding. W. R. Hough and 'James
L. ^fason addressed the meeting, after which Judge Gooding offered the
following resolution, which was adopted unanimously :
"Resolved, that as citizens of Hancock county, we are in favor of any
reasonable and honorable comjjromise that will restore peace, linrmony and
prosperity to the countiy. and that to make such compromise effective, we
are in favor of maintaining the Union, the Con.stitution, and the Laws.''
The (|uality of the loyalty of the citizens assembled at this meeting is
fiirther e\'idenced bv their refusal to adopt the following resolution. It was
fabled with hardly a dissenting vote:
"Resohed, that we are opposed to what is termed 'coercion.' 1 ut are in
favor of an honorable and peaceable adjustment of the present difficulties."
On Monday, .\pril 12. 1861. there was a patriotic demonstration of the
people at Greenfield, at which the principal feature was the raising of the
flag on the cupola of the court house, "to wave until peace is restored." The
Sax-Horn band was in attendance, and the people were addressed by James
V. h'oley. Judge Gooding and W. R. Hough.
On .\pril 16. 1861, a meeting was held at the court house for the pur-
298 • HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
pose of making arrangements for a county mass meeting to express tlie feel-
ings and sentiments of our people in regard to national troubles. A. K.
Branham was called to the chair. R. A. Riley made an elociuent and soul-
stirring speech, instilling into the minds and hearts of the audience venera-
tion for the constitution, obedience to the laws, and love for the flag. .\
committee was appointed to make arrangements for a countv mass meeting
to be held on Saturday, April 20. 1861. On this committee were placed the
names of David S. Gooding, E. I. Judkins, M. \\'. Hamilton. George Barnett,
William Mitchell. R. A. Riley. Dr. J. A. Hall. A. T. Hart. A. R. Wallace
and Morris Pierson.
On Ajiril 20, 1861, a citizens' meeting was held as had Ijeen planned.
James Tyner was elected president of the meeting; Rol:)ert A. Barr and
James P. Foley, vice-presidents, and Thomas Bedgood and AVilliam Frost,
secretaries. The peojile were first addressed by Judge Gooding and Capt.
R. A. Riley, after which the following resolutions were adopted:
"Whereas, war exists by the reljellious act of the so-called Southern
Confederacy in attacking and capturing Fort Sumter, a government fortifi-
cation, occupied bj- government troops, under the command of the gallant
Major Anderson ; and whereas, the city of Washington is in immediate and
imminent danger of being attacked by forces from said reljellious confederacy.
thcref<irc.
"Resolveil, that as patriots and loyal citizens of the state of Indiana and of
the United States, we will sustain and defend the proper authorities of said
government in all constitutional and legal efforts tf) maintain the Union and
defend the rights and honor of the country.
"Resolved, that the public good and national honor requires a ligoroii^
prosccntio}i of the war, to a speedy and honorable peace.
"Resolved, that our senator and representatives in the State Legislature
be requested to co-operate in the a])priipriation of men and means, with the
friends of the vigorous prosecution of the leor now existing by the act of the
so-called Confederacy."
After the adoption of the above resolutions the people listened to W. R.
Hough. Rev. S. Hood. Elder A. I. Hobbs and Rev. J. C. Taylor.
On Saturday, May 4. 1861. a Union meeting was held at Xcw Padestinc
for the purpose of organizing a company of Home Guards. B. I"". Stewart
was elected chairman of the meeting, and John C. Shockley, sccretar}-.
Speeches were made by Samuel Shockley and Rev. Rolierts. The sentiment
of the gathering was "strong for the Union and the Stars and Stripes at all
hazards." David M. Dove. Benjamin Freeman and Rev. Roberts were
MILITARY. 299
appointed as a coniiiiiitcc to draft a consiitutinn and In-laws. The company
liecanie known as the .\nderson (iuards. and was luider the evimmand of Capt.
Th( mas C. Tnttle durmfj tlie Morgan raid.
On August 5, 1S61, tlie citizens of the county gave a reception to Captain
I^iley's "three-months men" wlio liad just returned from western Virginia.
The address of welcome was made by Judge Gooding. Captain Riley
responded on behalf of his company giving an interesting account of how
they had i)assed the time after leaving Camp McClellan. He also gave a
description of the battle of Rich Mountain. The reception was given in
Pierson's grove, which adjoined Greenfield on the southwest and which was
located west of Pennsylvania street and south of the railroad. .\t the noon
hour dinner was spread on the green in various places to suit the convenience
of the immese crowd. All feasted sumptuously and in the afternoon patri-
otic addresses were made by Rev. Hill and Judge Gooding.
About the same time Captain Carland from Connersville was marching
over the Brookvillc road with a company of \olunteers. On August 8 1861,
they reached Xew Palestine. The New Palestine band and an escort of
horsemen marched out to meet them. About three miles east of town the
colors of Captain Craland's company became visible. From this point the
procession was beaded by Henry Mickle. carr}-ing the stars and stripes,
guarded liy two men from Captain Riley's company. At seven o'clock p. m.,
Union Hall ( the second story of the old school house) at Xew Palestine w^as
filled to overflowing. B. F. Stewart was chairman of the meeting, and
addresses were made by Captain Carland, Rev. B. F. J(Mies. Rev. Ward and
Capt. Thomas C. Tuttle to encourage enlistments.
The citizens of Buck Creek township, without reference to party, gave
expression to their feelings at a grand Union picnic near Mt. Comfort on
Saturday. August 10, 1861. A basket dinner was enjoyed at the noon hour.
The military company of the township was present, and in the afternoon
patriotic addresses were made by Dr. Hervey, Judge Gooding and Captain
Riley.
The sentiment of the people of the county was again appropriately voiced
in the following editorial in the Hancock Dciiiocnit, on the occasion of the
boys of Company B of the Eighth regiment taking their departure from
Greenfield, about the middle of August, 1861 :
"On ^b)ndav last Captain Walls left for Indianajiolis with a company
of Hancock bovs to enter the senice of the United States for a term of
three years or during the war. Tt will be a part of the Eighth regiment as
reorganized, and will retain its former position in regiment. The scene
300 HANCOCK COLNTV, INDIANA.
at the depot as the hoys jjassed tlirough, the large mimher of men.
women and cliildren who had gathered in from all points of the county to
witness the departure, was sad and sorrowful in the extreme. God bless the
noble-hearted boys, and preserve and protect them in the ])atriotic and hazard-
ous duties they have voluntarily taken upon themselves! May thev all safelv
return at the expiration of a term of service to receive the warm enil)race of
mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and kind friends left behind."
On December 21. 1861. another great L'nion meeting was held at Green-
field, and resolutions were adopted similar to many others that are given
herein. The first year of the war closed with our countv standi and loval in
the su])port of the Union cause. Whenever an occasion, presented itself,
expression was given by the people to this feeling of loyalty, and to no one in
the county was more credit due for his fearless and outspoken loyalty than to
Judge Gooding, \\honi our younger generation remembers simjily as an old
man. lUU llie ex])ressions wliich were so generously made at the opening of
the conflict did not become fewer as the war progressed, and as the strain
and the burdens l)ecame heavier.
During tlie summer of 1862 the citizens of Brandywine township gave a
Union picnic near Rigdon's in th.it tnwnship. A ver\- large gathering of
people, estimated at three thousand, was present and listened to the stirring
and patriotic appeal of Judge Gooding in the afternoon.
The citizens of Fortville and vicinity held a Union mass meeting at Fort-
ville on .\pril 24. 1863. Robert Faucett was elected president of the meet-
ing and ]■;. W. Thomas, secretary. The Hon. Thomas C. Stillwell, of Ander-
son, made an address, after whicii the ])eople assembled adopted the follow-
ing resolutions :
"Resolved, that it is an undisputable fact that all political parties, of
whatsoever name, ha\e heretofore a\owed their unalterable attachment to
the i-'ederal Union ;
■"Tlial we hold every man who is iuk^' in favor of its tlismemlierment, as
false to all former ])rofessions of attachments to it. and a frcsriit enemy;
"That as we cannot in<li\iduail\' have the conduct of the war, each his
own w^ay, we feel it our duly, as good and loyal citizens, to leave its direc-
tion to those who have been legally chosen to direct;
"That resistance to law is revolutionary in its tendency, and that any
attem])t t(j embarrass the government in the execution of the revenue, con-
scription, or any other law of the United States, will be promptly met and
suppressed by the loyal people of Indiana ;
iMIUTAKV. . 301
"That we are in ta\-or of all measures adopted Ijy Congress for llie sup-
])rcssion of the present unrighteous and causeless rebellion :
"That we are in favor of all the measures a(l(i])ted hy the President with
the view <if sustaining the gi ivltuuilmU and carrying nn the war;
"That we tender (iovernor Alorton our sincerest thanks for his arduous
and untiring effort in hehalf of the soldiers, the state and the nation, and we
feel that he richly merits the enviable title of the soldier's friend :
"Th;U the miscreaiUs in our niidsi, who at'.empt to create dissatisfaction
in the ranks of the gallant soldiers, and induce tlieni to desert the colors made
glorious by their \alor on rejieated battle-fields, are meaner traitors than
the armed rebels of the Soiuh : that they are entitled to, and will recei\-e.
the scorn of all honorable men:
"That we cordially endorse (General Burnsides" order, transporting
northern rebels beyond the Fe<leral lines, where they legitimately belong;
"That we deepl\' sympathize with our soldiers now in the field, and pledge
them our cordial su])port and earnest prayers, until this ungodh' rebellion
is crushed, and our fl.ig shall trium])hantlv wave o\er our onco glorious
I'nion."
On Jinie C>. 11^63, a large Union mass meeting was again hel<l at the
cotnl house in (ireenfield. A feature of the day was a long procession under
the command of Captains Walls and Tuttle. Capt. Thomas C. Tutlle, of
Sugar Creek township, was elected president of the meeting; James P, Foley
and Thomas Collins, \ice-presidents ; David C. Pridd\- and IIenr\- ?>. Wilson,
secretaries. The speakers of the day were Capt. R. A. Riley, General Dinnont,
Judge Gooding and Captain Tuttle, Strong ap])eals were made for the sup-
port of the government. Before adjournment Jurlge Gooding offered the fol-
lowing resolutions, which were tnianimouslv adopted:
"Resoh-ed, that this large meeting of Union men and women is devotedly
attached to the Union and the Constitution, and for the jnirpose of perpetuat-
ing the former and maintaining the latter, we are in favor of the vigorous
prosecution of the war to su])press the rebellion and reassert the authority of
the government over every foot of its territory, and that in our o]iinion the
rebellion and the war ought to cease at the same time.
"That all former party divisions ought to be ignored for the comnirm
purpose of saving our imperiled countr\-.
"That we are ]>roud of the gallant L'nion army in the field against the
rebellion, and that we most heartily sympathize with the families and friends
of such as have l)een slain in b;ittle, or otherwise, lost their lives in the service,
"That oin- honor is pledged that the families of the soldiers from this
302 . HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
county sliall not want in the absence of their liusbands and fathers, and that
we hereby demand of our ct)imty commissioners and gents that our pledge
be honorably, faithfully and fully kept; and that the honor and patriotism
of Hancock county be not tarnished by a single act of bad faitli."
July 4. 1863, was celebrated in many parts of the county with picnics,
where people listened to patriotic addresses. Greenfield celebrated at Pier-
son's grove. Music was furnished by a choir, and \V. R. Hough made and
eloquent and patriotic speecli in the afternoon. After speaking, the young
people engaged in cotillion dancing until late in the day.
Immediately following this celebration came the news of tlie fall of
Vicksburg, which was the occasion for another celeliration. Tlie following
report from the local papers reflects the feeling that was amused in the liearts
of the people of the county by the success of the Union amiy :
"The fall of Mcksburg, thougii long expected, when officially announced
to the country, causing every loyal heart to leap with joy and linnight renewed
hoj^e to the wavering and doubtful mind of a speedy determination of the
present causeless and unnatural fratricidal war, and a closer, more perfect,
and fraternal union of all the states at no distant day. Our own people par-
took of this jovous feeling and gave vent last evening to their outpouring
patriotism l)v illuminations, bonfires, speeches and all manner of rejoicings.
People from the country for miles around quit their har\est fields and came
to town to participate in the grand reunion of loyal hearts. .All life was
animation, and everyone, young and old, seemed pleased with himself and
'the rest of mankind.' It was a grand day, or rather nigiit. for Greenfield,
and will long be held in memory by all who love their country and venerate
its glorious institutions. All honor to the noble and gallant arm\-. that by
its patience, endurance, skill and l)ravery, under the scorching rays of a
southern sun, overcame almost insurmountalile obstacles, and gamed the
most decisive victory of the war.
"During the evening speeches were made by D. S. Gooding. \\ . K. 1 lough-
William Martin, Drs. Hall and Ballenger, S. T. Kauble and H. J. Dunbar,"
Another mass meeting of peculiar significance was held l)y the cuizens of
the county on February 13, 1864, after the draft orders for three hundred
thousand volunteers and two hundred thousand volunteers respectively, had
been made by the national government. Possibly the firm loyally of the
people never found a nobler expression than in the adoption of the following
lesolutions by the people assembled at Greenfield on that day. It must be
iKDrne in mind that in many counties of the state there was opposition to the
JMILITARV. 303
draft, and in sDinc of tliem open resistance. This resolution was offered liy
Judge Gooding- and unanimously adopted by the people :
"W'licreas, this country is still invoK'ed in civil war; and
"Whereas, traitors ni arms, and their sympathizers not in arms, persist in
their purpose of overthrowing the government of the United States; and
"Whereas, it will re(|uire all th.e power of a united, loyal people to sup-
press the formitlable, wicked and causeless rebellion, and thereby restore a
permanent jieace, so desirable to all Union men : therefore,
"Resolved, that we will still continue to g"i\e to the government of the
United States, through its legitimately constituted authority, our unliesitating
and hearty support in its efforts to suppress the rebellion, and conriuer n
peace."
The fall of Richmond and the surrender of Lee were announced in large
headlines in the local papers, and the news was recei\'ed with great rejoicing
hv the people. The issue of the Hancock Democrat of that date gives the
following description of the general celebration of the event in the county :
"The reception of the news of the surrender of (General Lee and his
rebel hordes, in our town early on Monday morning- last, was the occasion
of great and lasting jci\-. Bells were rung, bonfires were built, powder was
freely used, and all business w-as suspended for the day. Men, won-ien and
children thronged the streets and greeted each other as they had not greeted
each other before. The dark hours were past : the day began to dawn and
all was safe. The country, in spite of rebel sympathizers at home and
abroad, and difficulties that can not be told, was redeemed, regenerated and
disenthralled, and stood up among the nations of the earth, more powerful
than when the great struggle began. And our patriotic people rejoiced as
becanie the sons and daughters of freemen — as became the fathers and
mothers and sisters and brothers, the wives and children of the brave and gal-
lant men who w'ent out from the midst in the dark hours of our peril, to do or
die in tlie effort to save the country from its then im|)ending ruin. .Appro-
priate, eloquent speeches were made by several of our public speakers.
"At night a large number of houses along the principal streets, business
as well as private, were beautifully illuminated. Martial music paraded the
streets followed bv a mass of patriotism of either gender. .\ stand was extem-
porized at \\'alker's corner, and a crowd gathered around to hear the speeches.
Messrs. Llough, Judge Ciooding, Ballenger. Riley, Hall, Colonel Tiooding,
Mason, White, and others spoke to the crowd."
But hardly had the morning of peace dawned with such glorious splen-
dor filling the hearts of the people with gladness, when the dav was overcast
304 HANCOCK COLXTV, INDIANA.
with the (lark clouds of horror and sorrow at the news <»f the President's
assassination. The g^reat headlines with the picture of a booming cannon
which joyfully announced the surrender of Lee in the local papers, gave way
to heavy lines of mourning- in the following issue.
The remains of President Lincoln passed through the county at 3 .4J a. m.
on Sunday, .\pril 30. 1863. A pilot engine, with one car attached, led the
way about one mile in advance. The train carrying the state officers and
some of Governor Morton's invited guests brought up the rear, being about
one hour behind. Many citizens from all parts of the county were at the
depot at Greenfield, hoping to get to see the coffin in which the martyred
President lay. but the train did not slop. The cars were decorated and heavily
draped in black and looked solemn and ■sombre.
During the summer of 1863 the soldiers who had enlisted were welcomed
home in squads and companies. Xo one knows rjuite so well as those who
lived through it all how good it seemed to ineet with friends and loved ones
and to resume the quiet, prosperous life that our good county offers.
ATTITUDE OF THE COUXTV GOVERNMENT.
.\s soon as Ft. Sumter had fallen, and the first call for volunteers had
been made, our board of county commissioners took action. .\t the June
session of the board. 1861. the west room of the west wing of the court
house, which had been built in 1845. was set apart as an armory for the
storing of arms and military equipage of the companies of the Legion of
Indiana. The sheriff was ordered to remove everything from tiie west room
to the east room of said wing, antl the auditor was ordcretl to notify all persons
who owned property in the west room to remove the same within thirty days.
On the same dav that this rooni was set apart as an armory the b<iard also
made the following order for the proper
CARE OK THOSE LEET AT HOME.
"Ordered, that the townshij) trustee in each township in the county be.
and he is hereby appointed, authorized, and empowered to ascertain the
names, ages and conditions of the wives and families of all soldiers resident
in his township, in the service of the state of Indiana and of the I'nited States,
and to ]irocure the necessaries and reasonable comforts of ordinary life for
such of them as are now or may hereafter be in actual need during the said
service of said husband or father as the case may be. and to distribute the same
as circumstances and the necessity of the case require, economically, impar
tiallv and honestly, and each of said trustee? is requested to procure a record
MILITARY. 305
and keep a strict account of all his doings, together with the names, ages and
conditions of the beneficiaries herein, and to supply only such families as
have no other source of snppl}- ; and in all purchases, whether ui)on written
orders or otherwise, the seller must accept county orders in pa_\nient, to he
issued at the next succeeding term of this court upon the certificate of the
proper trustee as to the justice of the claim. And it is further ordered that
before proceeding to the performance of the duties hereinbefore enjoined and
ordered, each of said trustees respectively shall take and subscribe an oath,
honestly and impartially to discharge the duties hereinbefore required of him;
and it is further re(juired of each of them to report to this court at its next
regular term a full and perfect account of all his doings under oath."
Other men were also appointed from time to time as "agents" to aid in
giving proper care to the soldiers' wives and children. Their duties were
the same as those designated in the order above. In the main these men
were conscientious and made bona fide efforts to give proper care and comfort
to those who were then without other support. Sometimes, however, dissatis-
faction arose. Several "agents" were removed by the board. In one instance
a ])etition was filed by the wives of twelve soldiers, asking for the removal
of the certain "agent" <in whom thev were dependent for the necessaries of
life. The causes for which they asked his remo\al were set out in the follow-
ing petition :
"To THE Board of County Commissioners:
"We, the undersigned, soldiers' wi\'es, respectfully ask the Ijoard of com-
missioners of Hancock county to remove the present agent pretending to
furnish assistance to soldiers' wives and families ; we ask it for several reasons :
his wife has abused and insulted some of us at different times and he himself
has been niggardly and mean in his allowance to us, and has invariably
required us to buy our goods at one certain house when we believe we could
have done better at other places; this is only a part, but we think sufficient
to ask Iiis renimal and the appointment of some good man in his stead," etc.
(Signed by twelve soldiers' wives.)
The evidence in the above matter seems to have sustained the allegations
of the petition. The agent was promptly dismissed liy the l)(iard and another
appointment made.
At the January- session, in 1863, of the Ixiard of commissioners, the
following order relative to furnishing houses for the families of enlisted men
was made :
"Ordered b\- the hoard that the agents heretofore appointed to aid in
(20)
306 HANCOCK COl-NTV, INDIANA.
furnishing necessaries for soldiers' families are hereby instructed that in
case wlien the furnishing of a house l)ecomes necessary and proper, that the
agent make a reasonable allowance in such cases, but avoid in ever\- instance
the making of a contract or proposition to rent any property whatever as
sucli agent."
The large number of claims allowed during the war in the execution of
the above orders made by the county commissioners shows that the county
government made a bona fide effort to relie\e those at home (jf as much
suffering and hardship as possible. Each month from one to twenty claims
were allowed, aggregating sometimes several hundred dollars per month.
The manner in which the relief orders were drawn shows that the com-
missioners were generous, yet careful to guard against imposition on the
countv. Theirs was not a work nor an attitude of cliarity : it was patriotism
operating from a business viewpoint.
TO ENCOIRAGE ENLl.STMENTS.
By September i. 1862. the county had furnished thirty-three and one-
fifth per cent, of its fighting strength. The following table shows the num-
ber of men enrolled in the service, also the number suljject to draft ;
■o
MS
i!
ii
30
X
aB
P3 30
im
0
■a
3
S4»
£ 0
^ 0
3 u
2"
0) Q)
SI
H
. a
c
c
. 0
d
O.L-
°S
d~
0*-
Z
JJo
Z-"
2
y.
56
-'7
46
51
118
69
16
I
68
167
60
18
00
60
121
86
17
00
84
134
259
44
00
216
3^7
56
21
00
55
131
108
22
00
99
^57
III
21
00
97
224
113
27
00
98
186
Blue River 185
Brown 184
Brandy wine 139
Buck Creek 151
Center 371
Green 152
Jackson 279
Sugar Creek .... 245
Vernon 213
Total 1,919 918 207 47 828 1.665
MILITARY. . 307
The ciiuntv (ittVreil hnuntics In \i iluiUcers that tlie (umia nii^'Iit he filled
wilhnut ha\'iiig' to siihiiiit to the draft. .\t the July session, 1862, the board
of county conmiissioners ordered, "that the sum of twenty-five dollars lie
appropriated out of the county treasury to each and e\-ery citizen of Hancock
countv who ni;i\- \-olunteer ui the L'nited States service for three years or
during- the war ttnder the call of the T'resident of the United States."
In the fall <>i i8''>,v when President Lincoln made a call fur tlu'ee hun-
dred thousand xolunteers. it became evident that lar<jer bounties would have
to be offered if the county was to escape the draft. The countx' commis-
sioners did not want to take upon themsel\-es the entire responsibility of so
i;'reat a matter, which in\'ol\-ed so heavy an itidebtedness upon the county,
without knowing pretty definitel}- how the ])eople of the county felt about it.
A citizens' mass meeting was held at Cireenfield on Saturday, November
8, 1863, to give an expression upon the propriety of giving a bounty through
the countv commissioners to \dlunteers under the late call of President Lincoln
for three hundred thousand troops. Captain Rile\' was chosen president, and
Roliert P. Brown, secretary. Dr. B. F. Uuncan offered the folknving
resolution :
"Whereas, the President of the United States has recent!}- issued his
l)roclamation for three hundred thousand volunteers to infuse new life and
vigor into the prosecution of the war for its suppression: and
"\\ hereas, it is desirable that th.e (|Uota allotted to Hancock countx- should
l)e raised by volunteers prior to the 5th day of January, 1864, therefore,
"Resolved, that as an inducement to our fellow citizens to volunteer in
ihe conimon defense of our coui-itry, and in addition to the houi-ity offered liy
d-ie general governrnent. the bo;n-d (.f countv commissioners of Llancock
county are hereby authorized and mstructed by this meeting of citizens and
iaxpa_\ers of the countv to cause an order upon the count\- treasurer for the
sum of one hundred dollars tc- be issued to each and exerv- person who shall
or may volunteer under the present call for three hundred thousand volun-
teers, and be accepted as a recruit in the L'nited States service, and be
.iccredited upon the quota allotted to Hancock county. This bounty to lie
'ontinued until the (|Uota shall ha\-c been filled.
"Resolved, that the secretary present the action of this i-neeting to the
board of commissioners at the meeting of said board im ^L)ndav, November
9. 1863."
.\fter a general debate the resolutions were adopted b)- a unaninious vote.
.\ resolution to appoint a central committee of five to aid and assist
o
08 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
in the volunteering, with authority to appoint additional committees for each
township, was then adopted. The president appointed William Mitchell,
Morgan Chandler, George H. \\'alker, John \V. Ryon and John C. Rardin as
such committee.
After an excellent and ajiprnpriate speech by Captain Riley the meeting
adjourned.
The above resolutions were dulv presented to the commissioners on
Monday, November 9, 1863, and tlie board received them with due courtesy,
but having laeen called for a specific purpose could transact no business other
than tliat for which they had been called. A special meeting of the board of
commissioners was called for Saturday, November 21, 1863. to determine
the matter.
In order to satisfy and assure the county commissioners of the feeling
of the taxpayers upon the matter of the lx)unties, petitions were circulated in
each of tlie townships for the signatures of ta.xpayers asking for the allnwance
of such bounty.
Tlie following form of petition was used and signed h\- persons irrespec-
tive of party affiliations :
"We, tile undersigned, citizens and taxpayers of Hancock C(iunty. Indi-
ana, hereby request tlie board of county commissioners to give a bounty of
one hundred dollars to every person who volunteers, and shall be accepted as
a soldier in the United States service from this county under the last call
of the President for three hundred thousand volunteers to prosecute the
present war, ])rovide(l tliat no Ijountv IjC given after tlie quota of the county
is filled."
The following gentlemen were appointed as township committees to
circulate the petitions and report to the central committee : Blue River, James
P. New, N. D. Coffin: Brown, Dr. A\'illiam Trees, \\'. L. Harriott : Buck
Creek, Thomas J. Hanna, James Collins: Brandywine, Alfred Potts, John
Roberts; Center. W'iiiiam V. Pratt, William Mitchell: Green, Edward \'olun-
tine, Robison Jarrett ; Jackson, John Barrett, George \\'. Sample : Sugar
Creek, Rol^ert P. Brown, Dr. W'iiiiam Dye: \'em6n, Nimrod Lightfoot, Rev.
William Anderson.
Satisfied with the showing thus made the board of county commissioners
at a special meeting on November 21, 1863. made another order allowing a
bounty of one hundred dollars on county orders "to each volunteer who may
be accepted from this county under the call of the President of the United
States for three hundred thousand volunteers.
"Under said call in making this allowance the countv commissioners
would appeal to the citizens of the county to take up these orders when issued
MILITARY. 309
at par upon the following- terms and conditions to-\vit: If the quota of the
county was proportionately divided among the townships the following would
be the result: Blue River, 12; Brown, 13; Brandywine, 11 ; Buck Creek. 12;
Center, ^3 : tireen, 13 ; Jackson. 21 ; Sugar Creek, 17; \"ernon, 18.
"It is recommended that the citizens of each township take up these
orders to an amount equal to the number of volunteers each would have to
furnish, where the volunteer does not take the orders himself. .\nd further,
that when the citizens of a township fail to take up the orders within fifteen
days after the issuing of the same any citizens of the countv may have the
privilege of taking the same."
Though a very earnest effort was made during the latter part of the
war when the heavy calls for volunteers were made to replace the men whose
terms were expiring, to fill the county's quota by volunteers without ha\ing
a man drafted, the endeavor did not wholly succeed. Loyal men ga\-e of
their time and energy, and the young men came forward and enlisted, so
diat when the drafts were made the numbers still required were small.
The amount of money expended by the people of Hancock county to aid
the government in suppressing the rebellion and in giving relief to the families
at home was enormous, as shown by the reports of the county auditor and
the adjutant-general of the state of Indiana. The amount under the head of
"Bounty" includes what was paid for substitutes. Xo report on relief was
made by Brown. Brandywine and Buck Creek townships. The following is
a statement of the amounts expended :
Townships. Bounty. For Relief.
Blue River S 27.030.00 $ 100.00
Brown 12,404.00
Brandywine 26,604.00
Buck Creek 30,000.00
Center 20,000.00 5,000.00
dreen 26,896.00 1.270.00
Jackson 35,814.32 3.247.00
Sugar Creek 30,100.00 250.00
X'ernon 27.950.00 210.00
Total Townships $236,798.61 $10,077.80
County proper $ 15.000.00 $57,804.22
$251,798.61 $67,882.02
Total $319,680.63
3IO HANCOCK COLXTV, INDIANA.
SOUTHERN .SYMPATHY.
It is impossible to arrive at a proper appreciation of the fine loyaltv of
tlie people, or form a correct estimate of the strength of southern sympathy
without viewing this ])hase of the county's history in its relation to the state
as a whole.
It became a not(5rious fact soon after the outl)rcak of the Civil War, that
not only Indiana, but that Illinois. Missouri and dther Xorthern states were
honeycombed with a secret organization known as the "Knights of the Golden
Circle." and later as the "Sons of Liberty." The jnirpose of this organization
was to give aid to the South. At the trial at Indian.apolis. in 1864, of Harri-
son H: Dodd, grand commander of the "Sons of Liberty." on a charge of
treason, the evidence showed that forty-five counties in the state had been
fully organized by this secret order; that local lodges or "temples" had been
organized in other counties, and that its membership consisted of more than
eighteen thousand men. The exidence adduced in that trial further showed
that members were sworn to secrecy and to the ]5erfi)rmance of acts designed
to aid the South and embarrass the Xorth. Among the obligations taken
were those of supporting Jefferson Davis. Xorth and South ; of aiding in
the release of C(in federate prisoners in the Xorth, and of aiding the Con-
federates when they should invade the northern states. To weaken the Union
arms it was the plan of the order to encourage desertions and to resist recruit-
ing. To this end township organizations were effected for the protection of
deserters from the L'nion army, and open resistance was made to the enforce-
ment of the draft in some counties. The evidence further showed that well
defined efforts were made in various ways to cripple the work of the state
authorities in sending reinforcements to the field. These efforts were directed
toward securing the passage of legislative acts and resolutions unfavorable
lo the L'nion catise: toward securmg expressions of popular disapproval of
the war. and toward disseminating a disloyal feeling among the people. The
L'ninn men in the Legislature had to be on their guard constantly to ]5revent
harmful legislation. The following eNcer])ts taken from resolutions adopted
by the citizens assembled in mass meetings in six different counties in the
stale, also illustrate the degree to which these efforts found a response. Many
more could be added to the list :
"\A'e declare the i>roposed draft for fi\c Inmdred thousand men to be the
most damnable 'of all outrages perpetrated by the administration upon the
people.
"Our interest and inclination will demand of us a withdrawal from the
political association in a common government with the Xew England states.
MILITARY. 311
"\\ c res^anl llie lives of while men as oi more value than the frccddin o\
the negro, and we have given the last man and the last money we are willing
to give for the present abolition war.
"\\'e are opi)osed to the war under any and all en'cumstances, and we are
opposed to the further continuance of this unholy and unnatural strife.
"Tlie ftu'ther ])rosecution of this war v. ill result in the overthrow of the
constitution, of civil liberty, of the federal government, in the ele\'alion of the
black man and the degradation of the \Aliite man in the social and political
status of the country.
"Tliat we are un(|ualifiedl\- nppi )sed to the fiunher prosecuticju of this
abolition war: and believing that in its continued prosecution there await us
only the murderous sacrifice of legions of I:)rave men, ignominious and dis-
graceful defeat, shame and dishonor at home rmd abroad, public ruin and the
serious endangerment of our liberties, we unhesitatingly declare that we are
for peace, tlie cessation of hostilities, an armistice, and the peaceful settlement
of existing difficulties bv compromise or negotiation, through a national
convention.
"We are unqualifiedly opposed to the further prosecution of this aboli-
tion war. and, Ijelieving that in its further prosecution there awaits us only
the murderous sacrifice of our national honor * * * * we solemnlv declare
that we will not furnis'i annthcr nian or another d<illar to carrv on this aboli-
tion war."
As set over against the above resolutions, the following were
adopted by the citizens of Hancock county, assembled at Greenfield in mass
meeting, Januar\- 16. 1861 :
"Resohed, by the Hancock Guard and the citizens here assembled, that
in \iew of the present imminent danger to the perpetuity of our country, the
Constitution and laws are otn- only safety; that we pledge ourstelves to stand
by those in ])ower wh<i faithfully maintain the one and execute the other;
and that in the language of General Jackson this L'nion must and shall lie
preserved."
l-\'bruar_\- 3. \^()^: "Resolved, that we will still continue to give to the
government of the United States, through its legitimately constituted authority,
our unhesitating and heartv sui^iiort in its efforts to suppress the rebellion and
cotir|uer a peace."
Though we have these splendid expressions of loyaltv.the countv also had
its Southern s\'mi)athizers. Thev made known their attitude t'lward the solu-
tion of the i)roblems then befi>re the government by wearing the "Iniiternut"
colors. Men and boys wore "butternut" suits, and women and girls wore
312 HANCOCK COUNTY. INDIANA.
butternut garments and decorations. Among the decorations worn, the "but-
ternut pin," made of a cross section of a butternut, — and which, by the way,
when polislied makes a very pretty pin, — was one of the most popular methods
of giving expression to Southern sympathy. Because of the use of the "butter-
nut" colors and pins for such purposes the sympathizers with the South were
known as "butternuts." By the abolitionists or radicals who felt that circum-
stances demanded the application of a stronger term, they were called "copper-
heads." The men and women who lived in the county during that period
have very clear recollections of the extent to whicii tlie liutlernut colors were
displayed.
It was never proven in any court that the Knights of the Golden Circle
or Sons of Liberty ever organized a "temple" in Hancock county. There was
a ver}' deep-seated conviction, however, in the minds of a vast majority of
the people, whether right or wrong, that such an organization did exist, and
that among its sworn members were included some of the most prominent
families of the county.
Open and combined resistance by o\ert acts was never offered in the
county to the work of the national government. Meetings, however, were
held in the county, attended by men who were lukewarm in the Union cause,
if not in open sympathy with the Confederacy. Many of them supplied them-
selves with firearms. Union men also had their meetings, sometimes behind
locked doors and in rooms where arms were stored. These conditions gave
great concern to the people of the county. Acts of open violence occurred in
nearby parts of the state, which intensified this feeling of uneasiness. The
"Battle of Pogue's Run," the disco\ery of arms packed in boxes marked
"Sunday School Books." and the efforts, or at least the rumors of efforts, to
release the Confederate prisoners at Indianapolis, are still fresh in the mem-
ories of the people then residents in this community.
Though open resistance was never offered to the national government,
feeling, as stated above, was very intense in the county and frequently found
expression in fistic encounters and street brawls. Stones and other missiles
sometimes came flying out of the darkness, and people, especially those most
active, felt the insecurity of life and property during those years. An instance
is still recounted of a stanch Union man wlio stood in the light of a bonfire
listening to a Union speech, and who was luiceremoniously awakened from
his reverie by being hit on the head with a brick. Another incident is also
told of a radical Union man who came down the street and threatened to
drive his wagon over the bodv of a "copperhead" who had been knocked
down in a brawl, unless his friends should drag his body out of the way.
MILITARY. 313
Frequently attempts were made to snatch tlie butternut pins or other emblems
from the persons of men and also of women and girls. These little encounters
sometimes led to good-natured scraps and sometimes to bitter fights. Such
instances, and they could be multiplied, illustrate the mental and nervous
strain to which the county was subjected diu^ing those years. To appreciate
the terribleness of this strain more fully than it can be portrayed here, one
needs but to converse with the men and women who lived through it.
Though there were "butternuts" in the county, and though there was a
strong conviction current that many of tliem were also sworn members of
the Knights of the Golden Circle, these matters do not seem to have affected
the social relations of the people. Families attended the same church, ladies
were members of the same clubs and societies, men engaged in business
together, and all people maintained their neighborly relations, to all out-
ward appearances at least, about the same as before the war. Yet, to the
minds of the stanch, loyal. Union people the wearing of the "butternut" dur-
ing that hour of the nation's peril savored of treason. This same attitude
toward the Southern sympathizers also found expression in the mass meetings
of the citizens of the county. The following resolutions adopted liy the
people assembled at Fortville on April 23, 1863, must he viewed in this light
or their significance is lost:
"Resolved, that the miscreants in our midst, who attempt to create
dissatisfaction in the ranks of our gallant soldiers, and induce them to desert
the colors made glorious by their valor on repeated battlefields are meaner
traitors than the armed rebels of the South ; that they are entitled to and will
receive the scorn of all honorable men.
"That we cordially endorse General Hurnside's order, transporting
Northern rebels beyond the Federal lines, where they legitimately l)elong."
The following preamble to the resolutions adopted by the citizens assem-
bled in mass meeting at Greenfield, February 13, 1864, contains the same
thought :
"Whereas, traitors in arms and their sympathizers not in arms persist in
their purpose of overthrowing the government of the United States," etc.
The feeling, excitement and experiences of the people of the county may
be viewed from several angles from expressions in letters written at the tiine.
Following are a few illustrations :
"All is excitement here, but thanks to Him who rules the hour, we are
not alanned and exasperated by the arising as yet of (ini> rlark monument of
infamy, disgrace and shame — a traitor.
314 HANCOCK COVXfV, INDIANA.
"Althougli the report of political feeling and difficultv a short time ago
would ha\e plainly implied the reverse, old Hancock stands almost as a unit
for the stars and stripes, tb.e L'nion with the constitution and the admin-
istration. DenKjcratic and Republican jjarties are for the time erased from
the face of sentiment and now we have but one party and that standing bravely
for the stars and stripes of the United Stales of America, for the ])rotection
of our great national faliric of lil.erty. for the enforcement of our laws and
for the maintenance of our national dignity. Trulv old Hancock is alive and
for the first time in her life united in a common cause." ( April 2^. 1861.)
''The greatest excitement prevails here. Union meetings are being held
almost every- e\ening. Patriotic speeches are being made and troops raised to
defend our country. The second company in this place was filled out yester-
day. The first one to Indianapolis last Saturday evening. The others are
ready to go at any time they are called. Yoiu- brother belongs to
the second company.
"I parted with some \erv near friends on Saturday, two dear teacher^;
and several class mates. It was hard indeed to part with tlitm. but I could
liifl them (Godspeed for I knew ihey were engaged in a glorious cause — the
cause of lil:)erty. and what more could they fight for? It was really a dis-
tressing sight to see parents parting with sons — perhaps the only one — sis-
ters with brothers, and friends witli frienrls. luit it was most affecting to see
husbands and wives parting. Mr. R. .\. Riley is captain of the company. A
company of tiie ladies intend going out to the camp today." ( April 28, 1861.)
"Your letter and another was brought me: tiie moment my eves fell
upon them I recognized them as from , and my brother-in-law. whom
I heard had fallen at . I held them for some time before I could
determine which to open first, but as sister was anxious to hear the news T
tore brother's open and read far enough to find that he had not yet re])ented
of his treachery. 1 tlien threw it down and took u]) yours, which I knew
to be from a true-hearted loyalist." (July 12. 1861. )
"Each night as T lie down to rest the question naturally comes u]). "Where
is tonight?" Then I can but contrast your condition with mine: I.
here at home surnnmded by kind friends and all the blessings <if life, while
you are in a strange land, exposed to every imaginable hardship and danger,
surrounded by enemies who are seeking your life, and not knowing when you
lie down at night that you will be permitted to l)ehold the dawn of another day.
Although such thoughts are continually revolving in my mind I would not
have you for a moment think that I wish you to aliandon the cause. Xo,
. duty call< loudly u]ion e\erv loyal riti/en to aid in suppressing this
MILITARY.
d'o
rebellion and I hope and pray that ( iod will give you health and stfength to
continue your efforts.
"Much as I would like to see you I would not have you neglect vour duty
a single day to gratify my desire." ( From a young ladv to her soldier friend,
September 22, 1S61.)
"Tell that I will he at home bye and bye and she and I will
organize the Home Guard.s, then those vile copperheads must square them-
selves to the American eagle or leave the country. Saw the boys in Taylor
Thomas' company — all looking hearty." ( From a soldier. March 31. 18^3.)
CfRRF.NT PnR.\SES.
The all-absorbing topic of conversation at the outbreak of the Civil \\'ar
and during the war was the L'nion. Would the Union jjrevail or would dis-
union triumph ? Everywhere, on the street corners, in the country stores, at
th.e meeting places, and in the homes, people were discussing the state of the
Union. "Union" and "Dis-union" could be heard on all occasions. They
became catch words. Though conditions were serious. peo])le did not lose
their sense of humor. The following advertisements taken from the local
papers of the county show how the advertisers took advantage of the use
of these words to attract popular attention :
THE UNIOX
PRESERVED
Second Grand Annual .Sale
of
Fall and Winter Dry Goods, etc.
W. S. Morton & Co.
HOLLIDAY SECEDES!!
New York Store removed !
E. B. Hollidav having remmed his Xev/ York Store
to the Masonic Temple, etc.
DIS-UXIOX!
TAKE XOTICE!
Greenfield. Hancock County. Xov. 17. i860. Auditor's Office.
Those indebted to the School Funds of the County who have failed to
pay their installment of interest due, etc.
L. Sp.\rks, a. H. C.
3l6 haxcock colxtv, ixdiaxa.
"marriages.
"At the Burk Allen house, on the evening of the 24th. by Rev. J. Hill,
Mr. D. McCarter, 'M. D., to Miss Cornelia Thorpe, of Anderson. Thus has
another single state seceded, not from but into the union. May the union be
perpetual and blissful and may no "irrepressible conflicts' arise to disturb it."
DECOR ATIOX DAY.
The decoration of soldiers' graves was not generally observed in this
county for several years after the close of the war. The first definite steps,
it seems, were taken in 1869. A petition was circulated on which about fifty
names were secured, calling a meeting of the citizens at the court house at
Greenfield on Tuesday evening. May 25, 1869, at tlie ringing of the bell. The
purpose of the meeting was to make arrangements for decorating the soldiers'
graves. This petition was published over the following names in the Hancock
Democrat : Lot Edwards, George \\'. Dove, C. C. Mays, James H. Carr,
Benjamin F. Rains, Andrew J. Banks, Robert E. Bamett, Henry B. Wilson.
Thomas Kane. William W'ilkins, Xelson Bradley, C. F. Lockwood, '\[. Marsh,
William R. Hough. Hammet J. Williams, John C. Dunbar, Phil H. Boyd. A.
■Hougli, R. A. Rdey. M. L. Paullus, Amos C. Green, John C. Rardin, Lionel
E. Rumrill. D. S. Gooding, Henry A. Swope. .\. K. Branham. Hamilton J.
Dunliar, William Mitchell. Andrew T. Hart. William S. Wood. Thomas Carr.
Stephen D. Lyon, Xoble P. Howard. R. P. Brown, John Tague, E. B. Grose.
John A. Riley, Pressley Gu3mon, J. A. J. Martin. Henry C. Chapman. .Samuel
W. Barnett, F. H. Crawford, Frank Hafner. Q. D. Hughes, John A. Hughes.
M. M. Adams. Charles G. Offutt. Jacob T. Bamett. J. Ward Walker.
The meeting at the court house was well attended. On motion of judge
Walker, Monday. May 31. was selected as the day for decorating the graves.
Capt. M. L. Paullus was appointed marshal for the day, and Capt. Adams L.
Ogg and Maj. Lee O. Harris, assistant marshals. The following committees
were appointed :
On Battle Flags— A. P. Wilhams. William Mitchell. H. A. Swope.
To Place Flags on Graves — William M. Johnson. Thomas Carr. Shclton
Osborn.
On Flowers and Evergreens — First ward. Mrs. E. P. Thayer. F. H.
Crawford, E. B. Grose: second ward, Mrs. M. L. Paullus. A. P. Williams.
Xelson Bradley; third ward, Mrs. J. Ward \\'alker. George Y. .\tkison. O. D.
Hughes, L. \\'. Gooding; fourth ward. Mrs. H. J. Williams, S. W. Barnett,
J. L. Mason; fifth ward. Mrs. H. B. Thayer. Lot Edwards. A. J. Banks, M.
M. Adams.
MILITARY.
OV
To Carry Flowers and Strew Flowers on Graves — Maggie Galbreath,
Hattie Stitz, Alice Chittenden, Emma Lineback, Lizzie McGregor. Sallie
Dove, Sallie Walker, Lou Offutt, Mollie Carmikle, Minerva Dennis, Anna
Tague, Ella Crawford, Fannie Foley, Jennie Sloan, Emma Boyd, Pet Guy-
mon, Clara Preston, Ella Barnett, Lizzie Dunbar, Dollie Skinner, Vira Good-
ing, Linda Ogle, Mollie Price, Annie Hammel, Annie Thomas, Sue Wilson.
Alice Barnett, Fannie Pierson, Mellie Ryon, Rose Bedgood, Maggie Barnett,
Linda Osborn, Mollie Oakes, Cinda Gebhart, Fannie Branham, Ella Barnett,
Cassie Rardin, Bell Gorman, Laura Brown, Vessie Montfort, Pauline King,
Alice Winn, Fannie Carr, Bell Reed, Fannie Kiefer, Eliza Chandler, Minnie
Sebastian, Mittie Carr.
The following order of formation of the procession was adopted :
Band '
Battle Flags
Wounded Soldiers
Clerg}-man
Families of Deceased Soldiers
Young Ladies Carrs'ing Baskets and Evergreens
Soldiers of War of 1S12 and Mexican War
Soldiers of War of 1861-5
Ladies
Citizens
This service was largely attended. Decoration day, howe\er, did not
become established at once as it is now, and judging from the newspaper
reports not much interest was taken in it for several years. In 1S77 a num-
ber of soldiers again called a meeting of our citizens at the court house to
• irrange for a decoration service. This call was as foUijws :
"We, the undersigned soldiers of the late war. desire that the 30th of
May be observed in memory of our fallen heroes, and request the citizens of
(ireenfield and Hancock county. irres]3ective of party, to meet at the court
house next Saturday evening, the 19th inst. to make necessary preparations.
(Signed) W. T. Snider. Edmond P. Thayer. J. Andrews, Harrison D.
Spangler, Heniy C. Rumrill, E. C. Duncan, J- C. Meek, T. W. Thomas,
Alonzo Ford, David Bixler, James Mahan."
\A'e have no report of the number of citizens attending this meeting, but
\arious committees were appointed and arrangements were made for the
observance of the day. In gi\ing a report of the exercises, however, the
writer in the Hancock Democrat said :
3l8 HANCOCK COIXTV, IXDIAXA.
"Yesterday was Decoration day and we are sorry to say it was n.ot gen-
erally observed by our citizens. The ceremonies at the graveyards were
solemn and interesting. The speech of our young friend. Mr. James A. New,
at the new cemetery, is well spoken of by all who heard the address. At
the old graveyard. Captain Riley entertained the people with a few of his
eloquent remarks. Mr. ^lartin. who was appointed to deliver the oration,
was absent from the city. If these ceremonies are to be kept up in the future,
it would be well for all citizens to meet and pay a proper tribute to the nation's
honored dead."'
The day was olisened by tlie soldiers of the county from year to year
after 1869, but it was not until fifteen or twenty years after the war that the
general public took such an interest in the ceremonies as the day deserved.
Usually a patriotic address was made, and either a choir or a band furnished
music for the occasion. The following is the program that was followed at
Greenfield in 1879:
Old Cciiictcr\
Ne-ci' Cemetery
Music by the Band
Singing by Choir
Oration by George W. Duncan
Singing l)y Choir
Poem by Lee O. Harris
Music by Band
Firing Salute
Decoration of Soldiers' Graves.
Music by Band
Singing by Choir
Oration by Capt. A. L. Ogg
Singing by Choir
Poem by J. \\'. Riley
Music by Band
Firing Salue
Decoration of Graves
In 1884 the following was the program on Decoration day: Marshals of
ilie day, E. P. Thayer, Joseph Baldwin; members of the Grand .\rmy
of the Republic met at their post room at one o'clock p. m. sharp, and
at half past one o'clock formed in front of the court house in line of march
in the following order:
-MILITARY. 319
The Greenfield Cornet Band
Speakers
Officers and members of the ('•. .\. R. Lodges
of the Cit\- and Lounty
The Citizens' Band
Mayor and City Conncil
County and ex-County Officers
The Philadelphia Brass Band
Sunday Schools
Ex-Soldiers and Citizens on Foot
The Dobbins Band
Citizens in Carriages
March to the New Cemetery
PROGRAM.
Vocal Music, Greenfield Musical Cluli
Prayer, Rev. D. R. Love
Address
\'ocal Music, Greenfield Musical Clul)
Poem read by Airs. Ephraim Marsh
Decorating Gra\es by Comrades of the G. A. R.
Music by the Band
Salute the Dead
Reformed in same Order. Marched to the Old Cemetery
\'ocal Music, Greenfield Musical Club
Pra_\er, Rew XMllijim Anderson
Address
Vocal Music, Greenfield Musical Club
Essay, Mrs. L P. Poulson
Decorating Graves In- Comrades of the G. A. R.
[Music by Band
Salute the Dead
The above arc tvpical of th? jimgrams that were given for a number
of years.
During the first ten ^>r fifteen years of the observance of this day it was
the custom at Greenfield to ha\e addresses made at both cemeteries. In fact
it seems to have been the custom in most parts of the county to have the
address sfiven at the cemeterv, or in a orove near the ccmcterv. if the weather
320 HANCOCK COIXTV, INDIANA.
permitted. This was continued for a number of years until the soldiers
became advanced in years and were unable to endure the strain of standing
while listening to an address.
On May 31, 1915, fifty years after their return from the front, tlie dec-
oration of the graves of their heroes was observed at Greenfield in the usual
manner. Committees had been appointed as follows: Flowers and evergreen.
John A. Barr, E. A. Henby; Outside cemeteries. Philadelphia. William Hut-
ton; Sugar Creek, Squire McKinzie: Mt. Lebanon, Alexander Oshorn : Curry's
Chapel, Joseph Martin. Edward Martin; Caldwell. George Crider; Hinchman.
Daniel W'irtz ; Marking graves. John A. Barr. Jerry Ferrin. George W.
Johnson; Finance, \\'. ^^'. ilcCole, Harry G. Strickland, Hays Smith. Frank
Lynam; Publication. Marshall Winslow, Elmer T. Swope; Program. Henry
Winslow, Dr. J. I\I. Larimore; Conveyances, Stephen D. Jackson, John H.
Duncan: Music. John Barr, Taylor Morford; ^Marshal of the day, James
Shelton.
The line was formed at the court house, led b\- the marshal of the day ;
the Greenfield band, followed by the soldiers ; Sunday school children marched
single file on either side of the double column, carrying small American flags.
The procession was followed by the Relief Corps, civic orders, citizens and
vehicles.
The veterans and citizens met at the court house at one o'clock and
proceeded to the Christian church at i -.4^. There a patriotic address was
delivered by William A. Hough. Following the services at the church the
procession fumied on East street, marched to Main, thence west to State,
thence south to cemetery, and thence east to the mound in Park cemetery.
At the mound the usual services were obsen-ed. including the reading of the
general order for the obser\'ance of Decoration day, parts of the ritual of the
Grand Armv of the Republic, and the firing of the salute. Following the
services at the mound the gra\es of the soldiers were decorated with flowers
that had been gatliered by the veterans or that had been contributed by jiatri-
otic citizens. After these ser\ices the line reformed and marched UDrth on
Meek street to South street, thence east to the old cemetery, when the salute
was again fired and the graves decorated. At the close of the services at
the old cemeterv the procession moved north to Main street, and thence west
to the court house.
The aliove is typical of the manner in which the day has l>een observed
at Greenfield for the past fifteen or twenty years. It is also typical of the
maimer in which the day has been observed for many years in different parts
of the county.
o
o
o
o
r
D
O
CO
o
S3
>
H
H
»
S3
?:
o
MILITAKV. 321
Just a half century has passed since tlie men returned from llie front.
Their numlier lias sjjniwn small, and the sur\-ivors no longer tread with the
fii'm ste]) witli whicli they once advanced. Many of them are no longer able
to "fall in" and march with their comrades on this hallowed dav. I'atriotic
and lo\ing friends are glad to attend them. Children march with them and
carry flowers for them or wave their little flags in jjatriotic salute. When
another half cenlur\- shall ha\e passed away the memory of these things wi'l
ha\e become sacred to them. That they saw the veterans of the great Ci\-il
War and participated in their ceremonies will he one (if the sweet stories to tell
ihtir children's children.
Tin-: SllA.M 1!.\TTI,ES.
During the eighties the soldiers were inspired on several occasions to
live o\er again the experiences of the Civil \Var in so far as that could he done
without harm tn rmyone. On October i, 1884. a sham battle was jjlanne'l
for Boyd's gro\-e, just north i<i the city of (jreenfield, which has since become
known as the fair grounds. This event was "written up" in the issue of the
Hancock Dc/uocral of Octol)er 2, 1884, as follows:
".\lthough the soldiers' reunion was throughout a \er\- enjoyable affair,
the sham battle on Friday was jierhaps the most interesting part to most of
our citizens, especially to the young people, giving them a \er\- good idea
of actual war. The fight took place in the field north of the grove and was
in plain view of the crowd. At two o'clock the rebel forces, under command
of Comrade Jefferson C. Patterson, repaired to the west side of the field,
posted a i^iece of artillery and awaited the attack. The Uninn forces, led by
Capt. E. P. Thayer, also accompanied by a ])iece of artillery. mruTbed from
the camp east through the woods and entered the fiekl from the east. .\ rebel
picket, under charge of Comrade G. W. Watts, was posted at the southeast
corner of the field and opened fire as soon as the I'nion forces were descried.
Commander Patterson at once ordered a skirmish line under commrmd of
Capt. Lee O. Harris, which deployed in front of the advancing forces and the
fight began l)etween these and a picket line on the Union side under command
of Comrade A. J. P>ridges. The L'niim line continued steadilv to advance,
and as soon as they reached the brow of the hill opened with their artillery.
This was the signal for the skirmishers to fall back, and the rebel line advanced
to the attack under command of Capt. J. H. Carr, assisted bv Col. R. A.
Black, while Comrade G. W. Duncan led on the Union line. The two com-
manders. Thayer and Patterson, were ubiquitous, galloping here and there
o\er the field where their presence was most heede<l. Marshall Gooding
(21)
7,22 HAXCOCK COUXTV. IXDIAX A.
served Commander Patterson as a volunteer and did \aliant service. The
first advantage was gained by the Union forces, who came near turning the
left flank of the reliels. but reinforcements were promptly sent and thev were
tlriven back. Then the same maneuxer was tried by the rebels un the Union
left flank. Init without proper support, and Captain Thayer promptly threw
forward a force and captured it. A countercharge was made, however, and,
after a sharp fight the rebels recaptured their guns, .\fter the fight had
progressed, with varying success, for some time, the Union giui became
exposed without sufficient supixjrt and was captured, but was ])romptly
retaken. Finally, as per program, the rebel gitn was captured and held. Their
force was outflanked and surrendered and were marched as prisoners into
camp amid the general shouts of eveni'body. including the prisoners them-
selves. And so ended one of the most enjoyable affairs ever witnessed in
Greenfield. Persons who had seen numerous sham contests of this kind
declared this the best thev e\er saw."
Other sham battles were fought in the county, and of course they always
aroused a great interest among the people.
GR.VXT MEM0RI.\L SERVICES.
When (jeneral (irant died in 1883. services were held in different parts
of the county in his memory, and tributes were paid to his patriotism and his
great leadership. At Greenfield a meeting was held August 8, at the Masonic
Hall. Alexander K. Branham called the meeting to order, after which the
funeral service of the Grand Army was read. Capt. R. A. Riley made a few
appropriate remarks and Hon. William R. Hough, chairman of the memorial
committee, offered a series of resolutions which was adopted. A large num-
ber of people attended this meeting.
At Xew Palestine services were also held, a report of which appeared in
the Hancock Democrat as follows :
"A week before this memorial took place a number of our citizens met
at the ]\Iethodist Episcopal church for the purpose of making arrangements in
appointing committees for the different pm^poses. Some of these committees
were composed of fire and brimstone and the composition was thought a
mistake, but they all harmonized and tried to do the best they know how
■ to make the affair creditable in honor to the deceased General Grant. The
arrangements were completed and the day came. At five o'clock in the morn-
ing the roar of the cannon announced that the day set apart for the burial
service of the nation's loved one was at hand. This was followed by the
tolling of the different church and school house l)ells in town. Many of our
MILITARY. 323
citizens went to work and draped their residences and business places in
mourning-, and some were profusely and exceedingly fine and attracted much
a'ttention. Arrangements had been made, if the weather was fa\'orable, to
hold the services in the grove, which looked discouraging for a while, but
the day turned out the best that could be expected. At one o'clock the church
bells commenced ringing, which was the signal for forming a procession to
march to the grove; and the same was composed of all classes and nationalties,
and men who fought under Grant and under Lee marched by the side of one
another. A citizen of this township ser\ed in Lee's army from the beginning
to the surrender, and he marched with the boys in blue in this procession.
The procession was marshaled by James Greer, an old soldier, with the New
Palestine Military Band at the head, which played several melodies and
funeral dirges as they passed through the streets ; next, tlie veterans of the
war, who were represented in large numbers ; next, the Sunday schools, citi-
zens on foot, and next the vehicles. They marched west on Mill street, south
on \\'alnut to }ilain, east on IMain to Bittner street, thence south to Joseph
Fritts' grove. The procession eclipsed everything ever witnessed heretofore.
Arriving at the grove appropriate arrangements had been made in the way
of seats, and the speaker's stand draped in mourning, which gave a mournful
appearance. Some one thousand and five hundred people had congregated
to pay the last tribute of respect to the nation's illustrious dead. David M.
Dove acted as president on the occasion, and the ceremonies were carried
out according to program, which consisted of vocal music by the choir, prayer
and reading Scripture by Rev. Lowden. Hon. Charles G. Offutt was orator of
the day. He delivered an eloquent oratinu. eulogistic of the life and achieve-
ments of General Grant. He lauded Grant as a military leader, and said he
was one of those who thought General Grant made a mistake when he left
the army. He showed that General Grant was a man of a noble char-
acter, whicli he exhiliited at Lee"s surrender. Offutt's address was well
received and one and all whom we have heard speak of it were much pleased
with the same and spoke of it in the highest terms of praise. Rev. Lowden,
A. Black and James Greer followed in short addresses, which were all appro-
priate and eulogistic in honor of the great captain of the age. The presiding
c>fficer. in the name of the citizei\s assembled, thanked the oratijrs of the
occasion and the Xew Palestine Military Band for their kind attendance. A
universal solemnity, well fitted for the occasion, prevailed, and thus ended
the service in New Palestine in honor of America's dead heroes, such as the
people of our town had never seen before. Business was entirely suspended.
324 HANCOCK COLXTY, IXDIAXA.
THE SPAXtSII-AMERICAX WAR.
Patriotic entlnisiasni soon became \ery intense in the county when war
was declared against Spain in 1898. Solomon D. Kempton Post. Grand Army
of the Republic, at Fortville. offered their services to the government, and
adopted rcsnlutions endorsing the course of President McKinley. A com-
pau}' of young men was also organized at Fortville. but ne\'er succeeded in
being mustered in !;ecause of the great number offering their services from
all parts of the state. Hundreds of young men from all parts of the county
were eager to enlist but onlv a few were taken, lidwin P. Th.ayer. Jr.. of
(ireen field, lieutenant-colonel of the Second regiment. Indiana National
CJuards. was commissioned as lieutenant-colonel of the One Hundred and
Fifty-eighth regiment. Indiana \olunteers. This regiment was mustered into
ser\ice May 10, 1898. It moved to Chickamauga May 16, but on account of
the unsanitary condition of the camp location was moved to Camp Poland,
near Kno.wille. Teiui.. on August 23. It was ordered back to Indianapolis
on Se])teml)er 12 and given a furlough of thirty days. On October 17 it
reassembled and was discharged on Xo\ ember 4. The follow ing men from
Hancock county were in the regiment:
Edwin P. Thayer, lieutenant-colonel: Horace Swope. commissary-
sergeant.
COMPANY P.
Samuel M. Seward.
coMP.xx'i' n.
John l-'isher. (leordie Slifer. Elmer 'Jhomson, Bernard Rider. Clar-
ence C. Wiley. W'infield Roland. Edward Shelby. Paul Morford. Charles \\'.
Baker. Robert W. (iough. John M. XA'alton, Juett Messick. Frank T. .\tkisnn,
William Patterson. Arthur G. Lunsford. Charles Xew. Alljert Baker. Thomas
T. Owens. Edward Lewis.
COMPAXY K.
Albert C. Barnes. George Kiger. Clinton M. Reeves. Edward Williams,
•Jesse S. Grigsby. Osro H. Coffin. David O. Scott, Jesse Barrett. Oral O.
King. William E. Smith.
COMPANY F.
Henry Hubig, Mack Warrum.
COMPAXY G.
George Mealey, Charles .\. Gordon. Water O. Stuart.
MILITARY. 325
Edward Waltz, from Sugar Creek tnwiiship. enlisted in the regular army
and was at the front at Santiago.
William Cloud, also of Sugar Creek lownshi]). who hap|)ened to lie in
Texas at the time, enlisted with the famous "Rough Riders." organized by
Col. Theodore Roosevelt. He was stricken with typhoid fever, however,
while in cani]) at Tampa, l"la.. and was unalile to proceed with liis regiment.
MILITI.V.
Several c<impanies of militia ha\e been organized in the county since the
Civil War that h;'\e not been called into acti\e service. The first of these
companies was organized on Januar\- jt,. 1874. with forty-eight members and
was known as the
BR.\XHA.M RIFLES.
riie com])an\" was named m honor of Maj. .\. K. liranham. th.ough ^^r.
(jranham ne\er had anv jiersonal conneciion with the company. Within
about a vear the company enrolled about one hundred men from Greenfield
and vicinity. Its first officers were James X. Wilson, captain : R. .\. IMack,
first lieutenant: Xewton L. Wray, first sergeant; George W. Johnson, first
corporal.
This company took part in several state encampments and ma.dc a very
favorable impression.
COMPANY F, SFCOND REGIMENT, INDI.VNA N.\TION.\!. ClARI).
In October. i88y, another company was organized by Cajit. E. ]'. Thayer,
Ir. .\t home this com])any was known as the "Greenfield Light Infantry."
Officially it was at first designated as the 'Third Separate Com])any in the
"Legion of Indiana." On February 3, 1891, it was assigned to the Second
Regiment, Indiana National Guard, as Company F. The officers of the
company were: Captains, Edwin P. Thayer. \\'alter O. L5ragg: first lieuten-
ants, Harry G. Strickland, Walter O. Bragg, Homer A. Bragg: second lieu-
tenants. Walter O. Bragg, Xoble Warrum, Clare Clark, \\'. C. Creviston,
Ste])ben G. White was first orderlv sergeant of the company. The company
was mustered out in 1892.
fOMI'ANY M, SECOND REGIMENT, INDIANA NATIONAL GUAKD.
Another comiianv was organized by dipt. Walter O. Bragg on July 25.
loco. Its first officers were: Walter O. Bragg, captain; Clifford Gery. first
h'eutenant ; lohn C. lenkins. second lieutenant. It was maintained until about
3-^6 HANCOCK COUXTY, INDIANA.
1907. Clifford Gen-, Albert L. Barnes and Frien B. Ailierton each in turn
served as captain of the company. The boys took part in sexeral state encamp-
ments and i)arlicipated each year in the Decoration day ser\ices at Greenfield.
After the organization of Company F. mentioned aliove. Captain Tha\er
was promoted to the rank of major in tlie Second regiment. Indiana National
Guard. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War he was commissioned
as lieutenant-colonel of the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth regiment. Indiana
Volunteers, and accompanied the regiment to Camp Poland, near Knoxville,
Tenn. Alucii to the disappointment of Colonel Thayer and his comrades the
regiment was not permitted to proceed to the front. After the discharge of
the regiment ^Mr. Thayer was appointed colonel of the Second regiment, Indi-
ana National Guard, which rank he held for a year or two until he withdrew
from the militia.
WEST POINT GRADUATES.
Hancock county has had two graduates from tlie United States Military
Academ}-. at West Point. The first was Gen. Oliver P. Gooding. He
received his appointment in July. 1853, and graduated in July, 1856. He
entered the regular army as a second lieutenant and was advanced until he
was breveted brigadier general of volunteers, on March 13. 1865. He
received this recognition for gallant conduct in the assaults on the enemy's
works at Port Hudson, Louisiana, in 1863, and for distinguishing conduct
fnroughout the Red Ri\-er campaign in 1SA4.
Gooding also distinguished himself at the battle of Perryville. Ky.. Octo-
ber 8, 1862. In Lossing's "Encyclopedia of United States Historj-" we read .
"Meanwhile, Colonel Gooding's brigade had l:!€en sent to the aid of McCook
and fought with great persistence for two hours against odds, losing fuUv one-
third of its number, its commander l^eing made prisoner." At this battle he
was also severely shocked and injured by the bursting of a shell near him.
from whicli lie probably never entirely recovered. He resigned frcmi the
army March 20, 1865.
Samuel Vinton Ham, son of ex-County Treasurer George W. Ham. of
Brown township, was born December 23. 1867. He was appointed to the
militaiy academy June 12, 1888. and graduated June 11, 1892. On the day of
his graduation he was appointed second lieutenant in the United States
regular army. He served five years in Arizona, and in 1897 was appointed
]Mofessor of military science and tactics at DePauw University. In July,
1898, he was promoted to the rank of captain and assistant quartermaster of
United States volunteers and joined the Miles Relief Expedition in Cuba in
MILITARY. 327
the Spanish-American war. He also took part in the Porto Rico campaign
until the signing of the peace protocol. He was then transferred to Cul)a
where he served as depot and purchasing quartermaster for the war depart-
ment until 1902. From 1902 until 1906 he served as constraction quarter-
master in the defenses of Baltimore ftarbor and at Salt Lake City.
He then joined the United States troops in the Philippine Islands, serv-
ing ill the campaign in the islands of Leyte and Samar in 1906 and 1907. He
was the commanding officer of the L'nited States forces that fought the
important engagement near Lapaz. Leyte, Philippine Islands. December C).
1906, for which action high commendation was paid him by all the command-
ing generals on duty in the Philippines. In 1908 he was transferred to Cali-
fornia, but in 1910 was returned to the Philippines. In 1912 he was sent
to Kansas and from 19 13 to 19 15 he served in Oregon. California and Ari-
zona. At present he is stationed along the ^Mexican border.
In 1909 he was promoted to first lieutenant in the L'nited States service,
captain in 1901 and major in 1915.
FRIEX B. ATHERTOX.
Frien B. Atherton was for a time captain of Company M, Second regi-
ment, Indiana Xational Guard. His knowledge of military tactics had been
received during three years of service in the regular armv of the L'nited
States. He enlisted in the regular army i>n January 9. 1900, and became a
memlier of Battery A. Third regiment. L'nited States Coast Artillery. With
other recruits he was at once sent to the Philippine Islands, where he remained
until August. 1 900. At that time the Boxer uprising occurred and his regi-
ment was sent to Tientsin. China. He remainefl there from .Aug"ust 20 until
Xovember 4. 1900. His regiment stood side by side with the German.
French and British troops to protect their citizens against the Chinese mobs.
Tn November. 1900, he was again removed to the Philippine Islands, where
he served through the insurrection from November 22. 1900. until July 4.
1902. In the autumn of that year he returned to Angel Island. California,
and was honorably discharged on January 5. 1903.
As a young man his life was clean. Soon after entering the service of the
l'nited States he was appointed secretaiy of the Young Men's Christian
\ssociation. and this membership -was maintained during his college life,
after his discharge from the arm\-.
Throughout his service in the army he saved his money with the idea of
finishing a college course. Like so many other young men. however, who
were unaccustomed to the intense heat of the tropical sun. he was unable to
328 HANCOCK COUXTV, IXDIAXA.
withstand tlie liot climatic conditions of llie Islands. Before his discharge
symptoms of "falling- sickness" develoi)ed. and when he reached Angel Island
he was physically unable to work. In September, 1903, he had recuperated
sufficiently to enter Butler College, and then began one of the most heroic as
well as one of the most pathetic struggles ever made in fact or written into
fiction. During the next six years he was a student at college, two years in the
preparatory department at Butler, and four years at the Ohio Northern- Uni-
versity, at Ada. Ohio. During these years he britlled bravely against the
weakness contracted in the Islands. His genial, social qualities made him
popular with his fellows, and his knowledge of military tactics won him the
command of the battalion at Ohio Northern University. Here he also met
the young lady who consented to share his life with him. In 1909 he grad-
uated from the uni\ersity. having majored in mechanical engineering. He
passed examinations successfully for admission to the ai)i)rentice course
offered to college graduates only who ha\e taken as tlieir major mechanical
engineering. During the latter years of his college life his afflictiim became
more acute, attacks more frequent and more \-iolent. and at the end nf the first
vear with the \\'estinghouse concern he suffered a complete ])hysical and men-
ial breakdown. His weakened body had lieen overtaxed by his Unig-sustained
effort and bad reached the limit of its endurance. The company's physician
had to tell him that it was unsafe for him longer to work with surrounding
machinery : that he must seek the open country and be burdened with no
responsibilities whatever. He tried, lint God's great out-of-doors could not
restore to his mind and body what had lieen lost.
To this time he had scorned the idea of asking for aitl. He was superbly
independent. It was this, the finest and manliest of his (|ualities. that the
agents of his government failed to understand or they would have dcrdt more
generouslv with him. The time had come wlien he could n.ot maintain himself.
The strong will that had carried him forward, the keen intellect that had
opened for him the mysteries and niceties of science, the clean, wholesome
personality that had made him a world of friends — all were hopelessly
wrecked. There was no future. The past was dark, the present hazy, with
just enough light to discern the impossibilitits — the home, the wife, and the
standing with his fellows. In a moment, as a darker shadow passed over him,
he drew down the veil of eternity, but he had gi\en to the world a splendid,
exalted effort.
ciiArri'-.K \ III.
POLITICS.
The electidii of the first ciuuity officers for Hancock count}- was held in
August. 1S28. We have no rejjort of the niunher of \-otes cast in that elec-
tion. At the presidential election in Xoveniher followinia;' one hundred and
one \()tes were cast. In the absence of records it is an impossihilitx- at this
time to determine the relative strength of parties. Joshua Meek, recorder;
Morris Pierson. treasurer, and later surveyor; Basil Meek and John I-'oster,
sheriffs, all of whom were elected in that year or during the two or three
years following, were Xational Repulilicans, or after 1834, Whigs. These
men, together with Jeremiah Meek, judge of the Hancock probate court; John
Hager, clerk; Jonathan Dunbar, sheriff, all of whom were elected as National
Republicans or Whigs, held the principal offices of the county for m;uiy years,
as ma\- jje seen bv reference to tlie countv officers at the close of the chapter on
countv government. David S. (looding was the Whig candidate for re])resen-
tative against Dr. J. W. Hervey, Democrat, in 1847, and was elected by a ma-
jority of fort}--one votes, Joseph Chapman was elected clerk of the Hancock
circuit court in 1832. He was a Democrat, but his election may have been due
to his personal canvass. In 1842 Joseph Anderson. Democrat, defeated Jona-
than Dunbar, Whig, in the race for slieriff. Judge Gooding, writing editorially
in the Hancock Democrat in 1861 in criticism of Jonathan Dunbar, charged
Dunbar with having been a Whig in 1839, "when the Whigs were in the
ascendancy in Hancock." From these scattering bits of evidence it is safe to
conclude that in the early histor\- of the count}- the Xational Republicans, or
Whigs, had a majority at the polls, but that a nomination liy any party did
not necessarily mean an election. In all probability the personal standing of
a candidate received more cnnsidcratinn then than it does now. with our close
party alignments.
The twd most prominent political leaders of that very early day were
Thomas 1). Walpole, ^\'hig, and Joseph Chapnian, Democrat. Walpole came
to Greenfiebl in 1834 and entered upon the ])ractice of law. In 1836 he was
elected to the lower branch of tlie Legislature, and in 1840 to the Senate. Pie
served several tern-is in the Senate, and on the resignation of Lieutenant-
Governor Hall was elected president of that body. In 1848 he was a presi-
dential elector and canvassed a large \mn of the state for Taylor and Fillmore.
In 1830 he was elected to the constitutional convention. During the cam-
329
330 HANCOCK COLNTV, INDIAXA.
paign of 1852 he allied himself with the Democrats and canvassed the state
for Pierce. Later he served several more terms in the lower hranch of the
Legislature as a Democrat. It is said that Walpole was never defeated in hi.«
own count}- in a p()litical canvass, either as a Democrat or a A\'hig. W'lietlier
this he true or not. he was tactful and resourceful and these qualities, with liis
magnetic pensonality. made him a political winner.
Joseph Chapman came to Hancock county in 1829, just one year after
the organization of the countv. Three years later he was elected clerk ni the
Hancock circuit court, and held the office for abuut five }-ears. when he
entered the lower hranch of the state Legislature. He was five times elected
to serve his county in this capacity. He was a fluent, eloquent speaker and
seems to have lived and moved and had his being in politics.
In the campaign of 1840 Chapman was the Democratic candidate for
representative. \\'alpole was the Whig candidate for senator from Hancock
and Madison counties. The two men canvassed not only their own county
in support of their personal campaigns, but took part in the general canvass of
the state for their respective parties. They were neighbors and friends at
home, and in "stumping" the state adopted the plan of speaking from the
same platforms to the same audiences. \\'alpole was aristocratic and devoted
much care to his personal appearance in matters of dress. This propensity
subjected him to the criticism of Chapman, who was a '"commoner," and whose
humility was the special object of his pride. Now, it so happened one evening,
as the late Judge Gooding was fond of relating, that Chapman gave his shirt
to the wife of the tavern keeper to be laundered. During the night the shirt
was stolen and" the nextniorning Cha])man was in a dilemma. \\'alpo!e at
once offered his friend one of his ruffled shirts. But that ruffled shirt had
Ixen the object of Chapman's ridicule from, many a platform. Should he
wear it a portion of his speech would have to be struck out, and he would
lie de])rived of one of his "hits" at Walpole — to say nothing of the general
moral effect such an a])pearance might have. Still, he had to have a shirt, so
he finally acce])led the apparent generosity of his opponent. When the time
came for the speech making Chapman's collar was neatly turned under and
his coat buttoned over the ruffled shirt. W'alpole spoke first, analyzing the
issues of the day and denouncing the principles of Democracv with his usual
spirit and ardor. Ciiajiman answered in his vigorous and effective style,
ridiculing the aristocratic tendencies of his opponent. \\'alpole closed the
argument. He reviewed the criticisms of Chapman, warned his hearers
against putting an impostor into office, and tlirew open the front of Cha])-
!nan's coat exjiosing the ruffled shirt.
POLITICS. 331
For Chapman is also claimed the honor of having given to the Dem-
ocratic party its national enihlem, the rooster. It was in the campaign of i8-|0,
after the financial panic in Van Buren's administration, when things looked
gloomy for the Democracy of the country, tliat George Pattison, editor of
The Constitution, a Democratic newspaper of Indianapolis, heard of a serious
defection from the Democratic ranks of Hancock county. He wrote William
Sebastian, postmaster at Greenfield, and one of the Democratic leaders of
the county, the following letter :
"Indianapolis. June 12. 1840.
"Mr. Sebastian :
"Dear Sir : I have been informed b}- a Democrat that in one part of vour
county thirty Van Buren men have turned for Harrison. Please let me know
if such be the fact. Hand this letter to General Alilroy. I think such a
deplorable state of facts cannot exist. If so, I will visit Hancock and address
the people relative to the policy of the Democratic party. I have no time to
spare, but I will refuse to eat or sleep or rest so long as anything can be
done. Do, for heaven's sake, stir up the Democracy. See Chapman, tell
Irini not to do as he did heretofore. He used to create unnecessary alarms;
he must crow ; we have much to crow over. I will insure this county to give
a Democratic majorit\- of two hundred votes. Spare no pains. Write
instanter. George Pattison.'"
This letter accidentally fell into the hands of the ^^'higs. who. for the pur-
pose of ridiculing the Democrats, published it on June 16, 1840, in the
Indianapolis Soni-W'cckly Joitmal. the leading Whig newspaper in the state.
Its publication failed utterly in its puri)Ose. "Crow, Chapman, Crow!'' became
the slogan of the local Democrac\- in that campaign. It soon spread over
the state and when the Indiana State Sentinel, a Democratic newspaper,
was launched on July 21, 1841. it contained at the top of the front page the
picture of a proud rooster and under the picture the words, "Crow, Chapman.
Crow !" The phrase caught the popular ear, and the rooster was soon adopted
as tlie emblem of the Democratic party. Its fuller history, together with
letters, photographs and newspaper clippings of the time, has been written
and published in very artistic form by John ^fitchell, Jr.. of the William
JNIitchell Printing Company, of Greenfield.
The year 1840 also marks the advent of Xoble Warruni into public life.
At that time, as the story was frequenty told by the late Jared C. Meek.
Joshua Meek owned a brick yard on the hill just north of the present corner
of State and Fifth streets, in Gre&n field. Joshua Meek was also countv
7,7,2 HAXCOCK COLXTV. IXDIAXA.
recorder and spent much of his time in and alxiut tlie court house. One
morning he went into commissioners" court when the commissioners liad
under consideration the appointment of a collector of revenue for the county.
People did not all come to the treasurer's office to pay their taxes, and it was
the collector's duty to go over the county to collect taxes where he could.
"Do you know of any good young men for revenue collector?" asked one
of the commissioners. "Yes," replied Meek. "There's a young fellow working
upon my brick yard that is all right, if he'll do it. His name is Warrum. —
Xoble Warrum." "Well, send b.im down." said the commissioners, "and
we'll talk it over." Young Warrum came in. He said he would like to have
the place, hut did not know w hether he could give liond. "\'es, I'll go on your
bond," .said Meek, "and Cornwell will go on your bond, and we can get s<ime-
body else and we can fix that up all right."
In Commissioners' Record, Xo. 2, page 79. appears the following entry :
"Ordered that Xoble Warrum be and he is hereby appointed collector of
the state and county revenue of the county of Hancock for the year i8jo,
and comes miw the said Xoble Wariinn and files his bond with C. Meek, (^tho
Gapen and Joshua Meek as his securities, all of which is approved."
Mr. Warrum's work as collector of revenue gave iiim a wide acquain-
tance and a great circle of friends, l-^r almost a half century thereafter he
made his influence felt in every political campaign in the count}'. In an old
copy of the Greenfield Rez'cille, published in April, 1845, ^^"^ have possibly
the oldest report of a political mass convention in the county. It was a Dem-
ocratic conventiim, but the Reveille was a \\ big newspaper, and of course, the
proceedings of the convention are made to appear as ridiculous as possible.
It is worthy of notice, however, that even at that early date there was opposi-
tion within Democratic ranks to local delegate conventions. Following is the
report :
"In accordance with a ])revious notice a Mass Convention was held on the
26th inst., the proceedings of which would no doubt be interesting to our
friends generally and edifying to our readers.
"About ten o'clock a. m. the iiiitiri)ii^ Democracy were .seen emerging
from the beech woods which surround our peaceful village. True, the woods
were not entirely darkened by their numb.ers, yet every avenue leading to the
neighborhood of Esquire Franklin's Restaurant was not unbroken.
"On the arri\al of a number from the country we heard an eternal war-
fare sworn against the proposal for a convention to nominate comity officers.
Dissentions that at first \iew seemed incurable presented themselves from
different points. Independence of opinion and action was asserted, and how
POLITICS. 333
well maintained will a])])ear in the sequel, .\gainst two n'clwck, the refractory
portion heing \vhi]jped into the traces, the democracy retired to the Court
House. General Milroy being called to the chair, he endeavored to explain
the object of the meeting', which he, howeser, failed to dn to tiie satisfaction
of some of his friends.
"On motion a committee of three were appointed, but their duties not
ex])lained. .\fter some niisundersianilings had been explained, the said com-
mittee was increased to five ; again after another consultation it was thought
best to have a committee from each township in the county. When the town-
ships were called four were unrepresented. ( .Afterwards one or two were
represented.) The committee were then ordered to retire, consult and report
to the meeting. But when about retiring-, one of the committee, more tlnjught-
ful than the rest, called on the chair to know what the\- should report, as he
bad _\et to learn what duties were assigned to the committee. The chair
endea\ored to explain, by informing the committee that 'the enemv was
abroad in the land,' that 'those levellers, the Whigs, were on the alert, and
must be kicked sky high!' (He did not call them public defaulters as we
awfully feared he would do in the warmth of his feelings.) He said he was
a Democrat, commencing with the days of Jefferson, and was still a Dem-
ocrat, and the committee could retire.
"The committee, although their duties did not seem explained by the
chairman, retired to guess at them, we suppose.
"Whereupn Dr. Hervey moved, 'Dr. Cook make a remark.' Dr. Cook
was excused for the time, and Dr. Hervey proceeded in effusing the most
. He is a whole menagerie and kicks, pushes, strikes, and everything
else manfulK'. lie brings to our mind that beautiful line of the poet:
'Bulls aim their horns and asses lift their heels."
"He said that 'before the presidential election the Wliigs were opposed
to annexation," but asks with an air of triumph, "where is now one found to
oppose the admission of the State of Texas; if sucli an one could be found he
could be laughed at till he put comic almanacs out of fashion." We leave
others to judge of his political discoveries. I'.ut he proceeded. 'Xo. Democracy
like the rolling stream" (casting up its filthy sedimeius ) 'has an onward
(jjrogressive) course, and in fifty years there will be fifty United States.'
"The doctor is evidentlv a man of deep research, he spoke of Caesar
crossing the 'Rtibico,' and of the 'navigable Ocean," asked where is the man in
Indianner that would sav he was a 'reprudreater?" ( We thought of his friend.
Chajiman, an a\owed repudiator, but no difference, all discordant elements
harmonize in the general name of Democracv!)
334 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
"\\ . H. Aiideison.. a gentleman ijarticularly distinguished for advocat-
injr the sentiment "that God is a Democrat' and therefore wants his friends
'to be on the J.ord's side.' was called on to address the meeting, but declined
doing so.
"R. A. Rile)- was then called and responded in a short address, endeavor-
ing to justify the acts of violence done to the people's will and a total dis-
regard of their rights, by tlie State Senate in sta\-ing off the U. S. Senatorial
Election.
"A series of resolutions were introduced by Esquire Riley, proposing to
bold a convention on the first Saturday in June to nominate County Officers,
which were adopted.
"We, however, discovered some of the old and anti-progressive Dem-
ocrats whose aniis and voices were raised in opposition to this proceeding.
One of them explained the "Almighty made everything else, but never made
a Convention to dictate.' They were opposed to it because it was anti-Dem-
ocratic, because it was dictating to, and whipping Democrats into the traces
contrary to their better judgment. They were opposed to it because two
individuals assumed to control the wb.ole matter, made every motion of
importance, and that with an eye to their own particular interests — because
the county was not represented — whole townships being without a voice in
the matter, and at no time were there more than sixty persons present, includ-
mg AVhigs, Abolitionists, and little boys, — because two indi\iduals acting in
concert for their mutual interest, should not dictate to, control, and rule at
pleasure, seven hundred freemen !
"But our opinion is, that the Democracy will hold a secret caucus, and
back out from this one-sided convention. Tt matters not, however, as the
Whigs will make a clean sweep this year in Hancock. Chapman will crow
no longer, although in his concluding remarks he offered the olive lirancb to
the Whigs ! We know how to meet that old arch intriguer. We have not
time for a further account this week, — more anon."
In that copy of the Greenfield Reveille the following political announce-
ments also appear: Congress, Thomas D. \\'alpole ; assessor. Isaac King;
auditor, Harry Pierson. Josephus II. Williams; sheriff, William P. Ru-;h.
Jonathan Dunbar. \\'illiam ?I. .\nder.son; county commissioner. David W.
Odell; representati\e, William .\. Eranklin, Esq.
The political announcements of that day were not quite as formal as
those appearing in our local papers now. In se\ eral announcements the can-
didates present arguments in their behalf, some nf which would hardly be
offered at this time. For inst;mce, the following:
POLITICS. 335
"TO THE VOTERS OF HANCOCK COUXTY.
"Fellow Citizen : I offer myself as a candidate for the office of Assessor;
and my reason for doing so is, that Noble W'arrum (the present incumbent)'
pledged himself two years ago, that if I would then use my influence for him,
(which I did) he would support me at the comuig election.
"Isaac Kinc"
A few years later David S. Gooding entered into the local campaigns,
first as a \\'hig, later as a Democrat. In 1847 he made his first race and was
elected as a Whig to the lower house of the Legislature. Later he was hon-
ored with numerous elections to various offices. Tn time his political influence
reached far beyond the bounds of his county, and no name probably is written
larger on the pages of its histoiy.
It seems that in 1852 a number of leading men in the county came into
the ranks of the Democratic party. For a decade after that time Thomas D.
Walpole, Jonathan Dunbar. David S. Gooding and Noble \\'arrum were all
in the Democratic alignment and tlie party developed the strength that it has
always maintained in this county except during the period of the Civil War.
Though this is true, things were far from harmonious at all times within the
party itself. It is impossible now to state the cause of some of the dissensions
among its leaders, yet it is certain that there was sufficient internal strife to
cause the defeat of some of the candidates. In 1855 Dunbar sought the
Democratic nomination for treasurer. A break occurred between him and
Walpole, and Dunbar was defeated. In 1857 Noble \\'arrum was a candidate
for sheriff against Taylor ^\'. Thomas. Walpole. and Elijah Cooper, who
was the Democratic candidate for county treasurer, threw their influence
against Warrum and defeated him. During this campaign, 1857, it seems
that a reconciliation was affected Ijetween Walpole and Dunbar.
The Democratic ticket during the latter part of the decade just prior to
the Civil War was generally opposed by "l-'usion tickets." for which support
was sought from the ranks of the Know-Xr)things, Whigs and Repulilicans.
Though the "Fusionists" were not successful in electing their entire tickets,
they did succeed in electing a man now and then who had a strong personal
following.
THE CIVIL WAR I'ERIOD.
In tlie campaign of i860 the unity of the Democratic partv was broken
by the factions that followed the conventions at Charleston and Baltimore.
.-Mthough the Douglas wing of the party polled by far the greater number of
votes, the Breckenridge wing of the party also had a countv organization.
^36 HAXCOCK COUXTV. IXDIAXA.
The followers of Bieckenri(I,<4C were known as the "Xational Democrats."
James H. Leary seems to lia\e been the county chairman of the Xational
]])emocratic county central committee in that campaign. Dr. J. A. Hall was
the chairman of the Democratic county central cocmmittee, and James P.
I'^)lev of the Republican counl\- central committee.
ihe Xational Democrats held a county mass convention at Greenfield
on July 28, i860, for the purpose, as stated by James H. Leary, chairman,
"to endorse Breckenridge and Lane as the candidates for President and \"ice-
President of the L'nited States and to take steps to effect a county organiza-
tion." The following were the officers of this meeting: James H. Lean*-,
chairman: Thomas Glascock. Henry Duncan, vice-presidents: James H. Carr,
secretary.
The chairman of the con\cntion_ apijointcd David \'anlaningham. .\ndrew
Childers and Richard Stokes as a committee on resolutions. Before the
adiournment of the meeting this committee offered the following, which were
unanimously adopted :
"IJ'licrcas. the late national con\entions, both at Charleston and Balti-
more, failed to nominate a candidate f<3r President and \"ice-President in
accordance with the time-known usage of the Xational Democratic party,
therein' causing a separation of the convention with two distinct bodies: the
one resohing to support Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, and Hushel \'. John-
son, of Georgia, the other John C. I'reckenridge, of Kentucky, and Joseph
Lane, of Oregon ; therefore
" Rcs.oli'cd , that it is the im]ierau\e duty of Xational Democrats to yield
a willing and cordial sup])ori to the candidate for the President and \'ice-
Pre.sident of the United States whose principles are in harmony i^itli the court,
the e(|ualitv of the states, and equal rights of all the citizens of the several
states in the territorv lielonging to the L'nited States, and who are in favor
of U(iii-iiilcr:\'iili(>ii b\' C"(U;^i[;-(\M and territorial legislatures with slavery in
the territories.
"Rcsoh-cd. that we recognize in John C. Breckenridge and John Lane,
alile, tried and true exponents of these principles so dear to every Xational
Democrat, and we hereby pledge a hearty and zealous support to the nom-
inations of these distinguished statesmen.
"Rcsoh'Ctt that we cordially approve of the platform of jirinciples adopted
li\- the Xational Democracy at Baltimore, and cs/^rcially their une(|uivocal
affiniiatii'ii of the rights of e\erv citizen of the L'nitetl States to take his
propcrtx of au\ kind into the coiiiiiion territories l)elonging equally to all the
POLITICS. 337
.staler of the Confederacy, and peacefully and rii^htfnll_\ eujdv il durin.t;' tiic
existence of a territorial g'overnmcnl.
"Rcsolrcil. that "sciualter soxereiguty" in the territuries, as defined hy
Stephen A. Douglas, the Hcncditt .Iniold uf the Democratic party, and
endorsed 1;\- his deluded followers, meets our unqualified disappro\al ; and that
in us ])ractical application {o the territories, internecine war, bhx^dshed and
anarchy ha\'e been its legitimate fruits."
The followuig county central committee was appointed hv this conven-
tion: tenter. Da\'i<l X'anlaningham and James Carr; Buck Creek, James Mc-
Mane; X'ernon, Richard Stokes; Green, Elijah Cooper: Brown. John Hays;
Jackson, Robert Chambers ; Blue Ri\er. Sanniel Cottrell : r.rand\\\ inc. Phil;m-
(ler Curry; Sugar Creek, A(|uilla Shockley.
The Hon. Delana \i. Eckels, of Putnam, addressed the con\ention. The
report of the address given to the "Old Line Cniard" b\- James H. Carr.
secretary, and reprinted in the Hancock Democrat on August 2, 18O1. indi-
cates that the sjieaker con\'inced his audience of the statesmanship of John
C. Breckenridge, and that he "paid his respects" to the Douglas Democrats
as well as to the Republicans.
In the annual CJctober election of i860, at which certain county officers
were elected, the following tickets were in the field, each candidate receiving
the number of \oteil indicated:
Representative — John S. Hatfield, Republican, 1.190: Noble W'arrum.
Democrat. 1.332.
Recorder — Henry A. S\\i>i)e. Republican. 1.174: William R. West.
Democrat, i.jyS.
Commissioner. Mi<ldle District — Robinson Jarrett. Re])ul)lic;in, 1.169;
Hir.'im T\iier. Democrat. 1.364.
Cdnimissioner. Western District — Benjamin I'rceman. Republican. 1.172:
Elias McCord, Democrat. 1.364.
Coroner — Jacol> Wills. Kcpublican. i.i'i3: Barnabus I'.. ( irax". DeiiKicrat.
1.370.
Surveyor — Samuel Pi. Hill. Republican. 1.118: James K. King.
Democrat. 1.328.
The Demi}crats. although di\'ided on national issues, voted to,gcther on
this occasion .and their candidates were elected bv a majoriiv of a])proximatelv
175 \'otes. The total number of votes cast in tiie October election of i860
was 2.563.
In the presidential election held a tew weeks later, on November 6, i860.
(22)
338 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Stephen A. Douglas received 1,289 votes; Abraham Lincoln, 1,201 votes;
Breckenridge, 97 votes, and Bell, 26 votes. Following is the vote of the
county in i860, as reported by the townships :
Lincoln. Douglas. Breckenridge. Bell
Blue River 132 76 4 1
Brandywine 71 115 10 o
Brown 63 149 12 2
Buck Creek 117 71 1 o
Center 252 233 46 i
Green 79 152 4 o
Jackson 20I 137 II 6
Sugar Creek 136 197 3 1
X'ernon 150 159 6 15
Total 1,201 1.289 97 -'^'
The presidential campaign in Hancock county was very similar to the
campaign in other parts of the state. When the result l^ecame known there
was a great jollification by the Republicans because of their first national
\ictor\-. Dr. Howard, an ardent Republican, ijresented to his friend, but
political i>p])onent. Judge Gooding, the editor at that time of the l/aucniic
Democrat, a "Pass up Salt River" :
S.XLT RIVER PACKET
Pass David S. Gooding
over Salt River
On the "Fusion Packet"
until November 6, 1864.
Not transferable.
S. A. Douglas. President.
The judge accepted the "ticket" in good humor, and if we bear in mind
past political conditions we cannot fail to appreciate the keen wit in his
acknowledgment thereof, made through the columns of the Democrat :
"It was handed us by our friend. Dr. Howard, who has just returned
from quite a lengthy voyage in the Salt River countr)-. He assures us that
he has spent the greater and better portion of his life in that country: that
it is very healthful, productive, and in all respects desirable: so much so that
he expects to return on the next trip of 'Fusion Packet.' We gladly accept
and return our profotindest acknowledgment for the free pass. Mr. Douglas
POLITICS. 339
wisely selected an old and well-tried pr.cket; one that has carried the opposi-
tion np Salt River safel}' for the jjast twenty years. This being our first
voyage up Salt River, we will keep our friends advised from tin-.e to time
of the incidents of the voyage," etc.
If the people of Hancock county thought during the campaign of i<S()0
that they were passing through a campaign like all either campaigns, and
that after the election all excitement would be allayed, they were thoroughly
dis-illusioned before many months had passed. Their eyes were also opened
to the fact that existing conditions were imposing severer tests than political
parties had e\er before borne.
On April 13. 1S61. a Democratic mass meeting was held at the court
house at Greenfield. The officers of the meeting were: Jacob Slifcr. i)resi-
dent; Joseph Clayton and Presley Guymon, vice-presidents; William J. boos-
ter and David S. Scott, secretaries.
A great number of Democrats were in attendance. Tlie Sa.x-born band
stirred up enthusiasm with patriotic strains of music, an.d James L. Mason,
Dr. J. A. Hall and George Barnett delivered addresses. .\t the close of the
speaking Judge Gooding offered the following resolutions which were unani-
mously adopted :
"Whereas, we have ne\-er failed to oppose the political and also the
general policv of the Republican party ; and ivhcrcas. during the last Presi-
dential campaign and at the election, we zealously and consisteiUly opposed
and \'oted against .-Mirabam Jjncnln : and whereas, a majoril}- of the people
in a constitutional manner saw proper so to vote as to elect Mr. Lmcoln
President ;
"Whereas, for some cause not clearh- defined. se\'en states, since said
election have seen proper at their own option and cnnsultatidu. and in 'lefiance
of the general government, to assert their independence and secede from the
L'nion ; and zi'hereas, said states have organized a goxernment and by authority
of that govemment Ft. Sumter has been attacked and war commenced upon
the United States by the soulhein Confederacy: now therefore.
"Resolved, that it is the duty of all patriotic citizens, irrespective of party
names and distinctic^ns. ignoring for the present all past dissuasions and party
bitterness, to unite as one people in support of her common government.
"Resolved, that the success in a ]:)resential campaign of an\ pnliiical ]);irtv
now in existence is not a good or sufficient cause for secession or re\'olution.
"Resolved, that as Democrats and patriots we will vie with our political
opponents of other parties in our dixntion to the Union, and in our su]ipnrt
34° HANCOCK COLXTV, INDIANA.
of tlie lawfully constituted autliority of the government in the faithful
execution of their duties."
On April 17, 1861. the fallowing appeal was made tn the parly through
the columns oi the Hancock Dciuocrat :
"Fellow Democrats! Our country is engaged in a war in\olving its
honor and its very existence. It is not time for party dissensions or party
strifes. The past cannot now he recalled, hut the present and the future
must be looked to and we must decule without delay whether we will support
and defend our own government as true patriots or whether we will ]jrove
false to the Union cemented hy the blood of our fathers. We cannot doubt
you in this emergency of your country. W'e know that von will not dishonor
that good old party which has contributed so largely to maintain the rights
and honor of our glorious old flag in the face of the British Lion.
"Democrats of Hancock county! Let us be a united ])any, and heartily
cooperate with all patriots of whate\er partv. who faithfullv live and support
'he government of tiie I'nited States."
Later in the summer, wlien the time came fbr nominating tlie candi-
dates for the annual October election. 1861. new proJilems ])resented them-
selves, especially to the Democracy of the county. On August 3, 1H61, the
Democratic county central committee had a meeting at Greenfield. Dr.
Hall acted as chairman of the meeting and on motion of Montgomery Marsh,
Benjamin F. Caldwell was appointed secretary, with William Mitchell.
assistant. The central committee at that time was composed of the following
men: Blue River. William Xew : I'.rown, Montgomery Marsh; Brandywine.
Alfred Potts; Buck Creek, James Collins: Center, Dr. J. .\. Hall; Green.
Edward Barrett ; Jackson, Benjamin F. Caldwell : Sugar Creek, not rep-
resented ; \'ernon. W'iet Denney.
The committee decided to hold a "popular vote comention throughout
the county on the last Saturday of August. 1861, to nominate a Democratic
county ticket, and that such candidates as shall receive the highest votes at
the polls shall be declared the successful candidates, to be so proclaimed by
a delegate convention to assemble at (ireenfield on the first Saturday of
September. 1861." But since votes had been cast in the county for Douglas,
Breckenridge and Bell, at the Presidential election in i860, a question now
arose as to who should be allowed to vote in the ])opular vote convention that
the committee had just ordered. On this ])oint the following resolution was
adopted :
"Rcsoh'cd. that all men who voted for Stephen A. Douglas, John Bell,
POLITICS. 34 1
(">r John C. l^>rcckcnriflt;c. Ik- cntitlid lo vote at the i)()lls in the nnniinatnig
convention."
On nioiiiin. hdwever. tlic name of John P.ell \\;'.s stricken Ironi the alxne
resohition as tlie test nf Dcniucracv in the mmiinating cimx'ention.
On Angust i". iSOi. the Center townsliip Democratic convention was
railed to order at the court h.nuse at two ]). ni. This convention is interestinj;
Ix'canse of tiie fi.n'ht lietween the two factions of the Democratic partv for
ijie control of the convention. William l-'rost. township chairman, called
the meeting' to order. Judge Gooding nominated ("leorge \'. Atkison for
president; James L. 2\lason placed the name of William Fries in nomination.
The vote for president resulted in the election of Atkison by a large majority.
The election of .\tkison ga\e the Douglas Democrats the committee on
resolutions. The chair appointed Judge Gooding, Presley Guymon. William
Frost. Charles A. Wiggins and Levi Leary. After the appointment of this
committee James L. Mason introduce<l a series of resolutions directly into
the coinenlion. The chair. howe\cr, refused to ])lace the res((hitions before
the convention, hut referred them to the committee on resolutions. When
this committee reported. Judge Gooding, the chairman of the committee, said
that he had been directed to rcjiort hack Mr. Mason's resolutions with the
recominendalion that they Iw laid on the talile. He then offered the following
resolutions :
"U'lici cas. our countr\- is iiu'olved in ci\il war iinolving the very
existence of the gd\ernnient itself: therefore, we deem it pro])er to declare
our \ lews of government plainlv and explicith- at this critical juncture of
public affairs: therefore
"Rcsolx'cd. that we are devotedly attached to the Union of the States,
and the Constitution of the United States, and the faithful and impartial
execution of the laws made in jiursuance thereof, in every ])art of the
go\'ernment.
"Rcsohrd, that for the i)urpose of perpetuating the Union, and main-
taining the Constitution and executing the laws, we will sustain the govern-
ment of the United States in all proper efforts for the suppression of the
rebellion, and for such purposes we are in favor of a fii^oroiis prosecution of
ihc present deplorable civil zcar. in order to bring about a speedy and honor-
able peace.
"Resolved, that whenever, from any cause, the rebellion is ])ut down, or
■eases to exist, then the war shall cease : and all the constitutional and legal
rights of states and citizens shall be respected and maintained, and that we
34- HANCOCK COUNTY, IXUIAXA.
oppose the prosecution of the war for any other purpose than to suppress
the rebellion.
"Resoh'cd, that as Democrats we reaffirm our faith in the gfreat prin-
ciples of popular sovereignty as declared by the lamented Stephen A. Douglas
"Resolved, that all men who noz<' heartily approve and endorse the
platform of principles on w hich Stephen A. Douglas ran for the Presidency in
i860, are Democrats, and as such have a right to participate in the conven-
tions of the party, and none others have sucii a right.
"Resok'ed. that we approve and endorse the act of the extra session of
Congress in appropriating money and providing soldiers to sujjpress the
rebellion and that we are gratified at the entire unanimitv of ail patriotic
parties in its support.
"Resolved, tiiat we have no political sympathies with nortliern abolition
issues nor soulliern secession, but repudiate both as dangerous to our
government."
Dr. Pi. W. Cooper entered a protest against the adoption of the fourth
resolution, it being a conflict with the princijiles enunciated bv the Brecken-
ridge part}-. James L. Mason also entered liis protest to the fifth article.
He made a long statement and concluded by offering the following as an
amendment :
"Resolved, that all Democrats who voted for Thomas A. Hendricks for
governor in i860 shall be allowed to vote at the ensuing nominating polls of
Center township."
This amendment was tabled and the original resolutions were adopted
in the form in which they had been offered by the committee.
It will be recalled that in the resolutions adopted on Julv 28, i860, by
the Breckenridge Democrats, that popular sovereignty, or "squatter sov-
> ereignty," was condemned and tliat Stephen A. Douglas was denounced as
the Benedict Arnold of the Democratic party, .\rticles four and five, there-
fore could not possibly meet with the approval of the Breckenridge Democrats.
In fact the adoption of the above resolutions barred them from voting at
the convention. The breach between the factions of the party was becoming
wider and wider. Though the Douglas Democrats controlled the Center
township convention, the end in Center township was not yet. The above
resolutions, adopted by the Center township convention on August 17, 1861,
expressed the sentiments of the Douglas wing of the party and were pub-
lished in every issue of the Hancock County Democrat during the following
several vears.
POLITICS. 343
(^n August 22. 1861, wliich was about three weeks after the meeting
of the Democratic county central committee, and less than a week after tlie
Center townsliip Democratic convention, the Repulilican county central com-
mittee adopted resolutions, proposing- to the Democrats a joint Union county
ticket. The resolulinns were in the following words:
"Rcsok'ed, that we propose through their committee, to the Democratic
party of Hancock county, a joint Union ticket, for the offices to be filled at
the approaching- election.
"Rcsoh'cd, that should said Democratic c<inimittce accejit the proposition
of a Union ticket, they are cordially invited to meet this committee at its
meeting to be held at the court house, in Greenfield, on Tuesday, SeptemlDer
3, next, at one p. m., where tlie said committees may agree jointly upon a
(lix'ision nf the ticket for the different offices, and name the lime fur the
nomination of candidates.
"Resolved, that the foregoing resolutions be publishetl in the Ihmcock
Democrat. ' "E. I. Jt-'DKixs, Secretary.
"James P. Foley. Chairman.
"Greenfield. August 22. 1861."
These resolutinns were presented to the Democratic county central com-
mittee a few days later. The Democratic candidates, howe\er. had practically
made their canvass for the jwpular vote conx'ention, and the Democratic
central committee deemed it inadvisable to take such steps just at that time.
Pursuant to the decision of the Democratic county central committee,
made on August 3, 1S61, a Democratic poll was opened in each township on
the first Satttrday of September, 1861. The Douglas wing of the party polled
one hundred and fifty-three votes in Center township, which were cast for
candidates and also for delegates to the county convention. The delegates
who received the majority of votes in Center township were David S. Good-
ing, George Atkison and Preslev Gu\ni()n. On the same day the Xaliona!
Democrats, or the I'rcckenridge wing of the party, opened another and sep-
arate poll in Center township, where thirty-seven votes were cast for can-
didates and delegates. The delegates receiving the largest number 01 votes at
this poll were James L. Mason. John H. White and Lx)uis Cooper. The
delegates named in each poll in Center township presented their credentials
as delegates to the Democratic countv convention on September 7. A con-
test at once arose and much confusion followed in the convention. The
Douglas Democrats from Center township were finally seated, but from
some of the other townships, delegates from the National Democratic wing
344 HANCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
were seated. The conveiitinn nominated the following ticket: Clerk, Morgan
Chandler: county treasurer. John Addison: slieriff, Samuel Archer; commis-
sioner eastern district. William Xew.
Following the rejection of their proposal by the DemoL-ratic central com-
mittee, tile Republican county central committee on September 3. 1861,
atlopted the following resolutions:
"Whereas, the government of the United States is sorely beset by a
combination of traitors, so powerful as to endanger the preservation of the
Union : and as ])arty conventions and party nominations are calculated to
engender discussions among the people ; and as we earnestly desire unity of
action and feeling in relation to our government; therefore
"Rcsokrd. that we recommend to the Republican party of Hancock
county to forego all party conventions and party nominations for the pres-
ent, and support for the offices to be filled at the coming election in this
county such men as are unconditionally for the Union in heart and soul as
well as speech, regardless of former political opinions.
"Ordered that t!ie foregoing be published in the Hancock Democrat.
"James P. Foley, Chairman.
"E. I. JuDKiNS, Secretary.
"September 3. 1861."
A few days later, on Septemlier 11, 1861. tlie following notice calling for
n convention appeared in the- columns of the Hancock Democrat:
"tnion mass meeting.
"There will he a Union mass meeting at Greenfield on Saturday, Sep-
tember 14. 1 86 1, at one ]). m.. to nominate candidates, irrespective of party,
for the several offices to be filled at tlie ensuing October election. Let all
the Union men — all who are willing to sacrifice party organizations and
platforms on the altar of their county — be promptly in attendance at the
appointed time. Tlie meeting will be held at the court house.
"Union Men."
A convention, as announced in the above notice, was held. The weather
on September 14. however, was very inclement and only a few people from
the outlying townships were present. Dr. P.allenger was chosen president
and Joseph B. Atkison and M. \'. Chapman, secretaries. Tlie convention
then adjourned to meet again at one p. m. on Thursday of the following
week, September 18.
POLITICS. 345
At tlie appttinlcd time the convention asseml)le(l at the court lious'j and
;he following proceedings were had: Thomas C". Tuttle. Democrat, of Sugar
Creek, was chosen chairman: M. V. Chapman, Democrat, and Joseph B.
Atkison, Republican, secretaries: John Dye, Democrat, and Judge Walker,
Repulilican, vice-presidents.
Nelson llogle. Republican, nommatecl Cieorge liarnett, iJemociat. as
Union candidate for clerk. Adopted. Joseiih E. .Atkison, Republican, n'ln-
inated Taylor W. Thomas. Republican, for sheriff. Adopted. Thomas Bed-
good, Repulilican, nominated Elani I. Judkins for treasurer. Richard Hackle-
man was nominated for commissioner in the eastern district. R. A. Riley
nominated Dr. Isaac 11. P>allenger, Democrat, for coroner. Adopted.
The following committee on resolutions was then appointed by the
chairman: b~lias Marsii, Democrat: John Dye, Democrat: Dr. Rallenger,
Democrat: R. .\. Riley, Republican: J. C. R. Layton. Republican.
This committee reported the following resolutions, whicli were unani-
mously adopted :
"Believing as we do, that when the all-al)sorbing m.'ignitude of the con-
test in which the government is now engaged, shall be fully and universally
understood and appreciated, there can be no such thing as a traitor to that
government, or a sympathizer with the treason now seeking its overthrow,
except the mere desperado.
"The contest is al'jove the organization or |ierpetuation of the Democratic
parly, the Republican partv, or anv otb.er ])artv. Should the rebellion succeed,
all the political machinery will be liuried in the common ruins of the
government.
"The contest inxolvcs not only the maintenance of the Constitution and
the Union of the States, but also the hopes of the world in the constitutional,
political and religious freedom, and man's ca])abilitv for self-government.
Every intelligent Christian philanthropist and every patriot ought, and will be
found earnest and willing, against all o])position, to sustain and perpetuate
our Constitution and L^nion.
"The destruction of the Constitution and Union by those engaged in
rebellion invohes the conmiission of the following, among other crimes;
"First. Moral f^crjiiry. in seeking to overthrow the Constitution they
had sworn to support.
"Second. Treason, in levying war a,gainst the government and giving
aid and comfort to her enemies.
"Third. Murder, in taking the lives of loyal citizens.
"l-"riurth. Theft, in stealing the jiublic property.
34^ HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
"Fifth. Robbery, in taking by force tlie property of the government
and that of private citizens. Who but a desperado could comphcate himself
with all those crimes, or give sympathy, directly or indirectly encourage, aid
or abet those desperate villains in the destruction of liberties? And, knowing
thai in Union there is strength, while ])arly strife and division is Ijut weakness,
and believing as we do, that in the language of the patriotic Holtcomb of
Kentucky, 'So long as the rebels have arms in their hands there is nothing
left to compromise but the honor of the government.' And that 'no man
witli a soul above a coward is prepared for such submission' and that 'the
word compruDiisc cannot now be uttered except In- disloyal lips, or bv those
speaking directly in the interests of rebellion" ;
"And that in the language of the lamented Douglas, '\Vhoe\er is not
prepared to sacrifice party organizations and platfonns on the altar of this
country does not deserve the support and countenance of honest people,' and
fully realizing that all we are, and all we can hope for ourselves and our
children, is wrapjied up in the success and perpetuit}' of our Constitution;
therefore
"Resok-cd, that we will lay aside party jjlatforms and party organiza-
tions upon the altar of our common country, that our influence and strength
may not be wasted in domestic party feuds and bickerings: but tli;it we may
in solid phalanx present but a single voice, influence and action of patriotic
and efficient devotion to the maintenance and perpetuity of our glorious
Constitution and I'nion. and a united opposition to disunion, treason and
rebellion.
"Rcsolz-cd, that we fraternally invite all. without distinction of ])arty, lo
unite with us, sitpporting no one for official place whose patriotism does r.ot
and cannot be made to rise al>ove mere parly."
The Union ticket placed in the field by the convention was su])ported hy
the Republicans and by a number of Democrats. Following are both tickets
with the votes received by each candidate in the October election, 1861 :
Clerk — George Bamett. Union. 960: Morgan Chandler. Democrat,
1. 127.
Treasurer — Flam I. Judkins, Union, 924: John Addison, Democrat,
1,176.
Sheriff — Taylor \V. Thomas, Union, 1.003: Samuel Archer. Democrat.
1,096.
Commissioner. Fastern District — Richard Hackleman, Union. 877:
William Xew. Democrat, 1,166.
POLITICS. 347
Although there liad been a division in the Democratic party in the nom-
inating convention, IjuI one ticket was put into the field and hoth wings oi
the party supported it.
Following the election of i860, when the rift in the Democratic organ-
ization in the county hecame apparent, each faction posed as llie Democratic
party. There was much strife between the factions and each said many ugly
things about the other, when the other assumed to represent the real Dem-
ocratic party of old. To say that feeling between the factions, and especially
later lietween the Democrats and the "Union DeiiKjcrats," was l)itter, is stat-
ing it very mildly indeed. After the Union party was organized the mem-
bers of the factions of the old Democratic party that remained in the county
were openly called "Butternuts," "Traitors," "Rebels," "Secessionists" — in
fact, anything that expressed or smacked of disloyalty. But these charges
the party answered in resolutions adopted in convention, and those resolu-
tions will hereinafter be set out to speak for themselves. Unfortunately,
however, for the National Democrats of the county, John C. Breckenridge,
whom they had recognized as the "Able, tried and true opponent of the prin-
ciples so dear to every N.-ttional Democrat," was expelled from the United
States Senate within about a vear after Lincoln's election, because of his
sympathy for the South. He was at once made a major-general in the Con-
federate anny. Later he became secretary of war of the Southern Confed-
eracy. It is needless to comment on the effect of his action upon the people
in Hancock count}-. His followers who had so heartily endorsed him, and
in fact all who remained in the Democratic party during that period had to
bear the criticism occasioned by his disloyalty.
The rock upon which the local Democratic ship foundered, howe\'er, was
the manner of dealing with the rebellion. The Douglas Democrats favored
a vigorous prosecution of the zi\tr. This was also the policy of the Repub-
lican party, and of the LTnion party that came into existence in 1861. The
National Democrats, or Breckenridge followers, opposed the 7'igorous pros-
ecution of the zcar. and advocated compromise for the solution of the nation's
difficulties. Throughout the war, after the National Democrats had again
merged \\ith those Douglas Democrats that had not joined with the Union
party, the Democrats of the count\- always put great emphasis on the word
coiiiproinisc in their political speeches, resolutions, etc. The Union party, on
the other hand held, as they stated in their first series of resolutions
adopted in their county convention on September 18, 1861, that "there is
nothing left to compromise but the honor of the country," and that "the word
compromise cannot now be uttered except by disloyal lips or by those speak-
348 HANCOCK COLNTV, INDIANA.
ing directly in the interest of reliellinn." Tliis construction put upon the
basic principles of the Democracy of tlie county during the first years of tlie
war. made tiiem traitors. The student of local history will have to determine
for himself the correctness of the conclusions enunciated in the various resolu-
tions herein set out. It will be accepted without challenge, iiowever. that the
divergence between the parties became so great, and that their acts and
expressions were held in such a light that it engendered a degree of bitter-
ness in the count)- that tlie present generation can hardly understand.
Other resolutions ado])ted at various township and count v conventions
will tlirow additional light upon all of these matters. The following resolu-
tions, for mstance, were adopted by the Democracy of Brandy wine township
on August 31, ] 86 1 :
"jrhcrcas, uur county is now involved in civil war and in difficulties
unprecedented: and whereas, these difficulties have been fomented Iiy the
Abolitionists of the Xorth. and the Secessionists of the South, both of whom
have been disunionists for \ears, and bv the sectional policy of the Repub-
lican party, these difficulties have been increased, endangering the safety of
the Union and the liberties of the people : and whereas, the present war could
and ought to ha\e been a\'oided h\' coiiif'roiiiisc, and would have been had not
the Republican part\- liy a strong effort to ingraft into our government their
irrepressible doctrines, and therel)y defeated every measure offered by the
Democracy to secure a peaceable solution of the sectional troubles ; therefore
"Resolved , that we deplore the present civil war as a national calanmv.
rmd that its future [prosecution by either ])artv will lie ruinous to l)olh sections;
and are therefore solicitous that this war between brethren shall cease the
very instant that terms of adjustment can be agreed on alike honoralile to all
the states and people ; and to that end it is the duty of every patriot to exert
all his energies for the adoption of such measures as will prove most effectual
in terminating hostilities, and thereby restoring to our beloved countrv all
the blessings of peace.
"Resolved, that the Democracy of Brandywine township yield to none
in our devotion to the Union, our attachment to the Constitution, and loyalty
to our glorious flag: to viudicate the court, and uphold the Stars and Stripes,
and for all other legal and loyal jiurposes we will contribute our Last doll;u —
if need be our blood. Our motto is. 'Millions for defense but not one cent
for coercion or subjugation oi sovereign states."
"Resolved, that the charge of Republicans against Democrats with being
.secessionists and disunionists is a foul and infamous falsehood. There is not
now — there never has been — a Democrat in the Xorth. in favor of secession
POLITICS. 349
nr disunion — they arc all for tlie Union — wliile ex'ery disnninnist is ajjainst
couif'rdinisc and lOr the war. that nnisl inevitahl\- se\'er tlic I'ninn and
render recon.striictiun im])ossihle.
" Rrs<ilrrd. tliat the freiitient vinlatiuns nf tlie Cunsthiition df the L'nitcd
States 1)\- ihe jiresent e\ecuti\e and ihuse under liis authorilv dcser\-e and
should reeeixe the strong cundemnation nt ever_\- friend of eonstitutional
government.
" Rcsoli'cd. that the Democratic parl\-, li\' its wise and patriotic action
ui the past, presents itself to the nation as the only part\- ca])ahle of guiding
onr countr)' through these jierilous times, and in our o])inion the only hope
for the L nion and our free institiuions is to restore the administration of the
goxeinment to the wisdom and guidance of Democratic statesmen, ;nid we
are. therefore, ullerK opj^osed to fusing with the Repuldicans in making our
nominations, as is proposed h_\- a few unsafe and weak-kneed Democrats.
"Rcsohrd. that we recei\e with ])rofotuid sorrow the news of the' liattle
of Manassas, and the defeat of our anuy ; and while we mourn t!ie fate of
those who hraveh' fell, we are constrained to lielieve the humiliating hlow
was in consecjuence of the negligence and mismanagement of the President
and his cahinet in their utter disregard of the nu'litar\- knowledge of (ieueral
Scott, and the couiury will hold tliem responsihle for all the (li.sasters of that
ill-turned and ill-directed hattle ; that no such o\er\vhelming defeat could
ha\e come upon us, with troops as brave and patriotic as our uohle \olunieers,
had the_\- heen efficiently officered and properly cared for.
"Joiix I'. r>AXKS.
"Chairman of Resolution Committee."
On the same day. .\ugust 31. i8()i. the Jackson township Democratic
conyention was also held. On motion of Xohle W'arruni. .\. \'. B. Sample
was elected chairman ; E. C. Reeves, xice-jiresident, and I'.dward F. Scott,
secretary The chairman -i])])ointed the following committee on resolutions:
Burd Lacy, T. C. Walker, Thomas Clascock. .Xohle Warrum, (ie:)rge W.
Samjile.
This committee offered the following resolutions, which were unani-
mously adopted :
"Rcsokni. tliat we are opposed to proscription either in religion or
politics: that we are in faxor of a strict construction of tie Constitution and
r.o assum])tion of douhiful powers, either by the n;Uional or state governments.
" ki'S(il:\-d. that retaining that \eneration for the Constitution, the I'nion
and the laws, which has e\er characterized i>ur party, we deprecate and
350 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
denounce all men, both Xorth and South, who may lend their aid and coun-
tenance to destroy our government, ov any of its constitutional guarantees.
"Resolved, that the Democratic party has ever advocated union and
harmony between the conflicting portions of our country, and a peaceable
solution of all our troubles, yielding to ever)' section its constitutional rights ;
and we therefore declare that we are in no wise responsible for the troubles
that now afflict our beloved country.
"Resolved, that we congratulate the brave men' of Indiana who have vol-
unteered at the call of their countr}', upon the success that has thus far
attended their arms ; and that we endorse the action of those Democrats in
the Congress of the United States who voted men and money at the call of
the government: but we hold it to be the duty of the civil authorities to see
that our soldiers are battling in a necessary as well as a just cause, and
therefore, the olive branch of peace should go with the sword, and that,
therefore. Congress should have adopted the resolutions offered by .Mr. L'ox.
or some other proposition of the same nature and effect.
"Resolzrd, that we regard as vital, the constitutional right of free
speech, the freedom of the press, and the writ of habeas corpus, and that they
should he held sacred In- the American people, as the priceless heritage given
to us by our fathers.
"Rcsolint, that the Democrats of Jackson township are, as ever, loyal to
the Constitution and the laws — that we are in favor of their rigid enforce-
ment, everxwhere throughout the United .States upon all occasions: that we
will sustain the administration in all its constitutit)nal efforts to maintain
the government, and we declare our disapprobation of all violations of the
fundamental laws of the country, as well in the President and his cabinet as
in the humblest citizen.
"Rcsoh'ed, that, forgetting all past differences in our party, we will unite
for the sake of the Union of the States, and the maintenance of the Con-
stitution: that we denounce all attempts to divide our ranks by appeals to
former divisions, and rejoice in the return of ])eace and harmony in our part}-,
as the harbinger of the peace and harmony of our country.
"Rcsokrd, that \\e have no sympathy, aid or comfort for Xortliern
.-\bolitionists or Southern Secessionists, for we view- both as the cause of our
present great difficulties — each alike guilty.
Resolved, that we have no confidence in the good faith and efficiency
of manv of the present self-constituted Union savers, who have heretofore
acted in such a fanatical manner as to destroy confidence in the different
sections of our lieloved countrv."
POLITICS. 351
The Union party, which liad a county organization perfected in the fall
of 1861, and which was composed of Repuljlicans and many Doug-las Dem-
ocrats, adopted a part of tlie last speech of Stephen A. Douglas as its ])lat-
form on the solution of the prohlems that were before the country.
The Hancock Democrat, with David S. Gooding as editor-in-chief, in
I*"el)ruary became its organ and the following excerpt from the last speech
of Douglas was jniljlished at the head of its editorial column in practically
every issue after 1861 :
"Whoever is not prepared to sacrifice party organizations and platforms
on the altar of his country does not deserve the support and countenance of
honest men. llow are wc to overcome jjartisan antipathies in the minds of
men of all parties so as to present a united front in support of our country?
IVe must cease discussing party issues, make no allusion to old party tests,
liave no criniinations and recriminations, indulge in no taunts one against the
other as to ■^^•ho has been the cause of these troubles.
"When we shall ha\e rescued the government and countr}' from its perils,
and seen its flag floating in triumph over every inch of American soil, it will
then l)e time enough to inquire as to who and what have brought these troubles
upon us, \\'hen we shall have a country and a goxernment for our children
10 li\e in peace and happiness, it shall be time for each of us to return to our
party banners according to our convictions of right and duty. Let him be
marked as no true patriot who will not abandon all such issues in times like
these."
During the remainder of the war the two principal parties in Hancock
county were the Democratic party and the Union party. In the spring of
1862 the second call for a Union convention appeared in the columns of the
Hancock Democrat. Tliis call contained a fuller statement of the policy of
the Union party and was signed "Many Democrats and Many Re])ublicans."
The following is the call as published :
"rXIOX CONVENTION CENTER TOWNSHIP.
"Will be held Saturday, 29th day of :\larch, 1862, at 1 o'clock 1'. M., at
the Court House in Greenfield, for the jjurpose of nominating the proper can-
didates to be voted for at the .April election, l.y all patriotic men, irrespective
of partv. All patriotic .Democrats and Republicans, who earnestly and heartily
support the government //; the I'lgorous prosecution of the Zivr for the sup-
pression of this wanton and wicked rebellion, are invited to participate in the
3i5^ HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
selection of candidates, whose merits and patriotism are nnquestioned. A
full attendance of the masses is important and very desirable.
"Many Democrats,
"Many Repiblkans."
"March 19, A. D. 1862.
At the April township elections in 1862, the L'nion party elected some of
its candidates in several nf the townships, including- Blue River. Center and
Buck Creek.
On July ly. 1862, the Democratic county convention was held at (ireen-
ficld. James L. Mason called the meeting to order, and the following officers
were elected : John Foster, president ; George Tague. William Handy, W'dliam
Potts and John Sample, vice-presidents : Alfred Shaw and George West,
secretaries.
This convention appointed the following delegates to the congressional
convention, to be held later: Wellington Collyer. \\'illiam Xew. .\ndrew
Childers, Joseph \\'rigbt. Dr. B. W. Cooper. Xeri Jarrett. Edward P. Scott,
Dr. Paul Esby, William Shore.
The following county ticket was nominated : Representative. Xoble
^\'arrum : joint re])resentative, James L. Mason ; surveyor, George W. .Sam-
ple: commissioner western district, E. S. Bottsford.
'J"he following men composed the committee on re.solutions : William
H.uuly. jiilm P. Banks, Montgomery Mar.sh. John Collins. William I'ries,
Edward \'alentine. George W. S-!m])le. Ernest H. Eaut, \Mniam Jackson.
This ccjmmittee offered the following, which were unanimouslv adojitcd :
"Whereas, this government has been administered by conservatives and
conservative principles almost exclusively frotn its organization u]) to the
time of the triumph of the sectional Republican party, by the election of Mr.
Lincoln to the Presidencv in 1860: and gc)\-erned. too, with c(|ual and exact
justice to evcr\- portion of the country, l-",ast. West. Xorth and .'~^nnlli; gov-
erned in such manner and upon such princijjles as to insure res])ectful obedi-
ence to the Constitution and laws of our country, thereby insuring industry,
hap])iness and brotherly kindness between sections, and making us one of the
great nations of the earth commercially, politically, socially and religiously:
therefore, be it
"Rcsolrcd. that we stand by that good old conservative parly and con-
servative principles that have controlled and sustained our government from
the (lavs of Washington. Jefferson and other patriots to the present time,
firmlv l>elieving that if the Constitution is to be maintained and the Union
POLITICS. 353
ri'Flored and ccnicntt'd to its former greatness and power, il nnisl be dune
nn crinser\ative Demoeralie principles.
"Ri'xoh-rd. tliat a.s Democrats and cnnservatives, we will render all the
aid in mn power, in a ccinstitulic)n;d and legal manner, for the suppression oi
the present wicked and formidable rebellion, at the .same time sokninlv pro-
testing- against the reckless and fanatical emancipation and abolition schemes
tiiat have recently been enacted in our national legislature, and demanding
from the authorities at our national capital and elsewhere, that there shall be
no more fraud, corru])tion and public plundering of our own li.ard-earned and
needy nation.al and state treasuries.
"Rcsolrnl . that as Democrats and conservati\es, we earnestl\- and ileepix'
^vm])alllize and pra\" ferxenth' for the success oi our bra\'e volunteers fnjm
every section of our countiy, but more particularly for those brave and hardy
sons of Hancock that have imperiled their lives, their fortunes and their all,
in defense and for the maintenance of the Constitution as it is, and the restor-
ation of the L'nion as it was.
"Rrsok'cd. that we treat with utter conteiupt the charge that Democrats
are disunionists and svmpathizers with the reliels in their efforts to sulnert
the laws and o\ertbrow the government and we hereby hurl back the slander-
ous charge, and brand our slanderers with being the only secessionists and
aiders of rebellion in their efforts to overthrow the government, and look
upon the Abolitionists North and Secessionists South as ec|ually opposed to
the government and laboring for the same ends."
The convention also left no doubt in the mind (if anyone as to where
thev placed the Hancock Dciiiocraf. On this point the following resolution
was adopted :
"Rcsolrcd , that as there is no Democratic jiaper published in Hancock
comity, we request the Indiatia State Sentinel and the Sliclbyz'illc I'olnntccr
to publish the proceedings of this con\-entii)n."
Thomas .\. Hendricks addressed the people assembled in this convention.
.\t the same time that the Democratic county convention was being held
at Greenfield on July 19, 1862, a Union meeting was being hekl at Charlottes-
\ille. Judge ( looding- addressed a l.'irge congregation of people for almost
three hours. John Wood. Denmcrat, presided at the meeting. Benjamin
Reeves. Democrat, was chosen vice-president, and John Smith, Republican,
for secretary.
Just a week later there was also a Union meeting and pole raising at
Allen's Cnrner, in lUue River trnvushi]).
354 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Immediately following the Democratic county convention the following
notice appeared in the issue of July 22,. 1862, of the Hancock Democrat:
MASS
UNION COXVEXTIOX
in
HANCOCK COUNTY
on
SATURDAY, 2ND DAY OF AUGUST, 1862,
At 10 o'clock A. M.
At Greenfield.
GOV'NOR JOSEPH A. WRIGHT !
and others will address the people.
All Democrats, Republicans, and others who are Union men, and in favor of uniting
all patriots, without regard to party differences, in a common effort to save the country,
and restore the Union as it was and maintain the Constitution as it is, by a z-igorous prosecu-
tion of the li-'ar to suppress this wicked and causeless rebellion, are hereby urged to partici-
pate in the convention.
Nominations will be made for Representative, County Commissioner and Surveyor.
COME OUT, PATRIOTS, with vour families and let us have a GRAND DAY— .A
GENERAL REUNION OF PATRIOTIC HEARTS.
M.\NV Democr.^ts,
M.\NY REPfBLIC.\NS.
It was said that this call brought out tlie largest mass nominating con-
vention held in the county up to that time. It was held at Pierson's grove.
T. J. Hanna called the convention to order. David S. Gooding was elected
cliairman. The following vice-presidents were elected: Blue River. Richard
Hackleman, Elijah Tyner; Brown, Alfred Thomas, Thomas Collins; Brandy-
wine, Peter Pope, S. and William Workman; Buck Creek, S. H. Amett.
William Steele: Center. R. A. Riley, John Martin; Green. Meredith Gosney,
W. R. P'errell ; Jackson, Andrew Pauley, John Barrett ; Sugar Creek, .Adam
Hawk, George Leachman ; Venion, Henry N. Thompson, Elias McCord.
William Mitchell. William P. Barrett and William R. Hough acted as
secretaries of the convention. The chairman appointed the following com-
mittee on resolutions: Blue River, John 1. Hatfield, Ezekial Tyner; Brandy-
wine. I. N. Pope, John Roberts; Brown, Dr. William Trees, John Sparks;
Buck Creek, Thomas J. Hanna, William Steele; Center, William R. Hough,
: Cireen, Jefferson Ferrell. H. Moore; Jackson. Sam-
uel Smith. John Woods ; Sugar Creek, Thomas C. Tuttle, James E. Smith ;
\enion. Solomon Jackson. AMlliam F. IMcCord.
William R. Hough was elected chairman of the committee on resolu-
tions. He offered the following, which were adopted:
'•Whereas, the national government is engaged in a war against it by its
enemies for the purpose of its destruction, and the subversion of our form
of sfovemment ; therefore
POLITICS.
355
"Resolved, that the present civil war was forced upon ihc country h\ the
disunionists in the Soutliern states, who are now in rebelHiMi against the con-
stituted government tliat in the present emergency, we, the people of Han-
cock, in convention asscml)lc(l. forgetting all former political differences, and
recollecting only our duty to the whole country, do pledge ourselves to aid
with men and money the I'igoroiis proscoition of the present war, which is
n.jt being waged upon tlie part of our government for the pur])ose of coercing,
subjugation or the overthrowing or interfering with the right or established
institutions of any of the states, but to suppress and put down a wicked and
causeless rebellion, defend and maintain the supremac\- of the Constitution,
and to preserve the Union with all the dignity, ecpialitv. and rights of the
several .states unimpaired, and when these objects are fully accomplished,
and not Ijefore, we beliexe the war ought to cease; and that we invite all who
coincide in these .sentiments to unite with us in the support of the ticket this
day nominated.
"Resolved, that as long as patriotism, courage and the love of consti-
tutional liberty shall be honored and revered among the people of the United
States, the heroic conduct of the soldiers of the Union, who have offered
their lives for the s.alvation of their country, will lie remembered with the
most profound feelings of \-eneration and gratitude, and that we now tender
to them the warmest thanks and lasting gratitude of every member of this
convention.
"Resolved, that we tender to the sixty thousand volunteers from Indiana
our heart-felt congratulation, and hail with pride the fact that upon every
battlefield where Tndianians have been found, they have displayed the bravery
of patriots in the defense of a glorious cause, and we pledge them that while
thev are subduing armed traitors in the field, we will condemn at the ballot
box all those in our midst 7i'ho are not unconditionally for the Union.
"Resolved, that \oble Warrum, one of the representatives of this county
in the last legislature, bv his vote for the minority re])ort of the committee
of thirteen on federal relations denying the constitutional power of the gen-
eral goxernment to prevent a state from seceding from the Union: also
assurring the rebels of the aid and assistance of more than a millicni freemen
of Indiana to resist the goveniment. misrepresented Hancock county, and
we hereby re]nidiatc and disown his act."
Heretofore the Union conventions had beer, called liy "Union Men" <>r
by "Many Democrats." "Many Republicans," etc. In this convention, how-
ever, a Uniiin countv central committee was selected, composed of the follow-
ing men : l>lue River. Nathan 1). Coffin. Richard Hacklenrm : Brown. Joseph
7,^6 HANCOCK CUCNTV, IXDIAXA.
Stanley, Pliineas R. Thomas; Buck Creek, Thomas J. Hanna, W'ilham Steele;
Brandywine. John Roberts. Isaac X. Pope; CIreen, Jefferson Ferrell, H.
Moore; Jackson, Thomas M. Bedgood, Percy McOuerry; Sugar Creek, Adam
Hawk. Henry Merlan ; Verr.on. I-evi Thomas. Lightfoot ; Center,
William j-'rost. William Frost was elected chairman of this committee.
The following tickets were before the people of the county in the annual
October election, in 1862. each candidate receiving the number of votes
indicated :
Joint Representative — George W. Hatfield. Union, 1,349: James Mason,
Democrat, 1,199.
County Representative — George V. Atkison, Union. 1.315; Xoble War-
rum, Democrat, 1,220.
Commissioner. Western District — F.lias McCord. Union. 1.340; E. S.
Bottsford. Democrat, 1,218.
Surveyor — James K. King. Union. 1.217; George W. Sample. Democrat.
J-345-
The I'niiin party carried the county by an approximate majority of one
hundred \'otes.
In the spring elections of township officers, in 1863. the Union candi-
dates were elected in some of the townships, while in others the Democrats
were successful. In Blue River township the Union vote for township tru.stee
was divided between B. F. Luse. John Hunt and James P. Xew. The Dem-
ocratic candidate was elected. In X'ernon township the Union candidate,
Levi Thomas, received 129 votes and George W. Stanley, Democrat, 140
votes. The Union vote in the townships, however, was not as large as it
bad been in the previous fall elections, while the Democratic vote held its
own.
On May 16, 1863, the Union central committee held a meeting, at which
the ])roposition of uniting with the Democrats on the selection of a county
ticket was considered. The committee finally adopted the following resolu-
tions, which were iiresented t<i the Democratic central committee:
"Greenfield, Ind., May 16. 1863.
"Messrs. B. F. Caldwell and Others, Committee:
"Sirs: The following preamble and propositions, on behalf of the
Union county central committee, are herewith presented to your consideration,
to-wit :
"ll'/iciTiis, our country is involved in an unfortunate, unnecessary and
POLITICS. T,Z,J
causeless intenieiine war. Cdinnienced wantonlv and wickedly, and still waited
in the same spirit by rebels and trailers, against the g-ovemment of the United
States: and whereas, the rel;cllion is of such magnitude as imminently jeop-
ardizes the safet\- of the people and the ])cri)etuity of the government: and
whereas, in our opinion, the government, in its efforts to sujipress the rebel-
lion, greatlv needs the united sujiporr of all Union men: and whereas, the
perpetuity of nld ])art_\' organizations tends to engender and continue crim-
inations, strife and division among loyal men, when nothing of the kind
should exist: therefore, to nn'tigate. and. if possible, avoid the e\"ils grow-
ing out of ])arty contest at a time like this, and to preserve and cement good
feeling among all loyal men. we. the L'nion central committee of Hancock
county, on behalf of our friends, submit to the central committee claimmg to
represent the Democracy, the following propositions, viz.:
"That no nominating convention be lield in the countv during the ])resent
year (1863).
"If this projiosition is not acceptable, then we propose that two central
committees unite in calling a count}' nominating con\-ention, to be composed
of or represent all men who are for the Union, the Constitution and the
vigorous prosecution of the icar to suppress the reloellion.
"Hoping that the preamb.le and propositions will be fa\orablv considered,
"Respectfully, etc..
"William b^ROST. Chairman,
"William Mitchell, .Secretary."
Even the most casual perusal of the above pro])nsals will reveal the fact
that its adiiptiiin li\- the Democrats would have involved the complete sur-
render of all of the ])rinciples which hat! l)een enunciated in their own resolu-
tions adopted from time to time. Each ])arty again nominated its county
ticket for the October election, in 1863. The tickets, with the number of
votes received by each c;uidid;'.te, were as follow :
Treasurer — Xelson P.radley, Union, 1.382: John Addison, l^emocrat,
1,198.
Auditor — Ly.sander Sparks, Union, 1.385: Mont.gomery Marsh, Dem-
ocrat. 1,195.
Sheriff — William C.. Caldwell. Union. 1.394: Jonathan Dunbar, Dem-
ocrat. 1.162.
Commissioner — John Ilinchman. Union, i.,^88; Hiram Tyner, Dem-
ocrat, 1. 19 1.
^^8 HANXOCK COUXTV, IXDIAXA.
Coroner — Isaac Ballenger, Union, 1.382; \\'arner G. Smoot, Democrat,
1.187.
The approximate majority in each of the varimis townships at tliis time
was as follows :
Townships. L'nion. Democrat.
Blue River • 45
Brandywine 80
Brown •. 45
Buck Creek 34
Center 276
Green 65
Jackson 74
Sugar Creek 75
\"emon 15
Total 4-44 239
The Union ticket tints had a majority of approximately two hundred
votes in the county.
After the votes liad been counted, Jonathan Dunbar, the Democratic
candidate for sheriff, lorought an action to contest tlie election. The action
was brought before tiie board of county commissioners of Hancock county.
All the candidates on the ticket witli the exception of the candidate for
prosecutor were made defendants. The petitioner gave the following
grounds, in substance, as the basis for jiis right to contest the election :
&
"Tiiat the i>allot liox in Center tuwiwhi]) was stuffed liy persims unknown
to tiie contestor.
"That force and violence were used at the polls in Center township, and
thereby \oters were excluded from the polls who desired to vote for the con-
testor atid his associate candidates.
"That \'Otes were allowed to l)e cast for the Union candidates by persons
who were not citizens of the county.
"Tliat minors were allowed to vote the Union ticket."
The lioard of county commissioners dismissed the petition for the reason
that the statute governing the case pro\-ided that "wlien the office of county
auditor is contested sucli statement shall 1)e filed witli the clerk." In this
action the coitnty aitditor liad been made a party defendant. From the
POLITICS. 359
(iecisicin of tlie board the petitioner appealed to tiie Hancock circuit court,
.Montj^oinery Marsh and John Addison going on his l)ond. t')n Fcliruary 26.
I1S64, tlie cause was dismissed on motion of the plaintiff.
One \ear later, at the October election, in 1864. the Democratic ticket was
successful. The tickets before the people in this election, with the number
of votes received by each candidate, were as follow :
Representative — Thomas C. Tuttle, Union, 1,361 ; John H, White, Dem-
ocrat, 1.395.
Recorder — Benjamin T. Raines, Union, 1,363; Levi Leary, Democrat,
1.392.
Surveyor — George W. Hatfield. Union, 1,362; William Trees, Dem-
ocrat, 1,395.
Commissioner — Benjamin Reeves, Union, 1,358; William Xew, Dem-
ocrat, 1,398.
At the Presidential election in November, 1864, Lincoln and McClellan
receix'ed the following number of votes:
Townships. Lincoln. McClellan.
Blue River 134 79
Brandywine 48 742
Brown 95 .'.29
Buck Creek 134 91
Center 349 ^17
Green 86 146
Jackson 223 138
Sugar Creek 126 207
\'ernon 177 168
Total 1.372 1,3
,■)/
PERIOD OF RECONSTRUCTION.
A L^nion mass convention was held August 26, 1865, at Greenfield.
Klias iMcCord was elected president of tlie convention ; Henry W. Thompson
and Henrv C. Moore, vice-presidents; \\'illiam Mitchell and Dr. E. W. Pier-
son, secretaries. The resolutions committee was composed of ^^'illianl Frost,
Dr. M. McManee. H. L. Moore, John Thomas and A. H. Allison. The
following resolutions were adopted Ijy this convention :
"Resolved, that the Union party of this county, composed of ?\\ such
ns have ignored all past parties and party issues in a common patriotic pur-
3<^0 HANCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
pose of saving the govemment of the United States from overthrow, is. if
possible, now more than ever devoted to the Constitution :ind Union of our
common country.
■'That coercion has saved the government and counirv from o\xrtliro\v
and ruin, and the policy of the Union jiarty in thf iirosccution of tlic war has
proxen a complete success.
"That we rejoice that the causeless and wicked rebellion lias been sup-
pressed, our country saved, and jieace restored, without a disiionorable com-
promise with traitors in arms, by the labors, toils, privations and sacrifices
of our Union people.
"That we cherish in grateful beans the memorv of our lamented
President Lincoln.
"That President Johnson, by his honesty, integrity, abilitv and patriotism
is worthy to be the successor in tlie Presitlential office of our good and great
Lincoln, and that we have abiding confidence in the success of his
administration.
"That wt cordially endorse and approve the policy first ado])ted by
President Lincoln, and followed and firmly adhered to by President lohnson.
for the reorganization and restoration of the states, wliose ])eop]e have been
in rebellion, to their practical relation to the general goxeniment.
"That all men must be free within this government, and that all sliould
be protected in person and property, and that while we desire the improve-
ment. ]jrogress and comfort of all, we are opposed to the extension of suffrage
to the negroes, and as far as ])ractical favor their colonization on some suit-
able territory without tlie jurisdiction of the states.
"That the gratitude of the country is due to the army and navy, soldiers
and sailors for their bravery and patriotism in defense of the 'old flag." and
iheir families, the widows and orphans have a right to our sympathies and
the care of tlie government.
"Tbal we approve of the execution of the assassins of President Lincoln,
and demand that Jeff Davis, the Confederate bead of nil treason, be s])ec(li1y
tried, and if found guilty executed."
Candidates were nominated bv the coiixcnlion. the coinention giving to
each township a ratio of one \ote for every fifty or fraction of fifty votes cast
for Abraham Lincoln, at the Presidential election in 1864. Under this rule
ihe votes were distributed as follows: Blue River. 3; Brandywine, i : l^rown.
2 : Buck Creek. 3 ; Center, 7 ; Green, 2 : Jackson, 5 : Sugar Creek, 6 : Vernon, 4.
On Se])tember 9, 1865, th.e Democrats held a jirimary nominating con-
vention. The county convention met on September 16, 1865, to ralifv and
ruLiTics. 361
confirm tlie votes of tlic townships and to declare the result of that vote.
There seems to ha\e heen more or less of a fight between (ieorge Y. Atkison
on the one hand and Noble 'Warrum, Morgan Chandler and Dr. H. W.
Cooper on the other for the cimtrol of the ]iartv. It seems that Atkison was
rather successful in the fight. The two tickets put into the field by these
conventions, with the number of \otes receixed h\ each candidate at the
October election, in 1865, were as folkjw :
Clerk — II. A. S\\o])f. L'nion, t,:;73: William Marsh, Democrat. 1,206.
Treasurer — Xelson Brad.lev. L'nion. t.338: Robert I'. Brown, Democrat,
1 ,240.
Sheriff — William (1. C'aldwell. L'nion. i . :?SS : ,S. T. DickiT'^on. Deniocrrit.
1 .202.
Commissioner — Ephraim Thomas, L'nion, i..V'^): -Smith McCoi-d, Dem-
ocrat. 1.234.
Recorder — Amos K. Recson. l'nion. i.,i73: Wellington L'ollyiT. Dem-
ocrat, 1,231.
The L'nion ticket was thus successful again in iS()5 with majorities
ranging from one hundred to one hundred and fifix- votes.
On Alarch 10, 1866, a Democratic county mass convention was held at
Greenfield to select dele,gates to attend the Democratic state convention. John
W'. R\i)n was cliosen ])resident of the con\'ention. and L". T. Cochran, secre-
retarv. The chairman apjxiinted the following committee on resolutions:
Center, B. W'. Cooper, John H. White, J. L. Mason; lUuc River, Samuel S.
Chandler: Brandywinc, .\lfred Botts: Brown, William Garrett: Buck Creek,
fsom Wright; Sugar Creek, Robert P. P>ro\\n: Green, Edward X'alentine:
Jackson, Benjamin E. Caldwell: \'ernon, Solomon Jackson.
The following resolutions, endorsing the efforts and policies of Presi-
dent Johnson, were adopted :
"Rcsoli'cd. that the ])rinciples of the Democratic |iartv have ever been
national, and that it is the dutv of every patriot in this hour of our country's
Irial to aid the President in the restoration of the countr_\- to its fonner unity.
"Ri'soh'iul. that the firm stand taken by President Johnson in his efforts
to maintain the Constitution, restore the Union, and bring about harmony
and good feeling between the peoi)le of the different sections of our country,
meets with our un<|ualified approval.
"Rcsoh'cd, that the vindictive and radical course adopted by the major-
it\- of the present Congress, in i)ur o|)inion, is calculated to ])rolong the
362 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
restoration of the states, and a return to quiet, prosperity and the industry of
its citizens, and therefore meets our unquaHfied disapproval.
"Resolved, that we cordially endorse tlie President in his veto of the
Freedman's Bureau bill.
"Resolved, that we are in favor of maintaining the public credit aim
that we believe it is a just principle that pr()])erty of all kinds should eciualty
bear tiie burdens of taxation, and that federal securities should be taxed for
state, count}- and municipal purposes the same as other property.
"Resolved, that we congratulate our brave soldiers upon the restoration
of peace and return to their homes; that while we mourn the loss of our com-
rades in anns we pledge to them our supi)ort in all efforts to secure from
Congress provisions for the sick and wounded, and tlie families of those who
have fallen.
"Resolved, that we arc in favor of Congress equalizing the bounties paid
to soldiers to suppress the late rebellion, either in public lands or in money.
"Resok'ed, tliat we stand unalterably opposed to conferring the right
of suffrage upon the negro race and unqualifiedly condemn the action of
Congress in its attempt to force the same upon the people of the District of
Columbia.
"Resolved, that we invite the conservative men of all parties, who with
us approve the veto and the restoration policy of President Johnson, to imite
with us in sustaining those principles at the l>allot box.
"Resolved, tliat we are opposed to any amendments l^eing made to the
Constitution of the United States until every state recently in rebellion is
represented in the Congress of tlie United States."
At this convention the following Democratic central committee was
appointed: Blue River. August Dennis: Brandywine, Alfred Potts; Brown,
William Marsh ; Buck Creek, John S. Wright ; Center, John W. Ryon, James
P. Galbreath: Green. A. W. Huntington: Jackson. .\. \'. B. Sample: Sugar
Creek. Ernest H. Faut: Vernon. Solomon Jackson.
Jolm W. Ryon was elected chainnan of this committee. The committee
decided to hold a primary iiominating convention on June 23. 1866.
The war had now closed and new prolilems of the reconstruction period
began to force themselves upon the attention of the people. Tt is worthy of
notice that the Union and Democratic parties of the county were agreed
upon several points, as they had expressed themselves in their resolutions
adopted on August 26, 1865, and en March 10, 1866, respectively. In their
resolutions both endorsed the policy and statesmanship of President Johnson
and both were ojjposed to giving the ballot to the negro. Two years later.
POLITICS. 363
III i\\ ever, the Union party was no longer willing to subscribe to its resolutions
of August 26. 1865.
The county central committee of the Union part^• met at the county
recorder's office nn July 28. 1866, and there decided to hold a Union mass
con\-ention for the nomination of candidates on August 25, 1866. It seems
that just at this time the Union central committee was in need of a little
more financial support and hence the following finance committee was
appointed: Blue River. J. I. Hatfield. B. P. 13utler; Brandywine, John Rob-
erts. William \\V>rknian : Brown. Dr. Trees, Isaac Smith; Buck Creek, E.
Thomas, S. H. Arnett : Center, Xelson Bradley, Thomas Bedgood and S.
Sparks; Green, R. Jarrett, H. B. Wilson; Jackson, John Barrett, John A.
Craft: Sugar Creek, Adam Hawk. Benjamin Freeman: \'ernon. Levi
Thomas. Capt. T. R. Xoell.
It was decided to collect fifteen dollars from each township for defray-
ing accumulated indebtedness.
On August 25, 1866, the Union voters of Hancock county assembled in
mass convention at the court house, pursuant to a notice previously given
by the chairman of the Union central committee. The convention was called
to order by Dr. N. P. Howard. On motion Presley Guymon was chosen
president of the convention; H. H. Hall, William G. Caldwell, Ashbury Pope,
vice-presidents ; Thomas N. Bedgood and John G. Hatfield, secretaries.
On motion the president appointed three men from Center and one from
each of the dtlier townships as a committee on resolutions. It was also
ordered, on motion, that all resolutions submitted to the convention for
adoption, be referred to the committee on resolutions without debate. The
committee on resolutions made two reports, a majority report and a minorit}'
report. The majority report was as follows :
"Whereas, the Congress of the United States by a two-thirds vote has
proposed to the several states tliereof for amendments to the Constitution of
the United States, fully recognizing the right of each state for itself to reg-
ulate and prescribe the qualifications of voters within the limits of such states,
and to proportion the representation of such state in the Congress and elec-
toral college according: therfore
"Rcsoh'cd, that we believe such proposed amendments to be wise and
just and expedient, and are in favor of their adoption.
"Resolved, that we recognize the right of each state to prescribe for its
qualifications of its own voters, and that we are now, as heretofore, opposed
to negro suffrage.
364 HANCOCK COLXTV, IXDIAXA.
"Resolved, thai we endorse the state ticket nominated liy the Union state
convention on tlie 22nd of Fehruarv last, also the nomination of Jolm Cohurn
by tlie Sixth Congressional district convention, of July 19. 1866.
"Resolved, that we will show by our acts our high appreciation of the
lieroic citizen suldiers and sailors, who. Ijy their valor s;i\ed and established
man"s (iod-given right to go\-ern himself."
William I'rost, a member of the committee on resolutions, submitted to
the convention, as a minority report, the resolutions adopted by the Union
Hancock county convention on August 26. 1865, and in Februaiy, 1866,
respectively. These resolutions, after being read, were, upon motion, laid
on the talile. Tlie resolutions offered by the majority report were adopted
bv an overwhelming vote of the convention. The following nitn were then
a])pointed as the Union central committee for Hancock county for the ensuing
vear: Blue River. X. D. Coffin. B. P. Butler: Brandy wine. William Work-
man, Ashbun* Pope; Brown, Joseph Stanley. William Trees: Buck Creek,
H. H. Hall. Shade Arnett: Center. X. P. Howard, A. F. Hart. William H.
Curry: Green, Henry Moore, Robert Jarrett: Jackson, P. Bedgood. G. O.
Chandler: Sugar Creek. Xelson Hogle. E. W. Pier'^on : \'ernoii. Thomas
Hanna. Levi Thomas.
The resolutions adopted by this cimvention again contained the clause,
"we are now. as heretofore, opposed to negro suffrage." They failed, how-
ever, to endorse the reconstructive policy of President Johnson: instead, they
endorsed the .iction of Congress.
The rejection of the resolutions that had previously been twice adopted
bv the Union party and which had been offered again by William Frost in
his minority report, was not received kindly by a great number of voters.
Coburn. loo, was entirelv too radical and it was well known that his sym-
pathies were with Congress rather than with the President. The same causes
that were producing the breach 1)ctween the President and Congress were also
dividing the Union party in Hancock county.
As an indication of the dissatisfaction that arose on account of the action
of the Union convention of .August 25. t866, the following notice appeared
on August 30, 1866. in the Hancock Deiiiocnit :
"XATIOXAL UXIOX CON VKXTIOX.
'AVe. the undersigned voters of Hancock county, who supported Lincoln
,ind Johnson in 1864. or who have since supported the Union ticket and who
now must support the restoration policy of President Johnson, call upon the
supporters of said policies, irrespective of past political divisions, to meet in
POLITICS. 365
mass convention in Greenfield on Saturday, September 15, 1866, to consult
together as to the proper course to he pursued to sustain and carrv out such
i;i)hcies :
"Thomas West,
"William Martin,
"Joux I^^rost,
"\\ii,LiAM Frost,
"Robert Blakely,
"Thomas Collins.
"John C. Rardin. Late Cai)i. yth Cav.,
"William Mitchell,
■'A. K. Branham,
"James K. King,
"George Barnett."
Pursuant to the above notice, tlie convention met at the desig-nated time
and place. .\. K. Branham was chosen president and William Mitchell,
secretary. George Barnett. Noble Warrum, Thomas West. \\'illiam Frost
and H. A. Swope were appointed as a committee on resolutions. Thev were
also directed to report to the convention the names of suitable persons for a
central committee. The committee on resolutions reported an endorsement of
the National L'ninn platform ado])ted at Philadelph'a on August 14. i860.
This report was unanimously ado]ited. The part\- was liberal in its attitude
toward the South and had great faith ni the reconstn.icti\'e policies of Presi-
dent Johnson. The following- central committee was appo'nted : Center,
George Barnett, Thomas West; Brown, Thomas Collins: Blue Kixer, William
Moore: Buck Creek, D. Offenbacker; Brandywine. William Service: Green,
H. B. Wilson: Jackson. Noble Warrum : Sugar Creek, Capt. Thomas Tuttle;
A'emon. Capt. George Tague.
There were three tickets in the field for the October election, 1866 — the
L'nion. Democratic and National Union. The follo\vin,g- was the result of
the election :
joint Representative — William RigdoiL Republican, 1.317: John L.
?ilont,gomery. Democrat, 1,469.
County Representative — E. W. Pierson, Republican. 1 .30.^ ^ J"l"i H
White. Democrat, 1.461; Isaiah Curry. National L'nion. 35.
Commissioner, Middle District — R()l)ert .\ndis. Republican. 1,321 ; James
Tyner, Democrat, 1.453: C. G. Osborn, National Union, 22.
366 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Surveyor — Abijah Bales, Republican. 1.321 ; William Fries, Democrat,
1,450; James K. King, National Union. 28.
Tbe National Union organization of the county attempted in unite all
Johnson's supporters on its ticket. In this it failed. Isaiah Curry, the can-
didate for county representative, received only thirty-fi\e votes. Of these,
thirty-three were in Center township, one in Jackson and one in Brown.
Though the effort of this party to unite the Johnson supporters on a new
ticket was a failure, that did not signify, as will be seen later, that tlie people
had lost faith in Andrew Johnson. The President had been given an unquali-
fied endorsement in the resolutions of the Democratic party, adopted March
10, 1866. and the Democrats simply voted their own ticket in support oi the
President, instead of voting the National Union ticket.
The beginning of tlie disintegration of the Union party t^ecame evidet.t
in the nominating convention on August 25, 1866. The cause that had pro-
duced the party had been removed. New (|uestions of reconstruction were
confronting the people. The fight was on between the President and Con-
gress, and. as lias been seen from the resolutions adopted by Ijotli the Un'on
and the Democratic conventions, tliere was a strong sentiment in Hancock-
county favoring the policies of the President. The county was es])ecially
opposed to negro suffrage, and when the great questions involved in the
adoption of the thirteenth, fourteentii and fifteenth amendments to the Unittd
States Constitution were before the people, and when other congressional
legislation involving the rights and state of the negro were under considera-
tion the great majoritv of the people in Hancock county supported tlie Presi-
dent. Throughout the Civil War Governor Morton had been very pojjular
with the Union party of Hancock county. .At the close of the war Morton
allied himself with the more radical element of his party and with Congress
in su])i)ort of negro suffrage. His action was a severe blow to the Union
party in this countv. The Hancock Doiiocrat, which had lieen the organ of
the Union party from the time of its fonnation, was again fighting tlie battles
of a united Democracy in the campaign of 1867. It will be observed from
the tabulated result of the election of 1866 that the Democrats were success-
ful. Whh an exceptional loss of an office now and then, the party has
remained in power in this county from that time to the present.
In the year 1866, David S. Gooding, who had been verv^ active during
the Civil \\''ar for the Union cause, was appointed United States marshal for
the District of Columbia. This position he held until 1869. At that time he
liad a strong following in the countv and it is a matter of speculation how
POLITICS. ^bj
far his appointment may have liacl an influence on the altitude of the county
toward 1 'resident Jolmson.
During- tliose years the Judge's name appeared fre(|uently in the Eastern
papers and articles referring to him were, of course, often copied in the
Hancock Democrat. As an illustration of the standing of Judge Gooding at
that time as a citizen and politician of Hancock county, we offer the follow-
ing from the Ciiiciiiiiati Coniiiicrcial by the Washington correspondent, copied
in the Democrat in the latter part of 1866:
"Mr. Gooding is a \\'estern man, v.hose numerous friends in Indiana are
readers of the Commercial. .\s 1 said before, custom has made it obligatory
ui)on the district marshal to stand as interpreter of the people's names to the
President during a le\ee. It is no ordinary task to present in that elegant
:uid reclierche manner man_\- thousands of the l)on ton of not only the capital,
hut all the capitals of the civilized world, to the chief executive officer of
this greatest republic on earth. Yet Mr. Gooding succeeds admirably. lie
is tall, graceful and natural. That's it. He is not hampered by formality,
but goes at it as a Buckeye or Hoosier would salute (in an unmenlionably
delicious way) a newly arrived feminine cousin. Jf it is Mr. Smith who
comes to see Andy, tlien it is simply and emphatically 'Mr. Smith. .Mr. Presi-
dent.' Hands are joined for a moment, an additional word may pass, and
the crisis is transpired. It would do your Hoosier readers' hearts good to
see this fellow citizen doing the honors at the \\'hite House."
On March 16, 1867. the Democratic central committee met to determine
the time and manner of holding a nominating con\ention. The first Monday
in .April, 1867, was decided upon and the following resolution in relation
thereto was adopted :
" Rcsoli'cil. that all Democrats and Gonser\-ati\-es. who support and sus-
tain President Johnson in his reconstructive policy, are invited to participate
in said nomination, and that the Johnson men select their candidate for
sheriff, and the Democracy are recjuested to support him."
The Union central committee, appointed in I'ebruary, 1866, served
through this campaign. The committee ordered a jirimary nominating con-
vention to be held on July 27, 1867, and about three hundred vc^es were
cast at this convention.
The following tickets were then before the people in the October election,
in 1867:
.\uditor — B. W. Cooper. Democrat, L.^.^^i; Jonathan Tague. Union,
I •363-
368 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Treasurer — R. P. Brown. Democrat, 1.481: Burrougli.-; Westlake, Union,
1,236.
Sheriff — William W'ilkins, Demncrat, 1.471 : Joseph Shuhz. L'nion,
1.239.
Jhe number of votes received by each candidate is indicated above. It
will be observed that the entire Democratic ticket with the exception of the
candidate for county auditor was elected.
As soon as the election was over it l)ecaine noised about ihai W'ilkins,
the sheriff-elect, intended to appoint James (ialbreath as his deputy, and to
give him sole charge of the office and that W'ilkins himself intended to
remain upon his farm. This rumor was soon verified by W'ilkins, who
assured the people of the county that Galbreath would make a verv efficient
deputy, and that he could attend to the duties of the office just as well, or
better than W'ilkins himself. This occasioned a great deal of criticism from
Democrats as well as Republicans. The voters of the county seemed to feel
tliat since W'ilkins had lieen intrusted with the office that he should gi\'e his
persona! attention to it. W^ilkins. however, remained u])on his farm during
])ractically the entire term, (ialbreath was a \er\- efficient deputy, yet the
arrangement was not wholly satisfactory to the voters.
In the election of 1867 not a county ticket was scratched in Buck Creek
township. The count showed that one hundred and one straight Republican
anil one hundred and sixteen Democratic tickets lunl been voted. .Another
feature of this election in Buck Creek township was that Charles G. Offutt,
who was not a candidate, received every DemiKrat'c vote in t'.ie township for
prosecuting attomev. These were davs in which names could be written on
a ticket, pasters used. etc.
Before the campaign of 1868 opened the Union ])art\- had emirely dis-
integrated and the Democratic and Re]iublican parties were again marching
under their own banners. M. L. Paullus was the chairman of the Democratic
central committee. Lemuel W'. Gooding, who had been the secretary of the
Union central committee and \\h<< had been elected chairman of that com-
mittee, now issued his part\- notices as ■■Chairman of the I'{e])ublican County
Central Committee."
The campaign was characterized b\ the organization of young men's
clubs — the Grant clubs by the Republicans, and the Seymour and Blair Clubs
by the Democrats. In the election of 1868 Grant received 1.414 votes in the
county and Sexinour. 1.68 J.
In 1870 a new countv Reiniblican central committee was selected, com-
posed of the following men: Center. P. Gnyinon, H. J. Williams: r)lue River.
POLITICS. 369
P.. P. Butler, Jolm F. Coffin: nrown. Dr. William Trees. Lewis Copeland;
Buck Creek, E. Thomas, S. PP Arnetl : ISrandywine, W. 11. Curry, P^. Bent-
ley; Green, H. L. ^P)ore, H. B. Wilson; Jackson, (leorge \\ . Landis. Jijseph
Ilunbar; Sugar Creek, B. W'e.stlake, X. llogle; Vernon, T. PPuma, \V. H.
Pilkenton. Dr. N. P. PP)\\ard was elected cliairnian nf the committee.
.Mthough it was not a presidential year, young men's clubs were again
organized in the county.
Jared C. Meek, who has receixed so much notice in tiie loc:d papers
during the last few years as "the first white child born in (Greenfield." was
the candidate for sheriff on the Republican ticket in this campaign.
The campaign of 1870 is memorable in Hancock county l;ecause of the
race of Judge Gooding for Congress and the contest for the congressional
seat which followed the election. The Judge had a strong following at home,
and at a Democratic mass meeting- held at Greenfield on Saturday, b'ebruary
26, 1870, of which Wellington Colher was president and William Mitchell
and \\'iiliani Marsh, secretaries, S. C. Chamberlain offered the following
resolutions :
"Whereas, the Democracy of the county, at the last county convention,
expressed their preference for the Hon. David S. flooding for the Con-
gressional nominee of this the Fourth Congressional district.
"And whereas, four of tlie Democratic newsi)apers of this distr'ct have
endorsed him as their choice;
"And whereas, we believe he is the choice of the Democracy of this
count)- and of the district.
"And whereas, it will l)e incon\enient and unnecessary to call the people
of this count}- together again for the sole purpose of choosing delegates to a
Congressioiial convention ; therefore, be it
"Resolved, that a committee of one from each township be appnintcd to
report the names of the Congressional delegates."
After the ado])tion of this resolution the president of the mass meeting
appointed the following committee to select delegates to attend the congres-
ional convention: Blue River, James P. Xew : Brown, William Marsh: Buck
Creek. Henrv Wright: Brandywinc. .Mfred Potts; Center. C. T. Dickerson;
Green, Xeri Jarrett : Jackson, I'lank Chandler; Sugar Creek, David L'lery:
\'ernon, Solomon Jackson.
This committee in turn rejiorted the following men as clele.gates to the
congressional convention: Blue River, .\ugustus Dennis, William Xew. C. G.
Sample, William Handy: Brandywinc, William IT. Walts. Wellington Coll-
(-'4)
3/0 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
yer, A. P. Brown. Alfred Potts ; Buck Creek, M. C. B. Collins, Henry \\Tig*lt,
J. W. Shelby. George H. Black: Brown, \\'il!iam T. C.arnott. J. P. Harlan,
B. W. Beck. John B. Heck; Center. George Barnett, J. C. Atkison, AV'illiam
Mitchell, Isaiah Curry, William M. Johnson. S. C. Chamberlain, William
Frost, S. T. Dickerson ; Green, Jonathan Smith, Edward Barrett, John Green,
Benton Marin ; Jackson, John Addison, G. W. Sample, Berd Lacy, E. C.
Reeves; Sugar Creek. Henry Fink, E. H. Faut, William Barnard, David
Ulrey; Vernon, D. Z. Lewis, Andy Hagan, W. P. Brokaw, Solomon Jackson.
These delegates were instructed by the convention to vote for Judge
Gooding and to vote as a unit.
Judge Gooding was nominated and made the race against Judge Wilson,
of Connersville. The two men agreed to meet at all of the important points
in the congressional district for joint discussi(jns. Beginning in tlic
latter part of August, 1870, joint debates were held at Richmond, Cambridge,
Brookxille. Greenfield. New Palestine, Connersville. and at other points.
When the voles were ounted tiie following seemed to be the result;
Counties. Wilson. Gooding.
^^'ayne 3.638 2,352
Fayette 1.309 1,015
Shelby 1,868 2,509
Rush 2,077 i'870
Franklin 1.287 2,496
Union 849 629
Hancock 1.203 i-'^86
Totals 12.561 12.557
This gave Wilson an apparent majority of four votes in the district.
A recount of the south poll at Richmond, in which the candidates had
lied, gave Gooding a majority of eleven, which seemed to give him a clear
majority of seven. Judge Gooding contested the election in the National
House of Representatives. The contest was not finally decided until a short
time before the next election, when the committee on resolutions offered two
reports, a majority report, in favor of Wilson, and a minority report, in favor
of Gooding. The question was decided by the House on strictly party lines.
Wilson receiving one hundred and five votes. Gooding, sixty-four.
In 1872 political matters were rather unsettled in the county, both upon
national issues and upon local questions. On June 29 a nuiubcr of
POLITICS. 371
citizens inserted in the Hancock Democrat the following notice or c;ill tor a
citizens' mass convention at the court house in (jreenf'ield :
"All who are in favor of an honest and economical administrati(jn of
public business, and are opposed to the corrupt way at present of controlling
our county affairs are in\ited to come up and participate by voice and \-iitt' in
the selection of a ticket of honest, upright and capable men, without any
distinction of party, to be supported liy the citizens of the county at the
ensuing election. "J. A. H.m.l,
"G. T. R.\xn.\LL,
"H. J. \VlLLI.\MS,
"Executive Committee."
Xothing. howex'er, was accomplished V)v this meeting iii so far as political
organization was concerned.
The marked inclination of the county toward the reconstructive policies
of Andrew Johnson, as before observed, again came into prominence in the
campaign of 1872. Even among the Republicans there was a dissatisfaction
with the radical tendencies of Congress. During the summer rumors spread
that many Republicans in the county intended to vote for Horace Greeley.
The Repul)licans, of course, attempted to minimize these reports by creating
the impression that but \ery few Republicans would vote against General
Grant. This occasioned the pubHcation of the following statement signed by
a numlier of Re])ul)licans in which they gave expression to their intenfons:
"to the PUBLIC.
"W'e, the undersigned Reptiblicans of Hancock county, Indiana. ha\-ing
lieard that it is being industriously circulated that there are but three F'lepub-
lican \oters in this county who are in fa\or of the election of Horace Greeley
as next President, take pleasure in disproving and correcting said report, by
declaring respecti\ely our intention to vote for Greeley and Rrown for Presi-
dent and Vice-President :
"Anthony Smith, A. K. Branham. B. A. Roney, S. S. Roney, Thomas J.
Hanna, N. C. Roney, O. P. Gooding, S. Stewart. X. M. Cooney. .\ndrew
Stutsman, Jonathan Lineback, Lewis Carpenter, L. \\'. Gooding, .Alexander
Dickerson, .\ndrew J. Herron, N. P. Howard. \\'. V. McCord, Jacob McCord,
Jr.. El)enezer Steele. John E. Cooney, C. S. Cooney, D. T. Davis, M. C. Foley.
Isaac Stutsman, William Taylor, J. T. IMcCray, Samuel Wallace, ^^^ S. Catt.
-Mliert Minson, Capt. .Adams L. Ogg. Capt. Jared C. Meek, S. H. .\rnett,
-Aquilla Grist, Moses McCray, M. S. Ragsdale, John Roberts. Xicholas Stuts-
man, John H. Myers, Stephen ^fcCray, \\'. W. Gregg."
372 HANCdLK Liil XTY, INDIANA.
On August I J. 1872. a meeting of "Liljeral Republicans" was called at
the court house for the ])uq)Ose of effecting a county organization. The call,
made through the Hancock Democrat, was signed by .\dams L. Ogg, J. C.
-Meek. X. Stutsman. N. C. Foley, A. Smith and L. W. flooding. The meet-
ing was held, jnhn Rnherts was elected ]M"esident and M. S. Ragsdale,
secretary. The ctnivention appointed the following county central committee:
Blue River, Jonathan Lineback; Brown, James McCray ; Brandy wine, John
Roberts, M. S. Ragsdale: Buck Creek, S. H. Arnett; Center, Capt. A. L. Ogg.
Capt. Jared Meek: Green, Martin .Mley: Jackson. Anthony Smith: Sugar
Creek, M. C. Foley: ^"ernon, Thomas J. Hanna. William F. ]\IcCord.
On August 24, 1872. the Liberal Republicans also organized a Greeley
and Brown Club at Greenfield. Captain Ogg addressed the meeting on that
occasion.
On Saturday, September 14. 1872, the county central committees of the
Liberal Republican, party and the Democratic party had a joint meeting at
the court house. Both parties were supporting Greeley, and arrangements
were made at this meeting for a campaign in the county. Dates were fixed
for speakings at \anous points and thereafter Charles G. Offutt, Cajit. Adams
L. Ogg, Eph. Marsh, J. H. W'ldte, M. S. Ragsdale, James L. Ma.son, Oliver
P. Gooding and James A. Xew spoke from the same platforms to the same
audiences in supi)ort of Horace Greeley.
Another feature of the campaign of 1872 was the second race of Judge
Cjooding for Congress against his former opponent. Judge Wilson. The two
candidates again "stumped" the Congressional district in a series of joint
debates. The following schedule was agreed upim and iniblished in the dis-
trict: Warrington, l-'riday, .\ugust <). Gooding opens; Fort\-ilIe, S:tturday,
August 10, Wilsnn opens; Greenfield, Monday, August T2, Gooding o])ens :
Moscow, Thursday, .\ugust 13. Wilson opens; Rushville, Saturday, .\ugust
17, Gooding o])ens: Liberty, Monday, August 19, Wilson o])ens: l-'airfield,
Wednesday, August 21, Gooding opens : Brookville, l^'riday, .\ugust 23. \\"\\-
.son opens; Conners\i!le. Saturda\'. .\ugust 24. (iooding opens.
It was agreed by the two candidates that all meetings open at one o'clock
P. M. : that the speaker opening the debate have one and onc-fi uilli hours,
that the second speaker have one and one-half hours, and that the first speaker
again have fifteen minutes to close. In this cam])aign Gooding was defeated
by a majority of three hundred and eighty votes.
Among the notable political speakers at Greenfield in the campaign of
1872 was Daniel W. \'oorhees. who spoke on AA'ednesday, August 2^.
POLITICS. 373
LATF.K MOVKMliXTS.
In the campaign of 1S74, tlio ]'ati'ons of Husbandry. <>v "Grangers,"
made tlieir influence felt. .\t that time they enrolled about fifteen hundred
voters in the coinity. .V fuller history of this movement will be given else-
where. In 1S74 the order decided to put a county ticket into the field. A
county central committee was apjjointed. composed of the fullowing- men:
Blue River, John Sloan, Lemuel Hackleman : Brown, Elijah Reeves, Joseph
Stanley; Buck Creek, J. B. Cauldwell, l'\ Pcntland; Brandywine, B. ]•". Goble.
Jt)hn Roberts; Center, Rufus Scott, VA\ R. Cant, Mnos (ieary; (ireen. E. S.
Bragg, George W. Hopkins; Jackson, John M. Leamon, John .S. Lewis; Sugar
Creek, John X^ansickle, H. P. .\nderson ; X^crnon. \\'illi;un (i. Scott. J. D.
Merrill.
On .\ugust 29, 1874, they held what they termed a ■"Reform nr Inde-
pendent Convention" at Greenfield. John McGraw was elected president of
this convention, and Enos Geary, secretary. The following candidates were
nominated: Representative, Jacob Slifer, Center; clerk. John McGraw, Jack-
son; auditor, George \\'. Hatfield, lUue Ri\-er; treasurer, Elbert S. Bragg,
Green; sheriff, W^illiam Edgill, Brandywine; recorder, David Hawk. Sugar
Creek; law appraiser, Joseph Garrett. Brown; surveyor, J. H. Landis. Jack-
son; commissioner, western district, Elias McCord, Vernon; coroner, Enos
Geary, Center.
It seems, however, that political affiliations were stronger t!ian the ties
of the order. The Democratic ticket was elected. But from reports of per-
sons now li\ing who went through that cam])aign. it seems that the 13em-
ocratic candidates were given much concern by this i)o!itical organization.
The Democrats had been in control of the county, and the success of any
other political organization, of course, meant Democratic loss.
CELEBR.VTIOX OF JOTIXSOx's VICTORY.
The popularity of Andrew Johnson witli the great majority of the voters
of Hancock county never appeared more clearly than when Johnson was
elected to the United States Senate froui the state of Tennessee, in January,
1875. To celebrate his victory a meeting of the citizens was held at the
court house on Thursday evening. January 2<S, 1875. Smith .McCord was
elected president of the meeting; Jonas Marsh and Benjainin Galbreath, \ice-
presidents; George Barnett and William Mitchell, secretaries. Speeches were
made by Smith McCord, Ephraim Marsh. Montgomen- Marsh, Judge Good-
ing. J. \'. Cook. Tames A. Xew. R. A. Riley and George Barnett. After the
374 HANCOCK COUKTV, INDIANA.
speech making J. \'. Cook offered the following resolution which was unani-
mously adopted :
"Resolved, that the recent election of Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, to
the Senate of tlie United States, is but a highly proper vindication of an honest
man, a true patriot and an able statesman, from the unjust and untrue charges
made against him by the corrupt heads of the Repul)lican party, and that more,
especially in view of the reckless violations of the Constitution of the United
States by President Grant and the party in power, are the services of the
great defenders of the Constitution needed at this time, in the United States
Senate."'
William Frost then proposed three cheers for Andrew Johnson, the
Union, the Constitution and the Laws.
GREENBACK MOVEMENT.
In February, 1876, a call was issued tlirough the columns of the Hancock
Democrat for a mass meeting of the old citizens and voters of Hancock
county, irrespective of party, who were in favor of the legal "greenback"
money and opposed to the National Bank law. The time of the meeting was
set at one P. M. on Saturday. February 19. 1876, "for the purpose of taking
such action as may seem expedient in regard to the money questions." This
call was signed by S. F. Dickerson, William F. Wilson. James F. Wilson.
Smith Hutchi.son. William Fries. Joseph Jackson, Henry L. Frv. Sr.. John
G. Gnmbrel, J. H. A\'hite. John Walsh. Rufus J. Scott. William F. McBane.
James P. Galbreath, Isaiah .\. Curr>-. Fields. J. A. Shell. William
Porter. John W. Dye, Alfred Potts, John P. Banks. Cyrus Leamon. William
Frost, R. P. Andis, \\'. Y. Pendleton. John Shepherd, Elijah C. Reeves. John
Mayes. John .\. Alyea. R. D. Cross. \\'illiam Potts, \\'illiam Fields, John
Shelby. Jacob Slifer. J. H. Mayes, William Alyea. James H. WWnx Willard
H. Low. Philander Craig. Thomas Bodkins. B. F. Fiy. \\'cllington Collyer,
John Richie, James R. Foster. Lysander Sparks. J. S. Thomas. W. H. Walts,
John .\. Barr.
Judge Gooding was invited to address the meeting. The convention
was attended by a large numlier of citizens from all parts of the county.
Resolutions were adopted, condemning the circulation of national bank notes
and fa\oring the issuance of "greenbacks"' instead.
On Marcli 23. 1878. a county convention of the Greenback followers was
called at the Grange Hall at Greenfield. J. C. ^'ansickle. of Xew Palestine,
was elected chairman and George Furry, secretary. The puqiose of this
meeting was to effect a countv orsfanization. The followins: central com-
POLITICS. 375
inittee was appointed: Blue River, B. F. Luse ; ]iraiuly\vinc. L. .Mill;ouni:
Brown. S. Alillxmrn; Buck Creek, l^'rancis Pcntland; Center. William Sears,
H. Little; Green, C. G. Osborn; Jackson. John AlcGraw; Sugar Creek. John
\'ansickle ; Vernon, P. J. Hannah.
This central committee adopted the following resolutions :
"Resolved, that the National party of Hancock county will hold a mass
convention for Hancock county, at the court house in Greenfield, on the first
Saturday in May, 1879, at one o'clock P. 'SI., to complete a thorough organ-
ization of the National party in said county, and to nominate a full county
ticket of able, truthful and faithful men. for which the central committee will
issue a call, inviting all persons sympathizing with the National movement,
and believing that there should be no partial or class legislation, that the laws
should be so enacted and administered as to insure to every man the just
reward of his own labor, to meet with them and participate in said mass
convention.
"Resolved, that the Nationals of each township are earnestly recom-
mended, at an early day, and upon their own notice, to meet at their usual
place of holding elections, and to thoroughly organize their respective town-
ships for efficient political action ; ever remembering that "Eternal vigilance
is the price of liberty," and giving notice to quit to dishonest trailing
politicians who have established themselves in the gateways of commerce and
speculation, and are enriching tliemselves by seizing the reward of other
people's labor.
"Resolved, that this meeting adopt the platform of principles laid down
by the convention of the National party, held at Toledo, Ohio, on the 22nd
of February. 1878."
After the county organization had been effected the following ticket was
put into the field: Representative. George Furry. Brandywine; clerk, Jose])h
Hanna, Buck Creek; treasurer, Jolui S. Barrett, Jackson; auditor, John
McCray, Brown; sheriff, ^[oses Fink, Center; recorder, Monteville Fa^^tes,
Buck Creek; commissioner, eastern district, Benjamin F. Luse. Blue River;
commissioner, middle district. B. J. Goble. Brandywine.
Following this a Greenback party organization was maintained in the
county for fi\e or six years. William Sears was the chairman of the central
committee practically all of the time.
ELECTION OF 1876.
When the difficulties of determining the result of the election of 1876
presented itself the Democrats of the county held a mass meeting for the
3/6 HAXCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
purpose of giving expression to their feelings. Tlie meeting was licld ou
December 23, 1876. John H. \\'hite was elected chairman : Jinies I.. Mas:;n,
D. S. Gooding, James H. Carr and Wilham Mitchell, secretaries. Th^
following committee on resolutions was appointed : Hlue River, y\ugustU3
Dennis: Brown. Robert D. Hayes; Brandywine, James Tyner; Buck Creek,
Henry Wright: Center, Capt. R. A. Riley. Stephen Dickerson ; Green, James
M. Trueblood : Jackson, George Kinder; Sugar Creek, Tilghman Collyer:
X'ernon, Smith IVIcCord.
Later it was decided to add to this committee the names of John I). Barr,
William Sears, George Barnett, L. W. (jooding, Joseph Baldwin and Jared
C. Meek. Judge Gooding was called upim for a speech and he gave an
account of the situation in Oregon. Louisiana and South Carolina. Before
the close of the meeting Captain Riley, of tlie resolutions committee, nffered
the following report, which was accepted :
"Whereas, in the late presidential election of November 7, i87(), the
election for Samuel J. Tilden and Thomas A. Hendricks received an undoubted
popular majority of 241.022 votes, and 185 undoulited electoral votes, and
were the popular majorilx- of the votes in South Carolina, l-lorida and Lou-
isiana, regarded as they should be. the electors of each of said states would
cast their aggregate electoral votes also for Tilden and Hendricks, giving
nineteen majority to them : and
"Whcrcds, there is a persistent effort being made bv fraud and \iolence
to declare elected and inaugurate Rutherford Hayes and \\"illiam A. \A'heeIer,
the minority candidates, as President and \"ice-President. thus defeating the
constitutionally and lawfully expressed will of the people. Therefore, be it
"Rcsokrd. that we are now. as ever, devotedly alt;iched to the Constitu-
tion of the L'nited States, and to the Union of the states under the general
government and that the general and state governments are each limited in
their power, and that one should not entrench on the power of the other.
"Rcsok-ed, that in the election of a President and Vice-President of the
L'nited States the will of the people, as ex])ressed at tlie ballot box. according
to the Constitution and the laws, should be faithfully and honestly carried out
and maintained In- ;dl the people, irrespective of party.
" Rcsohrd , that in our candid judgment, Tilden and Hendricks have been
constitutionally and lawfully elected I'resident and Vice-President of the
United States l)y a popular majority of 241,022 and will be so declared by a
majority of the electors of the United States, who were honestly elected, if
permitted to cast their ballots, and that the honest and intelligent masses of
the jjeople will meet on their inauguration, and we denounce all attempts.
POLITICS. T^-J-J
whetlicr made I)y illegal returning- boards, ihe Senate or the l^xsidcnl of the
United States, to usurp jxiwer by overriding the will of the people, by fraud
or force, and we demand of the Senate and House of Representatives that
they see to it that no mere technicality, fraud or force shall annul tiic \cnlict
of the people.
"Resolved, that whoever is elected President and \'ice-President. accord-
ing to the Constitution and the laws, ought to be inaugurated and recognized
as such Ijy the people, irrespective of part\'.
"Resolved, that we denounce the use of the army to control elections,
or to intimidate voters, or to interfere with the legislatures of anv of the
states, in their organization or otherwise; and that President (irant, l)y
making such illegal and unconstitutional use of the armv of the L'nited .Stales,
deserved impeachment and deposition from office.
"Resolved, that Grant and his office-holders are not the go\ernment of
the United States, but simply office liolders under the government, liable to
displacement, according to the Constitution and laws.
"Resolved, that while we demand of our re]iresentati\es in the Congress
of the United States that they stand by the rights of the jieople. as expressed
l)y the Constitution and laws, as against fraud, nsurjiation, intimidation and
violence, we pledge otu'selvcs that we will stan<l bv thcni in all their con-
stitutional and legal acts.
"Resolved, that we demand of Congress that the_\- adhere to the uniform
I)ractice of the goxernment in counting the electoral votes for President and
Vice-President, and that we denounce the arrogant and unconstitutional
assumption that the president of the Senate has the sole power to count the
electoral votes."
AFTER 1876.
In the campaign of iSj8 the Republicans were again acti\e in the organ-
ization of young luen's clubs. The club at Greenfield elected the following
officers: President. War Barnett; secretary. Newton L. A\"ray: treasurer,
Adams L. Ogg. Thirty-five young men enrolled in the club on the evening
of its organization and a number of names Avere added to it later.
In the canii)aign of 18S0 the Democrats in the county were especially
active. F.])hraim Marsh was the chairman and William \\'ard Cook, secre-
tary, of the Democratic county central committee.
On September 23. 1880. the Democratic ladies of (Greenfield presented
to the Democracy of the city and Center townshi]) a beautiful silk flag. T!ie
ladies who licaded this presentation were ^Irs. Charles Downing. Mrs. Capt.
3/8 HAXCOCK COUXTV. INDIANA.
M. L. Paullus and Mrs. John 1'. jMittliell. At seven o'clock on that evening
there was a torclihght procession. The (ireenfield band marched to the resi-
dence of Capt. M. L. Paullus and escorted the speakers, ladies and Glee Club to
the court house square, where it was estimated lliat five thousand i>eople had
assembled. The flag" was presented with the following program:
Meeting called to order, Ephraini ?ilarsh
Invocation, Rev. Williams
Song, "Hancock is the ]\Ian."
Herkimer Glee Club of Xew York
Presentation of Flag by Charles G. Offutt in behalf of
the Democratic Ladies of the City of Greenfield
Response on behalf of the Hancock and I^anders Guards,
James A. New
Song by (ilee Club, "The Star Spangled Banner"
.Address, Luther Benson
Song. Glee Club
On September 15. 1880, Gen. Franz Sigel spoke at New Palestine,
much to the deliglit of the German population. Ernest H. Faut was instru-
mental in having him brouglit into the county. Galiricl Sclimuck also
addressed the Germans in their native tongue on that occasion, .\bout one
thousand and five hundred people were present to hear these addresses.
The campaign was also characterized by one of the greatest Democratic
rallies at Greenfield in the history of the county. The following was the
order of the march, as taken from the columns of the Hancock Democrat :
Greenfield Cornet Band
Hancock and Landers Guards of Greenfield
^lartial Music
Hancock and Landers Guards of Center Township
Brandywine Township Hf)rseback Companv
New Palestine Band
Horsemen from Xew Palestine
\\'agons with ladies from .'^ugar Creek Township
Wagon with 24 ladies from Brandyw'ine Township
\\'agon with 36 ladies from Independence School House
Martial Band
Wagon with 50 young ladies. Blue River Township
Wagon of voters. Blue River Township
POLITICS. 379
Wagon with 60 young ladies, Morrislown
Wagons. Buggies and Carriages
Speakers' Carriages
Fortville Cornet Band
Wagon willi 43 young ladies. \'crnon Township
RlcCordsville Guards in 2 wagons
3 large wagons with voters, McCordsville
\\'agons and carriages
McCordsville Rand
Buggies, Carriages and Wagons
Martial Band
Hancock and Landers Guards, of Buck Creek
Wagon with 36 young ladies. Buck Creek Ti^wnship
Wagon with voters, Morristown
Carriag^es and wagons
Band
Carriages, buggies and wagons
"Tn comes Garfield" — A mule on a large wagon
Work cart, containing General Irwin Hunt
carrying the American flag
Graxel Wagons, 25 in number, under Marshal F. M. Faurot
Carriages and wagons
Martial Band. Jackson Township
\\'agon with 27 young ladies. Jackson Township
Horseback Company, Jackson Townsliip
Wagon containing organ
W^agons. carriages and buggies
In 1SS4 .\ndrew Hagans was the chairman of the Democratic county
central committee. Henry Snow was the chairman of the Republican county
central committee. In the report of the Republican county convention held
February ifi. 1884. the following names are prominent: Henry Snow. R. A.
Black, John W. Jones, Capt. Thomas B. Noel, Senator Yancey, Cyrus T.
Nixon, Oscar F. Meek, Samuel B. Hill, Henry Marsh, Thomas F. Bentley,
John T. Duncan. John C. Eastes. William O. Bradley, A. N. Rhue, James
L. Mitchell. J. H. McKown, Charles H. Rock, David Dove. S. Burk, Albert
G. Jackson, M. M. Vail. George V. Sowerwine.
An incident of the campaign of 1884 was the dissatisfaction of Capt.
.•\dams L. Ogg. who had been a verj^ energetic worker in the local organiza-
380 HANCOCK COCXTY, IXDIAXA.
tion of the Rc])ul)lican party, with the Repuhlican candidate. James G. Blaine.
In a pubhshed interview. Captain Ogg gave his reasons for not supporting
Blaine. A short time after the publication of this interview the Cleveland and
Hendricks clubs of tlie county held a meeting at the citv of (ireenfield.
Among the other matters that were transacted In- the clubs, a resolution was '
adopted, inviting the Captain to address the people of the county on the
political issues of the hour. The chairman then appointed a committee to
wait upon the Captain and present these matters to him. This the committee
did in the following written statement :
"To Capt. Adams L. Ogg :
"At a stated meeting of the Cleveland and Hendricks Clubs of this
county lield in the city of Greenfield, the following resolutions were unani-
mously passed :
" 'Resolved, that it is the wish of these chilis liiat Cajil. .\dams L. Ogg
tie invited to address the people of this county, in the citv of Greenfield, at
as early a date as is to him convenient, on the ptilitical issues of the hour;
and that a committee of three be delegated by the chair to wait upon him,
bearing him tin's resolution and learning his pleasure in that behalf."
"Tlie chair tiiereupon appointed the following named persons to that
committee: James A. Xew, Hon. J. L. Mason and Ephraim Marsh.
"And now the above named committeemen submit vou the aforesaid
resolution and most cordially invite }-ou to address our people from a political
standpoint ;it your earliest date, and trust you will accept the invitation.
"James .\. New,
"James L. Mason.
"Ephrai.m Marsh,
"Committee."
The Ca]3taiii replied in the following letter:
"Messrs. James A. New. J. L. M.vsox and Ephraim Marsh :
"My dear Sirs: — Your communication at hand in which you convev to
me the formal invitation of the Cleveland and Hendricks Clubs of the county,
that I shall at earliest convenience, address the people at Greenfield on the
pending political issues, etc. Permit me. through you. to thank the gentle-
men for this flattering request. I accept your invitation, but regret that
business engagements in a neighboring state compel mv absence for an indefi-
nite period (I hope not to exceed five or eigiit days)', renders it unsafe to
fix an earlier time than Saturday evening. October ii. at which time, or at
a later day. if more agreeable to you, I will be pleased to speak. Mv whole
POLITICS. 381
heart is enlisted on behalf of an intelligent, free and fearless expression of all
the voters at the eoniing election.
"I am \ery truly yours,
'•A. L. Ogg."
Dates were fixed for speakings at different ])oints in the county, and
Captain Ogg appeared upon the various ])latfi)rnis with other Democratic
speakers in support of (Irover Clexeland. lie remanied an ardent Democrat
dmHng the remainder of his life.
l'"ollowing the Democratic victory in 1S84, tlie aihninistr.-uiMU appointed
Alliert L. Xew as register in the United States land oflice at Evan.ston,
W'yonn'ng, and, later, as United States collector of internal revenue for the
District of Colorado and \\'yoming, with his office at Denver, Colorado.
While in Wyoming Mr. New served as chairman of the Democratic
state central committee, and had his name presented to the Legislature as a
candidate for United States senator. The Legislatin^e halliHetl twenty-nine
days and Mr. New lacked hut one vote of an election. Th.e Legislatin-e finally
adjourned its session without electing anyone.
ELECTIOX OF 1 886.
During the summer of 1886 the following tickets were nominated by the
respective party conventions, eacii candidate recei\ing the number of \-ntes
indicated :
Clerk — Charles Downing, Democrat, T,go6; R. A. Black, Republican,
1,991.
Sheriff — U. S. Jackson, Democrat. 2,108: Thomas K. Xiles. Republican,
1,843.
Auditor — James Mannix, Democrat, i.r)6o: James L. Mitchell, Repuli-
lican, 1,966.
Treasurer — Charles H. Fort, Democrat. 2,134: Robert B. Binford.
Republican, 1,826.
Recorder — Ira Collins, Democrat, 1.783; Henry Snow, Republican,
2,001.
Surveyor — W. S. I'ries, Democrat, 1,753; John H. Landis, Republican,
2.130.
MITCHELL-M.\NNIX AFFAIR.
James Mannix was dissatisfied with this count of the votes and took
steps to contest the election. The Hancock circuit court appointed J. \\'ard
382 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Walker. John E. Dye and Jolin A. Craft, cominissioners to recount the voles
Tlie recount gave Alannix 1,966 votes and Mitchell 1.957. whereupon Mitchell
appealed from the recount to the board of comniissioners of Hancock county.
After a hearing the board found for Mannix, and Mitchell appealed to the
Hancock circuit court. The chief question connected with the contest arose
from the count of the votes in one of the precincts of Green townslii]). in
which Heniy B. Wilson was inspector. The question involved in the contest
was whether the ballots had been tampered with or whether the clerks of
the lx)ard in Green township had failed to keep a correct tally. The case was
venued to Newcastle, where, in June. 1887, an agreement or a compromise
was made betw-een Mannix and ^litchell, in which !\Iitchell agreed to ])ay
Mannix one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars. In consideration
thereof, Mitchell was to take the office after November i, 1887. When this
agreement became known to the people of the county, it was very unsatis-
factory to both Republicans and Democrats. There was a general feeling tliat
the case should have Ijeen tried and decided on its merits ; that whiclievcr of
the candidates !iad received the majority of the votes should ha\e liad tlie
office, and that it should have been settled in no other manner.
On November i, 1887, Mannix. howe\er, refused to give up the office.
whereupon Mitchell brought a suit for possession in the Hancock circuit
court. Tills case was venued to Henry county, and Judge Comstock. of
Richmond, was appointed special judge. Mannix in his answer to Mitchell's
coni])laint alleged "that on or about the i8th day of June. 1887. and while
the appeal in\-olving the contest for the office was pending in the Hancock
circuit court, the relator's attorneys entered into a negotiation with him. tlie
said Mannix, and his attorneys concerning such contest ; that it was finally
agreed between the parties that the relator (Mitchell) should pay to him, said
Mannix, the sum of one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars, in con-
sideration of w'hich the latter's right to the office in contest, inckuling the
right to hold the same, to discharge its duties and to receive the emoluments
thereof, should be transferred to, and recognized as existing in the relator;
that the relator thereupon paid to him, the said Mannix, the sum of one
thousand two hundred and fifty dollars, after which the judgment declaring
the relator to have been duly elected as above stated, being the same judgment
described in the alternative writ of mandate, was entered as by agreement of
the parties; that such judgment was, therefore, procured to be entered by
the relator (Mitchell) in pursuance of such fraudulent agreement and by the
payment of the sum of money named, and for no other reason ; that said
agreement for the sale an.d transfer of said office of county auditor was nut
POLITICS. 383
only against public policy, but was also corrupt, fraudulent and void, as
between the parties thereto, as well as to all other persons, and that hence,
he, the said Mannix, was not bound or concluded by the judgment rendered
thereon, nor was the rclatur. therefore, lawfully adjudicated t<i he entitled to
hold said office."
The supreme cuurt decided the matter in favor of Mitchell, holding that
■'the rule that the cnurts will not aid in the enforcement of a corrupt or
u.nlawful contract. htU will leave the parties where they have placed them-
selves, has no application to a judgment which b.y inadvertence or collusion
may have been rendered upon such a contract, hut such contract stands upon
the san^e footing ;is any other judgment, and is binding while it remains in
force." (Mannix vs. the State ex rel, Mitchell, 115 Ind. 245.)
It will he observed that in this election the Democrats lost the offico oi
clerk, auditor, recorder and sur\eyor. There may have been several reasons
for this. A sentiment was growing in the county that no person sluiuld hold ;i
four-year county office for more than one term. On the Democratic ticket.
Ira Collins, recorder; Charles Downing, clerk, and James ]\Iannix. auditor,
had each served a term of four years and were candidates for reelection.
W. S. Fries had served a term of two years as sui-\'eyor and was a candidate
for reelection. On the other hand. R. A. Black, the Republican candidate for
clerk, was an able attorney and well known throughout the county. Henry
Snow was generally acquainted over the count}- and was veiy popular with
the people. All of these conditions, and likely others, operated to prtjduce
the partial defeat of the Democratic partv in that election.
rROHfBlTIOX r'ARl^'.
The Prohibition ]iartv also effected a county organization in 18S6. I. N.
Hunt was elected chairman of the county central committee, and R. M. Julian,
secretary. A county ticket was nominated, which polled approximately fifty-
six votes in that election. The part}- polled from sixty-five to sevent}--five
\otes for several years. In more recent vears its candidates have been receiv-
ing from ninetv to one hundred and twenty votes and a few have received
as high as one hundred and seventy votes.
In 1S88 R. M. Julian, secretan,' of the Prohibition county central com-
mittee, inserted the following sentence in his official notice, published in the
local papers: "We hereby give notice that the Prohibition party in Hancock
count\- has come to stay." To this time the ]);u-t}- has stayed and in the
greater number of conventions has had .-i count}- ticket or at least a ])rirlial
ticket in the field.
3S4 HANCOCK COUNTY, IXDIANA.
During the summer of 1888 Ephraim Marsh was selected as a member
of the state Democratic central committee, uixin wliich he served for several
years.
people's party.
;rhe summer of 1892 witnessed the organization' of tlie Populist, or
People's party, in Hancock county. Coleman Pope was chosen chairman of
the county central committee and their county ticket received approximately
three hundred votes in the election of 1892. In the election of 1894 the ticket
recei\ed approximately two hundred votes; in 1896. one liundred and ten
votes ; and in 1898, which was its last county ticket, tliirtv votes.
F.\UMERS' MUTl'AL BEXKFIT A.SSOCIATIONS.
Tn 1890 Farmers' Mutual Benefit Associations had become pretty stronglv
organized in the count}-. Thougli not a political organization, it was an
organization, in a measure, like tlie "Grangers." of whicii candidates were care-
ful to take notice, in tliat year a report was circulated in tlie southern part
of the county that Lawrence Boring, who was then a candidate for county
auditor, was not in sympathy with the order. Mr. Boring felt it worth while
to issue a very explicit statement through tlie columns of tlie local ])ress.
den\ing these charges. On Ma\ 7. 1892. the county assemhlv of t!ie order
ado])ted the following resolution in relation to the association's attitude toward
politics :
"Rcsflk'cd. that we. the county assembly of the Hancock Farmers' Mutual
Benefit Association, do iiereliy agree that we as a body are a non-])olitical-
organization, and declare ourselves not ])ledged to sup])ort any ])olitical party
or faction as a body and that said resolution be published in tiie Hancock
Democrat. "}. H. Whitk, President.
"MoR(;.\N' J. Tyxer. Secretaiy."
I!R^■AX \.\l) FRICK SIIAER.
Following the nomination of William Jennings liryan. at Chicago in
1896. the Democracy of the county rallied enthusiastically to his support.
Stokes Jackson was a delegate to the national Democratic convention and was
also a member of the notification committee that b-rought to Mr. Bryan the
news that he had been nominated for the Presidencv bv the Democratic i^arty.
Xo party in tlie countv has ever gi\en any candidate a more enthusiastic and
more loyal support than the Democracy of the couiUy has given to Mr. Bryan
in each of his campaigns.
POLITICS. 385
The Democrats of the county wei-e llioroughly imbued with tlie idea of
free silver and on June 6, 1896, just a few days prior to the Center town-
ship Democratic convention, copies of the following notice were sent to prac-
tically all of the Democratic voters of the township:
"Greenfield, Ind., 2^1ay 30, 1896.
"Dear Sir : Tlie townsliip Democratic convention for the selection of
deleg'ates to the state, congressional, senatiirial and joint representative con-
ventions will be held at the court room in the city of Greenfield, on Saturday,
June 6, 1896, at two o'clock P. M. You are earnestly requested to see your
friends and neighbors and urge them to be present, as it is important on
account of the action which is desired to be taken, instructing" all delegates
to vote for platform and candidates who are in favor of the restoration of
silver to the position it occupied before its demonetization in 1873 '^y the
Repul)lican party. Free and unlimited coinage of silver at the ratio of sixteen
to one is the battle cry of the Democracy for 1896. There is likely to be an
effort made to carry the convention for a gold standard, but if all of the
friends of silver attend this con\ention and dn their duty, silver will win the
day. "Friexds of Silver."
All the Democratic township conventions adopted resolutions during the
summer of i8g6 in favor of the free and unlimited coinage of silver, and the
defeat of Mr. Bryan at the polls did not shake the faith of the county. "Si.x-
teen to one" was affectionately remembered for many years and the "peer-
less leader" remained the idol of the party. Through the influence of Mr
Jackson, Mr. Bryan was brought to Greenfield on July 2~. 1899. (Ireat
preparations were made for his reception. The city was decorated, a large
cannon was procured and it seemed that the entire county turned out en masse
to hear him. He spoke at the fair ground and it was estimated that twenty
thousand people were present to hear the address. On June 22, 1903, Mr.
Bryan again made two addresses at Greenfield, one on the east side of the
court house and another at the opera house. On October 3. 1906. he spoke
at Fortville and then, with a parly, came to (ireenfield by automobile. The
city was again decorated and an immense thning fille<l the streets on the
east side of the court house to hear him. It is most likely true that Mr.
Bryan has not had a more loyal county in the United States than Hancock.
.\ few Democrats in the county, including Ephraim Marsh, Judge Offutt
and E. H. Faut were opposed to Mr. Bnan's theory of "free silver" and
supported the national Gold Denmciatic ticket. This ticket, however. ]io!led
(25)
386 HANCOCK COUXTY, INDIANA.
only fifteen ^■otes in the county, of which one was in Brandywine. eight in
Center, four in Sugar Creel; and two in Vernon.
HANCOCK POLITICIANS.
Since 1896 several of the leading men in hoth political parties of the
county have received recognition for tlieir political services. In 1808 Stokes
Jackson was chosen Democratic chairman of the Sixth Congressional dis-
trict. In i()io he was selected as cliairman nf the Democratic state central
committee, and in 191 1 was appointed sergeant-at-arms m the Lower House
of Congress.
In 1902 Col. E. P. Thayer was selected as Repul)lican chairman of the
Si.xth Congressional district, and al the Repuhlican national conventions held
in 1908 and 1912 he was honored with the appointment as first assistant
sergeant-at-anns in the conventions. Colonel Thayer has heen active in the
Republican party, both in this county and in the state, for a number of years.
W'hh tlie exception of his candid.ncy for the office of county auditor in 1898.
in wiiich he reduced the Democratic majoritv of his opponent to one hundred
and sixty-nine votes, he has never asked for political preferment either at the
hands of the voters of the county or by appointment from the national admin-
istration. No doubt the popularity of Colonel Thayer with his part\- has
been in a large measure due to this unselfish service.
Jn 191 o Edward W. Eelt, who had been honored with several elections
in liis own county, was elected to tiie appellate bench of the stale.
SCHLOSSKR V.S. STRICKLAND AXD RASH VS. SAiMPLK.
In 1910 two contests arose over the result of the Democratic primary
nominating convention. . This convention was held on February 5. Harry G.
Strickland and Chalmer Schlosser were opposing candidates for representative,
and James K. Sample and John T. Rash for county recorder. The count of
the votes showed that Strickland had received 1,020 and Schlosser, 1.009;
that Sample had received 1.207, R^sh, 1.123. The count gave Strickland a
majority of ii for representative, and Sample a majority of 8.J for county
recorder. This result was declared on February 7. 1910. Schlosser and Rash
were dissatisfied with the count in so far as it related to their respective
candidacies and within about a week after the nomination each filed his peti-
tion in the Hancock circuit court, asking for a recount of the votes, alleging
that he believed that there had been a mistake in the count. .Ml the can-
didates, the Democratic central committee, and the election commissioners
were made defendants in the action. The convention had been held on the
POLITICS. 387
Australian plan, but not strictly in accordance with any statute. I'or this
reason the court held that it lacked jurisdiction. 'J'he cases were nut appealed
to any higher tribunal, l)ut were dismissed following- this decisinn.
REL.\T1VK .STKH.VCTII Ol" l'.\KTIES.
The relative strength of the pt)Htical parties in the county for twentN
years prior to 1912 is shown by the following- table, which gives the appro.xi-
mate number of votes polled by each ticket at the elections indicated:
Year Democratic Republican Prohiljitimi I'eople's
1890 2.260 1.660 1 10 ....
i8c;2 -.-30 1.860 J 2 295
1894 2,296 2.094 64 . 189
1896 2.760 2,240 ... 120
1898 2.450 2,160 58 30
1900 2.916 2.300 60
1902 -.560 2,060 1 74
1904 2.800 2,550 155
1906. ...... .2.600 2.350 160
190S -2.932 2.440 115
1910 2.542 2,170 92
.SINCE 19 I 2.
The schism that occurred in the national Rei)ul)lican convention at Chi-
cago in 1912 was carried to the ranks of the party in Hancock county.
Thomas I. Morgan, treasurer of the Re])ublican central committee, and
T<ihn Rosser, secretary. Vjoth resigned and took their places iri the alignment
of the new Progressive party. Other members of the Republican, county cen-
tral committee resigned and threw their political fortunes with the new ])arty.
F5ut these things were mere indications of the discontent that prevailed within
the ranks of the Republican party itself. There was a general withdrawal
from the party, and at the following election only a minority of the party
was left to vote the Re])ublican ticket. Progressive township organizations
were effected on August 9. 1912. a Progressive county convention was held
.and a county organization effected, with Carl Rock, of Creenfield. as chair-
man of the central committee. Tn the report of this county convention the
following names were ])rominent : Carl Rock, Alvin Johnson. Gus Stuart.
James Furgason, James F. Reed. Sherman Rothermal. Irwin Piarnard. Jamt>
L. Vail, Capt. Menry Snow, Charles McKcnsie. Robert Oldham. J(ise])h P.
Reeves. John Henrv Gates, .\bram C. Pilkenton, H. E. Leech.
3^8 HAXCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
In the election that followed five tickets were in the field. The relative
strength of the three strongest is indicated below :
Judge— Ear! Sample, Democratic, 2,375; Eldon Robb, Republican, 617;
James F. Reed, Progressive, 1,508.
Representative — Robert F. Reeves, Democratic, 2.533 ; George W. Gates,
Republican, 698; Elvvood Barnard, Progressive, 1,265.
Treasurer — Allen F. Cooper, Democratic, 2,568; Johii Hittle. Repul)li-
can, 676; John H. Gates, Progressive, 1,176.
Sheriff — Mack Warrum, Democratic, 2.393: James W. Hiday, -Republi-
can, 819; James L. Vail. Progressive, 1,290.
Coroner — Earl Gibbs, Democratic, 2,564; W. R. Johnson. Republican.
693; Ernest R. Sisson, Progressive, 1,265.
Surveyor — G. C. Winslow, Democratic. 2.651; Allien C. Atherton.
Republican, 710.
Commissioner. Eastern District — J. H. Bussell. Democratic, 2,543;
iM-anklin L. Bridges. Republican, 701 ; Jolin W. Reeves. Progressive, 1,232.
Commissioner, Western District — George Allen, 2,549; John Senders,
Republican, 709; Charles IMcKensie, Progressive, 1,228.
Joiin F. \\'iggins. the Socialist candidate for judge, received 184 votes.
In 1914. liowe\er, the ratin of votes had changed:
Democratic • 2.350
Republican 1,200
Progressive 875
In the ranks of the Democracy of the county today arc manx- men whose
faces have been familiar in the party's coiiiu-ils. and whose judgments have
directed the local policies of the ])arty through many years and through many
battles. We cannot mention all of them, but no picture of a general Dem-
ocratic meeting- of this day at the county seat would be complete without the
faces of Elbert Tyner, John Hayes Duncan. Michael Quigley. George W.
Ham. John E. Dye. William Elsbury, Isom Wright, .-\ugust Dennis. Horace
Wickard. John Manghe, George Crider, Charles Barr, William 11. Thomp-
son. Matthew L. Frank. William .\. Woods and others.
With these men who have latered through the years and who have borne
the burden and the heat of the day, stand also the men of the middle age and
the younger men. who are giving of their time and energy that its banner
may not trail in the dust, .\mong the faces that are verv familiar we see
our Judge Earl Sample, John \-\ luigan. Joim B. Ilinchnian. William A.
POLITICS. 389
Service, Samuel J. Offutt. Edward W. Pratt. Jonas Walker. Charles L. Tin-
dall. Robert L. Mason, Edwin T. (llascock, Charles Cook, Arthur Van Duyn.
John A. -\nderson, Sherman Smith, Lemuel Moore, George Matlock. Thomas
Hope, Charles Scott, Louis H. Merlau. William (',. Lantz. Joim !•". Slielbv,
E. M. Sanford. Clint Caldwell. Julin MnDney. (juinv-\- A. Wrijjht. an<l nianv
others.
But no picture nt any ycncr;d nr Imsiness nieetinj;- nt the Democracy at
the county seat within the last quarter of a century w<iuld be complete if ii
omitted from the foreground the likeness of the genial secretary — who is
practically always called to the table — Elmer T. Swope.
Among those who have remained loyal to the Republican standard
through the storm and stress of many campaigns are such men as William
R. Hough, John C. Eastes and others of their age. Among the younger
men are Edwin P. Thayer, wdio has been mentioned above; William A.
Hough, who has been favorably mentioned as a candidate for Congress ;
Newton R. Spencer, editor of the Greenfield Republican; Ora ]\Iyers, Dr. C.
K. Bruner, Dr. L. B. Griffin, George W. Duncan, J. P. Black, W. R. McKown,
W. R. King, James McDaniels, Henry Nichols. R. I-". Cook. George W. (iates,
Eldon A. Robb, James \\\ Hiday, John Little, W. C. Atherton, William P.
Bidgood, William E. Thomas, John S. Souder, James Garrett, William G.
White. W. R. Johnston, Morgan Andrick. Charles Gately, L A. May, John
Corocoran, H. Ward Walker, Frank Cook, Morton Allender, Charles Abetters,
A. H. Thomas, William T. Orr, Erank McCray, C. M. Eastes, W. E. Scotten,
John E. Barrett, C. M. Jackson, Charles H. Kirkhoff, Ed C. Huntington.
James H. Kimberlin, A. R. Ayres and others who have been active in different
parts of the county.
Among those who re\olted from the tyranny of party machinery that
was thought to be citishing the individual under its weight; who preferred
new' standards and new ideals, and who led in the organization of the county
under the leadership of Theodore Roosevelt, should be mentioned, James E.
Reed, J. P. Reeves, Claude Woods, W'alter Woods, H. H. Spangler. Edward
Willianis, Pearl Alexander, Elwood Barnard, L-\-in Barnard, Sherman Roth-
ermel. John Mugg, James Webb, G. E. Stuart, M. S. Walker, Thomas Dill-
man. Walter Eastes, Erank Hanes, Dr. Lucian Ely, Grant Krammes, Ralph
Logan, O. J. Coffin, James Lindamood. William Hawkins, Barclay Binford,
Frank E. Rock. Thomas E. Niles. R. O. N. Oldham. A. C. Pilkenton. Carl
S. Rock. Marvin Metcher. Homer Smith, W. W. McCole. Thomas L Morgan,
Alvin Johnson and II. T. Roberts.
3<JO HANCOCK COINTV. INDIANA.
ONE TERM.
For a numl)er of years past a sentiment has been developing in tlie county
tliat men elected to a foiu'-\ear term of office should wi be reelected. Since
the partial defeat of the Democratic ticket in iS86. but two men. Lawrence
Boring and James Thomas, have held more than one temi of an elective four-
year office. Xo other candidates have even succeeded in getting a second
nomination, altlmugh several efforts have l)ccn made.
THE TOWNSHIPS.
Viewing the county In- townships. Blue River has always Ijeen strongly
Republican. Since the enactment of the law creating the townsliip trustee's
office in 1859. Blue River has elected but two Democratic township trustees.
James P. Xew, in 1863. and Hariy L. Fletcher, in 1914. Jackson township
has also l)een Repulilican. vet on several occasions Democratic township trus-
tees have been elected. All of the other townships have Ijeen counted in tlie
Democratic column, although all of them, with the exception of Brandywine,
have at different times elected Republican township trustees. Brandywine
alone has iiad rin unl)niken line of Democratic township trustees since the
law was enacted in 1859.
COVNTV CHAIRMEN.
It is impossible at this time to procure the names of the officers of the
various political organizations prior to 1R60. The following, however, is a
list of the chairmen of the different political parties in the countv since i860,
as far as it has been possible to make the same complete :
Democratic.
i860— J. A. Hall. 1878— Morgan Chandler.
1861 — Benjamin F. Caldwell. i88c — Ephraim Marsh.
1866 — John W. Ryon. 1882 — Ephraim Marsh.
7867 — .\lfred Potts. 1884 — Andrew Hagan.
,868—^1. L. Paullus. 1886— Andrew Hagan.
1868— Jacob Slifer. 1888— U. S. Jackson.
1870 — William Frost. 189c — U. S. Jackson.
187c — Jacob Slifer. 1892 — I. A. Curry.
1872 — George Barnett. 1894 — E. W. Felt.
1874 — George Barnett. 1896 — George ^\^ Ham.
1876— George Bmu tt. 1S98— E. W. Felt.
POLITICS.
391
190C — Charles J- Richnian.
1902 — (ieorgc Crider.
1904 — H. D. Barrett.
1906 — Lawrence Wood.
1908 — Lawrence Wood.
i860 — James P. Foley.
1861 — James P. I'oley.
1867 — L. W. Gooding.
1868— Nelson Bradley.
1870— X. P. Howard.
1874 — W. C. Burdett.
1876— W. C. Burdett.
1878 — Henry Snow.
1880 — Henr\' Snow.
1882 — Henry Snow.
1884 — Llenr_\- Snow.
1886 — Samuel A. Wray.
1888— R. A. Black.
1890— Dr. W. R. King-.
1862 — William Lrost.
1864— X. P. Howard.
1866 — (jeorge Barnett.
i872^John Roberts.
1878— A\"illiam Sears.
188c— William Sears.
191G — Richard liagans.
191 1 — Clint I'arker.
1912 — William Service.
1914 — Thomas Seaman.
1916 — Rosecrans L. Ogg.
Rcpiiblicaii.
1892 — Dr. W. R. King.
1894— W. J'. Bidgood.
1896 — Xewton R. Spencer.
1898— Elmer J. Binford.
190C — Newton R. Spencer.
1902 — Edwin P. Thayer.
1902 — Arthur II. Thomas.
1904 — Weaker Bridges.
1906— \\'. H. H. Rock.
,yo8— W. H. H. Rock..
191C — James F. Reed.
1 9 16 — Eldon Rohb.
19 1 2 — Ora Myers.
1914 — William V. Thomas.
I' III on.
1866 — Penuel 1 lidgood.
.Viifioiial Union.
Liberal Republican.
A^ational or Greenback.
1882 — William Sears.
Prohibition.
,886— L X. Hunt.
1888— R. M. Julian.
189c— R. M. Julian.
1892 — Benton L. Barrett.
1894— R. M. Julian.
1896— R. .M. Julian.
•898— A. H. Hunt.
1900 — A. H. HmU.
1902 — Benjamin j. Binford.
1904 — Benjamin J. Binford.
39-
HANCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
1906— Benton L. Barrett.
1906 — Benton L. Barrett.
1908 — J. W. Harvey.
1910 — J. W". Harvey.
1892 — Coleman Pope.
1894 — Thomas H. Bentley.
1912 — Carl Rock.
1914 — Howard Roberts.
1912 — John F. W'iggins.
1912 — J. }il. Pogue.
1912 — Rev. J. S. Clawson.
1914 — Rev. J. S. Clawson.
People's Party.
1896 — Samuel R. ^^'alker.
1898 — George Walker.
Progressive.
191 6 — Howard Roberts.
Socialist.
CHAPTER IX.
TEMPERANCK.
The liquor traffic has always been a source of revenue to the county. In
fact this has been the chief argument for maintaining the traffic from the
fifth day of -May, 1828, to the present.
The first meeting of the board of county commissioners of Hancock
county was held on April 7, 1828, and the first liquor license was granted on
May 5. 1828. In that early day the applicant for a license to sell licjuor had
to present tn the board of commissioners a recommendation signed by twelve
freeholders of the county. \\'hen this had been done, and the fee ])aid, the
'license was issued in a very simple form :
"On the application of James Parker for a license to retail spirituous
liquor and foreign groceries at his house in the count)' of Hancock, Indiana —
by a recommendation of twelve of his fellow citizens of the same township
(freeholders) ; therefore it is ordered by the Board that the said James Par-
ker be licensed for and during the term of one year from this date, and tliat
he now produces the receipt from under the hand of the Treasurer of said
County of his having paid Five Dollars as a tax on said license."
Another entry was made in about the same form relative to the applica-
tion of Joseph Chapman :
"On the application of Joseph Chapman for a license to retail spirituous
and strong liquors, foreign and domestic groceries at his grocery in the town
of Greenfield and in the County of Hancock, Indiana. Therefore it is ordered
by the Board that the said Joseph Chapman be licensed as such for -and dur-
ing the term of one }ear from the date of said license — .\nd the said Joseph
Chapman here now produces a certificate from under the hands of twelve free
holders of said township of Brandywine — and that he paid the sum of five
dollars as a tax to the County Treasurer."
Liquor at that time was commonly sold in the groceries. It is interest-
ing nnw to observe the distribution of groceries that were licensed previous
to 1840, that also retailed liquor "by the small." Following is the list:
Jaiues Parker — 1828, Greenfield.
Joseph Chapman — 1829. Greenfield.
Amos Dickerson — 1831, Sugar Creek.
393
394 IIAXCOCK COUXTV. IXDIAXA.
[Morris I'ierson — J'Sji. (Jreentield.
Barzilla Rozell — i^.v- Brown townsliip.
Taylor Willett— 1838. Charlottesville.
Asa Gooding — 1838. Greenfield.
Jacob Schramm' — 1838. Sugar Creek.
Peter 1'". Xewland — 1838, Charlottesville.
Lewis & Slifer — 1838, Hancock county.
Joshua Stone — 1838, Greenfield.
William Johnson — 1838, Greenfield.
John Delaney — 1838, Sugar Creek.
John Dye — 1839, Sugar Creek.
Solomon Hull — T839. Hancock county.
Asa Cooper — 1839, Hancock county.
Gavis Richardson — 1839. Hancock county.
William Garrison — -1839, Hancock county.
William Bentley — 1839. Hancock county.
William Griffin — 1839. Greenfield.
John Martin — 1839, Hancock county.
Laymon & Graft — 1840. Hancock county.
John Wilkinson— 1840, Green.field.
Hart & Burk — 1840. Greenfield.
\mong the olrl papers in the clerk's office may still he found itemized
claims filed against decedent's estates. Xow and then a grocer's claim may
be found showing the liquor items on the same bill with "foreign and
domestic groceries." These claims are illuminating with reference to the
customs of the times.
^^'hile the grocers were retailing liquors as indicated above, the ta\crns
were also engaged in the same business. Of the twenty taverns licensed
in this county before 184 1. all but six retailed liquor "by the small." When
the distribution of the taverns over the county is observed in connection with'
the distrilnition of the groceries that retailed li(|uor, and when it is remem-
liered that whisky could I)e bought for ten cents per (|uart, one begins to
ap])reciate the ease with which it could be procured in those days.
Conditions as described above prevailed pretty, generally in the county
until within a decade of the Civil War. There is no record of the combined
opposition I if the jieople to the sale of intoxicating liquors during the early
years. Persons could be punished, of c<iurse. for selling li(|Uor illegally. ;>nd
the grand iuries did fre(|nentl\- relurn indictments for such \iolntions rif the
TEMPERANCE. 395
law. In Uie report of ilie grand jury, made on I'"el)ruary 17. iS4<}. for
iustanee. ten indietnieiUs were returned against persons for "selling and
giving liquor to a drunken man." lught indictments were also returned
against persons for "selling liquor without a license." Other indictment.s
were returned at other times. It is interesting to observe, too. in a copy
of the Greenfield Reveille, published in April. 1843, that a large part <)f one
column was given to an argument against the licjuor traffic. The article
was prepared by G. N. Voss. an attorney of the local bar, and much of his
argument was addressed to the "moderate drinker."
SONS ^)i- TEMrERANCE.
Tn the earh- fifties llie countx- was pretty thoroughlv organized bv a
secret order known as the Sons of Temperance. The purpose of the order
is explained in its name. Lodges were instituted m all parts of the county,
and young men were solicited to sign the pledge. No records of the organ-
ization remain in existence. Init the older people tell us that a great deal of
temperance enthusiasm was aroused by the order.
On ^[arcli 5, 1859, however, an "Act relating to the sale of Spirituous,
\'inous. and Malt Liquors" was approved, which rec]uired special notice of
the intention to ajiply for a license to sell, etc. Provision was also made for
remonstrating, and it may fairly l>e said that right here was the
BEGINNING OF THE TEMPER.\NCE FIGHTS.
At the June .session of the board, in 1859, John Hudson made applica-
tion f(,ir a license to retail lic|uor in the town of W'alpole (Fortville), but
the board refused to grant the application because of the insufficiency of
his notice. Se\'eral other applicants had the same difficulty during the next
year or two. At the Septeml^er term, 1859, the applicant was successful.
Licenses were also granted under the new law to Andrew Hagan at Wal-
pole, and John Carmichael and Frederick Hammel at Greenfield.
Joseph Gustin, by his attorney, Thomas D. W'alpole, also applied for a
license at the September term, 1S59, to retail liquor, whereupon Joseph B.
Atkinson presented a remonstrance against granting said license, signed by
himself and ninety-seven others. He also presented objections in writing, all
of which \\ere considered by the board, who thereupon refused to grant
the license. Gustin then bv his attorney. David \'anlaningham, mo\ed the
board for a new hearing, but this motion the board overruled.
The remonstrance of Joseph B. Atkison and others, mentioned above,
was the first of a long series of remonstrances that have been filed before
39^ HANCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
the board of commissioners under the different laws that liave l^een enacted
since that time. On September 3. i860. Robert D. Cooper, by his attorney,
David Vanlaningliam. apphed for a hcense to retail intoxicating liquors.
On September 4. i860. Reuben A. Riley presented a remonstrance signed
by himself and ninety-nine others against the granting of a license to the
applicant. The applicant moved the rejection of the remonstrance, which
motion the board overruled. The application was withdrawn on
September 5.
On September 6. i860, \\". W. Pierson applied for a retail liquor license,
which the board refused, on the ground of the insufficiencv of the descrip-
tion of the premises in which the liquor was to be sold.
At the March session of the board, in 1861, John Carmichael again
made application for a license to retail spirituous liquor. J'^seph B, Atkison
first moved the board to dismiss the application because of the insufficiency
of the notice, but this motion was overruled by the board. He therefore
filed a remonstrance signed by himself and one hundred and twenty-six
others against the granting of such license to said applicant. The cause
was set down for liearing. after which,
"The board being sufficiently advised in tlie premises, finds that said
applicant is not of good character and is not fit to be intrusted with a license
to retail spirituous liquor.
'Tt is tlierefore considered In- the lx)ard tliat said application be denied,
and tliat a license to retail spirituous liquor by said John Carmichael be
refused.
"And thereupon said John Carmichael tendered fifty dollars and a bond,
and demanded a license, all of which was rejected bv the Ixiard.
"Xevill Reeves.
"Elias McCord,
"Hiram Tyner,
"Commissioners,"
-At the June term, in 1861. Jonathan Dimbnr ajiplied nr a license. He
introduced oral testimony in proof of the publication of his notice, and also
as to the fitness to be intrusted with a license. Joseph B. Atkison again
came forward with a remonstrance signed by himself and one hundred and
fifty-five others against granting a license to the applicant, whereupon Dun-
bar withdrew his application.
When the remonstrance against Dunbar was filed, the Hancock Dem-
ocrat published the list of names that appeared upon it. Some of the names
TEMPEKAXCE. 397
were oniiltci! troiii tlie list, at wliich the signers were aggrieved. In explain-
ing tlie matter a w eek later, the Democrat staled :
"It so liajjpened that the remonstrance had been signed in parts and that
not all parts had been collected and filed, and therefore were not published
in the paper. This caused a complaint from citizens whose names did not
appear, because they were eager to have their due portion of credit for hav-
ing opposed the application. The people were represented before the Ix)ard
of commissioners by Joseph B. Atkison and William R. Hough."
It is not the intention to give a detailed statement of the contest that
has arisen on every application that has been field before the board of com-
missioners for a license to sell spirituous and intoxicating liquors. The fore-
going instances have been detailed mereh- to show the temper of the people
and the earnestness with which they undertook a campaign for cleaner living
and purer homes. It is interesting to observe in this connection the follow-
ing editorial from the issue of the Hancock Democrat of ^larch 27, 1861 :
"greexfield a temperaxce towx.
"It is perhaps not generally known that this place is without a licensed
grocery and has been for the last six months. Several efforts have been made
in vain to obtain a license. The citizens seem to be determined to wipe away
the stigma of reproach brought on our town by the whisk)- leaders who cared
more for the base use and advantages accjuired through its instrumentality
than for the fame and good order of society. The public sentiment of the
town is so well known that no man who respects the will of its citizens or
regards his own character will be apt to offend the public by petitioning for
a license to sell spirituous liquors in Greenfield. Should such an attempt
hereafter be made the character and fitness of the applicant will be well
ventilated if we can correctly judge public sentiment.
■■\\"hilst we are on this subject, we can further say, that there is but
one licensed grocerv in Hancock county. Who can hereafter say that Han-
cock is a whisky county?"
The "one licensed grocery" referred to above was opeated by Andrew
Hagan at Fortville. At least the record of the board of commissioners shows
no other license at this time. Hagan. as stated above, was licensed at the
September term, 1859, and annually thereafter until Septemlier. 1864, when
a remonstrance w-as filed, and his application withdrawn.
That the zeal of the people did not abate at the close of these two years
is indicated bv the folli)wing tabulated statement, showing the names of the
398 HANCOCK COU^-TV, INDIANA.
applicants, the dates of the application, and the disposition made of the
applications by the board of county commissioners :
Andrew Hagan — Sejjtemljer. 1862. Granted.
John Carmichael^Septcmber, 1862. Remonstrance and appeal.
Andrew Hagan — September, 1863. Granted.
Loring \\'. Gapen — March, 1864. Denied.
Andrew Hagan — Septemlier, 1S64. Remonstrance: application with-
drawn.
Loring W. Gapen — December. 1865. Remonstrance; application with-
drawn.
W'illiam G. Ritchie — Decemljer. 1865. Remonstrance: granted.
Nicholas Klock — Decemljer, 1865. Remonstrance; application with-
drawn.
Robert H. Offntt — March. i8(')(). Remonstrance; application dismissed.
John Walsh — June. i86(). Remonstrance; application dismissed.
Jacob Stoehr — September. 1866. Granted; remonstrators appeal.
Stephen A. Jones — Septemlier, 1866. Granted; remonstrators appeal.
Nicholas Klock — December, 1S66. Remonstrance; appeal defeated.
William G. Ritchie — June, 1866. Granted; remonstrators appeal.
John C. Rardin — December, 1866. Granted; remonstrators appeal.
When the application of Andrew Hagan was withdrawn in 1864, the
county was without a licensed saloon until in December. 1863. .\t that time
a license was granted to William G. Richie at Greenfield. It is interesting
to observe, too, that a few months after the county had been at least legally
"dry," the following editorial was published with evident pride in the Hancock
Democrat :
"TEMPER.\XC1-: FOR HA.XCOtK.
"Let all the world know thai in this county there is not a licensed liquor
shop, nor has there been such for months past. The whisky jxnver in this
county fought long and hard for political ascendancy under an alile and
imscrupulous leadership, but all in \-ain. The good people, irrcsi)ective of
party, can now congratulate each other that the name of Hancock couiUy is
no longer to l)e identified in the public mind with drunkenness and
intemperance."
After the withdrawal of his application, in 1865. Loring W. Gapen did
not apply for a liquor license until September. 1870. During these inter-
vening years he must have been engaged in selling "soft drinks." and in view
TEMTKRANCE. 399
'if the comfort aiul sr.tisfaciion that so many penple lia\c derived I'mm drink-
ing sodas, the following item taken from the issue of the JJancock JJcinocnit
of July 4, 1867, is probably worlhy of a place in the temperance chapter of
the couiit_\-'s histor\' :
"Soda Water. — L. W. (iapen. not satisfied with feasting the inner niim
with his cream, has procured a soda fount, after the latest cut. and is dailv
dispensing this delightful and healthy beverage to delighted crowds. Our
'de\'ir says it is the most elevating effervescent ln>- has \et become acquainted
with in his i)eregrinations."
Joseph li. Atkison fir Reuben .\. Rile\- usualK' re])resented the remon-
strators in tlie legal battles before the board of commissioners in the cam-
jiaigns that were waged during the years indicated abo\e. William R.
1 lough fre(|uently a])peared for them, also.
Beginning with March, j86S, there was a cessation in the remonstrance
activity which continued for .almost two years. The Cjood Temjjlars made
their appearance and a number of lodges were organized in the county. Men
and women joined the order and signed the pledge to abstain from the use
of into.xicating li(|nor. ReuK nstrances were filed against the ap])lications
of Nicholas Klock. of Xew I'alestine. in June and September, respectively,
1868. b'rom March, 1868, until Seirtembcr, i86(;. twelve applications were
granted without opposition. In Sej^tember and December, 1869, remon-
strances were filed against three aj)plications, but with these exceptions, no
objection was offered until March, 187J. In the meantime the liquor traffic
flourished. During 1871 and up to and includnig March, 1872, ten licenses
were granted. Si.\ more were granted during the remaining months of 1872.
Rut a wave of opposition was sweeping over the county, and beginning with
the March term. ^'f^jj. renmnstrances were filed and eight applications were
denied.
The crusade agamst tlu' liqunr traffic was now becoming more general.
Organizations began to arise in different parts of the county and an effort
was made in all ([uarters to oppose the evil. On Tuesday afternoon, March
3, 1874, a meeting was held at the Methodist Episcopal church, on the corner
just southwest of the court house, for the purpose of organizing a "Temper-
ance Alliance" among the ladies. A number of men were also present and
addresses were made by Captain I\-udlus. Major Branham. Rev. Logan and
Rev. Hagans. The proposed constitution of the Alliance was read, which
.-miountcd to a pledge that all persons signing the same would abstain from
the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage. Tt was then given to the
400 HAXCUCK COLXTV, INDIANA.
audience for signatures and alx)ut fifty people signed it. Tlie following
persons were elected as officers of the Alliance : President, Mrs. Captain
Paullus; vice-president. Mrs. A. P. Williams: treasurer. Mrs. H. B. Thayer;
secretary, Mrs. Joseph Bartlow.
A mass meeting was also determined upon to be held at the Methodist
Episcopal church, on Sunday evening, March 8, 1874. There was a large
attendance at this meeting. The Rev. Mr. Logan made an eloquent address,
and was followed by a number of the business men of Greenfield, among
whom were: W. S. Wood, Captain Ogg. Charles G. Offult. .\. \\'. Hough,
Dr. Hall. Dr. Barnett, Ephraim Marsh.
The constitution of the Alliance was agam presented and a number of
people affixed their signatures thereto. Another pledge had also been pre-
pared for attorneys alone, in which they were to agree not to take employ-
ment in defense of a man charged with a violation of the liquor law. James
A. New and A. \\'. Hough, it seems, signed this pledge. Init the other attor-
neys were unwilling to do so. Ephraim Marsh said in the meeting that he
would not sign it under any circumstances. Charles G. Offutt also refused
to sign the pledge and spoke at length upon the unfairness of presenting
such a pledge to attorneys. A few remarks from the address of Mr. Offutt.
in which he seemed to voice the sentiments of the attorneys, will indicate
their attitude on the matter. He took the position that because a man was
charged with a violation of law, it did not necessarily follow that he was
guilty, and then proceeded:
"Again, can it lie said that because an attorney engages in the defense
of a man charged with a violation of the liquor law. that the attorney is in
favor of intemperance? I think not. .\s well might you say that because an
attorney defends a man charged with larceny of a horse, that he is. therefore,
in favor of horse stealing. Just as well say, sir, that if a man engages in the
defense of a murderer that he is in favor of taking human lives. Tt is not
the duty of an attorney to make a defense for a man charged with a crime
by suborning witnesses, misleading a court or jury as to the facts or the law
of the case: but it is his duty to protect the interests of his client by all fair
and honorable means and to the best of his ability." I\Ir. Offutt spoke nt
length upon this phase of the question and was heiartily applauded when he
closed.
On Saturdav evening. March 7, 1874, a mass meeting was held at the
Christian church, at which George Barnett presided. A number of the busi-
ness men spoke, including William R. Hough. James A. New. Drs. Thiimas.
Howard and Barnett. \\'illiam Mitchell. John H. Binford. Captain Riley and
TEMPERANCE. 4OI
others. On ^FllIl(la\■, March 9, 1874, ilie laches of Greenfield held another
meeting- at the Ak-thodist Episcopal church for the purpose of appointing
conmiiitees to visit the li(|uor dealers to see what thcv jiroposed to do. These
committees were appointed and on 1"uesday afternoon, following;, Mrs. Ha-
vens, Mrs. Bradley. Mrs. A. P. Williams, Mrs. O. D. Hughes, Mrs. F. H.
Craw-ford. Mrs. Kight, Mrs. (iant. and others visited the saloon of Mr.
McCarty. He informed them, as reported in the issue of March u, 1874, of
the Hancock Democrat, "that it was his intention to (|uit the Imsiness and
that as soon as his government license expired, he would engage in other
pursuits."
The same committee also visited William (i. Richie at the "I'llephant
Saloon." On making their husiness knowr., Mr. Richie informed the com-
mittee, as reported in the same issue of the Dcmocral, "that he was not
ready to sign any papers; that he wnuld take the matter under advisement,
and that when he came to the conclusion to sign their pa])er and quit his busi-
ness he would inform them. In the meantime he proposed to prosecute his
business as heretofore, strictly in conformity to the laws of the land, and that
he had dehherately made up his mind that those who had signed their ])ledge
must go elsewhere for their li(|uor. unless it was strictly for medicinal or
mechanical purposes. He desired a li.st of the names that he might aid the
cause of temperance at least to this extent. He said that if the ladies would
^•isit the 'poor of the town and see what the children needed in the wav of
clothing, etc., to enable them to attend the common schools, the Sabbath
school and the church, he was ready and willing to do his full share in this
good work." He informed the reporter that he Wduld treat all ladies with
the utmost kindness and consideratinn. and thai he would expect similar
treatment in return.
On March 11 a committee composed nf Mrs. I'cilev, Mrs. I'aullus and
.Mrs. r>ri>wn \isited the saloon of John Walsh. .-\s reported in the same
issue of the Democrat, he informed them "that he was ready and willing
to quit so soon as he could rent his room, and until he did so it was his
intention to sell intoxicating licpior in accordance with the existing laws of
the state, at least until his jiresent stock was exhausted. If he could not
rent his room he might renew his stock, but in no case would he sell licpior
in violation of the law. TVIr. Walsh iiiformed the ladies that he was strictly
a temperance man, and did not have much faith in liquor for medical jiur-
poses. He had made up his mind tn li\e as long as be could without the use
of liquor for any purpose, and that be was ready to die when he could not
live without it. So far as be was concerned he intended to live and die
(26)
402 HANCOCK COUNTY. INUIANA.
without the use of liquor in any form. John paid profound attention to the
ladies and treated them with liis accu.stomed kindness. He says tliat he will
continue to do so; that when he tires of their presence he will go away, and
that he will in no case offer them any insult."
The ladies continued to visit the different saloons from day to day, and
in the issue of the Hancock Democrat of March 19, 1874, further results
were reported as follows :
'"Thev visited the saloons several times, which resulted in an agreement
with Messrs. IMcCarty and Walsh. Mr. McCarly is to quit the business of
liquor selling on or before the first day of March, and to close the house at
nine P. M. until then. Mr. Walsh has rented his room and will give pos-
session in three weeks. Mr. Richie has made no definite promise, beyond
saying that he would take the matter under advisement until the expiration
of his present government license."
It is onlv natural that so much agitation should cause a great deal of
gossip, much of which found its way into public print. In this connection the
following letter of ^^^ G. Richie was published in the Democrat on March
19, 1874:
"To THE Editor of the H.vncock Democr.\t :
"A communication in the Indianapolis Sentinel of this date, from Green-
field, calls for a few words from me. It says that the 'prayer test' has not
been tried on me. and that the writer thereof is uncertain what effect it would
have. The writer further says that if this fails, he thinks 'a small applica-
tion of the Baxter law would have the desired effect.' In reply, I desire to
fay that I have treated the ladies with kindness, and expect to do so as long
as they obev the law. I am engaged in selling liquor under the laws of the
United States and of the state of Indiana, and as long as I obey the law I
sliall expect all who visit my house to do the same. As to the Baxter law. I
have no fears of any of its provisions, and when I fail to obey this or any
other laws of the state. I hope A. K. B. or any others will wax it to me.
"W. G. Richie."
Mass meetings were continued, in which Mrs. M. L. Paullus. Mrs. J. P.
Folev. Mrs. Inez Lyons and others took an active part. William R. Hough,
John H. Binford. R. A. Riley, and other business men mentioned alx)ve, were
frequently at these meetings and assisted the ladies in their campaign.
The ladies also continued to visit the saloons. In fact, they took their
knitting and stayed all day. The following paragraphs taken from the issue
of the Democrat of .\pril 16, 1874. will indicate the method pursued:
TEMPERANCE. 4O3
"Our crusaders are still (n\ the war palli, but they have somewhat chauged
their tactics. On Tuesday mornino- they commenced the business of "sitting"
with Mr. Richie, at his Temple of Bacchus. They commence at seven A. M.
and retire at nine P. M., each couple being relieved every two hours. l)ill\-
and the ladies appear to get along very well, and there is no visible aspect in
the change of affairs. They paid a visit to Dr. Hall the other dav. at his drug
store, but seemed to decide that it was only necessary to make a 'short sitting.'
"All things considered, we cannot see that the situation is much improved
from the beginning, except that a few have been weaned from their cups."
The intensity of the campaign that was waged in the .^pnng of 1874 could
not Ije maintained for a \cry long time. Activity in the temperance cause,
however, did not cease. During the next year or two the columns of the
local newspapers published notices of meetings held at churches and school
houses in all parts of the county. The Woman's Christian Temperance
Union was also more or less active in the count}'. The year 1877 is notable
in the history of the temperance movement of tlie count}- for ushering in the
EK.'V OF RIBBON S0CIETIE.S.
The first of these was known as the Red Ribbon Society. It did not
gather as much strength in the county as did the Blue Ribbon societies two
years later. Its center of greatest strength was in and about McCordsville
and Fort\ille. A Red Ribbon Society was organized at McCordsville on
June 7, 1877, with a membership of sixty or more. Professor Motsinger,
principal of the McCordsville schools, was at the head of the society. The
organization was very acti\e among the young people and in a few months
secured a large number of members. On June 10, 1877, three wagon-
loads of members of the society went to Fortville to assist in the organization
of a Red Ribbon Society there. Over a hundred memljers signed the pledge
at Fortville on that evening. These societies were known as the Red Ribbon
societies because of the small red ribbons that were worn by persons who
had signed the ])ledges. Anti-profanity and anti-tobacco pledges were also
signed 1)\- manv members of the society.
In 1879 one D. B. Ross, a temperance lecturer, came into the county
and led a series of meetings at different points. Great interest was man-
ifested by tiie people in temjjerance reform, and now I'lue Ribbon societies
were organized in every c|uarter. Below are a few clippings from the
Hancock Democrat from different points:
404 HANCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
"Brandywine. March 13, 1879.
■■\\ e are glad to hear llie wave lias struck these parts. Last Saturday-
evening they hekl their first meeting without an) regular speakers and
twenty-six signed the pledge. On Sunday evening George W. Duncan and
John Binford atldressed a large audience and about thirty-four called for
the blue ribbon. .\s some of them have lieen lingering too long at the cup,
it is to be hoped that they will keep their promises and will lead a sober and
useful life."
On March 23. 1879, the l'\)rtville correspondent included the following
item ;
"Fisher, our saloon man, started a counter mo\ement by tying rilibons
on all dogs he could catch — but it only makes friends to the temperance
cause. It was a dirty piece of business, intended as a slur on the Blue Rib-
bon, but was only a fair sample of the character of the men who deal in the
vile stuff." etc.. etc.. etc.
Ross began a series of meetings at the Christian church at Fortville in
March. 1879, and met with great success. On .\pril 2. 1879, five hundred
and fifty-six names were on the roll of the Blue Ribbon societies in that
locality. Evervwhere in the county societies were organized, pledges were
signed, and blue ribbons were worn. A "Blue Ribbon Column" was also
edited by the societies in the Hancock Democrat during the .spring of 1879.
In March, 1879, the temperances forces at Greenfield organized the
Greenfield Temperance .Association, an incorporation under the laws of the
state of Indiana. Its articles of incorjjoration may be found in Miscellaneous
Record, No. 2, page 496, in the office of the county recorder of Hancock
county. The objects, as stated in ilie articles of incorporation, were:
"i-'irst, the ])romotion of the cause of temperance wherever such wnrk
can be done.
"Second, the reformation of inebriates and of all persons addicted to fhe
use of intoxicating lic|Uors as a 'leverage, and for the union and association
of all jjersons interested in the cause of temperance for mutual labor and
counsel.
"Third, to render aid and assistance to reform inebriates under such
rules and regulations and in such manner as the board oi directors may
detennine and from time to time establish.
"Fourth, to establish headcpiarters and reading rooms and to provide,
in the discretion of the board of directors, for lunch room* for its members
and such proper persons as may see fit to resort to them."
TEMPERANCE. 4O5
Provision was made for llu' isMiancc ul iwciitv tlmusaiui '-hares of stock
at one dollar per share, l-'ollowing are a few "articles" ih.al show the luiiure
and the spirit of the work of the organizaticm :
".Article 17. — The work of the association shall lie ])ased on the leadin,s^
idea of tlie "I'liixersal l-"atlierhoo(l of (lod and the L'ni\ersal Brotherhood
of ]\Ian' and shall be carried on luiniauely with malice toward none and
charity for all, persuasion lieintj the leading- featitre of the work to be done.
"Article t8. — The seal of the corporation sliall have engraved upon it
the name of the corjioration and the motto, 'Malice toward none and cliaritv
for all."
".Article 21. — Ladies may take stock in said cori)oration and shall be
eligible to all offices, providing that not more than one-hall uf the board
of directors shall consist of ladies."
The original incorporators \\ere : Xelson Bradley, G. T. Randall. H, B.
Thayer, R. M. LaRue, F. E. Glidden, Samuel E. Duncan. Mrs. F. E. Glidden.
John F. Mitchell, Samuel S. Boots, V. M. Walker, Walter C. Roberts, Isaac
C. Davis. John ^^'. Jones, Mrs. W. D. Hughes, Mrs. A. C. Heaton. Mrs,
W. H. Sims. Mrs. F. AI. Walker, Mrs. L. L. Lorinor, Mrs. H. F. Williams.
I'ursuant to the purpose of that organization, as stated above, a room
was rented in the Guymon House for a reading room, and was supplied with
papers, magazines, Iiooks, etc. E\er\thing was done to make it attractive
for young men and lx:)vs. This room was maintained for se\eral months
during the summer and fall of 1879.
A further movement was undertaken in .April, 1870, for the organiza-
tion of the (ireenfield Christian Temperance I'nion. Its work was not to be
limited to the city of Greenfield, but was to extend over the entire county,
and an effort was made to interest the people of the county in the move-
ment. I'or this purpose the following call was issued through the columns
of the Hancock Democrat :
"blue RIBBOX COfXTV COXVENTIOX,
"We, the undersigned friends of the Cause of Temperance, residing in
flancock county, in the spirit of the following pledge: 'With mcdice totvard
none and charity for all, I. the un.<!ersigned. do pledge my word and honor.
God Helping Me, to abstain from all intoxicating liquors as a beverage, and
that I will by all honorable means, encourage others to abstain,' do hereby
issue this call for a Christian Temperance Union County Convention to meet
in this city fju Monday the 5th day of May, 1879, at 2 P. M., in the Court
406 HANCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
House. The object of this Convention shall Ije to organize a County Christian
Temperance Union for the purpose of carrying on tlie good work already
begun in our countv. All persons favorable to this movement, and who will
subscribe to the above pledge, will be received as delegates. (Signed i:
G. T. Randall, F. E. Glidden, H. J. Williams, Sam E. Duncan, Rev. L. L.
Lorinor, H. L. Moore, JNlrs. L. C. Heaton, Charles G. Offutt, O. M. Edwards,
Walter C. Roberts. Mrs. CT W. Shick, Mrs. S. C. Gilchrist, Mary E. Swope.
H. B. Thayer, Sidney LaRue, L. A. Vawter, Mrs. Kate Applegate. Mrs. G.
T. Randall. Mrs. Dr. Boots, G. W. Duncan. Charles E. Barrett, John W.
Jones, H. B. Wilson, Mrs. J. H. Bragg, Lizzie (iilchrist. O. P. Martin, Xelson
Bradley, C. W. Gant, J. W. Walker, John H. Binford, Mrs. E. Bradley, Mrs.
H. J. Williams. S. C. Shumway, John P. \\'right, Mrs. Lorinor, Mrs. H. C.
Burdett, Mrs. F. H. Crawf(M-d. Mrs. M. W. Hamilton. Mrs. O. D. Hughes."
A convention was held at the court house, pursuant to the above call, and
was attended by a large number of people from all parts of the county. G.
T. Randall was elected president of the meeting and Charles E. Barrett,
secretary. A committee appointed to nominate suitable officers for the
county organization made the following report : President. (leorge W. Dun-
can ; vice-presidents. Blue River, B. H. Binford : Brown, Alex McDaniel :
Brandywine, Ephraim Bentley; Center, J. H. Binford: Buck Creek, G. W.
Hendricks: Green, Milo Walker: Jackson. Jackson Cause; Sugar Creek, Adam
P. Hogle : Vernon. J. \\'. Ferrell : corrcsi)onding secretary, James J. U'alsh :
recording secretary. J. W. Jones: treasurer, Xelson Bradley: managers, G. T.
Randall, Mrs. .\nn Fulgum, O. P. ]\Iartin. Thomas West. Elihu Coffin.
The general sentiment of the convention was expressed in the following-
resolutions :
"Whereas, the evils of intemperance are of such a character as to give
rise to the necessity of immediate and thorough organization throughout our
county for the purpose of counteracting and checking as far as possible the
aforesaid evils : therefore,
"Resolved, that we. the members of this convention, in view of the
terrible evils of intemperance with the best interest of society and Christianity,
'With malice toward none and charity for all," do hereby pledge ourselves to
use our best endeavors to counteract the aforesaid well-known evils."
\\ ill) the numerous organizations ncnv established in the countv it was
desirable to have a closer relationship existing among them and a better
acquaintance among their members. For this purpose a grand temperance
picnic was planned to be held at Pierson's grove at Greenfield, on July 4.
1879. Invitations were extended through the local papers to all persons
TEMPERANCE. 4O7
interested in tlie promotiiui of the temperance cause, ami all were invited to
wear blue riblions on this occasion. From twelve to fifteen hundred people
were reported present at the picnic. Choirs sang, and Col. John M. W'ray
and D. B. Rosser, of Indianapolis, and Charles G. Offutt, of Greenfield,
made elocpient temperance addresses. W. S. Sparks, Jr., read tlu' Declara-
tion of Independence. George \\'. Duncan was master of ceremonies during
the day. A Fortville wagon containing forty girls dressed in red. white and
blue was an interesting feature of the occasion. The receipts ()f the da)'
amounted to forty dollars and tliirty-six cents, of which the surplus was
applied toward the maintenance of the reading room that had been estab-
lished in the Guymon House.
The intensity of the campaign that had been waged for several years
naturally developed a great deal of feeling between the temperance people
and those representing the liquor interests. In the midst of this bitterness the
saloon at New Palestine was dynamited on the night of October i6, 1881.
The building belonged to Indianapolis parties, the stock to Walker & Haf-
ner. On the night of May 12, I882, a billiard room at New Palestine,
operated by John Walker, was likewise blown up. Both of these buildings
were completely wrecked and there were left on the spot piles of wreckage.
Windows were liroken in the surrounding houses and the entire town was
shaken by the explosions. It was never judicially determined who committed
these acts. There was unity in the condemnation of the acts, however, from
all sources. It was'expressed not only on the street corners, but in the local
papers and by correspondents from all parts of the county. •
During the years that followed, temperance agitation was kept uj).
l)ut very largely l)y ladies' societies and through the agency of the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union.
On September 20, 1893, the ladies of Greenfield appeared before the
city council and asked for aft ordinance compelling saloon keepers to remove
screens from before their windows and doors. Such an ordinance was
presented, but was lost. On October 4, 1893, the ordinance was again pre-
sented for action. The council at that time was composed of John A. Barr.
John Eagan, John B. Huston, Taylor Jilorford, Jasper Moulden and William
Vau.ghn. Of these, Morford, Barr and Moulden voted in favor of the
ordinance. Eagan, Huston and \'aughn voted against it, and the ordinance
was lost.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union remained more or less active
in the county during the years that followed, and on .\pril i and 2. 1899,
held ,1 ncrnial institute at the Christian church in Greenfield. Re))resentatives
408 HAXCOCK COLXTY, INDIANA.
and speakers were present from different parts of tlie state. Three sessionb
of the institute were held daily. (3ne was a "mothers' meeting." Consecra-
tion meetings were also held. Reviews of literature on temperance were
gi\eii, and sucli subjects as the following were discussed : "Indiana Methods,""
"Enfranchisement of Women."" "How to Use the Press."" "How to do Chris-
tian Work Successfully," "How to Advertise and Conduct Public Meetings
Successfully."" "To What Extent Are Women Resp(jnsible for the Saloons?'"
"To What Extent Are Men Responsible for the Saloons?"" and "Scientific
Temperance Instruction in the Public Schools." These meetings were largely
attended by the people of the county interested in temperance work, and much
.inspiration was drawn from them.
During the year that followed lif|u<)r licenses were granted in greater
numbers, howe\er, by the board of county commissioners. From January.
1901. to June, 1902, licenses were granted at the rate of almost two per
month. Then began a period of greater temperance activity again in the
use of remonstrances.
In the spring of 1903 a Citizens' Reform League was organized at
Greenfield. The league used a "power of attorney."" in form like the f(illow-
ing, upon which the signatures of all the citizens possible, resident within
the city of Greenfield, were secured :
"I, . the undersigned resident and voter of the first
ward in the City of Greenfield, Hancock County. State of Indiana, do herebv
respcctfullv authorize, empower and ref|uest and ,
or either of them, to sign my name to any and all remonstrances against
persons who may give notice of intention to apply for license to sell intox-
icating liquors in said ward, and also to jjroperly file and present such remon-
strances to the Board of Commissioners f>f said CouiUy.
"Signed
".\ddress
"Witness
"Where signed ""
Practicallv all of the ])ersons who execined the above "powers of attor-
ney" constituted Robert Williamson and W . C Welborn as then" attorneys
in fact to sign such remonstrances for them.
At the March session of the board of commissioners, in 1903. the appli-
cations of Robert I-"air and Richard Todd were pending.
Great numbers of the alio\e cards had been signed, but tiie li(|uor inter-
ests had also procured a large number of withdrawals. When the applici-
TEMPERANCE. 4O9
tions came up for hearint;- the commissioners' court room was ci'owded to
(Overflowing and l)otli applications were witliflrawn.
During- tiie spring of 1903, however, the same metliods were used and
remonstrances were sticcessfuliy filed against William (i. Manifold, of Fort-
ville, William Chappel. of Alaxwell. Charles I'air, of (ireenfield. and Lewis
r. Gordon, of Wilkinson.
For more than a decade the farniei-s of the cnuntx had lieen organized
in their farmers' institutes. When these temperance fights came to the front,
the rural people left no c|uestion unanswered as ti> where they stood on the
liquor traffic, as shown hy resolutions adopted from time to tmie in their
meetings. .\t the institute held in January, 1903, they placed them.selves on
record as follows :
"Resolved, that we commend the General Assemhly of the slate of
Indiana for its action in supporting the preliminary ste])s in the great move-
ment of temperance by passing the Nicholson law. the Moore law and the
Search and Seizure laws, and as farmers of this section of Indiana, we stand
ever ready to advance morality, common decency and the protection <>i our
homes and families from the arch enem_\-, Alcohol. Be it
"Resolved, that this institute stands pledged to the support of the I.ittle-
fiekl-Garmack interstate commerce bill, providing for the submission of inter-
state lif|Uor packages to the laws of the state to which thev have been
consigned."
In 1909. when it became e\ident that there was danger nf the repeal of
the county local option law, our agricultural people again went on record :
"Resolved, that for the preservation of the sacredness of the home in
Indiana, fur the sake of sterling manhood of the fathers, and in defense of
the ne\er-d\ing lo\e of the devoted nidther. and for the preserx'ation of oiu"
sons and daughters, that we are opposed to any institution or business that
flegrades the liome or human race, therefore we demand that the county
local iiption law be permitted to remain on the statute books untd it is given
a trial."
In 1910 thev again expressed then" couvicihmis;
"That, as husbands and fathers, who love our families and our homes
as we love our li\es. we are steadfastly and forever opposed to any custom,
law, institution or business, whose tendency and effect is to debase and
degrade the children of men. and as the abolition of the saloons in Hancock-
countv has removed fmm our midst one of the greatest evil influences that
lead men astray, we are unalterably opposed to the repeal of the count}- local
option law .-uid den-iand its rigid and imjiartial enforcement."
4IO HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
On iMaicli 7. 1908, the \\'illo\v Horse Thief Detective Compan}- adopted
the following resolutions :
''Whereas, the temperance people of Hancock counly are now engaged
in a determined effort to sulxlue the liquor traffic by preventing the granting
of any more saloon licenses ; be it
"Resolved, that we, the members of the Willow Horse Thief Detective
Company, No. 196, in regular meeting assembled. ]\larch 7, 1908, send greet-
ings and good cheer and pledge our support, both morally and financially, it
need be. to this glorious work."
In 1908, Civic Leagues and Good Citizens" Leagues were organized in
the county to keep up a crusade against the liquor traffic. The citizens,
churches and ministers all took an active part in the work of the leagues.
Among the hardest fights waged in the countv were those by the leagues
against Arch Duncan, Richard Hall and others. A great deal of bitterness
was developed and many ugl\' things were said of each party by the other.
Evidence was introduced before the board of commissioners to show that
inducements had been offered especially to some of the poorer people to get
them to sign the remonstrance or to execute "powers of attorney"' as hereto-
fore indicated. Ciiarges and counter-charges were made, and when the
attorne\- for the applicants was charged with having misplaced the remon-
strances, it looked for a time as though there might be acts of violence in
the court room.
in Se])tember, 1908. the county local o])tion law was ])as.';ed. Immediately
after the holidays petitions were circulated in the county for a county local
option election. This petition was filed with the countv auditor on January
30, 1909. with o\er two thousand signatures thereon. The election was
ordered for March 5, 1909. There was a thorough canvass of tiie county
by l)Oth the "wets"' and "drys." I'our thousand, four Inmdred and thirteen
votes were cast in the election, with the following results:
"Drys"" 2,854
"Wets" T,^;9
"Drys" majoi'itv 1^295
:i
All of the precincts in the county cast a niajoritv of "diy"" votes, with
the exception of the third ])recinct in Brown, whicli had a "wet"" majority
of three, and tlie seventh precinct in Center, wh.ich had a "wet"' majority of
seven. .\s a result of this election, the county was "dry"' for a period of two
^•cars.
TEMPERANCE. 4II
III the meantime the cmiiity local optiuii law had been repealed and
townships and cities were made the units. Under the later law elections were
held in Brown, Center, Sugar Creek and Vernon townships, and in the city
of Greenfield, on March 28. toil The result of these elections was as
follows :
Townships "Dry" "Wet"
Brown 300 217
Center 187 143
Sugar Creek 212 183
Vernon ;^^^ 291
Greenfield 520 600
This again left the entire county, with the exception nf the city of Green-
field, "dn-."
Tn the spring of 1913 it became necessary for the "wets" in Brown and
\'ernon townships to circulate petitions in order to have other local option
elections held. This was done and a sufficient number of names was secured
in each township. Elections were held on the second day of April. 1013. in
each township, with the following results :
Townships "Dry" "Wet"
Brown 227 123
Vernon ^^;^ 250
The "wets" having won the election in Greenfield in 191 1, it became
necessary for the "drys" to circulate a petition in order to procure another
election. This was done with the following result at the polls on May 2. 191-I. :
"Drys." 585: "wets," 637.
During the summer of 191-I. the "wets" secured a sufficient number of
signatures on a petition in Sugar Creek township and an election was ordered
to be held on September 23. 191-^. The result of the election was: "Dr}'S."
278; "wets." 127..
Under the local option laws the entire county, with the exception of the
city of Greenfield, has been "dry" since 1909.
After the entire cciunlv had been "dry" for two years the city of Green-
field on March 28. 191 1, voted "wet." The council, composed of Henry R.
Frj-, Frank C. Gibbs. James X. Goble, John V. Rosser and Isaac W. Wilson,
at once took under consideration an ordinance for closer government of the
liquor traffic within the city, and on April 5, 191 1. the following ordinance
was approved by Ora Myers, mayor:
41-2 HANCOCK COLXTY, INDIANA.
LIQUOR REGULATIVE ORDINANCE ADOPTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF GREENFIELD ON APRIL 5. I9II.
"An ordinance to license, regulate and restrain all shops, inns, taverns
and otlier places where intoxicating li(|U()rs are kept tor sale within the city
of Greenfield, and there to define the resident and husiness districts of said
city and provide for penalties for the violation therenf and repeal ordinance
and parts of ordinances in conflict therewith.
Section I.
"Be it ordered l;y the common council of the city of Greefield. Indiana,
that it shall he unlawful for any person to retail, harter or give away or keep
for any of such purposes any intoxicating liquors within the city of Green-
field without first procuring from said city a license so to do and then only
in compliance w ith the pro\isions of this ordinance.
Section 2.
"Before any license shall he issued under the provisions of this ordinance,
the applicant shall have previously procured a license from the hoard of com-
missioners of Hancock county, Indiana, and shall exhibit the same to the
clerk of said city, and shall pay in ad\ance to said city the sum of Five Hun-
dred Dollars as a license fee. Upon complying w ith the foregoing provisions,
a license shall he issued to such applicant, signed by the mayor and attestea
by the city clerk, which license shall entitle the applicant to sell and retail,
barter and give away such liquors for the term of one year from the date of
the issuance thereof, and then only in compliance with the prox'isions of the
ordinance.
Section 3.
"The room where intoxicating liquors mav be sold at retail, bartered or
gi\en away in pursuance t(~> this ordinance, shall be a front room on the
ground floor of a building facing upon a ]niblic street : said room shall have
a glass door or door and glass window or windows in the front thereof, next
to said street, which shall he kept clean and transjjarent at all times, so as to
give an unobstructed view of the entire interior of said room, to one lookin.g
into said room from said street ; said room shall be provided with sufficient
light to afford one looking therein to have a clear view of the entire interior
of said room at all times; there shall be no side or rear entrance into said
rorun except such as admit directlv into said room from the public street, alley
or the interior of the building or from the exterior of a regularly operated
TEMPERANCE. 4I3
hotel, and ilien only when such hotel immediately adjoins said room: there
shall he no side, rtar or other room used at any time in connection with said
room where said licjuors are hereby permitted to be sold, bartered or jjiven
away or ke])t tor <uch purposes; except a regularly operated hotel adjoining
said room : all doors and entrances from any such side, rear or other room,
except a regularly operated hotel adjoining said room shall be at all times
seciu'ely Incked and fastened and mi pei'sini allowed to enter or depart hv
way lliereof : there shall be no stairway leatling from said room to any other
room or place above ; that the licensed shall have the right to use a base-
ment beneath his saloon for storage purpcses and for no other purposes.
"There shall lie in said room no screen, partition device or construction
of any kind which obstructs a clear and full view of the entire interior of
said room from the street in front thereof at any time of the day or night;
there shall nut be ])ermittcd in said room al any lime an\- chairs, seat, table,
music, musical instrument, slot machine, dice box, dice, playing cards, gam-
ing device, game or amusement of any kind, or any elevator, dumb waiter
or speaking tulie provided: that stools may lie kejit behuid the bar for the
sole use of the barkeeper and owner: no person shall be employed as bar-
tender or be permitted to act as such in said room who is in the haljit of
becoming intoxicated or while in a state of intoxication : said room shall be
securely closed and locked and all persons except the proprietor thereof, or a
member of bis family, shall be excluded therefrom during all days and hours
the sale of such liquors are prohibited by. the laws of the state of Indiana.
All liquors sold, bartered or given aw^ay in said room shall be delivered at
the bar. w hich shall l)e located in said room at a distance not exceeding ten
feet from the front door of said room. Tt shall be unlawful for the pro-
prietor of such license to deliver anv of such liquors at any place in said room
except at the bar thereof. (As amended, h'ebruary 4. 1914.)
Section 4.
"Xo intoxicating li(|uors shall l;e sold at retail. l)artere<l or gi\-en away or
kept for any of such purpose and no building, room or place shall be kept or
maintained for the purpose of selling any such liquors at retail, or for barter-
ing or giving awav the same, except within the boundaries of the business
portion of the cit\- of (ireenfield. Indiana, aufl then only in compliance with
the pro\isions of this ordinance.
Section 5.
"The business portion of the city of Greenfield. Indiana, for the purpose
of this act is hereby defined to be included within the following boundaries
and not elsewhere :
414 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
"The south boundary thereof shall be the north line of South street in
said city, the east boundary line thereof shall be the first allev east of East
street in said city, the north boundary line thereof shall be the south line of
North street in said city, the west boundary line thereof shall be the east
line of Pennsylvania street in said city.
"The entire remainder of said city is hereby defined to be the resident
and suburban portions of said city and no licenses shall be issued for the sale
of any such liquors therein.
Section 6.
"No intoxicating liquors shall be sold at retail, bartered or given away,
and no building, room or place shall be kept or maintained for any of such
purposes within two miles of the corporate limits of said city of Greenfield,
Indiana.
Section 7.
"None of the foregoing provisions of this ordinjuice shall apply to whole-
sale liquor dealers who sell such liquors exclusivelv to licensed retail liquor
dealers, nor shall the same apply to duly licensed druggists or pharmacists.
Section- 8.
"It shall be unlawful for an\- person, firm or corporation to keep for sale
at wholesale any intoxicating liquors or to keep any building, room or place
for such purposes or for the storage of such liquors intended to be sold at
wholesale, within the corporate limits of the city of Greenfield, Indiana, and
within two miles of such corporation limits, without first procuring a license
from said city so to do.
Section 9.
"Upon payment to said city the sum of two hundred dollars bv any
person, firm or corporation desiring such wholesale license, said city shall
issue to such person, firm or corporation a license in like manner as retail
dealers only, any such intoxicating liquors for and during a period of one
year from the date of said license and no part of such license fee so jiaid
shall l)e refunded by said city under any circumstances.
Section 10.
"It shall be unlawful for the proprietor or any such wholesale liquor
license to permit any intoxicating liquors to be drunk upon or about the
premises where liquors are kept for sale at wholesale.
TEMPERANCE. 4I5
Section ii.
".Any person, firm or corix)ration keeping- for sale, bartering or to be
given away any intoxicating liquors whiclT are kept in the building, room
or place for any of such purposes, in violation of anv of the provisions of
tliis ordinance, siiall upon conviction or plea of guilty be fined in anv sum
not exceeding one hundred dollars or each offense, and upon failure to pay
or replevy such fine and the costs of such suit, such person shall be impris-
oned in the county jail one day for each dollar of such fine and costs.
"All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with tliis ordinance
are hereby repealed.
"This ordinance shall be in full furce from and after its passage and
due publication in the Greenfield Duily Reporter."
PUBLICITY.
In the last elections in Sugar Creek and Vernon townships, the petitions
had to be filed by the "wets." The names of the petitioners were publislied
as news items in the local papers. It was illuminating to learn !iow many
men "had not expected the names to be published." Many humorous stories
were soon afloat of wliat happened when the wife and children learned that
father had signed that petition. \\'hether all such stories were true or not,
it was e\'ident that many men who signed the petitions were ashamed and
imwilling to have their families and neiglibors know about it. Publicitv was
found to be a powerful agent in purifying the life of a community.
PRINCIPLES FUND.\MENT.\L.
The long crusade in the temperance cause has at different times created
strong feeling among the peo])le of the county. Hitter words have been
spoken and hard things ha\e been said of each faction bv the other. Prin-
ciples have been forgotten and personalities have at times occupied the arena.
These things have, no doubt, been unavoidable with a humanity that is not
yet perfect. During the last local option campaigns, however, there has been
a tendency on the part of all to wage the battle on cleaner and less vindictive
lines. Possibly the lesson has been learned that it pays, and that it makes
for strength. In many of the earlier campaigns the columns of the news-
papers were filled with personal invectives that had no effect except to preju-
dice and stir up bitterness. .'\s set over against this method of campaigning
the principal articles used in the last campaigns are inserted herein. They
are arguments designed to appeal to reason, and are alisnlutcly free from all
personal matters.
4l6 HANCOCK COVSTY. IXDIANA.
The first siaieiiient whs issued In- the "wets" just l;etore the election in
Greenfield on May 2, 1914. and was scattered over the city. It is. no doubt,
the strong-est argument ever issued in the county in behalf of the hcjuor traffic.
It is strong as a positive argument, but it is infinitely stronger for the manner
in which it diverts attention from the vital matter at issue in the liquor traf-
fic. It is based on principle, however, and is illustrative of what has just
been said :
"l.OCAI. OPTION- ELECTION.
"Tax Payer. \'oter. Citizen, you are interested in the following thoughts,
facts, and figures. — May help you some in exercising the Great American
Privilege intelligently. — Prejudice and Sentiment aside, you want to do what's
best for your 01^11 und your city's iiitcrisls.
"FINANCIAI..
'■(ireenfiehl has a little o\er $2,250,000 taxable property, .\ccordmg to
law a city may go in debt and issue its bonds therefor, to the amnunt of 2
per cent, of its propertv. or in our case. S43.230.
"We have issued, outstanding and unpnid bonds S35.000
"Electric light plant 15,000
"Total indebtedness $50,000
"Or $5,000 more than permitted by law. Of this debt Greenfield pays
in interest S^.cco annually.
"Understand, we are making no cumplaiut and have no objections to this.
Greenfield has about everything in the way of public utilities that any city
has. and good at that, but they all cost money.
"Where d(5ts it come from? U'ht> pays the bills'
"Listen! The tax levy for cur city last time was 58 cents on the
hundred. When added to Township. County and State, we have a total tax
levy of $2.99 on each hundred ddllars. one of the highest for cities of our size
and class in the state.
"This year's levy. 12 cents for Corporation, produces $2,713. one-half of
which is available next July, other half next Jaiuiary.
"On hand last report $4,687
■'Half from levy July i.33'5
"Total $6,043"
TEMPERANCE. 4I7
"The fixed salriries of dfticers and emuloyct's alone amount annually to
$5,000, saying nothing- of all other oniployces and expenses, which amounts
to several thousand dollars.
"Smallpox Epidemic, or whrUcver it may have hecn, has been costing
the City $100 per day for the past thirty days. Again we ask:
"Who pays the liills? ll'hrrc must the moiicx coiiw from/
"Six saloons ha\e heen contributing $500 each, or $3,000
"For electric light and city water, $100 each, or 600
"From their six homes, approximately 400
"Or a total of 84,000"
"Now a compai\'iti\ely small number of tax pavers, without consent or
knowledge of the city or its officials, without even consulting them as to the
wisdom of such action would not only withhold this $4,000 from the city,
but have imposed the additional expense and burden of holding another
election.
"FOR WH.XT PfRPOSE?
"To close saloons. \'ery well. Then this shortage must come from some
Other somxe.
"City officials are not to blame because the Corporation l-'und would
run short. They figured on receiving this money and made the levy
accordingl}-.
"Only rme thing to do. Increase the tax le\\-, and of course increase
taxes. This Sounds Good! If $2.99 isn't high enough make it $3.90. What's
the difference? Who cares for the expenses? The projierty owners luwc
to pay the bills.
"Anything else? The\- woidd \acate six goofl business rooms, now
bringing good incomes. <le])reciate iheir rental value one-half, and depreciate
the value of the whole block, building or property in proportion.
"Social Clubs Again! \n these same rooms they would have a chea])
restaurant or two (soft drink joints), a few more pool rooms or bowling
alleys, and in one or two a nice, stylish 'Social Club.'
" 'Social Clubs." vou know, are very popular in dry territory. Have you
forgotten our 'Social Clubs?' Don't you remember how Mayor Myers, just
for recreation, used to go out occasionallv. raid a 'Social Club" and return
with a dray load of barrels, boxes and tubs and things? How thcv were
stacked U]) in the Court House and guarded with jealous crire until the con-
4l8 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
tents were emptied into the sewer and all tlie innocent little fish in Brandy-
wine made intoxicated ?
"We don't expect our argument to appeal to those who have no prop-
erty interests here, and who contribute little or nothing to the support of our
city and her improvements and institutions in the form of taxes. But we
think vou who own property and who have made (^Irccnfield what she is,
should remember this.
"elementary business truth.
"For any city to have a verj' high ta.x rate is a poor advertisement. High
taxes keep out the investor. High taxes cause the owners of property to
throw it on the market, anxious to sell. And a city where everybody wants
lo sell and nobody wants to buy presents indeed a deplorable condition.
"Xow what would be accomplished by the closing of saloons here?
Indianapolis, only 20 miles distant, with a half dozen breweries and a th'^u-
sand wholesale liquor houses and saloons, interurban cars every hour in the
day and half the night, some of which would be known as 'Evening Suit Case
and Jug Specials,' 'Blind Tigers' and 'Social Clubs.' Do you honestly believe
Greenfield would be very 'dry?' Do you?
"philosophy.
"Abe Martin says : 'You kin alius tell a dry town by the sugar barrels
around the depot.'
"L'nder the present arrangement, and it's a good law for the protection
of citizens, if a saloon keeper causes a man to become intoxicated, and he or
his familv therebv injured, they have an action in damages, not only against
ihe saloon keeper, but his bondsman as well.
"If he sells to a minur the law holds. But if that same man, or that
same minor sends a few dollars through the mail to wholesale liquor houses,
they can have delivered to them by express tlicir bottles or jugs of liquor,
get intoxicated, get themselves and others into trouble, and you have abso-
lutely no remedy, \\niich condition would you prefer?
"Oh ! But our opponents say : 'The excessive use of intoxicating liquor
ruins and wrecks the lives of men and women and destroys happiness and
liomes.'
"The excessive use of drugs does the same. The social evil is worse
than linth, and must you go down in your pocket, nnist you give of your time
TEMPERANCE. 4Iy
and substance, must you lay liiglier taxes on your property in a vain and use-
less effort to improve the habits of your neighbor who resents such efforts
as unwarranted interference in his personal affairs?
"a case in point.
"A good and well meaning man took a seat in a passenger coach one day.
glanced across the aisle at another passenger and noticed the fellow had no
nose. Curiosity got the better of judgment. He arose and sat down beside
him with the observation: 'My friend, I see you have lost your nose.' 'Yes.'
said the other. '1 have lost my nose.' 'Might I ask,' said tin- meddlesome one,
'how that happened?' 'Oh. sure! That came from sticking mv nose in oilier
people's business.' Profound silence.
"One never engaged in a more thankless business than wlien he allemjits
to act as guardian for another when uncalled for and unsolicited. Moreover
in a free country where every man's privileges are equal to every other's he
refuses to be forced, driven or coerced, and when such methods are attempted
it onl}' results in dri\ing him to resort to any trick or scheme to defeat the
object and purposes of the one who interferes with his personal and private
business.
"So, good friends, if you feel that your personal habits are, or should
be, the standard for your neighbor, if you feel that he should eat and drink
when and what you do, and feel that you are called on to see that he does so.
take our advice; don't force, drive or coerce him; if you can't reach him by
argument, kindness, reason, education and tlie "personal touch,' abandon the
]nh. because you can't do it the other wav.
"now in conclusion.
"Under the present high license and well regulated litiuor laws we have
done away with pool and billiard tables, music, lunches and chairs. .-Ml
shades and screens have been removed. We open and close on legal hours.
Close on Sundays and all holidays. If we violate your laws your officers are
on duty, and your courts are open. If you desire us to refuse your friend
or relative, who unfortunately may not know how to use liquors, notify us and
your orders are respected. Yet we feel that we should not lie lield responsible
should he obtain his supply from another source.
"Under such conditions we feel that we are entitled to continue our
business. We are your friend and neighbor. We are tax payers, house-
holders and owners of real estate. Here we have lived for years, here our
children were born and grew to manhood and womanhood. Xo complaints;
nn charges filed; no violations of law: no indictments; no crimes.
4-JO HANCOCK COUXTY, INDIANA.
"May we not then appeal to you tor fair and just treatment? Vuu. the
X'oter. shall decide: and so when the little white ballot drops softly and
silently as the snowflake from heaven falling upon the sod. yet executing a
free man's will as lightning executes the will of the Master, with confidence
in your intelligence and judgment we beliexc vour vote will be for a square
deal for your fellowman. .\nd we shall respect and obey your verdict wliat-
ever it may be. ]\Iaxy Taxpaver.s."
Following is also the statement issued bv ilie "Drys" in Sugar Creek
township just prior to their last election on September 2^. 1914. This article
was published in the Grccufichi Doily Reporter on Saturday evening, Sej)-
tem])er 20. 1914. and a copy of the paper was sent to e\ery voter in Sugar
Creek township. It is a "temperance argument," otherwise it is drawn on
lines similar to the previous article. All personalities are avoided and an
effort is made to present the issue on its merits :
"On Tuesday, September 23d. the people of Sugar Creek township will
determine, by the use of the l^allot, whether the sale of intoxicating liquors as
a be\erage shall be prohibited in that township.
"S.\CREDNE.SS OF THE liAI.I.OT.
"The right (jf suffrage is one of the most sacred rights secured to the
citizens of this great and richly blessed land. It is not limited to any class or
classes of people, nor is it denied to any person because of his political or
religious faith. The ballot is the instnnnent placed in the people's hands
wherewith they may determine the policies that shall be pursued by them.
By the use of the ballot they give answer to the questions that are propounded
to them for solution. On September 23d, if any man in Sugar Creek town-
ship feels that he should cast his vote in favor of the recslablishment of tlie
saloon in that township, no one can tleny liim that rigiit. i f anyone feels
that the sale of intoxicating liquors should continue to l^e prohibited, as it has
been for the ])ast four years, the right to cast his liallot that way is secured
to him.
"AnTTUDE OE PEOPLE.
"It is said of Lincoln that he sometimes deliberated and pondered long
before his mind was made up on a matter of mere policy, but that he never
at any time hesitated for a moment to take his stand on the right side of a
question, when he considered a moral issue to be involved.
"W^hether mistaken or not in their conclusions, the citizens of Sugar
Creek township, who favor a continued prohibition of tlie sale of intoxicants.
TEMPER. WCK. 421
do SO because they believe that their community, upon wiiich a benevolent
Creatt)!" has showered His choicest blessings, will have a better moral tone,
and that it will be a better ])lace for young people, as well as older peojjle
to live, if it is without the saloon: that even though there be some who will
go to distant points to squantler their earnings, to purchase intoxicants, yet
that fewer will be reached by the saloons at a distance, than if the saloon be
in their immediate midst.
"nKW P.ALESTIXe's APl'EAL.
"The citizens of the Httle town of New Palestine especially remember
that at the present there are no saloons between Indianapolis and Conners-
ville : that the elements of society that are attracted, and go long distances
solely for the inirpose of reaching the saloon to satisfy their craving, are
not people who stand for purity and cleanliness in the home, or in the social
organization. The citi::ciis of Xcz^- Palcsliiic sciid greetings to the cifiseiis of
the t07i'iiship at large, ami respectfully ask that iJieir beautiful little city be not
iiuule the notorious (lumping ground belicecu Indianapolis and Counersiille.
"A canvass of the busmess men of Xew Palestine will show over-
whelmingly that they are not in favor of the reestablishment of the saloon.
"The growth of the town of New Palestine has been steady during the
past four years. There is not a single vacant liouse in town. The teachers,
men of famil}-, teaching in the Xew Palestine schools this year, are unable to
reside in town with their families because of the lack of houses.
"The books of the Xew Palestine Bank show that money has not been
lerning the town, nor the conlmunit^•, since the saloon has gone. The amount
deposited in the bank at the time the saloons were closed was SQj.^.^g./J ;
amount on deposit September lo. 1913, $154,217.67; gain. $60,817.90.
"One concern, it must be admitted, has suffered a loss of business during
the time that Sugar Creek townsbi]) has been without the sakxin, and this is
the Justice of the Peace Court.
"During the last four years 7eitli saloons, this Court has collected fines,
S184.50; during the four years last past, liithont .taloons this Court collected
in fines only $80.50; shortage, $104.00.
"But since these fines are almost always paid by men who are least able to
sc[uander their earnings, this amount has probably gone to the grocer, butcher,
merchant, etc., etc.. etc.. and the wives and children are likely better off to
just that amount, jilus the additional amount that was spent in creating a
cause for the fines.
422 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
"In tliis conneclion. an interesting iin'cstigatioii is sii_i^i:;cstcil to those who
fre(|uented tlie saloons during the past three or four years of their existence in
New Palestine, and who have personal knowledge of the people and families
who were represented in the ?aloons during that time. The township trus-
tee's 'Poor Record" is a puhlic record, and ma\- he examined hy any one.
Examine this record as it was made up during the last three or four years
of the saloon's existence. Make a list of the persons and families whom the
township !iad to 'iielp' during those years. Check those whom you know fre-
quented the saloon, and spent their earnings there during those years. Xow
examine the same record as made up during the three or four years last past.
unthoid saloons, and see how many families on your list liave heen dropped
from this record, and are now self-supporting.
"But this is not all that has been done. Observe the following statistics
that have been taken from the town record of New Palestine :
"Indebtedness.
"January i, 19 lo $3,002.-18
"September 10. 1913 300.00
"Cash on Hands.
"January i . igro $ 393.74
"September 10. 1913 1. 113.36
"Tt might also he stated that the reason for the present indebtedness is
that I)onds not yet matured cannot be paid until due.
"In connection with the reduction of debt and the increase of casli on
hands during the past four years, leitliout saloons, attention should also be
directed to the tax levies for municipal ])urposes during the past five years :
1909, 85 cents: 1910, 85 cents: 191 1, 85 cents: 1912, 80 cents; 1913, j^ cents.
"Twenty-five cents of the tax levy of 191 3 for municipal purposes is for
a road fund for the bettemient of the streets and alleys.
"This is the first time for a number of years that the town of New
Palestine has been in a condition to create a fund for this purpose, and
lower taxes at the same time.
"every M.\n's DITV TO \()TE.
"The mailer of casting the ballot siiould he taken seriously by every
citizen. There is no greater menace to a free democratic government than
carelessness and negligence in the use of the ballot. Every man •^hmild feel
TEMPERANCE. 423
ill duty Ijuund to appear at the polls on election day, and to cast his ballot in
support of a policy as his judgment directs, and as his conscience dictates.
"the question.
"The question to be propounded to the voters of Sugar Creek township
for their determination on September 23d, will l)e :
"Shall the sale of intoxicating- liquors be prohibited in Sugar Creek
township ?
"To Vote Drv—J'ote 'Yes.'"
CHAPTER X.
LITERATrRE AND ART.
Hancock county has lieen described as "w ilhin the genius belt of Indiana."
It has also been said that here, "oratory flourishes, and poetry is indigenous to
the soil." However these things may be, to mention the names, Lee O. Har-
ris, James Whitcomb Riley, the Vawters, Leroy Scott and the Rev. Charles
L. O'Donnell, is sufficient to indicate tiiat the county has received recognition
in the fields of literature and art. Not all of our writers and artists have spent
their lives in the county. Yet tliey have enjoyed tlie comforts of home life in
Dur midst, and have memories of friends and experiences that have made life
iweeter and better. They have sung their songs, too. and liave told their
stories and painted their pictures, and we have listened and enjoyed with a
sense of pride, because they have been of our number.
LEE O. HARRI.'^.
Captain Harris was born, January 30, 1839, in the slate of Pennsylvania.
At the age of thirteen he came to Indiana, and a few vears later located in
Hancock county. An event of his youthful days was a trip with a party of
United States engineers over the plains and mountains to Puget sound. These
men were surveying a route to the Pacific coast. To voung Harris, then
eighteen years of age, life on the great ])lains, sleeping under the starry canopy
of heaven, and traversing gorges and mountain heights, must have offered
a great richness of experience. .\fter his return from this trip, his
entire life, with the exception of a very few years, was spent in Hancock
county. One year. 1858, he taught in what is now Douglas county, Illinois.
During the Civil ^^'ar he spent several years at the front, and for five vears,
beginning with 1874, he was principal of the school at Lewisvillc, Indiana.
On March 14, 1861, he was married to Miss .Vmerica Foster, of Hancock
county, daughter of John I<"oster, the first sheriff of the countv.
Before he was fifteen years of age he began writing verses, some of which
were published in the local papers. Later his poems appeared over the noiii de
plume of Larry O'Hannegan, His early poems, as well as his later ones, ex-
press a deep love and appreciation of nature. Though we commonly think
of him as a lover of nature, his poem "U'ould Ye Sever the Union?" written
on the eve of the Civil War. sounds a patriotic appeal as clear and true in its
tones as does his song of "The Bonnie Brow-n Quail" :
4-'4
WILL H. GLASCOCK
LEE O. HARRIS
LITERATl'RK AND ART. 425
"No, Heaven furbid ! I.,et the ])atrii)ts rise
And gird on tlie armor of war.
For the dark clouds of treason now darken the skies
And the tempest is muttering afar.
If the Union must rest on the sword o*' ilie bra\e
So be it ! And God lielp tlie right ;
We will rescue our slirine from ol)li\ion"s grave,
Or die in line front of tlie fight."
He was more than a song writer. W hen liis soul was stirred, his emo-
tions found expression in verse, but his intrepid will also expressed itself in
action. It was because of this quality that he was found at the front with the
three-months men on Lincoln's first call for volunteers, and thai later he was
found tiiere with the veterans. Throughnui his life these elements were com-
bined in him, and we have on the one liand. his literature; on the other, a
record of achievements.
Professionally, he was a teacher, and fm- alnmst forty years he taught
the children and youth of the county. Child life was an open book to him.
Of this truth many will bear witness, but nowhere is it better illustrated than
in his relationship with his pupil. Riley. Xor can any one express it quite
so well as ^Ir. Riley himself:
"Lee O. Harris came to understand me with a thorough sympathy, took
compassion on my weaknesses and encouraged me to read the best literature.
He understood that I couldn't get numbers into my head. You couldn't tamp
them in. History, I also disliked as a dry thing without juice, and dates
melted out of my memory as speedily as tinfoil on a red hot stove. But I
always was ready to declaim and took natively to anything dramatic or
theatrical. C'a])tain Harris encouraged me in recitation and reading and had
ever the sweet spirit of a companion rather than the manner of an instructor."
To Mr. Riley he was indeed more than just an instructor. .After his
school days were over the younger ptiet frequently came to his former teacher
witli iiis literary efforts, and together they discussed and criticised, and theor-
ized concerning the bent, tendencies and sul)jects of the former pupil. The
sympathetic and cordial relationshii) existing between the two men is beauti-
fully expressed in Riley's tribute :
"i.El-; O. HARRIS.
"Schoolmaster and St)ngniasler 1 Memory
Enshrines thee with an equal love for thy
Duality of gifts — thy pure and high
426 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Endowments — Learning rare, and Poesy
These were as mutual handmaids serving tliee.
Throughout all seasons of the years gone by.
With all enduring joys twixt earth and sky —
In turn shared nobly witli tliy friends and me.
Thus is it that thy clear song, ringing on.
Is endless inspiration, fresh and free
As the old Mays at verge of June sunshine :
And musical as then, at dewy dawn.
The robin hailed us. and all twinklingly
Our one path wandered under wood and vine."
As a poet, his love and emotions were genuine and true. His vision was
clear. Nature spoke to him and he understood her language. The joys, tlie
.sorrows, the affections of life — he experienced them, and their messages are
written in his verses. In a volume of "Interludes," published in 1893. we
have them under the following heads: "Songs of Nature,'" "Home and Affec-
tions," "Retrospective," "Sorrow and Bereavement," "Flights of Fancy,"
"Echoes of War Time," and "Miscellaneous." \\ho, in the county, has not
felt the touching pathos of "The Rose Tree?" Who does not know that he
has sung the song of the "Bonnie Brown Quail" without sounding a false note?
The literary efforts of Mr. Harris, however, were not confined to poetry
alone. In January, 1861, he launched The Constitution ami l'nio)i. a news-
paper devoted to the cause of preserving the national Union. Its publication
was suspended, however, after about two months. In January, 1880, with
Aaron Pope, county superintendent of schools, he began the publication of
The Home and School I'isitor, and contributed to its columns until the
time of his death. He also took editorial charge of The Greenfield Republican
for several months in 1881. He is the autlior of one ])rose volume, "The ^lan
Who Tramps," published in 1878.
In connection with his school work, and also with his literary efforts,
he was fond of recitals, theatricals and entertainments. As his good wife
now looks back over their younger days, it seems to her that she was kept
busy a goodly portion of the time preparing costumes and other paraphernalia.
Our older people remember particularly, "The Child of Waterloo," which was
one of the plays written by Mr. Harris himself, and which was presented at the
old Masonic Hall. Mr. Riley was one of the actors in the play, and took tlie
part that Captain Harris had designed specially for his personality.
Mr. Harris departed this life. December 2^. 1909. He left to the county
LITERATURE AND ART. 427
a legacy Ixitli as teacher and writer t'lai will always be one of its priceless
possessions. Nor have our people been iinappreciative. Harris Hall, in the
Carnegie library at Greenfield, has been named in his honor. On Satin-day
afternoon, January 30, 191 5, the County h'ederation, embracing all the liter-
ary clubs of Hancock county, gave a memorial program in his honor at the
Presbyterian church at Greenfield. The County Federation also presented
to the Greenfield library a large portrait of Mr. Harris. All of these things,
however, are but the outward manifestations of the affection and deference
for him that dwells within the hearts of the people.
JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY.
James Whitcomb Riley, the most illustrious of Indiana poets, was born
at Greenfield on October 7, 1849. "His mother," as his biographer states,
"was a woman of rare strength of character, combined with deep sympathy
and a clear understanding." His father, Reuben A. Riley, was one of our
prominent attorneys a half century ago. He also took an interest in ])ublic
affairs and, during a long and useful life, wrote his name in large letters on
the pages of the country's history.
In the village of Greenfield — for it was not incorporated as a town un-
til 1850 — Mr. Riley spent his boyhood days pretty much as the other boys spent
theirs. At school he enjo}ed reading and literatiu-e. He disliked history
and found arithmetic an impossibility. His teacher, Lee O. Harris, directed
him in his reading, for which the pupil has always been grateful.
At about sixteen years of age he quit school and undertook to follow
pursuits more nearly in line with his own inclinations. He showed some skill
w'ith a brush, which his father directed along more practical lines probably
than the son had intended. Before his experience ended he became quite
proficient as a house, sign and ornamental painter. At least one of his signs,
painted for A. J. Banks, is still in existence at Greenfield. Another was long
treasured by his friend, E. H. Faut, at New Palestine. For about a year he
traveled with a medicine man. Riley's duties consisted in drawing illustra-
tions on a black board, of the wholesome effects of the medicines, and to
hold the crowds with his humorous sayings.
His musical propensities found expression on the banjo, g^iitar and violin.
He probably never rendered the classics on these instruments, but his enjoy-
ment of music with other proclivities that are so vividly reflected in his poetry,
always produced merriment for tiiose about him. Like many other boys or
young men, he aspired to a place in the brass band, and was given the drum by
the Adelphians. He is said to have been a skillful snare dnnnmer. but that
his personality counted for as much in the band as the drum.
4-3S HANCOCK COUXTY, INDIANA.
As he reached manhood liis father liad a desire to sec him take up his
own profession, the law. The son did read law for a wliile and assures us
that he made a good-faitli effort to learn to love Blackstone and the others.
But it was impossible. There was something incompatible between legal prop-
ositions and the poetic rhythm with which his soul was vibrating. Before he
reached manhood he began writing verses, some of which are preserved in the
"biographical edition" of his complete works.
He next began editing a local newspaper at Greenfield, but in his own
language, he "strangled the little thing into a change of ownership" in a few
months. After contributing poems to tlie local papers for a time, some of his
verses were accepted by the Judkinapolis Mirror, the Daiibitry Xczcs, and
Hearth and Home. The Daiibury Ne'i^'s (Conn.) was at that time one of
the leading humorous papers in the country and the acceptance of verses by
this sheet must have been very encouraging to tlie young poet.
Shortly after this he took a jx^sition as reporter for the .-liidcrson Demo-
crat. He also contributed poems, and continued his efforts to merit the recog-
nition of the leading journals and magazines of the country. In these efforts
he met many discouragements. Sometimes editors ad\-ised liim to trv ])rose ;
then poetry. He felt that his lines merited greater recognition than tliev were
receiving. In fact, he came to the conclusion that critics were influenced by
the reputation of a writer — probably more than by the merit of his productions.
To prove the latter, he concocted a plan with a friend, the editor of tlie Kokoiiio
Dispatch, to puliiish a poem entitled "l.eonainie" ujjon tiie representation tiiat
it was a newly discovered manuscript of Edgar Allen Poe. It was written in
Poe's style and published in the Kokomo Di'^patch on August 12, 1877. Mr.
Riley tells the story of the hoa.x :
"I studied Poe's metiiod. He seemed to have a theory, rather mistv to
be sure, about tiie use of m's and n"s and mellifluous vowels and sonorous
words. I remember that I was a long time in evolving the name of 'Leonaine,'
but at length tlie verses were finished and read\- for trial.
"A friend, the editor of the Kokomo Dispatch, undertook the launching
of the hoax in his paper: he did this with great editorial gusto, while, at the
same time, I attacked tlie autiienticity of the jioem in the Democrat. That
diverted all possible suspicion from me. The hoax succeeded far too well, for
what had started as a boyish prank, became a literary discussion nation-wide,
and the necessary expose had to he made. I was appalled by the result. The
press assailed me furiously, and even my own paper dismissed me because I
had given the 'discovery' to a rival."
Xot long after this episode. Mr. Riley was offered a place on the liidiau-
LITERATURE AN'D ART. ' 429
af^olis Journal liy judge E. B. Martindale. Then came the poems by "Benj.
]•'. Jolinson 111' l'„Mine," published in the Journal. Benjamin F. Johnson
was supposed to l)e an old farmer of Boone county, !)ut his identity was soon
disclosed and Riley's star was in tlie ascendent. In 1883. the first edition of
the "Old Swimmin' Hole and 'Leven Other Poems" was published. From this
time a new volume followed every year or two until 191 3. when his
complete works were published in .1 Biographical Edition of six volumes.
Though success and recognition came slowly, they were of the highest
order when they did come. Tn 1902. Yale conferred upon him the honorar\-
degree of Master of Arts. \\'al)as!i College at Crawfords\ille conferred the
same degree in 1903. In 1904 the L'ni\ersity of PennsyKania honored him
with the degree of Doctor of Letters, and in 1907, Indiana L'niversity confer-
red upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws. In addition to these honorary
degrees, the Academy of Arts and Letters elected him a member, and in 1912
awarded him a gold medal for poetry. On October 7, 191 1, Rilc\- Day was
observed by the schools of Indiana and New York City. But on Sejitember
8. 19 1 5, came the greatest honor of all, when the governor of Indiana issued
a proclamation designating and proclaiming October 7, 191 5, the anniversary
of the birth of Mr. Riley as Riley Day, and urged all the people of the state
"to arrange in their respective communities, appropriate exercises in their
schools and at other public meeting places ; that they display the .\mcrican
flag at their homes and places of business on that day in honor of James
W'hitcoml) Riley. Indiana's most beloved citizen."
For a number of years Riley was also one of the most noted readers on
the American platform. Even as a boy in school he was always "ready to
declaim, and took nati\cl\- to an\tliing dramatic or theatrical." .\l Green-
field he was always in demand in local entertainments, and in the early sev-
enties he frequently appeared in different parts of the county as a reader.
Items may Ije found in the local papers of "last days" at school that were en-
livened by his presence, and of his appearance at other entertainments. He
read his own poems. His reputation grew, his sphere widened, and announce-
ments were made of his appearance in the county seats and at other points
of the state. In 1887 he made his first appearance before a New York aud-
ience, and then for a number of years read from the best platforms from Maine
to California.
For almost forty years be has been living at Indianapolis. He always
remembers his boyhood friends at Greenfield, however, and always is warmly
recei\ed when he visits his native city. Greenfield has always been jiroud
of him- as her most illustrious son — probably more so than he himself for
430 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
many years understood. The teachers and pupils of the Greenfield schools
invited him to visit Greenfield on October 7. 191 1, the anniversary of his
birthday. Children and citizens were cut en masse to greet him. The court
yard and street north of the court house were crowded, and from every window
and balcony along the street people witnessed the reception. A number of his
former friends spoke words of appreciation to Mr. Riley, and to the vast throng
that had gathered. Mr. Riley himself spoke a few words and later sent the
following letter to the pupils at Greenfield :
"Indianapolis, Indiana, Oct. 9, 191 1.
"To the Pupils of tlie Greenfield Schools, Greenfield, Ind.
"Dear Friends of Mr. Riley :
"Being unable to write to you himself, my uncle has asked me to express
his gratitude for the appreciative birthday greetings you sent to him on behalf
of the teachers and pupils of the Greenfield schools. Your greetings were es-
pecially welcome, more dear than any of the many others, because they recall
the happy days of his 3"0uth in Greenfield, many memories of the old home,
and the loyalty of the people of Greenfield.
"He asks me to return to his friends, one and all, liis gratitude, apprecia-
tion and love. \'ery truly yours.
"Edmund Eitel."
The Riley home, on West Main street, still stands and is a place of inter-
est both to the citizens and to visitors of Greenfield.
WILL H. GLASCOCK.
Will H. Glascock was born in Hancock county. l'>bruar\- 10. 1857. He
began teaching in the fall of 1877, at Woodbine school liouse in Center town-
ship. His first college training was received at the Central Normal College at
Danville, Indiana. On August 29. 1880, he was married to Miss Alice Crevis-
ton, of Greenfield, Indiana. In 1885, he was elected county superintendent
of schools of Hancock county, and served four years. He then sen-ed two
years as superintendent of the Greenfield city schools, when he was appointed
deputy state superintendent of public instruction. After four years of service
in the state superintendent's office, he was appointed superintendent of the
Blind Institute at Indianapolis, 1895. In 1898. he resigned this position in
order to do more university work, and during the next two years he attended
Indiana and Chicago universities. In 1900 he was elected superintendent of
the schools at Bloomington, Indiana.
In addition to these duties he devoted some time to literary work. Be-
sides articles published in the educational journals of the state, he is the
LITERATURE AND ART. 43 I
author of two books, "The Slorics of Columbia," pubhshed in 1894, and
"Young Folk's Indiana," published in 1898. These books were selected for
the Young People's Reading Circle library. They may be found now in all
the schools of the state that have kept up their Reading Circle libraries.
His untimely death occurred on December 26, 1901.
REV. CHARLES L. o'dONNELL, C. S. C.
Rev. Charles L. O'Donnell was born on November 15, 1884, about two
miles northwest of Greenfield, near what is yet commonly known as Slabtown.
His father, Neil O'Donnell, was a farmer, and removed to Kokomo when the
son was two years old. There young O'Donnell began his education. Later
he entered the University of Notre Dame, from whicli he received his Bache--
lor's degree in 1906. From 1906 until 1910 he was a student in Holy Cross
College, at Washington, D. C. In 1910 he received his Doctor of Philosophy
degree from the Catholic University of America, and on June 25, 1910, he was
ordained a priest in the Roman Catholic church in the Congregation of Holy
Cross. Since 1910 he has held the position of professor of English literature
in the University of Notre Dame. He is the assistant editor of Ave Maria,
and is the author of "A Study of the Prose Writings of Francis Thompson,
with Special Reference to his Creative Criticism." In addition to his prose
work he has contributed verses to some of the leading magazines.
He was invited by the commission of the Indiana Legislature to w-rite an
ode for Indiana Day at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. He
responded to this invitation and, as reported by the San Francisco Examiner,
"he contributed no small part of tlie program for 'Indiana Day' at the Exposi-
tion." This was Father O'Donnell's third appearance as a "poet of occasion."
The first was when he read an ode at the Sacredotal Golden Jubilee of Arch-
bishop Spalding, and the second, when he welcomed the sword of Gen. Thomas
Francis Wright to the University of Notre Dame in the ode, "A Hosting of
the Gael." It is expected that a volume of the writer's poems will soon be
published.
adellol pope braxham.
Adelia Pope Branham was born on October 13, 1861, and has lived all hef
life at Greenfield. She w^as educated in the local schools. As a young woman
she began writing verses and prose articles that were accepted by the local
papers. Later she had the satisfaction of seeing her work accepted lay tlie
magazines, including Tlie Century.
Her first book of poems was published in 1899, entitled "Grandma Tales
and Others," This book was illustrated by Will Vawter, a Greenfield artist.
43- HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Many of her poems have 1>een set to music by well-known composers, and have
been published. .\mong tlie poems receiving very favorable notice are
"Resurgo." "The Day We Threshed." and "Out in God's Fields."
Mrs. Branham did nut de\ote any time to the short story until after the
publication of her first volume of poems in 1899. Upon the request of publish-
ers, she entered the field of short-story writers. At present, she is writing
almost e.xclusivelj' for the religious press ; lier stories in the way of religious
fiction are used widely in Sunday schools and in Christian Endeavor societies,
but she also holds her place among magazine writers. Short stearics that have
received special recognition are. "More Stately ^lansions," "Tlie House on
the Sand." "The Otlier Prodigal." and "In tlie Far Countrv."
She has published one ])rose \cilume entitled "Ajiril Showers."
ALMA MARTIN ESTABROOK.
Mrs. Estabrook is the daughter of Dr. Samuel M. Martin and Florence
Howard ]\Iartin, of Greenfield. She was educated in the local schools and at
O.xford Female College. Ohio. On June 30, 1896. she was married to Wil-
liam Chester Estabrook, of Indianapolis, but for the past ten years or more
she has lived in the state of Colorado.
She first began writing at the suggestion of her father, for the U'cstcni
Horscnuin. Later she wrote the "Rule of Three." a novel with its scenes laid
in tlie mountains of Colorado. During the ])ast several years siie has been
writing novelettes and short stories for magazines. Some of her stories have
been accej^ted by the best magazines of the country, including Harper's and
The Century. Her home at present is at Denver, Colorado.
LEROV .SCOTT.
Leroy Scott was liorn at Fairmount, Indiana, on May 11. 1875. ^''^
father was a Friends minister and moved to Pliiladelphia. in Hancock county,
when Lerov was about ten years old. The son entered the public school at
Philadelpliia and graduated with the class from Sugar Creek township in
1888. His father then moved to Greenfield, and he entered the high scliool.
graduating in the class of 1892. His college training was received at Indiana
I'niversity. where he took his degree in 1897.
Even as a boy in the public schools he was fond of story writing, and
used to amuse and entertain his mates by passing around stories he had writ-
ten on his slate or note Ixiok. This talent was cultivated throughout his uni-
versity course, and on graduating in 1897, he at once took up newspaper work.
After three years' experience as a reporter he was selected as assistant editor
LITERATfRE ANU ART. 433
of tlie Uoiiion's Home Coiiipoiiidii. In 1902-3 he was tlie assistant head-
worker at the University Settlement, Xew York. Since 1904, he has do-
voted his entire time to writing. On June 2j, 1904, lie was married to Miriam
Finn, a Russian Jewess, wlio is also a writer of note.
Leroy Scott is a Socialist, and his novels are written with tlie purpose of
impressing- u])on the world the need of reform. He has spent simie time in
Russia, and many of his stories deal with Russian life. He is the author of
"The Walking Delegate," 1905: "To Him That Hath," 1907; "The Shears
of Destiny," 1910; "The Counsel for the Defense." 1912. In addition to these
books, he is the author of a number of serials and short stories that have been
published in the very best magazines in America.
His present home is at Caritas Island. Stanil'ord, Connecticut.
RICII.XRD BROW X BL.\CK.
Richard Brown Black, son of Richard A. and lone (Brown) Black,
was born at Greenfield in 1888. He received his elementary education in the
grades of the Greenfield schools. Two years were spent in the preparatory
department at Butler, after w hicii he went aliroad.
He began his art study in Avignon, France, in 1903. After two years in
this branch school of the National Beaux Arts, he spent a year in Spain and
a year in Rome, Italy, studying in the local schools and doing outdoor sketch-
ing. Returning to France, he entered the Paris school of the Beau.x .\rts.
where he was a pupil of Ferdinand Cornion until 1912. In 1907, he first
exhibited in Paris Salon. Tliereafter he was always represented cither in the
Exhibit of Les Artistes Francaise or Ces Beaux .\ris.
During several vacations spent in northern .Africa, Mr. Black felt greatly
drawn by the color and life of the Arabs. More and more he came to identify
himself with tlie painters grouping tliemselves as Orientalists. He exhibited
with them in their Paris Salon. In 1914. the l-"rench go\crnment bought one
of his paintings from tiie Orientalists exhil)its. and other canwisses were sold
to well-known French art Iniyers.
In honor of his 1914 success he was elected a lilc member of the Jury of
the Orientalists, a remarkable recognition of work for one so young.
In 1913 the Paris Jury for the Pennsylvania .Academy of Fine Arts se-
lected and brought to tliis country a painting of Mr. Black's as representative
of the group of .\merican artists living abroad.
Mr. Black also exhibited etchings and ])aintings in IndianajMilis at the
Herron Art Institute. One of his paintings has lieen jjlaced in the public
librarj-at Greenfield. His death t)ccurred in .\pril. 1915.
(28)
434 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
THE VAWTERS.
John \\'. Vawter, or "Will \"a\vter," as he is familiarly known around
Greenfield, was born in Boone county. Virginia. April 13, 1871. His par-
ents moved to Greenfield while he was yet a child, and he was educated in the
public schools of this city.
Mr. Vawter is an artist. His first work was done on the Indianapolis
Sentinel in 1892. In 1897 he wrote a series of comic verses and illustrated
them for the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette. Since tliat time he has made
illustrations for the Indianapolis Nezvs, Success, and the Presbyterian.
In 1899 he collaborated with his sister, Clara Vawter, in producing a
children's book, "Of Such is the Kingdom," now known as "The Rabbit's
Ransom." He has also illustrated Riley's "Child Rhymes," Bob Burdett's
"Smiles," E. O. Laughlin's "Johnnie," Nesbit's "Trail to Boyland," Riley's
"A Defective Santa Claus." Riley's "Book of Joyous Children," and Bartlett's
"Tales of Kankakee Land." One needs but to see any of these books to
appreciate the fine art of Mr. Vawter. In fact, one must see them in order
to appreciate it.
On November 9, 1902, Mr. Vawter was married to Mary Howey Mur-
ray, of Chicago, and for the past six or seven \ears has been living amid tlie
hills and scenes of Brown county in this state.
Unfortunately, Miss Clara Vawter. the sister, was taken away before she
had reached the age at which people can give their best to the world. Yet in
this short life she wrote for the children of the land a most delightful stor}',
"The Rabbit's Ransom." It was selected by the state board as one of the
Young People's Reading Circle books^ and in all the schools of the state the
children have been made glad by the ston,-.
There are others who do not devote their time to literary work, yet whose
occasional writings have attracted attention and have been accepted by high-
grade periodicals and magazines.
Minnie Belle Mitchell, wife of John F. Mitchell, editor of the Hancock
Democrat, has for years been identified with the literary activities of the
county and state. In 191 1. wliile serving as a director of the Indiana Federa-
tion of Literary Clubs, she introduced a resolution before the convention at
Richmond, Indiana, that the public schools and literary clubs of the state
annually observe the anniversary of our beloved Hoosier poet, James Whit-
comb Riley. The resolution was adopted and cheerfully acted upon, not only
in Indiana, but in other states as well. So enthusiastically have the jieople re-
sponded that the movement has become national.
LITERATURE AND ART. 4^5
Mrs. Mitchell is a modest writer of children's stories and has cnnlrilnued
to a number of Eastern magazines.
John F. Mitchell, Jr., a graduate of Butler and Vale. lias written several
college plays that have been successfully presented. Among the most popular
of them has been "The Gentleman from Indiana," a burlesque on Booth Tark-
ington's book with the same title. He also wrote a sketch of "Riley at Green-
field," which was accepted by tlie Ladies' Home Journal a few years ago. A
\olume entitled "The Rooster," a history of the Democratic emblem, was
published in 1913. At present John is assistant editor of the Hancock Demo-
crat^ and the associate editor of the Journal of American History of New York.
Mrs. Mitchell and her si:in Iiave also collaborated in their literary work.
They have written several pla\s, among which is a morality play, "The Way
Tliere." It embodies a conception of the struggle between the forces of Good
and Evil. Its structure is carefully wrought and suggests the hands of artists.
The drama unfolds in a manner that is tndy beautiful and impressive.
Clarence A. Hough, son of William R. Hough, has li\-ed in Chicago since
about 1890. His time has practically all been given to newspaper and literary
W'Ork, For a number of years he was connected witii the Chicago dailies, and
in 1905, when he gave up newspaper work, he was the financial editor of the
Chicago Post. In 1897, \vhile traveling through France and Italy, his letters,
giving impressions of these countries, were purchased by a syndicate and pi'b-
lished in ten of the leading newspapers of the United .States, including tne
Boston Transcript, Pittsburgh Dispatch, Indianapolis Ncius and Omaha Bee.
He is also the author of a volume entitled "Money," in which the money sys-
tem of the United States and the principles of banking are explained. Before
going to Chicago, Mr. Hough spent two or three years on the stage as a reader.
Many of his selections were his own. Practically all of Ids literary work dur-
ing the ])ast ten years has been given to writing pla\s.
William A. Hough, who recites Riley's poems so adniirablx. is himself
not a stranger to the poetic muse. He lias written a number of poems that
have been set to music by Barclay Walker, of Indianapolis. Although he has
not devoted any time to song writing for a number of years, people will re-
memljer "Katie O'Brien," "Didst Thou But Know," and "I Know a Little
Maiden." Mr. Hough was a member of the Western Writers' Association
from 1886 to 1890. He is familiar with Indiana literature and has lectured
on that subject before the teachers' institutes of several counties in the state.
Benjamin F. Phemister is the author of a number of poems, some of which
have attracted a great deal of attention. About twenty-eight years ago he
wrote a little poem entitled, "What Mother Thinks." It was pulilished in the
43'J HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Cincinnati Enquirer without giving the name nf the author. Since that time
it has been pubhsliecl as an anonymous poem in practically everv newspaper
in America. It has been called tor in the [ndiona/^olis Xci>.'s eight or ten times
since then and has been pulilished as nflen, "aullmr unknown." On December
5, 1914. the Indianapolis Xcz^'s published annther of Mr. Phemister's poems
entitled "Around the Flaming Fireside of the Old Homestead." Afterward
the Atlanta Constitution asked permission of the author to publish the jwem.
Another poem written during the rexival at Greenfield in 1914. entitled "The
Evangelist," possessed such merit that it was at first credited to Mr. Riley.
"When We Shock the Wheat by Moonlight in Grandpa's Harvest Field." with
a few other poems was submitted to Henry Augustine Beers, professor of Eng-
lish literature of Yale Uni\-ersit\'. Professor Beers pronounced it "one of the
most beautiful folk lore poems in the language."
Mr. Phemister taught schnnl fur a number of years and at present lives
at Greenfield.
Allen S. Bottsford is a poet and illustrator who spent his boyhood days
in the county. His poem "The Lost Lane" is included in the volume, "Poets
and Poetry of Indiana." As an illustrator he has been engaged for a number
of years on the dailies of Indianapolis, San Francisco and other cities. His
sister, Clara Louise Bottsford, also wrote verses that were published in local
and state papers. Some of them also found their way into Eastern magazines.
Mrs. Martha J. Stubbs. of Brown township, has written stories and his-
torical sketches that have been accepted by the Indianapolis Sunday Star.
Articles and letters relating to the care and training of children and the eleva-
tion of the family have also appeared in Eastern magazines.
Charles A. Robinson, ]ironiinent in the Improved Order of Red Men. is
the author of a volume or two of Indian legends. He has also written a num-
ber of poems that have been published. His lines, "When the Trees Dress
in Scarlet and Gold," set to music by George Suess, also of Greenfield, are
probably best known. Mr. Robinson is a lecturer and has traveled far and
near as a S]3eaker, especially for the Improved Order of Red Men.
John H. Binford in 18S2 wrote a "History of Hancock County," Mr.
Binford was forceful and \igorous as a writer, and his work has stood for
more than thirty years as the only history of the county.
HOME AND SCHOOL VISITOR.
The Home and School risitur w;is first ])ul)lisht'd in 1881 liy .\aron Pope
and Lee O. Harris. D. H. Goble soon Ijought the interest of IMr. Pope, and
for a time it was published by Goble & Harris. For many years now. its
ownership and management have been with the Gobies.
I.ITERATIRE AXI) ART. _j.37
The Home and School I'isitor is a children's magazine. It has always
contained stories and poems for children of all grades, and for many years it
has maintained a department of current events. It is used in practically all
the schools of the state of Indiana, and, in fact, in a numlaer of the states of
the Union, for supplementary reading.
CHAPTER XI.
THE IIAXCOCK BAR.
This brief would not be complete withDui a lew authorities to establish
the relation of our lawyers to the general progress and development of the
county. Some people may think that no such relationship exists, but they
simply fail to understand. It has been stated elsewhere that when the set-
tlers first came to Hancock county, they were confronted with three great
tasks — to clear away the forests, to drain the lands, and to build highways for
intercommunication. Our lawyers may not have had much to do with clear-
ing away the forest, but the public will probably never appreciate just how
much they have had to do with drainage and road building. Man\- a swamp
would have continued to harbor the germs of disease ; many a stream would
have remained stagnant, and acres of our garden land would have remained
waste, had not doubtful and discouraged farmers found our law offices real
sources of inspiration in the consideration of such matters. Our dirt roads
have practically all been covered with gravel. Two hundred eighty-one miles
have been converted into improved "free gravel roads," over which our citi-
zens travel with comfort and ease. Our lawx'ers have always encouraged
road building. Their presence has never failed the good people of the county
when the machinery of the courts needed to be set in motion to accomplish
such results. It is not the intention to give any undue credit to the bar. But
our lawyers ha\e always been ])rogressive. and their relation tn all that has
been accomplished in the county can be properly appreciated only after pro-
longed meditation thereon. Since the organization of the Hancock circuit
court, their number has not been exactly "legion," yet they have been many.
Following are the names of the men, resident and non-resident, who have been
recommended for fitness and character, and who have held up their right
hands and taken the oath to "support the Constitution of the L'nited States
and of the state of Indiana, and faithfully and hmiestly to discharge the duties
of an attorney at the bar of this court."
Calvin Fletcher, ^klarch 24. 1828; on motion of James Whitcomb.
Hei-vey Gregg, March 24. 1828; on motion of James Whitcomb.
Afarinus W'illett, March 24. 1828: on motion of James Whitcomb.
Charles H. Vreeder, March 24, 1828: on motion of James Whitcomb.
Hiram Brown. September 22. 1829.
THE HANCOCK COUNTY J3AK. 439
James T. Brown, September 22, 1829.
John H. Alley, February 24, 1830.
William E. Ross, March 19, 1829; on motion of James T. Broun.
William I. Brown, September i, 1830: on motion of Hervey Gregg.
Ovid Butler, September i, 1830; on motion of Hervey Gregg.
Hugh T. Applegate, September i. 1830; on motion of Hervey Clregg.
James Foresee, August 3, 183 1.
James B. Ray, September 29, 1832.
John Occles, September 29, 1832.
John H. Scott, February 25, 1833 : on motion of Hervey Gregg.
William Ouarles, Februarj- 25, 1833; on motion of Hervey Gregg.
David Kilgour, February 25. 1833 ; on motion of Hervey Gregg.
William Brown, Febniary 25, 1833 ; on motion of Hervey Gregg.
Richard H. Jones. August 26. 1833 : on motion of William Ouarles.
Thomas D. Walpole, February 27, 1834.
Jehu T. Morris, February 27, 1834.
David Macy, February 27, 1834.
Christian C. Nave, February 27, 1834.
M. E. VanPelt, February 27, 1834.
John Rymon, Februai-y 25, 1835 ; on motion of William Herrod.
Addison F. Mays, February 25, 1835; on motion of William Herrod.
Abram A. Hammond, February 25, 1835 ; on motion of William Herrod.
Charles I. Henderson, February 2^, 1835; on motion of William Herrod.
Alfred Kilgore, February 25. 1835 ; on motion of William Herrod.
Thomas D. Walpole, February 27, 1835 (Disbarred).
Thomas D. Walpole, April 4. 1836 (Admitted for the present term).
Jacob Robbins, April 6. 1836; on motion of Hiram Brown.
Thomas D. Walpole, April 8, 1836 (Motion overruled).
Mason Hulitt, October 3, 1836; on motion of William Ouarles.
Thomas D. \^^alix)le, October 6, 1836 : on motion of Mason Hulitt.
Robert McCorkhill, August 21, 1837; on motion of C. C. Xave.
Franklin Corwin, August 21, 1837: on motion of Ovid Butler.
Thomas D. Walpole, March 19. 1838; on motion of Humphrey Woodard.
Philip Swetson, September 17, 1838; on motion of A. A. Hammond.
Charles McClure, February 17, 1840; on motion of Thomas D. Walpole.
William H. Brumfield, February 17, 1840: motion of Thomas D. \\'alpole
Simon Yander, February 17, 1840; on motion of Thomas D. \\'alpole.
Moses Cox, Februarv 20. 1840: on motion of Thomas D. Walpol;;.
James M. Wilson, February 23. 1840; i>n motion of Thomas D. Walpole.
440 HANCOCK COIXTY. INDIANA.
R. N. Williams, August 17. 1840: on motion of Thomas D. \\'alpole.
George W. Julian, August 16, 1841 : on motion of Thomas D. W'alpole.
James B. Sleeth, August 16, 1841 : on motion of Abrani Hammond.
Theodore Barnett, September 27. 1843: on motion of James Morrison.
D. M. C. Lane.
A\'. Lindsey. February 20, 1844 ; on motion of A. A. Hammond.
Earl S. Stone, February 20, 1844: on motion of William Ouarles.
Josephus H. U'illiams, February 20. 1844: on motion of D. M. C. Lane.
X. R. Lucerny, February 20. 1844: on motion of Tiiomas D. \\'alpole.
W. R. C. Xish, February 20. 1S44: on motion of William Ouarles.
Reuben A. Riley, August 19, 1844: on motion of R. M. Cooper.
David Reynolds, August 20, 1844.
Reuben D. Logan, August 20, 1844.
Eder H. Davis. August 22, 1844.
Xathan Powell, August 22. 1844.
William F. Matlock, February 17, 1845: on motion of Hugh O'Xeal.
John C. Lynam, February 25, 1843 : on motion of A. A. Hammond.
Gustavus X'. Moss, August 18, 1845 ; on motion of Reuben A. Riley.
Daniel A. Hart, August 21, 1845 • f" motion of A. A. Hammond.
David S. Gooding, 1845.
James Robinson, August 11, 1846: on motion of D. M. C. Lane.
James Rutherford, February 16, 1846.
Horatio C. Xewcomb, August 9, 1847; on motion of William Ouarles.
Thomas Sullivan, August 9, 1847; on motion of \\'illiam Ouarles.
]Martin M. Ray, August 9, 1847: on motion of William Ouarles.
\\'illiam P. Davis, August 10, 1847: on motion of R. A. Riley.
Ximrod Johnson, August 10, 1847: on motion of R. A. Riley.
John L. Ketcham, September 2, 1850: on motion of Hugh O'Xeal.
James L. ^lason.
Montgomery Marsh, 1854.
Lemuel \\'. (jooding, August 17, 1845 : on motion of Thomas D. Walpole.
Charles A. Rang, Feijruary 16, 1854: on m(>tion of .\. A. Hammond.
\\'illiain Evans. February 29, 1853: on motion of David S. Gooding.
William R. West.
David VanLaninghani, Augaist 15, 1836: motion of Thomas D. Walpole.
Michael Wilson, August 10, 1837: on nn)tion of Reuben A. Riley.
\\'illiam R. Hough, August to, 1837: on motion of Reuben A. Riley.
Benjamin F. Claypool, February 9, 1838: on motion of David S. Got)ding
Oliver I. Baird. February 9, 1838: on motion of Thomas D. Wa!])ole.
TIIK HANCOCK COL'NTV DAK. 44 I
David Moss, August 9, 1858: ou motion of Da\i(l S. ("looding.
Almon R. Meek. August 9, 1858: on motinn of William R. West.
George Y. Atkison. August 10, 1858; on nintinn of David S. Gooding.
M. C. Foley.
Joseph R. Silver, May 26, 1859: on motion of R. A. Riley.
Joseph Ankrom, June 2, 1859; on motion of William W. Wick.
Clark, June 2, 1859; on motion of David S. Gooding.
Pajris Indian, June 2, 1839: on motion of Thomas D. W'alijole.
William H. Pilkinton, Feljruary 15, i860: on motion of R. A. Riley.
Bryan C. Walpole, February — , i860: on motion of R. A. Riley.
\\'illiam R. Wails, Februar\- 2^. i860: on motion of R. .\. Riley.
Henrv C. Gooding, August 15, 1860: on motion of William H. ,
William Hendricks, August 15, i860: on motion of William R. West.
Joseph P, Marshall. February 20, 1861 : on motion of William R. W'est.
Almond R. Meek, August 14, 1861 : on motion of William R. West.
Charles D. Morgan, February 11, 1862: motion of Lemuel W. Gooding,
Thomas H. Branham, February 21, 1862: on motion of Henry Craven,
Jesse McHenr}', August 15, 1862: on motion of James L. .Mason.
Walter March, August i 1, 1863: on motion of Lemuel W. (looding,
Silas C, Cooper, February 14, 1865; on motion of David S. Gooding.
Lewis Dale, February 14, 1865 : on motion of David S. Gooding.
Alfred D. Shaw, August 14, 1865: on motion of James L. Mason.
Oliver P. Gooding, August 15, 1865: on motion of R. A. Riley.
Augustus W, Hough, February 13, 1866; on motion of R. A. Riley.
W. W. Kersey. February 13, 1866; on motion of R. A, Riley.
\\". W. Purdue, Feliruary 13, i866.
Stephen D. Lyon. August 13. 1866: on motion of George V. .Vtkison.
J. M. Lowe, August 15, 1866: on motion of James L. Mason.
John H. Popps. August 21, 1866: on motion of Reuben .\. Riley.
George W, Johnson, .\ugust 21, 1866: on motion of W. W. Kersey.
Ricliard Kelly, August 28, 1866: on motion of James L. Mason.
Charles G. Offutt, February 12, 1867: on motion of James L. Mason.
^Mitchell, l"el)ruary 13, 1867: on motion of James L. Mason.
Hamilton J. Dunbar, February 13, 1867.
Prestly Guymon, February 13, 1867: on motion of R. A. Riley.
]\Latthias M. Hook, February 15, 1867; on motion of R. A. Riley.
Hamilton J. Dunbar, August 13, 1867.
Thomas M. Brown, August 13. 1867: on motion of L. W. Gooding.
Thomas M, Bidgood, August 12. 1868: on motion of James L. Mason.
442 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
George Barnett.
William Tobin.
E. E. Galbreath, February 14. iS/i ; on motion of William R. Hough.
James A. New, February 6, 1872; on motion of H. J. Dunbar.
Luther Benson, February 6, 1872 ; on motion of Charles G. Offutt.
Bond B. Wheeler, February 6, 1872 ; on motion of H. J. Dunliar.
Adams L. Ogg, February 14, 1872; on motion of William R. Hough.
Benjamin L. Smith, February 27, 1872; on motion of David S. Gooding.
Thomas H. Bowds, February- 27, 1872; on motion of M. M. Ray.
Ephraim Marsh.
^^'illiam F. Bernhauer, March 16, 1873 ; on motion of James L. Mason.
Samuel Griffin, March 26, 1874 : on motion of James L. Mason.
W. ^^^ Leathers. June 24, 1874; on motion of James L. Mason.
John O. Hully, October 31, 1874; on motion of James L. Mason.
Henry A. Swope, November 3, 1874; on motion of David S. Gooding.
Israel P. Poulson, January 9, 1875 ; on motion of Hamilton J. Dunbar.
Daniel Church, March 22, 1875 ' on motion of Charles G. Offutt.
Edward S. Coffin, June 10. 1875 : on motion of Charles G. Offutt.
John S. Pettit, October 20, 1875 ; on motion of H. J. Dunbar.
John A. Huglies. March 23, 1876; on motion of H. J. Dunbar.
Marion Steele, June 8, 1876; on motion of William R. Hough.
Samuel A. Wray, June 7, 1876; on motion of James L. Mason.
Henry A. Schriber. June 23, 1876; on motion of Janies L. Mason.
George Duncan.
William F. McBane.
William H. Martin, February - — , 1877: on motion of Charles G. Offutt.
Bart Burke, January 26, 1877; on motion of William R. Hough.
George J. Shugos, April 6, 1877 ; on motion of James L. Mason.
William Ward Cook, June 4. 1877; on motion of William R. Hough.
W. S. Denton. June 4. 1877; on motion ofR. A. Riley.
John \\'. Jones, June 5, 1877; on motion of David S. Gooding.
Richard A. Black. October 15, 1877: on motion of R. A. Riley.
Samuel B. Waters, March 26, 1878; on motion of R. A. Riley.
Juhn H. Binford.
Marshall B. Gooding. October 14, 1878: on motion of Charles G. Offutt.
Isaac (i. Brown. November i. 1878; on motion of James A. New.
T. S. Rollins, June 11, 1879: on motion of Montgomery Marsh.
XA'illiam H. Fleece. January 16, 1879: on motion of James L. Mason.
Charles E. Barrett. December 31, 1879: on motion of James A. New.
THE HAXCOCK COUNTY BAR. 443
Albert S. Caldwell, January 12, 1880; on motion m' W illiani Ward Cook.
Robert Denny. March 16, 1880; on motion of John W. Jones.
Albert Baker, March 16, 1880; on motion of \\'illiani R. H(nigh.
Charles S. Rennecamp, April 8, 1880; on motion of Charles G. Offutt.
L. H. Reynolds, June 7, 1880; on motion of John \\'. Jones.
A. C. Avers, October 18, 1880: on motion of James A. New.
Robert Collins, January 3. 188 1 ; on motion of William R. Hough.
Charles W. Smith, March 22, 1881 ; on motion of James L. Mason.
Tilghman E. Ballard, Marcli 28, 1881 ; on motion of David S. Gooding.
Henry \Y. Taylor, March 28, 1881 ; on motion of David S. Gooding.
William C. Barrett, June 13, 1881 ; on motion of R. A. Rilev.
Harmon J. Everett, June 6, 1881 ; on motion of Samuel A. Wray.
Jesse J. Spann, June 17, 1881 ; on motion of William R. Hough.
Norton, June 22, 1881 ; on motion of Charles G. Offutt.
W. E. Thompson, June 13, 1881 ; on motion of John W. Jones.
A\'illiam Booth, October 27, 1881 ; on motion of Montgomery Marsh.
■\Iarcellus Chapman, October — , 1881 : on motion of Ciiarles C. Barrett.
Elmer E. Swope, February — , 1882; on motion of Ephraim Marsh.
Joseph E. McDonald, June 26, 1882; on motion of Charles G. Offutt.
Ralph Hill, June 26, 1882; on motion of Charles G. Offutt.
George C. Butler, June 26, 1882; on motion of Charles G. Offutt.
Joel Stafford, April 10, 1S83 : on motion of David S. (iooding.
John W. Stout, April 10, 1883; on motion of L. H. Reynolds.
W. K. ^^'iIliams, April 11, 1883; on motion of David S. Gooding.
William C. Forrey, June 19, 1883; on motion of James A. New.
Robert Williamson, July 3. 1884; on motion of William R. Hough.
W^illiam J. Sparks.
Howard Barrett, June 11. 1885: on motion of James A. New.
Ferd Staff, June 25, 1885: on motion of Charles G. Offutt.
E. T. J. Jordon. October 27, 1885; on motion of David S. Gooding.
Edward W. Felt, October 24, 1887 ; on motion of \\illiam R. Hough.
Frank E. Hammer. October 15. 1888.
John L. McNew. June 13. 1888; on motion of William R. Hough.
Asa M. New. June 25. 1888: on motion of AX'illiam R. Hough.
S. E. Jackson, October 15, 1888.
\\'illiam A. Hough. . 1S88; on motion of Epinaim Marsh.
Charles Downing, September 2, 1889; on motion of \\'illiam Ward Cook.
John J. Rochford, September 2. 1889; on motion of William Ward Cook.
Henry Warrum. September 2. 1889: on motion of \\"illiani Ward Cook.
444 HANCOCK COL'.NTV, INDIANA.
Cassius Ginther. December 3. 1889.
U. S. Jackson. December 4, 1889: on motion of L. H. Reynolds.
James E. McCullough.
Andrew J. Shelby, December 16, 1890: on motit)n of J. L. ^lason.
Xoble J. Warruni. Jr.. February 3. 1891 ; on motion of W'm. Ward Cook.
Elmer J. Binford, . 1893.
Raymond R. Gen,-, , ; on motion of R. .\. Black.
James F. Reed, , 1893; on motion of R. A. Black.
A. M. Hadley, Xovember 23, 1893: on motion of E. J. Binford.
^^^ p. Bidgood.
John F. Wiggins, February — , 1894; on motion of Charles G. Offutt.
Robert L. Mason, . 1894; on motion of Robert \\'illiamson.
Eldon A. Robb, March 13, 1895; on motion of E. J. Binford.
Newton R. Spencer, April 2^, 1896; on motion of E. J. Binford.
Louis E. Kimberlin, Marcli 24, 1896; (mi motion of William H. Martin.
Sidney L. \\'alker, ^larch 11, 1896; on motion of E. W. Felt.
William Alger, ]\[ay 16, 1896: on motion of William Ward Cook.
Jonas P. A\"alker. September 16, 1896; on motion of William \\'ard Cook.
D. C. Cash, September 21. 1896.
Edwin Glascock, April 27, 1896; on motion of E. J. Binford.
Oliver P. Hastings, December 8, 1896: on motion of Marshall B. Gooding.
Albert Frost, September 7, 1897; on motion of E. W. l~elt.
N. B. Brandenburg. September 21, 1897; O" motion of J. F. Reed.
R. S. Holding, Februan," 6, 1897 : on motion of E. J. Binford.
Earl Sample. June 20, 1898; on motion of E. \\'. Felt.
John F. Egan, October 7, 1898; on motion of Ephraim IMarsh.
A. \'. B. Sample, April 8. 1899; on motion of Ephraim Marsh.
Arthur C. VanDuyn, March 22, 1899; on motion of E. W. Felt.
James M. Bussell, January 6, 1900; on motion of E. J. Binford.
Francis T. Boyden, March 7, 1900: on motion of W. I*". McBane.
John Larrabee, February 5. 1900: on motion of William Ward Cook.
Charles L. Tindall, April 23, 1900; on nmtion of William Ward Cook.
David Eidnian, May 24. 1900; on motion of E. W. Felt.
Samuel O. Pickens, May 15, 1900; on motion of Wm. Ward Cook.
Albert V. Hodgin, May 15, 1900; on motion of Wm. Ward Cook.
William Irvin, December i, 1900; on motion of Wm. R. Hough.
William A. Hughes. December 21, 1900: on motion of Jonas P. Walker.
John W. Card, January 2. 1901 : on motion of George \\ . Duncan.
Robert Ellison, March 14. 1901 : on motion of Ephraim Marsh.
THE HANCOCK COl'NTV BAR. 445
James E. ]\IcClain. February 8, 190T : on motion of W'm. F. McBane.
William H. Pauley. January 5, 1901 : on motion of W'm. Ward Cook.
William B Risse. l""ebniary 28, 1901 : on motion of Ephraim JNIarsh.
Freeman 'I'lKimas. January 18, 1901 ; on motion of Jonas P. Walker.
]M. E. I'^itzi^erald. November 9. 1901 ; on motion of U. S. Jackson.
Herbert I. Goldsmith, November 9, 1901 ; on motion of U. S. Jackson.
George R. Bodine, September 1 1, 1902 : on motion of Jonas P. Walker.
R. L. Marsh. July 12. 1902: on motion of U. S. Jackson.
George M. Overman. December 2, 1902: on motion of J. E. McClain.
Chalmer Schlosser. June 21. 1902; on motion of J. F. Reed.
William C. Welborn. No\eml)er 29. 1902: on motion of R. L. Mason.
Ora F. Boyce. February 7, 1903 : on motion of J. F. Reed.
Joseph E. Bell. March 18. 1903: on motion of U. S. Jackson.
Joseph W. Kitterman. January 21, 1903: on motion of A. C. VanDuyn.
Charles A. Robinson. Januar\- 24, 1903: on motion nf R. L. Mason.
Omer Jackson. September 7, 1903 ; on motion of U. S. Jackson.
Omer D. Green, June 2^. 1904: on motion of E. F. Ouigley.
John Lockridge, February 2. 1904; on motion of R. L. ilason.
E. F. Ouigley, May 2. 1904: on motion of Earl Sample.
Samuel J. Offutt, December 27, 1904 ; on motion of Jonas P. Walker.
Jesse Sanford, March 2^, 1905 ; on motion of S. J. Offutt.
Charles H. Cook, February 13. 1905; on motion of Charles L. Tindall.
Fred O. Dean. February 7, 1905 ; on motion of A. C. VanDuyn.
Wm. H. H. Graham. September 6, 1905 : on motion of George W. Duncan
Charles F. Reeves. July i. 1905 ; on motion of A. C. VanDuyn.
Hiram L. Thomas, July i, 1905 : on motion of .\. C. VanDuyn.
Robert E. ^lartin. June 26, 1906; on motion of Charles L. Tindall.
Will A. Stewart. ^lay 21. 1906; on motion of William A. Hough.
William D. Bennett. March 7, 1907 ; on motion of U. S. Jackson.
Chauncey W. Duncan. November, 1900; on motion of W. W. Cook.
Edward C. Eikman. November 5. 1906; on motion of Charles L. Tindall.
John M. Hall. Januaiy 16, 1907; on motion of S. J. Offutt.
Samuel I. Harlan. Februan,- 16. 1907: on motion of Jonas P. Walker.
Edwin S. Parks, October 13. 1907: on motion of Jonas P. Walker.
Frank Hedricli. May 18. 1907; on motion of .\. C. \'an Duyn.
John O. McGrail. June 10, 1907: on motion of Earl Sample.
Harvev J. Flam. June i i. 1907: on motion of Earl Sample.
George J. Richman. June 22. 1907; on motion of E. W. Felt.
James A. Collins, Mav 18. 1908; on motion of William A. Hough.
446 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
S. Meek. June 24, 1908; on motion of Jonas P. Walker.
F. J. Meek, June 24, 1908; on motion of Jonas P. Walker.
Loranzo McDonald, June 29, 1908; on motion of Jonas P. \\'alker.
Robert F. Reeves, May i, 1908; on motion of Charles L. Tindall.
Harry Eagan, November 9, 1909 ; on motion of E. J. Binford.
C. W. Morrison, June 10, 1909.
George T. Tindall, September 11, 1909; on motion of Charles L. Tindall.
Charles M. Demaree, May 21, 19 10.
John B. Hinchman, January 22, 1910; on motion of Edward F. Quigley.
R. L. Rosenthal, Februrary 7, 1910.
Ora Myers, January 27, 1912; on motion of J. F. Reed.
H. Segar Slifer, Januarj- 5, 1912.
Paul F. Binford, June i, 1912.
\\'illiam E. Bussell. June 6. ]()J4; on motion of Jonas P. Walker.
H. M. Kelley, November 6, 1914; on motion of Charles H. Cook.
Vinton A. Smith. February 28, 1914; on motion of R. L. Mason.
Moses C. Wood, January 2, 1915; on motion of Edwin Glascock.
Olin R. Holt, February 27, 1915.
ORGANIZATION OF COURT.
The Hancock circuit court was organized on March 24, 1828, at the house
of Samuel B. Jackson. This house stood on the south side of the National
road, just a short distance west of the present car bams. There were present
on that occasion Bethuel F. Morris, president of the fifth judicial circuit. Jacob
Jones and James B. Stephens, associate judges, Lewis Tyner, clerk and James
Whitcomb, prosecutor.
The name of James Whitcomb does not appear on the court records ex-
cept as prosecutor. He later became governor of the state of Indiana, and is
the man after whom our Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley, was named.
Four attorneys were admitted to practice on that day, Calvin Fletcher,
Hervey Gregg, Marinus Willett and Cliarles H. Vreeder. During the first
few years the court held two sessions annual)}-. The September term, 1828,
and the March term, 1829, were also held at the residence of Samuel B. Jack-
son. The record shows that the court convened for the first time at the court
house at Greenfield on Thursday. September 17, 1829.
The first rules governing the practice at the bar of the court were adopted
at Jackson's residence on March 19, 1829. The foUdwing are tlic rules:
THE HANCOCK COUNTY BAR. 447
"rules of court adopted at the HANCOCK CIRCUIT COURT, MARCH
TERM^ 1829.
"l. But one attorney on each side will be permitted to examine tlie
witness.
"2. The party introducing the witness will examine him in chief; the
opposite party will cross-examine, and the other party will then explain, hut
no new matter will he introduced without obtaining permission of the court.
And if one party shall interrupt the other by asking a question in any other
manner except by regularly objecting to the court, he will be punished.
"3. If a cjuestion is objected to, the objector will instantly rise in his
place to make the objection to the court, and an attempt to press the question
upon a witness, or elicit an answer before the point is determined, will be
punished.
"4. Every attempt to ask a question which in t'<irm or substance has once
been answered, or in any manner, either directh' or indirectly, to get improper
evidence to the jurw or any attempt to lead a witness Iw the form or manner
of the question, or to dictate or connect his evidence, be considered an attempt
punishable at the discretion of the court. So will be frequent repetitions of
the same questions to the same witness, unless necessary to obtain the object
of the cross examination.
"5. During the hearing of a cause before a jury no argument will be
permitted upon any question arising as to competency of witnesses, or the
admissibility of testimony. But the question may be taken down at any time,
and the point will be reserved for argument on a motion for a new trial. If
an^■ such objections are made, and the c<junsel ha\e aiu" authorities at hand
to produce, they will be examined, but no remarks will be ])ermitted.
"6. After the defendant or the party holding the negation has closed his
testimony, the opposite party will not be permitted to introduce any except
rebutting testimony.
"7. If in the argument of a case before a jury, any reflection, either
direct or indirect, or any complaint is made by any attorney, that the court
had rigidly enforced the rules of evidence and restricted the part}- in his
testimony, he will be punished by suspension during the term.
"8. In the argument of a case to the jury, no improper allusion shall
be made to facts that are not in evidence before the jury, to public opinion, or to
any other matter not legall\- connected with the cause, and not a legitimate
subject for obser\'ation.
"9. When an attorney ceases to argue the cause of his client to the
44'^ i:axcock countv, Indiana.
jury, and coninieiices to speak of liimself, or of the op])()site counsel or any
other matter unconnected with tlie case, lie will be stojiiied.
"lo. All applications for special instructions to tlie jury must be in writ-
ing, and not a \\ord by way of application for counter instnictions will be
heard. If any instructions gi\en by the court are objected to, the party ob-
jecting will say so at the time and the instnictions will be taken down, and the
point reserved for argument on a motion for a new trial, or for a bill of
exception.
"ii. In all arguments, either to the court or jury, the counsel opening
the cause will read all of the authorities upon wliich he intends to rely, and
no additional authorities will be read in tlie concluding argmneut ; and in all
arguments or questions submitted to tiic cnurt, they will, in tlieir discretion,
direct tlie attention of the counsel to such jioints as tliey deem worthy of argu-
ment, or upon which tliey entertain doubts, and if an attorney wanders from
these points, he will be stopped.
"12. In all ci\il cases docketed on tlie second or day of the
term, when a declaration has been filed and process served ten days before
court, the defendant will be expected to ]ilead on tlie first calling of the cause
on the day on which it is docketed, and for want of such ])lcading. judgment
will be rendered, unless, for good cause shown l>y affidavit, further time be
allowed.
"13. Xo time will lie allowed in court to prepare an affidavit for a con-
tinuance unless it appears that the party applying could not have known before
that time by using proper diligence that such ap])lication would be necessary —
nor would anv time lie allowed to ])repare jileadings or other ])apers at the bar
which might have been prepared before.
"14. On motions for continuance, the jiarty ajiplying will read his affi-
davit: one of the o]i]iosite counsel will be heard, if an objection is made, and
the ap])licant will re]il\-.
"15. If an attorney has any busine>^ to transact with his clients or other
persons other tlian the immediate cause in hearing — he will retire from the bar.
"t6. When a cause at issue is given for trial, if the counsel informs '.lie
court that he is ready, the counsel will immediately progress. If the cause is
not then readw the cause will lie placed at the foot of the docket, and thereby
lose its precedence.
"17. Any attempt to argue a c|uesti(Mi after it is determined by tlie court,
or to continue the argument after it is argued out or closed, will lie punished.
"icS. .\n\ bill of exceptions containing any part of tlie evidence in a
cause, w ill have to be signed unless the party excejiting will take down the evi-
JUDGE EARL SAMPLE
THE HANCOCK COUNTV P.AK. 449
dcnce before the witness retires fi-nni the bar — (ir tlie hill is atireed ti > 1)\- the
opposite counsel.
"19. When attorneys wisii to engage in wrangling, personal abuse,
recriminations, they will retire from the court room, or sniimit to ]iunis]imcnt
by fine, impeachment, or suspension at the i)leasm"e of the court.
"20. As the court sits for the purpose of administering justice, they
will, with benefit and pleasure, hear any arguments or authorities that will, in
the least degree, aid them in the discovery of truth, or the detection of fraud :
but they will not unnecessarily consume the time of persons and witnesses and
increase the pu])lic, as well as individual expense, by listening to mere idle
declamation or ]j(ipular harangue made with other \iews and for other pur-
poses than the investigation of truth, or the advancement of justice."
The court house in wJiieh the court con\-ened on September 17, 1829. stood
on the west side of what is now South State street. It was a tVvo-slory log
house and was located just a little north of the alle_\- running east and west
between ]\Iain and South streets.
The first court house on the jniiilic square was built late in 1834, or early
in 1835, and was used until 1851. It has been described in an earlier chapter
of this work. The court room was on the first floor in the southeast ])art
of the building. In the southeast corner uf the roum was a large fireplace,
six or eight feet wide, in which logs were burned. The floor of the entire
court room was made of brick. It was in this room that Thomas D. AA'alpole,
George W. Julian, Reuben A. Riley, David S. (iooding and James Rutherford
began their practice and l)ecanie tiie leading practitioners of the county.
The practice of the attorneys in this court R)om was based on the old com-
mon law instead of the code. Our code was not adopted until the new state
constitution went into effect in 1852. For this reason, the court records of
(hat ]U>riod show ri\'il actions lirought on del)l. assumpsit, etc.
DISBARMENT Ol-^ WAI.POI.E.
There were also some stirring scenes in this court romn. It was there,
on \\'ednesday, February 23, 1835, the state of Indiana, on relation of Eden
Chittenden, filed charges and specifications against Tiiomas D. \\'ali)ole in
relation to his malpractice as an attorney of the court. W'alpolc was in court
at the time and the clerk was ordered to furnish him a copy of tlie charges.
On Thursday morning, February 26, the matter came up for hearing and
the following record was made: "X'ow comes as well the plaintiff by his
attorney as the defendant in his own projjcr person who admits the receipt
of a copy of the charges and specifications aforesaid, and files Ju's answer
(29)
450 HANCOCK COUNTY. INDIANA.
thereto, and the parties submit the matter to the court. Whereupon all and
singular, the premises being seen, and the evidence adduced by the parties be-
ing fully heard and understood, the court do say that the respondent, the said
Thomas D. W'alpole, is not g^iilty as he is charged in the first and second
specifications aforesaid, and that the said respondent is guilty in manner and
form as he stands charged on said third specification. Wherefore it is con-
sidered, ordered and adjudged l)y the court that said respondent, for his mal-
practice and misconduct aforesaid, whereof he is convicted as aforesaid, be
forever deprived of his franchise and privilege as such attorney and counselor
at law as aforesaid, and that he lie no more permitted to practice as such, under,
or by virtue of his license whereof he is now possessed."
Following this judgment, Walpole "moved the court to arrest and stay
judgment upon their finding, and the conviction aforesaid, for the cause that
said third specification whereupon said ^\'alpole is convicted as aforesaid is
insufficient in law to warrant any judgment thereon." But this entry follows :
"And the premises being seen and understood, it seems to the court that said
third specification is sufficient to warrant judgment thereon. It is therefore
considered that the said \\'alpole take nothing by his said motion."
On the fourth of April, 1836, a motion was made to admit Walpole to
practice for the term then in session. This motion was granted. l-\xn- days
later a motion was made that he be again admitted to practice as an attorney
at the bar of the court. This motion was overruled. On October 6. 1836,
Walpole was admitted to practice as an attorney at the bar, but in the presence
of the associate judges only. On January 19, 1838, he was admitted in the
presence of the full court.
The record does not disclose the specific cause for which he was dis-
barred, nor does it show that the order that he "be forever deprived of his
franchise" was ever rescinded or erased. Other chapters of this work, how-
ever, will show that he did \ote many times, and that he put his full portion
of ginger into future campaigns.
One is surprised at the number of lawsuits in which Walpole himself was
a party, as shown by the records of the court. Frequently he appeared as
plaintiff, but more often as defendant. Xor does there seem to have been
any statute that limited proceedings against him to civil actions. His name
appears as defendant in state cases, and one of the amusing incidents in the
record is an indictment returned against him February 17. 1849, for disturb-
ing a lawful meeting.
THE HANCOCK COUNTY BAK. 45I
ADDITrOX AI, RULES.
On October 3, 1836, the following additional rules were adopted :
"Parties shall be called within the court house.
"Witnesses may be called from a written list at the door.
"i'revious to making an issue, the party bound to answer jilcadings al-
ready filed may have the papers in a cause until lie sliall iiavc answered such
pleadings.
".\fter the issue is made up, the clerk shall be held responsible for the pa-
pers until the ])arties announce themselves as ready for trial, at which time
they sliall be delivered to the part)- having the affirmative of the issue to be
tried.
"The prosecuting attorney must have possession of the papers in all
state cases, and must be prepared to mention the names of parties and sureties
and witnesses whom he may desire to call promptly.
"Parties must furnish the sheriff with written lists of witnesses whose
names are to be called at the bar.
"No paper shall be filed unless it be properly and plainly endorsed in such
a manner as to show the title of the suit to which it belongs and the character
of the papers."
Some of the attorneys at the bar seem to have been inclined to violate
well-known rules of practice, apparently to the annoyance of the court. In
conse(|uence thereof, the following order was made at the February term. 1837,
l)y Judge Wick :
"Ordered, that the following rules be observed by attorneys practicing
in this court: Personal allusions to counsel, explanations of personal matters,
impeachment of the motives, management or justification of the personal mo-
tive or allusion thereto, and all other matters merely personal or complimentary
or offensive towards the profession in tlieir character, must be avoided in
argument. Counsel violating this rule will be stopped and reprimanded, and
persisting therein, will not be permitted to proceed."
Other niles have been adopted from time to time, more nearly like the
rules that are now observed.
DIVISION OF COURT ROOM.
In all of the older court houses, and, in fact, until 1871, there was no
flivision of the court room for the convenience of attorneys and litigants.
The first division of the court room was made at the February term of
court, 1S7T, when the following entry was made:
43- HANCOCK COIXTV, INDIANA.
"And it plainly appearing; to the court that the room designed for its
use and now being used and occupied by it, is still out of repair and without
suitable furniture, and in conse(|uence thereof is in such condition as to greatly
inconvenience the court and members of the bar. and [jartics litigant, and re-
tard the transaction of ])usiness therein. It is therefore now. here, and hereby
ordered and directed, that the sheriff of this county shall proceed forthwith to
repair said court room, and to put the same in good condition, and to erect a
railing so as to .separate a proper portion of said room in the east end thereof
for the use of the court and the bar, and to furnish the same with suitable fur-
niture, etc., for the use and accommodation of the judge, jury, clerk, sheriff,
and memljers of the bar nf this court, and to ha\e the same completed h\ the
first Alondax' in June next.
"And the court hereby appoints Henry A. Swope, clerk of this court, and
William R. Hough, a meml)er of the bar thereof, to act in conjunction with
said sheriff in determining in what manner and style said repairs and improve-
ments, and furniture sliall he made and furnisiied, and the same shall be made,
done and furnisiied in tlie manner and style that thev. the said sheriff, or
either two of them shall determine."
Since that time we ha\e gmwn accustomed to the railing across the room.
COURT STENOGRAPHERS.
The first law pro\iding for .shorthand reporters for the courts was
passed in 1873. Prior to the passage of this act no evidence was kept in
minor cases. For the more important cases, when parties demanded it, the
court appointed one of the lawyers to take notes on tlie evidence submitted,
who then wrote the same out in long hand. \\'illiam R. Hough has in this
manner ])repared the evidence for the supreme court in many cases. The court
record also shows that in 1871. an allowance of forty ilollars was made to
Charles G. Offutt for reporting the evidence in the ca.se of State vs. Duncan.
W. E. .Scott was the first official resident court reporter. He was ap-
pointed by Judge ]\Iartin in 1888. In 1894. Judge Offutt appointed Charles
F. Reeves, who served for thirteen years under Judges Offutt. I-elt and Mason.
Mrs. Maggie Pitts served for about a year at the close of Judge Offutt's term
and the beginning of Judge Felt's term. Charles E. Walker was appointed
by Judge Masun and has now served about nine vears under Judges Mason and
Sample.
STENOGRAPHERS IX LAW OFFICES.
I'ntil aliout twenty-five years ago all pleadings and other papers were
written in long hand by the attorneys. Stenographers were first enijiloyed
THE HANCOCK COUNTY BAR. 453
in the law offices at Greenfield in 1891. Marsh & Cook, who were enjoying
a very lucrative practice, emploxed Marijaret O'Donnell, now Mrs. James R.
Boyd, ill September, of that year. After the death of Mr. Marsh in 1905, the
firm of Cook & Cook was formed, and since the death of William Ward Cook
in 1913, the Inisiness of the former firms has been carried on by Cook &
Walker. Following are the names of the stenographers who have been em-
ployed in this office: Margaret O'Donnell, September, 1891-Xovember,
1891 : Nettie Adams, July. 1892-February, 1901 : I'earl Wood, March, 1901-
b'ebruary. 1903; Nora Chandler, February, 1903-September, 1903: Bertha
Cockayne. October, 1903-February, 1904; Mrs. L. (j. Shaw, Fel)riiary. 1904-
July, 1904; Emily Woodall, July, 1904- June. 1905; Martha Johnson, July,
I905-Marcli, 1906; Clara R\nerson, March, 1906- August, 1906; Stella
Thompson, Augiist, 1906-July, 1908; Elizabeth Kissell, August, 1908-Sep-
lember, 1908; Stella Thompson, September. 1908-August, 1909; Lillian Char-
les, August, 1909-June, 1912; Hildred Walker, July, 1912, to the present time.
Several of the stenographers named above also worked in other law of-
fices, some of them for a period of years. Miss O'Donnell, for instance, was
in the office of John H. Binford for eight years or more, h'ollowing is a list
of the stenographers who ha\e been employed in other law offices at Green-
field since 1891 :
Nora Chandler ( Roberts) Si)encer lit Ijinford
Mattie Brow n Felt & Jackson
Carrie Porter Mason & Jackson
Grace Van Tilberg Binford & Walker
Ethel Hamilton Felt & Binford
Ola Thompson Jolm H. Binford
Mabel Pettigrew Jackson & Sample
Bertha Justice (Bragg) William A. Hughes
Stella Trout James Reed
Eva Hendren (White) James Reed
Mabel C. Payne James Reed
Margaret Gorman James Reed
Elizabeth Kissell (Thomas) Sanford & Glascock
Mrs. Anna Phillips Sample & Jackson
Ruth Fort McCulIough & Welborn
Mrs, Ada O. Frost Samuel J. Offutt
Daisy Finnell William A. Hughes
Hazel Amick (Thomas) Chauncey Duncan
454 HANCOCK COUNTY. INDIANA.
Ethel Xicely Jackson & Glascock
Beulali Jackson Paul F. Bin ford
ilarie Latshaw .^amuel J. Offutt
Mrs. Pearl Gibbs I'aul F. Binford
LAW LIBR.VRY.
The splendid law library to which the attorneys have access at the com't
house has been collected within the last thirty-five years. On the eighth day
of June. 1S82, the court, on its own motion (Judge Forkner on the bench),
ordered that James A. New, Israel P. Poulson and Augustus W. Hough be
added to a committee that had been theretofore appointed by the judge of
the court, to sell the extra volumes of the Indiana Reports and to purchase
the New York Reports, and to report their doings, etc., etc.
On the fifth day of January, 1886, this committee reported the sale of
forty-eight volumes of the Indiana Reports. They also reported the purchase
of thirty-three volumes of the New York Reports. The committee further
"shows that the reason why this matter was not promptly closed up was that
Bowen. Stewart & Company agreed at the time said purchase was made to '
furnish the digest for said reports under contract as they were compiled
and published, for which said balance was to be expended. And he said that
said digests were not furnished, hence the funds retained therefor are still
on hands, and that with this imfulfilled promise died the recollection which
the committee had of the details of their proceedings and doings." This
report was made by James A. Xew, a member of the committee.
On the fifth day of April. 1887. Ephraim Marsh, Israel P. Poulson and
James A. New, "committee on the Hancock County Law Library." submit-
ted another report of their doings as such committee, which was approved by
the court, and which showed that additional law books had been purchased from
the Bowen-Merrill Company. The purchase of the New York Reports, as
above stated, seems to have been the first step towards getting a library of
general reference. The National Reporter System was started in 1885, and
soon the first volumes of these reports were placed on the shelves. Other pub-
lications were added as they came from the press, including the Federal Re-
ports, the Lawyers' Reports Annotated, the Centennial Digest, the Decennial
Digest, Encyclopedias, etc.
AS SCHOOL EXAMINERS.
In the early history of the county the lawyers lield a prominent place in
the educational work of the county. They were frequcml}- appointed to
THE HAXCOCK COUNTY BAR. 455
examine teachers as to their fitness and quahfications. Thomas D. Walpole
was appointed by the circuit court in 1842. Township examiners were ap-
pointed in 1845, but in 1850 the circuit court again appointed an attorney,
R. A. Riley. Following the enactment of the County Examiner's law, the
board of county commissioners of Hancock county appointed the fMllowing
lawyers as "examiners:" James Rutherford. 1853; R. A. Riley, 1856; James
L. Mason, 1857; William R. Hough, James L. Mason and David VanLaning-
ham, 1859; William R. Hough, i860; M. C. Foley, 1864; James A. Xew, 1871.
IN POLITICS.
The attorneys have always taken an interest in ])olitics. Thomas D.
Walpole. R. .\. Riley and Da\-id S. (iooch'ng were among tlie first to become
established in the county, and they were politicians. Waii)ole and Gooding
were at first Whigs. Riley was a Democrat until the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise in 1854. In the latter fifties Gooding and \\'alpole were Dem-
ocrats and Rile\- was a ^^'hig. With the opening of tlie Civil \\'ar, James L.
Mason became a leader of the Democrats, while Gooding and Riley Ijecamc
prominent in the Union party. A\'illiam R. Hough also sat in the councils of
the Union party. He became active as a Republican in the early seventies
when he served two terms in the state senate. Lemuel \\'. Gooding was also
active in the Union party during the war and remained active as a Repub-
lican for se\eral years after the war. He was chairman of the Republican
county central committee in 1867-8. Montgomery Marsh was an acti\-e Dem-
ocrat all his life. He, by the way, was also the chief agitator in stirring up
interest in the gas situation in 1886. Charles G. Offutt and Ephraim Marih
entered the political arena a few years after the war and remained active
Democrats for ihirty-fivc years. Stokes Jackson, it may be said, entered the
legal i)rofession through politics. Judge Felt has Ijeen a successful ])olitician
and has held public office probably more than half the time since entering the
profession. R. A. Black was a prominent Republican and William .\. Hough's
name is frec[uentl\- mentioned in Republican circles among the eligibles for
Congress. Practicallv all members of the bar now take an active interest in
politics. Thev never refuse to serve their respective parties with their best
judgment, nor do they shun the responsibilities of public office when the
importunit}- of friends Ijecomcs irresistible.
TEMPERANCE CAMPAIGN OF 1874.
One of the interesting incidents in the historv' of the war developed dur-
ing the temperance campaign in the county in 1874. The Temperance
456 HANCOCK CO;-XTY, INDIANA.
Alliance, a ladies" organization, had been effected in Greenfield, and a mass
meeting- of the citizens was being lield at the Methodist Episcopal clmrch on
Sunday evening, March 8. The church was filled to overflowing and many
of the lawyers were present. Temperance pledges were being presented anfl
signed in all parts of the room. But the ladies had jjrepared a special pledge
for the attorneys, wlierein they were to agree not to defend any person charged
with a violation of the licjuor laws. One or two of the attorneys, it seems,
signed the pledge, but the others refused to do so. The matter was discussed
in meeting and several of the attorneys expressed their views on this pledge.
Ephraim Marsh and Charles G. Offutt both spoke at length upon the matter.
As reported in the Hancock Democrat. Mr. Marsh said "he was in favor
of temperance in all things, but was not prepared to say which was the right
way. When he came to a conclusion all the ladies had to do was to show the
way and he would follow. As to the pledge pre])ared for the lawyers, he
would not sign it under any circumstance. All criminals were entitled to a
fair and impartial trial, and to loe heard in person or by counsel. This being
the case, and he iieing a lawyer, he could not consent to place himself in a
position not to accept employment in any case at the bar, if he desired to
do so."
Mr. Offutt spoke as follows :
'"Mr. Chairman : In response to repeated calls awhile ago 1 arose simply
to offer an apology for not attempting to make a speech. I thought then
that inasmuch as I iiad not yet complied with the recjuest of the ladies who
presented the pledge to me. liy affixing my name thereto, that I should on
the occasion remain silent, I'.ut, sir, since then some things have been said
v.hich would seem to demand a reply from me. Jt pained me exceedingly to
hear my brother of the bar, in his zeal and excitement, attempt to cast a stigma
upon the many worthy members of the l)ar wlio declineil to sign a certain
paper, which 1 recognize to be in tiie handwriting of the gentleman, pledging
themselves, in effect, not to take the cause of persons charged with violating
t1ie 'Baxter bill." That paper was presented to me. and, for reasons entirely
satisfactory to myself, 1 declined to sign it, and 1 still decline. So far as I
l:now but two members of the bar have signed it. I hold that an attorney
has the right to engage in the defense of any man. woman or child charged
with a crime without being lial)le to just censure from anv quarter. The
fundamental law of the land declares that in all criminal prosecutions the
accused shall have the right to be heard by himself and counsel, and that the
presumption of innocence is in his favor. Sir, because a man is charged with
a Violation of law. l)e it the 'Baxter bill" or anv other, it doesn"t necessarily
THE HANCOCK COUNTY BAR. 457
follow tliat lie is guilty, imt by any means. The onlv wav lo delerniine his
guilt is by placing him u])nn trial heforc a tribunal oimpetent tn incpiire
into his case. And how sliall the trial be conducted? The slate furnished
counsel to prosecute him. Shall he be denied the right to employ C(nin.sel in
liis defense? Or shall his counsel Ije ])roscribed becau.se they .see that if their
client is convicted tlnit coirr'ictioii is obtained according to law. Again, can it
be said that because an attorne)- engaged in the defense of a man charged
with a violation of the litpior law that the attorney is in favor of intemper-
ance? 1 think not. As well nxight you say that because an attornev defends
a man charged with the larceny of a horse that he is therefore in favor of
horse .stealing. Just as well say, sir, that if a man engages in the defense of
a murderer that he is in favor of taking human life, ft is not the duty of an
attorney lo make a defense for a man charged with a crime bv suborning
witnesses, misleading- a court or jury as to the facts or the law of the case;
but it is his duty to protect the interests of his client bv all fair and honorable
means and to the best of his ability. He is sworn lo ilo this. Shall he be
recreant to his oath, and thus advertise himself to the world as unworthv of
the confidence of honest men? Sir, so far as I am concerned, I ha\e never
refused the cause of a man charged with any crime, and I jjropose to pursue
that course in the future. I conceive it to he honorable and right. As far
as the temperance question is concerned. I think it is admitted by all candid
men that temperance is right and intemperance z^roiig. It is not necessary
that I should stand here and declaim against the evils of intemperance. .\11
men ever)Avhere admit it to be the great foe of mankind. The veriest wretch
that ever drank destruction to his own soul will tell you that his course is
not to be approved or followed. X'o man can engage in the use of into.xicating
liquor to an excess, and not finally destroy his constitution. It shatters the
physical man and lavs the mind in ruins, anil whatever others may say, I
know that no man in this audience would more heartily rejoice over the
success of any plan that would stay the fearful tide of inteni])erance sweep-
ing oxer the land, than 1. .And, sir, I think this is a most favorable time
for the ladies to accomplish great good. Xo political party, as niy friend.
Captain Ogg, has said, is opposing their movements. Good people every-
where are wishing them success, and if they go about their work in the spirit
of Christianity, love and kindness their efforts may be crowned with suc-
cess. It won't tlo to ])roscribe men or treat them harshly for ihcir views, but
reason with them, treat theiu kindly, convince them that it is to their inter-
ests to be sober and upright, that the good of society demands that they
458 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
should give up a business which yields only puveviy, disgrace and crime,
and, my word for it, your success will be great."
Mr. Offutt was heartily applauded at the close of his remarks.
RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT .\ND CONDOLENCE.
It has long been the custom of the attorneys to adopt resolutions of
respect and condolence upon tlie death of any member of the bar. The first
resolutions of this nature that appear of record were adopted upon the death
of George Y. Atkison.
At the August term, 1869, Reuben A. Riley presented the following
motion in writing:
"State of Indiana ) oc- t tt r- t^
^^ ^^ <- SS: In the Hancock Circuit Court.
County of Hancock \ a t o/-
AuGUST Term. 1869.
"W'liereas, the Hon. George Y. Atkison, a member of the bar of this
court, and long a resident citizen of the county, at six o'clock, P. M.,
on the 23d day of July, 1869, departed this life,
"Therefore, in respect to his memory and in deference to the feelings of
the court and its officers, and the memljers of the bar.
"T move the court tliat a committee of three be appointed to prepare suit-
able preamble and resolutions in memoriam, to be spread upon the record, and
that they report tomorrow morning.
"August 10, 1869. R. A. RiLEv."
This motion was seconded by D. S. Gooding, and ordered to jje spread
of record. The court appointed R. A. Riley, D. S. Gooding and Montgomery
Marsh, a cominittee to prepare suitable resolutions in this l>ehalf, and to
report the same on the following morning.
The resolutions of the comniittee were accepted and spread on the
record of the court. Since that time it lias become the custom to take sucli
action upon tlie death of a member of tlie bar or of a county officer.
THE practice.
It is not the intention in tlie following paragraphs to attempt to indicate
pliases of the practice upon which lawyers have Iieen dependent for a liveli-
hood. No lawyer can maintain himsel-f in the profession in this county by
depending upon special lines of work such as indicated below. If lie does not
have at least a fairlv liberal share of the general practice in the county, his
experience as a lawyer will l)c shrrt lived, unless he has other means of
THE HAXCOCK COUXTV BAR. 459
support. Frequently, however, movements are started in the county that
are of particular interest to the profession because of the amount of legal
work occasioned by them. It is just some of these thingfs that are indicated
below.
The cases that came up for trial during- the first few years of the court's
history were very similar to the cases that are now tried before justices of
the peace. Criminal cases included charges of assault and battery, affrays,
gaming, gambling, etc. Tlie grand jury on September i8, 1829, returned
three indictments for assault and battery and five for affray. Twelve indict-
ments were returned for gambling on February 25, 183S. On several occa-
sions officers were charged with neglect of the duties of their office, and on
September i, 1830, the first divorce was granted. \\'hile little criminal cases
took a part of the time of each term, there were also lesser civil actions on
notes, contracts, debt, assumpsit, etc. There were very few damage suits ; in
fact, a suit for the recoven- of as mucli as fi\e hundred dollars was not
brought until after the court had been organized for several years.
Land titles were not litigated to any extent until twenty-five or thirty
years after the organization of the county. In the settlement of estates of
course land was sold, but there were very few partition suits and scarcely no
suits to quiet title until within a decade of the Civil War. In fact, sue!;
litigation did not become a source of nluch revenue until alinut the time of
the Civil War or a little later.
As will be noted elsewhere, a period of marked improvement began
with the close of the war in the drainage of the land and building of roads.
Drainage companies w'cre organized in all parts of the county for the con-
struction of large outlets. Turnpike companies were also organized for the
improvement of the principal highways. These lines of general improvement
gave rise to numerous questions, and became fruitful sources of litigation for
several years. Drainage, in fact, has ever since that time remained an im-
portant part of tile practice. For a number of years the people of the county
were engaged in constructing large open drains, and since the manufacture of
large tile, legal work has continued in the construction of covered drains.
Following the passage of the Three-Mile Road law in 1905, road con-
struction again occupied the attention of attorne3's for several years.
The proximity of Greenfield to the city of Indianapolis has for many
years given the "venue luisiness" a very important place in the history of the
legal work of the county. This work has been enjoyed chieflv by the older
members of the bar.
The preparation of abstracts of land titles and the examination of such
460 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
absf.acts lia\e liecuine imjxjrtant ])liases of ihe lawyer's xwjrk within the lavt
thirty years. The meager and carelessly constructed abstracts of twenty-five
and thirty years ago will no longer pass the scrutiny of the present-day law-
yer. Technicalities are assuming such importance that the examining lawyer
hardly knows where to draw the line to protect his client against having the
abstract "turned down" by some one else, in case he wishes to sell the land
in the future. The examining lawyer may know full well that the technical
defect cannot pnssililv jeopardize the title, ^'et he dues nt)t know how reason-
able or unreasonable the next examiner will be. Certainly he does not want
to have it appear at some future time that he was ignorant of the technical
defect, and on the other hand he wants to protect his client against any pos-
sible unreasonableness of another attorney who may pass ui)()n the title.
Hence, the tendency is growing among lawyers of requiring abstracts to be
free from all defects, whether serious or merely technical, Ijefore they recom-
mend the title.
Collections, which formerly constituted an important feature of the law-
yer's work, have now been taken over in large measure by the banks. This
is especially true of collections on promissory notes.
In some localities trust companies are also taking over much of the
probate business. This is not true, however, in Hancock county. Probate
matters have always constituted a very important part of the lawyer's work
in this county.
.\ RETROSPECTIVE VIEW.
The majority of attorneys admitted during the first years of the county's
history were Indianapolis attorneys. Others whose names api)ear upon the
roll came from Xoblesville, Shelbyville. Richmond and Muncie. "Circuit
riders" followed the judge from court to court in the judicial circuit. Calvin
Fletcher. Ovid lUitler and the Browns were Indianajxilis attorneys. James
B. Ray and .\bram JIammond, both of Indianapolis, transacted quite a large
amount of legal l>usiness before the court in its early history. Both of these
men later became governor of Indiana. The appearance of Christian Nave
and \\'illiam Ouarles is noted in many cases. Ouarles. especially, attended
many terms of court. He was from Indianapolis.
Thomas D. \\'al])ole was first resident attorney who grew into prom-
inence. He had a checkered career as an attorney and politician. Shortly
before the Civil War he removed to Indianapolis. While in Greenfield he
lived in the property now occupied 1)\ Dr. Edward Howard, just east of the
Xew building.
THOMAS D. WALPOX.E
§.
■^J^S.
REUBEN A. RILEY
DAVIU S. GOODING
THE HANCOCK COUNTY BAR. 461
George W. Julian lived in (Hcentield for several years. He came from
Wayne county ruid later returned tu that county. He was rather a i)rominent
attorney antl scr\ed a term or two in Congress.
The names of 1). AI. C. Lane. Reuhen A. Riley. James Rutherford, and
David S. Gooding were added to the list of local attorneys during the forties.
Lane's name appears in the record frequently for several vears, hut he does
not seem to ha\e attained an_\- special distinction at the l>ar. Irmies Ruther-
ford was in turn, county school examiner, clerk of the coint. and practicing
attorney. He is said to have lieen a very scholarly man, hut he hecame dis-
sipated and his life was cut short. Reuben A. Riley was a i)ractitioner for
almost half a century. Lie and ]\utherford were jjartncrs for a short tinie
about 1848. Several of the younger men read law in his office, and later
he and William R. Hough were partners for a lime. }ilr. Rile\- was not only
an able, conscientious lawyer, but he took a general interest in ])ul!lic affairs.
Some of his ])oems and s])eeches that still remain in print show him to have
been gifted along several lines. David S. Gooding was a successful trial
lawyer, but he gave a great deal of attention to politics. 1 Ic ])osses,sed a good
presence, was an able speaker, and for a time had a remarkble influence in the
county.
■ During the fifties James L. ^lason. Montgomery .Marsh. Lemuel W.
Gooding, William R. \\1est, David VanLaningham, William R. Llough and
George ^'. Atkison were added to the number of local attorneys. James L.
Mason became a iirominent Democrat during the war. and built u]) a lucra-
tive practice during that time. A number of later attornexs read law in his
office. He came from Lnion countv and taught school in Greenfield for
.several terms. Montgomery Marsh jiossessed rather limited attainments as an.
attorney, but took an acti\e interest in public affairs, and especially in pol-
itics. Lemuel Gooding served one term as countv recorder, also one term as
district attorney, in which he was verv successful. lie and his brother,
David S.. were ]3artners for a time, btit David seems to ha\e been in politics
so much that Lemuel hung out a shingle of his own. When the temperance
fights came on in i85(). and following, Da\id \'anLaningham usually rep-
resented the li(|uor interests, and Reuben .\. Rile\- the remonstrators. W'illirmi
R. Hough came prominently into the practice during the Civil War. Good-
ing \\as in politics, Riley was at the front, and this left the legal field very
largely to Hough ancl James L. Mason. The record of these vears attests
tlie fact that Mr. llough was an uiuisually successful lawyer. In following
matters u]) in the circuit court or before the county comnn'ssioners, one almost
develops the habit of expecting to see the cause he represented successful.
4G2 HAXCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
Judge West served one term as count\^ recorder. The commissioners' records,
as well as the court records, show that for a time he had a pretty fair prac-
tice. George Y. Atkison was a farmer and a man of general affairs. He
was a man of unusual influence in the county, but he scarcely e\er fought his
legal battles alone.
Just about the time of the Civil War, David Moss, of Xoblesvillc, iiad a
large practice in this court. Martin M. Ray, of Shelbyville, Walter Marcii.
of Muncie, and John L. Ketcham, father of William Ketcham, of Indiana,
were also quite frequently in court.
Following the Civil War Adams L. Ogg opened a law office in Green-
field, but practically all of his time was given to the prosecution of pension
claims of the soldiers. He was very successful in the work, and procured
more pensions for his comrades, likely, than were procured by any other attor-
ney at the bar. He also procured some of the largest pensions that were
awarded to the soldiers of this county.
Within a few years after the Civil War Augustus W. Hough, Charles
G. Offutt, Hamilton J. Dunbar and James A. New entered the profession.
IDunbar and Xew were both men of exceptional ability, but lx)th died com-
parativclv young. Charles G. Offutt became one of the best known attor-
neys at the bar. He was tall and portly, had a good presence, a strong per-
sonality, a clear, fine voice, and was gifted with a rare quality of eloquence.
Ft was said by opposing counsel that in the trial of a cause he was able to dis-
cern cjuickly any weakness in his adversary's case, and the strong points in
his own; that he was able to seize upon these things and throw them in such
a liglit before juries that it always made him a formidable opponent. As a
young lawyer Mr. Offutt counselled with Judge Buckles on important mat-
ters. For several years his card in the local papers announced that Judge
Buckles would be associated with him in the trial of all important causes.
Ephraim Marsh, William Ward Cook, William H. Martin and R. A.
Black entered the practice during the seventies. Marsh & Cook formed a
])artner.ship soon after ^Ir. Mar.sh's retirement from the clerk's office. Their
talents were complementary. Mr. Marsh was an exceedingly close and dili-
gent student of the law, while Mr. Cook was preeminently a trial lawyer.
For several years immediately following the gas boom in the county they
probablv transacted a larger volume of legal business than has ever been
transacted by any firm in the same length of time in Greenfield, .\fter the
death of Mr. Marsh, Mr. Cook remained as the last of the older trial lawyers.
He had fought many a legal battle, and everylx)dy knew him to be the peer
of anv advocate who entered the forum of justice. For several years he
THE HANCOCK COUNTV ISAK. 463
remaineil in the practice hdiiored and respected practically as the dean of the
Hancock har. R. A. Black and Charles G. Offutt were partners for many
years before Mr. Offutt was elected to the bench. William H. Martin and
Mr. Offutt were partners for several years after Mr. Offutt's service on the
bench.
I'ollowing are tiie attorneys engag-ed in the practice as shown by
the bar docket, September term, 191 5: Edward F. Quigley, *John F. Wig-
gins, *A. C. VanDuyn, *Robert Williamson, *Charles H. Cook, *[ohn B.
Hinchman, *Robert F. Reeves, *S. A. Wray, *Omer S. Jackson, *Samuel J-
Offutt, *William A. Hughes, H. Seger Slifer, *John 1'. l^agan, Herbert M.
Kelley, *Edward Eikman. *Elden A. Robb, *Edwin T. (ilascock, *Charles
L. Tindall, John Lockridge, * James F. Reed *\\'. R. Hough, * Vinton A.
Smith, William P. Bidgood, Chalmer Schlosser, Chauncey W. Duncan, C. W.
Morrison, Ora Myers, *Robert L. Mason. Louis A. Browne, *Jonas P.
Walker, *Earl Sample, *\\'illiam A. Hough. Jesse Sanford, Sylvester Meek.
*George T. Tindall, John M. Hall, *Charles Downing, *Elmer T. Swope,
*George J. Richman, R. I. Marsh, *Paul F. Binford, *William E. Bussell,
Moses C. Wood.
*Resident and engaged in the practice.
SIDE LIGHTS.
Our lawyers are not all limited in their accomplishments to being able
practitioners at the bar. Judge Sample, who is now on the bench, is versed
in literature only less, possibly, than he is in the law. The Judge is familiar
with the jjoets from antiquity to the present, and can quote their lines by
lioiu's to the delight of listeners.
William A. Hough is an inimitable reader. He can read Rilev better
than anybody — unless, perhaps, it is Riley himself. WUl does not have to
depend upon borrowed verses either. In a leisure hour he will write his own
lines — and by the way, his songs of years ago were sold in editions.
Robert Williamson has been a Sunday school teacher at the Presbyterian
Sunday school for a number of years. He is original as a Bible student, and
has an exegetical manuscript, which he may at some time publish in book
form. The Bible is an interesting book to Robert, and in his unique way he
speaks with authority on its message.
Samuel J. Offutt is a violinist. Init not of the ragtime, hoe-down type.
Sam's violin is resonant with the strains of the masters and he plays them
in a manner to please the most fastidious.
Tames F. Reed is a lover of Burns and recites his verses as onlv a mas-
464 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
ter of Scotch dialect can recite lliein. l'^)r the enjoyment of his ])erfect
rendering of tlie lines of the Scottish hard, tlie Ijar pro]:)ably owes a httle debt
of gratitiide to tlie McDougals of l>rand\\viiie townsliip. Whatever in human
hfe is touched upon in conversation. Jim can alwavs illustrate the point to the
delight of his fellows with a few lines from Burns.
Others of the brethren entertain no aspirations toward poetry or music,
but they enjoy a day off for a hunt, or a week or two for a fishing trip.
When they return they spin out yarns of the catch that uphold in a substantial
manner the traditions of the profession.
CHAI'Tl-.R XII.
THE PUACTICK OK MEDICIXE.
Amono; the very early pliysicians of flit CMunly who tnok an active inter-
est in affairs was Dr. J. \\'. Hcr\ey. He was an al)le. elo(|uenl speaker, and
a ])r()lific writer. For a quarter of a century after the Civil War the columns
of the Hancock Dcinocval cnntainccl articles from his pen, in which he re-
counted his experiences and gave his recollections of those early days.
Tlie Iiest history of the early practice of medicine in Hancock county
is found in his articles. The following excerpts have 1ieen selected from
the statement whicli he wrote for Mr. liinford in 1882. Referring- to the
early history of the county, Dr. Htrvey saj-s :
"The practice of medicine then was a work of some magnitude. We
were compelled to ride cm horseback through the woods, along paths blazed
out iMi the sides of trees, sometimes tweh'c miles. I ha\e often lost m\- wav,
and had to ride for miles before 1 came to a liouse to ask where I was. 1
was called one stormv night to visit a familv in what was called the "Bie
Deadening." in \'ernon township. The messenger had a huge torch and rode
before. Our path was for miles through 'slashes,' as then called. The forest
was wild and gloom}-. Before we reached the place the torch gave out. and
we had to hunt a hickory tree, from which we got bark to renew our ligh.t.
We heard the wolves howl occasionalh-. When we reached the house we
found the door fastened, and the woman whom T was called to see was in bed
with two newly-born babe twins. .She was badlv frightened. She said the
wolves had run the dogs against the door. The door was nothing but shaved
clapboards hung on hinges. She -diought the wolves smelt the corpse, for one
of the babes was dead. She had heard it said that wolves would fight des-
perately for a dead Iiody. There were no neighhors for some distance, and
no i>ne there to go for anvone.
"Sometime after that I was belated on my return home from the l'"all
Creek settlement. Tt had bccti raining all day, and was very iiiudd\-. Mv
horse gave out, and 1 had to stoj) at John Robb's, where 1 got mv su])per.
He saddled one of his horses for me to ride till 1 returned, it was dark
when I started, and nothing but a path to travel until T struck what was
called the Greenfield and .Mlisonville road. ^Ir. Robb assured me that 'Old
Sam," as he called the horse, would keep the path. I had gone but a few
465
(30)
466 HANCOCK COLNTV, INDIANA.
miles liefure "Old Sam' was out of Uie path, and stopped to eat grass. 1 got
down and tried to feel for the path. Failing to find it I mounted and deter-
mined to make the horse go some place. He soon went under a grape\ine and
lifted me out of the saddle and set me wrong end up in the spice brush.
I was. however, able for another trial. I then commenced to halloo in the
hopes that I might find some house. I soon heard wolves, not very far dis-
tant from me, I thought. I had often heard it said that wolves could smell
assafoetida any distance, and that they would fight for it. I had to carry
that article with me, for it was out of the question to dispense with a remedy
so popular at that time. Everything used as medicine was furnished by the
doctors. I was considerabh' frightened, but I soon heard someone answer me
and saw a torch coming. It was common for persons to get lost in the woods
at that time. When I reached the man's house I found I had lost my pill
sacks, and this necessitated me to v.ait till morning, as most of my essential
outfit was in them. Though of but small value would the pill bags be at this
time, the loss of that utility would have been sufficiently ample at that time
to have compelled me to suspend operations for some days.
"Aljout 1845. at a camp meeting near Cumljerland. in the eastern part of
Marion county, a child was taken with a fit, and its mother made so much
noise that divine services W'ere suspended for a time. Dr. Berry, who after-
wards became president of Asbury University, was preaching. As soon as
he found out what was the matter he told the congregation to take their
seats and not crowd the child, but give it plenty of fresh air, wet its head
with cold water, and send for a doctor ; that there was no danger. I was at
that time but little acquainted, and but few on the ground suspected me of
any pretentions to being a doctor. Someone, however, hunted me up, and,
plucking me to one side, asked me if I could bleed, and whether or not I had
any lancets with me. I happened to have a nice spring lancet in my pocket.
I told him I thought I could bleed, and he asked me to follow him. When
I arrived at the tent it was crowded desperately, and near the door, on a
temporary bed, was the patient. On one side of it stood a large man with a
huge walking stick about four feet long and as thick as a small handspike.
Before him was a pair of old-fashioned saddle-bags, which contained some-
thing near a half bushel of roots and herbs, together with other implements
essential to the practice. On the other side of the little sufferer stood
another man. something over six feet high, with a blue jeans suit on.
Neither of the gentlemen were arrayed in very fastidious costumes. Over the
sl'.oulder of this gentleman hung a pair of pill wallets of something more in
accordance with the custom of the nineteenth centurv, and would not hold
THE rUACTKK OF MEDICINE. 46/
liver one peck of goods. He had tiie arm of the little girl bandaged, and
was prodding- away with an old rusty and dull thumb lancet, attem])ting to
bleed the child, but bad about gi\cn ui> the idea when I was sent for. The
man w ho hunted me up stepped forward and fixing his eyes on me, said :
"There is Dr. Hervey; maybe he can bleed." At this all eyes were turned
toward me, and I could distinctly hear the whispers through the crowd, "He
is uiitbing but a lioy" : "He don't look much like a doctor," and other sim-
ilar remarks, most of which were true, for I was but a young man, and looked
younger than I was. The theory of the doctors was that the patient had too
much blood in the head, and that bleeding was the only remedy. The big
doctors had not much faith in me, but asked me if I could bleed the child.
They did not ask for my opinion in the case, or what treatment I would
recomiuend, or intimate that they had any more use for m.e. I. however,
bled the child and asked the doctors if it would not be well to kee]) cold cloths
to the head, which they had ordered removed for fear of producing a chill.
The child got better, and I got better acquainted with the big doctors, and
found them to be big-hearted as well as large in body. One of them was
Dr. Carpenter, of Cumberland, a good Christian gentleman, but whose facil-
ities for education were poor. He was a ver}- useful man, and when his
patients died he often preached their funerals. He was a Baptist minister,
and Dr. W'ilHam Aloore, of the same village, and a partner, was a Universalian
preacher. Bleeding was common then in most diseases, and many persons
were bled regidarly at stated times. I know several men who kept lancets.
A man that could bleed was considered necessary in every settlement. The
houses of these men were thronged every Sunday by persons, some of whom
would come miles to be bled. The other big doctor was called ^IcTain. I
think, and he lived in or near New Palestine.
"On page seventy-four of the proceedings of the Indiana Medical Society
for 1874, in a report on the medical history of the state, by Thad. M. Stevens,
M. D.. I find the following items coimected with the transactions of medical
men in the western part of Hancock county, which I will quote:
"In 1X46. the congestive fever, as it was called, made its appearance.
Many died : indeed, most of them in the hands of some physicians. Dr.
Moore, of Cumberland, contended that blood letting and after that calomel
to ptyalism, was the proper treatment. -\ meeting of physicians was called
to consult upon a plan of treatrnent, at which it was agreed to use larger
doses of c|uinine. Into this practice all finally fell, and the disease became
much less formidable. The only drawback to the use of this drug was the
price and the scarcity of money. It run up at one time to six dollars an
468 HANCOCK COrXTV, INDIANA.
ounce. Dr. Her\ey bought up a dozen fat cattle. dro\e them to Indianapoh.s,
and sold them at seven dollars and fifty cents per head, and invested the
money in quinine. '
" 'In 1847 '' singT.ilar e])idcmic of smallpo.x appeared in Buck Creek town-
ship. Erysipelas, in the form of black tung, had been prevailing in the same
locality. A healthy, stout man iiy the name of Snyder took the confluent
, variola. The whole surface swelled enormously. Dr. \\illiam Smith, who
was a new brother in the profession at Cumberland, was called to see the case,
who being somewhat puzzled at the disease, called Dr. Bobbs, of Cumber-
land, and Dr. J. W. Hervey. of Hancock county, in consultation. Drs. Bobbs
and Smith contended that the disease was of an active, inflammatorv char-
ac*er. and the only safety depended upon copious blood-letting. Dr. Hervey
differed with tliem. opposed the bleeding, and left them to treat the case.
They bled the man profusely, and he died. The neighbors flocked in to sec
him. and the result was smallpo.x was scattered all over the countr\-. Dr. J.
W. Hervey contended that the disease was some form of eruptive fever, mod-
ified by erysipelas diathesis. That was before the disease had developed
its true character. After that he contended that it was smallpox, modified by
the influence named. A consultation was called at the house of Isaac Snvder.
father of the first patient, over some new cases. Dr. John S. Bobbs, Dr.
l^)ullard, of Indianapolis, and Dr. Brown, of Bethel, were called in. Drs.
Bobbs and Bullard agreed with Dr. Hervey. I think Dr. Brown did the same.
The fact of the disease making its appearance without anyone knowing how.
agitated the public mind to the highest ])itch. .\s Dr. Hervey had been prom-
inent in the treatment of the disease, and \erv successful, he having treated
eighty-four cases, with but the loss of three grown persons and two
children, it was in some way whispered through the neighborhood
that he started the disease to get into business and gain notoriety. This
theory was aimed to he made plausible by the fact that the Doctor had been
in Cincinnati the winter before, and had told someone that he saw cases of
small])ox in the hospital. It was also urged that he could not have been so
well acquainted with the disease and have treated it .so successfully if he had
not made some special study and preparation. The riunor spread and gained
force as it went out upon the breeze of po]u;lar rumor, until the whole coun-
try was arrayed on one or the other side of the cpiestion. Sinncone who was
ingenious in formulating theories, said the Doctor had brought a scab with
him from Cincinnati, and started the disease with it. He had used tincture
of iodine and nitrate of silver to prevent ])itting in the face. One Miss
Burris lost an eye. and was otherwi.se disfigured by the disease, pustules hav-
Tin: ri<A(. iici: 111" m i-:i)R1\k. 469
ing formed in the eyes. J'lipular prejudice pointed lliis case out as a jiroper
oiif. to punish the Doctor with. lie was sued for malpractice. The l)ad
feelins^ was so inten.se against him that his counsel. Oliver H. Smitli. advised
him to take a change of venue to Slielby county. The damages were set at
five t'lousand dollars. The depositions of eminent pliysicians were seciu-cfl
hy the Doctor. Soiue of the l;est physician.s in the state were sulipoenaed.
His defense was so fortified tliat before the time for the trial arrived tlie
case was withdrawn. Dr. llervey's cliaracter was vindicated, and he rose
above tlie clouds that threatened him witli ruin; liul it cost him much of his
hard-earned means and cheated him out <if tliree or four of the liest vears
of his hfe.
■■ "'iliis case is a valualile illustration of what mjiu'\' and wrong mav lie
done a physician liy those who are not sufficiently informed (m such sul)iects.
It also shows what a few enemies may do l^efore the tribunal of uninformed
popular public sentiment and popular prejudice."
'■.\ .SIXGUL.XR C.\LL.
'■.\t a 4tii of July celeliration held in the woods, where Mt. Ctimfort
now stands, I was engaged to make an oration. There was to be a l)ig time
— a barljecue. The day Ijrought an immense crowd. Just before the time
came for mv part of the programme, I noticed soiueone coming with great
speed, and a gener.al stir among the people. 1 was informed that an acci-
dent had ha|)pened ;il the crossing of Buck creek, and that I was wanted.
The proceedings were delayed until my retiun. When I reached the scene
of the accident a most amusing incident was bef(jre me. and instead of resort-
ing to surgery and bandages. I was overcome with fun. A family with sev-
eral small cliildrcn had undertaken to visit the celeliration in ;m ox-wagon,
not \ery sulistantially rigged. In attempting to cross the bridge over Buck
creek the oxen became frightened at a ])arty of young men and women com-
ing up behind at a pretty fair speed. The red riblxins were flying, and the
skirted white dresses of the girls on horseback, flapping in the wind, together
with the clatter of the liorses' feet, was too much for the cattle to stand.
They took fright, left the pole bridge, and landed the wagon, with its con-
tents, upside down in tlie mud and mire. The oxen had just reached the
shore, and the family had all been safely dug out of the mud, and were
seated in a line (in the edge of the Ijridge, covered so completely with mud
that you could onlv see the eyes and the mouth. The man with coon-skin
cap was making arrangements to wash tliem off in the creek, into which \n-
had wade<l and was, when I arri\ed, waiting for the first one to lie handed
4/0 HAXCOCK COrXTV, IXPIAXA.
to him to take tlirough the operation. Evei^- child was bawling at the top
of its ability to make a noise. As none were hurt, no one who witnessed the
incident could restrain a hearty laugh. They were assisted, however, and
waslied off, and reached tlie ground towards the close o^f the evening, and
in time to get a full meal of meat and corn-pone, which were about ail tiie
eatables spread on the occasion.
"One thing can be said to the praise of the physicians of Haincock county.
Tiiey were mostly self-made men, and men of unusually good sense. But
few men have l)een imported into Hancock county as physicians since the old
stock took their jilace. But few counties in tlie state can boast of better
doctors than Hancock county. I do not know one to whom I could not give
the hand of fellowship. I do not know one who is my personal enemy, or one
w iio has ever knowingly done me an unkind act.
"In writing this brief review of the profession in the county, if I have
forgotten anyone or said anything about anyone that may be exceptionable.
I ask pardon."
Following are also the characterizations of some of the early physicians
from the pen of Dr. Her\'ey, written at the same time :
"Dr. Duncan. — The first time I ever visited the office of Dr. Duncan he
was so full of talk and l)ig laugh that he sjiit all over nie, not intentionally,
for no better-hearted man lived than he: but he had such a peculiar way of
pouring out his fun that he could not keep his mouth and lips from taking a
\ery prominent i)art in the performance. Dr. Barnett, who is now yielding
somewhat to the pressure of age, was then a student in his office, and a very
industrious one at that. His long success in business is due, no doubt, to
his earnest and intense studentship. Dr. Duncan was a good practitioner and
had an extensi\e business. Had he received the advantages of modern usages
he would have been a still more prominent member of the profession.
"Dr. Moore. — 1 do not remember the given name of the dtxtor here
referred to. I w'as called to see him in his last sickness at his home in Green
tounshii). He was quite a large man, of every limited attainments, but
a useful man in the community. He died of softening of the brain and paraly-
sis. .\ singular feature in his disease was that he could not reach any object
with his hand. If he would undertake to place his hand upon an object he
would invariably reach to another locality. He was much worried over
his condition. He lamented his affliction very much. He appealed to me so
piteously to devise some means for his relief that I shed tears in his presence.
I think some of his family are living in the couiUy, who might 1k" able to
give more of his historv.
TIIK I'RACTICK ill- .MKDU 1 .\ K. 47 1
"Dr. N . p. Hoivayd is now among the oldest practitioners in the connty.
I do not remember how long it has been since he came to Greenfield, bnt he
has always ranked among the best medical men of the country, and is per-
haps the best operating surgeon in the county, and he has but few superiors in
the state. I^esides being a surgeon of ability, he is a whole-souled gentleman,
who never violated any law of professional etiquette or honor.
"Dr. Lot Edwards is the first physician I ever kuew in the county, and
he had jjracticed in it several years before I came. He was one of the mo.st
wiry men I ever knew. His appearance would indicate that he could stand
Ixit little effort, yet he has done enough hard work in the practice of medi-
cine to kill two or three ordinary men. He was identified with the first
society of the county, and Jiad as many warm friends as any man therein.
"Dr. E. I. Judkins read medicine in Greenfield, and was raised in the
county. He grew old amidst the scenes of his early life, and gave the best
of his energies to the practice of his profession. He is a successful, high-
minded votary of the healing art, well posted, and has a large share of friends
and patrons.
"Dr. A. G. Sclman practiced medicine in Greenfield many _\cars ago and
took a prominent part in politics. He had at one time as large a practice as
any man in the county.
"Dr. Cook practiced in Charlottesville thirty-five years ago, and was a
very fine and successful practitioner. Dr. Stuart, of Fortvdle, was one of
his students. Dr. Stuart and Dr. Troy nnist be nearly the same age, and
must have commenced practice about the same time. I am told that Dr.
Troy has always had quite a large business, and that Dr, Stuart, at Fort-
ville, has had an extensive practice.
"Dr. Hiram Duiwaii came to Hancock county over thirty years ago. He
commenced practice near Willett's Mill, but moved to a settlement north of
Fort\ille. on Ivdl creek, in the edge of Hamilton county, before h'ortville was
laid out. When it was made a town he moved there, and practiced there alone
for ten or twelve years. He is a well posted, though unassuming, man. and
is one of the most careful practitioners I ever knew. He is now in
Indianapolis.
"Dr. Paul Esfiy is another of the old physicians of the county. 1 think
he commenced business at or near Philadelphia, hut soon went to Xew Pales-
tine. He could speak German fluentl}'. and no Ijetter location could be found
in the state for a man of his ability and social habits than Xew Palestine. The
Doctor made good use of his facilities, energies and surroundings, and was
one of the wealthiest men in the county. His tireless energy and his unceas-
4/2 HANCOCK COUNTY. INDIANA.
iiig devotion to business, together with his good judgment and good manage-
ment, placed him beyond want and in possession of innumerable friends.
But few doctors succeed as well, pecuniarily, as Dr. Paul Espy."
It is only fair to say of Dr. Hervey himself, that after his early experi-
ences in Hancock county, he went to Indianaj)olis, where he built ii]) a large
and lucrative practice. Mfty years ago he had a standing in his profession
such as is enjoyed by Drs. Noble, Potter, Cook and a few others at this time.
There are also other names that should be added to the list of those who
practiced among the early settlers of the county, .\mong these were Dr.
Edmundson. a one-armed physician, who lived in Blue River township, and
who also kept a small store there. Dr. Xewby was also located in the eastern
part of the that township in its early liistory. In Brown township were Drs.
Logan Wallace. Aaron Gregg, \\'illiam Reed. C. C. Loder, and Dr. William
Trees of a little later date. In Sugar Creek township Drs. Hudson McAnlis-
ter, J. H. Hazen, W. H. Dye, H. B. Wilson. James M. Ely. Jacob Buschel
and Kellogg, hung out their shingles before the Civil War. In Jackson town-
ship Drs. S. A. Troy and .\mos Bundy were established in what was then
known as Portland. At Greenfield, Drs. Jared Chapman, Leonard Bardwell
and Simon Alters were among the first physicians. Later they were fol-
lowed by Drs. Martin, Howard. Barnett and others above mentioned.
Prior to 187-I there was no organization among the physicians of the
county. On January 6 of that year, however, a meeting of the doctors was
held at the I. (). O. \\ hall at Greenfield, at which they effected an organiza-
tion, known as the
HANCOCK COrXrV MEDICAL .SOCIETY.
The minutes of this meeting are herein set nut in full :
"In pursuance of a Call heretofore issued by Drs. X. P. Howard, S. M.
Martin, M. M. Adams and E. I. Judkins to other physicians of the County,
the following physicians as.sembled in the I. O. O. F. Hall, at 11 o'clock .A. M.,
viz. : Dr. S. .\. Troy, J. (j. Stewart, H. Duncan. .S. T. Yancey and T. K.
Saunders, of I-"ort\ille, H. J. Bogart, J. B. Sparks and G. T. Wrcnnick. of
Charlottesville. M. M. Hess, of Cleveland. G. C. Eubank, of Philadelphia,
and X. P. Howard, S. M. Martin, M. M. .\dams and E. I. Judkins, of Green-
field, Indiana.
"Dr. S. M. Martin briefly stated the olijecl of the meeting to be to form
or organize a County Medical Society au.xiliary to the State Medical Society,
and upon motion and vote of all present. Dr. S. T. Vancy was made tcm-
porarv chairman and E. I. Judkins. temporaiy secretar}'.
Tin: TRAc 1ICI-: of .mkdicim-:. 473
"Upon taking' the L'liair, Dr. ^'ancy made a few ai)|)roi)riale remarks.
returning thanks, etc.. for the lionor conferred, and encouraged the o])ject of
tlie meeting. Upon motion the following were appointed as a committee to
draft and suhmit a constitution, viz.: Drs. S. M. Martin. M. M. Adams and
Iliram Duncan.
"Upon motion of Dr. Judkins, a committee of five were appointed on
permanent organization, to-wit : Drs. Judkins, Troy. Sparks. Stewiri and
Eubank.
"After discussing various points in regard to organization, etc.. the
meeting adjourned until one o'clock P. ]\1.. to give time for the several com-
mittees to confer and adopt reports.
"At I P. M. the meeting was again called to order by the temporary
chairman.
"Thereupon the Committee on Constitution reported a Constitution of 17
Articles, which was ordered read by .\rticle and Section, and then unani-
mously adopted.
"The committee on pemianent organization then reported the following
nomination for officers for the ensuing year, viz, : Dr. X. P. Howard, presi-
dent; Dr. S. A. Troy, vice-president; Dr. AT. M. Adams, treasurer; Dr. E. I.
Judkins. secretary; Drs. J. B. Sparks, S. M. Martin. S. T. Yancy. censors;
Drs. J. G. Stuart. H. J. Bogart. M. M. Hess, trustees.
"L'pon motion and unanimous vote of the meeting the nominations of
the committee were confirmed and the officers named ileclarcd elected, and
Society permanentlv organized as the Hancock County Medical Society.
"Upon motion a committee of two were a]ipointed to conduct Dr. Hov/-
ard. President-elect, to the Chair.
"Upon taking the Chair the President returned thanks for the honor
conferred, called the meeting to order, and asked for further business.
"Upon motion Drs. Martin and Yancy were a])pointed a committee to
procure a suitable seal with appropriate inscription for the Society.
"Ui)on motion an order of business was adopted.
".\nd upon fiu"ther motion and \ote of the Society a system of ISy-Laws
was adopted.
"The secretar\- was ordered to procure a suitable Record 15ook for the
Society, and also a book for the C<Mistitution and By-Paws of the Society
and to record the same therein.
".\lso the secretary was authorized by unanimous vote to sign the names
of all the organizing members of this Society, to the Constitution, when
copied in appropriate book.
474 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
"The President appointed J. B. Sparks to prepare and read an essay upon
Purulent Pneumonia at next meeting, also Drs. S. ^I. ilartin and S. T.
Yancy to read an essay upon any subject they might choose to select.
"The question of a Fee Bill came up and was discussed at considerable
length, and upon motion a committee of three, viz. : S. A. Troy, J. B. Sparks
and S. -M. Martin, were appointed to prepare and submit a Fee Bill at next
meeting.
"Upon motion the secretary was ordered to furnish the "Indiana Medical
Journal' and 'Hancock Democrat' with a summary of today's proceedings
for publication.
"Upon motion tlie Society adjourned to meet in Greenfield on the second
Tuesday of Feljruary at i o'clock P. M.
"E. I. JrDKiNS, Secretary."
The purpose of the society is further stated in the constitution :
"To pro\ide an organization through v.hich the regular physicians of
the countv shall be united in one jirofessional fraternity for the liettcr pro-
motion of all measures adapted to the relief of the suffering; the improvement
of the health and tlie protection of the lives of the community, and for the
mutual improvement ; the advancement of medical knowledge ; the elevation
of professional character; the encouragement of professional intercourse and
the protection of professional interests."
Regular meetings for the society were appointed for the first Tuesdays
of January. April, July and October annually at Greenfield. The physicians
whose names appear above — fourteen of them — became the charter members
of the society. In April of 1874, the names of Drs. John L. ■Marsh, William
N. Pierson, C. H. Kirkhoof and J. M. Ely were added to the list.
Although a complete organization was effected on January 6. 1874, and
dues were paid and all other relationships established and maintained with
the State Medical Society during the years that followed, a charter was not
obtained until April, iQii. when it was issued hi the following words:
"Indiana State Medical Association
"Kno-di^ All Men By These Presents
"That by virtue of authority vested in the House of Delegates of this
Association by the Constitution and By-Laws, it hereby issued a Charter to
the Hancock County Medical Society of which Joseph L. Allen, M. D., is
President and Earl R. Gibbs, M. D., is Secretary, and the Charter Members
now belonging to such society and to their successors in perpetuity witli all
THE I'UACTICE OF MEDICINE. ' 475
of llic lioniir and i>ri\ileges pertaining" thereto, so long as such Society con-
forms to tlie Constitution and By-Laws of tliis Association.
"No. 87.
"Given Under the Antlwrity of the House of Delegates
this tenth daj^ of April, 191 1.
"Ch.arles N. Combs, M. D.,
"Secretary. F. C. Heath, M. D.,
"President."
That tlie physicians set about to accomplish tlie purpose of their new
organizatidii and to profit by mutual consultation and discussion, is evi-
denced by the following e.xcerpts taken from the minutes of their different
n^eetings :
"Februar)' 10, 1874. — Dr. Martin read a paper on 'Tympanites,' upon
which but few remarks were made, from the fact that but few present seemed
prepared to discuss its merits, but upon motion of Dr. Troy, Dr. Martin was
requested to read his paper again before the society at its regular meeting in
April.
"Dr. Troy verbally reported some cases of bronchitis met with, not
yielding to the ordinary treatment with tonics, stimulants and expectorants,
but yielded to aconite. Dr. Stuart had met some similar cases in which he
found gelsemium the best remedy. Dr. Adams had met a few slight cases
in which he found quinine and glycerine, aided by copious draughts of cold
water at bedtime, to speedily relieve symptoms.
"Dr. Fubank verbally reported a case of periodical spasms of a child
resulting in atrophy of right arm and leg, which elicited some remarks."
The committee to report on a fee bill or a schedule of fees to be collected
for \arious services failed to report at this meeting. On the meeting of
April 7. 1874, the committee did report a bill, which was placed nn file for
further consideration. The report was taken up again at the July meeting
in 1874 and was discussed by the physicians assembled. It seemed to be
unsatisfactory, however, and when a vote was taken thereon, the motion to
adopt the bill was defeated. Dr. Martin then moved, at the meeting of T"ly
7, 1874, that Drs. Yancy, Hess and Adams be appointed a committee on fee
bill for ne.\t meeting, but for the want of the second the motion was lost.
April 7, 1874 : — "Upon recommendation of the board of censors. Dental
Doctors \\'. R. \Yf<\{ and E. B. Iloward were unanimously elected honorarv
members of this societv.
476 HAXCOCK COUNTV, INDIANA.
"Dr. Sparks read an able paper upijii pneumonia, as per special appoint-
ment at fir.st regular meeting."
Remarks liv sundry member.s :
"Dr. Martin disbelieves in the term (strictly speaking) of typhoid pneu-
monia : thinks two distinct diseases cannot exist at the same time in otie
patient, and that there is almost always some bronchial trouble, and the
pleura generally affected. Pain usually due to pleuritic complication. The
disease usually tends to reco\er\': lie does not use nauseating e.Kpectorants.
relies upon sustaining treatment.
"Dr. Sparks denounces the term "lung lexer' as old fogy, anil insists upon
physicians using the terms 'pneumonia' or "pneumonitis' when naming the
disease. Dr. Judkins remarks, physicians ought to speak in terms that would
be understood by their patients when diagnosis is clear, or made up, and if
asked for a name of the disease, by the patient's friends, if we have to. say
'lung fever' instead of 'pneumonia,' or 'ague' instead of 'intermitten.t fever.'
"Dr. Howard called \'ice-President Troy to the chair, and then made
some remarks upon Dr. Sparks' paper; recommends calomel in most cases and
sometimes uses it to ptyalism, uses blisters, gives ammonia, quinine, etc., as
symptoms indicate. Remarks were made by several otiier members u]ion the
pathology, nomenclature, and treatment of pneumonia.
"By request. Dr. Martin read his paper on 'Tymiianites,' whicli lie had
read at the February meeting.
"Remarks on patholog\-, treatment, etc., by several members. Dr. Sparks
thinks it might have resulted from retained feces. Dr. Ely regards it as
pyema from absorption from uterus. Dr. Martin defends his diagnosis,
quoting from authors, and com])arison with peritonitis. Dr. Sparks favors
spirits turpentine in treatment. Drs. Sparks and Pierson discussed the path-
ology of tlie disease, at some length.
Drs. Pierson, Kirkhoff and Marsh were appointed to write an essay
upon any medical subject they may choose for next regular meeting.
"Dr. "N'ancy continued for an essay also at next meeting."
July 7, 1S74: — ''Essays being again called for. Dr. J- L- Marsh read an
alile paper on 'Ancient and Modern Therapeutics.' Remarks by Yancy,
Sparks, Wolf and Ely."
October 6, 1874: — "Verbal reports being called for. Dr. Stevens reported
a case of post mortem, where injun- of the cranium had caused death, in
which there was almost complete absorption of the bone, and full alisorption
of the meml)ranes, corresponding to the size of the injury."
THE I'UACTUF. OK M IIDI CI XE. 4//
April 6, 1875: — "Essays lieiiig called tor, Dr. Marsh read a length)' and
aljlc ])aper iqion the 'Therapeutics of Aconite.' which elicited (|uite a dis-
cussion from I'rs. Martin, i less. Sparks an<l |n<lkins. Dr. .Martin never used
aconite, hence could imi tell of its virtues from experience. Dr. Hess used
it hut seldom. Dr. Sparks had it used internallv in tonsilitis with good
results.
"Dr. .M.iriin read .a ])a])er mi the fallacies of the treatment of pneumonia.
The suhject was pretty thoroughU- discussed hy all memhers present. jMI
di.scard nauseating expectorants."
July 6, 1875: — ^"Dr. Adams rept)rted a case of 'progressive locomotor
ataxia' which he was treating with nitrate of silver, hut with slight show' of
imi)rovemeiit. Remarks hy Drs. Martin, Pierson and Judkins. X'one had
ever treated a case of the kind. Dr. Pierson had seen one
case in the Indiana Medical College, supposed to ha\e heen induced
hy the excessive use of tobacco : treatnient, discontinue tobacco and
administer nitrate of silver. Lost sight of the case, did not learn result of
treatment. Dr. Adams asked the advice and opinion of the society regarding
the treatment of his case ; all endorsed the use of nitrate of silver w'nh the
observance of due caution of its toxical effects, a point the Doctor says he has
carefully watched, and as yet no indications for discontinuance were observ-
able, but on the contrar}- when the remedy had lieen left off for a few days
for fear of toxic trouble, the symptoms had increased. Dr. Judkins sug-
gested that when the nitrate of silver had been carried to its reasonable
limits to substitute nux vcMiiica or strychnia and phosphorous, in full doses.
"The discussion here ran into the pathology of such cases and the gen-
eral arguments were that the intemperate use of tobacco and excessive venery
or undue venereal passion or excitement without proper or due gratification
might induce an attack, but that Dr. Adams' case was probalily the result of
severe injurv rcceix'ed on the head manv \'ears ago, which had frecjuently
produced severe nervous trouble, and sometimes severe and almost intoler-
able pain in the head, for which Dr. Judkins had frequently administered
chloroform, by the mouth, ammonia and liromides, gi\ing only temporary
relief."
Though the fee bill failed in its adoption at the first meeting of the
physicians, further steps were taken at the meetings in the latter part of 1875
for their financial protection, in the adoption of the following resolution :
"Resolved, that after Januarx- i. 1876, 110 service shall he rendered to
persons who are able to i)a}' their liills, but who evade them hy changing fn^ri
one physician to another, unless the fee for such service is paid in advance.
4/8 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
'"Further resolved, that it shall be the duty of each of us to furnish nil
others a list of such parties from time to tiine as they make satisfactory settle-
ment.
"That this is no combination to raise our fees — as will doubtless be
charged— our patrons will be convinced when they pay their accounts; neither
is it an effort to shirk our share of tlie cliarity work. \\"e each pledge our-
selved to the maintenance of the noble reputation of our profession in this
respect, to the best of our ability. By this movement we expect to be better
enabled to do all that public opinion demands of us for the worthy poor and
unfortunate. And also to treat the patrons who pay and support us in a more
Iilieral and businesslike manner, hoping thercb\- not to be forced to the neces-
sity of selling eveiy good note we take to tlie brokers ; or of dogging our
patrons at their houses by sending importunate collectors after them ; or of
offending them through the public prints b}^ frequent demands to settle, as
has been done by some, who will now be interested in charging that this is
a 'ring'. (Signed)': S. M. Marsh, J. A. Hall, George Tague, J. J. Carter, J.
G. Stuart, J. Francis, C. C. Loder, H. J. Bogart, L. A. Vawter, E. 1. Judkins,
H. A. Grcenleaf, R. E. Barnett, T. J. Savmders, J O. Espey, William Trees,
N. N. Howard, S. S. Boots, John L. Marsh, S. T. Yancy, J. M. Jones. M. M.
Hess, W. E. Kearns."
The above resolution was published for a number of issues in the Ihiii-
cock Democrat and brought forth a series of protests from the laity. Some of
the good people of the county suggested through the columns of the local
papers that if the physicians would pay their own accounts as they came due,
it might help others to pay them. The physicians offered a reply or two to
these protests, which of course failed to silence them. Finally someone became
so unkind as even to suggest that if the physicians would pay their whiskey
bills it might help the other fellow.
The society, however, did not limit itself to such matters only as might
be of personal profit to the physicians. It must appear to anyone that the
essays that were read, the general matters as well as specific cases that were
l)rought before the society from the individual pi-actice of the doctors, and the
help that the society was able to give in such matters by wa)- of consultation
and advice, were of practical benefit to the public.
The society has from time to time given some attention to matters l>efore
the General Assembly, which they considered of interest to themselves and to
the profession. At the close of the legislature in 1879, the doctors of the
countv adopted the following resolution in appreciation of the services of Dr.
Edwins in that body :
THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. 479
" Rcsolird . that tlie thanks of this society are liereljy unanimously ten-
dered to Dr. Stanley M. Edwins, of Madison county, for the very able and
zealous manner in which he sought to rid the profession of its parasites, and
thereby benefited the public, by securing the passage of his Medical bill, by
our State Legislature at its recent session ; and that we express the hope that
by the time that body convenes, the 'Mother of Israel' of the period with her
tanzy tea, and the Good Samaritan of the generation, with his liver-regenera-
tor, may have lost something of the ])otential influence thev now seem to
exert over our dignified executive department of state government."
On January 27, 1SS3, the society also considered the advisability of rais-
ing the standard of the profession by legal requirement. On this point the
doctors of the county placed themselves on record in the adoption of the
following resolution :
"Whereas, although the medical profession of Hancock county, as rep-
resented by the members thereof here present, is in no sense desirous of any
legislation in its behalf, the interest of both the public and the profession of
some parts of the state seem to imperatively demand some protection from
the army of quacks and charlatans driven into the state by the stringent medi-
cal laws of other surrounding states ; it is hereby
"Resolved, that our representatives be respectfully asked to vote for a
medical bill requiring that every practitioner of medicine have a diploma
from a reputable medical school, or, if he has no such diploma, shall have
been in the practice of medicine ten years in the state of Indiana and- attended
one full course of lectures in any accredited medical college and that he shall
file his credentials with proof in each county in which he proposes to practice.
"Resolved, that in our judgment some simple, imcomplicated law will
meet all the necessities of the case better than the proposed complicated and
expensive measures involving state boards.
"N. P. Howard, Sr., M. M. Adams, E. I. Judkins, Lon A. Carter. Jacob
A. Hall, F. F. Hen-ey, S. S. Boots, Joseph Francis. J. F. Trump, W. R.
King, Chairman; S. M. Martin, Secretary."
Such a law was passed in 1885, making it unlawful for any person to
practice medicine without first obtaining a license so to do. The license was
to be issued by the cle.rks of the courts, and could only be issued to persons
with the following qualificaticuis :
1. To graduates of some reputable medical college.
2. To applicants who filed their affidavits and also the affidavits of two
reputable freeholders or householders of the county stating that the applicant
480 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
had been engaged in the practice of metUcine fur ten years immediately pre-
ceding the date of the taking effect of the act.
3. To apphcants wlio filed their affidavits therein of two reputable
freeholders or househdlders of the count v stating that the applicant had been
engaged in the ])ractice of medicine for three years immediately preceding
the date of the taking effect of the act, and had attended one full course of
lectures in some reputable medical college.
Under this law the physicians of Hancock county who applied for such
licenses during the year 1885 were able to show the fijllowing qualifications,
the dates of graduation being also shown :
Samuel S. Boots — Feliruary 8, 1870. Electic Medical In.stilute of Cin-
cinnati, Ohio.
Orlando S. Coffin — I'ebruary 16. 1883. Indiana Electic Medical
College.
Marcellus M. Adams — b'ebruary 26, 1885. 2\ledical College of Indiana.
Noble P. Howard. Sr. — February 8, 1879. ]\Iedical College of Indiana.
Noble P. Howard, Sr. — Febru?ry 28, 1879. Medical College of Indiana.
Orlando M. Edwards — One full course lectures.
Elam I. Judkins — February 22, 1878. College of Physicians and Sur-
geons of Indiana.
Warren R. King — Two full course lectures.
Nathan L. Flammer — March 26, 1885. Physic Medical College of
Indiana.
Samuel M. Martin — June 19. 1885. Cincinnati College of Medicine and
Surgery.
Jacob F. Trump — June 22. 1881. Medical Department of Universitv of
Vermont.
William B. Ryan — One full course lectures.
Frank F. Herney — February 28, 1879. Medical College of Indiana.
Almond A. Stuart — One full course lectures.
John G. Stuart — March 2, 1885. College of Physicians and Surgeoijs
of Indiana.
Simeon T. Yancy— Two full course lectures.
James M. I.ariniore — February 10, 1867. Medical Department of Iowa
Universit}-.
Robert D. llanna — I'ebruary 27, 1880. Medical College of Indiana,
Department of Butler University, of Indiana.
A\'illiam Trees — Practiced iledicine ten years.
THE PKACTICK OF MEDICIXE. 48 I
Lon A. Carter — March i, 1882. Indiana Medical College.
Ira W. Ellis — March i, 1882. Medical College of Indiana.
Samuel A. Troy — Practiced medicine ten years.
Charles C. Pratt — One full course lectures.
James P. Julian — February 21, 1S81. Physic Medical College of
Indiana.
Jacob Buchel — Practiced medicine ten years.
James M. Ely — February 28, 1872. Medical College of Indiana.
Murray M. Hess — Practiced medicine ten years.
William .\. Justice — 1878. Kentucky School of Medicine.
Samuel A. Troy — March i, 1882. Medical College of Indiana.
Benjamin F. True — Practiced medicine ten years.
John W. Selman — February 28, 1873. Indiana Medical College of
Indiana.
Thomas P. Hervey — Practiced medicine ten years.
John D. Cory — Practiced medicine three years and one full course
lectures.
George M. Darrach — ^Nlarch 8, 1850. Jiledical Department of the Uni-
versity of Gettysburg at Philadelphia, Pa.
\\'illiam B. Cox — Practiced medicine three years and one full course
lectures.
William M. Pierson — February 28, 1874. Indiana Medical College of
Indiana.
John Biebinger — March i. 1883 — Central College of Physicians anrl
Surgeons of Indianapolis, Ind.
Franklin J. C. Rawlins — March i, 1830. Transylvania ^ledical College
of Le.xington, Ky.
Bcnamin L. Russell — March 17. 1869. Jefferson Medical College of
Pennsylvania.
Andrew F. Cory — February 8, i860. Eclectic IMedical College of Cin-
cinnati, Ohio,
Elridge Field — ^ilarch i, 1885. Medical College of Indiana.
Jacob G. Wolf— March 8, 1885. Jefferson Medical College of Phila-
delphia, Pa.
But the meetings of the physicians have not all been serious occasions,
nor has all of the time been devoted to professional matters. On January
1, 1884, the physicians brought their wives with them who spent a part of
llie dav at the residence of Dr. Xoble P. Howard. At the noon hour, as we
(31)
4^2 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
learn from tlie Hancock Democrat, the pliysicians "adjourned to the resi-
dence of Dr. Howard to accompany their wives and lady friends to the Guy-
mon House, wliere there was in waiting- a dinner prepared Ijy Jackson U'itls
aiid his most estimal;le wife. The dinner was indeed a l);uic|uet and wouM hv
worthy a Delmonico not onl}- in variety hut in the manner in whicli it was
prepared and served. After dinner E. I. Judkins offered the following toast:
'The Medical Profession, the Past and Present Status." which was responded
to hy Dr. J. W. Hervey. of Indianapolis. He excited much niirtli with his
description of the early mode of practice with the lancet, calomel and hlislers."
Other toasts offered were the "Growth of the Hancock County .Medical
Society," and the "Home of the Physician." There were present on that
occasion. W. R. King. \\'. B. Riley, .S. .\. Troy. L. .\. Carter. J- B. Richard-
son, E. 1. Judkins and Drs. X. P. Howard. Jr. and Sr.
Other features of the doctors' work are also shown on the records of
their minutes. For instance :
Octoher, 1884: "Communication from Wayne County Society relative
to the precarious condition of Dr. Pennington, of Milton, ^^'ayne county,
owing to the total destruction of his home hy fire. Dr. Howard. Sr., was
appoirited to solicit and transmit such aid as could he ohtained."
Later, a personal donation was made hy each memher of the society
present, which was sent to the treasurer of the Wayne County Medical
Society for the henefit of the hrother in trouhle.
.\long profession.'d lines, the society continued to discuss particular cases
that came within the experience of its menihers \ery similar to those that
have heen heretofore cited, .\ssignments also continued to be made to indi-
vidual members upon which reports were made either in wrilmg or orally.
A few other instances are taken from tiie minutes of the society :
July, 1886: "Dr. Ryan presented himself as a clinic; expectoration of
blood. Upon motion and vote of society, Dr. J. M. Ely was appointed to
examine and report the Doctor's condition, which was disease of the heart
and larangitis bronchitis and pharangitis."
I'ebruary, 1887: "A clinic was presented by Doctor King: alxlomina!
dropsy. Upon motion. Dr. J. ^I. Ely conducted the examination of the
case, after which a discussion followed. There was not a unanimous agree-
ment by all the members as to the cause of the effusion."
March, 1887: "Upon motion of Dr. X. P. Howard, Sr., the regidar
order of business was suspended for the purpose of perfonning a surgical
operation upon a clinic presented by Howard and Howard : Talapis equinas.
TlIK I'RALTICI-: OF MEDICINE. 483
"The operation was ijcrfornied In- Howard and Howard, assisted !)\-
V.W and King', in llie ])resence of the sucietN'."
Jnne i, i SS- : "Doctor Vancy reixirted an antupsy he had witnessed
wiien a child six years old had died from congestion of the stomach and liver.
A stone the size of one-half walnut was found in the hladder from which it
had suffered for four \-ears. the attending ])h_\sicians .supposing other causes
had produced the trouhles.
"Doctor Pierson reported the case of phthisis under treatment with gas
that he had reported during the last meeting and that it was still favorable ;
also a case of ulceration of the stomach of probable malignant tvpe, which was
thoroughly discussed by the society."
April 3, 1888: "Bright's di.sease was made a special subject for consid-
eration at the next meeting."
September, 1890: "Doctor Hervey presented a specimen of an injured
spinal cord that was of much interest to all ])resenl. The substance of the
cord having been entireh' severed and held in contact by the membranes onl\',
the result of an injury, when environment of the cord showed no evidence of
injury."
April 4, 1892: "The regular order of business being called. Dr. B. H.
Cook proceeded to read a paper upon 'Influenza or La Grippe.". The discus-
sion was opened by Doctor Howard. Sr., who thovtght the paper a good one.
Doctor Ely did not regard the disease within itself fatal, but it leaves few
healthy ones in the country and we should look carefully as to its complica-
tions. Doctor King approved of the paper and regards it as being more fatal
than cholera and more formidable. Dr. J. H. Justice approved of the i)aper
and said he regarded the disease as no trivial disease and thought the epidemic
of 1891 more formidable than the epidemic of 1890. Doctor Cook in his
closing remarks thanked the society for their remarks and thinks he gained
considerable information as to its treatment."
November i, 1892: "Doctor Troy presented a boy of fifteen years
(Arnet Kellar). The members of the society made an examination of the
boy and ])roceeded to discuss the case and suggested a general line of treatment.
".\ (|uestion was asked about the propriety of a member of this society
dressing a cancerous breast that was being treated by an 'irregular.' It was
discussed. No opinion agreed tijion. and the suggestion was made to decide
upon it at next meeting."
December 6. 1892: "Doctor Troy made an oral report of a bov pre-
sented at last meeting, that by bandaging and a general tonic treatment that
he was better and promised to present him to the society in the future.
484 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
"Doctor King made a statement about a patient of his own that was being
treated by an 'irregular' (the one spoken of at last meeitng), that he dressed
the breast, cut out the tissue destroyed by the escharotic. Doctors Pratt and
Ely so expressed their opinion that he (King) did right in treating lier. Doc-
tor Ely also gave us quite a talk on cancers and 'cancer doctors.' During this
talk Dr. W. A. Justice 'put in his appearance.' "
The foregoing notes taken from the minutes of tlie society indicate in a
general way the nature of the discussions engaged in at various times and
the lines of work followed. Such in the main has been the plan of the society
to the present. Specific cases coming within the practice of the members have
been presented from time to time and general topics have been assigned for re-
ports. During the past fifteen or twenty years more time has probably been
given to general discussions, and less to special cases, than formerly. The
programs of tlie latter years have usually lieen limited to one or two papers
upon general subjects followed by general discussions. Of this, the follow-
ing schedule of subjects prepared for the summer of 1896 is a fair illustration :
Tuesday, Marcli 3.
Neuralgia Dr. A. C. Barnes.
Consumption Dr. O. C. Xeier.
Tuesday, April 7.
Pathogenic Bacteria with demonstration, Dr. S. W. Hervey.
Diseases of the Kidneys Dr. C. K. Bruner.
Tuesday, May 5.
Synthetical Remedies Dr. J. A. Comstock.
Paralysis Agitans J. W. Selman.
Tuesday. June 2.
Diagnosis of Presentation Dr. J. E. Lummis.
Pneumonic Fever Dr. J. H. Justice.
Tuesday. July 7.
Neurasthenia Dr. Mary L. Bruner.
Nervous Diseases Incident to the Rebellion, Dr. W. R. King.
Among the papers that have been presented during the last few years,
the following may be mentioned : "Local Anaesthesia." by Doctor Cregor, No-
vember, 1909: "Serum Therapy." by Doctor Ferrell, November, 1909: "Ca-
TIIK I'KACI'ICE OF MKDICIM-:. 485
ihairhal Jaundice," by Doctor Fenell, January. 191 1. On October 5 ibe sub-
ject of "Tonsils" was treated from four viewpoints: "Anatomy and Func-
tion of Tonsils," Dr. C. W. McGaughey ; "Pathology of Tonsils," Dr. C. A.
Barnes ; "Therapy of Tonsils," Dr. E. R. Sisson ; "Surgery of Tonsils," Dr.
C. K. Bruner.
In December, 191 1, the subject of "Diphtheria" was discussed by Doctors
Justice and Slocum.
DISTRICT MEETINGS, ETC.
The Hancock County Medical Society lias on several occasions enter-
tained visiting physicians. On January 20, 1910, the seventh animal meeting
of the doctors of the sixth councilor district of the Indiana Medical Associa-
tion was held at Greenfield. Physicians were present from Rushville, More-
land, Carthage, Millville, Knightstown, Shelbyville, Indianapolis, Richmond,
Middletown, Bloomington, Lewisville, Spiceland, Newcastle, Dublin and
Straughn. A general program along professional lines was given, a ban-
(juct served, etc., and a general good time enjoyed with the \-isiling
ph)sicians.
On January 8, 1914, just forty years after the organization of the Han-
cock County Medical Society, the anniversary of that event was celebrated in
an elaborate and appropriate manner. Following are a few paragraplis from
the report of the anni\ersary meeting :
"At the first meeting of the year of the Hancock County Medical Society,
lield Thursday night at the Columbia Hotel. Dr. Joseph L. Allen, the secretary,
produced the old record containing the minutes of the organization meeting of
the society, held January 6, 1874, or forty years ago, almost to the day. He
read the minutes c,i iliat meeting to the physicians present Thursday night,
showing that fourteen physicians were present at the organization meeting and
not one of them is living now. Dr. M. ]\I. Adams was the last to succumb.
"At that first meeting Dr. J. B. Sparks read an essay on "Purulent Pneu-
monia' and the coincidence was that at the meeting Thursday night this same
subject was discussed by Doctor Emerson. His talk was of great interest
to the phxsicians present, who included the new officers of the county associa-
tion. Dr. P. E. Trees, of Maxwell, president ; Dr. E. R. Sisson, of Greenfield,
vice-president; Dr. J. L. Allen, of Greenfield, secretary-treasurer; Dr. J. C
Ferrell, of Eden; Dr. Milo Gibbs and Dr. C. K. Bruner, censors; Dr. \\' .\.
Justice and Carl McGaughey, of Greenfield; Dr. C. E. McCord, Dr. S. \\
Harvey and Dr. Stuart Slocum, of Fortville ; Dr. Edgar A. Hawk, of Finly :
Dr. E. E. Mace, of Xew Palestine; Dr. E. M. Bennett, of McCordsville. mem-
486 HANCOCK COrXTV. IXDIAXA.
bers. and Doctor Emerson, clean of the medical department of Indiana Univer-
sity; Doctor Boswortli. of Birminoliam, Alabama, and Dr. ?^Iax Barrett,
Knightstown, visitors.
"Following the Inisiness session of the association, a five-course lianquet
was ser\ed to the doctors. The Hancock County Association now has
twenty members.".
The Sixth District Medical Society met in annual session at Greenfield,
ilay 14. 1914. witli President Paul E. Trees, of the Hancock Society, presid-
ing. A program was gi\en. after which tlie societx- adjourned to the Colum-
bia. Htitel at six o'clock, wliere members of the Hancock County Society had
prepared an elegant dinner. Councilor O. Ci. Gronendyke presided as toast-
master, and Rev. Joshua Stansfield. of Indianapolis, delivered a splendid ad-
dress, his subject being, "The Doctor."
The meeting was reported as a very fine one from every point of view.
Good work was presented, the attendance was good, and so was the dinner.
FEE BILL.
Among the last actions that have been taken by the society as a whole has
been tlie adoption of a fee bill. A meeting for the consideration of tliis mat-
ter was lielil at the Columbia Hotel on Thursday evening. November 12. 1914.
A buffet luncheon was served, and good will and unity of action prevailed. As
a result of this meeting, a schedule of fees covering all fees of office practice
as well as on fees of general practice, including surgery, operations, etc., was
agreed u]ion and tlie following contract entered into by llie undersigned
physicians :
"CERTIFIC.M'E Ol" AGREE.MEXT
"This is to Certiev, that we, the undersigned physicians, who practice
in Hancock county, Indiana, do hereby enter into and agree to the following
contract, binding ourselves as men. and pledging our word of honor to not
violate the provisions of this agreement in any event or in any manner.
"ist. We agree to ujjhold the dignity of our jirofession. and will en-
deavor to follow the revised code of ethics.
"2nd. W'e will adhere strictly to the rates and prices of tlie fee bill,
as herewitli appended.
"3rd. We will furnish to eacli pliysician wlio signs tliis agreement, re-
siding within a radius of seven miles of eacii of us, a list of all persons whom
we find to be unworthy of credit, and also another list of those whom we find
worthy, but slow pay.
TIIK PKACTICli OF MKDICINE.
487
"This lisl to 1)0 compiled fmni nuv Ixidks and sent In tlie ]i!i\sicians as
alxn'e indicated, nn January 1. i<;i5. and rcxised and sent e\-ery three nicmths
thereafter.
"We tnrther agree, that we sliall render no aid to a person whose name
is on any of the above stated Hsts, except in an emergencx' or nn the pa\nient
of cash for said service.
"We fnrther agree to furnisli infnrmation to any other pliysician signing
this agreement as to the stanchng of any person of whom he may in(|uire.
"4tli. ^^'e agree to enter into no contract witii any per.son or persons,
official or officials, company, corporation, lodge or other organization to do
any practice for any stated contract price or period of time, for any sum other
than at least the nn'nimuni price, as i)er the fee liill.
"5th. \\'e agree tliat tliis agreement and fee liili sliall he effective Decem-
ber I, 1914.
"6th. ^^'e agree that the secretar_\- of the Hancock County Medical So-
ciety shall cause to be printed copies of this contract and the fee bill, together
with a printed card for our officers, stating the most important facts of the fee
bill, and that we each pay the ])ro rata of said expense.
"Joseph L. Allen Greenfield
Ernest R. Sisson Greenfield
Tyner E. Lowe Greenfield
C. \\'. McGaughey Greenfield
O. S. Heller (heenfield
Rolla B. Ramsey (Greenfield
J. M. I.arimore Greenfield
\\'. R. Johnston Charlottesville
Paul W. Trees IMaxwell
Oliver .\. Collins Mohawk
E. A. i lawk 1-inly
Elmer E. Mace Xew Palestine
W. H. Earrabee Xew Palestine
Earl R. Gibbs \\"ilkinson
Charles Titus Wilkinson
J. P. Julian Wilkinson
Ralph Wilson Shirley
J. W. Shrout Shirley
J. E. Eerrell Fortville-
S. \\'. Hervev Fortville
Stuart Slocum Fortville
J. B. Ellingwood Fortville
C. E. McCord Fortville
Charles A. Roark .... McCordsville
C. J. Kneer Oaklandon
1\. S. Records Lawrence
L. H. Ratliff Lawrence
John 1". Black Greenfield
W. A. Justice (ireenfield
.Milo C»ibl)s Greenfield
C. I\. I'.runer Greenfield.
Mary I.. Bruner (ireenfield
I. W. Trees Greenfield
A. M. Calvert Lawrence
John W. Cook Pendleton
( ). W. I'rownbact Pendleton
I., v.. Alexander Pendleton
W. R. Sparks Pendleton
F. L. Stone Pendleton
II. C. Martindale Pendleton
4^8 HANCOCK COUXTY, INDIANA.
Lundy Fussell Markleville H. B. Cox Morristown
O. H. Cook Fortville F. C. Bass Morristown
C. B. Pendleton Markleville R. S. McCray Moriistown
D. N. Conner Markleville \\'. M. Pierson Morristown
J. B. Young Cumberland \'. C. Patten Morristown
U. C. Ambrose Cumberland R. S. Wiltshire Gwynneville
H. E. Nave Fountaintown J. A. Sipe Carthage
E. B. Miller Fountaintown F. E. Hypes Carthage"
FRATERNALISM.
The minutes of the medical society show that a close relationship exists
among the professional brethren. Only once within the past forty years were
charges preferred by one member against another before the society. Once
also has the society refused consultation with a practicing physician because
of his unprofessional conduct. Resolutions of appreciation of the ability
and services of brethren, as well as of condolence with bereaved families, ap-
pear frequently on the record. The society now has twenty members.
ANSWERING CALLS.
The early physician depended on his faitliful horse to carry him through
the forest, over streams, and whithersoever he was called.
With the construction of better roads following the Civil War, he pur-
chased a cart or bugg}' in which he made his calls, ^^'ithin the last decade,
however, he has indulged in the greater comfort, and has given his patients
the more careful attention, afforded by automobile service.
PRESENT PHYSICIANS.
The following are tlie physicians now residing within Hancock county,
who are engaged in the practice of medicine :
Joseph Allen Greenfield C. K. Bruner Greenfield
Ernest R. Sisson ■. Greenfield Mary L. Bruner Greenfield
Tyner E. Lowe Greenfield *I. W. Trees Greenfield
C. W. McGaughey Greenfield *J. M. Larimore Greenfield
O. S. Heller Greenfield C. Herbert Bruner Greenfield
John P. Black Greenfield ^^'. R. Johnston Charlottesville
W. A. Justice Greenfield Oliver A. Collins . Mohawk
Milo Gibbs Greenfield E. A. Hawk Finly
THE PRACTirE OK MEDICINE. 489
Lucian C. Ely New Palestine W. TT. Larrahee Xew Palestine
*Samucl S. Boots Greenfield j. j;. Fcncll Fortville
*James R. Trees Greenfield S. W. ITcrvey Fortville
S. L. Withain Fortville Stuart Slocuni Fortville
S. D. Clayton Maxwell J. B. Ellingwood Fortville
Earl R. Gibbs Wilkinson O. H. Cook Fortville
Charles Titus Wilkinson C. E. McCord Fortville
J. P. Julian Wilkinson O. C. Adkins McCordsville
J. AW Shrout Shirley *Retired
Elmer E. Mace New Palestine
THE INDEPENDENT MEDICAL INVESTIGATOR.
In the fall of 1879 Drs. S. S. Boots and John L. Marsh, brother of Eph-
raim Marsh, commenced the publication of The Independent Medical Investi-
gator. It was at first the intention of the publishers to conduct the paper so
that it might be of interest to the laity as well as to the medical profession.
Just one issue appeared on this plan. \\'ith the second number it was made a
strictly professional magazine. It was published for several years at Green-
field by Doctors Boots and Marsh. Later it was transferred to Indianapolis
and was published for a number of years as the organ of the eclectic school of
medicine. Its publication has since been suspended.
THE CHANGE.
Writing in 1882, Doctor Hervey said. "The entire diathesis of the dis-
eases of the country has changed since forty years ago. The plan of treatment
has changed with the change in type and character of disease. The forests
have fallen ; the sunshine has been let in upon the earth, for centuries covered
with tliick undergrowth and magnificent forest trees; the ground, then covered
in many places with water, has been ditched ; the land, so long idle, has been
cultivated ; obstructions from streams have been removed ; old rotting logs
and decaying matter have been cleared away. It is, therefore, not strange
that malaria should be less, and that the whole character of morbific causa-
tives should undergo a change.
"F'orty years ago, blood letting, blistering, calomel and jalap, together
with a prolific profusion of emetics, nausaunts and antiphlogistics, were the
sheet and anchor. Now the aim of the physician is to save and vitalize the
blood, energize and build up the wasting strength, and save all the power of
the system to battle disease and perform life's essential functions."
CHAPTER XTII.
BLUE RIVKK TOWXSlUr.
Blue River township was organized im April 7. 1828, as one of the three
original townships. At first it inckuied the entire eastern portion nf the
county, hut at the May term. 1831, it was cut down to its present dimensions.
One change lias l)een made since then. At tlie January term. 1S36. Center
township was enlarged and took two sections, 2 and 11, out of the northwest
corner of the township. It then kept those dimensions until March tt. 1853.
when all the townships were given their present houndary lines.
Blue River civil township is located in two congressional townships. A
strip two miles wide off of the west side of the civil township lies in congres-
sional township 15 north, range 7 east; the remaining portion of the townsiiip.
consisting of eighteen square miles, lies in congressional township 15 north,
range 8 east. The townsiiip is five miles east and west by six miles north and
south.
The surface of the town.^lii]) is ])roljably a little more nulling than the
surface of some of the otiier townships. This is occasioned by llic streams.
Blue river, its largest stream, and into whicli practically the entire county
drains, crosses the southeast corner of the townshi]). Si.x Mile creek enters
Blue River township at about the middle of the east line of section 16 and,
except for the distance of one-halt mile or a little more, remains in the eastern
part of the township until it reaches Blue ri\er. Nameless creek, formerly
known as Straight creek, enters the townshi]) about the middle of its north
line and pursues a course almost due south until it reaches Blue river at a ])oint
aliout a mfle above the soiuli line of ilu- townshi]). Tliree or four large ojien
ditches iiave also been constructed through different parts (jf the township
leading to the larger creeks. The creeks, togetiier with the large open ditches
and their blind arms, complete a j^erfect system of drainage for the township.
Blue River township received the first settlers who made tiieir homes
within Hancock county. Andrew Evans is said to have built a log cabin in
the townshi]) in 1818. Other .settlers followed. In 1822 Thomas I'hillijis be-
gan operating a blacksmith shop, and in 1833 l'^!ij;ih 'i'yner built iJie first store.
This store was located in the southeast quarter of section 35, township 15,
range 7, on the east side of the road running north and south ]>arallcl with the
east line of section 35. Tlie store building stood in the angle made by the turn
of this road to the southeast.
490
ELVK KIXKR TdWXSIIir. 491
A large iniin1)(.T nt family names that arc still familiar ma-\- alsD be fouiu.l
on the entr}- <l(ieket, showing- by whom the land in Blue River township was
entered. Among them are Henry Wilson, John Justice, Joshua King, William
New, Elislia Butler, Hugh Sparks, Samuel Parker, John Foster, William
Tyner, Joseph Fort, Homer Brooks, John Smith, Elizabeth W'ood, Abraham
Smith, Jacob Smith, Arthur Lewis, Nathan Hill, Isaac Davis, Josiah Buudy,
Charlotte A. Butler, Reuben Bentley, George Kiser, ^Meredith Gosney, Jtjhn
Ogg", Isaac King, Daniel New, Elias Marsh, \\'illiam Hamilton, .Samuel Hend-
ricks, Richard Tyner, Silas Porter, James Sample, Festus Hall, Basil Meek,
James Tyner, Jr., John Haskit, Robert Wilson. Abraham Miller, Benjamin
Lineback, Benajah Binford, Joseph Cox, Robert \Miite, Samuel B. Binford,
Abraham Cook, James L. Loehr, John C. \Mlson, Thomas C. Chappie, Silas
Moore, Zachariah Coffin, Joseph ^I}ers, John Hill, Elijah Ballcnger, Daniel
Smith, Benjamin Miller, Fielding \\'illis, Jacob Wolf, Harmon Warrum, Wil-
liam A. Crider, Adam Allen, Samuel Hill, Abraham Lineback, Phineas White,
James L. Binford, Mathew Simmons. George Bundy and Joseph Andrews.
STORES, MILLS. FACTORIES, ETC.
The store of Elijah Tyner. above mentioned, became one of the best
l<n<i\\n stores during ihc i_-,'U'l\- historv of the ciiunty. Mr. Tyner continued to
do business at this j)lace until 1872. The old store buildings are still standing.
People came to trade there from the entire southeastern part of the county, as
well as from Shelby and Rush counties.
Following are some of the earlier industries of the township:
Grist and saw-mill, erected in 1824 by Joshua ^^'ilson along Blue river,
near where the range line crosses it. W'ilson operated the mill for about two
years, when Henry \\'atts jnuxhased it and attached a bolt to run by hand.
The mill was probably moved about this time to a point on Blue river below the
Hancock county line, though a large portion of the mill race was constmctcd
in Hancock county.- It was purchased in 1840 by John Wolf, who also at-
tached a carding rmd spinning ni;ichine for wea\-ing. This mill, like Tyner's
store, was patronized by people from the southeastern part of Hancock county
as well as from the adjoining counties of Shelby and Rush. It was later
owned by a man named Bacon and was familiarly known for many years as
Bacon's mill. During the sexenties Jacob \\'olf, a son of John Wolf, tlie
former proprietor, bought the mill and (Operated it until in the nineties, when
it burned.
Saw-mill, erected almut 183c) by James P. New, Abraham Miller and
Silas Moore, on Nameless creek, just east of Westland, and operated until
about 1855.
492 HANCOCK COLXTV, INDIAXA.
In tlie early fifties Isaac Beeson established a pottery at the southeast
corner of section 12, township 15, range 7, on the site now occupied by the
Western Grove church. He made jars, jugs, etc., from clay which, after
being burned in a kiln, were dipped in a solution and then burned again until
glazed. The potter's wheel was in operation for about nine years. Some of
the first tile in the county were also made by Mr. Beeson. He began making
round tile in 1S58, just before Jacob Schramm began making the "horseshoe
tile" in Sugar Creek township. Some of Mr. Beeson's tile are now in the
museum at the state house.
Cooper's shop, maintained l>y Solomon Catt from a very early day, on
the north half of the northeast quarter of section 14, township 15, range 7.
Barrels were made in great numbers at tliis shop and shipped by wagon loads
to distant points.
Shingle factory, operated by Elihu Coffin during the forties and fifties on
the west half of the southeast quarter of section 12, tow-nship 15, range 7.
Shingles were made by a machine operated by horse power. Walnut and
poplar timljer was used. It was cut into lengths of eighteen inches, boiled
for several hours and then made into shingles eighteen inches long and from
one-half to three-quarters of an inch thick at the butt. The machine could
cut about five thousand shingles per day.
Saw-mill, erected by John Hunnicutt on Nameless creek, near the line
dividing sections 19 and 30, township 15. range 8.
Grist and saw-mill, erected by Jesse Hunt, on the northeast quarter of the
northeast quarter of section 7, township 15, range 8, sometime during the
latter forties.
Saw-mill, erected by Lewis Rule at the southeast corner of section i,
township 15, range 7.
Wiley's saw-mill stood for many years on the northwest corner of section
24, township 15, range 7.
Saw-mill, erected by Caleb Pusey at the northeast corner of section I,
township 15, range 7.
Saw-mill, erected by Charles Bash on the southw^est quarter of section 5,
township 15. range 8.
Tile factory, erected by Elias Marsh on the south half of section 13,
township 15, range 7, just about a mile west of the ^^'estland postoffice.
Saw-mill, established by King Lewis on the west side of the southwest
quarter of section 17, township 15. range 8, during the sixties and operated
until durins: the seventies.
in. IK RUEK TOWXSHIP. 493
Tile factory, erected by Walter Luse on the southeast c|uartcr of tlie
southwest quarter of section 8, township 15, range 8.
Saw-mill, erected immediately south of Cleveland during the early sev-
enties, in the northern part of section 4. tnwnslii]) 15, range 8; moved fri ini
Leamon's corner in Jackson township and operated by Walton & Rule ; later
by Thomas L. Marsh and another. Moved from here to Eden in 1881 and
operated by C. Mingle.
RAILROADS.
The first railroad constructed through any portion of Hancock county was
built across the southeast corner of Blue River township. It followed the
south valley of Blue river and was known as the Knightstown-Shelbyville
Railway. W'ork began on it about 1846 and trains began running in 1848.
The railroad was operated until about 1855. The old grades may still be
followed without difficulty. The road was constructed of what were known
as flat bar rails. Cross ties were put down, on which four liy four wooden
stringers, twelve or sixteen feet long, were laid. Iron bars, aljout one and
one-half inches thick and two inches wide, were then placed on the stringers
and both spiked to the cross ties with spikes eight or ten inches long.
PETERSBURG.
The railroad maintained one stop in Hancock county for taking oh and
letting off passengers. It was known as Petersburg, named in honor of Peter
Binford, who erected the first log cabin in the neighborliood of the station.
It was located at the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of section 33,
township 15. range 8, or on the county line east of the Handy school house.
Silas Haskett sold a small lot at the corner above described to John Young
for the purpose of having a store started in the neigliborhood. Young con-
ducted a store and eating house at this point for several years and then sold
it to Daniel Haskett, who kejit a general store there until after the railroad
was discontinued. The station and a large platform for loading were across
the line in Rush county. It was a \ery accommodating railroad, it is said.
If one failed to reach the station, he could stop the train anywhere along tlie
line by wavitig his handkerchief.
Blue River has no railroad at this time except the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati,
Chicago & St. Louis, which is built directly upon the north line of the township.
Capt. P. A. Card also conducted a store about a half mile west of the
southeast corner of Blue River township for four or five years after 1872.
494 HANCOCK COLXTY, INDIANA.
WESTLAXD.
Westlaiul was never laid out as a town and no plai thereof is recorded
in the recorder's office. The first store was erected there about 1852 by
Samuel Heavenridge. Like most other buildings of that day, it was just a
small log house. Later owners were Levi Reece, Ambrose Miller, Henry
Newby and Calvary G. Sample, wlio (|uit business at the outbreak of the Ci\il
War. Later, another store was opened by \\'il!iam New, who was followed
by Lemuel Harold and Levi Cloud. James L. Binford then owned the store
for a time. It burned on April 13, 1881, but in the eighties another building
was erected and tlie store was a )nducted for a number of years by ^L A. Catt
and John Howard. About three or four years ago it was bought by the pres-
ent owner, Francis C. Landrus.
Li addition tn the stores alcove mentioned, there ha\e been Ijlacksmith
shops from time to time and it has formed a central meeting place for the people
of the township. A postof fice was maintained for many years, until the rural
routes were established from Greenfield. Route 3 from Greenfield, which
distributes mail through Blue River townsliip and in tlie vicinity of W'estland,
was established on October i, 1900.
SCHOOLS.
The first school is said to have been built in the township in 1823. It was
located on the northwest quarter of section 36, township 15, range 7. Lewis
Tyner was the first teacher. Early log school houses were built in different
communities, as they were needed. Nine district schools were finally estab-
lished in the township and used until the first movement was made towards
consolidation, on September i, 1893. On that date William Toms, trustee
of Blue River township, and the patrons of districts numbers 4, 5 and 8 of
said township, petitioned the county superintendent of schools, asking for
the consolidation of the above-named districts. This petition was signed
by a majority of the patrons, and on April 25, 1894, Mr. Toms, trustee, gave
notice to the citizens of Blue River township and to the patrons of the dis,tricts
above named that the petition would be presented to the county superintendent
of schools, at his office in Greenfield, on May 15, 1894, asking for authority
to consolidate the three districts above named and to establish the site of a new
school building for the use of said consolidated district. The point selected
for the new building was the southwest corner of section 18, township 15,
range 8.
Hi.ri-: KUiCK TOWNSHIP. 495
This mcAcnient. of cnurse, aroused more or less opposition and a protest
was filed by Robert B. Binford and fifteen otiiers against cbanjjing tbe site
of the school in district number 5. The matter came up on hearing before
Quitman Jackson, wIkj was tiien county superintendent of schools, and author-
ity was given the township trustee to establisli the site of a new school in the
consolidated district at the point above designated.
This was the first effort made towards consolidation of schools in Han-
cock county. It was a \ision of Mr. Toms that finally all schools in the town-
ship should l>e consolidated at (his 1)uilding and tiiat tlicre should be established
in the school a complete high scIkkjI course for all the children in Blue River
township. In starting tliis movement, Mr. Toms was wholly unselfish, even
moving the site of tlie school to a point a mile farther from his residence than
it had been before. His dream was no doubt realized more completely and
at an earlier date than he had anticipated. In 1894 he erected a two-room
building. In 1901, during the administration of J. F. Coffin, trustee, two
rooms were added to tlie Ijuilding. In 1909 two additional rooms were built
and in 1914-15, during the trusteeship of O. J. Coffin, all of the children of the
township were, for the first time, conveyed to this central building. Seven
teachers have been employed for the past several years, four grade teachers
and three high-school teachers. _\11 of the children of the township have the
advantages of graduation such as is offered in city systems. A complete four-
year high-school course has been maintained for a number of years, and for the
past two years the school has been listed among the unconditioned commis-
sioned high schools of the state. The township has also erected a long barn,
with thirty-two stalls, in which children may leave their rigs while attend-
ing school.
The high school work was commenced in the fall of 1894. The first
teacher was Aldice Harold, who had the high school work and also some of
the grade work. He resigned during his second term and J. E. Radcliffe
finished the term of 1895-6. Following are the names of the principals who
have been in charge of the school since that time : J. H. Brooks, 1896; Edward
Geiss, 1897; Mary Catherwood. 1898; Walter Orr, 1901 ; R. E. Cavanaugb.
1905 ; W. M. Stafford, 1906; F. C. Landrus, 1907; C. M. Conger and William
Brandenburg, 1910; Walter Orr, 191 1 ; F. C. Landrus, 1914.
The school has a good library. Graduating classes have left beautiful
pictures as memorials in the building, and two or three years ago the local
Woman's Christian Temperance Union of the township, upon dissolving,
placed a beautiful portrait of Frances Willard in the high school room. Al-
most fifty dollars in cash was als(j donated for library purposes.
496 llAXCOCK COUXTV, INDIAXA. .
Noble Crider, one of the teachers of the townsliip, has taught at tlie builil-
iiig now for a period of nine years. Horatio Davis, another native teacher,
was an assistant in the high school for three years or more : ]\Iiss Hazel Bin-
ford, also a resident of tlie township, has been an assistant in tlie high school
for the past five years.
During the past six or seven years George Mace lias acted as janitor of
the school. He is an old sailor, and from 1866 until 1874 roamed the seas.
He first shipped from Xew Bedford for the South Pacific islands, in 1866.
He went roimd Cape Horn, cruised along the western coast of Chili, finally
reaching the East Indies, the Yellow sea and other points in the Pacific. He
came back to Chili, where he worked in a copper mine for several months and
then shipped back to England on a copper-oreman. He next made several
cruises to the Mediterranean sea, visiting Sardinia and ?ilessina. On an-
other cruise he went from England to Calcutta through the Suez canal, then
back around the cape of Good Hope, stopping at Capetown and also at the
island of St. Helena, where Napoleon was held prisoner for a number of years.
He later made one more cruise around Cape Horn into the Pacific ocean, then
left the sea. He is an authority on geographical questions.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Blue River township has a population of 904, as shown by the census re-
port of 1910. Two hundred and eighteen children between the ages of six
and twenty-one years were enumerated in the township in the spring of 1915.
The enrollment in the schools during the school year of 1914-15 was 197. Of
these, forty-two were in the high school and 155 in the grades. The total cost
of maintaining the elementary schools was $2,902.10. The total cost of main-
taining the high school was $2,077.20. The total amount paid teachers in the
tov\-nship for the year was $3,916. The estimated value (if the school proj)-
erty is $14,000. The total taxables as reported by the assessor in 1914 was
$1,099,610. Transportation of school children during tlie year 19 14-13 cost
the township $1,952.07.
TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES.
The following men ha\'e sensed as townshi]) trustees since the enactment
of the law creating the office in 1859: B. P. liutler, 1859; N. D. Coffin,
i860; James New, 1863; Lemuel Hackleman, 1865; B. F. Luse, 1869; Sam-
uel B. Hill, 1873; Lemuel Hackleman, 1877; Tiiomas E. Hill, 1880; Robert
B. Binford, 1882; Samuel B. Hill, 1884; Henry White. 1886 (resigned— term
finished by Theopjiilus Hargrnve) : William Toms. 1888-1890; J. F. Coffin,
WKSTLAM) HIUH SC'llOUL
CHARLOTTESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
WES I I.AXIi CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL
Bi.iF. ri\i:k low \ ship. 497
1894; Reuben F. Cook, rgoo: ^^(M■ton Alleiuler, 1904: Ohcd J- Coffin, 1908;
Harry Fletcher, 1914.
JUSTICES OF Tllli PEACE.
The local courts have been presided over by the following men since
the organization of the township: John 0'sl)orn, 1834; Samuel A. Hall.
1836; Richard Hackleman. 1836; Richard Hackleman, 1S40; Adam Allen,
1848; Richard Hackleman. 185 1; Jolm Coffin. 1856-57; Thompson Allen,
1865-69; John O. G. Collins, 1869; Edward F. Coffin, 1872; Walter S. Fuse.
1877; Flijah Tyner, 1878-82; John O. G. Collins, 1884; Xathan Xcwby, 1888;
Eli O. Catt, 1892-96; Adam Sivard, 1900-02-06-10.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
Among- the county officers that Blue River township has furnished are
William Handy, representative; George W. Hatfield, county treasurer; George
W. Hatfield and Calvary G. Sample, county surveyors; William Xew. Augus-
tus Dennis and Theophilus Hargrove, commissioners.
HEAVY TAXPAYERS.
Among the early families of Blue River township were the .\nflrews. Bin-
fords, Brooks, Butlers, Coffins, Catts. Beesons, (iates, Hacklemans, Hatfields,
Hills, Hunts, Jessups. News, Puseys, Samples and Tyners. These families
and their descendants have contributed generously of their strength and sub-
stance to make the township what it is today. Others who have accumulated
property and who shared the burdens of civil administration b}' the payment
of taxes in 1915 in sums exceeding one hundred dollars are; Morton .Allen-
der, $140.91; Fydia Ann Binford. $113.22; Jose])h F. Binford (estate).
$409.02; Albert Binford, $220.12; Joseph Oiner Binford, $252.60; Joseph
Butler (estate). $154.22; Richard A. Bennett, $117.56; Feander Billman,
$216.24; Robert W. Brooks. $187.68; Jesse W. Beeson. $106.28: Oliver M.
Brown. $272.95; Eli O. Catt, $148.10; R. F. Cook, $290.70; Cerena Fort,
$148.51; Dayton H. Gates. Jr.. $127.87; ^Fargaret Gates. $169.12; Femnel
Hackleman, $278.87; Henry D, Holt, $109.75; ^<""' ^- Hardin, $197.12;
Fewis C. Jessup, $138.52; Mary A. Jessup, $173.40; Sebrone Jessup, $142.39;
James Findamood, $152.79; Albert F. and Maude E. Xew. S149. 33; James
H. Parnell. $105.26; Fewis G. Rule. $145.04; William S. Rutledge, $114.85;
James E. Sample. $116.89; Pearl E. Tyner, $182.90; George S. Wilson.
$466.32; Franklin E. Uhite, $io().54; Daisy S. Wilson, $335.31 ; Hnldah A.
Binford. $149.33; Robert B. Binford, $350.27; Oliver F. Binford. $112.00;
(32)
498 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
William Penn Binford, $150.96; Oliver ^M. Binford, $150.55; John H. Bin-
ford. ; Mary Bash (estate), $220.73: Mary Bash, $103.22; Lemuel Ball,
$309.67; William N. Bassett, $1 14.44 j Benjamin P. Catt, $130.15; Riley A.
Catt, $101.59; Martha J. Elliott, $292.74; George W. Gates, $482.26; John
\V. Gardner, $117.91; George Gates (agent), $233.62; John T. Hatfield,
$116.69; George W. and M.' J. Howery, $127.10; Levi Jessiip, $180.13;
Sylvester Jessup, $149.53; JMary J. Lynam, $157.28; Cicero Newhouse,
$118.52; Caleb \V. Pusey, $102.00; Samuel C. Pitts, $101.59; Claude Poer,
$149.74; Caroline Righter, $188.50; Aljram Romack, $206.45; George W.
Scott, $196.66; John Unger, $118.93: Lydia White, $117.10; W'ill)ur T.
Wright, $102.20; James A. White, $170.75.
PHYSICIANS.
Blue River township has not had a great number of resident physicians.
Probably the first one was Doctor Edmondson, a one-armed man who also
conducted a little store on the angling road northwest of Mooresville. He was
followed by Doctor Newby, who had an office in the eastern part of the town-
ship on the north line of the northeast quarter of section 28, township 15, range
8, across from Mooresville, where Joshua Moore maintained a blacksmith
shop for a number of years. Among other physicians were Joseph O. An-
drews, who was engaged in the practice of medicine during the seventies and
early eighties. He was located on the road angling to the southeast through
the east half of the northwest quarter of section 20, township 15, range 8. Dr.
A. T. Hunt and Doctor Trump were also engaged in the practice about the
middle of the eighties, and probably earlier. Drs. Charles K. and Mary L.
Bruner located immediately north of the Friends church at the southeast corner
of section 18, townsliip 15. range 8, early in 1886 and remained until the fall
of 1888, when they established themselves at Greenfield.
Physicians from Greenfield, Charlottesville, Carthage and Morristown
liave practically always divided the practice of the township.
MOORESVILLE.
Mooresville is a collection of a few houses located along the south line of
section 21, township 15. range 8, about a quarter of a mile west of the county
line, and a little more than a quarter of a mile east of Hardys Fork school
house. At a very early day, probably in the latter forties or early fifties, one
Sim Williams operated a blacksmith shop at this place. Later the shop was
operated by Joshua Moore. Moore took the shop about 1854 or 1855 and
operated it for twelve or fifteen years. At the same time Doctor Newby es-
BIAE KI\KK TOWNSHIP. 499
tablishecl his office just across the road from the shop and engaged in the
practice of medicine from this point for a number of years. Joel Pusey. a
grandfather of Caleb i'usey, also had a small store at this point for a number
of years following 1855.
It seems tiiat originally the little town, if it can be called a town, was
known as Mt. Pleasant. For the last half century or more it has been pop-
ularly known as Mooresville, in honor of Joshua Moore.
Doctor Edmondson. the one-armed physician previously referred to, en-
gaged in the practice of medicine for a number of years, his office being lo-
cated alwut fifty rods northwest of Hardy's fork schot)l. on the angling read
passing through the southwest quarter of section 21, township 15, range 8.
TEMPERANCE ACTIVITY.
The residents of Blue River township, and especially the Friends, have
always been active and earnest temperance workers. Several Woman's Chris-
tian TemiJerance Unions were maintained in the countv during tiie later
seventies and eighties, and on May 26, 1877, the Blue River Township Tem-
perance Association was organized at the Westland Friends church. Forty-
five persons signed the pledge and became charter members. Tlie purpose
of the association was "to plan and carry forward measures which, with the
blessings of God, will result in tlie suppression of intemperance."
Any person could become a member of the association by signing the
following pledge : "We, the undersigned men, women and children, of Blue
River township, feeling that the use of intoxicating lifiuors has reacherl a point
no longer to be endured, do, by the help of God, promise to use our utmost
endeavors to banish this evil from among us; and, in order to strengthen our
influence in tliis regard, we hereby agree to abstain from the use of all intoxi-
cating beverages and we will discourage their use in all possible ways."
The society had an executive committee, whose duty it was to decide upon
the times and places of holding meetings ; "to produce a program at each meet-
ing for the one following; to see that those on dutv are informed thereof, and
to give them such assistance as is necessary in the preparation of their duty."
After the organization of this association, meetings were held at the school
houses in different school districts of the township. Literary programs -were
given and people were solicited to sign the pledge. During the early eighties
the association numbered almost four hundred members, ranging from children
to grandparents. An organization was maintained in the township until
two or three years ago. The ladies sewed, served lunches at sales, and in
various wavs raised funds. When the association dissolved, it had almost
500 HANCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
fifty dollars on hands, whicli was donated to the W'estland high school to be
used in purchasing books. Tlie ladies also presented a biography and a beau-
tiful portrait of Frances Willard to the school.
HANCOCK COUNTY INSURANCE AS.SOCIATION.
The Hancock County Insurance Association, which has been discussed
elsewhere, and wliich now carries a great number of risks in Hancock count\-,
had its inception in Blue Ri\-er township.
TOWNSHIP HALL.
The church building known as Mt. Olivet church was purchased for the
township by \^'illiam Toms in 1894. It was used as a general meeting place
where it originally stood, and in 1903 it was moved to A\'estland, by R. F.
Cook. Since that time it has been used for voting purposes, concerts and other,
entertainments.
WESTLAND CORNET BAND.
The W'estland Cornet Band was organized about 1880 and played until
the fall of 1885. Isaac Davis, of Greenfield, was its first teacher. The boys
had a band wagon of the popular type — high at each end and low in the mid-
dle. Like all rural bands, its membership kept clianging continually, but
among the players whose names can be recalled were Reuben F. Cook, Edgar
V. Toms, Frank Bools, Lin B. Xewby, Joe Outland, John Allen, Abe Coffin,
Jehu Andrews, Jasper Glascock, Jolm Curry, Riley Cook, Aaron Scott, Logan
Glascock, Sam Staley, Jonas Bates, Joe Burton and Elwood Burtch.
GILBOA METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Gilboa Methodist Episcopal church was located at about the middle
of tlie west line of the southwest quarter of section 4, tow^nship 15, range 8.
It was among the first churches and religious organizations in Blue River
township. The society was organized about 1830 and their meetings for
worship were held at ])ri\ate residences for about two years. Tlie meetings
were conducted principally as prayer bands, with an occasional visit of a
preacher in the neighborhood. The membership increased and in 1832 the
society built a log church on the ground donated for that purjxise by James
Sample and Benjamin ^^iller, two of its first members. This church stood
near the site above described. In the summer of 1852 a frame building was
erected, which was used as long as the congregation remained in existence. In
the year 1876 the enrollment was twenty-one members. In 1895 there were
BLUE KIVER .TOWNS II ir. 5O I
only six niemhers, some Ii;i\iiii;' moved awav and dthers died. Xo regular
Methodist ser\iccs have lieen held at ihe church since llie carh nineties.
The church l)uil(h'no- has now l)een moved, and nothing remains as an
evidence of tlie former site except the hurial gnxmd which adjoined the
church. The old Gilhoa cemetery has huried within it some of the oldest citi-
zens of the county. Several of the stones marking the graves show that the
persons whose memory they are to perpetuate were horn during the latter
part of the eighteenth century.
.\mong the families that helonged to the church were James Sample and
family. John Sample and family, Elizaheth Wood, Sarah Sample, Polly Meek.
Arthur Lewis and family, Adam Allen and family, Benjamin Miller and fam-
ily, Johnson McGinnis, James Lemay and family, and James McGinnis and
family.
MT. OLIVET CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
Mt. Olivet Christian church was originally organized in 1838, in what
was known as the Allen school house, in district numher 3. Among its early
ministers were the Reverends Huhhard, Ep])lesizer and Jonathan Linehack.
Anidng its early members were John Lineliack and wife. Absalom Dasis and
wife, Eli Risley and wife, John New and wife, and Miss Lizzie Miller.
.\bout 1862 or 1863 the church was reorganized by Elder William Cirose,
at what is now known as the Temperance Hall school house, which stands in
the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of sec-
tiiin 8, tciwnshi]) 15. range 8. .Xniong the charter members of the reorganiza-
tion were Jonathan Linehack and wife, Thompson Allen, Elijah Allen. John
Allen, Nathan Newby, Richard Richardson. Jesse Hunt, Mary J. New, James
Veacli and Walter Luse. It was then known for a time as the Christian New-
Light organization. Among the earlv pastors was one Jonas Biu'kett. a i)lind
minister, in the course of time the membersln']) of the church reached aliout
si.xty.
In 1871 a building was erected, at a cost of one iliousand dollars, at the
southwest comer of the east half of the southeast quarter of section 7, town-
ship, range 8. on land donated for the use of the church by William New.
It was erected by A. H. Allison and was dedicated in June, 1871. by Elder
Homer.
Among the families belonging to the church were Miles Cook and wife,
W'alter S. Luse, John Hackleman, Polly Linehack and others, constituting a
membership of about forty. A tiumber of the older members died, while some
moved away, so that in the course of the next ten or fifteen vears its member-
502 HANCOCK CCLXTY, IXDIAXA.
ship became ver>- small and in the early nineties services ceased to be held.
In 1894 \Mniam Toms, trustee of Blue Ri\er township, bought the church
building for the use of the township.
About 1888 a Christian Union church organization had been effected,
with the following charter members : Thomas M. Smith, Joseph D. Willis,
John W. Bash, Isaac Smith, George \V. Smith. Margaret J. Willis, Mary A.
Smith, Man,- J. Bash, Milton C. Wood, Mary Smith, George W. Parish, Jen-
nie Parish, James Bell, with Rev. N. L. Williams, pastor. After services
ceased to be held at the Mt. Olivet cliurch, the new organization moved to
\\'estland and in 1894 erected a church building there, which is known as the
SUGAR GROVE CHURCH.
Services and a Sunday sciiool have been maintained at this church
since its erection, in 1894. Tliis house stands in the southwest part of town
and was dedicated by the Rev. Duckworth. The membership has been small,
and at times services have been held at irregular periods. At present tiie
church has alx)Ut forty members. The average attendance at Sunday school
is twenty-five. Three classes are organized in the church and adult mem-
bers are in attendance.
WESTLAND FRIENDS CHURCH.
W'lien Blue Rixer inwnship was first settled it was a dense woodland.
The struggle for a living and for future prosperity then began, and it may
well be said that the first settlers sought a firm foundation of Christian
principles on which to build character and association. There were many
obstacles to be met in those early days. The people were few and the facili-
ties were not as they are today for conducting cliurch work, yet the true
light of Christ was shining forth and the faithfulness of a few of their earn-
est endeavors was rewarded with the flourishing churches of today. The
work of Christ began with the daily toil of this newly settled land and soon
the work of the churches was rapidly progressing until the attendance l^ecame
a routine and a duty.
In the year 1832 Joseph Andrews located in the vicinity of Westland.
He was followed by John Brown, in 1833, and Elias Marsh, Elisha Butler,
Nathan Perisho, \\''illiam Brown, Frederick Brown and others, until the year
1839. All of these being members of the Walnut Ridge Friends church, and
having settled quite a distance from their regular place of worship, they held
a meeting in the same year for the purpose of binding themselves together
in church fellowship. In 1840 church services were l)egun bv the above
BLL'E RIX^ER TOW XS II 1 P. 5O3
organization. The newly-born society was in charge of a committee tliat was
appointed by the Wahiut Ridge mmithlv liusiness meeting and it rcmiincd
nnder its charge for se\eral years.
'idle society at that time consisted fif about fifteen families. in liic
year 184 1, at the Walnut Ridge monthly business meeting, they appointed
the following named Friends as trustees: Samuel Bundy, Joseph Andrews
and John Brown, who were to purchase a lot on which to build a church.
They purchased two acres off of the farm owned by Nathan Perisho and
wife, in the southeast corner of section 18, township 15, range 8, paying the
sum of five dollars therefor. The lots have remained the property of the church
to this day. Here the present church building is located and here lie many of
the charter members and their children.
Soon a log house was erected on this lot and used as a place of worship.
A teacher was employed for the education of their children and the school
was held in the church building for many years. Among the early ministers
which held meetings in the log house were Mary Hodson and Melissa Hill. A
Sabbath school was organized, which was in charge of Abigail Hubbard.
After a number of years of worship in the log house the society deemed it
best to erect another house in which to liold their services. Willing hands
set to work and a small frame house was built. This luiilding served as a
house of worship and for a Sabbath school until the year 1866. In the
meantime the membership had increased, a preparative meeting had been
grnnted. and in that vear the present building was erected.
A committee composed of Elihu Coffin, Joseph (). Andrews, Jesse
Brown and Benjamin H. Binford was appointed by the preparative meet-
ing to consider the propriety of repairing the old house or building a new
one. After investigation they reported to the meeting tliat the probable cost
of repairing and enlarging the old house would be fourteen hundred dollars;
also that the cost of building a new frame house, thirty by fifty feet, would
be atout one thousand dollars, furnished inside with new benches, outside
w itli slat window shutters, painted inside and out. The meeting chose the
proposition of a new building and directed the same committee to proceed
with the work. A subscri])tion had previously l)een taken to aid the carpen-
ter in procuring material. Elihu Coffin was the contractor. The house was
finished and furnished at a cost of one thousand seven hundred and eighty-
two dollars and thirty-two cents. The old house was sold for a l>arn for
seventy-five dollars and is used at the present time as such.
As the church prospered in membership and interest it began to assume
new duties. In 1883 a home mission committee wris ajipointed In- West-
504 HANCOCK COUNTY, IXDIA.NA.
land and W'estern Grove preparative meetings jointly, of men and women
Friends, who met monthly for consultation and to receive reports of work
done. A number of cottage jjrayer meetings were held; visits were made
to the sick and aged, to the county infirniar\- and county jail, giving good
literature to the inmates and trying to encourage them to live upright Chris-
tian lives. Often very interesting and encouraging reports are given l)y dif-
ferent sections of the committee. This work is still carried on.
About 1890 the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society was organized,
whose main object was to raise money to help send and keep missionaries in
the field. Raymond Holding, a member of Westland church, went to Cuba
as a missionary a few years ago and still remains in the mission field.
In 1872 \\'alnut Ridge monthly meeting, endorsed by Walnut Ridge
quarterly meeting, established a monthly meeting to be known as Westland
monthly meeting of Friends, to be held on the fourth seventh day of each
month at eleven o'clock a. m. (later on the tmic was changed to ten o'clock
a. m.), to be held alternately at Westland in the even months and at \\"estern
Grove in the odd months. The first monthly meeting was held at \\'estland,
October 26, 1872. The committee appointed by the quarterly meeting to
attend the opening of the meeting was composed of David Marshall. William
Bin ford. Sr.. George Swain. Micajah C. Binford, Sarah J. Hill. Fliza .\. Chap-
pell and Elizabeth Hunt. Josiah Binford and Lydia A.. Binford were ap-
pointed clerks. The first minister with a minute to attend the new monthly
meeting was Charles Hubbard of Raysville monthly meeting of Friends.
On .August 25. 1877, Joseph O. .\ndrevvs. Lemuel Harold and Benjamin
fl. Binford were appointed trustees of the meeting property. R. Barclay
Binford and Jesse W. Beeson are trustees at the present time.
In the year 1890 a band of young Christians organized themselves into
a Christian Endeavor Society. There were nineteen who signed the pledge
as active members and started to battle through life with the great object
in view of making themselves more useful in the service of God. The organ-
ization was small, but the true Christian spirit was prevalent, and the society
grew steadily until the organization numbered about si.xty members in 1896.
Eater, the members l^egan moving away, going to school and teaching, until
in Kjcf), it was deemed best to discontinue the society.
O. Winbern Kearns. who had been recorded a minister of the Gospel
by Walnut Ridge monthly meeting about the year 1870. served as pastor
of this church until his death. Mav 8. 1894. Other ministers occasionally
visited the church, but the meeting felt the need of a regular pastor and
secured the services of Micajah Morris for two years. Following him were
BLUE KI'.EK TcnVNSlIIl'. 5O5
James 1'. Price, 1897; Benjamin J. Mills, igoj; l-rank X. luUvards, 1903;
Levi Pennington, 1905: William j. C'leaver, 1906; James D. and Marguerite
Carter, 1907; Frank N. Edwards, 1909; Isaac X. Stanley, 1911 : Thomas R.
A\'oodard, 1914: Frank X. Edwards, 1915.
At the present time there are one hundred and twenty-one members,
eighty-five resident and thirty-six non-resident. Average attendance for
the past few years, about fifty-five.
W ith the e.\cc])tion of a few years at the beginning of the meeting,
the Sabbath school has been maintained regularly, with an attendance of
from fifty to sixty-five. There are seven classes. Adult members attend
regularly. The oldest member attending is .seventy-five years of age, and
one member enrolled in the home department is sevcnt\-nine years of age.
This department has an enrollment of se\'enty-three and the cradle roll has
thirty-three, with Martha J. Elliott as superintendent. l-Hma Binford is
superintendent of the priman- department.
Tlie clock purchased by the Sabbath school in 1879 is still doing faithful
service. The school has purchased and placed in the library three hundred
volumes of good books. E. Clarkson Elliott is superintendent of the Sab-
bath school. The following is a list of past superintendents, according to
records available: Isaac Harold, Marv L. Binford, Oliver Brown, David
Newlin, William 1'. Binford, Lydia A. Binford, Lemuel Harold, Micajah
Young. Mark A. Calt. M. C. Butler. Abe L. Coffin, Olive Binford, Charles
Kearns, Xaomi Binfnrd. Charles Cook, John Curry, .\bigail Butler and
Eldora Binford.
The present house was remodeled and reseated in modern style in 1902. at
a cost of eight hundred and ninety-six dollars and fifteen cents. The building
committee was composed of R. B. Binford, M. C. Butler. James Lindamood,
lildora Binford and Charitv Toms. John Anderson was the contractor.
.SIIII.OII I'UIMITI\"E BAl'TIST CHURCH,
now of Greenfield, was organized at the home of Solomon Tyner, nearly
eight miles south of Greenfield, on the fourth Saturday in June. 1841. The
charter members were Solomon Tyner. John H. Caldwell, Julin M. Duncan,
Jemima Tyner, Xancy Duncan. Caroline Randall and Rosanna Caldwell, who
selected as help in this organization a council composed of the following:
i'rom Blue Ri\er church. Jacob Parkhurst. Samuel b'erguson, John Osborn,
T. Porter and H. Bowen : Mt. Gilead church. J. Reeves and E. Brizendine ;
Mt. Carmel church. Morgan McOuary and George Pricket: Sugar Creek
cluirch. G. Hunter and J. Beaman : Concord church, Ste|)hen Harlan and
Cicero Wilkinson.
506 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
The charter members selected Solomon Tyner for their moderator, who
presented to their council for examination their constitution and articles of
faith. After a careful examination, Morgan McOuary, the moderator for
the council, gave the right hand of fellowship to the moderator of the breth-
ren wishing to be constituted, and, in behalf of the council pronounced them
a Gospel church to be known by the name of Siiiloh.
At the first meeting after organization tlie membership was increased
by the following: Nicholas Ridlin, Hannah Ridlin, Phebe New, Nancy Por-
ter, Richard Hackleman, Peter M. Newhouse and Margaret Newhouse. The
church selected Morgan McOuar}^ for its first pastor, Richard Hackleman,
first clerk, and J- H. Caldwell and Nicholas Ridlin. first deacons. In July.
1841, the church attached herself to the Lebanon association.
In 1853 the question of ordaining or not ordaining deacons was taken
up and decided by vote to ordain.
In January. 1854, tiie church appointed brethren J. H. Caldwell, James
Tyner and Richard Hackleman, trustees, to receive deed for ground on
which to build a church. On February 25, 1854, on motion, tlie church
agreed to build a frame meeting house, forty by fifty feet. The tmsrees were
to learn the jirobable cost and report at next meeting. The committee made
a favorable report and a new frame church was erected at a cost of eight
hundred dollars. It stands at the southeast corner of section 26. township
15, range 7.
In February, 1876, the act of the ch'urch of 1841, requiring articles of
faith to be read at each meeting, was repealed, the acts to be read whenever
called for.
In November, i8gi, the church voted to hold a business meeting in
Greenfield on the first Saturday of each month, and to hold services on
Sunday following. It was also decided, however, to still hold services on
the fourth Sunday at the former place of worship in Blue River township.
In November, 1895, the church decided liy vote to build a house on a
lot on North street in Greenfield for a place of worship. James Tyner, D.
H. Goble and Isaac Bennett were elected trustees to do all lawful business
for the church ; the total cost of the house and lot was three thousand nine
hundred and thirty-two dollars and fifty-nine cents.
In February, 1004, tlie frame building in the countrv where this church
used to meet was sold to the congregation of the Disciples of Christ, who
now worship there, and wliosc history follows. In July. 1904, the entire debt
of the new building in Greenfield was paid.
The following men Iiave ser\-ed the church since its organization : Trus-
BLUE KIVKK [DVVNSHIP. 50/
tees, James Tyner, John Tyner, D. H. Goble, W. T. Allen, George Allen,
J. S. Thomas and Isaac Bennett. Pastors, Morgan McQuary, 1841 ; William
Baker, 1852; George Zion and Elias Poston, 1853; Wilson Thompson, 1854;
Jesse G. Jackson, 1857; David Caudell and George Weaver, 1864; George
Weaver, 1867; George Weaver and A. B. Nay, 1869; A. B. Nay and Harvey
Wright, 1S71 ; John T. Weaver and W. N. Tharp, 1885; R. W. Thompson
and \V. N. Tharp, 1886; R. W. Thompson. 1889. Church clerks of records,
Richard Hackleman, 1841 ; J. F. Watts, 1871; W. N. Tharp, 1875; D. H.
Goble, 188 1 : W. M. Cofield, 1885. Deacons, J. H. Caldwell, Nicholas Rid-
lin, James Tyner, Barnabas Coffield, D. H. Goble, Henry Mannon, J. N.
Goble and W. P. Denny. Singing clerks, James Tyner, 1852: W. AT. Cof-
ticld, 1882.
The membership in 1841 was fifteen; in 1881, thirty-seven: in 1891.
seventy. The average attendance for the last twenty years has been about
iwenty-five.
SHILOH CHRISTI.\X CHURCH.
Shiloli Christian church stands at the southeast corner of section 26,
township 15, range 7. On the 24th day of March, 1854, Elijah Tyner and
Sarah .\. Tyner, his wife, donated to the Baptists the land on which to build
a church, the same to be held so long as it should be used fur church purposes,
tlien to revert back to the donors.
A regular Baptist church was organized, with James T}ner, Juhn H.
Caldwell and Richard Hackleman as trustees. This organization used the
property until about 1890, when they moved their congregation to Green-
field. .\ union Sunday school was then conducted for a time when, in 1903,
after a short meeting held by Omer Hufford, of Charlottesville, an
agreement was entered into by which the trustees of the Regular Baptist
church, for a consideration of three hundred dollars, deeded the property to
the trustees of the Shiloh Christian church. The trustees of the Christian
church were Elbert E. Davis, George W. Matlock and Claude Poer.
The Shiloli Christian church was organized at the home of George W.
Matlock, on the 6th day of January, 1904. The charter members were George
R. Siders, Rebecca Siders, John H. Huffman, Anna L. Huffman, Carrie E.
Huffman, II. J. Strakey, George W. Matlock, Ina J. Matlock, Charlie H.
Matlock, Mary J. McClintock, Elbert E. Davis, Laura Davis, Paul Davis, B.
T. Bennett, Fannie Bennett, Nathan Hinton, Delphia C. Hinton, Claud Poer,
Marzella Poer, Henry D. Holt, Dai.sy Jacobs, James Wilhelm, Margaret H.
Wilhelin. W. H. Fleener, Lucinda A. Fleener and Andy Fleener. The
church has a membership of about forty persons.
508 HANCOCK COUXTY, IXDIAXA.
On the tliird Sunday <<{ April. 1904. T. J. Lcgg. of IndianaiX)lis, ded-
icated the church. Some noble men have served the Shiloh Christian cliurch
in its short period of service, .\mong them have been Ernest Addison, of
Knightstown : James Conner, of Indianapohs; B. L. Allen, of Indianapolis;
E. L. Frazier, of jMorristown; Carl Berry, of Carthage; N. D. Webber, of
Indianapolis; Omer Hufford, of Shirley. Evangelistic meetings have been
held bv L. E. Murray. Erastus Conner, E. L. Frazier, N. D. Webber, M. S.
Decker. Sliilnh has maintained preaching services one-half time since its
organization.
The attendance during the past few years has averaged about forty. A
Sundav school has been conducted since the organization of the church, with
an attendance of about forty. There are four classes. The superintendents
have been Theophilus Hargrove, C.eorge R. Siders. "Claude Poer. John Huff-
man and George W. ^iatlock. A Ladies' Aid Society has been organized in
connection with the church.
TLEASAXT \i\:\\ 1-kIEXDS CIIfRCH.
Pleasant \ie\v l-'riends church stood at the southeast corner of secti'.ii
9, township 15, range 8. It was established under the authority of the Spice-
land quarterly meeting in November. 1850. The first meetings were held in
<he school house that stood on a lot adjoining the church. Among the mem-
bers of this church were William Hill and family, Libni Hunt and family,
Samuel Brown and family, Phineas White, Mathew Dodson, Daniel Hast-
ings. Alfred and Jnhn Hunt. Eli and Robert Brown. Daniel and John Rem,
Albert White, Enoch Pierson, Amos, Samuel and John Hill.
A Bible school was connected with the meeting and was well attended
for many years. Samuel B. Hill, al one time tnistee of Blue River township,
and for inanv vears a prominent citizen of the county, was one of the first
Icachers in this Bible school, and was connected with the church and Bible
school for more than a quarter of a century. Services were not held in this
church after the early nineties. Since that time the church has been torn
awav and no evidence remains of the original church site except a small
■emetery connected therewith.
WESTERN GROVE FRIENDS CIHRCH.
The ^^'estern Grove church stands at the southwest corner of section 12,
'ownship 15. range 7. In the year 1864 the Friends of this neighlx)rhood,
then forming a part of the Westland preparative meeting, made a request
through that meeting to the Spiceland quarterly meeting, to establish a meet-
I5I.I"]-: KU'KK TOWNSHIP. 5O9
iug for worship and a preparative at this place. Folldwing is llie record
granting the reciuest :
"S])iceland (juarterly .Meeting of i*^-iends.
held .\inth Muntli, Tenth Day, 1864.
"The committee a]}]jiinited on the recpiest of h'riends lixing west of
\\'estlan(l for a nieeting for worship and a preparative, report that they ha\e
visited W'estland Preparative Meeting and tlie Friends making the reqnest,
and are united in the helief that it would he right to grant the same, which is
united w itii and the meeting eslahlished accordingly, h\- the name of Western
Gro\e. The following Friends were appointed to attend the o])ening thereof
at the time proposed, in Eleventh month next : Jesse Bond, Charles S. Fluh-
l)ard, Jason Macy. Hannah Dickinson, Elizaheth Edwards, Dehorah Bond.
Eliza Butler and Xancv Bales.
"Caleb Joiin.son,
"LrciN'DA WiiiTi-:,
"Clerks."
Pursuant to the foregoing minute. Western (iro\e prejiarative meeting
was opened and held eleventh mnnlh. sixteenth da)-. 1864.
Following were the charter members: Isaac Beeson, Elias and Margaret
Marsh, Jonathan and Mary Jessup, Jacob and Rebecca Jessup, Elihu and
Xancy Coffin, Mahlon and Mary Beeson, William P. and IVfarv Annis Out-
land. Jolm and Sarrdi Hunt, Mathcw and Taurimla Jessu]), Joseph J. and
Lydia B. Taml), F.lkanah and Mary Reece, Josiah and l.ydia Eamb, Timothy
and Rebecca Lamb. Edward and ]\rarv Butler. Martha IMarsh and .\aron S.
White. Jonathan Jessup .and Xancv Coffin were appointed tf) lime or sit
head of the meeting. William P. Oiitland was appointed first clerk of the
meeting. Jacob Jessup, John Hunt and Elihu Coffin were ai)pointed trustees.
The house and lot, consisting of two acres, were bought of Isaac Beeson
for the sum of four hundred and fiftv dollars. The house, whicli was a
hewed-log building, was used for several years previous as a "potter's shop,"
and was known by that name for nearly nine years, when a committee, com-
posed of Jonathan Jessup, John Hunt, Lewis G. Rule and Elihu Coffin, were
appointed to solicit money and material for a new church building. Much
of the material was donated. The limber from which the seats were made
was donated by Jonathan Jessup; also one oak tree sufficient in size when
made into sb.ingles to make the roof. Solomon Call cut, rove and dressed
the shingles by hand. Idihu Coffin donated the rock for the foundation
and Henry Coffin ami his brothers delivered them. Much time and help
5IO HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
were given by all tu forward the work. Elkanah Reece did the frame work
of the building, the finishing being done by another carpenter. Beside
the donations of material, the cost of the building was near fourteen hundred
dollars. In the eleventh month, 1873. the dedicatory services were conducted
by Caleb Johnson, with a crowded house.
Joseph O. Binford was the only resident minister until 1893. H^is work
and services as a minister during these years were wonderfullv blessed of God
and the community is much better by his having lived in it. From 1893 until
1897 the meeting was without a regular minister or pastor. Following are the
pastors who have served the congregation since 1897 • Lindley A. Wells,
1896-7; Mary T. Willson, 1907-9; Levi T. Pennington, 1903-5: William J.
Cleaver, 1905-6: James D. and Marguerite Carter, 1906-8; Frank X.
Edwards, 1908-10; John M. Binford, 1910-12; Charles M. Elliott, 1912-15;
John R. Kitterman, 1916. Lindley A. \\'ells, who was called in the fall of
1897, ■^^"^s the first salaried pastor for the meeting.
The older generation that organized the meeting has passed to its
reward, but the church now has about one hundred members and is in a
prosperous condition.
A Sabbath school was also organized in 1864. Some of the men and
women who have served as superintendent of the school are. Lewis G. Rule,
Isaac N. Hunt, Henry B. White, Thomas L. Afarsh, Marv T. Willson. J. J.
Beeson, Riley A. Catt and Orlando F. Addison, the latter being superinten-
dent at this time. The school has five classes with an average weekly
attendance of sixty.
In 1898 the women organized the Women's Sewing Circle for the purpose
of raising funds for remodeling the church, which had been used since 1873.
In the spring of 1893 a committee was appointed to cooperate with them and
the work of remodeling was done, at a cost of three hundred and thirty-two
flollars. In 1914 the church was reseated with circle seats, at a cost of four
hundred dollars.
LITERARY .SOCIETIES, CLUBS. ETC.
The young people of Blue Ri\er township took a great deal of interest
in literary and debating societies, exhibitions, etc., during the seventies and
eighties. One of the societies that is well remembered was organized in tb.e
neighborhood of the Western Grove church. After the present frame church
was built the old log house was moved a little to the north of the present
building, where it was used for many years for social and literan,- purposes.
Exhibitions were given, debates were held and literarj' programs were ren-
dered for a period of ten years or more. Among the young ])eople of the
BLUE KP.ER TOWNSHIP. 5II
community wlio took an active part in tlie society were Isaac N. Hunt,
Lurinda Hunt, Harvey J. Catt, Jesse Recce, Mary A. Hunt, Luther Jessup,
A. T. Hunt, Rebecca A. Catt, F. N. Coffin, Fannie Lamb, O. M. Hunt, Flenry
Coffin, Jennie Reece, M. A. Catt, Robert Lamb, Narcissa Coffin, Albert
Reece, Lucinda Catt, Jennie Jessup, Ebza Lamb and J. W. Beeson.
Another literary society was organized during the early eighties in the
neighborhood of the Gates school house, which stood at the northeast corner
of section 36, township 15, range 7. Not only tlie young people of the im-
mediate neighborhood participated in gi\-ing the programs of the society, but
young people from Greenfield, including \\'ill H. (ilascock, Logan Glascock,
S. E. Jackson and others, also appeared upon the platform with tliem. Among
those whose names can he recalled are R. \\'". Brooks, J. H. Brooks, Sarah
Brooks, Luther Hackleman, Alice Hackleman, Lida Ann Holden, Nora Hol-
den, M. B. Morrison, Ada Morrison, Logan Glascock, Will H. Glascock,
Edward Jackson, Ollie Bentley, D. H. Gates, Jr., Sarah E. Gates, R. D.
Andrews, J. M. Tyner, F. M. Moore, and Lin Binford. The society met
every two weeks and remained in existence from about 1883 to 1887.
On one occasion, probably in the spring of 1885, the society gave a play
entitled. "The Queen of Welber Heights." A stage was built at the foot of
(he hill in the woods of Francis M. Moore on the east half of the southeast
quarter of section 25, township 15, range 7; the audience was seated on the
hillside and the play given in the open air., It drew an immense crowd, and
the gate receipts on that evening were worthy of mention for the society.
This play is still remembered as one of the star occasions of the society.
The Blue River Township Temperance Association also carried on its
temperance campaigns during the latter seventies and eighties in all parts of
the township by means of literary programs. Entertainments were given in
the different school houses with the idea of getting something 1)efore the
young people that was clean, wholesome and uplifting, and that also im-
pressed upon them the dangers and evils of intemperance. Other societies
of shorter duration were organized.
Since the decline of the old-fashioned literary society more systematic
study has been begun by the organization of ladies' clubs. The first of these,
wliich liad its inception at the Mt. Lebanon church, but which included a
number of ladies of Blue Ri\'er township, was the Country Literary Club.
Another was the
WESTERN GROVE WOM.An's CLUB.
The Western Grove Woman's Club was organized in 1910. with four-
teen charter members. The purpose of the club is mental and social improve-
312 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
nient. It has both an active and an honorarv membership, and is Hmited
to twenty memliers of tlie Western Grove neighborhood. At present there
are eighteen acti\e and tour honorary meml^ers. There are two standing-
committees — the program committee and the relief committee. The motto
of the club is "Tu Pronic^te the Welfare of the Community." The club colors
are red and white; its flower, the carnation. Miscellaneous programs have
been gi\en. S])ecial emphasis has lieen placed on the home. Economics,
and the study of Indiana history, with music, readings and magazine articles
will make up the work for 1916. The club has access to the Greenfield
library and is a member of the County Federation of Women's Clubs.
Following are its active members : Marticia W. Beeson, Mary Bentley,
Lena Binford, Rebecca Binford, Ella R. Briney. Pharaba Catt, Anna Haw-
kins, Gladys Hamilton, Jennie Jessup, Elmina Jessup, Laura Jessup, ]\lary
Jessup, Grace Johnson, Amy Parnell, La Merle Parnell, Hazel Powers, Eva
Pusey, Catherine Pusey. Xelle \\'hite. Pearl White. On the honorary list
are Grace Howard and Elmina Wallsniith. In Memoriam : Delia Coffin
and Bessie Snow.
The following ladies have acted as president: Ella R. Briney. 1910;
Lena J. Binford, 1911 ; Reliecca Binford, 1912; Ella R. Briney, 1913; Elmina
Jessup, 1914: Grace Johnson, 1915.
THE l-OUR-CORNER SOCIETY.
The Four-Corner Society was organized in the year 1913 and was fed-
erated with the Country Clubs" I'ederation of Hancock county in 1914. The
club consists of sixteen active members of the Western Grove neighborhood.
Its object is the intellectual and social improvement of its members. The
phases of work of the club are domestic science, music and literature.
SUNSHINE CLUB.
7"he Westland Ladies' Sunshine Club was organized in October, 1913.
for the purpose of stimulating more friendly intercourse among friends and
neighbors, and for the mental improvement of busy housewives and mothers.
The club meets the third Tuesday in each month and the members discuss
household problems, current events, and any other item of interest that may
come before the club.
Light refreshments are served at each meeting and a ])ortion of the
time devoted to social conversation. With the exception of a small amount
of charitv work and flowers for the sick, the club has no special work to
report.
CHAPTER Xl\'.
BRANDYWIXK TOWNSHIP.
Brandywiiie township is located in the south central part of the county.
On April 7. 1828, it was organized as one of the three original townships and
included tlic entire central portion of the county from north to south. Since
that time its l)Oundar\- lines have 1)een changed on se\^eral occasions, all of
which may be followed by referring to the chapter on county government.
At present the township contains twenty-four square miles. It is si.\ miles
east and west by four miles north and south. Eight square miles, or a strip of
the uniform width of two miles off of the west side of the civil township, lies
in congressional townsinp 15 north, range 6 east. The remaining portion of
the township, consisting of sixteen square miles, lies in congressional town-
ship 15 north, range 7 east.
The natural drainage of the township consists of Brandywine creek,
which flows to the south through its eastern part, and Little Sugar creek,
which flows in about the same direction through the western part of the town-
ship. All the land has lieen well drained artificially. Its surface is lexcl or
slightly rolling. It is one of the most fertile townships in the county and is
admirably adapted to heavy farming.
The first settlers came int(T the township about 1820, or just a year or
two after the first settlers had come into the county. Many of the names that
are still familiar in the county may be found on the tract book, showing who
entered the land. Among them are, Benjamin Fry, Joseph Thomas, Ezekiel
Thomas, Rachel Collyer, William Service, Samuel Liming, Richard G. Snod-
grass, James H. Anderson, Harrison Allen. Hiram Banks. Michael Manon,
Ezekiel Hutton, Alexander Kauble, Elias Marsh, William A\'illiamson, ^lorris
Pierson, Amos Fouty, William Simmons, James Smith, William (iilli.spie.
Eson ThtMuas. John .Mexander, Wellington Collyer, Xalhaniel C. Lewis.
Samuel Hawkins, John Snodgrass, darret Snodgrass, Bartou W. Anderson,
Charles Banks, Samuel Cones. John Taylor, Edward Randall, Robert Smith,
John Cowden, Joseph Wood. Isom Snider. James Tyner, Otho Gapen, Benja-
min Snider, William Thoma,--, Hiram Thomas, Joseph Hawkins, Derastus
b"ry, Henry J. Fry, Eleazer Snodgrass. l\<ibert W. Dars, George (iray, John
Manon, James Alyea, John Zumwall, \\ illi.im Hamilton, John Williamson.
Ebenezer Allen, Joseph Lucas, John Simmons. Thomas Duncan, Mark
Whitaker, Henry Duncan, James Ryon, William Martin, William H. Porter,
Lucius Brown, John Pope, John Smith, James Gunn.
513
(33)
514 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Fifty years ago, or about tlie time of the Civil War. and for a number of
years thereafter, the Collyers, Wilsons, Lowes, Thomases, Potts, Banks, Mil-
bourns and Andises were the prominent families of the township. The older
people have been "gathered unto their fathers." and the younger generations
have scattered, yet there are representatives of all of the older families left in
the township.
MILLS.
The streams of Brandywine township were ratlier inadequate to furnish
water power for mills. There was. however, one water mill constructed in
the township which became very prominent as a point of departure for the
construction of roads, etc. This mill was built l)y Othniel H. Sweem, in
1828, on the southwest quarter of section 16, township 15, range 7, the mill
and mill race being on the land now owned by Anton Rabe and John Mil-
bourn. Section 16 was the school section and was under the supervision of the
school trustees of that congressional township. The school trustees had
power to lease the land of the school section for any term not to exceed three
years, taking the rents payable in money, property or improvements to be
made on the real estate. If directed by a majority of the qualified voters of
the township, such lease could be made for any term not to exceed ten years.
Sweem did not care to go to the expense of constructing a mill and mill race
without assurance that he could hold the property for a longer term than
ten years. To make sure of this, a bill was introduced into the Legislature
during the winter of 1827-8, which was approved on January 24, 1828, giv-
ing the school trustees of this particular section the right to enter into such a
contract. Following is the law, which is self-explanatory :
"Section i. Be it enacted by the (icneral .Assembly of the State of In-
diana, that the trustees now appointed, or lliat may hereafter be appointed,
to superintend the school section in township numbered 15 north, of range
number 7 east, in the county of Hancock, be, and they are hereby authorized
to lease the southwest quarter of said school section to Othniel H. Sweem, fnr
the purpose of building a mill thereon, for any term of time not exceeding
twenty years, as they in their discretion may find, will most increase the
vahie of said school section and seem most conducive to the public good.
"Section 2. That Othniel H. Sweem shall be bound to build a mill on
said southwest quarter section and to complete the same within two years from
the time he may enter into the contract with said trustees so to do; said mill
when built, shall l)e of the most durable timber, and everything relative to the
same to be made in a workmanlike manner, and wiien left at the e.xpiration of
HRAXnVWIXK TOWNSHIP. 515
said lease sliall be in good repair, 'i'lie lessee shall have the privileges that
are o-i\eii by law to other lessees of public lands.
"Section 3. It is hereby made the duty of the trustees of said school
section to take good and sufficient security for the faithful performance of
said contract.
"This act to take effect and be in force from and after the first dav of
March next."
Pursuant to the foregoing act, Samuel Martin, Elijah Tyner and Lucius
Brown, as trustees of said school section, leased said real estate to Othniel
Sweem, for a period of twenty years.
In this lease Othniel Sweem "doth covenant and agree to build a grist-
mill with two run of stones, and a country bolt and house twenty bv twenty-
six feet sc|uare, two stories high, and clear and fence twenty acres of ground;
also set out fifty apple trees and build such dwelling house as he sees proper;
and the said Sweem also binds himself to destroy no timber unnecessarily
only for the use and improvement of said house agreeable to an act authoriz-
ing the leasing said part of the above named school section, approved January
24. A. D. 1828." (Deed Record "A", page 2.)
The first petition asking for the construction of a highway, was pre-
sented to the board on August 11, 1828, and asked for a highway to begin
at a point below Sweem's mill; "thence to Sweem's mill on Brandywine
creek; thence the nearest and best way to the town of Greenfield." This was
the first county road constructed through this section of the county, and became
a highway with which others from other sections were connected to lead to
Greenfield. The early commissioners' records show that Sweem's mill was
often referred to in proceedings before the board.
Sweem at first constructed a small grist-mill ; later he added a little saw-
mill. After a few years he sold out to George Troxwell. who not only oper-
ated the mill. I)ut carried on a hatter's shop, and also built a still house near
the mill. Other mills were :
Saw-mill, established about 1850, on Brandywine creek, just below the
north line of section 32, township 15, range 7, by one Walton. Later owned
by Wilkins & Laporte, Charles Gunn, and one Durbin. Durbin also made
pumps at the mill.
Hominy mill, established by James Snn'th during the fifties and located
on Brandywine creek a short distance below the north line of the west half
of the northeast (|uarter of section 21. township 15, range 7.
Nathaniel Moore built a grist-mill at Carrollton during the sixties, or
possibl\- a little earlier, which was operated until in the latter seventies.
5l6 HANCOCK COVSTV, INDIANA.
Hiram and John Comstock built a steam saw-mill at CarrolUon in 1856:
it burned down during the latter seventies, but was rebuilt by William Gordon.
Goldon sold the mill to James Boyce, who ojjerated it until about 1894. The
machinery was then taken out of the mill, but a \ear or two later Frank Engle
installed other machinery anil (i])erate(l tlie mill until about 190J, when it
burned.
The present grain ele\alor was built by Buckingham & Tatten. of
MorrLstown. During the past ten or twelve years Patten & Zike ha\e owned
the mill. For many years it was o])erated by Charles Amos, and fi>r the past
several years Mr. Anderson has had charge of it.
Duncan McDougall and his brcjther, Dugald, had a tile factory for a
number of years about one-half mile below Carrollton. It was established
in 1869, and was operated until 1886. The factory itself was located on
the Shelby county side of the road.
SCHOOLS.
Little log school houses were built in the township by the different com-
munities just as they were built in other townships. Frame buildings were
constructed during the latter sixties and early seventies, nearly all of which
are still standing and in use. At Carrollton a small one-room frame build-
ing stood on the west side of tiie street just west of the present school house.
It faced the east. Religious .services were also conducted in this building for
a number of years before any churches were built at Carrollton. About 1875
a two-stor}- frame building was erected on the east side of the- street, which
stood between the present brick school and the street. It was a two-room
frame building and faced the west. This l)uilding was used until the jiresent
two-room brick building was erected about i8<)2. during the trusteeship of
Andrew Williamson. John S. Orr was the builder.
An effort was made during the trusteeship of Charles L. Scott, about
1898, to consolidate the schools of the township for the purpose of establish-
ing a high school. The late Joshua Barrett. Oli\cr H. Tuttle. John W. Jones,
and others, circulated petitions to accomplish this end. The o])position was led
bv Uriah Low and others. The mo\cment ended in failure.
In the spring of 1913 the school house at Cowden was condemned by
the state board of health. This brought on another effort to consolidate the
schools. Petitions were circulated in the four eastern districts and a majority
of names procured thereon. The township advisory l>oard was composed of
William Lowe, Thomas M. Tucker and Riley Siders, of whom Lowe and
Tucker opposed making the necessar\- appropriation for the construction of
]'.UA XDN W I \ I-' inw N S ! i 1 1".
.T/
sucli ;i building-, and the nKncnicni failed again. This leaves Brandywinc
township as the only one in the enmity retaining her original frame school
houses.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Brandywine township has a |)opulation of 821, as shown 1)\- the L'nited
States census report of 1910. Jn the spring- of 191 5. 188 children between
the ages of six and twenty-one }-ears were enunierated in tlic townshi]) for
scliool purposes. Of this number, 133 were enrolled in the schools during the
previous winter. The total cost of maintaining the scliools during the year
1914-15 was $2,923.50. The teachers were paid $2,082.50. The estimated
value of all school property as reported by the townshij) trustee on August i,
1915, is $4,300. The total assessment of taxables in the township as reported
by the assessor in 1914 was $981,290. Thirty pupils w-ere transported to
school during- the school year 1914-15, at a cost of $566 to the township.
TOWNSHIP TRL'STEES.
Brandywine township has alwa}s been a rock-ribbed Democratic town-
ship. It presents an unbroken line of Democratic township trustees. Fol-
lowing are the names of the men who ha\e served in this capacity: \\'illiani
Service. 1859; Andrew \\'illiamson. 1869: John G. Service, 1874; Duncan
McDougall. 1880; Coleman Pone, 1882; John G. Service, 18S4: John G.
Service, 1886; Andrew Williamson, 1888: Andrew Williamson, 1890: Charles
L. Scolt, 1894; Dr. Edgar Smith, 1900: Tilghn-ian Scudder, 1904: William .\.
Scott, 1908: Oilen F. Thomas. 1914.
JUSTICES OF THE PE.XCK.
I'hc local courts have lieen presided c)\er I)y a number of men, as indicated
below: Benjamin Spillman, 1828; Orange II. Xeff, 1830: Jo.seph Chapman.
1831 : Joseph Thomas, 1832: Eleazer Snodgrass, 1836: Abram Liming, 1842:
G. Dillard, 1842: Abram Liming, 1847: Henry Lemain, 1847: Mark Whit-
aker, 1849: .Abram Liming-, 1852: Mark Whitaker, 1855: Abram Liming,
1856: Mark ^\'hitaker. 1859; Abram Liming, i860: Benjamin F. Goble,
1863: Alfred Potts, 1865: Andrew J. Smith. 1868: George W. Askin, 1867:
Alfred Potts, 1870: l"rith Low. 1872: Fphraim Ward, 1874: John O. White.
1876; I'riah Low, 1876: Benjamin F. Wilson, 1880: Thomas W. Larrabee,
1881-82: John Davie, 1884; James B. Johnson, 1886-90-94: Joseph E. (llass,
1890-98: Adam V. Brown, 1894-98-1902-06.
5I<5 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
Brandywine township has contributed her quota of men who have serv-ed
the people as county officers ; among them are William A. Service, clerk ; Law-
rence Boring, auditor; Theodore L. Smith, treasurer; William Wilkins, Wil-
liam Thomas, W. H. Thompson and Marshall T. Smith, sheriffs; Edmond
Jacobs, recorder; Alfred Potts, county assessor; James Tyner, Benjamin F.
Wilson and John T. Burk. commissioners ; John O. \\'hite has also sen-ed
the people in the House of Representatives of the Indiana Legislature.
BRASS BANDS.
Brandywine township has had two brass bands. The first was known
as the Carrollton Band and was organized in thei spring of 1880. The fol-
lowing were the charter members of the organization : James F. Reed, first
E-flat cornet ; Joseph Peck, second E-flat cornet ; Wesley Boles, first B-flat
cornet ; Charles W. McDonald, second B-flat cornet ; Burt Rouner, first alto ;
Lawrence Boring, second alto ; Hester Hutton, first tenor ; Alvin Boles, second
tenor; Ott \\'illis, baritone; Charles Campbell, tuba; Morton Furry, snare
drum ; Wilson Campbell, bass drum. John Carver was the first teacher of
the band. Other teachers were Isaac Davis and Oliver Lisher. The boys
played through the campaign of 1880 and for a year or two following.
Another band was organized in October, 1880, known as the Brandywine
Town.ship Band. Following were the members : Aaron W. Scott, Edgar
B. Thomas, J. A\'. Thomas, Charles Scott, John Liming, Carson W. Rush,
Emanuel Smith, Frank Kinder, Jaines Scott, William Scott, John Gwinn and
Aaron Alyea. Isaac Davis also taught tliis band for a time.
SUGAR CRKEK CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
Little Sugar Creek Christian churcli. jncated on the southeast corner of
section 23. township 15, range 6, Brandywine township, was first organized
in the summer of 1834, w'ith only eight charter members. The persons who
composed tlie organization were Joseph and Margaret Snodgrass, Matilda
Wheldon. Phebe Smith. Marshall and Lucinda Snodgrass. Catherine Crouch
and Martin Davis. By the close of the year the membership had increased
to fifty-seven and the records show a steady gain in memliership for several
years.
After this little band had met together a few Lord's days they pro-
ceeded to perfect their organization by setting apart Eleazer Snodgrass and
Josejih Snodgrass as elders and William McCance. James H. Anderson and
I'.KAXDVWIXK TOWXSllIP. 519
John Baker as deacons. These officers continned to hold their ])ositions
in tlie church until the year 1843.
I'"roni this time until the year 1850 deaths and changes were frequent.
In 1848 Jonathan h"\ans and Eleazer Snodgrass were the elders, and Daniel
Long; and John Raker, deacons. At this time the mcmliership had increased
to eighty-seven.
Until the early sixties the congregation was without a house of worship,
having used the log school house which stood on the east side of the road
about a half mile south of the present place of worship. A committee was
appointed to meet with the Methodist Ijrethren to determine upon Iniilding a
house of w'orship to l;e used jointly hy the two denominations, neither organ-
ization feeling strong enough financially to build a house of worship alone.
The tw'O organizations, however, failed to a.gree on terms. The brethren at
Little Sugar Creek continued to meet and worship at the school house until
1868. when they built the ])resent house of worship.
Among those who are known to have labored with the church in its
early day-s are Isaac W^ebb, Drury Holt and Thomas Lockhart, very earnest
and devout Christian ministers. Among the ministers who have conducted
meetings and served the church as pastors during the last third of a century
are elders John Smith. J. T. Pierce, James Roberts. Dr, J, C. Stanley, Aaron
Walker, H, R. Pritchard, Thomas Vance and M. F. Rickoff. During the
last decade the congregation has l^een favored with ministers like Thomas
Vance. C. A. Johnson. W. D. Willoughby. Cloyde Goodnight. Newton Wil-
son. Clarence Reidenbach. Harry H. IMartindale. W. A. Craig and Ernest
.'\. Addison.
For twenty \ears past the ladies have mtaintained a Mite or lielpin.g
Hand Society at the place and the valued service they have rendered is
almost beyond estimate. Among the charter members of the Ladies' Mite
Society were Nancy Furi-y, Caroline Thomas, Bridget Furry, Deborah Baker.
Olive Furry, Eliza Scott, Mollie Ciunn, Ellen Conner, .Mice Tuttle and
Josephine Swain.
.\nothcr feature of this church is that, although handicapped by bad roads
much i>f the time, it has been able to support a thrifty Sunday school for
forty years or more, and the school at this place, while not so large as
formerly, compares favorably with the best in Brandywine township.
Of the many who have held positions of trust in this church none stand
out more brilliant than John Thomas, George Furry-, Hiram Thomas, Well-
ington CoUyer, Cass Thomas, T. J. Nelson, Charles Gunn, and Charles
Vetters. the presiding elder at the present time.
520 HANCOCK COUXTV, IXDIAXA.
Willi its present memljersliip of almost sixty, although scattered, and
willi its intelligent young people coming on. representing the best element of
our best families, the church at Little Sugar Creek lives on.
EDEX CHAPEL.
Eden Chapel was a United Jjrethren congregation, organized about
1840. Their church building was located just about one mile east of Carroll-
ton. The early membership included the Muths, Higgenbottoms, Elmores,
Mrs. Hoagland and others. The first meetings were held at the residence
of George Muth. who was a United Brethren preacher. About 1850 a frame
church was built, wh.icb became known as Eden Chapel. For a little more
than fifteen years the ct)ngregation worshipped at the Cha])el. when they
sold it to the Methodist Protestants, who continued to worship in the house
until about 1883.
rXITED TiKETIIREX CHURCH AT CARROLLTOX.
.\b()Ut 1879 the United Brctlu'cn began worshijiping in the c)ld frame
school house that stood just across the street from the present school house
in Carrollton. Here they worsbipijed until about 1855, when, through the
efforts of Rev. George Muth and others, a United Brethren church was
erected a few feet west of where the old frame school house stood. This
church was erected to tiie meuKjry of Mrs. Muth. On the wall just behind
j'.nd o\-er the iniljiit hung the following neatl_\- framed inscription : "Dedicated
to the worship of Almighty God by the United Brethren in Christ. When
not in use by them, then o])en to all religious denominations." Services were
held in the church for a number of years afterward, but the local correspon-
dent from Carrollton called attention to the condition of the church in Feb-
ruary, 1907. as follows:
"The old United Brethren church is nearlv gone and some of the good
people are taking care of some of the furniture as a souvenir of old Father
Muth, who was the founder of the church many years ago. It is a shame the
way the good old Bible has l^een left to fade away. Likewise the memorial
of old Mother Muth. which hangs on the wall, is defaced in a shameful
way. Many times has that memorial been read by the people. It was the
first thing they saw when they entered the church. It was a beautiful
inscription. The old fathers and mothers of this country are fast passing
away and we should ever keep their good works in our minds and before the
people. Many fine sermons did P>rother G. \V. Hagans preach in the old
church, but he too has passed to that great beyond."
BRANDYWIXE TOW XSII II'. 521
Since that time tiic cluircli has Ijeeii tnni (Idwii and notliing now
remains of it.
Anicing- tlie early ministers were (ieorge Mulli, Aiikjs Hanway and Rev.
Ball. Later ministers of the chnrch that are well rememhered are Reverends
McNew and llagans.
MX. LEB.\NO.\ MliTIIODlST I'KOTK.SIWXT ClirUCII.
The Mt. Lebanon Methodist Protestant church originated in 1848.
Rev. Thomas Shipp came through Brandywine township and stayed all
night at the home of James Smith. He desired to organize a church at some
point, and it was suggested that a church could be organized in that immedi-
ate locality. \\'ord was sent to the neighbors and arrangements were made
for holding a meeting, or revival rather, at the vacant house of Mrs. Robert
Caldwell, whose husband was a soldier in the INlexican War. Sixteen per-
sons joined the class at this revival. Among the charter members were
James Smith and w'ife, Richard Dobbins, James Baker and wife, Hezekiah
Barrett and wife, Richard Milbourn and wife, Mrs. Robert Caldwell, John
Roberts, Wellington, and Henry Smith and wife.
.V log church was at once completed at the southeast corner of the north-
west (|uarter of section ^5, township 15, range 6. It stotid on the spot now
occupied li\- the old Mt. Lebanon cemetery. The church was a small build-
ing with punchedn seats, and was used until just prinr to the Civil War, when
it l)urned. Among the old ministers who preached here were the Revs.
Ihoinas Shipp, Harvey Collins, Bogul, Samuel Lowden and Dr.
Rigdon. The first class leader was James Baker, who was follnwed by
Henry Smith.
.After the burning of the log church, probaljly in 1858, the class scattered
and services were held at Scott, Cowden and Pleasant Hill school houses
until ahoul 1872. .\.t that lime the church was reorganized through the
efforts of Harvey Collins and John Myers. Preaching services and Sunday
school were held at the Pleasant Hill school house until 1882.
Among the charter members of the church organized at the Pleasant Hill
school house were Cicero J. Hamilton and Jnhn M\ers. Jcijiii .Myers was
the first class leader and Harvey Collins was in charge of the meeting. Other
ministers at the f^leasant Hill school house were Revs. John Low, Isaac
Duckworth, Salem Shnmway and J. S. Sellers.
In 1882 subscriptions were taken for the purpose of purchasing ground
and erecting a building for a church. Rev. J. S. Sellers was pastor on the
circuit at the time. The church trustees were Cicero J. Hamilton, Marshall
522 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
T. Smith, J. W. Comstock, John Roberts and \\'illiam A. Milbourn. But a
short time was required to raise the necessary funds and the new brick house
was completed during the summer of 1882, adjoining the spot occupied by
the first log church.
Hugh Stackhouse was president of the conference at the time and ded-
icated the house. The first minister in the new church was the Re\-. John
Heim. He was followed by James Hughes, S. J. Jones, J. G. Smith, B. W.
Evans, Reverends Martin, Iliff, Barclay, and Leffingwell, D. \\'. Hedricks,
George Cams, J. S. Clawson, W. H. Cams and possibly others whose names
have been omitted. The first class leader in the new church was John Rush.
The building was remodeled in 19 14 during the pastorate of J. S. Claw-
son, at a cost of two thousand three hundred dollars. It was dedicated clear
of debt by \\'. W. Lineberry. Among the families who have long been faith-
ful to this church should be mentioned ^^Mlliam M. Liming. Andrew Richey
and Marshall T. Smith. Services are held every second Sunday ; Sabbath
school every Sunday, with an average attendance of from seventy-five to
ei.ghty.
.\n Aid Society was organized in the church on May 7, 1890, with si.x-
teen charter members. The enrollment during the first year reached si.xty-
six. The society met monthly, each member contributing ten cents per
month. The first officers were Kate AIill)ourn. ])rcsidenl : Iduna I'.arrett.
secretary; Linda Duncan, treasurer. The society kept up the running ex-
penses of the church and made many improvements. It at one time made a
"name" quilt, with "about four hundred names put on blocks, each name
yielding ten cents. The quilt was sold and is now in possssion of Harri.son
Duncan and wife. The most of the names were n.m on the fpiilt by the late
J. H. Barrett. The society was active for sixteen years and dissolved volun-
tarily March i, 1906. During its life it earned about nine hundred dollars
for the benefit of the church. Its last officers were Luna Kauble, president ;
Idunn Barrett, secretary, and Linda Duncan, treasurer.
Since that time another .\id Society has been organized, which is rcn-
derin,g effici^it service in tlie church :ind has paid three hundred dollars on
improvements for the church.
CARROLI.TOX MKTIIODIST PROTESTANT CIIfRCH.
The Carroliton Alethodist Protestant church was originally organized
during the Civil War, or more probablv diu'ing the fifties. Though they
may not have been charter members of the church, or even meml)ers of the
church at all. tlie following families were among those who worshipped at
BRANDYWINE TOWNSHIP. 523
Eden Cliapel while the Methodist Protestant sen'ices were conducted there:
Jolin P. Wickliff and family; Dan Muth and family, Robert P. Andis and
family, John D. Lucas and family, Amos Ashcraft, Joseph liigginbotham,
Thomas Lowe, Ellis Noe and wife and George Evans. There are no early
records of the church, but it seems that they at first worsliipped with the
different members in the locality immediately east and south of Finly.
In 1865 the congregation bought the Eden Chapel, which stood on the
south side of the Brookville road, just west of the east line of the west half
of the southwest quarter of section 36, township 15, range 6. They con-
tinued to worship at the chapel until about 1882 or 1883, the last minister at
that point being the Rev. James Hughes. Among the early pastors who
served the congregation were Revs. Samuel Lowder; J. H. G. Prim, 1878-
80; W. G. Callahan, 1880-81: James Hughes, 1881-83; A. W. Motz. 1883-
84: W. G. Callahan, 1884-85: J. G. Smith, 18S5-86; John Heim, 1886-88;
J. R. Lenhart, i888-qo: J. R. French, 1890-91; T. E. Lancaster, 1891-92;
G. W. Bundy, 1892-93.
.\bout 1882 or 1883 the congregation moved its place of worship to
Carrollton and for several years worshipped at the United Brethren church.
It is remembered that the Rev. John Heim and others conducted revivals at
this church.
In 1893 the present church, which stands on the north side of the Brook-
ville road, in Finly, was constructed. The following ministers have served
the congregation in the present building: Revs. G. W. Bundy, 1893-95; J. L.
Barclay, 1895-99; J. R. Lenhart, 1899-01; J. R. Lenhart and S. Heininger,
1901-02; W. C. Reeder, 1902-04; W. L. Martin. 1904-06; L. Y. Sharps,
T906-08; P. W. Boxell, 1908-09: W. S. Coons, 1909-10; A. Leffingwell,
1910-11; Forest Crider and H, C, Ross, 1911-12; H. C. Ross, 1912-14; S. S.
Stanton, D. D.. and A. E. Scotten, 1914-15; J. G. Smith, 1915-16. This
church has an average attendance at services of one hundred and thirty.
.\ Sunday school was organized in 1897. It now has five classes with
an average attendance of sixty. Following are the persons who have serA'ed
as superintendents of the Sunday school : J. W. Boring, Vernie Boring,
Jessie Barnett, Edgar Wood, Lloyd Ferris. Henry Noe, Crystal McRoberts
and Dora Cox.
CHRISTI.V.V UXION'.
.\bnut 1872 a small Christian L'nion congregation was organized, which
held services for almost ten years at the Porter school house, located at the
southeast corner of section 28, township 15, range 7. Among the families
5^4 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
that met here fi)r worsliip were those of Alex Hargrove, George Handy and
James Reclnr.
women's clues.
To Brandywine township belongs the honor of ha\ing the first country
ciul) in the county, the Country Literary Club. This clul) was organized
October 9. 1903. It owes its birth to a lecture given by a woman foreign
missionary at the Mt. Lebanon church during the pastorate of the Rev. D. \V.
Evans. After a few meetings as a missionary society the members changed
the work to literary, and at the home of Mrs. J. C. Tyner, on Mrs. Tyner's
birthday, the Country Literary Club began its literary and social career. The
first three years were devoted to miscellaneous subjects, following which Bible
study was introduced and has been supplemented each year with either domes-
tic science, xarious literary subjects or state history. The meetings are held
on every third Wednesday during the year. The active members are lim-
ited to twenty and are residents of Center, Brandywine and Blue River
townships. The Country Literary Club was federated with the Hancock-
County Federation of Country Clubs at its organization in March, 1914.
The Klover Reading Club is a literary club organized by the ladies of
Brand\\\ine township on April 4, 1912, with an enrollment of twenty mem-
bers. The following officers were elected: Mrs. Maud Porter, president;
Mrs. Alice Scott, vice-president: Mrs. Belle Milbourn, secretarv and treas-
urer. Mrs. Charlotte Rush. Mrs. Carrie Porter, ^L■s. Or\ille Pope and Mrs.
Alaud Porter compose the prograin committee. The cluli meets on Thursday
:)fternoons at the homes of the various members once each month. The
program for the first year consisted of magazine articles, book reviews,
domestic science and word study. The program for the vears 1913, 1914 and
1915 consisted of work fmm the "Bay \'iew Magazine," Bible and "Re-
search." The memliership is limited to twenty. The club has lost one mem-
ber l)y death, Mrs. Mary Porter. The present officers are Mrs. Manie
Burke, president; Mrs. Ina Pope, vice-president; Miss Carrie Porter, secretary'
and treasurer.
11 RAW TAXP.WKRS.
Following is a li,st of the taxpayers of the township who, during 191 5,
paid taxes in amounts larger than one hundred dollars : John R. Andis,
$174.10; Morgan .Andis. $206.09; Jo'i" .Alyea. $129.95; George W. Alyea.
$117.47; Henry H. Duncan. $168.63; John Hawkins, $225.11 ; Judea Hutch-
ison (estate). $120.42: Jacob C. Hamilton, $209.36; Hemian C. Hill.
$120.59; John L. Milbourn. $479.22; Charles R. Milbourn, $387.29: John
p.RAM)v\\i\t: rowxsiiip. 525
E. Sniiih. Si(;7.4i : lunaiiucl Sniilh, $iij.oo: Cicorge R. Siders, $126.21;
Tilsliiiian II. Scudder, $161.30; Christian \V. Scliillingf. $101.55; F"annie E.
Scliilling;, $105.93; Isaac J. Bennett, $135.57; J<^1''" T. Bink, $149.76; Will-
iam !•". Espey and wife. $147.73; ^''ifdi Low, $116.38; Ricliard \V. Low.
$231.51: Henry .M . Lantz, $175.34; Jerry W. Porter. S153.35; l'"rancis INI.
Porter (estate), $1(14-27: L- C. N. Pope, $178.87; Thomas .\i. Tucker.
$103.59; John O. White. $233.63; Lewis J. \Vel)l)er. S182.37.
C.VRROI.l/rO.V.
A postoffice named Kinder was established on the present site of Car-
rollton, or near there, on .\pril 28, 1847. Its name was changed to Carroll-
ton cm jaiuiary 26. 1869. The postoffice was maintained until Se])temhcr 30.
1905, when it was taken away and mail was delivered by rural carrier from
Fountaintown. CarroUton was then without a ])Ostoffice until October 13,
T913, when it was reestablished under the name of Finly, in honor of Con-
gressman l'"inly Gray. A rural route from t'.iis postoffice was started on
March i, 1915. Before the completion of the railroad, in 1869, the mail
was delivered by a star carrier, who made two trips per week between Indian-
apolis and Rushville, as set forth under the historv of mails at Xew Palestine.
The original plat of the town of CarroUton was siu'xeyed by Lliram
Comstock, on February 28, 1854, and contained thirty-two lots. The Rev.
M. S. Ragsdale platted the onlv addition to the town, on .\ugust 23, 1870.
The business men of the place have been John Elinore. Andrews & Rose-
buiy, Lucas & Armstrong, Henry Noe. .\. R. .Sjiirlcy, C. W. .Amos, Harvey
Breedlove, JNIadison and Georg-e Campbell, J. W. Hungate. W. P. Giles. T. E.
Arnold and John Schenck. The ])hysicians have been Hiram Comstock,
Warren R. i\ing, j. .M. Larimore anrl Edgar Smith. Their practice has
been lucrative. Dr. J. ]\1. Larimore esi)ecially had a \ery extensive practice,
covering miles in all directions from the town. Dr. Edgar Hawk is the
present physician.
This little town has borne more names than anv other town in the
county. Originally it was known as Kinder. After the name of the post-
office was changed to CarroUton, in 1869, the town was given that name.
The railroad and express companies, however, adopted the name of Reed-
ville for their stations. When the postoffice was reestablished in 1913, the
name of I-"inly was added to the list, .\midst all this babel of appellations the
common folk christened it, "TailhoU." upon which Riley seized and. with
poetic genius, immortalized the town.
CHAPTER XV.
BROWX TOWNSHIP.
Brown township was originally included as a part of Blue River tnwu-
ship. Later it was set off as a part of Green township. At the September
term of tiie board of county commissioners, in 1836. it was organized as a
separate township with its present dimensions. It is six miles east and west
I)y five miles north and south. The civil township of Brown lies in two
congressional townships. A strip one mile wide off of its entire west end
lies in congressional township 17 north, range 7 east; the remaining portion
of the township, consisting of twenty-five square miles, lies in congressional
township 17 north, range 8 east.
Its surface is generally level or slightly rolling. Its natural drainage
consists of Sugar creek. Willow branch and Brandywine creek. Sugar creek
enters the extreme northeast corner of the township ; then flows to the south-
west about four miles ; thence to the northwest about four miles ; thence to
the southwest, leaving the west line of the township atout one and one-half
miles south of its north line. Sugar creek, though small, is the largest stream.
Willow branch, which rises about tw'o and one-half miles north and a mile
east of the southwest corner (jf the township, is nothing more than a large
ijpen ditch. The same is tiiie of Brandywine creek, which rises in the north-
western part of section 20, about a mile northwest of Warrington and flows
.southward through the township. The latter two streams were formerly slug-
gish, but they have been deepened and widened and now furnish good out-
lets for the southwestern part of the township. Sugar creek furnishes a good
outlet for its entire northern portion. The land has all been well drained and
is admirably adapted to heavy farming and grazing.
The first land entry in the tow'nship was made by Pryor Brown (for
whom the township was named), who, on July 3, 1830, entered the east half
of the northeast quarter of section 33, township 17, range 8. He was followed
by a number of families whose names are still familiar in'the county. Among
them are Adalin^ Edwards, John S. Murfin. l-~li Baldwin. John McOuery,
Aaron Cass, Elizabeth McCarty, John Walker, Alford Thomas, Seth
Walker, Samuel Collins, Samuel Noland, Stephen Noland, Stephen
Harlan, .\braham Cook, NA'illiam ^^'alker, Jesse Oldham. John Kennedy.
George Kennedy, Ursula Wilkinson, Conrad Coon. William Wilkinson, Ben-
526
BRdWX TOWXSIIIP. 527
jnniin Ross, Robert Eakin, John Hcndren, Hervev Scott. John Sparks, Jolin
lirewer, Samuel Smith, Tliomas H. JNIurfin, John Hays, James Wood, Jolm
CiilHns, James Piper, David Piper, Samuel Kenned)-, Daniel Blakely, Thomas
CoUins, Hiram Harlan, William F, Thomas, Joel Cook, Abraham Nibarger,
Seth Rozell, Samuel Blakely. Barzilla Rozell, William Sparks, Charity Wilkin-
son, Edward Beeson, Peter Moore, Samuel Creviston, John Vandyke, Elvin
Roland, Zachariah Sparks, Henry John, Eli Bailey, Maria Edwards, tiarvey
Bates. William Bussell, Charles Piper, John Mitchell, John Thomas, Joseph
Kennedy, Daniel Justice, Jesse Collins, James Judd, John Cook, David Hed-
rick, Tary Wilson, \Villiam Kennedy, John Hargrove, John Oldham, Cicero
Wilkinson, Daniel Wilkinson, \\'illiain Oldham, John McCray, William
Cauldwell, Marill Reeves, Moses McCray and Stephen Sparks.
MILLS .VND FACTORIES.
Sugar creek was the only stream large enougli to furnish water power
for the early settlers. Among the mills established were grist-mills, erected
by Stephen Harlan, in 1834, on Sugar creek, in the northern part of the
northwest quarter of section 22, township 17, range S. Mr. Harlan had
Icrn'ned the milling business thoroughly in the noted White Water mill, sit-
uated near Connersville, Fayette county, Indiana, which was patronized
at a very early day by Hancock county's pioneers. In 1834 he removed with
his family to Brown township, Hancock county, where, in 1835, he built the
first mill in the townshi]). He was both miller and millwright. His first mill
was situated on Sugar creek on Mr. Harlan's farm, southeast of where the
Harlan cemetery "is now located. It was of the "com cracker" variety, and
was propelled by an undershot water-wheel. The building was made of poles
and covered with clapboards and was considered as the most "up-to-date" mill
in the county. It was abandoned about 1852, and was used as a dwelling for
several years by Lorenzo Brown, who had married Mr. Harlan's tlaughter.
Nancy. Mr. Harlan immediately erected a larger and better mill, one-fourth
mile distant, which was run by an overshot wheel. It was so near the source
of Sugar creek, and the creek being flat and shallow at this point, the race
could not be kept within its banks in times of high water and during a dry
season the water supply was insufficient to propel the wheel. It was operated
for about ten years.
A saw-mill was erected by David Blakelj- in 1S36, on Sugar creek, just
above Nashville, and one was erected by one Jenkins in 1850, at the northwest
corner of section 10, township 17, range 8, on the line between Hancock and
Madison counties. It was operated for several years after the war. A saw-
5^8 IIAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
mill was erected l;y Lane & C()ni])any, in 1852. at tiie northeast corner of the
west Iialf of the southeast quarter of section 31. township 17, range 8, at
wlial Iiccanie known as Scrahhletown. This mill was later owned by Dr.
Samuel A. Trov and olhers and was finally mo\-ed away, proljalih' durin<^ the
seventies. A saw-mill was erected in 1855 hy Stephen Harlan and I^orenzo
Brown on Sugar creek, a little south and west of the Harlan cemetery; one
1)\- Trees & Brother, in 1863. in the northeast ])art of Warrinj^tun. and one Ijy
Walton & Brother, in 1868, on Sugar creek, in the western part of the south
half of the southeast quarter of section 7, township 17, range 8, the latter
being operated for ten years or more.
A tile factory was established in September. 1870, just southwest of War-
rington by John K. Trees. The factory was later operated by Copeland &
(iarriott. James Trees and Mr. Thomas. During the seventies and early
eighties a great many tile were manufactured at this place. Work was sus-
pended about 1885.
A grist-mill, built at Warrington in 1875 by Dr. C. C. and John Loder.
was .sold to Power & Cranfil! in 1870: Cranfill's interest was sold to I'rank
Marsh in 1879. The mill burned 111 1877 and was rebuilt bv Power an.d
others. An interest was also held in the mill by Dr. Charles Titus and
William I. (iarriott. Hanna. Power, Titus, Garriott, all had an interest in
the mill at different times during the eighties antl nineties. In i8q8 it burned
again, but was rebuilt in 1899 by Keller & Wilson. Untried machinery was
installed, which ])roved to be a failure. The mill has now stood idle since
atout 1900.
Atile yard was established just east of Willow in i<)o'6 by Fred Wicker
and Earl Frost, who sold to Herschell C. Hutchins in the spring of 191 5.
SCHOOLS.
The first school house in Brown tnwnship was built by Mo.ses McCray.
who was born in Bourbon count}', Kentucky, .\ugust 15, 1794. He was
reared and educated in Fayette county, Indiana, near the city of Connersville,
where, in 181 7. he was married to Jane Sparks. In 1831 he removed with
his wife and children to Rush ciunty, Indiana, where he remained for two
years. He then came to Brown township. Hancock county, in 1833. .\ few
families had preceded him. but they were of small means and with limited
or no education. He entered in all four hundred acres of land. No sooner
had his two-story log house and big log barn been constructed, than he cut
from his own forest poplar and walnut logs, and, with the help of his boys
built the first school house in Brown township, in 1834. For seven years he
BROVVX TOW'XSIIII'. 529
wielded the nnl and tau.i^iit '"tlie nilo nf lliree" withe ml rc-cenin,^" any compen-
sation as a teaclier. Jn tiiis old log schnnl house, which stood on the site of
the present McCray cemetery, he educated his family. The school often num-
liered tiiirty children, some nf whom came a distance of seven miles. Among
those who cam^ so far were Samuel Wales, father of loiin Wales, of Jackson
township, Wintford Wales, and their sister, who married Nathan Overman.
When the snows were too deep or the creeks too high they would remain
witii Mr. McCray until conditions improved. Sunda)- .school and singing
schools were conducted in this school hcnise on Sundays and usually lasted
from early morning until night. Logs split lengthwise were used for benches,
and all available literature was pressed into use.- Bibles, almanacs, readers
and arithmetics served as textbooks, from which the fundamentals were
taught.
Brown townsJiip also luul its other log schools, all of which were re[)laced
l)y frame houses about the time of the Civil War. or a little later. These, in
turn, were followed Ijy the lirick houses that were constructed during the
eigiuies and nineties. Originally there were nine single-room district .school
buildings. About 1874 a two-story brick school house was erected at War-
rington with two rooms. This house was used until iH';4, when it was torn
down and a four- room brick house was constructed. At different times dur-
ing the eighties, and probably earlier, high school classes were organized for
the term. District No. 7, where Wilkinson now stands, also had a large
enumeration, and in 1884 a l)rick school was erected, there. A small recita-
tion room about twenty feet S(|uare was carved out of one corner of the larger
room so that two teachers were employed during the eighties. Later, another
room was added and three teachers were employed until the four-room house
was erected, in 1904. Old jirinted lists of teachers show that sometimes two
teachers were employed, at otiier times one teacher for each of these schools.
Systematic high school work was begun at Warrington in 1894, the
same vear that the four-rooni brick liuilding was constructed. W. B. Stookey
was the first principal of the high school, b'ollowing are the teachers who
have had charge of the .school since that time: Walter Bridges, 1895: Walter
T. Orr. 1897: A. H. Symons. 1899: Ord Kuhn, 1902; O. W. Jackson. 1903:
D. W. Sanders, T904; L. L. Lydy. IQ05: Jesse D. Knight, 1907; Lawrence
Bridges, 1908; Eva Hubbard, 1909; John T. Rash. if;i i : Leland S. Hamilton.
T912, after holidays, and J. P. Amick, 1914.
The school at first followed the regular three-year course that was organ-
ized for the county. Its first class graduated in the spring of 1899 during
the principalship of Walter T. Orr. .\fter the towns of Shirlev, Wilkinson
(34)
530 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
and Willow caine into existence, and after the interurban line had been con-
structed through the southern part of the township, there was a feeling that
the school should be located at Wilkinson, where it would be more accessible.
From 1903-1907 it had a full attendance. But for several years prior to 191 1
the attendance at Warrington did not exceed fifteen or eighteen students,
those along the car line asking to be transferred to Kennard, in Henry county.
In the fall of 191 1 the question of the location of the high school became
acute and it became necessary for the trustee to make a decision as to whether
it should remain at Warrington or he moved to Wilkinson. It was finally
moved to Wilkinson, with John T. Rash as principal. The school at once
had a large incoming class. Each of the successive classes has Ijeen large,
and in the winter of 1915-16 the school had an attendance of about seventy-
five. It was certified by the state departm.ent in 1911-12. Two additional
rooms were built in 1913, and the school received its first commission dur-
mg tlie winter of 1913-14 under the principalship of J. P. Amick. A kitchen
was full)' equipped for domestic science work in the fall of 1914. Three
teachers are now employed in the high school.
Shirley, although a town with a population of about one thousand and
two hundred, has never appointed a school board to take charge of its schools,
•""or several years during the growth of the town, rooms were rented iiere and
there, and schools conducted in various places. A four-room building, how-
ever, was erected in 1900, which burned during the winter of 1907-08. In
1908 the present six-room building was constructed, during the trusteeship
of John S. Mooney.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Brown township has a population of 3,028, as shown by the United States
census report of 1910. In the spring of 1915. 630 children between the ages
of six antl twenty-one years were enumerated for school purposes. There
were enrolled in the schools of the townsliip in 1914-15, 594 pupils. Of
these, 62 were in the high school and 532 in the elementar}' grades. The
average daily attendance for the year 1914-15 in the high school was 53: in
the elementary grades, 404. The total cost of maintaining the elcmentar\'
schools during the year was $9,209.76; the total cost of maintaining the high
school during the year was $3,058.24. The total amount paid teachers for
the year was $8,045. The estimated value of the school property as reported
by the township trustee on August i, 191 5, was $50,000. The total assess-
ment of taxables in the township as reported by the assessor in 19 14, was
$1,680,580. Ninety children were transported to school at a cost to the
township of $1,487.00.
BROVVX TOWNSHIP. i3 I
TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES.
The toUnw iiig- men have served as township trustee sinee the enactment
of the law ereating the office in 1859: Wilham L. Garriott, 1859; Mont-
gomery Marsh, 1861 ; B. F. Reeves, 1S63; J. W. Trees, 1864; WilHam Marsh,
i8()5; Wilham L. Garriott, 1878: John B. Hays, 1882; John S. Orr, 1884;
r>enjamin !•". Reeves, 1886-1888; J. C. Kennedy, 1890; P. K. May, 1894;.
Arthur B. Harlan, 1900; John S. Mooney, 1904; Ord Kuim, 1908: and James
cr. Van Duyn. 1914.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
The local courts have heen presided over by the following men since the
organization of the township: Barzilla Rozell, ; Seth Walker. 1836;
Robert Eakin, 1840; Benjamin F. Reeves, 1870-74; H. B. Collins, 1876;
Daniel Wilkinson, 1840; Robert Eakin, 1845, 1855; A. D. Childers, 1848,
1853, 1857; Neville Reeves, 1850, Benjamin McCarty, 1858, 1862, 1866;
William L. (iarriott, 1862; Benjamin F. Reeves, 1866, 1878; Alfred P. Mc-
Kinsey, 1S70; Joseph Garriott, 1880, 1884, 1890, 1906; William Collins, 1881 ;
George Sowervvine, 1882-86; John S. Thomas, 1883-84; Heniy Valentine,
1888; William R. Reeves, 1888-1900; John W. Smith, 1894-1911; Sylvester
Hamilton, 1901 ; Joseph PI. C. Denman, 1903; Omer C. Tucker, 1905; Jesse
W. Smith. 1906; Alfred M. Mannings, 1910.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
Brown township has furnished a numlier of the people's ser\-ants, among
whom are L}sander Sparks and William J. Garriott, auditors ; George W.
Ham, treasurer; Taylor W. Thomas and William (j. Caldwell, sheriffs; James
K. King, county surveyor; Ephraim Marsh, clerk; Seth Walker, Daniel
Wilkinson. Xcville Reeves, John B. Plays, Moses Bates and James H. Bus-
^■ell. county commissioners; Benjamin F. Reeves, representative.
TAXPAYERS.
h'ollowing are also the names of the persons who paid ta.xes in amounts
exceeding one hundred dollars in 1915: Thomas H. Amistrong, $iig.57;
American Creosoting Companw $230.60: William T. Bridges, $115.30;
William .\. Barrett, $141.61; John Brooks, $155.90; Lorenzo D. Cook.
$221.07; Elmer Cook, $125.76; William A. Collingwood, $228.37; Meshack
Collier. $184.53; Roljert J. Colhns, $265.52; E. J. Cranfill, $115.30; Eliza-
beth Copeland, $196.71; Lafayette Delph, $185.04; William S. Eakin,
$233.25; William R. Gibbs, $102.71 : Thomas Albea, $111.03; James H. Bus-
^^2 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
sell, S1C9.21; William O. Bridges. $iijo.99: Sarah E. Braddock, $135.49:
John F. Cook, $293.97; Eli Cook. $128.71: Matt F. Cook (heirs). $123.63:
Charles R. Collier. $212.04: Ceorge W. Collins, $253.14: William H. Chew.
$157.73: William H. Collier. $130.74; Porter Copeland, $124.44; Delia Doo-
little. ,f 103.33: Moses C. l'"ort (estate). $255.89; Stephen J. Harlan. $356.69.
Stakely Hays (heirs), $114.69; John 1). Hedrick, $223.10: John L. Hanna.
$142.82; Nancy A. Judge, $140.48: (Jeorge T. Johnson. $121.60; James M.
Keller, $132.26: Ord W. Kuhn. $125.16: John L. Kennedy, S101.30: Frank
M. Martindale. $106.17; Henry Marsh, $145.75; Jacob McDaniel. $157.88:
James B. McDaniel, $150.42: James E. Xolan. $113.91; Emiline I. Pa.xton.
$174.93: WiUiam R. Reeves. $152.84; Eli .\. Richart. $226.55: J. B. and
R. J. Simmons, $369.06: Charles F. Smith, $142.52: Juliette Thomas.
$163.82; Taylor B. Thomas, $190.00: Charles Titus, $149.92: Warren W.
Van Duyn. $106.98: Alliert Walker, $241.98; William Whetsel. $149.40:
Margaret lUuris. $173.05: I-'anners National Bank, $364.99; Jacob W. Price,
Si74.()3; Charles .\. Frash. $123.04; Guliford Kerr and wife. $103.79; Kuntz
Lumber Company. $224.84; Mary E. Hays. $166.26: \\'illiam Hanna.
$109.01 ; David .A. John, $100.89; Charles E. Judge. $220.37; John William
Jackson, $110.75; Florence A. Kerwood, $250.30; Ira C. Kendall. $137.43;
Martha !•". Martindale. $356.07: Emma F. Marsh, $109.01: John Masters,
$111.45; Jacob .\. McDaniel. $123.53; John F. McCray. $137.94; James T.
Overman. $101.89: Jo.seph P. Reeves. $134.18: John .\. Reddick. $133.57:
Raleigh F. Rigney. $180.47; ^^ eston Summerville. $221.89: John B. Sim-
mons, Jr., $291.27; Joseph E. Thomas, $171.13; Elmer E. Trees, $121.52;
J. R. Titus and Sarah J. Titus. $211.94: Joseph H. Walker. $118.56; John
Whisier, $338.30: Harrison Cook, $412.62: h'lijali Alartindaie. $.^05.33:
George W. Sowerine. $161.28; George W. Ham. $233.08: Charles Martin-
dale, trustee, $22},./~ : ^^■oodl)ury (]lass Company, $746.29.
COXCORO BAl'TLST CHURCH.
The Concord Baptist church is located at the northwest corner of section
22. township 17, range 8. When the township was first organized and ix)p-
ulated some of its most prominent settlers were believers of the Hardshell
Baptist faith. These pioneers worshipped regularly at tlie home of -Stephen
Harlan, and in the log bam of Moses McCray, until the erection of the first
log school house in 1834 (where the McCray cemetery now stands). This
building was used for church purposes as well as for school.
On October 29. 1838. the Ba])tist brethren met at the home of Stephen
Harlan and organized the Concord Baptist church, with the following char-
BRdwx TowxsHri'. 53,^
ler members; Steplieii Harlan and Polly, his wife, Moses McCray and Jane,
his wife, Hiram Harlan and wife, Morgan McOuery and wife, William
Sparks, Jane Ross (Reeves), Jane Wilkinson, Chanty Wilson, Jacob J'ark-
linrst. Morgan McOuery was clmscn moderator and Jacolj Parkhurst, clerk.
They proceeded at once to erect a log church. The logs were donated Ijy
Stephen Harlan and Moses McCray, and the church was erected on a little
Icnoll in the soutliwest corner of the ])resent cemetery boundaries.
In 1H55 the old log church \\as abandoncfl and a frame building, thirty-
lour by thirty-six feet, was erected, a little north and east of the old church
site, and was dedicated in 1856 by Elder John Si)arks, of Connersville.
The families of Cooks, Nolands, .\bram Nibargtrs, Jacob B. Hamilton,
Johnsons, Wrights, Isaac Hamilton, and man\- others had been addeil to the
list of churcli members and the church flourished for twenty years thereafter,
facob B. Hamilton, Cicero Wilkinson and William \\'right were its first trus-
(ees, and John and William Sparks, of Connersville. were its first pastors.
These brothers were also brothers of Polly Harlan and Jane McCray (charter
memliersV. They were highly educated Baptist ministers and possessed of
nuicli t'arthly goods. Thev were great powers in the u])building of this
church, making the trip from their homes once or twice each month nn horse-
back. Other ministers wh^ labored for the church after its reorganization in
1855 were John V. Johnsnn, Daniel Cunningham, James F. Collier, Thomas
Smith. Matthew Harlan. Samuel D. Harlan, Thomas S. Lyons, William
truckles and S. Da\id Harlan. S. David Harlan was the last ])ersiin ordained
10 preach in this church. This ordination occurred more than thirty years
ago and was very beautiful and impressi\e. Very few of the pastors received
pay for their services, and all but three were from Fayette and Rush counties.
.Vearly all of the carK- members of this church were originally members of
the White Water association of Connersville, conse(|uently this association
often held its yearly meetings here.
I'"arly in the seventies a Missionary Baptist churcli, knnwn as the Collier
church, was erected five miles north of Conciird church and a great part of
'he Concord membership united with the Collier organization. The older
members were passing to their reward and within the space of ten years or
about 1885. the church membership drojjped from one hundred and twenty-
five to less than forty, since which time the membership has gradually
decreased until there are but two surviving members. Lealden Johnson, of
Shirley, and Mrs. Sarah Cook, of Wilkinson, one of the ])ioneer members, who
is now in her eighty-fifth year.
The silent "city of the tlead," which surrounds this uld church, was laid
534 HANCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
off in 1855 and many people who labored for the welfare of church and com-
munity in Brown township's early history slumber in its bosom. Caroline
Mays, wife of John Mays, one of the very early pioneers, was the first per-
son laid to rest in the original plot; the present boundaries have been extended
to include the fjrave of a little child who froze to death en Sugar creek in
1S32.
Some twenty years ago the church was remodeled by public subscription
and has since been kept as a community building for any sort of public wor-
ship or endeavor. Though Baptist services are no longer held beneath its
kindly shelter, its pioneer memories linger dear in the hearts of Brown town-
ship's people. The first trustees elected by the public to care for church and
cemetery were Joseph McDaniel. \Mlliam Chew-, and Robert Collins, who
ser\ed in this capacity for many years. The present trustees are Joseph
McDaniel, Allen Nibarger and Guy McCollough.
ZION's CirAl'EL (METHODIST EPISCOPAL.)
A small band of Methodists held services in the vicinity of Xashville
during the thirties. Among those who worshipped together were Mrs. Seth
Walker. Maria Wilson, John Kennedy and wife, Elizabeth W'alker, Samuel
Griffith and wife, Sarah Newkirk, John Xibarger, Sarah Xibarger and
Amanda Childers. These people worshipped at the residences of each other
until 1S39. when the men contributed of their time and built a church at
Xashville.
Among those who donated labor and material were Dr. \\illiam Trees,
Thomas W. Collins, David X^oble, Samuel Griffith, John Kennedy and Seth
U'alker. They continued to worship at this church until 1856, when it became
dilapidated. Services were then conducted in a school house until 1859.
For some time previous to this date another group of Methodists at W'ar-
rington had been worshipping at the house of Dr. William Trees. In .1859
these wings united and built a new church midway between Warrington and
Xashville. This church, formerly called Clifton, was located at the southeast
corner of section 8, tow-nship" 17, range 8, where the congregation still wor-
ships. The union was effected during the pastorate of the Rev. Templeton.
.Among the charter members of the new congregation were also Samuel Grif-
fith and wife, Mrs. Sarah Xewkirk, Thomas Collins, Samuel Xoland and wife,
Lewis Stickler and wife. Jesse Collins and wife. The new church was used
until July, 1881. when it burned. In 1882 a new frame house was erected.
The church has a membership of about forty-five.
In the absence of records the following pastors are called to memory:
KKOW.V TOWXSIIIl'. 535
Revs. Jolin Tliomas, three years; Circle. Pierce, S. V. Harter, Pfeiffer,
Wright. W. K. Loveless. Harvey. Hartman, Bright, W'esthafer, Phillips.
I'arkensdii. C'rider. Oliver P. X'anWie. The church at different times has
l^een on the Cadiz. Shirley and APirkleville ciiarges. At present it constitutes
a ])art of the Markleville charge.
A Sunday school has been inaintained for a number of vears, but no
record has been kept from which an accurate history can be written. At pres-
ent there is an average attendance of about thirty. Four classes are main-
tained and most of the adult church members are in attendance. Among
those who have served as superintendents of tlie Sunda\- school are, William
Bridges, Philip \'aii J )uyn, Frank Bridges, William Whetzel, Grover Van
Duyn, Flla Bridges, John Collier. Walter Adams and John Morris.
WARRIXGTOX.
Warrington is one of the old towns of the countv, located on the Knights-
town and Pendleton state road. The town was originally laid out by John
Oldham, on October 6, 1834, the original plat consisting of forty-eight lots.
A re-survey of this plat was made by Montgomery Marsh on February 1,
1865. The following additions have been made since that time:
Trees' Addition, platted on April 13, 1877, by William Trees; eight lots.
Lewis E. Trees' Addition, platted by Lewis E. Trees, September 29,
1892 ; twelve lots.
Margaret Trees' Addition, platted by ^Margaret trees. 'Slay 18. 1898;
thirteen lots.
The first postoffice in the vicinity was kept by Samuel Blakely at his
residence on the state road a distance northwest of \\"arrington. Later the
office was moved to the town. Before the railroad was built through Wilkin-
son the mail was delivered by the Kni.ghtstown and .\nderson stage, which
made a trip over the road daily. Freight was brought from Knightstown
and .Vnderson, principally from Knightstown. Since the construction of the
railroad, mail is brought daily from Wilkinson.
Warrington is centrally located in Brown township. For many years
there were no surrounding towns of any prominence and Warrington became
the metropolis of that i)art of the countiy. Though the resident population
of the town was small, its trading population twenty and twenty-five years
ago extended in all directions for a distance of six or eight miles. It
was one of those little country towns to which people came for miles to trade.
Among the early business men were John Sparks, Roliert Eakin, James K.
King. ). R. Trees, Barzilla Rozell. Ferguson & Goble. Seward i*v- MrCnmas
536 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
and Montgomeiv Marsh. Tharpe & Brother engaged in the merchandise
business tliere ahnnst a lialf century ago. H. C. Garriott in 1S74 opened a
store that was conchictcd by himself and his son, W'ilHam I. < larrintt. for
ahtiost twenty-five years. The present merchants are James B. Clark and
\V. E. Albea. Charles W. Zedekar owns the blacksmith shop.
LODGES.
Very early in the history of \\'arrington, about 1856. a lodge of Masons
was organized. Among the early members were James K. King, Lysander
Sparks. James ^IcCray. William (i. Caldwell. Thomas Walker. .\n<lrew \' an-
dyke, James Daugherty. .\nanias Conklin. W. P. White. Aloses Cottrell, J. A.
McDaniel. John Vandyke. William ]\larsh and F. L. Seward. In 1866 the
lodge room lunned and the charter was surrendered.
Warrington Ix)dge. No. 411, lnde])en(lent Order of Odd bellows, was
organized May Ji. 1873, with the following charter members: William Trees,
J. D. Newkirk, J. (i. Trees. William Kenyon and Henry C. Garriott. The
lodge grew to a membership of about forty dming the early eighties and
owned its own hall. 'With the growth of Wilkinson and Shirlev. new lodges
were organized. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows emblem may still
be seen on the old hall at Warrington. Tlie niemljers of the Odd Fellows
lodge consolidated with the Wilkinson lodge about ten years ago.
I'Viendship Lodge No. 138, Daughters of Rebekah, was organized at
\\ arrington on l)eceml)er 16, 1874. Its charter members were Henry C.
Garriott, Matilda Trees, William Kenyon, .\. M. Smith, J. I). Xewknk, Dr.
C. C. Loder, Jennie Lodcr, \\'illi;ini II, Power. Sarah Xewkirk. William
Trees, John Miller and M. L. Miller.
Warrington Lodge Xo. 531, Free and .\ccepted Masons, was organized
at Warrington May 22. 1877, with the following charter members: William
G. Cauldwell, Henry B. Wilson. William M. Hays. Roljert Blakely. William
Mar.sh, J. A. Hamilton, 1*". M. Graham, John X'andyke and A. C. Walinn. It
owned its own lodge r(X)m anrl had a membershi]) of twenty-five or thirty dur-
ing the eighties.
.\ Red Allen's lodge was also organized a tew years ago, but has s!:u-e
been moved to Wilkinson.
For several years no lodge meetings have been held at Warrington by
any of the orders.
UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH, WARRINGTON.
The U'nited Brethren class at W^arrington was organized about 1850, and
worshipped for ten or twelve years at Zion's chapel. In 1872 the congregation
liRow.N Towxsnir. 537
erected a neat frame laiilding at Warrington at a cost of two thousand and
four hundred dollars. The money was raised Ijy public donations. Tlie
church was built of natixe timber which was prepared by tiie W'arrington
Saw-mill Company, who donated the sawing. The owners of the saw-mill
were Thomas Armstrong, John Tharpe. Littleton Davis and l-'rank R(jck.
The seats were of ash taken from the farm of Joseph Baer. Thev were sawed
at the Warrington n'ill and tlien taken to Knightstown to he planed. The
lot on which the church stands was purchased from John Trees at the cost
of one hundred dollars. The contractor was James Pratt, of Charlottesville,
Tnd. Tiie churcii was dedicated by Bishop Edwards in 1872. The first trus-
tees were John Bridges, Thomas Armstrong and Jolm Trees, .\mong the
older members of the congregation were John and Elizabeth Trees, E. J-
Kennedy and wife, Rebecca Armstrong, Elizabeth HoUiday, Thomas and
Marv .\rmstrong, John and Elizabeth Bridges, Ross and Sarah A. Card. Joe
Baer and wife. Jolm and Emma 'I'hovp. Maria Delph. Joel and Emily Cook,
John and Reliecca Rigor, Eewis and Louisa Copeland, Mary l'>rown, Jerry
Martin and wife.
I'ollowing were some of the pastors of the churcli : Revs. Halleck Eloyd.
William Gossett, Milo Bailey. W. C. Day, Phelix Denumbrum, D. E. John-
son, .\. Mvers, ^L E. Dawson, John Seelig, William (b-iffin, Cirover W^hite
and .\. Edrington.
.\ Sundav school li.as l)een maintained m tiie cbin-cb for a numi)er of
years, l-'ollowing are a numlier of the i>ersop.s who have served as superin-
tendent of tiie school : J. T. Rolierts, M. E. Dawson, A. C. Wilmore, Rebecca
.Xrmstrong, Elizalieib ibidges, Louisa Copeland, Littleton Davis, Martecia
Carter, Miner\ia Armstrong, Clema Delph. Omer Tucker, and Earl .\lbea.
ihe latter lieing superintendeiU at this time. Tiie church belongs to the Liberal
brancli of the I'nited Tirethren organization.
CIIKI.STI.VX CniRCH -\T WARRI.NT.TOX.
In llie old log school Iniilding which stood on the present site of the
McCray cemetery, and through the efforts of John McCray and his wife, Mary
h' ranees (Brown) McCray, a band of l)rothers and sisters met in the year 1R55,
and organized the first Christian church in Brown townshii). There were
twelve charter members: John McCray and his wife, Moses McCray, Martha
and Xancy McCniy, Isaac and Catharine Smith, and their daughter. Mai-y.
Kitty Ann and N'ancv Carner. Mrs. Garner, their mother, and Mrs. Penina
Slaughter. John McCray was chosen elder. Isaac Smith, deacon, and Man-
I'rances (Brown) McCray, clerk. This little band grew in grace and in the
538 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
nurture of the Lord and occasionally added another to its list of memljers. For
more than twenty years they met in the log school house until it was no
more, then at the residence of Ji>hn McCray. or in the Warrington school
house.
The ministers wiio preached for this pioneer Ijand were Isaac Snod-
grass, Isaac Lowe, .\aron Walker and David Franklin Moses McCray, John
McCray and Mary Frances (Brown) McCray were ahle exhorters. John
McCray supported the early preachers when they were in his midst antl gave
liberally of his earthly store when they were ready to depart.
In the winter of 1876-77 a union meeting was held in the L'nited Brethren
cliurch in Warrington. Elders Floyd, Da> . Davenport, Gossett, Halstead,
Gronendyke and Freeman expounded the United Brethren and Methodist
faith, while Robert Edmundson, John ^McCray, and occasionally David
Franklin, expostulated on the Bible according to the views of the Christian
church. Eacii day and night for six weeks tliese men extended the invitation
for followers of Christ to unite with the Christian church, and man\ ]>eople
answered the call and were baptized by Robert Edmundson or others. This
meeting had a broad and telling effect on the people of the community, and
materially strengthened the membership of the little band of I)elievers organ-
ized twenty years prior to this date. Out of this great religious effort grew
the idea of erecting a Christian church. Accordingly, on March 2. 1877, John
and Mary Frances (Brown) McCray. father and mother of the Christian
church in Brown township, again called a meeting of the old organization and
all the new members and organized the Warrington Christian church.
John McCray, whose death occurred on May 10. 19 15, was the last of the
twelve charter members that organized the church in 1855. His sister, ^lartha
McCray McDaniel, preceded him in death a few weeks.
The charter members of the Warrington Christian church were : John
McCray, Mary Frances (Brown) McCray, Martha (McCray) McDaniel.
Nancy (McCray) Vandenbark, Penia Slaughter. Kitty .\nn (Garner) Sparks,
^^ary ( Smith) Con,-, Xewton Martindale, Jane Martindale, Margaret Martin-
dale, John White, Temperance A\'hite, John \'andyke, Elsie Stewart \^an-
dyke, Alice Holliday, Alice Collins, Tabitha John.son, Edith Johnson. Ander-
son Johnson, Absalom Coon, Mary Jane Coon. George Coon. James Gilmore,
Mary Gilmore. ilary J. McCray (Reeves), AUce McCray (Hanna), E. C.
Martindale, Sarah Jane Martindale. William R. Reeves, Cyrus X. Reeves.
Sarah M. Reeves (Gibbs), Laura Reeves (Jones), Melvina Johnson, John
Nelson, Emma Nelson (Marsh), Janie Nelson, Belle Nelson, Sophrona
Tucker, ^Martha Welborn, Ella Welborn (Brandenburg). .\dda W'elborn
\
BROWN TOVVXSHir. 539
(Ritenour). Henry C. Garriott, Eliza A. Garriott. William H. Powers, Sarah
M. Powers, Raciiel Ross. Mary Jane Ross, Dr. C. C. Loder. Jennie Loder.
Allen York and family. Jennie Sypole, Elsie Thomas, Calvin Thomas, Keziah
Hayes (Hardy), Barbara Coon (Windsor), Alexander Eakin, Willie Smith,
the only child member. John McCray and Newton Alartindale were chosen
elders. John Vandyke and C. C. Loder, deacons, and H. C. Garriott, clerk.
The erection of the building was immediately planned, and the little vil-
lage of \\'arrington, old almost as the township, and already the seat of the
United Brethren church, was soon to claim a frame structure thirty-six by
fifty- four feet, with a seating capacity of four hundred and fifty, at a cost of
one thousand six hundred and fifty dollars. The brotherhood responded
willingly to the call for money. Six hundred dollars was paid by John McCray
and wife. The house was dedicated to God on December 25, 1877. The pas-
tors of the church were \Mley F. Ackman, 1877-78-79; David Franklin, 1880-
81 ; Cornelius Quick, 1882; Newton Wilson, 1887-88; A. M. Weston. 1889;
George Mayfield Shutts. 1890; Thomas Hall, 1891; E. Moore, 1892; Robert
Howe. 1893-94; Esom Hammond, 1895-96; D. W. Campbell, 1897-98; George
Wagoner. 1899; Thomas Mitchell Wiles, 1900; D. W. Campbell, 1901-02;
T. n. Kuhn. 1903; Carl \'an^^^inkle, 1904; Omer Hufford. 1905-06-07; no
regular pastor, 1908: Wallers, 1909; Frank Summer, 1910-1 1-12-13.
Tlie following persons have served the church in the capacity of elders :
Jolin McCray, Newton Martindale, William R. Gibbs. Ord W. Kuhn, Riley
Titus : deacons. John Vandyke. C. C. Loder, E. C. Martindale, Frank Martin-
dale, J.' P. Reeves, James Clark, Will Jackson, Albert Armstrong; trustees,
John McCray, John White, E. C. Martindale, \^'. 1. Garriott, James Clark.
Clerks. Mary Frances McCray, H. C. Garriott, \\'illiam R. Reeves and Ward
Martindale.
On March 14, 1915, most of the active members of this church abandoned
it. uniting with the church at Wilkinson, where a beautiful edifice had been
erected two years previous to this date.
The few remaining meml^ers whose love for the church in which they
first worshipped is great are hoping to be renewed in strength and number
under the pastorate of Elder Omer Hufford.
PHYSICIANS.
Among the physicians who have been engaged in the practice at War-
rington are \\'illiam Trees, Logan \\'allace. Aaron Gregg, William Reed, C.
C. Loder, R. D. Hanna. Elbert Johnson and Charles Titus. The last was
Dr. Titus, who removed to \\''ilkinson just a few years ago. At present War-
rington is without a physician.
540 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
RACE COURSE.
About 1894.-5 sc\eral men in the \iciniiy ui' Warrington associated them-
selves together for the purpose of building a race track and promoting races.
The track was liuilt southwest of the Knightstown and Pendleton road, and
was located almost directly west of the town of Warrington. .Vn amphitheater
was constructed and for five or six years races were held at the track each
summer. Large crowds were brought to Warrington and ilie business of the
town was widely advertised, it was during the nineties, probably, that War-
rington saw its palmy days. Among the men who were interested in the
race track were Dr. K. D. Hanna. William A. Justice. William 1. Garriott, Dr.
Charles Titus. Porter Copeland, j. C. Masters, William Risl<, James H. Bus-
sell, Lewis Trees, and ])robal)ly others.
NASHVILLE.
Xash\ille was originally laid out by John Kennedv and Daniel Blakeley
on December 30, 1834. The original survey consisted of thirty-two lots. The
lown was located on the Knightstown and Pendleton state road where that
road crosses Sugar creek. In its early history some business was done there.
Stores and blacksmith shops have l^ecn maintained and among the early busi-
ness men were Elijah Thornburgh, .\llen W'liite and others. William L Davis
was granted a license at tiie March term, in 1847, '^y ^h*^ board of commis-
sioners to keep a tavern at Nashville. But the stores disappeared years ago.
The blacksmith shops survived them for a number of years, but at present only
a few old houses are left and most of the lines between the original thirt\-two
lots have been obliterated.
ilAI'LE <;K0VK united brethren church, .NASHVILLE.
The Majile (irove church was organized in .\ugust, 1891, witli ilie follow-
ing charter members: Charles Bray and wife, William Cass and wife, 1. J.
Kennedy and wife. Joini Bridge and wife. Mrs. Ccorge Powers. J. H. Ken-
nedy and wife, Cjeorge Whistler. Joseph CoUingwood and wife, Ezra Colling-
wood and wife, Mrs. Lon Welborn, Mrs. Stephen Bales, Nancy Brooks. John
Trees and wife, Herschel Hamilton and wife, and John Keller. It was at
one time a part of the L'nited Brethren church at Warrington. .\ question
arose in the L^nited Brethren church throughout Indiana and other states as to
whether persons lielonging to secret orders should he admitted as members.
A division followed, of which one wing became known as the Liberals, the
other as the Radicals : the Liberal wing of this ijarticular omgregation. favor-
UKtnvx riiw xsiiir. 541
ing the admission of such persons as members of the church, retained the use
of tiie old churcli at \\ "arrington for services. The Radical wing, which is
represented l;y this church, held its meetings at the Christian church at War-
rington, Brcckenridge sciiool house and at Zion's chapel.
In 1894 the congregation erected a neat frame church at Xashville. The
house was built by I. J. Kennedy. The building C(3mmittee was composed of
Rev. John Breece. 1. H. Kennech', John Trees. Herschel Hamilton and Charles
Bray. It was dedicated on June 17. 1894. the ser\ices Ijeing conducted by
Rew Hallcck l-'loyd and Re\-. John Breece. The church trustees at the time
of the construction of the new buildmg and for several \-ears following were,
Herschel I iamilton. John At. Trees and I. J. Kennedy. The church was Ijlown
down nil June 25, 1902, but was rebuilt during the following summer by
\\'illiani 11. Powers, contractor. The new church was dedicated by Rev.
Thomas E. Kinnaman and Re\-. John A. Rector. The average attendance at
services for the past several years lias been about forty-fi\e. .\ Sundav school
was organized in July, 1894, and has an average attendance of thirty-five.
Five classes are organized and many of the adult members of the church are
in attendance. Following are the persons who ha\'e acted as superintendents
of the Sunday school : Will Cass. John Rozzell, Elmer Trees. Ed Jackson.
Austin Smith. George Powers and Flomer Collins.
The following are also the names of the pastors who ha\e served the
congregation since its organization ; John Rector, 1891 ; John Reece. 1893-95;
James Rector. 1895-98; A. J. Stanley, 1898-99. Robert Harlow, 1899-1900:
Charles Rector, 1900-01; Thomas E. Kinnaman. 1901-03; Charles Bray.
1903-04: .\braham Rust. 1904-05; Everett Chalfant. 1905; James .A. Rector,
; William '\\'hetsel. ; Arlie Collins, 190Q-10: Halleck b'loyd. k^io-
11; Abraham Ru.st. 1911-12; Charles Bray, 1912-13; Elias Levi, 1913-14;
Lawrence Thornburg, 10)14-15; James A. Rector, 1915-16.
WILLOW.
As early as 1854 Jonathan Smith, who owned the southeast quarter of
section 35, township 16, range 7. in Green township, established a store and
a postoffice along the north line of his farm 'a short distance west of the
township line. The postoffice was named Willow Branch and was maintained
by Mr. Smith for a numlier of years. In 1874 .Austin B. Thomas engaged in
the merchandise business on the site of the present town of U'illow. The
postoffice was moved to bis store and he remained postmaster for a number
of vears. .\fter the railroad had been constructed the town began to erow.
.\mong the business men of the j)lace have l)een .Austin B. Thomas. .A. W.
54-2 HAXCOCK COUXTY, INDIANA.
Hammer, W. H. W'elborn, Patterson & Williams, merchants; Oren S. Record
and Henry Johns, hardware and implement dealers ; Henry Kenyon, J. X.
Spegal, Fred Gates, Frank Snipe & Son, blacksmiths.
About twelve years ago Andrew J. and Thomas H. New built the ele-
vator, which they sold to I. H. Kinder, and which is now operated by the Col-
lingwood Brothers. About 1906 a tile factory was established just east of the
town by Fred Wicker and Earle Frost. It is now operated by Herschell
Hutchins.
The postoffice was first known as Willow Branch and the town was
platted as Willow Branch by Austin B. Thomas on April 21, 1882, the original
plat consisting of fifty-six lots. One addition of forty-eight lots was made to
the town by Julia A. Thomas on October 13, 1886. During the nineties the
name of the postoffice was changed to Willow.
UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH ( WILLOW ).
A United Brethren congregation at Willow was organized in 1889. Dur-
ing the summer of that year they purchased the Pleasant Hill Methodist
Episcopal church building and moved it to Willow. In June, 1889, the build-
ing had been remodeled and the people began worshipping in it. Among the
families who belonged to the church were the Collins, Bakers, Valentines,
Mills, Fletchers and Humbles. The pastors sening the congregation were
tlie Revs. Rol^erts, Hunt, Veal, Wyant, Rice, and Martin. No Sunday school
>vas conducted. Services ceased to be held about 1895-96.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (wiLLOW).
The early history of this church has been given as a part of the Pleasant
riill Methodist Episcopal church in Jackson township. The cr.ngregation
worshipped in that house until in the spring of 1889. .\mong the families
who were interested in the removal of the site to the town of Willow were
'.lie Hustons, Staleys, Forts, Thomases, Paxtons, Babcocks, Mouldens and
Ryons. The lot for the church was donated by A. B. Thomas and wife. The
building committee was composed of Lucian Thomas. Martin Thomas. John
R. Thomas, Jr., Moses Fort and Jasper Moulden. The house was completed
at a cost of two thousand and seven hundred dollars and was dedicated on
February 10, 1889. At different times the church has belonged to the Char-
lottesville, Maxwell and Shirley circuits. Among the pastors who have sers-ed
the congregation, and who are well remembered by tlic people, are the Revs.
Slack, Bowers, Ruley, Pierce, -Mbertson, Loveless. Duryee and Anderson.
The congregation at present has a membership of about seventy-five. The
BROWX TOWNSHIP. 543
rxverage attendance al cliurch serxices is, from forty to fifty. Many of tlie
;i(lull members of the church are also in tiic Sunday school, which has an
a\era,t:;c attendance of about si.xty-five. /Vmong those who have taken an
active interest in the Sunday school during the past 3-ears are Alessrs. Thomas.
Higgins, Paxton, Fort, Sherry and Collins. A Woman's Foreign Missionary
Society has been organized in the church with twenty-seven members.
WILKIXSOX.
The original plat of Wilkinson was surveyed by Elnathan and Thomas
I!. Wilkinson on January i6. 18S3, consisting of thirt}.-t\vo lots. Since that
lime the following additions have been made thereto:
Vandenbark's Addition, platted by Benjamin H. Cook. William Kenyon,
!•:. B. Byrket, J. H. Pennington,. J. \Y. S. Graves, W. G. Bridges and P. K.
May. July 20, 1893; forty lots.
South Addition, platted by Jonathan A. Ayers, trustee, November 19,
1900; thirty-two lots.
X'andenbark's Second Addition, platted by Moses W. \'andenbark in
October, 19C0; twenty-seven lots.
P. K. May's Addition, platted liy P. K. May, April 8. 1901 ; sixteen lots.
Wilkinson has grown up since the construction of the railroad through
I hat [loint. The discovery of gas gave the town quite a boom when several
factories were located diere, among them being two glass factories.
Wilkinson has two rural free delivery routes, established September i,
1902 and ]\Iay i, 1903, respectively.
INCORPORATION AS A TOWN.
Wilkinson.was not incorporated until 1914. On January 28 of that year
a petition was filed with the county board of commissioners of Hancock
county asking for the incorporation of W-^ilkinson as a town. This petition
was signed by John W. Garriott, Walter S. Reeves, James F. Miller, J. L.
Justice, John Yeider, Claude R. Woods, J. E. Price, W. H. Julian, Earl R.
Gibbs, L. L. Cooper, J. P. Cooper, John C. Wood, Milton Collins, W. L.
Collins, E. C. Martindale, George W. Sowerwine, W. S. Crum. William W'.
Gipe, David M. Moore, Albert Annstrong, R. H. Yelton, Joseph Smitli, Clar-
ence Jones, A. Paxton, D. M. Cooper, William M. Valentine, Ward Keller,
Guy L. Reeves, L. L. Scudder, .\. E. Nicely, Walter Apple, J. S. Smith,
Clarence Walker, R. E. Chapman, J. T. Overman, V. T. Chapman, George W.
Julian, Claud Davy. John \'anmeter, Wiley Tuterow, George E. Clouds,
R. F". Gray. J. C. Cooper, A. L. Mogle, John .A. W'isehart, Evert Hawkins,
544 HANCOCK COUXTV. INDIANA.
E. C. Wiseliart. Charles Wisehart. Charles Walker. Emma L. Justice. Mary
C. Scudder, Minnie \'alentine and Delia K. (iibbs.
The petition showed that the town contained three hundred and forty
residents, of whom one hundred and two were qualified voters. The board of
commissioners at their February meeting. 1914. set the i8th day of February.
19 14, as the time for an election to detemiine whether the town should lie
incorporated. Xinety-one votes were cast, fifty-seven being in favor of the
incorporation and thirty-fnur against it. Upon receiving the report of this elec-
tion the board of commissioners on February 21, 1914. ordered the town incor-
porated under the name of Wilkinson. An election was immediately held at
which the following men were elected as the town's first officers: John C.
Garriott. clerk: Dr. Earl R. Gibbs, treasurer: K. C. Garriott. marshal: Dr.
Julian, health officer: S. C. Staley. John Cooper and ^latt F. Cook, trustees.
S. C. Stalev was the first president of the board of trustees.
STORM.
On Mav 12. 18S6, Wilkinson was partially destroyed by a cyclone, in
which Glenn Smith, little son of John Smith, also Samuel White, who resided
just east of the town, were killed, and Mr. White's daughter was seriously
injured. Wilkinson was also visited by the storm of June 25. 1902. in which
one glass factory was blown down and several men seriously injured, two of
them dying from the effects of their injuries.
FARMERS N.\TI0N.\L BANK OF WILKINSON.
The Fanners National Bank was organized at Wilkinson on November
21. 1908. w-ith a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars. Its first offi-
cers were S. C. Stalev. president : George Sowerwine, vice-president : Jesse F.
Evans, cashier. The present officers are George W. Sowerwine, president :
J. B. Simmons, vice-president: S. C. Staley, cashier: Robert I. Marsh, attor-
ney; S. C. Staley. George W. Sowerwine, John W. WTales. W. H. Simmons.
T. B. SimuKins. R. S. N. Oldham and J. F. Evans, directors. The bank's
capital and surplus now amount to thirty-five thousand dollars.
Its stockholders are Lucy Manlove. Margaret Burris, Harrison K. Cook.
Elmer Cook. Nancy V. Cook. Mary C. Cook. John F. Collins, D. M. Cooper.
Jesse F. Evans. John W. S. Groves. .Amos Hill. Lawrence Kennedy. ^\'. R.
Kennedy. Emma Kendall. Morning Star Lodge. Knights of Pythias: I. H.
Meredith. Etta Maxwell. William Noland, R. S. N. Oldham. J. E. Noland.
S. C. Staley, George W. Sowerwine. Mary Scudder. John D. Simmons. Will-
iam H. Simmons. Susie Tullev and Tohn W. Wales.
BROWX TUW.XSllll'. 545
LODGES.
Momiiiu- Star l.odge Xc ijf), Knigiils of Pythias, was instituted at Wil-
kinson on l-~el)ruary i6, 1886, witli twenty cliarlcr members. Tlie Indge lield
its meetings in several different rooms until 1892, when a hall known as
"Public Hall" was purchased and occupied until 1914. At that time a trade
was made with the Improved Order of Red Men. The lodge now owns
ils own building, composed of the lodge room and one business room. It also
owns si.x shares of stock in the h'armers National !>ank at Wilkinson. The
estimated value of its property is fi\e thousand dollars. Its membership at
the close of 1915 was one hundred and sixty-two.
The Pythian Sisters at one time maintained a lodge, b.ut they have sur-
rendered their charter.
BLvening Star Lodge No. 503, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was
moved to \\'ilkinson from ?\Iaplc Vallev in 1886. It now has about seventy
members.
Wilkinson also had se\'eral other hjdges. The (iood Templars instituted
a lodge in 1886. The Daughters of Rebekah organized in February, 1895.
The Red Men also maintain an organization.
PROTEST.\NT EPISCOP.VL CHURCH.
The first service of the Protestant Episcopal church in Brown township
was held in Loudenback's hall, Wilkinson, on the evening of .August 2<'\ 1885,
by the Rev. Willis D. Engle, of Indianapolis. Wilkinson then numbered
about one hundred inhabitants and was without a house of worship, although
the F^riends had secured pledges toward a building, which was erected in the
spring of 1887.
On September 15, 1885, the gift of a lot was secured upon condition that
a church building be erected thereon within three years. T. P>. and Nathan
Wilkinson, of Rnightstown, being the donors. In 1887 Ihc work of church
construction was begun. William FI. Power was superintendent of tiie car-
penter work and Hugh Carmichae! of the stone work. The building materia!
was furnished b)- S. P. Jennings, of New Castle.
Mr. Engle continued .semi-monthly meetings from August, 1885, until
Septemlier 23, 1887, when the corner stone for the church was laid with ri
beautiful ceremony, conducted l)y Rew W. D. luigle and P)is!iop Knicker-
backer, D. D., of Indianapolis.
On Januarjr 25, 1888, the building was dedicated in an impressive man-
ner as St. Marv's church liv Rev. Engle .tnd a company of his brethren in the
(35)
546 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
faith from Xewcastle and Indianapolis. For a number of years religious
services were held regularly in this church, but having failed to secure one
member who accepted the faith according to the Episcopal belief, the church
was fmally abandoned and later sold to the Christian church.
FRIENDS CHURCH.
The Friends church at Wilkinson was organized in 1885 under the Rev.
William Watts, after revival meetin.gs held by Revs. Seth Stafford and Clark
Hosier. Following were the charter members : Lorenzo D. Cook, Elizabeth
Cook, Lorenzo W. Forbes, Lydia Forbes, Cicero Hardin, wife and daughter,
Hezekiah ^\'ilkinson. wife and four children. Peter Hammer, wife and four
cliildren, Xewton Hammer, Clayton Perkins and wife. Soon after the organ-
ization forty more members were added.
Among the pastors have been the Revs. Seth Stafford, Clark Hosier,
Oliver Gotshell, Isaiah Jay, Alice Lawrence, Benjamin Hutchens. Sarah
Healey and Oliver Beesoii. For some time past the average attendance at
church services has been about fifty.
A Sunday school was organized in 1886. At present four classes are
maintained with an average attendance of about fifty. Adult members of the
church attend Sunday school. .Among the Sunday school superintendents have
i>een Lorenzo Forl^es, Ren Julian. Reuben Overman and AUton Dotson.
The church is a frame building with a seating capacity of about two
hundred and fifty. It was dedicated in 1886 by William Watts. The men
serving on the building committee were Lorenzo Forbes, Asa James and
Lorenzo D. Cook.
Weekly prayer services have been held ever since the organization of the
church. The congregation has one of the best records in the county in giving
pastors and Christian workers to the religious cause. It now has sixty-five
members.
CHURCH OF CHRIST.
The Church of Christ, at Wilkinson, was temporarily organized on Jan-
uary I, 1889. On that date a number of the members who had been wor-
shipping at the Christian church at Warrington, met at the town hall, at
Wilkinson, for the purpose of organizing another congregation because of
the inconvenience of attending church at Warrington. On March 11, 1889,
llie church was permanently organized under the direction of Elder Charles
Blackman, who served as pastor for the ensuing year. The charter members
were John W. White, Leannah F. White, Henry C. Garriott, Eliza A. Gar-
BKOWX TnWXSUlP. 547
viott, A. P. Combs, Rachel Combs, Eunice E. Woolen, Eliza Boyer. John
Minsfle. Sarah Mingle. Clayton Perkins, Sarah Perkins, George W. Coon,
FJiza Coon, George W. Keck, John L. Carpenter, Nannie Carpenter. Ira C.
Kendall, Emma F. Kendall, W. H. Power, Sarah M. Power, Ollie Lindsey,
Alice McNatt, John W. Smith, A. L. Mogle, Jane Mogle, A. J. Reeves, Will-
iam Keck, Cliarlotte Keck, A. F. Coon. Mark Coon, Catherine Coon, Sarah
Coon. Benjamin H. Cook. John A. \^'isehart. Myrtle Combs Wisehart, Jane
Brewer, Charles Combs, Clara Brown, Laura E. Copper, William A. Woolen,
V'iola Ham, Frank E. Garriott, Allen Garriott, Frances McCray, Josie Gar-
field. Samuel L. Deck, George W. Sowenvine, C. F. Brower. Elsie Aimstrong,'
Jesse Orr, Zora E. Ham, Alva Coon, Henry Gipe and Ann Gipe.
During the first year of the organization meetings were held in tlie
Episcopal church at Wilkinson. The congregation, however, was constructing
a new church and on December 29, 1889, Elder Thomas H. Kuhn, by a
masterful sermon, secured the necessary pledges for the payment of tlie entire
churcli debt and the new church was dedicated to the service of God. Mark A.
Collins was the first pastor and began his labors on the following Sunday
morning. The arrangement of this house was not entii'ely satisfacton-, and
;ifter a period of ten years it was abandoned by the congregation and sold.
Services were again held for a time at the Episcopal church, which had also
been abandoned by its promoters. This house was then bought by the con-
gregation and kept as a place of worship until it became dilapidated. The
congregation then planned a new church. B. F. Hufford served as architect
.and builder and a beautiful and commodious house was erected. This church
was dedicated on March 2. 1913, through the efforts of J. \'. Coonibs and
the regular pastor, C. E. Schultz. The first Sunday school was organized
on January i, 1889, with B. H. Cook as superintendent. On March 11, 1889,
when the church had been permanently organized, the Sunday school was
re-organized and George W. Sowerwine elected superintendent, who served in
this official capacity for five years.
About 1894 the church became disorganized; preaching services were
held only occasionally for four or five years, and for several years no Sunday
r.chool was conducted. In 1900 the school was again re-organized. Guy
Reeves was chosen superintendent, who at the end of one year was succeeded
by George W. Sowerwine, who has now acted as superintendent for fifteen
years or more. During the twenty-five years of the life of the Sunday school
it has grown from an average attendance of probably forty to an average
attendance of perhaps eighty. Many of the adult members of the church are
also members of the Sundav school.
548 HAXCOCK COUXTY, INDIANA.
The first officers of the cliurch were Elders H. C. Garriott and John \V.
White: deacons, A. P. Combs and Ira C. Kendall; clerk, George \\'. Sower-
wine: treasurer, Benjamin F. Cook. The church at present lias a member-
ship of one liundred and sixty-five. The following men have served the
church as pastors: Charles Blackman. 1S89-90: Mark A. Collins, 1890-91;
Aaron Walker, 1891: .\. W. Jackman. Septemter, 1891-94: David Gary
(occasionally). 1894-98; A. J. Cheesman. 1890-1900: R. L. Handy, u)00-02;
Carl Vanwinkle, 1902-09; Omer Hufford and B. F. Daily, occasionally, 1909-
1912; C. E. Slniltz, 1912-14: J. P. Myers, 1914-15: Frank Summer. 1915-16.
WILKINSON METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The JNIethodist Episcopal church in Wilkinson was organized in 1891,
under the pastorate of Rev. Perry E. Powell. It was organized with eight
charter members, some of whom were ^Ir. and Mrs. Emslie Julian, 'Slziry
Johnson and 'Sh. and Mrs. Creteress. The people of this church worshipped
with the Friends in their church until 191 2. It was during the pastorate of
Rev. Oliver \'anWie that his people saw a new vision and got an idea of doing
things on a larger scale. Under the able and worthy leadership of this pastor
the people got together and decided that if tliey were to take care of their
people as they should that they must have a church. In 191 1 they Ijegan to
build the Methodist Episcopal church, and on .\pril 14. 1912, it was dedicated
by Rev. W. D. Parr. Tlie clnnxh cost about six thousand dollars. It is a
beautiful cinuch and well fitted to house the congregation for some time to
come. The present membership is seventy-eight.
There is a break in the pastors from 1893-95. Pern,- E. Powell, 1891-
03; S. F. Harter, 1895-96: F. W. Sandifur, April, 1806. to Xovember, 1896;
L. P. Pfiefer. November, 1896-98; E. E. \\'right, 1898-1900; M. M. Reynolds,
19CO-1902; B. F. Hornaday, 1902-03: F. B. Westhafer. 1903-05: G. Hart-
man Bright. 1905-06: \\'. l'\ Loveless, 1906-08; John Phdlips. 1908-11 : Oliver
VanWie, 1911-13; C. W. Anderson, 1913-16.
The Methodist Sunday school as a distinct organization from the Friends
commenced in the spring of 1912. with .\. C. Faurot as .superintendent and
he has continued in this capacity ever since. The average attendance is
seventy-eight. There are seven classes. Tlie adult memliers of the church
generally attend the Sunday school.
MCRAV CEMETERY.
The McCrav cemeterv is located on the east side of the old state road,
a short distance nortliwest of Wilkinsnn. Soon after Moses ^IcCray settled
ill nnnvii idwnshi]). in 1833. a bcauiiful girl who resiiled with her parent";
BROWN TOWXSIIIl'. 549
several miles to the norlhwari! ran awa}- from her father's home in company
with her sister, to keep a tiyst with a young man whom she was to marry.
Tlie evening set for the elopement was bitter cold, and the snow was deep
and falling fast. The girl, faithful to her promise, reached the spot where
the McCray cemetery is now lucaled, where she was supposed to meet her
lover. He believed the weather to be too severe for the girl to \enture nut
and failed to meet her. She and her sister crawled into a hollow log to await
his coming, but morning dawned unon the frozen corpse of the bride-to-be.
Tb.e sister lived long enough to tel! the tale to Moses McCray, wh.ose house
was only a few rods distant, and who found their frozen bodies. Mr. McCray
laid the body to rest on the spot where she died. He carefully protected her
grave, and the following year built a school house nearb}-. in 1837 bis own,
daughter, Sara, dietl and he buri(nl her near the grave of the faithful girl
lover. He then laid off, fenced and cleared the ground, and gave tt) the pub-
lic the cemetery which bears his name, and where his own body rests. For
thirty \ears he was trustee of the cemetery. He was succeeded by his son,
John McCray, who ga\-e the trusteeship to Rt)bert Slaughter about fifteen
years ago. Mr. Slaughter has Ijeen an efficient trustee, and with the help
of the interested public has ccjnverled this pioneer cemetery into a beautiful
burial spot.
BUSY housewives' CLUB.
The Rusy Housewi\es" Club was organized at the home of Mrs. J. F.
Smith on b'ebruary 4, 191 5. It was organized by the hulies of Wilkinson
for the jjin-pose of promoting interest in needlecraft and for social develop-
ment. The club meets in the homes of the members on ex'ery second Thurs-
day afternoon. The club is not identified or federated with any odier cluli-^
of the county.
SUNSITIXE CLUB.
The Sunshine Club of Wilkinson was organized, in August, U)i4. and
has si.xteen members. 1 1 is not a memlier of either the county (^r state federa-
tion, but IS conducted on the same plan with officers and executive com-
mittee. .\ well-arranged program is prepared, consisting of miscellaneous
topics, such as domestic science, current e\ents, Indiana history, Bible lessons,
music, and care and education of children. The club meets on the third Thurs-
day of each month, devoting the entire afternoon to the program aside from
the time required to ])artake of the tempting refreshments the hospitable hos-
tess has prepared. The club colors are pink and white. .\11 the memliers
are true bearers of their motto, "Scatter Sunshine."
550 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
THE WILKINSON BAND.
Tlie \\ ilkinson Band was organized by Aul>rey M. Thomas on June 7.
191 5. It meets for- practice at the town of Wilkinson and is composed of the
following memljers : William \\'hite, Herman Cook, Elmer Hasler, Ward
Julian, ^^'ard Blakely, Arthur Harlan, Earl Johns and Lawrence Kennedy,
clarinets : Glen Johns, Roy Hassler, Ray Owens, Forest Yetter, flattie Cook,
Ferris Woods, Chester Kimmerly, comets: Russel Yetter, Barren Cooper,
Elmer Blake. Lawrence Jolins and Fay ^Listers, altos ; Russel Orr, Robert
Blakely, tenors ; Hoyt Blakely, Melbome AUee. Willie Judkins. Bertie Kuhn,
slide trombones; R. D. Masters and Joe Bird, baritones; Virgil Whetsell and
Clarence Walker, tubas ; Harvey Williams, bass drum ; Charlie Kimmerly and
Glen Woods, snare drums.
The band has not yet purchased uniforms, but is getting well started and
is preparing to play through the coming campaign. Mr. Thomas, the director,
has had a long experience with bands and is an accomplished cometist. For
the past year or two he has also directed an orchestra that has played for
several of the commencements in the county.
SHIRLEY.
The probability of a town became e\-ident when the Cincinnati. Wabash
& Michigan railway, now a branch of the Big Four, was constructed across
the east end of Brown township, in 1890. The original survey of the town
was made by John \\'. White and Sylvester Hamilton, in. Octolier, 1890, and
consisted of twenty-three lots in Hancock county and a numlier in Henry
county. Since that time the following additions have been made :
John W. White's First Addition, platted l)y Jolm W. White, May i^.
1894; forty-four lots.
Trustee's Addition, platted by George W. Sowenvine, trustee, May 21,
1896; seven hundred and ninety-eight lots.
Kuntz & Higi's Addition, platted by Shirley Lumber Company and
Charles P. Kuntz. Novemi)er 4, 1S99; seven lots.
Only two buildings were erected in 1890, the residence of John Larimore
and a blacksmith shop. C. L. Storer built a saw-mill, which was destroyed
later by fire. In 1891 B. F. Taylor erected another residence and a business
room, which he used for a grocery. The postoffice was also located in this
building and Taylor became the first postmaster. In 1892 Joseph Steffey
built a residence and lohn W. White erected a stone l)uildino- on the comer of
BRdWN TOW X.SHI P. 551
Mail! ami Icnler streets, .\mong- l!ie \ery early comer.-; were (ieorg;e !•".
I'liuty, druggist, and J. ^^ • Kitterman, dry goods and groceries.
The county line road, running north and south between Hancock and
Henry counties, became Main street. It was still a dirt road and soon became
impassable, dangerous even for travel on horseljack. .\bout 1892 a move-
ment began for an improvement of this street by graveling it. The work was
accomplished under the law providing for improvement of highways by levy-
ing assessments on adjoining properties. A few more houses were erected
before 1895, but tlie town was virtually at a standstill until that time. In that
year the C. P. Kuntz Lumber Company was organized and began doing a
large business. It burned in it)oo. Beginning with 1895 and following, a
number of lots were sold and about thirty buildings were constructed. Among
them were the residences of A. C. Van Duyn, now an attorney of Green-
field; Frank E. Garriott, later deputy county auditor of Hancock county; A.
S. Houck. Dr. Ralph Wilson, E. \V. \'arner, L. L. Camplin, ^^■'. L. Byrket
and Shaw Brothers. Among the business men who had established them-
selves by this time were George F. Fouty and Frank E. Garriott, general mer-
chants ; A. S. Houck, druggist ; H. S. W'ales, hardware ; John Lisher, meat
market ; Shaw Brothers, livery stable ; Joseph Steffey, blacksmith, and George
Craig, barber. A local newspaper was also established, known as the Shirley
Enterprise, which was published for two or three years. In the meantime the
streets had been graded and street lamps had been placed at the principal
street corners.
INCORPOR.\TION AS A TOWN.
On October 11. 1898, a i)etition was presented to the board of commis-
sioners of Hancock county, asking- tliat the town be incorporated under the
name of Shirley. This petition was signed by S. S. Houck. .\. Sherry, E. M.
Johnson, William A. Johnson, Samuel Smith, James .\llison, .\. C. VanDuyn,
Allen Robinson, E. ^I. ^^'arrick, Samuel Price. J. E. Larimore, Joseph Rob-
inson, F. E. ^Mauck, William Croank, G. C. Shaw, Frank Gebhart, John F.
Warrick, Benjamin L. Byrkett, James Robinson, C. F. ^^'ilkinson, Ike Lari-
more, Thomas Crouch, J. L. Shumaker, C. A, Franklin, W. O. Newton, F. E.
Shaw, Charles E. Snider, Charles F. Metsch, Dan Ulner. Clinton Ridgeway,
W. G. Burns. B. F. Taylor andA\'. T. Baker.
The board of commissioners ordered an election held on October 22,
1898. to give the qualified voters an opportunity of determining whether the
town should be incorporated. Twenty-seven votes were cast in favor of
incor])orating. thirteen against it. A report of the election was made and the
552 HAXCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
board of ccimiiiissioners on December 13, 1898, ordered the town incorporated
under llie name of Shirley. At the first election for town officers held May
I, 1899, tiie following men were elected: B. L. Byrkett, clerk; Henry S.
Wales, treasurer; Isaac Cronk, marshal; Milton D. ]\[asters, Joseph Steffey
and S_\'l\'ester Hamilton, trustees.
BUSl.XESS DEVELOPMENT.
In i8()9 B. F. Martindale purchased from Robert Martindale all his hold-
ings in Shirley. He then in\-itct! IMcssrs. Shell. Miller and Litzenbergcr to
establish a glass factory in tiie town. They agreed on condition of receiving
as a bonus a plat of ground, a gas well, and one thousand dollars in
cash. These conditions were met and a Ixjttle factory was put into operation
according to contract. It was at first difficult to get dwellings and sufficient
business rooms. Later in the fall of that year he also erected the 1iank liuild-
ing and donated about one-half of the first year's rent as an inducement to
liave a bank locate in the town. M. E. Woods accepted his offer and estab-
lished the Bank of Shirle}-, which stands on the Henry countv side of the
street. In 1900 the Banner glass factory was organized, with 1). (ial)rielle.
presidetU ; Louis W'aterloo, secretary, and John Lafever, treasurer. To secure
this factory Mr. ^lartindale again guaranteed a bonus of one thousand dollars
in cash and a gas well. Three hun.dred and fifty dollars of the casJi bonus
was subscribed by citizens of Shirley. This factor\- ga\e Shirley an mcrease
of al)out fi\e hundred people. In 1901 W. H. Wood laid out Woodlawn
Addition, consisting of one hundred lots on the Henry county side of Main
street. He brought the Baker Brothers window glass factory to the town,
with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars. The Hoseck Chimney
House, operated by seven Hoseck brothers, came in 1901. The Shirley Rad-
iator and Foundry Company was also established, which gave employment to
alxiut one hundred and fiftv men and added greatlv to the population of .Shir-
ley. In 1902-03 the population of tlie town was estimated at from fifteen
hundred to seventeen hundred.
In 1902 cement sidewalks were made on Main street and a drainage
system was installed. Shirlev lias two rural free deliverv routes, one estal)-
lished August i, 1902, the other a year or two later.
I.U;iIT AND WATER.
The princii)al streets in Shirley were lighted with gas for a number of
}ears. In 19 13 the electric lights were installed. Ten years or more ago
the town installed a gravity water system at a cost of fourteen thousand one
hundred and fifty dollars. The t;ink has .a capacity of thirty-eight thousand
EKOW.X TdW XSM 11'. 553
f^'allons. and lias an elc'\atiiin of une hundred and five feel abo\e street le\el.
I '"or protection against fire tlie town also has a truck and hose. Before the
installation of the present plant the town used a chemical engine as a protection
against fires.
LODGES.
Se\-eral lodges ha\'e been organized at Shirlev. A Masonic lodge has its
hall on the Henry county side of the town. .\n Odd Fellows lotlge also met
;it Shirley for several years, but has now" been moved to Kennard, in Henry
county. The Red Men have an organization, but the ea.rly records have been
lost and it seems ti> be impossible to olitain an accurate historv of the (irder.
Maple Leaf Lodge Xo. 651, Daughters of Rebekah. was instituted in 1903.
Among its first officers were Nellie Hodg"in, noble grand: Florence Lavalle,
\ice grand: Grace \\'ink, secretary; Gertrude Sedam, recording secretarj^;
and Minnie Doyle, treasurer. Shirley Camp No. 6358, Modern Woodmen of
America, was instituted July 13, 1901, with seventeen charter members. It
now has a membership of forty-two.
SHIRLEY FRIENi:)S CIirRCH.
The Friends church at Shirley was organized in 1892 with twenty-nine
charter members. The church has had a steady growth and at present has a
membership of one hundred and ten. The average attendance at services is
pnibablv fift\-. .\ Sunda\- school is conducted in connection with the clnnxh.
Seven classes are maintained and many of the adult members of the clnnxh
are in attendance at Sunday school. The congregation now worships in a
neat frame house.
SHIRLEY METIHJOIST EPLSCOP.\L CHLRCH.
The Methodist Episco])al church in Shirley was organized in the spring
of i8f)6 during the jiastorate of Rev. S. F. Harter. He was preaching at
Wilkinson at that time, and through the efforts of Mrs. Rose l-'ranklin and
Mrs. Mattie Steffey he was induced to come over to Shirley and preach lor
them. He preached that fall and winter in the school house, and in the spring
of 1896 he organized the church with twenty-eight members. The church
was dedicated in the spring of 1897, under the pastorate of the Rev. L. 1'.
Pfiefer. The names of some of the charter members .-.re, Mr. and .Mrs. C. A.
Franklin. Mr. and Mrs. b'rank Taylor. Mrs. Harriett Kuhn. Mattie Steffey,
Mrs. Gertrude Byrket. and Mr. ;uid .Mrs. Benton Jack.son. The present mem-
bership is fifty-eight.
Following are some of the pastors of the church: S. I'. Harter, 1895-96;
I-' W Sandifnr. 1896: L. P. Pfiefer, 1896-98: E. E. Wright. 1898 1900; M.
554 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
M. Reynolds, 1900-1901 ; B. F. Hornaday, 1902-03; E. B. \\eslhafer, 1903-
05; G. Hartman Bright, 1905-06; W. E. Loveless, 1906-08; John Phillips,
1908-11 ; Oliver VanWie, 1911-13: C. W. Anderson, 1913-16.
A Sunday school was organized, probaljly alxiut the time the church was
established. At present the average attendance is one hundred and seventeen.
There are eight classes. The majority of the adult church members attend
Sunday .school. The superintendents for the past three years have been P. K.
Sharky, Sylvester Hamiltnn and Edwin Kirkpatrick.
The parsonage was built in 1903, during Rev. B. F. Hornaday 's pastor-
ate, and completed under F. B. Westhafer. It is a seven-room house, situated
:)n the Henry county side of Shirley,
MOTHER OF GOD ROMAN C.\TH0LIC CHURCH.
Previous to the organization of the Mother of God Roman Catholic
church at Shirley, the members at Shirley and vicinity had to drive to Knights-
town, a distance of eight miles, to attend services. It was in the early fall of
1902 that the Rev. Father Killian, an assistant at St. John's church, Indian-
apolis, came to Shirley to see what could be done toward organizing a con-
gregation and building a church.
On Sunday afternoon, in the directors' room of the Shirley Bank, lie
met by appointment the following members : John Reddington, Martin Kuntz,
C. P. Kuntz, Stephen Higi, T. J. Demund, Anthony Kuntz, Mr. Mundren and
H. Reddington. .At this meeting they discussed plans of building and loca-
tion of the church and liefore they adjourned had pledged three thon.sand
dollars to build the church.
From this time Ivather Killian made from two to three visits a month to
Shirley and held services first at the residence of William H. Kuntz. and
later, after the congregation increased, at the school building, until the church
was built. On October 2. 1903, the church was dedicated b}' the Rt. Rev.
n. O' Donahue, then auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Indianapolis. .At this
lime there was a membership of one hundred and thirty and services were
held on the first and third Sundays of the month, with a full attendance. Four
or five years later many of the families moved away and services were held
only on the first Sunday of the month. Finally services were discontinued
for several months, leather Killian then notified the members that he would
come and hold services on Mon(la\' after the third Sunday of each month.
The attendance is now vevy small and will not average more than si.x adult
members at the services.
BROWN TOWNSHIP. 555
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST.
A congregation of the Disciples of Christ at Shirley was organized in
1900 in the Methodist church by the Rev. T. H. Kuhn. The charter mem-
bers were B. F. Martindale and wife, Mrs. B. O. Hufford, John W. White,
Alonzo Cross, Belle Cross, H. S. Wales and wife, F. E. Harriott and wife,
]\rrs. Ella A'arner and Mrs. Belle Lisher. .\t present the church has a mem-
bership of sixty.
Among the pastors who have served the congregation are Carl Van-
winkle, one year; Rev. Card, one year; E. B. Scoffield, one year; Rev. Dailey.
one year; Omer Hufford, four years; Rev. Payne, one ^ear; Rev. Addison,
one year; Rev. Wolff, one year; Omer Hufford, one year; T. H. Kuhn. one
year; B. M. Blount, six months.
A Sunday school was organized and now maintains si.x classes, with an
average attendance of about ninety. The superintendents of the Sunday
school have been, Odom Durham, one \ear: George Reeves, three years; B. O.
Hufford, ten years; H. S. Wales, one year, and Mrs. C. R. Rynearson, one
year.
The congregation owns a frame church building, thirty-six feet by sev-
enty feet in size. The building committee which had its construction in
charge was composed of John White, H. S. Wales, F. E. Garriott. Alonzo
Cross and H. C. Reynolds. B. O. Hufford was the superintendent of con-
struction of the building. It was dedicated by the Rew Harkins.
PENTECOSTAL MISSION CHi;RCn (SHIRLEY j.
The Pentecostal Mission church and rescue home, as it is now called, was
dedicated October i8, 1908, by Rev. J. W. Brown, of Wabash, Ind. William
G. Moon, of Fairmount, Ind., was pastor and Ella Baldwin, matron of the
home. The mission and rescue work was begun at Shirley by Ella Baldwin in
1902, in her own home and in the old library hall, later at the large mission
near the depot. Services were held Tuesdays at 7 :30 p. m. and Sundays at
2 130 and 7 :oo p. m.
THE .\LPII.'\ CLUB.
The Alpha Club was organized in January, 1913, with ei.ght charter mem-
bers. Its purpose was social and civic improvement. The first officers elected
were Mrs. W. W. Cooper, president, and Mrs. L. E. Moore, secretary and
treasurer. The club has now grown to eighteen members. It promoted a
"clean-up" day during the summer of 1914, at which the appearance of vacant
lots was improved and receptacles were placed on Main street for waste paper.
During the summer of 1915 a children's public play-,ground was arranged
and equipped b}' the ladies.
CHAPTER X\"I.
KfCK CREEK TOWXSHIP.
Buck Creek townshi]) was originally organized ai the May term of the
board of county commissioners, 183 1. It was made to include the entire
western portion of the county north of what is now Sugar Creek township.
In May, 1836, it was reduced in size to its present dimensions. At the May
term of the board of commissioners. 1838. Jones townslii]) was organized,
which included a stri]) two miles wide off of the south end of what is now
Buck Creek township, and a similar strip off of the north end of Sugar Creek
township. On March 11, 1853, the board of commissioners gave all of the
townships their present boundary lines and since that time Buck Creek has
been six miles square. It occupies the west central part of the county. Twelve
square miles, or a strip two miles wide off of the west side of the civil town-
ship, is in congressional township 16 north, range 5 east. The remaining
portion of the township, consisting of twenty-four scjuare miles, is located in
congressional township iC north, range 6 east. Its surface is very level.
There are a few hills along Sugar creek, which passes through its extreme
southeast corner, but the remaining ])art of the township is flat.
The question of drainage was one of the largest problems that confronted
the early people of this township. The surface being low and level, and there
being no large streams across the township, the question of outlets for drain-
age became serious. There were smaller streams, such as Buck creek and
Indian creek, but they, too, had \ery little fall and llie water in them was slug-
gish. The largest work of drainage in Buck Creek township, as well as in the
county, was the dredging of Buck creek about twenty-five years ago. This
stream comes down from Vernon township and crosses the central portion of
Buck Creek township, lea\ ing the latter at its southwest corner. During the
latter sixties an attempt was made to improve the drainage of the creek by
cutting it deeper with a spade. Another effort was made, jirobably ten vears
later, but both were unsuccessful. In 1885, William Caldwell, of Vernon
township, filed his petition asking that Buck creek be made deeper and wider.
Franklin Steele and John C. Eastes. with about thirty otiiers, thereupon
brought an action to enjoin the petitioners and contractors from constructing
the work as petitioned and as had been ordered by the court. The}- contended
that the creek could not be sufficiently deepened and widened without dredg-
ing it. After the matter had been in the court for about four years, and
556
BUCK cri;i-;k iow xsiiii'. 557
after it had been taken to tlie higher cnuris of tiie state. Echvin P. Thayer, Jr..
of Greenfield, who had the contract for the work as oris'inallv ordered, pro-
posed to dredge the creek for the assessments that liad l)een made. Tiiis was
satisfactory to all ])arties concerned and the work was finished in 1889-go.
.\fter the filing of the injnnction suit above mentioned. W'illi.ini Caldwell
ivithdrew as a petitioner and Thomas Hanna championed the cause that had
been Ijegun by Mr. Caldwell.
Other large wurks of drainage have been accomplished, .so that now Buck
Creek townslni]) is one of the most fertile townshiiis in tlie countv.
L.\ND ENTRIES.
The first land entry was made in the township by George Worthington,
who entered the southeast quarter of section 34, township 16, range 6, on
January iS. 1822. This land lies in the extreme southeast corner of the
township immediately north of the town of Philadelphia. Among others
U'ho entered land in the township and whose names are still familiar among
the family names of the county are : Barzillia G. Jay, William Philpott. Calli-
more Plummer, Warner X. Copeland, William \\'right, James Parker, James
H. Wright, Isaiah Smith, Edward Haines, John Eastes, Jonathan Dunbar.
Samuel Steele, Thomas Steele, James Wilson, Moses Dunn. John Jessup.
Landon Eastes. Thomas Kenned}'. John Parker. Owen (iriffith. John Dance,
Morris Pierson, Isaac Willett, Edward Thomas, William B. Plummer, George
Leonard, James Dunn, Ebenezer Smith, Henry Beechman, William A. Dunn,
David W. Snider, Hervey Bates, Hervey Smith, James Cotton, Robert Hanna.
Hans Steele, William Alexander, William ^Mints, Thomas Smith, John Wal-
lace, Shadrach H. Arnett, George W. Willett. Nicholas Hittle. Hiram Crump.
Jacob Jones, Ephraim Thomas, George Plummer, John Collins, Joseph
U'right, William Collins, W'illiam Snyder, Archibald Smith, William Harvey,
Artliur Carr, Samuel Shirley, Samuel Dunn, Philip A. Mints, James P.
Eastes. Thcimas Alexander. William Arnett. Powell M. Scott, Joseph Parker,
Adam P. Byers, Washington Scott. Michael liash, ^lahala Eastes, Ovid
Pierson.
MILLS, EACTORIES, SHOPS, ETC.
The streams of Buck Creek township, as stated above, were too small to
furnish adequate water power. I'V>r this reason very few mills were estab-
lished except steam-power mills. A water-power grist- and hominy-mill,
however, was established on Buck creek on the northeast r|uarter of section
19, township 17, range 6. by Wesley Eastes, in 1854. The water power was
found insufficient and the mill was operated but a short time. Other indus-
tries of the earlier davs were :
538 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
A blacksmith shop, established during: the forties, and probably earlier,
by Ebenezer Scotten, on the east line of the southeast quarter of the southeast
quarter of section 21, township 16, range 6, and operated for a number of
years. A blacksmith and wagon shop, conducted for a number of years, be-
ginning in the early forties, by John anrl Robert Wallace, along tlie north
line of the east half of the northwest quarter of section 20, township 16, range
6. A saw- and grist-mill, erected about i860 on the southeast quarter of sec-
tion 17, township 16, range 6, by one Corhin. This mill was bought later
by McClain &• Buroaker. A saw-mill, established aliout 1863 by one ^\"hit-
lock, and operated for three or four years in the vicinity of Mt. Comfort. A
saw-mill, estabhshed by Maulden & Hopkins about 1874. on the northeast
comer of section 19, township 16, range 6. A tile factory, established by
Ebenezer Steele along the middle of the south line of section 8, township 16,
range 6. A saw-mill, established by El^enezer Steele about 1882, at the south-
east corner of the northeast quarter of section 18. township 16. range 6. A
saw-mill, erected by Adam F. Wilson, in the latter seventies, in section 10,
township 16. range Ci. near the present west line of ^lohawk. A grain elevator,
erected by William H. Dunn at ^^It. Comfort, about 1890, and later owned
by his son, George Dunn. A grain elevator, erected by Barnard & Newman
and now owned by Thomas H. New and the Grist heirs. A tile yard, estab-
lished on the west side of the road at Mt. Comfort in 1884, by Fred Wicker,
and operated until 1891.
SOCIAL SPIRIT IN THE TOWNSHIP.
From its earliest history there has been a good social spirit among the
people of Buck Creek township. This spirit has expressed itself in picnics
and other social gatherings at which the citizens of the township lia\e come
together. Probably the earliest record of a "grand picnic" in the county is one
that tells the story of such a gathering held near Mt. Comfort in 1845. The
picnic was held at the north end of the west half of the northeast quarter of
section 19, township 16, range 6, or just northwest of the present residence
of John C. Eastes. The story of this picnic as it comes down to us from the
pen of Dr. J. W. Hervey is full of interest :
"A meeting was called at an old log school house that stood on the banks
of Buck creek, in Buck Creek township. The call brought together nearly
all the people within five miles around. The idea of having a Fourth of
July celebration touched their hearts. Many of the old men who took part
in the late Indian war were then alive and the recollection of the struggles of
BL'CK CKKKK TuW NSIIIl'. 559
our fathers for independence was fresher tlien hy a half century tlian now
[July 5, 1894]. There was but one opinion on the occasion, and that was
that the Fourth should be celebrated in tlie best way we could do it. We had
nothing that modern usage now demands to make the occasion interesting.
No flags, no drums, no band of music. Committees were appointed to see
what could be done and nothing else was talked about at the homes, in the
woods, or at public gatherings. When the time came for the committees to
report, the arrangements had been made. Old Mother Eastes had some fine
linen sheets, which she had woven years ago, and which had never been used.
She had bleached them white as snow. She said tliere was no use fretting
about a flag — to take one of her new sheets, or as many as were needed. Some
other lady had red and blue flannel and some of the gentlemen agreed to see
that the flag, with its proud eagle, its stars and stripes, should be put together
and fastened upon a flag staff.
"A few friends in Indianapolis were so much interested in our effort lliat
they furnished us with fife, drum, an old French horn, clarinet, and perhaps
other instruments. My brother, W'orthington B. Hervey, was to read the
Declaration of Independence and I was promoted to the high station of being
the 'orator of the day.' A grand barbecue was agreed to and Captain Hodges,
John Collier, A. J. Sims, Landon Eastes and James Dunn were to get it up.
A pit was dug in the ground, three or four feet deep. Into this was thrown
wood, which was done the day before it was needed. \\'hen the wood was
burned into coals the pit was hot and fit for use. I do not remember the
number of oxen, calves, siiecp and swine that were cooked, but there was
enougli for all and to spare.
"The people came from every section ; every ^•illage and every town
within reach was represented. Greenfield sent a large delegation, but I do
not remember all of the names. Colonel Tague, General Milroy, John F6ster,
Joe Chapman, Andrew Hart, John Templin and John Hager. I do not re-
member whether D. S. Gooding was there or not, or how many I have not
named. Reverend Robinson, an old-time Kentucky ^lethodist minister, was
chaplain. I heard many say at the time and since that they never enjoyed
a Fourth of July celebration as they did that one. There was never a more
peaceable and well behaved crowd than that was. I have the manuscript of
the oration yet. It is a curiosity, the way I estimate it. The spread eagle
predominates. It was made to soar onward and upward till all the world
was borne to libertv. I would attempt a short description of that wonderful
document, but my fancy has grown too tame for such flights as would be
required to catch a glimpse of the altitude of that egregious fantasy.
560 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
"Many amusing incidents occurred. The most remarkabl-^ of them was
tlie run-away of an ox teahi. Two famihes had .spliced to provide a wa\- of
conveying their enornious crop of youngsters to see the Fourth of July.
Neither of them had a wagon. One had a horse and the other had a sled
and a yoke of o.xen. This was the outfit in wliich the adventure was made.
The little ones and their mothers were ijiled in it. 'J'he men walked and drove
tlie oxen. Tliey went along very well until they came to Ruck creek bridge,
which was a long and sliaky structure of poles, rails, slabs and plank. A\'hen
they had reached the middle of the bridge several young bloods with, their
girls came up behind the oxen. They had never seen anything like such
a turnout beftjre. and they determined that the\ never would again. Thev
made a lunge and into the swampy stream thc\" plunged. The sled turned
over and .spilt the youngsters and their mothers into the mud. The children
screamed and their mothers cried 'murder.' The men bounded into the mud,
which was almost waist deep, and went to fishing out their respective fam-
ilies. The young riders hastened on to the grounds with the news that a
whole family was killed or wounded and to send the doctor post haste. I was
furnished a fast horse and in a few minutes was before a scene that would make
one laugh irresistil)ly : b'ive little fellows, as muddy as mud could make
them from top to bottom (their eyes and mouths were all that the mud did
not hide), were sitting in a row on the bridge. The two mothers were scrap-
ing themselves with splinters to get their faces and hands relieved: the two
men were in the mud. and as muddy as they could get. fishing out the unre-
claimed children. They got washed off, or partly off, in time to pay their
compliments to the barbeque. I have seen many strange groups of human
beings, but I never saw any ecjual that one. Some of these children grew
up to fill responsible places in society.
"When 1 looked u]ion the display yesterday the contrast between the
celebrations brought my mind to tlie wonderful changes that half a century
has wrought in politics, in morals, in religion, in trade, and in customs and
usages, as well as in conditions that result from progress, wealth and re-
finement.
"The old flag m;ule from Mother Eastes" linen sheet expressed as much
as the silk flags they floated from so many homes in this city yesterday."
The incident of the ox team referred to in Doctor Hervey's statement
occurred just east of where the present high school stands. The Buck creek
botttim from tlie west grade of the creek to the southeast corner of section iS
was very low. and soggy and marshy. .\ corduroy road had been built across
part of the bottom and a trestle bridge spanned the rest of it.
BUCK CREEK TOWXSIIIP. 561
On Saturday, August lo. 1861. another great citizens" meeting was held
just across the road from and a little west of the place of the former picnic.
It was probably held in a grove at the south end of the east half of the
southwest quarter of section 18, township 16, range 6, and was denominated
a "grand union picnic and l)askft diiuier." An immense crowd gathered and
speeches were made by Reuben A. Riley, David S. Gooding and Dr. J. W.
Hervey. The ladies of the township served a dinner "in quantity and quality
to satisfy the most fastidious taste." A general program was given. The
singing of Mrs. Dr. Collins, of Cumljerland, was considered a musical treat,
especially her rendition of "Dixie."'
On July 4, 1876, another great celebration was held in which the people
of the township participated, at the grove of James Collins, at the north end
of tlie southeast quarter of section 14, township 16, range 5. Dinner was
again served to all present by the ladies of the township. A general program
followed. Henry Wright read the Declaration of Independence, and James
L. Mason, Charles G. Offutt and \\'illiam Fries made addresses.
SCHOOLS.
Buck Creek township, like the other townships of the county, began iier
educational work in log school houses. The first house in district No. i was
erected at the northeast corner of section 9, township 16. range 6; the house in
district No. 4, at the northeast corner of section 14. township 16, range 5 : the
house in district No. 5, where the present township high school stands, just
west of Buck creek in the southeast quarter of section 18, township 16, range
6. It stood about eighteen rods west of the present high scliool building and
was a room about fourteen feet by twenty feet. It had a door, and to admit
light one log was taken out on the north side and an eight by ten inch gtess
put in. For a writing desk, a wide poplar slab was hewed down to the thick-
ness of about three inches, with the to]) planed smooth ; this slab or writing desk
w-as placed under tlie window by boring two one-inch holes in the log and
inserting pins long enough to sup])ort it. The seats were made from linn
logs about eight inches in diameter, split, each log making two seats about
ten feet long. Holes were bored in the round side and wooden pins inserted
for legs to raise the seat to the proper height. The first log school house in
district No. 6 was located on the south side of the southeast quarter of section
15, township 16, range 6; the first house in district No. 7, at the southwest
quarter of section 28, township 16, range 6; the first house in district No. 9,
on the Hamilton W'elling farm, on the south side of the northeast quarter of
section 29, township t6, range 6.
(36)
562 HANCOCK COUNTY, I.NDIAXA.
Tlie first frame house in the township was built in 18A0. during the
trusteeship of Ephraim Thomas. It stood just west of Buck creek along
the south side of tlie southeast quarter of section 18, township 16. range 6.
The first brick school house in the township was erected in district No. 6 at
the southeast corner of section 15. townsliip 16, range 6, during the trustee-
ship of John C. Eastes.
The original frame school house erected in i860 in district No. .5 stood
until 1893-4, when it burned, and was replaced by a one-story two-room sch(X)l
house, constructed by Thomas Moxley and Clint Parker during the trusteeship
of Andrew Fink. This house also burned during the winter of 1898-9. This
was just at the time wlicn tlie townships of the countv were establishing
high schools, and such a higii school was wanted in Buck Creek township. A
number of people felt that the proposed high school building should be located
near the town of Mt. Comfort and for this purpose a petition was presented by
a number of citizens asking that the location of the house be changed to a
point about fifteen rods east of the southwest corner of section 18, township
16, range 6. The petition was signed by S. S. Eastes and thirty-seven others.
A strong opposition developed to the removal of the house. A hearing was
held by County Superintendent Lee O. Harris, at the small court room at
Greenfield, in which the petitioners and those opposed to the removal of the
house were ably represented by their attorneys. As a result of the hearing,
the county superintendent refused to grant the order for the removal of the
house, and the first four-room township jiigh school was erected at the point
above described, immediately west of Buck creek. It was constructed in the
summer of 1899, during the trusteeship of John \\". Griffith and vvas dedicated
on October 28 of that year. There were ])resent on the occasion of the dedi-
cation of the house. State Superintendent D. M. Geeting. W. B. Mick, ex-
county superintendent of Marion county, and Capt. Lee O. Harris, superin-
tendent of Hancock county, all of whom made addresses.
High school work was begun in 1899 in this building. Following are
the names of the teachers who have served as principal of the school : L. M.
Luce, 1899: William K. Xeff. 1901 ; J. O. McGrail, 1902; Harvey Griffey,
1906; Arnold V. Daub, 1909: Eva Hubbard, 191 1; C. A. Stevens, 1912;
Carey E. Munsey, 1914.
During the winter of 19 12-13 fiuestions were raised by some of the pa-
trons in relation to the sanitary condition of the house, and on January 15,
1913, the following petition was drawn, asking the state board of health to
make a sanitary inspection :
r.iCK (KEEK rowxsiiip. _ 563
"I'ost Office, Mt. Comfurt. Jan. 15. 1913.
"To the Indiana Slate Hoard <>f Ik-altli:
"Gentlemen :
"We, tlic undcrsigiicd, respecttiilly petition your honorable l)oard to
make sanitary inspection of the school house at Ml. Comfort, known as Dis-
trict No. 5, Township of Buck Creek, Count}- of Hancock, and lake such action
as seems proper and right.
"Name of trustee, Clarence E. Luse.
"Frank C. Eastes, Ml. Comfort, l'"arnier.
"Ollie O. Smith, Mt. Comfort. General Merchandise.
"W. T. Dillman, Ml. Comfort, General Merchandise.
"J. A. Dillman. Mt. Comfort, Mail Carrier.
"Manford Jay, Mt. Comfort, h'armer.
"George Jay, Mt. Comfort, Janitor above school.
"E. B. Harvey, Mt. Comfort, Farmer and Thresherman.
"Ed. Hart. Mt. Comfort, Ivarmer.
"H. S. Roudebush. Mt. Comfort, Farmer.
"W. E. Snider, Mt. Comfort. Day Laborer.
"P. A. Dunham, Mt. Comfort, Farmer.
"W. E. Wdiitaker, Mt. Comfort, General Merchandise.
"John Morrison, Mt. Comfort, Day Laborer.
"Frank \A'ood, Mt. Comfort, Blacksmith.
"T- ^^ • Eakin, Mt. Comfort, Farmer.
"J. \\'. Stoner, ^It. Comfort, Day Laborer.
"James F. Evans, Mt. Comfort. Farmer.
"Emmett Rasener, Mt. Comfort, Farmer.
"William G. McCheney, Mt. Comfort, Doctor of Medicine.
"Robert C. Wilson, Mt. Comfort, Day Laborer.
"John Goodpasture. Mt. Comfort. Farmer.
"George O. Dunn, Mt. Comfort, (irain Dealer.
"S. S. Eastes, Mt. Comfort, h^arnicr.
"John Collins, Mt. Comfort, Farmer.
"Simon Grist, Mt. Comfort. Farmer.
"Franklin Steele, Mt. Comfort, Farmer.
"Edward Eastes, Mt. Comfort, Farmer,
"J. C. Evans (by permission), Mt. Comfort. Retired Farmer.
"C. K. Emory, Mt. Comfort. Doctor of Medicine."
When it became noised ab(jut that such a petition was being circulated
a sentiment developed in opposition thereto. The matter became quiet, and it
564 HANCOCK COUXTY. INDIANA.
was genei'ally supposed in the township that it had been dropped. The peti-
tion had been filed with the state board, however, and during the winter of
19 1 3-14, after an inspection liad lieen made, the house was promptly con-
demned.
This action of the state lx)ard made it necessary either to repair the old
house or to erect a new one. The township trustee, Clarence Luse, with his
advisory board, employed an architect to examine the old building to give an
estimate of the cost of repairing it to make it conform to the requirements of
the "Sanitary School House Law" enacted in 1913. Such an estimate was
furnished, and, in the opinion of the trustee and his advisory- board, it was
thought unwise to expend the sum of money necessary to make such repairs as
would be required by the above act. It was then decided to construct a new
house and the question that had been raised in 1899, with reference to the
proper location of the township high school, again came up. A petition was
presented to the county superintendent asking for an order to change the
location of the school house in district No. 5 to a point about fifty rods east
of the southwest corner of section 18, township 16, range 6. The time set
for hearing the petition was fixed at 10 o'clock A. M.. March 25, 1914. The
petitioners were again represented by counsel, as were also those opposed to
the proposed removal. By way of a counter petition and remonstrance, a
second petition, signed by two hundred seventy-three taxpayers, the greater
part of them being residents of Buck Creek township, was filed, asking that
the present site of the school be retained for the building in the futui'e. When
the original petitioners learned of the circulation of the counter petition or
remonstrance, they at once started a third petition on which the signatures of
one hundred fourteen taxpayers of Buck Creek township were secured. This
petition was filed in support of the original petition asking that the location
of said house be changed as prayed in said original petition. Several names
appeared upon more than one of the petitions filed. At the hearing, c\idence
was adduced for the purpose of showing the necessity of changing the site
of the school house as prayed. Other evidence was adduced for the purpose
of showing both the sanitary features and tlie unsanitary features connected
with the present site, as well as those connected with the new or proposed site.
The evidence, in the main, presented no difficulty except in so far as it related
to the drainage and physical features of both sites. Objections were made Ije-
cause of the proximity of the house to Buck creek. Evidence was conflicting
as to whether the water of the creek backed into the basement of the school.
There was no conflict, however, in the evidence that water was frequently
found in the basement. Objections wexe also made to the proposed site be-
BUCK CRi:tiK TOW.NSIIII'. ^65
cause of the flatness of the country and the inaliihty to get sufficient fall for
proper drainage. Those favoring the removal of the site requested the county
superintendent to have a sanitary inspection made of the site of the old build-
ing, wliile those opposed to the removal of the school asked that the state
board be requested to inspect the proposed site with its problem of drainage, etc.
The county superintendent complied with both requests and asked the
state board of health to make an inspection of both sides. This was done and
the board made a finding "that the present school site must be considered
unsanitary in the broad sense of the term as applied to the character and loca-
tion of school sites in relation to the comfort and welfare of school pupils."
The county superintendent thereupon made a finding in favor of the petitioners
and ordered the township trustee to proceed to change the site oi the school
house in district No. 5 as prayed.
The new site was purchased by the townshi]) trustee and steps were taken
for the erection of the new school house. An architect was employed, plans
and specifications were prepared for the construction of the scliool building.
Steps were also taken to sell the bonds of the school township. The plans and
specifications for the house included not only sufficient school room, but also
made provision for the construction of an auditorium, with stage, inclined
floors, galleries, etc., in connection with the school. The cost of the building
when completed was estimated at about forty thousand dollars. .\ number of
the citizens and taxpayers of the township felt that this expenditure was ex-
orbitant and ttnreasonable, and an action was brought by John Buchfink. Clar-
ence L. Black and George W. Parker, to enjoin the trustee from selling the
bonds and the contractor from comijleting liis work. The theory of the injunc-
tion suit was that the petition asking for the cliange of the location of this
school house should have been signed by a majority of all of the parents, guard-
ians, heads of families, etc., in the township who had children entitled to liigh
school privileges, instead of being signed by only a majority of the patrons of
school district No. 5. 'i'he case was venued to Shelby county, where Judge
Blair held in favor of the township trustee and refused to enjoin the sale of
bonds, etc., as prayed. The case was then appealed to the higher courts, where
it is now pending, the point at issue being the sufficiency of the petition ad-
dressed to the county superintendent to give him jurisdiction to act in the
matter. In the meantime a permit has been obtained from the state board of
health to use the old building pending the decision of the case in tiie appellate
court.
In .\pril. T916. the appellate court of Indiana affirmed the decision of
the lower court, holding that all steps taken in the removal of the school, house
had been legal.
566 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Among the very early teachers in the township should be mentioned Nancy
Crump, George W. Stillwell, Mahala Roney, Elisha Millard, Perry Thomas,
John B. Herod, Henry R. Clayton, John Caylor. James McCain, Samuel Wa-
ters. Iciliii Collins and William 1". Collins. The later teachers i>f the town-
ship will he found in the general list of the teachers in the chapter on education.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The population of Buck Creek township, as shown by the census of 1910,
is 1,272. In the spring of 191 5, 342 children between the ages of six and
twenty-one years were enumerated in the township, and 193 children were
enrolled in the schools during the school year of 1914-15. Of these, twenty-
nine were in the high school and 164 in the elementary grades. The average
daily attendance for the year was 145 in the elementary schools, and twenty-
two in the high school. The total cost of maintaining the elementary schools
during the year was $4,180.30: the cost of maintaining the high school was
$1,891.40. The total amount paid teachers for the year was $4,834.50. The
estimated value of the school property of the town.ship as reported by the
township trustee on August i, 1915. was $17,000. The total assessment of
taxables as reported by the assessor in 1914 was $1,629,120. Twenty-nine
children were transported to school at a cost to the township of $525.50.
TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES.
The following men have served the township in the capacity of township
trustee since the enactment of the law creating the office, in 1859: Ephraim
Thomas, 1859: William L. Harvey. 1863; Henry R. Clayton, 1865; J. W.
Shelby, 1867; O. O. Harvey, 1869: William M. Wright. 1876; John C. Eastes,
1880-82; Aquilla Grist. 1884-86: Andrew Fink. 1888-90; John W. Griffith,
1894; Ulysses G. Wilson. 1900; John V. Wallace. 1904; John F. Shelby. 1908;
Clarence Luse. 1913 ; John F. Wallace. 1914; William Humfleet. 1914.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
The local courts of the township have been presided over by the following
men: Morgan Brinegar. 183 1 ; Owen Jarrett, ; Wyatt Denny. ;
Esquire Peas. : William .\rnett. 1841 : Barzilla G. Jay. 1841 : William Ar-
nett, 1845: John H. Murphy, 1848; John Eastes, 1849; Mordecai Millard,
1852; R. A. Dunn, 1853; J. W. Shelby. 1856; Joseph Wright. 1856: T. J.
Hanna, i860; W. C. Wray, 1864; Joseph Wright, i860; Allen Scotten, 1864;
Joseph Wright. 1865. 1869. 1873: James McKean, 1867; George W. Parker.
1872. 1876: Edward Rose. 1878; William McConnell, 1880: Elmer E. Stoner,
HICK CRKEK TOWXSl ! 1 P. 567
1883: James Hoss. 1884; Andrew M. Harvey, 1886; Moses Bates, 1886;
F. M. Sanfonl. t888: John R. Williams. 1890: James E. Collins, 1800. i8()4:
Clint Parker, jgoo; William C W'hitaker, 1906, 1910, 1914.
OLDKK FAMILIES AXD TAXTAVKKS.
Among- the older families in the township are the Arnetts, Collins,
Crumps, Dunns, Duncans, Eastes, Finks, Griffiths, Grists, Harveys, Hannas,
Jays, Herrs, Parkers, Shelbys, Stecles, Stoners, Smiths, Sanfords, Sniders,
Scottons, Thomases. Wallaces and \V rights. Following are the property
owners who have paid taxes in sums exceeding one hundred dollars in 1915:
William 1 1. Arnett, $322.20; Lucinda Arnett. $378.07: Franklin .\. Bani;ird,
$115.86: Clarence L. Black, $117.72; John Buchfink, $191.16; James Byers,
$100.68; William Bade, $116.06; Ida S. Barrett, $170.56: Charles H. C.
Cook, $122.72; Isaac W. Cahill, $288.05; Sarah C. Cinders, $131.24; Wade
Caldwell, $127.50: Henry H. Deerbnrgh, $644.92; Silas S. Eastes, $189.90;
John C. Eastes, $490.66; Edward Eastes, $181.80; C. K. and O. F. Ewing,
$288.92; James 11. Evans, $138.12; Hester M. Emery, $196.98; Daniel
Fisher, $177.64: Walter Fink, $138.32; Charles Fink, $120.02; Owen Grif-
fith, $212.78; John W. Griffith, $121.68; Robert Hurley, $187.17; George
Huntington, $136.03 ; Frederick Heller, $139.37; Lewis A. Hawkins, $102.54;
William Harting, $126.68: William Hartman. $126.04: Jesse P. Keller,
$100.46: Henry H. Koch, $132.92; Anton and Christina King, $128.96;
Frank L. Littleton, $347.72; W. S. and T. H. Mints, $313.66: John P. Mur-
phy, $118.14; Montgomery Marsh (heirs), $189.08; Conrad Merlau, $198.84;
Hohawk Bank, $172.01: Minnie Grist Morris, $252.10; Enoch ^^'. McCord,
$172.55; Isaac McCord, $109.61 ; Conrad Ostermeier, $168.06; James F. Mc-
Cord, $113.98; William F. Offenbacker. $145.40: Charles Ostermeier,
$496.49; George W. Parker, $410.18; C. W. Parker and wife, $276.01 : Isa-
belle Roney, $168.28: Edward S. Parker. $109.62; Benjamin A. and Isabelle
Roney, $1 10.66 ; l'"ranklin Steele. $3,558.54 : Xelson M. Stoner, S126.25 ; Hans
Steele ( heirs y, ,Si 23.55: Augustus F. Smith. S244.62 ; Charles H. Stoner,
$309.26: John F. Shelby. $243.16; Augustus E. Smith, $244.62; Charles
Swartz, $109.40; Olive K. Smith. $213.14: William S. Spell, $122.72; Jane
Snyder, $181.79; John E. Sellers, $121.48; Francis M. Sanford, $707.18;
Isom S. Wright, $438.88: Ira W. Silvey. $104.84; Samuel E. Wallace,
$119.41; Thomas Tuttle, $109.61; William E. Whitaker, $181.38; John F.
Wallace, $187; John Williams, $125.64: Phoebe E. Whitaker, $115.44:
Francis O. \\'elling. $100.04: L'lysses G. Wilson, $241.08: Worth F. Wood-
ward. $184.30.
568 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
Buck Creek township has furnished a number of men who have served
as county officers. Among tliem are, Barzilla G. Jay and Henr\- \\'right,
auditors; Mordecai ]\Iiller and Joshua W. Shelby, sheriffs; John Collins,
Ephraim Thomas, George \V. Parker, Aquilla Grist and \\'illiam T. Spell,
county commissioners; Samuel R. Waters, county surveyor, and George \V.
Parker, county assessor.
PHYSICIANS.
The township has not had many resident physicians.
Among those who did reside there during its early histor)- were John
H. Sanders. Lyman Carpenter and J. W. Hervey. Physicians from Cireen-
field, Cumberland, Oaklandon, AlcCordsville and Fortville liave always
siiared the practice in this territory.
HIGinV.VYS, RAH.ROADS AND IXTERURIiAXS.
Because of the low, flat surface of Buck Creek township and the alisencc
of gravel, the puljlic highways were not generallv impro\cd until a few years
ago. W^th the passage of the Three-mile Road law, road construction began
and during 1908-09 the townsiiip expended sixty-six tliousand ciglit hundred
and sixty dollars for this purpose. Many miles of improved free gravel and
macadamized roads were constructed and more would ha\-e lieen constructed
likely had not the indebtedness reached the legal limit. Within the last few
months additional petitions ha\'e been filed for furtlier road improvement.
.■VGRICl'LTURAL EXHIBITS.
The products of the fertile soil of Buck Creek township have attracted
attention wherever they liave been exhibited. Foremost among those who
iiave been making agricultural displays are the San fords. Francis M. San-
ford was a stockholder in the Hancock County Agricultural Association, and
exhibited farm products at the county fair at Greenfield for a number of
years. About thirty years ago he made his first exhibit at the state fair, and
during the past twenty-five years has exhibited there annually. His son,
Lumis, assisted him for a number of vears and for the past eight vears Lumis
Sanford and Ernest, the son of Isaac Sanford, have exhibited their products
together.
The exhibits of the Sanfords have consisted of corn, grain in the straw,
grasses of all kinds, seeds of all kinds, tobacco. Single entries and displays
of everything included in agriculture hall have been inade. Premiums
BUCK CREEK TOWNSHIP. 569
awarded them have amounted to as mucli as four lumdred dollars, and the
premiums have netted Mr. Sanford about two hundred dollars annually for
the past twenty years. When he first began exhibiting a one-horse bugg\
carried the entire e.xliibit. During the past several years it has required two
wagons with large beds to convey the products to the fair.
Exhibits are also generally made by these people at the local "corn
shows/' etc., and the announcements in the newspapers indicate that many
of the highest awards are given to the products of Buck Creek township.
MOHAWK.
The original plat of Mohawk was made on January 25, 1S83. by Cath-
erine Wilson and Adam F. Wilson. It was located along the east line of the
southeast quarter of section 10. township 16. range 6. and consisted of twelve
lots. Since that time two additions have been made. The first was made
by William New on March 21, 1S87, consisting of nine lots and located just
across the road east from the original plat. The next addition was made
by Margaret New, on October i, 1895. It consists of fifteen lots and adjoins
William New's addition. The latter two additions are located in Center
township, McConneM street being the section line and also the township line
dividing Center and Buck Creek townships. A postoffice has always been
maintained at Moliawk. No rvu'al routes liave been established.
Quite a number of men have been engaged in business at this point.
Among them have been Joseph Hanna, Adam Wilson and Wilford Dobbins,
grocers and hardware dealers: James and W'illiam Albea, .Arthur Kingery
and J. O. Dunn, grocers. Martin Breece, A. W. Steele, O. C. Steele, Charles
Barnard, Henry Fuller, William Eakins, L. A. Cox and A. M. Maroska have
all been engaged in the grocery and drug business at different times. Soon
after the railroad was constructed McConnell & Wilson erected an elevator
which burned. Later, Newman & Barnard constructed the elevator which is
now owned by Thomas H. New and the Grist heirs under the name of the
Mohawk Elevator Company. .A heading factory was also establislied for a
time by Hill Brothers. This was followed bv a saw-mill operated by one
Small. Later, Oliver A. Newman took charge of the mill, which is now
operated under the name of the Mohawk Lumber Company. George Kerr,
Bert Doughty. William Bell, Frank Wood and John McCarty have con-
ducted blacksmith shops, while the health of the people has been cared for
by Drs. True, Nicholson and O. A. Collins, the latter being located in the
town now. U. G. Wilson and Sam Roney have been known as the horse-
men of the localitv for a number of vears.
J70 - HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
MOHAWK BANK.
The Mohawk Bank, a private institution, was organized. September i.
19 1 3, with a capital of twelve thousand dollars, and received its certificate
from the auditor of state. December ig, 1913. The bank was promoted and
organized by Cecil V. Brooks, tlie present cashier. He was later assisted by
M. S. Wright, James Y. Herr, James H. Leary, O. A. Newman and \\'ilford
Dobbins. The first board of directors was composed of Robert L. ]*Iason,
M. S. Wright, James V. Herr, F. M. Sanford, Wilford Dobbins, James H.
Leary and Cecil V. Brooks. The present officers are Wilford Dobbins, presi-
dent; M. S. ^Vright, vice-president, and Cecil V. Brooks, cashier. The bank
has had a steady growth since tiie date of its opening and is patronized by
a number of farmers in that part of the county.
Lenape Tribe No. 224. Improved Order of Red Men. at ^lohawk. was
organized un ^lax 9, 1896. with the following charter members : \\'ashington
Steele. George M. Rumler, AlJ^ert O. Steele, Samuel Keeley, William H. .\lbea,
Benjamin II. Murphy. Samuel Steele, Adam Deshong. Stephen Bolander,
Isaac L. Co.\. T. H. Jackson. James W. Eakes, George McCreery, Samuel J.
Scott, Robert 11. .Murphy, John P. Murphy, .\. B. C. . Doughty and John
Price. It now has seventy-nine members and owns its own hall. In
menii.riam: .\. (). Steele, Stei)hen Bolander, W'asliinglon S. Steele, Madison
Canipliell. John P. Murphy.
ilT. CO.MFOUT.
.A postoffice known as Mt. Comfort has been maintained in Buck
Creek township since some time in the forties. Robert Wallace and his
brother, John, operated a blacksmith and wagon shop during the early forties
along the north line of the east half of the northwest fjuarter of section 20,
townsliip 16, range 6, on the land now owned by Edward Keller. .At this
shop the first postoffice was maintained known as Mt. Comfort. Mail was
delivered by a star carrier who went over the AUisonville state road. Robert
Wallace was the first ])oslmaster. The postoffice was maintained at this
shop until abcnit 1853, when it was moved to the northeast corner of the
northwest (juarter of section 19, township t6, range 6, to a store owned l)y
Robert Church. In i860 John Eastes built a store on the same corner and
took the postoffice. .Among the early postmasters were James W. Harvey,
Robert Church. William J. \Voods, John C. Eastes and D. G. Hanna. The
store was maintained at this corner until about 1882. when, on the comple-
tion of the railroad, the present town of Mt. Comfort was platted. The
original plat was made on October 25, 1885, by Silas S. Enstcs. and consists
of ten lots. No additions have been made thereto.
urcK CREKK Tnwxsiiip. 571
Among the business men \\lii> liave lieen loeated at the present town of
Mt. Comfort were Thomas DiUman. (311ie Smith, Albert I'ogue, Isom Wright.
William Whitaker. ]Martin 15ringiiam. (leorge Dunn, the latter three being
tlie present merchants. John Wright is the present owner of a hardware
store. John .\. Eastes. I'"r;ink Woods, Oliver Harvey an.d William Bell have
conducted blacksmith shops at the town. During the early nineties a grain
elevator was constructed by William 11. Dunn, wiiich is still in operation.
A postoffice is still maintained at Mt. Comfort, with one rural free
delivery route, established July i. 1903. James F. Dillnian is the carrier.
PLEAS.VXT GROVE METHOUIST CIII'RCII.
The Pleasant Grove Methodist Epi.scopal church was organized in 1872
with the following charter members : Samuel S. Smith and wife, Jackson
Apple and wife. William Horton and wife, William Vest, D. D. Boyd and
wife.
A frame church was erected by the congregation in 1874, at the north-
east corner of the southeast quarter of section 6, township 16, range 6. It
was dedicated in the same year by Rev. Robison. Among the ministers who
served the congregation were Samuel Lamb, Freeman, John Cain,
R. H. Smith, R. B. Powell, T. J. Elkin and C. X. Philip.
The church was attached to the Fort\'ille circuit until 1875, when it was
attached to the McCordsville circuit. Services were conducted until in the
latter nineties.
M.\CEDONI.\ UNITED BRETHREN CmRCIl.
The ^lacedonia United Brethren church was organized alx)ut i860. The
congregation at first worshipped in the old log .school house thai stood along
the south line of the west half of the southeast quarter of section 15, town-
ship t6, range 6. After a few years the school house was purchased by the
congregation and moved to the south side of the road, where it was used for
worship until during the latter seventies.
A number of the members who lived in the vicinity south of the church
organized another class, which worshipped at the school house known as No.
7, located at the southwest corner of section 2^, township 16, range 6. until
1882. .\mong the early members of the church up to tliat time were John
Parker and wife, Isaac Wilson, Thomas Price, James Wilson and wife, Will-
iam Wilson, Lewis Barnard and wife, James Wallace and wife and Cyntliia
Barnard. The class was originally organized by the Rev. Thomas Evans.
In May, 1882. the quarterly conference of the \\'arrington circuit elected
John Parker, Calvin F. Crump. George \\'. Parker. John II. .\pple and \\''ills
5/2 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Parker, trustees- of the United Brethren church in Buck Creek township,
Hancock county, and issued to them a certificate of their election as such
trustees. On May 25. 1882, the board of trustees met at school house No.
7, above referred to. and an organization of the board was effected. Tlic
trustees determined to build a new house and for that purpose procured a
warranty deed from John H. and Agnes Apple for one-half acre of land,
located forty rods east of the northwest corner of section 27, township ifi,
range 6. Steps were at once taken to collect funds from the members of the
church and from the citizens of the neighborhood for the purpose of erect-
ing the new house. A frame church was erected during the summer of 1882
and dedicated on December 3 of that year. Bishop E. B. Gephart. of Iowa,
preached the dedicatory sermon. At this service sufficient funds were raised
to discharge all indebtedness, and the new church was then and there named
OTTERBEIX UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.
About 1910 the trustees began to consider the advisability of repairing
the frame church or of tmilding a new edifice. Nothing was done during
that year, but in 191 1 the matter was considered further and it was
decided to rebuild the church. The following trustees were elected at that
time : F. M. Sanford, John F. Shelby, John \V. Griffith and Edward Par-
ker. The latter refused to serve and Leonard Land was elected to fill the
vacancy. Funds were raised, but no work was done on the church until in
the summer of 1912. The building was not entirely completed until in the
spring of 191 3. It was dedicated on Sunday, June 8, of that year, by Bishop
Matthews, of Chicago. J. T. Rolierts, presiding elder, and Rev. H. W. Rob-
bins, pastor of the church, were present, and took part in the dedicatory
services. It is a beautiful brick building. The congregation now has a mem-
bership of one hundred and fifty.
.\ Sunday school lias been conducted e\er since it was organized as
Macedonia chapel. For the past several years it has had an average attend-
ance of probably forty. .\ Ladies' .\id Society and a Young People's Society
are active as auxiliaries of the church.
AMITY UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.
The Amity United Brethren church stands at the southwest corner of
section 25, township 16. range 5. on a plot of ground donated to the church
by John A. J. Collins. The present house, a neat frame building, was erected
in igoi. and dedicated in September of that year by the Rev. C. A. Love.
The older members of this congregation at one time worshipped at the old
Bl'CK CREEK TOVVXSH 1 f. 573
Hopewell cliiirrli. which stood at the northeast corner of the northwest quar-
ter of the nortlieast (|uarter of section 25. township 16, range 5. When this
huilding became dilapidated the people decided to erect a new church called
.\mit\-. at the cross-roads above described, which is just two miles south of
Mt. Comfort.
There is no record of the charter members of the church. At present
it has a membership of seventy. The Rev. C. A. Love was the pastor of the
old Hopewell church and was the minister who first planned the Iniilding of
,\mity. which congregation he served ior one year. Other ministers have
been Re\erends Linsville, one year; S. R. Irvin. one year: Charles Brough-
man, one year; Oscar F. Lydy, four years; H. L. Rolibins. four years; F. F.
Bray, two years, and Charles Small, the present pastor. The avera.ge attend-
ance at church services for the past several years has been about sixty ; the
attendants at Sunday school generally remain for preaching services.
The Sunday school was organized wdien the new church was built. It
has always been well attended and during 1015 its enrollment reached nearly
one hundred. The average attendance is from fifty to sixty. Five classes are
maintained. The Christian Endeavor Society was organized in T901 by Mrs.
C. A. Love, and has rendered efficient services to the church since that time.
The society is now composed of thirty-six active members.
Following are the families who worship at the church : Mr. and Mrs.
Anton Ploenge, Otis Snider and family, Willard and Hettie Snider, Charles
Willman and family, Mrs. Martha Cly and family, F. O. Welling and family,
Wade Cauldwell and family, Will Dance and family, John A. J- Collins and
family. Fred Heller and family. Will Bade and family, Bert Cly and family,
Charles Ostenneyer and family, Frank Schicldmeier and family, ^\■illiam
Bolen and family, Lewis Hawkins and wife, Henry Hawkins and family,
Mr. and Mrs. Pearl Bell, Lewis Sanford and family, Mr. and Mrs. Han^ey
Andis, Conrad Ostenneyer and wife, Guy Scotten and family, Mrs. Charles
\\'right and family, Mrs. Maggie Johnston, and -Mr. and ^Irs. Carl Shelby.
MT. COMFORT METHODIST El'lSCOPAI, ClIfRCII.
This congregation was originallv organized about 1836 and was com-
posed of the following members : Hiram Crump and wife, Obadiah Eastes
and wife. Hamilton Welling and wife, Thomas Craig and wife, John Cochan-
hour and wife. Miles Burris and wife, A. Cooper and wife, and Jeremiah
Beach and wife. For several years they worshipped at the residences of
Obadiah Eastes, Daniel Skinner and Thomas Craig. Tn 1840 thev built a
a little lo.g church, which was named
574 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
SYCAMORE CHAPEL.
This lioiise stood ai the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of
the northeast quarter of section 25, township 16. range 5. It was used as a
house of worship until 1863, when it burned. Among the ministers who
preached at the prix'ate residences and at Sycamore chapel were the Rev-
erends Edwards. Landy Havens. George Havens, J. B. Birt. Millender and
Morrow. After the burning of the log church the congregation worshipped
at different places until 1870. when a new frame church, was erected on. t!ie
site of tiie former one and was named the
HOPEWELL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
It was erected at a cost of about one thousand dollars. The building
committee was composed of Hamilton Welling, John Dance and Thomas
Craig. This house was used until 1888 when the congregation erected a
new house at Mt. Comfort, which has since been known as the Mt. Com-
fort Methodist Episcopal church. The IniiUbng committee was composed of
Hamilton Welling, William W. Eastcs and James E. Collins. One acre of
ground was donated by S. S. Eastes for a church site, and the new building
was erected at a cost of about one thousand five hundred dollars by James
Murjihy. The purpose of moving the church to Mt. Comfort was to get a
more favorable location. The building was completed and dedicated in
November, 1888, by the Rev. C. I'. Wade. Among the members who came
from the Hopewell church to the new church at Mt. Comfort were Hamilton
Welling, John Dance, wife and daughter, Carrie; James E. Collins and wife,
William W. Eastes and wife, and Albert \'estal and wife. The church at
present has a membership of seventy-two.
.\ Sunday school was organized on January i, 1889. It now has nine
classes, with an average attendance of about sixty-five. Many of the adult
members of the church may be found in attendance at Sunday school. The
following persons have served as superintendents of the school at various
times : J. \V. Stoner, Da\id Girt, E. N. Stoner, C. P. Blue, W. E. Scotten
and E. G. Castetter. Among the pastors who have served the congregation
at Mt. Comfort are the following: A. E. Sarah, 1888: G. W. Green, 1889;
F. A. Fish, 1892: J. H. Slack, 1895: T. H. C. Beal, 1896; W. G. Bogue,
1897; J. O. Campbell. 1898: E. Dixon, 1901 : G. Martin, 1905: H. Webster,
1906; P. J. Albright, 1909: J. Wingate. 1910: E. J. Wickersham. 191 1: G.
Goering. 191 3, and .\. J. Duryee. 1915.
ni'CK cri-:i;k mw .\>m ii'. 575
rXlO.V CIIATEL IGNITED BRETHREN CHURCH (MOHAWK).
The Union chapel stood al)onl fifty rods west of the northeast comer of
section 9, township 16. range 6. The congregation was origmally organized
in 1856 and conducted services in the i>ri\ate residence of the members until
1858. In Januan' of tliat year Washington McConnel!. Thomas Preble and
Jackson Price were appointed trustees by the quarterly conference to con-
struct tiie church. Daniel Stoner was presiding elder at the time and Thomas
Evans, pastor. The circuit was known as Pleasant \^iew circuit and belonged
to the White Water conference. The new house was built on ground donated
by Jolm Underwood and the first services were held on Christmas eve. 1858.
Following are the elders who presided o\'er the circuit during its earlv his-
tory: A. King, A. Hanw'ay, William Nichols, W. Wit, D. O. Ferrell,
Milton Wright. 1). Stoner. A. E. Evans. John Vardeman, Halleck
Floyd, W. C. Dny. M. Cabrich, Thomas Evans, J. Myers, R. B.
Beatty. Lewis Crawford. J. I'runer, .Mcxander Carrol. C. Smith. P. S. Cook,
A. E. Evans, Simon D. Irvin. A. B. Dary, Henry K. Muth, William Hall,
]\Ionroe Groendike, T. H. Halstead, J. M. Ware and A. Davis. Among the
early ministers were W^illiam Gossett, Ir\in Cox. A. C. Rice. I. Tharpe and
i'lenry Huffman. l*"or many years the church was attaclied to the W'ar-
rington circuit.
.\ second church was Iniilt in 1883 on tlie origin;d site. In November,
1896, during the jiastorate of William Demuubrun. the church was moved
to Mohawk, where it now stands, on the Center township side of the line.
During the pastorate of O. F. Lydy, in 1902. the church was remodeled.
The families who have been closeI\- connecte<l witli the church since its
removal to Mohawk are those of A. \'. Rumler. Harvey True. J. P. ^lurphy,
J. F. Reynolds. James Jarrett. John Price, ivansom Denny, George Herr,
Bert Cohee, Arthur Doughty and Oliver \\'ilson. Among the ladies whose
husbands have not been connected with the church are Martha Murphy,
Eunice Barnard, Mary Greenwell. i'lora Reeves, Rose M. Bills. Myrtle Herr,
Ida Williams, Florence Leatherman and Eva Dobbins, .\mong the later
pastors have l^een O. V. Lydy. who served for five years, and J. H. Wyant,
who has served for four years.
A Sunday school is conducted, of which Oliver W^ilson has been super-
intendent for the past eight years. The meml>ership of the church is small at
])resent. The congregation belongs to the Liberal branch of the United
Brethren church.
576 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
MOHAWK RADICAL UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.
The United Brethren churcli on the Buck Creek township side of Mo-
hawk was organized by James Rector in the spring of 1894. The present
house was erected during the summer of 1896 and was dedicated on Augitst
9 of that year hy A. C. McXew. J. S. Reece being the pastor in charge. The
first trustees were William McConnell, \Mlliam \\'ilson, Andrew Fuller.
James Murphy and Isaac Lane. These men also acted as the building com-
mittee. .\mong the families worshipping here were those of Isaac I.ane,
William Wilson. O. M. Wilson, Samuel Scott, Mariah Hawkins, David De-
shong, Marion Wilson, \\illiam McConnell. Dr. True. Riley Breece, T. B.
Leary, James Deshong, Amos Deshong, Lydia Xewman and Hattie Kingen.
.\mong the ministers who have served for more than one year are Bishop
Halleck Floyd, Abraham Rust, J. S. Reece, Robert Harlow and Charles
Bray.
A Sunday school . was orgariized in 1896 and has had an average
attendance of about forty.
CHAPTER XVII.
CENTER TOVVNSIlir.
Center township was first organized at the May term of the board of
county commissioners in T831. It then included a narrow strip of territory
two miles north anil south liy seven miles east and west and was described
as follows: Commencing one mile south of the towns'iip line dividing 15
and 16 at the line dividing sections 2 and 3; thence north to the said town-
ship line ; thence east one mile : thence north one mile ; thence two miles west
of the range line dividing- 6 and 7: thence south two miles: thence east to
the place of beginning.
.At the January term, 1836, its bountlary lines were changed as follows:
Commencing at the northwest corner of section 35, township 16 north, range
6 east: thence east seven miles to the northeast corner of section t,^: thence
south three miles to the southwest corner of section 11, township 15 north,
range 7 east; thence west seven miles to the southwest corner of section 11 ;
thence north to the place of beginning.
Other changes have been made. For a number of years the greater part
of what is now- the north end of the township was included in the townships
of Union and Harrison. Since 1853 the township has had its present
boundaries.
Its surface is level, except along Sugar creek and Brandywine creek,
where it is rolling. Its natural drainage is towards the south and consists of
the two streams above mentioned. Sugar creek flows in a southerly direc-
tion across the northwest corner of the tow'uship. while Brand\wine enters at
its northeast comer and flows in a southerly direction through its eastern
part. Several large ofjcn drains have been constructed leading from different
parts of the township to these creeks. With the exception of a portion of the
bottom lands of Brandywine creek the township is well drained and under
cultivation. A large portion of the Brandywine bottom is still marshy and
is incapable of l)eing drained until the bed of Brandywine has been lowered
by dredging. If this creek can be successfully dredged, as was Buck creek
a quarter of a century ago, then there are still hundreds of acres of the garden
land of the township to be reclaimed for cultivation.
The first settlers reached the southeastern part of the township within
a year or so after Blue River township was settled, or about i8ic) or 1820.
577
(37)
578 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
The first land entry was made on- September 12, 1S21. On that date Piatt
IMontgomery entered tlie east half of tlie southeast quarter of section 9 town-
ship 15, range 7. The entry book in the county recorder's office contains a
number of names among those who entered land in Center township that are
still familiar in the county. Among them are Harr}- Pierson, Leonard \V.
Bartlett, Isaac Willett, Amos Wright, William Pierson, Thomas Wright,
Henry AI. Wright, John L. Smith, Ephraim Wright. Morris Pierson, John
Foster, George Smith, Sidney Smith, George Anderson, John Wingfield,
James B. Stephen, George Tague, Robert M. Swope, James B. Reynolds,
William Alexander, Levi Leary, Elijah Leary, Jeptha Meek, Milton A. Craft.
Barnabas Gray, Samuel Hamilton, William Sebastian, Lewis Sebastian,
Josepli T. Wallace, Elijah Lineback, John Myers, George Leonard, Samuel
Martin, John C. Wilson, David Kauble, Eder Chittenden, William Hamilton,
Owen Jarrett, Logan Alford, Andrew P. Jackson, W'illiam C. Ross, John
Carr, George Kingery, Andrew Jarrett, James Reeves, Thomas Alexander,
Richard Willett, James Gillespie. Pine Rigdon, James Barnett, James Bar-
rett, George D. Wiggins, David S. Gooding, John Brees. Thomas Willett,
John Robins, Donovan Groves, Moses Dunn. George Reeves, Ovid Pierson,
Charles Willett, Hiram Rockfellow, John Hunt, David Brees, Hezekiah Hunt,
James Rigdon, Cornwell Meek, Nathan Crawford, Almond Aloore, Alexander
Geary. Constant B. Jones, John H. Martin, Thomas J. Leary. William Wil-
son, James Pherson, Stephen Wallace, Christopher Johnson, John Johnson,
Robert Wood, Abraham Rhue. Jesse Bridges, Thomas Baldwin, Davis Riley,
James Carr. Harmon Warrum. Eli Reeves, William Cuny. John Bussell,
James Curry, William Justice, Micajah Alartin, Isaiah Curr}-, \\'illiam Sim-
mons, John Porter, Benjamin E. Pilkenton, Young Y. Brizendine, Samuel
Alley, Adam Swope, Elihu Morris, Washington Magruder, Moses Braddock,
William Martin, John Simmons, William Martindale, Lucius Brown, James
Brooks, Basil Meek, Josiah Sutton, Adam Hawk, Brooks Brizendine, \Villiam
Winn, Thomas Carr, James Hinchman, William Kingen, Levi Johnson,
Rebecca Snodgrass, Joseph Bridges, Isaac Martindale, Jacob Tague, John
Davis, Abncr Bell and Samuel Martin.
MILLS AND FACTORIES.
Among the mills in Center township that were well known in its early
history were those of William Pierson, AMlliam Curry and Isaac Willett.
William Pierson's grist-mill was built about 1825 and was located on Sugar
creek, in the east half of the northeast quarter of section 14, township 16,
range 6. The grist-mill of William Curr}- was built in 1835 and was located
CENTER TOWNSHIP. 579
on Brandywine creek, about the middle of the north li;ilt of section lo,
lownship 1 6, range 7. Isaac Willett's grist-mill was built in 1838 and was
Ideated on Sugar creek, probably on the southwest quarter of the northeast
((uarter of section 26, township 16, range 6. These mills were all run by
water power.
Several saw-mills have been constructed in different parts of the town-
ship; the greater number, however, were located in Greenfield and will be
considered in the local history of Greenfield. Among the later mills and
factories that were established outside of Greenfield arc tlie following: A
saw-mill erected by George Newhall about three miles east of Greenfield on
the north side of the railroad. It stood at the southeast corner of section 35,
township 16, range 7, just below the present location of Trees's shop. .\t
that time the railroad had a switch there and also stopped certain accommo-
dation trains for passengers. The mill burned after a few years, but was
rebuilt and operated until about 1875. A saw-mill, constructed by Curtis &
Brother, in 1869, located along the east side of the east half of the southeast
quarter of section 35, township 16, range 7, at the point where the road turns
to the northwest. In 1872 this mill was moved to a point on the west side of
the Greenfield and Pendleton pike, three and one-half miles north of Green-
field. It was operated there until sometime during the latter eighties. A
saw-mill was constructed by Thomas Little during, the latter seventies on the
northwest comer of the east half of the northeast quarter of section 23,
township 16, range 6. It was removed about 1880. A saw-mill was moved
i'rom (iem, in 1902, to the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of
section 4, township 16, range 7, bv James F. W'elib. where it was operate<l
by Mr. Webb for several years.
A saw-mill was established at Maxwell by Richard Hagan & Curtis, and
later owned by W. S. Gant, Coffin & Company, F. J. Wickers and Fremont
Gant. The boiler in this mill exploded on the afternoon of September 15,
1902, instantly killing Thomas Sitton and William Bailey, and severely injur-
ing Walter Cooper, Roy Sitton and Fremont Gant. The force of the explo-
sion was terrific and produced a shock that was felt for miles around the
mill. The mill at first stood north of town, but was later moved west of
town and north of the tracks, where the explosion occurred.
A tile factory was established at Maxwell by Keller & Evans in 1885.
It was lx)Ught bv Fred Wicker in 1891 and operated until the fall of 1914.
United Chain Works, established at Maxwell in 1902, through S. R.
Wells and operated until about igii.
A grain elevator was erected at Maxwell in 1897 by Thomas H. and
580 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
0
Andrew J. New. It burned a year later and was rebuilt. It was then blown
down in the storm of 1902. and rebuilt again. It was later owned by Xew
& Brandenburg, and is owned at present by Brandenburg & Carlton.
SCHOOLS.
The first school houses in Center township were probably localcti within
the present site of the city of Greenfield and are discussed in connection with
the local history of Greenfield.
The Independence school house has the honor of liaving l)fen the meet-
ing place for the organization of the first county teachers' association, on
February 16, i860. Th.e proceedings of that day, with the first constitution
adopted by the teachers of the county, are fully set out in the chapter on
education. In a notice that appeared in the local papers at that time the
school is named "Forest Academy."' No one in the neighborhood seems to
remember the location of such a school, hence the inference may be drawn,
that for the purpose of making it attractive to the teachers of the county, tlie
local teachers gave it the euphonious name, "Forest Academy."
Sixteen single-room district schools were maintained for many years
prior to 1883. In that year a two-room building was constructed at Max-
well bv Roliert D. Cooper. Those two rooms now form the middle portion
of the building at Maxwell. Truclilood &: Popink erected it for two thousand
seven hundred and forty dollars and it was dedicated with elatorate cere-
monies on November 24, 1883. The house was filled with people and
speeches were made by the trustee, R. D. Cooper; \\'illiam Fries, G. W.
Love, N. H. Curtis, George W. Duncan. Dr. Hervey, James Reynolds and
Alpheus Reynolds. Two additions have been made since the first two rooms
were constiiicted, so that it now has six rooms.
On May 17, 1884, the first township commencement was held at ]\Iax-
well. The pupils gave a program and the Greenfield city band furnished
the music.
The two-room school house at ^Mohawk was constructed in 1886 by John
L. Fry, trustee of Center township, and Aquilla Grist, trustee of Buck Creek
township. The building was located on the Center township side of the road,
but was to be a joint building. It was used jointly for several years, since
which time it has been maintained by Center township alone, the trustee of
Buck Creek townshi]) paying transfer fees for pupils attending from that
townshij).
The Maxwell school house was condemned by the state board of health
in the spring of 1914. Trustee .\bram Frost at once took steps for the con-
CEXTER TOWXSHIP. 58 I
struction of a new liouse. Plans ;uid specifications were ]jrepared and the
contract for the new Iniilding let. When the townsliip trustee offered the
bonds for sale an injunction suit was instituted by a number of taxpayers to
pres'ent their sale. The suit made it impossible ti> sell the lionds since no one
cared to accept them as long- as their legality was in question. The injunc-
tion suit was determined in favor of the townshi]) in the circuit court. The
contractor then brought an action for mandamus to compel the trustee to
offer the bonds for sale. The mandate was granted, but an ai)peal was taken
from the decision of the lower court, which is now pending in the higher
court. In the meantime purchasers refuse to accept the bonds because their
legality is still cjuestioned.
During the summer of 1914 the contractor built the walls as high as -the
second floor, and also laid the joists for the first two floors. Being unable
to proceed Ijecause of the lack of funds, the building has stood in its unfin-
ished condition since late in the fall of 1914.
A high school was organized at Maxwell in the fall of 1898 with fifteen
students. Under the act of 1907, although non-commissioned, it became a
certified high school with a four-years course. Following are the ]irincipa!s
who have had charge of it since its organization: William AI. Coffield, 1898-
99; John O. AIcGrail, 1899-1902; Miss Leo Chambers, 1902-04; Miss Kate
Griffin, 1904-5; Miss Mary Paxton, 1905-6; John O. McGrail, 1906-9; John
T. Ra.sh. 1909-10; John T. Sullivan, 1910-T1; W". E. Bussell, 1911-13; Will-
iam I.emmon, 1913-14; A. M. Brown, 1914.
TOWXSniP TRUSTEES.
Since the enactment of the township trustee law. in 1859. the following
men ha\e filled the trustee's office in Center township: John Foster, 1859:
John H. White, 1861: William Frost. 1862; Robert Barr, 1863; J. W.
W^alker. 1864; William !•". Pratt. 1868: S. T. Uickerson, 1870; James Mc-
Clarnon. 1874; William Potts, 1878: Robert D. Cooper. 1880-82; Columbus
N. Jackson, 1884; John L. Fry. 1886-88; \\"illiam 11. Thompson. 1890:
John K. Henby. i8c;4; Fli Hagans. 1900; \\'illiam Flsbury. 1904; .\bram
Frost. 1908; Rufus Tenijik-, 1914.
MISCErX.\XEOl"S.
The population of Center township, including the city of Greenfield, is
6.400. as shown by the census of 1910. The township had an enumeration
of 435 pu])ils. not including Greenfield, in the s])ring of 1915. Of these. 353
were enrolled in the schools; 258 were in the grades and 24 in the high
school.
582 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
The total amount paid the teachers in the elementary grades during the
year 1914-15 was $5,382. The total cost of maintaining the grade schools
was $9,023.54. It cost the township $2,396 to maintain its high school. The
estimated value of its school property is $17,100, as reported by the township
trustee on August i, 191 5. The total assessment of taxables as reported by
the assessor in 1914 was $2,337,520.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
For many years Harrison township included a large portion of what is
now the northern part of Center township. During the existence of this town-
ship its local courts were presided over by the following men : Isaiah Curry,
1831 ; William Matindale, 1831 ; John Martin, 1835: William Martindale.
1835; John ]\Iartin, 1840; J. D. Conway, 1843; John Martin, 1845; J. D.
Conway, 1848: John Martin, 1850; W. C. Walker, 1850: E. B. Chittenden,
1851. '
From 1838 to 1853 a part of what is now Center township was incUided
in Union township. The local courts of Union township were presided over
by James Reeves, 1840; David W. O'Delt, 1841 ; William B. Martin. 1845;
Levi Leary, 1846, 1851; E. N. Wright, 1850; R. N. Dun. 1853.
As may be seen by referring to the chapter on county government,. the
boundary lines of Center township were changed a number of times. The
township has been of all sizes, from a narrow strip two miles north and south
and seven miles east and west to its present dimensions. Its local courts
through all of these variations have lieen presided over by the following men :
Joseph Chapman, ; W. O. Xeff, 183 1; Jonathan Dunbar. 1834: George
Tague. 1834; William Justice, 1836; W. A. Franklin, 1841 ; William Sebas-
tian, 1842; William Cushman, 1842; Harn,' Pierson, 1846; Thomas H. Fry,
1847: C. Y. Atkison, 1848: Erastus Church, 1848: John Rardin, 1848
Joseph Anderson, 1849; Jonathan Tague, 1850; Leonard Hines, 1850
Joseph Matthews, 185 1; James B. Rawlins, 1854; John Rardin. 1854-58
William Foster, i860; W. P. Cragan. i860; George Barnett, 1862-1870;
John Rardin, 1862-66; Isaac Mullen, 1870-74; W. C. Walker. 1870-74; John
W. Walker, 1874-78; James H. Thompson, 1878; George Barnett. 1874-
1880-84-88-92: James W. Wilson. 1880: Reuben A. Riley. 1883; William
Anderson. 1884; William Roberts. 1886: Richard Hagans. 1888; Enos Gery,
1888-92; Vard Finnell, 1892; Newton R. Spencer, 1894; Ambrose ]'. Her-
ron, 1894-1900; William H. Alger. 1894; Foster S. Franklin. 1896; Lewis
Cooper. 1898; Vinton A. Smith. 1897-1906; James W. Barrett. 1901 ; Wash-
ington O. Slifer, 1902; Elijah B. Grose, 1906; Henry Snow. 1906: Daniel
CENTER TOWNSHIP. 583
C. Gimason, 1906-10-14: Joseph Garrett, 1910; Pymplori R. Reed, 1914;
Jesse M. Reedy, 1914; John F. Eagan, 1915.
COUNTY OFiaCERS.
Center township, including the city of Greenfield, has furnished a great
many of the men who have been charged with the responsibility of admin-
istering the affairs of the county. Lewis Tyner, who was the first clerk of
the circuit court, and who for several years also performed the duties of the
county auditor and county recorder in connection with the clerk's office, was
a resident of Greenfield. Among other names that are prominent in the very
early history of the township are those of John Foster, the first sheriff, also
the first trustee of Center township and the first representative from Han-
cock county in the state Legislature : John Templin, who is prominent as an
early merchant and who was also the first auditor of Hancock county ; Meri-
dith Gosney, whose name is prominent as county sun-eyor and scliool com-
missioner. The following list will give a good idea of the officers who have
been selected from Center township, including Greenfield :
Representatives. — John Foster. Joseph Chapman, David S. Gooding,
George Y. Atkison, Morgan Chandler, WEUiam H. H. Rock, Leonard Bard-
wcll, Joseph Mathers, John Alley, Charles G. Offutt, John H. White, Harry
G. Strickland, Thomas D. Walpole, Reuben A. Riley, George Tague, A. C.
Handy, Montgomery Marsh, Robert F. Reeves.
Senators. — Thomas D. Walpole, William R. Hough. David S. Gooding,
Morgan Chandler, James L. Mason.
County Commissioners. — Benjamin Spillman, Abram Rhue, Hiram
Tyner, M. L. Paullus, George W. Gordon, Isaac Willett, William Curr}%
Jacob Slifer, George Crider, Horace Wickard, Natlianiel Henry, Jacob Tague,
John Hinchman, William Marsh.
County .Surveyors. — Jared Chapman, W. S. Fries, G. C. Winslow, Mere-
dith Gosney, Frank Lewark. Morris Pierson, James A. Cleary.
Clerks of the Circuit Court.— htwh Tyner, William Sebastian. John T.
Sebastian, Charles Downing, Moses Wood. Joseph Chapman, James Ruther-
ford, Morgan Chandler, R. A. Black, Horace E. Wilson. John Hager, George
Y. Atkison, Henry A. Swope. William A. Service. .Ml of the clerks of the
circuit court, except Marsh, Sample, Hall and William A. Wood, have Ijeen
elected from Center township.
Auditors. — John Templin, A. C. Handy, William I. Garriott, Lvsander
Sparks, James L. Mitchell. Harvey Rime. Jnnatlian Tague. Lawrence Wood.
584 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Treasurers. — Xathan Crawford, Jolin Foster. James A. Flip[X), Morris
Pierson, Nelson Bradley, Allen Cooper, Andrew T. Hart, Isaiah CmTV.
Sheriffs. — John Foster. Jonathan Dunbar, Morgan Chandler. Lewis N.
Larrabee, Samuel C. Duncan, John Osborn. William H. Pauley, John Carl-
ton, Basil Meek, William H. Curry, Xoah Spegal. Jesse Cox.
Recorders. — Joshua Meek, \\'illiam West, Nathaniel H. Roberts, James
Thomas. John Milroy, William Mitchell. John \\'. Ryon, Raleigh Sitton,
Lemuel Gooding, Levi Lean. Tlenry Snow, William R. White.
County Assessors. — John II. Reeves, Eli A. Parish.
Following are the ])roperty owners who paid taxes in sums exceeding
one himdred dollars in 1015: George Allen, $104.45; Joseph L. Alford,
$162.18; Mary C. Ashcraft. $248.07; Sophia Boots, $267.26; Franklin Boots,
$334.13: \\"alter K. Boyd, $239.14; Freeman Braddock and children,
$173.61; Charles Burton. $134.69; William .A. Barnard, $100.17; Samuel S.
Boots, $538.39; Margaret J. Brohard, $587.93; Mary E. Boyd. $208.89; ^som
J. Baity, $128.57; Malinda B. Biddle. $103.23; William M. Brizendine.
$145.65; Charlotte Coffield, .$247.45; John W. Caraway. S132.81 ; Jacob
Catt (estate), $425.95; James Carlton, $187.81; Elmer E. Clark. ,$2.(7.25;
Marshall T. Duncan, $307.02; James ^L Deer, $254.59; William Elshury.
$100.98; Luther Frost, $227.71; Leander Fuller, $212.16; Isaac .\. Goble
and wife, $118.53; Edward E. and Florence Gant, $102.81 ; John S. Henry.
$170.98; Nathan Hunt, $266.22; Elijah .\. Henby, $256.02; Willard Hutch-
in.son. $260.47; Madison Hinchman, $114.45; Charles M. Hill. $160.95;
Charles M. Hill, Administrator, $104.45: Thomas B. Leary. $200.99; Eli
Lilly & Co., $677.28;. Joshua Moore, $220.93; Edward Martin, $109.35;
Emma Hall Morris, $4.80.93; John McBee. $102.21; Edwin L. Mclntire,
$132.44; Marshall V. Pratt. $186.05: John T. Parish, $160.95; Joshua J.
Pratt, $171.57: George W. Reeves heirs, $105.47: .\ancy E. Reedy, $128.72;
John h. Rhue, $117.57; Benjamin F. Shelby, $115.26; Mary J. Sipe heirs,
$163.20; Thomas Seaman, $112.05; John S. Thomas, $146.07: Charles S.
Townsend, $133.87; Manford L. Wright, S>202.7,j; Eliza M. \\'ilson,
$220.72; Lewis J. Weber. $126.89; David L. \\'ickard, $166.67; James F.
Webb, $154.71; Samuel A. Wray. $357.61; Frederick J. Wickers. $263.97;
Maiy A. Williams, $110.37: William E. Crossley, $105.31 : James M. Dun-
can, $214. ()i : William C. Dudding. $180.95; Rosanna C. Elsbury, $297.03;
Sarah M. Frost, $254. 79; John S. Gibbs. $100.77; Greenfield Frviit Jar and
Bottle Company, $776.43; Thomas Holland (estate), $252.75; Joseph M.
Henry, $194.20; ^lartha Howard (estate), $225.81; Richard Hagan,
CEXIEK TOW XSlIll'. 585
$205.63; Floyd Huidiinscm. S_'S3.35: Maggie L. Halsall. $317.63; James
V. Herr, $20J.gS: William L. 1 lam, $109.55; Vernia I. Kerr and Roscoe M.
Moore, $132.81; Frank Larrahee and wife, $102.00; J. K. 1'. Martindale,
$234.39; Caleb W. Moncrief. $213.18: V.Vv/.a. J. McClarnon, $134.03; Charles
\V. McKinzie, $157.13; Pearl Jacobs McDonald, $100.98; Henry W. I'ope.
$115.67; (icorge W. Potts, $109.95; Fernery F. Pratt, $125.11 ; Thomas Rob-
erts, $r,i4i.oo; William FL Reese, $152.19; John M. Smith, $675.30; Will-
iam R. Shipley, $134.44; Julian Strahl, $144.49: Justice W'. Sharick,
$116.07; Williani F". Thomas, $277.26; Oscar L. Wright, $174.63; Isaac M.
Willett, $144.37: James F. Wilson, $117.91; John C. Weber, $309.67; Hor-
ace F. Wickanl, $136.68; L. P. and L. A. Wiggins, $121.17; R'ley H.
White. $117.55; Porter Wiggins, $107.91: Clarence and Estella Walker.
$131.23: Sarah M. Zell, $130.97.
MOHAWK.
The town of Mohawk lies partly in Center and partly in Buck Creek
township. Its history has been given under Buck Creek township.
M.\X\VELI..
The original survey of the town of Maxwell was made on August 20,
1881. when nineteen lots were laid out by Massa Apple. It was first known
as "ruiictiiin." Init as soon as a few bouses were built the town was named
Maxwell, in honor of a man connected with the construction of the railroad.
The following additions have been made to the town :
Apple's Addition, platted September 7, 1881, by John J. .\pple, and
contains nine lots.
FloUand's First Addition, platted .\ugust 10, 1882, by Thomas J. Hol-
land, and contains eight lots.
Flolland's Second Addition, platted October 2T, 1882, by Thomas J.
Holland, and contains nine lots.
Reynold's Addition, platted October 28, 1882. by James 11. Reynolds.
and contains fourteen lots.
Holland's Third Addition, platted April 30. 1889, liy Thomas J. Hol-
land, and contains six lots.
Holland's F-Qurth- Addition, platted ?klarcb 31, 1892, by Thomas J. Hol-
land, and contains two lots.
Holland's Fifth Addition, platted May 3, 1902, by Thomas J. Holland,
and contains twentv-five lots.
586 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Maxwell has never been incorporated as a town. Its mills and factories
have been discussed above.
A Knights of Pythias lodge was organized on June 28, 1884, with
eighteen charter members. On account of its proximity to Greenfield it was
difficult for the lodge to keep up its membership. People preferred to come
to Greenfield and, after struggling along for several years it gave up its
charter.
Among the grocers, merchants, etc., who have been located at Maxwell
are C. F. W. Brandt, "Millus" Jackson, J. M. Jacobs, E. L. Cooper, J. F.
Gant and Burt Burk, the latter three being engaged in business now. Phemis-
ter & Carlton had a drug store for a time, and Chamberlain a restaurant.
Frank Weber also operated a blacksmith shop for a number of years. The
present blacksmiths are Guy Dobbins, Robert Bussell and Charles Chambers
Jacob Sutton is the tonsorial artist of the town.
PROGRESSIVE READING CLL'B.
The Progressive Reading Club was organized during the last week of
February, 1916, at the home of Mrs. E. L. Cooper, by the ladies of Maxwell
and vicinity. The purpose of the club is indicated by the caption. The offi-
cers elected for the first year were : Mrs. Martin Welsh, president : Mrs.
Eakin, vice-president; Airs. Ernest Hiday. secretary, and Mrs. Jennie Mc-
Carty, treasurer..
BERLIN.
This proposed town was surveyed and laid out by William Curr}- during
the thirties, on the east, bluffs of Erandywine. from a quarter to a half mile
south of the north line -of section 10, township 16, range 7. It adjoined the
site of a grist-mill which he was operating at the time. The town was like
many others that were laid out on paper in new country^ and never actually
came into existence.
BINWOOP.
For many years a postoflice was maintained at Leamon's Corner, in
Jackson township. Tn 1881 this postofice was removed, and about
the same time George Tague, who lived along the west line of the southwest
quarter of section 14, township 16, range 7, had a postoffice installed in a
little grocery tliat he was conducting. This postoffice was known as Bin-
wood. Mail was distributed from it until in the latter eighties.
CENTER TOWNSHIP. 58/
INDEPENDENCE CORNET BAND.
About 1894 or 1895 eight or ten boys in the vicinity of the Independence
school organized a band. It played for several years, when the organization
was dropped. About 1902 the Independence cornet band was organized under
the leadership of Albert Frost. It consisted of the following members :
Albert Frost, Rufus Temple, Eugene Short, \"ernice Fuller, Ira Fuller, Frank
Tones, Charles Shipley, Earle Frost, Raymond Wilson. Ralph Fisk, Joe
Bundy, Frank Martindale, Bert Orr, Charles Sipe, Edward Sipe, Von Glas-
cock, Sam Boyd and Earl Martin. The organization was maintained for
two or three years, the boys playing through the campaign of 1904. A
band room was erected at the northeast corner of section 21, township 16,
range 7. After the campaign, however, a number of the boys moved away
and the others ceased playing.
MAXWELL CORNET BAND.
A band was organized at Maxwell about 1903, which, with a changing
membership, played for six or seven years. The band was at first under the
leadership of Lewis Thieman, later under the leadership of Lewis Monroe, and
finally under Ed. Duckett. Among the boys who played in the band for a
series of years were the following: Charley Shipley, Earl Martin, Earle
Frost, Bob Dorman, Fred Gant, Harry Chambers, Tracy Clark, Bynum Jack-
son, Ed. Duckett, Ben Bachlett, Lewis Thieman, leader: John Burke, Lewis
Monroe, Charles Stanton and Earl Duckett.
PAN HANDLE NURSERY.
The Pan Handle Nursery was established in 1874. by J. K. Henby, who
at first supplied only the local retail trade. The business has grown until it
now has a wholesale output that goes into almost every state in the Union.
The nursery produces fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs, vines, roses, ever-
greens, forest tree seedlings, etc., etc. J. K. Henby retired several years ago,
and since that time the business has been conductd by E. A. Henby, under the
name of J. K. Henby & Son.
BIOLOGICAL LABORATORIES ELY LILLY & COMPANY.
The Lilly biological plant is located one mile west of Greenfield on the
National road on a farm of about one hundred and sixty acres. The entire
plant is devoted to the production of antitoxins, vaccines, serums and similar
preparations employed by physicians in the treatment of diseases, particularly
infectious and contagious diseases.
588 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
The laboratories and stables form a very attractive group of snow-white,
red-roofed buildings of mission architecture, modified. And seen from the
railwav train or the National highway, these buildings, situated in die midst
of a beautiful park, make a sight particularly pleasing to the eye. The front-
age of the Iniildings is about four hundred and fifty feet. Everything is of
the most substantial construction and the plant is practically fire-proof.
Construction of this ])lant was begun in 191 3, but it was not until the fall and
winter of 19 14- 15 that biological products were placed on the market.
.\t the present time between thirty and forty horses are employed in
the production of antito.xins, serums, etc. ; a few sheep are also used in the
production of serum. Of smaller animals, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, etc.,
there are many hundreds.
Those who ha\e had opportunity to see the best laboratories of this kind
in both America and Europe have pronounced the Lilly plant the finest in
existence. It embodies the latest ideas in laboratory construction, and no
expense has been spared to provide the best facilities for this class of work.
In addition to the main laboratorv there are shops for repair work, a
spacious residence for the superintendent and c[uarters for some of the
employees.
In addition to work on biological products, the fann provides facilities
for experimental work upon medicinal plants. A large greenhouse is occu-
pied in experimental work and in the propagation of belladonna and henbane
and nianv other medicinal plants indigenous to the Old ^\'orld. Tn the spring
of 1915 forty-five thousand seedlings were planted on a ten-acre plot and a
very fine crop of belladonna, both leaves and roots, was harvested in the
following fall. This was the first time belladonna had been cultivated suc-
cessfully in the United States on a large commercial scale, the previous source
of this drug being Austria-Hungary and Germany. In time it is contem-
plated to cultivate many more medicinal plants, especially those that have
heretofore been supplied from foreign sources.
MODERN PRISCILL.\ CLUB.
The Modern Priscilla Club, a sewing and fancy work club, was organ-
ized on .\ugust 15, 191 2. Following are its members: Mesdames Roy Pauley.
Price Scott, Frank Sipe, Elmer Richey and J. C. Thomas, and the Misses
Luna Elsbury, Ester Xewhouse, Marie Xewhouse, May Mclntire. Rose Kau-
ble. \''era Burton. Beatrice and Garnetta Montrose. Mary Finney and Gladys
Hamilton. The membership of this club is composed of ladies from Center,
Blue River and Brandywine townships. The club meets once each month.
CKNTER TOWXSTTTP. 589
It uiiitfd with the Organized l-\^leration of Country Clubs in the S])ring of
COfXTRV CILTIUE CI.UB.
The Country Culture Clui) was organized in Center township, northeast
of Greenfield, on June 6, 1906. It remained in existence for a year or two
■v.m\ |)ursued literar\- studies, .\mong the nienihcrs were Mi's. Mattie Sisson,
Cora Orr. Ada ( ). iM-ost. Ethel JMartindale. Dora Pratt. Myrtle Frost. Mes-
dames I'reemaii Smith. Horace Binford. and the Misses Ethel Harlan, Maggie
Martin and Bess Bidgood.
curry's CIIAIMSI, (METHODIST EPISCOPAL).
Curn's chapel is located at the southeast corner of the southwest quar-
ter of the northeast quarter of section 15. township 16, range 7. The church
was organized in 1840. The leading members at that time were: James H.
Curr\-. Morgan Curry, Austin Curry. ^Villson Curry. Madison Curry, Will-
iam Martindale. James Parks, J. M. Curry. Moses X'angilder and Jacob
Tague. At first they had no i)lace in which to hold meetings except in their
cabins, but shortly after organizing, James I'arks, one of the charter mem-
bers, built a two-story hewed-log house, and fitted the upstairs to make it
suitable for holding- meetings. This house stood a short distance southwest
of the present church and was used until 1842. In that }ear the congregation
built a hewed-log church, which was called Curry's chapel because so many
of the Currys lielonged to it. The house was built on land donated by James
Parks and William Bridges. It was used as a place of worshij) for twenty-
five years, or until 1867. when it was torn down and a frame church was
erected on the same site. The members at this time were William Taylor,
William Brooks, I. A. Curiy. \\"illiam Bridges. Thomas West, Thomas B.
IMiller. William \\'inn. the Martindales. Tagues, Stuarts and Alartins. This
church was dedicated by James McMullin and was used as a place of worship
for thirty-three years, or until the year 1900. when it was torn down and the
present brick church was erected at a cost of about four thousand five hun-
dred dollars. The board of trustees at that time was composed of Richard
Frost. Carson Alexander, Edward Martin. Robert Briles and J. K. P. Mar-
tindale. These men also composed the building committee. The church was
dedicated by Rev. Lamport. It has now been seventy-four years since this
society was organized, and it is said that there never has been a year in all
this time that the church has not had a regular pastor. It now has a mem-
bership of about one hundred and twenty. The average attendance at serv-
ices for the past several years has been about seventy-five.
590 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
A Sunday school was organized at the time of the organization of the
church. Some of the members did not beheve in Sunday schools, but Harvey
Curry organized a class that met under a large oak tree during the first sum-
mer. Later, of course, it became an au.xiJiary of the church and has steadily
kept pace with the parent institution. It now has six classes, with an average
attendance of about fifty. Among its superintendents have been, Harvey
Curry, William Bridges, Capt. I. A. Curry, \\^illiam Taylor, C. T. Fowler,
Joseph Fisk, Cora Fisk, Rosa Taylor, James Bussell, Albert Frost. C. Bert
Orr and C. F. Brooks.
The various circuits to which the church has belonged have owned three
parsonages, one at Eden and one at Maxwell.
Two auxiliary societies have been organized, one, a Ladies' Aid Society,
organized about 1900: the other, the Willing \\'orkers, organized about 1907.
The latter organization is still active and has a membership of about
twenty-five.
CED.^R GROVE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.
The Cedar Grove Methodist Protestant church stood on the west line of
the east half of the northeast quarter of section 26, township 16, range 6, at
the present elbow made by the road, about thirty rods north of the south line
of said east half. It was one of the very early churches of the township.
The people of the community, including tlie Shelbys, Pyles, Robbins and
'Jthers, at first worshipped at the White school house that stood on the spot
above described, or ver}' near there. A church was built by the congregation
about 1868 or '69. Services ceased to be conducted in the latter seventies
or early eighties.
SUGAR CREEK METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Among the charter members of this congregation were James Cant, Jere-
miah Gant, John Alexander, Hiram Hunt, Robert Wilson and Thomas Smith.
They likely had held services for some time previously, but in 1839 they
bought one acre of ground from Richard Hutson for twenty-five dollars,
on which to build a church. This was located on the east bluffs of Sugar
creek, near the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of the northeast
quarter of section 23, township 16, range 6. The church was about thirty
by thirty-eight feet and was furnished with slab seats. The class was organ-
ized and held meetings in this building in 1840. Their first pastor was a
man named Richmond, from Pendleton, Ind. Among the very early ministers
were Ji:)hn Burt, George Havens, John Millender and G. W. Bowers.
CENTER TOWNSJIIP. 591
The first board of trustees was composed of Robert Smitli. Jolm Alexan-
der and Ilirain Hunt. Services with preaching were held every four weeks
at 10:30 A. M. In 1849 Eli Ranimel was pastor of tlie charge. The church
then had a membership of probably twenty. A great revival was held in the
ciiurch in 1849, ^t which eighty or more were converted and joined church.
Preaching services were tlien held every four weeks at 3 :oo o'clock P. M.
Sunday school was lield every Sunday morning at 9 :oo A. M., with
an attendance of about fifty. Class meetings were held at 10 :oo A. M.
James Gant was class leader and Sunday school superintendent for a number
of years about this time.
The membership of the church was divided, some living on the west side
of Sugar creek, the others on the cast side of the creek. Those on the west
side withdrew about 1850 and attended church in a school house on the
west side of the creek. During the Civil War the membership dwindled down
to a very few. A number of the members at that time also joined the Cedar
Grove church.
In 187 1 the members of the congregation took a subscription for the
construction of a new church house IMoney was subscribed, and in the fall
of 1872 the contract for the new church house was let to John S. Orr for
one thousand and fifty dollars. The cliurch was dedicated on August 3, 1873.
About 1874 it was made a part of the Philadelphia circuit and has had the
same pastors that are given under the Philadelphia charge. The congregation
has its regular services with its Sunday school meeting every Sunday. '
MT. CARMEL METHODIST EPISCOP.U, CHURCH.
The Mt. Carmel Methodist Episcopal church was organized about 1838
in a log school house where the present house now stands, on the east bluff
of Sugar creek, in the northeast quarter of section i, township 16. range 6.
Among its charter members were Owen Jarrett, .Andrew Jarrctt. William
Jones and wife, John Alley, Martha Swope. Riley Taylor, John Lewis and
wife, Samuel Henry and wife and Martha Chapman. The Rev. Eli Rammel,
who conducted such a successful revival at the Sugar Creek Methodist Episco-
pal church in 1849, conducted a similar revival in this church, at which over
one hundred persons were added to the membership of the church.
In 1853 it erected a new frame church, at a cost of eight hundred dol-
lars. Services were held until alwut the beginning of the present century.
MT. GILE.\D B.\PTIST CHURCH.
The Mt.' Gilead Baptist church was organized on August 19, 1827, at
the home of Samuel Jackson, with the Baptist ministers and other members of
592 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
the failli from Blue River lownslii]) am' fnmi tlie Betliel cliiircli present. The
congregation was first known as Brandywine cliurch and retained tliat name
until alxiut the middle of .\ugust, 1838. when the members changed the name
to Mt. Gilead. .\mong the charter members were Samuel Jackson and wife.
Benjamin Spiilman and wife, and James Reeves and wife.
Services were held in the church until about igog-io. The church Iniild-
ing is still standing and is located on the west side of the angling road in the
southwest corner of the northeast (|uarter of the northeast quarter of section
13, tiiunsliip i(>, range 6.
BETHEL CHRISTIAN UNION CHURCH.
Tliis (-liugregation was jjroljably organized through the efforts of Rev.
.Abbott, fnim ]ndianapi)lis. abmit the time of the Civil War, or a little later.
A neat frame churcii was liuilt at tlie northeast corner of the southeast quarter
of section 27, township 16, range 7. It took its name from the Bethel school
house wiiich then stood about thirty rods north of the ch.urch. Xo records of
the cliurch have been found, Init among the families who worshipped there,
wliellier thev were members or not, were William Fries and family. .\. C.
Handy and family, James P. C'.alb.reath and family. J. Foster and family,
Jason Myers and family, Job.nson and family. . A. C. Handy preached
many sermons in this church and James P. Galbreath was a very active mem-
ber. The families became scattered and services were discontinued during the
latter seventies or early eighties.
MAXWELL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Maxwell Methodist lipiscopal church was organized at ^laxwell and
the church was built in 1886. The charter members were Zacister Dorm;ui.
Minerva Dorman, Ivan Curtis, Martha Curtis, Martha Howard. Thomas
Holland, .\zl)erine Holland. John T. Heniy, Louisa J. Henry. Frank Boots,
Mrs. Boots and Lucretia Welch. Its present membership numbers fifty-five.
Following are a few of the pastors who have served the congregation :
Hosie Woolpert, William Peck, D. H. Cuild. Rhinehart, J. L. Ram-
sey, A. A. Pittinger and S. 1'. Harter.
A Sundav school was organized soon after the erection of tlie church in
1886. Its superintendents have been James .\. Reynolds, Thomas Holland,
Joseph Dorman, Henry Shepler, Mrs. Alice Hutton. Philip Schenk and E.
H. Tresner. The average attendance of the Sunday school is about sixty.
Six classes are organized, representing the primary, intermediate and adult
departments.
The Maxwell circuit owns a parsonage, located at the south end of Max-
CENTER TOWNSHIP. 593
well. It was purclia.scd In- Rw. A. j. RIkkIcs. \v1k) was then the pastor in
charge. The church has a flcnuisliin!^ l-Lpworth League, w^iich was organ-
ized by tlie present pastor, A. J. Duryee, in 1913, with forty cliarter mem-
bers. W. A. Kimball was the first president of the league. At present it
has a membership of one hundred and si.xteen. S. B. Lininger is now
president.
The present board of trustees consists of John T. Henry. S. 15. Lininger,
E. H. Trusner and J. F. Gant. The lioard of stewards is composed of S. B.
Lininger and wife, Ed Prather and wife antl ]\Irs. Ethel Robinson.
SEVENTII-D.W ADVENTIST CHURCH.
The first persons to embrace the faith of the Seventh-Day Adventists in
the vicinity of Maxwell were George \V. Hopkins. Henrietta Hopkins, his
wife, and Leonard V. Hopkins, in the winter of 1884: During the summer
of 1888 Elders William Covert and F. M. Roberts pitched a tent at Maxwell
and conducted meetings, which resulted in the erection of the ciiurch at Ma.x-
well. A congregation of about thirty members was organized, including the
families of George W'. Hopkins, A. E. Hopkins. Leonard V. Hopkins. Nathan
Hunt, A. C. Alford, Charles Anderson. A. J. Johnson, C. C. Slater, John J.
Hopkins and Frank M. Archer. On the night of August 18, i8go, the church
burned, but a new house was built in the same fall. Serxices were then held
for a period of ten or twelve years, after which many members having moved
away, the church building was sold to the Friends congregation. The
Friends bought the house in 1902 and kept it until 1913, when it was bought
by Leonard \'. Hopkins, who now holds it for the Seventh-Day Adventist
church.
In February. 191 5. the congregation was reorganized and now consists
of twenty-one members, including the families of Nathan Hunt. Irvin Hunt,
Raymond Potts. Roy White. Elizabeth Anderson, Mrs. A. E. Hopkins, Llo}d
Dickerson. Abe Cottrell, Jesse Wilson and L. V. Hopkins.
A school with ten pupils is also conducted in connection with the church
by Miss Irene Presnall. of Indianapolis, for the purpose of gi\'ing the children
instruction in religious matters.
MAXWEI.T. FRIENDS CIIURCH.
The Maxwell Friends church was organized December 19, 1888, with
the following charter members : Daniel Apple, Elizabeth J. Apple, Susan H.
Barnard, Hiram Chappie. Franklin Boots, John Crossly, Isaiah Chappel,
Henn- \\\ Chadric. Zacharv Dorman. Marion Forgev. Susan Forgev. lohn
(38)
594 HANCOCK COUNTY. INDIANA.
S. McCune. Elizabeth McCune, John T. Harlan, Adaline Harlan, Joseph
Gray, Mary Gray, James M. Walker, Effie \\'alker, James A. Jacobs, Amanda
A. Jacobs. Thomas H. Shepherd, ^lartha S. Shepherd. William West and
Samuel Wiggins. The first trustees of the church were Franklin Boots,
Marion Forgey and Joshua J. Pratt.
Not long after organizing, their first church was erected on the north
side of the railroad. This building was destroyed by the storm on June 25,
1902. The congregation then bought the Seventh-Day Adventist church in
the fall of 1902. Services were held for some time in this church, after which
the mem.bership was transferred to the Friends church at Greenfield on Sep-
tember 24, 1904. In 1913 the Friends sold the church building to Leon-
ard V. Hopkins, who now holds it for the use of the Seventh-Day Adventist
congregation.
CHAPTER XVIII.
CITY OF GREENFIELD.
The growth, development and expansion of the city are indicated in a
way by the additions that have been made since the town was first laid out.
The original plat was surveyed on April 12, 1844, by Morris Pierson,
county surveyor: Joshua Meek and Thomas Vanvern, chain carriers, and
lienjamin b'ranklin, axeman.
First South Addition, laid out May 3, 1839, by Edward K. Hart.
Pierson's Addition, laid out April 14, 1853, by Morris Pierson; contains
sixty lots.
Pierson's Second Addition, laid out February 27, 1854, by Morris Pier-
son ; contains twenty-three in-lots and four out-lots.
Meek & Hart's Addition, laid out July 23, 1853, by Comwell Meek and
Andrew T. Hart; contains fifty-one in-lots and twelve out-lots.
Western Addition, laid out July 25, 1856, by James R. Bracken; twelve
out-lots.
Junction Railroad Addition, laid out July 28, 1854, by the Junction Rail-
road Company, fifteen lots.
Fletcher & McCarty's Addition, laid out by Margaret McCarty, Henry
Day, Margaret C. McCarty, Frances J. McCarty, Nicholas McCarty and Cal-
vin Fletcher, on September 14, i860; eighteen lots.
JJradley's Addition, laid out September 23, 1867, by Nelson Bradley,
Eysander Sparks and A. T. Hart ; forty-five lots.
Elders' Addition, laid out April 18, 1870, by Benjamin Elder; eighty-
two lots.
Snow's Addition, laid out August 19, 1870, by Anna M. Snow; fifteen
lots.
Elder's First Addition, laid out March 27, 1871, by Benjamin Elder.
Wood, Pratt and Baldwin's Addition, laid out by William S. Wood,
William F. Pratt and Joseph Baldwin ; sixty-three lots. As soon as this addi-
tion had been surveyed and platted the owners sold the lots at public auction.
The Greenfield band was employed for the day and a large number of people
moved back and forth over the addition as the lots were sold.
Burdett's First Addition, laid out July 28, 1871, by William C. Burdett;
forty-seven lots ; also seven and one-half acres for the residence of William C.
Burdett. After this addition had been sur\-eyed and platted. Mr. Burdett
595
596 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
offered tlie lots for sale at public auction, and employed the Greenfield band
for the day. At each of these sales by Wood. Pratt & Baldwin, and Burdett,
one lot was given free, as previously announced to purchasers.
Wiiod, Pratt and Baldwin's Addition of Out-lots, laid out by William S.
\\ood. William F. Pratt and Joseph Baldwin; seven out-lots. The owners
again adopted tlie plan of selling lots of this addition at public auction. The
Greenfield band was again upon the scene, and a large number of people were
in attendance.
Teal's Addition, laid out October 17, 1871, by WilHam A. Teal; twenty-
four lots.
Wood, Pratt and Baldwin's Second Addition, laid out October 26, 1872,
by William S. Wood, William F. Pratt and Joseph Baldwin ; seventy-eight
lots and two out-lots.
Wood, Pratt and Baldwin's Second Addition of out-lots, laid out Octo-
ber 26, 1872, by William S. Wood, William F. Pratt and Joseph Baldwin;
four out-lots.
Hinchman's First Addition, laid out April 9, 1873, by Jolm Hinchman;
five lots.
Hinchman's Second Addition, laid out June 2, 1873, by John Hinchman;
ten lots.
Stuart's First Addition, laid out July 3, 1873, by Ithamer W. Stuart;
twenty-eight lots.
O'Donnell's Addition, laid out May 28, 1874. by Patrick O'Donnell and
James O'Donnell.
Wood's Addition, laid out by William Spencer Wood on May 8, 1875;
thirty-seven lots.
Burdett's Second Addition, laid out October 10, 1877, by \\'illiam C.
Burdett; twenty-three lots.
Bradley's Addition, laid out June 14, 1880, by order of court in matter
of petition of J. Ward \\'alker, administrator, with will annexed, of estate of
Frederick Hamniel. deceased. B\- sub-division, block 5 was sulxlivided into
twelve lots.
Portion of Xoblesville road. Noble street, vacated August 7, 1884. Peti-
tion of William W. Webb et al.
Walker's Addition, laid out in April, 1889, by J. Ward Walker and Sarah
Walker; forty-eight lots.
Board of Trade Addition, laid out July 18, 1889, by Richard .\. Black,
president, and Edwin P. Thayer, secretaiy ; seven lots.
Chandler's Addition, laid out .August 17, 1889, by Henry L. Smith, trus-
GKEi;\FiKi,n. 597
lee iov Jiihn Landers, \\'. (J. W'a.sson, E. C. Eagau and W. C Wliitfliead :
four liundrcd and forty lots.
J-lxchange Addition, laid out January 31, 1890, by the (ireenfield J\eal
Estate Exchange, by S. S. Hoots, president, and V. L. Early, secretary; one
hundred and seventy-five lots.
Boyd's Highland Home Addition, laid out b'ebruary 5, 1890. by 1 'Inlan-
der H. Boyd : thirty-two lots.
Pierson's Third Addiliim, laid out January 31, 1890, by Lucena S. Pier-
son ; fifty lots.
Hazelwood Addition, laid out May i, 1890, by Mary V.. Swope; si.Kteen
lots.
Hill drove Addition, laid out May 5, 1890, by Xelson Bradley; five
out-lots.
Thayer's Park Front Addition, laid out September 8, 1890, l)y Levi C.
Thayer; seventy-four lots.
William New's Addition, laid out December 30. 1890, by William New;
five lots.
Brandywine Addition, laid out February 3, 1891, by Hollis B. Thayer;
twelve lots.
Edward W. Felt's Addition, a sub-division of out-lot No. 2 in Wood,
Pratt and Baldwin's second addition. Laid out May 19, 1891, by Edward W.
Felt ; thirteen lots.
William 1'. Wilson's .\ddition. laid out June 3. 1891, by William P.
Wilson; twenty-eight lots.
Arthur P. Williams' .Vdditiim. laid mil June 20, i8()i. by Arthur P.
Williams; twenty-two lots.
Re1>ecca J. Fnright's .\dditinn. laid out May 11. 1892, by Rebecca J.
Fnright ; six lots.
David S. Clooding's Sub-division of out-lots 3 and 4 in Pier.son's second
addition; laid out January 5, 1893, by David S. Gooding: twelve lots.
C. M. Kirkiiatrick's Addition, laid out January 5, 1893. by C. M. Kirk-
patrick and S. J. Kirkpatrick; nine in-lots and one out-lot.
Dunn, Et .\1, .Addition, laid out December 30, 1893. by James H. Witty.
Nathan H. Carrithers, I-Vancis M. Dunn; twelve lots.
Corrected Plat of C. .M. Kirki)atrick's .Addition, ma.de April 16. 1894;
seventeen lots.
F. G. Banker's .Addition, laid out July 31, 1894. by F. G. Banker and
Laura M. Banker ; twelve lots.
598 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
John G. Carriger's First Addition, laid out April lo, 1895, by J. G. Car-
riger and Sarah T. Garriger; nineteen lots.
Mason's Addition, laid out April 23, 1896, by Robert L. Mason; six lots.
Banker's Second Addition, laid out June 2. 1896. by Francis G. Banker;
eight lots.
McCulIy's Sub-division of O'Donnell's Addition and Reserve, laid out
July I, 1896, by Jane McCully.
^\"ilso^'s Addition, laid out Januarj- 19, 1897. by George S. Wilson and
others : thirty-nine lots.
Kinsley's Addition, laid out November 30, 1896, by Nannie Kinsley and
Marcus M. Kinsley; nine lots.
Arthur P. WilHams' Addition, laid out May 15, 1901, by Arthur P.
Williams ; twenty-two lots.
Bentley & Crider's Addition, sub-division of out-lot No. i in Wood,
Pratt and Baldwin's second addition. Laid out bv D. H. Bentley, Rose E.
Bentley, M. S. Crider and Esta Crider; seven lots and one out-lot.
Beecher's .\ddition, laid out June 18, 1902, by Fred Beecher; six lots.
Eagan's .Addition, laid out April 22, 1903, by John F. Eagan; nine lots.
Randall Place. First Section, laid out by George T. Randall and Eliza
Randall ; sixty lots.
Rose Hill Addition, laid out June 3. 1903, by William R. White; fifteen
lots.
Randall Place, Second Section, laid out December 13, 1905, by George
T. Randall.
Snow's Sub-division of a part of lot A in Pierson's Third Addition, laid
out March 9, 1908, by Henry Snow ; nine lots.
Banks' Sub-division of Lots i, 2, 3, 4. 5, 37, in Wood's .Addition, laid
out October 4, 1913, by Rosalind Corcoran, et al.
COUNTY SEAT.
Greenfield was selected as the county seat of Hancock county bv a legis-
lative committee composed of Levi Jessup, of Hendricks county ; James Smock,
of Johnson county ; Richard Blacklidge, of Rush county ; John Anderson, of
Henry county, and Thomas Martin, of Marion county. Their report, making
this selection, was filed with the board of county commissioners on April 11,
1828. On the same day the board also ordered that "the seat of justice of
Hancock county shall be known and designated by the name and title of
Greenfield."
The original site of the town included sixty acres and was donated to the
GREENFIELD. 599
county by Cornwall Meek, Benjamin Spillman and John W'ingfield, as an
inducement to the legislative committee to select this site for the county seat.
Tl:e ground so donated was at once surveyed, and Jared Chapman was
appointed county agent to sell the lots and account for the moneys received
therefor, as provided by law. As soon as the plat of the town had been made,
the lots, of course, were put on the market by the county agent. The first
purchaser was John Anderson, to whom a deed was executed on June 4, 1828.
Other lots were sold to other people, hut they were probably not taken as
rapidly as might have been expected. In consequence thereof a sale of the lots
was ordered to be made at public auction on August 12, 1828. They were not
all sold, however, for some time afterward.
GREENFIELD .\S .\ VILLAGE.
A few buildings were at once constructed. Among the first residents
were Cornwall Meek, Jeremiah Meek, Morris Pierson, Lewis Tyner and Dr.
Lot Edwards. All of these names, with others, appear prominent in the first
records of the county commissioners of Hancock county. A log jail was
also built somewhere on the east side of the public square in 1828. In 1829
the county erected a two-ston,- log court house, which stood on the west side
of State street just south of the Gooding hotel. Between the jail and the
court house was a big pond in which travelers washed their horses and which
in wet weather was deep enough to sw^im horses. It covered the northern and
western parts of the public square and extended to within a few paces of the
Gooding House. It left only space enough adjoining the Gooding corner for
a road, so that all travel went around that way. When the National road was
opened this pond was drained and filled.
These first public buildings, as well as all of the first residences, were log
houses built in the most primitive fashion. In 1830 the first frame dwelling
house was built by Benjamin Spillman, one of the donors of the site. A two-
story frame house was also constructed by James Hamilton a year or two
later, on the north side of Main street just west of where Mount street is now
located. In 1832 the north half of the Gooding hotel was completed by
Joseph Chapman. In 183 1 the board of county commissioners let the con-
tract for the first brick court house upon the public square. It was not com-
pleted until near the close of 1833. In 1833 the board let the contract to
Cornwall Meek for the construction of a brick jail on the south side of the
public square.
During the thirties a brick yard was established north of the little town
bv Joshua Meek. This brick yard stood northwest of the present corner of
600 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
State and I'ifth streets, on the liill al)nve the residence of Dr. Justice. For
a number of years Josluia Meek made all the brick used in the buildings at
Greenfield. This included the first brick jail, the first brick court house, the
earl\- brick dwellings, and probably the county seminary. He was also a
mason and did brick construction work. It was under him that many of the
early masons at Greenfield learned their trade.
The following interesting description of the little town appeared in the
Indiana Gazetteer, published in 1833 : "Greenfield is surrounded bv a body of
rich, fertile land and is in a \ery prosperous and flourishing state of improve-
ment. Its present population is about 200 persons. It contains two mercantile
stores, two taverns, one lawyer, one physician, and craftsmen of manv trades.
The town is supplied with water by a ven,- notable spring within its limits
and has the advantage of mills at convenient distances on the streams which
])ass through the count}."
A reference to the licensed groceries in the earlv history of the county
will indicate the first merchants and grocers of the town.
The spring mentioned abo\e has been located by several of the older
people. John Fielding Aleek was born just a mile ov two east of Greenfield
a little more than ninety-two years ago, and lived in Greenfield and vicinity
until alxmt 1855. He directed his son to say. in replv to an inquiry concern-
ing the location of the spring: "Father says there was a spring northeast of
his father's house (which stood about where the jail now stands, east of the
public square), across the Xaiidual road about one hundred feet and down a
little slope. About one hundred feet east and probably two hundred feet north
of their old house there was a hollow sycamore log that was used 'to wall up
the spring. F'ather said he fell into the spring when he was about six years
old. My mother remembers it also. Father said it must have been drained
out by improving the country. " Mrs. Pennelia Thayer also has a clear
recollection of the spring and locales it just east of the Christian church. It
was in the hollow along the branch now known as the Pott's ditch. In the
early history of Greenfield this hollow added a picturesque feature to the
town. It followed the c<iurse of the ditch fmrn the northwest, crossed North
State street near the end of Walnut street, then extended in a southeasterly
direction. The National n^ad was graded across it. and the branch itself
was spanned by a stone arch, described later. It was a favorite playground
for the children of the town. The filling of this hollow from Fast North
street to the National road was viewed with a sense of disappointment by
many of the older citizens whose memories clustered alxnu it. Lpon learning
GREENFIKUn. 6oi
of the proposctl imprcnement. mie of tlie Criiwtords is said to ha\c rcmarkcci
that lie never cared to visit (ireenfield again.
Oscar !•". Meek, a son of Joshua Meek, who was horn at Greenfield in
1829, used to say that lie remembered well when his mother and other women
of the town, in the early thirties, took their kettles to the l)ranch where there
was an abundance of water and there did the familv washing. Mrs. Thaver
also remembers similar .scenes.
In the Greenfield Reveille, in .\pril, 1845. '"^ f'Hind the first complete
business directory of the town. This was seventeen years after the organ-
ization of the count}-: ^lerchants. A. T. Hart & Company, J. Temi)hn &
Company. A. G. Selman. .\ttorneys. R. A. Riley, T. D. Walpole, D. S. Good-
ing, J. H. Williams, D. M. C. Lane, Physicians, N. P. Howard, B. F. Dun-
can, R. E. Barnett, S. .\lters, A. G. Selman, J. Wilkinson, Tanner & Currier,
Xathan Crawford. Carpenters, J. D. Furgason, E. Ballinger. Hatter, .\. M.
Pattison. Machinist, T. W. Sargent. Wagon-maker, H. McClenen. Cab-
inet-maker, P. H. F^oy. Boot and shoe maker, Ezekiel Mills. Blacksmiths,
J. Anderson and J. Sharp, Wilson Sears. Tailors, Kieffer & Meek, S. Stone,
A. Martindale. Taverns, Mrs. Gooding's hall, William Sebastian's hotel.
In September, 1848, another complete business directory appeared in tlie
Greenfield Speetatov, which shows several changes and also some additions
that had been made to the town: Merchants, John Templin & Company, A.
T. Hart, C. Meek. George Tague. Drag stores, Flarry Pierson. Grocery
stores, George Wetherald, William F'ranklin. Saddlers. Josei)h R. Xixcju, A.
Randle. Hatter, William R. West. Cabinet-makers, Phineas H. h"oy. P.
Guymon. Blacksmiths, George Plummer, Joseph K. Tharpe. John Lindsey.
National Motel, bv Mrs. M. (iooding. Tem])erance Hotel. l>y Samuel Long-
naker. Lawyers, Thomas D. \\'alpole. James Ivutherford. Daxid S. Good-
ing, Reuben .A. Riley. Physicians, Drs. Duncan & Barnett, Edwards & How-
ard. M, C. l-'alcfjiibury. Tailors, E. M. Skinner & Brother, l^". Kieffer.
I'he Indiana Gazetteer, published in 1850, reported Greenfield as a town
with sixty dwellings and a ])opulation of three hundred; thai it included good
residences of lx)th frame and brick l)uildings. It was in ibis year that (ireen-
field was incorporated as a town.
The first road running east and west through (ireenfield was the old
Centerville state road, which came into town from the east a short distance
south of the National road, and ])robably about where South State street is
now located, .\bout 1834-35 the National road was opened, but was unim-
proved except that bridges and culverts had been built and that the road had
been graded. In 1852 it was planked and in 1853 the Indiana Central rail-
602 IIAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
way was completed. Prior to the completion of the railroad the mail was
brought probalily two or three tim.es per week from each direction by the
Davton and Intiianapolis Express. Joseph Cliapnian and William Sebastian
were among the very early postmasters, but their duties in caring- for die mail
were not very arduous. It is said that Chapman frequently carried tlie mail
under his hat and delivered it to people as he met them.
The principal streets in the town were Main street and Xorlli street.
Nortli street was commonly known as the "back street." Prior to the con-
struction of the plank road all the streets were "dirt" streets, without gravel
or other material to furnish a substantial roadbed.
GREENFIELD AN INCORPOR.VTED TOWN.
The tinvn of Greenfield was incorporated in 1850. The first meeting of
the town council was held on April 15 of that year. There were present.
\\'illiam R. West, mayor; James Rutherford, recorder; A. K. Branham,
treasurer, and Councilmen Templin. Hart, Pattison and Barnett. William
Sebastian had been elected as a councilman but refused to qualify, and Corn-
well Meek was appointed to fill the vacancy. Nathan Crawford, the first
marshal-elect, also refused to qualif>-, and N. P. Howard was appointed in
his place.
The second regular meeting of the council was held on ]\Iay 2. 1850, at
which Comwell Meek and N. P. Howard filed their bonds, which were
approved. .\t this meeting the common council also adopted its first
ordinance. The necessity for the first few sections of the ordinance were
probably occasioned by the exigencies of the times. Following are the
sections :
"Section i. Be it ordained by the common council of Greenfield that
anv person who shall unlawfully, in a rude, insolent and angry manner,
touch, strike, beat or wound another, shall forfeit and pay the sum of five
dollars.-
"Section 2. If two or more persons fight by an agreement, each shall
forfeit and pay the suin of three dollars.
"Section 3. If any person or persons shall be found quarreling, making
a great noise, or in anj' wise disturbing the peace of the citizens of said town,
or any citizen therein, such person or persons shall each forfeit and pay the
sum of one dollar."
The council met again on the evening of May 3, 1S50. On motion the
sidewalks of IMain street were declared to be ten feet in width. The follow-
ing ordinance was also adopted: "Any person who shall lead, ride or drive
GRKEXFIELD. 603
a horse or other animal, or a two <>r four-wlieeletl wagon or carriage, on or
over any completed sidewalk on Main street in said town, or on or over any
unfinished sidewalk while the work is in progress, shall forfeit and pa\- one
dollar for every such offense."
On May 2, 1851, the foregoing section was amended so as to include
all sidewalks in the town of Greenfield and "that all sidewalks be limited to the
width of eight feet, sidewalks of Main street excepted."
On January 5, 1854, the common council passed another interesting
ordinance "to prevent the lighting or burning mischievously of any shavings,
wood or other rubbish, or shooting fire-crackers or sky-rockets, by any Iwy
or children under the age of twenty-one years, except the parent or guardian
be present with him or them at the commencement and during the whole
time of said burning or shooting in any streets or in-lots in the town of
Greenfield." The record, by the way, fails to show- that the above ordinance
has ever been repealed.
At a special meeting of the council on May 8. 1854, an ordinance was
adopted for grading and graveling the sidewalks, and it was ordered that on
or before the first day of November, 1854, "the owners of property on the
several streets hereinafter named be required to grade and gravel or pave the
sidewalks in front of their several pieces of property according to the speci-
fications herein directed : The walks on both sides of Main street, com-
mencing at the Noblesville road on the west and continuing east to East
street, and from thence on the north side of said Main street to the west end
of the tanyard, to be graded as directed by Nathan Crawford, councilman,
ten feet in width and six feet of the middle of said grade covered with gravel
six inches deep in the center and rounded to the edges, and from the west end
of said tanyard eight feet grade and four feet gravel to William Sebastian's
east end. State street, or Main cross street, from the north line of William
Sears' lot to the Indiana Central railroad, on both sides, and from thence to
the south line of the house now occupied by David D. Dobbins on the west
side. Mechanic .street from Main street to the railroad on both sides: West
or Seminary street from North street to the railroad on both sides: South
street from Mechanic street to East street on the south side, and North street
from the Noblesville road to State street on the north side, be graded as
directed by Nathan Crawford, eight feet wide and four feet in the middle
of said grade covered with gravel six inches deep in the centers and rounded
to the edges. Be it further ordered, that all walks that are not, in the opin-
ion of the council, in a state of progress by the first of October next, to war-
rant the l>elief of their completion by the time specified, the work on the
604 IIAXCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
same will be done by the Cdiincil. and property held liable for the amount so
expended and such damages as may have been sustained by such neglect."
The above was the first ordinance passed for a general improvement of
the sidewalks of the town. The ordinance, it will be observed, included prac-
tically all the streets of the town.
-At a special meeting on August 12, ]85_|, the following interesting di.ig
ordinance was adopted: "Be it enacted that from and ;ifter this date, tlic
1 2th of .August, 1854, that any dog or dogs found running at large within
the corporate limits of the town of Greenfield be declared a nuisance, being
considered dangerous to the safety of the citizens, and that the marshal be
and is herel)\- emi)owered and ilirected to shoot or otherwise kill any such
dog or dogs, and further that said marshal have power to deputise any citizen
or citizens of said town of Tireenfield to assist him in carrying out the spirit
of this ordinance."
Under an act appnjved June 11, 1858, the council of the corporation of
the town of Greenfield met alxnu January i. 1859 (record fails to give exact
date), and reorganized in conformitv with the provisions of the above act.
There were present, C. II. IJurt. trustee first ward: Jonatlian Tague, trustee
second ward; J. H. Carr, trustee third ward: W. R. West, trustee fourth
ward; Matthew McKinnie, trustee fifth ward. Matthew McKinnie was
elected president of the board and H. J. Williams was appointed clerk pro
tem.
The new council readopted the greater number of old town ordinances,
several of which have been set out aljove. Other ordinances were of course
adopted from time to time. On April i. 1864, Freeman Crawford and Pres-
ley Guymon were ai)i)ointed chimney and flue inspectors for the- town of
Greenfield, and were clothed with full power to consider any chimnev or
flue within the limits of the town that they found imperfect or unsafe.
An ordinance that created more excitement probably than any other,
was the famous hog ordinance, adopted on April 9. 1866, This ordinance was
adopted to restrain hogs of the age of two months and upwards from running
at large within the corporate limits of the town, unless such hog or hogs
should "l)e hv ring or rings in or through the nose, or by some other means
effectually jjrevented from rooting." llie ordinance provided that all hogs
running at large should be taken up by the marshal and confined in a pen. the
owner to pay a forfeiture of one dollar to the corporation for every hog so
taken up. etc.
Hogs and cattle were running at large in the town and country, and this
ordinance at once aroused bitter opposition. On Decemlwr 19, 1867, the mat-
OLD RILEY HOME, GREENFIELD
OLD WALFOLE HOME. GREENFIELD
(;ri:i:.\i-ii:i.1). 605
ter was discussed in tlie Hancock Democrat, from wliich the following is
taken: "Se\eral of the porkers were arrested and placed in the stray pen,
from whence a majority were redeemed by their unfortunate owners; but
three were soli! at auction i)y the marshal to ]3ay the exix^nses. Relief was
sought from the trustees hut thev rep(.'aled the (jld ordinance and passed a new
one preventing' hogs from running at large at all. There was no cons(jlation
in this sort of action and a petition was resorted to. setting fcjrth the advan-
tages of hogs running at large by those favoring this idea. The petition, we
understand, is signed liy about 160 voters and householders and asks the
repeal of the |)resent ordinance and the readoption and enforcement of the
old one."
The petition mentioned above seems to have been ineffective, and the
marshal w^as kept busy, much to the annoyance of the owners of the hogs.
The matter was generally discussed in the newspapers, and the following is
taken from the issue of Jamtary 23, 1868: "The marshal is enforcing- the
hog ordinance and has his pen a])out full. Among the lot are quite a num-
ber belonging to country gentlemen, one or two of them residing nearlv two
miles from town. Are they violators of the ordinance, and should they be
mulcted the same as the town gentleman, who is presumed to know the law
on the subject? ^Vill some of the strenuous advocates of this ordinance
answer the question ? How long will it take to lose the resjject and trade of
our countrv neighbors if they are thus fleeced of their hard earned money
when they have the right to let their hogs run at large and have no intention
of being in contempt of the town ordinance? A hog will follow a corn wagon
and pick up shattered grains and is thus tolled into town."
I'rom all that appears in the newspapers of that day it seems that the
hog" ordinance was enforced, and gradually the hogs disapjieared from the
streets of Cireenfield.
Several ordinances were passetl in 1867 to grade and .gravel streets and
sidewalks, esjiecially State street and Main street.
At the close of the Civil War Greenfield was still a town. A number of
I)uildings. however, had been constructed that are still well remembered. On
the northeast corner of State and Main streets stood a two-story hotel, known
as the Dunbar corner. A part of this buildir.g now stands on the west side of
South State street just north of the railroad, and is owned by John F. Eagan ;
the remaining portion of the building now stands on the northwest corner
of Cirant and Si)ring streets. Just east of the Dunbar corner stood a one-
story frame liuilding which contained J. R. Chappiu"s mar1)le works and June
Hunt's oyster bay. Next stood a little one-story dwelling, the home of Hum-
5o6 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIWA.
phrey Offutt, where the Thayer block now stands. These buildings stood
just across the street north of the public square. On the northeast corner of
East and Main streets stood the Xathan Crawford home. From this point
there was a ratiier sharp declivity on both sides of the street to the branch.
On the north side of the street was a tanyard, extending to the branch.
At this point the roadway had been graded, possibly sixteen or eighteen
feet higher than the sidewalks. The branch, which is now known as the
Pott's ditch, was spanned by one of the substantial stone arches that were put
in when the National road was constructed. At the east side of the branch a
hill arose: at the top of this hill, on the north side of the road, was the res-
idence of Charles Burk. The brick residence just east of tlie branch now
stands on about the same spot. There was then a vacant space to a point
now midway between Spring and Swope streets, where stood the residences
of A. T. Hart and A. K. Branham, both of which had been built on the back
part of lots on an elevation, the front of the lots .being too low for building
purposes. These properties were located on either side of the street about
where the M. C. Ouigley and Gordon residences now stand.
The ne.xt property was the William Sebastian home ; it stood on a high
liill just west of Swope street. To reach it from Main street one had to
climb some forty or fifty steps made of hewed logs, the steps reaching from
one end of the property to the other. The vacant ground between the Burk
and Branham properties described above was used for stage coaches and early
settlers going West. It was one of the well known stopping points between
Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio. This vacant space was located about
where the Carey Walton property now stands.
Just east of what is now Swope street stood the Morris Lineback prop-
erty. This was the last house within the corporate limits. The next house
on the north side of the National road was just east of Brandywine creek,
which was then spanned by a covered bridge. The house stood about a quar-
ter of a mile north of the bridge and was the home of Irvin Hunt, the first
colored man in Greenfield. At this house was located one of the best springs
known in the community for a number of years. Just a little east of Brandy-
wine creek, on the north side of the National road, was the home of Gen.
John T. Milroy who then had one of the showy residences between Columbus
and Indianapolis.
Coming into town from the east the first house on the south side of the
road was the McGann residence, which was known for many years as "the
haunted house," and was made famous by Riley. Next was the residence of
John T. Sebastian, whicli stood just across the street from the home of \\'ill-
GREEXKIEIJ). 607
iam Sebastian above desciil)e<l. The ground on which it stood, however, was
much lower than the WilHam Sebastian home. A couple of small houses
then stood on the south side of the street about half way between Spring and
Swope. The next was the large two-story frame building occupied by Dr.
Jacob Hall and Capt. R. A. Riley; it stood on the southeast corner of East
and Main streets. On the southeast corner of this lot w-as an old barn. It
was i^erhaps here that Riley was first inspired to go on the stage. It was
in this barn that he and his boyhood friends gave circus performances. It is
said that there was always something doing when Riley announced his date
for a circus. He was ably assisted by George A. Carr, later mayor of Green-
field; "Eck" Skinner, Will Hammel, Will Salla, Jesse Millikin, and others.
Going south on State street after leaving the Gooding corner was the
Lloyd Offutt property north of tlie railroad and immediately south of the
William Mitchell Printing Company. South of the railroad stood the old
Methodist Episcopal church : below the church was the property of Sarilla
Destriljue, and still below that, the Cruey property. Coming north on the
east side of South State street the first property was the Samuel Heavenridge
home, just north of what is now Cemetery street. Then come the properties
of William Mitchell, John T. Barrett and S. A. Wray, the latter being just
across the street from the Mitchell printing plant, where Dr. Wilson now
resides.
Tliere were ven- few residences on North State street. On the west side
of the street, near the present east entrance of the Masonic Temple, was a foot
bridge leading to the south line of what is now the blacksmith shop of Mor-
ford & Son. This bridge was over marshy ground and spanned a branch
that crossed the street, passing along what is now known as the Rottman
building. Xext was the Henry Xewby property. The street was then vacant
as far as W^alnut street.
The McGruder property stood on the southwest corner of what is now
Walnut and State streets. Ne.xt was the home of Thomas Sn( )w, which stood
a short distance north of what is Walnut street and was reached by toard
walks built high off the ground. Returning south on the east side of the
street stood, first, the Rardin property, of some eight or nine rooms, which
faced State street ; the wood house stood between the street and the front of
the house. It stood about halfway between North street and the branch.
Humphrey Offutt had another property on what is now the southeast corner
of State and North streets; between this and Main street Thomas Osborn
owned a stable, which stood alx>ut where the Rottman building now stands.
On the north side of Main street, just west of Pennsylvania, stood the
5o8 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Patterson hat-makers' l)uil(ling. Xext in order were tlie Dr. Howard resi-
dence, the Lot Edwards property, the Riley property, the one-story cottage
of Thcjinas Carr, where Lee C. Thayer miw hves; the home of WilHam Lind-
sey, made famous Ijy Riley : the one-story home of John W. Ryon : Cart-
wright's wagon works and James ^lahan's home. On the south side of West
Main street, at the west, stood the j'erd Keefer property, where James Rader
Boyd now has a handsduie residence. To the east stood the little residence
of Rev. Alonfort. X'ext the half frame iiouse on the southeast corner of what
is now Main and Mechanic streets, where Dr. Bruner has his office. To the
east of the Monfrnt residence stood the L. W. Gooding property, the Gwvnn
property and the James Carr property.
It is interesting to ohserxe that in those early days, when timher was yet
alnmdant, that the town marshal found it necessary to give tiie following
notice hy ])ulilication and posting:
"notice.
"Xotice is herehy given to all persons ohstructing the streets or alleys
within the coi-])oration of the town of (ireenfield, Hancock countv, Indiana,
with wood, saw-logs, lumber, or other material, that such obstruction must he
removed within ten days from the date hereof, or the guilty parties will be
duly prosecuted.
"December 14. 1865. Henry X'ewiu'. ^Marshal."
The following is also a directory of the principal business men at Green-
field during the latter sixties and about 1870, as shown by the advertising
columns of the local papers : Dr. Lot Edwards, druggist ; J. B. Chappius,
marble works; Frank H. Weaver, jeweler; G. W. Dailey, "Star" photogra-
pher; James L. Dennis, auctioneer; Freeman II. Crawford, druggist; Walker
Si Edwards, dry goods ; Branham & Barnett, stoves and tinware ; \\'. C. Bur-
dett, dry goods; P. Guymon, livery; James Mahan, harness-maker; Frank
Hafner, boot and shoe-maker; A. E. Teal, watch-maker; W. F. Pratt, dry
goods; X. R. Smith, drj- goods; Banks & Wilson, agricultural implements;
E. W. Patton, dry goods; Bradley & Boots, groceries; J. B. Hinchman, furni-
ture ; W. S. Wood, implements ; L. D. Roark, dentist ; Williams & Vansicklc.
carriage manufacturers; Chapman & Barnett, stoves and tinware; Hart S:
Thayer, groceries ; A. T. Hart & Company, general store ; Barnett & Kane,
general store ; Morris Pierson & Company, woolen mills ; S. S. Chandler,
proprietor of Guymon House ; James M. Morgan, harness-maker.
GUEKX FIELD. 609
GREENFIELD A CITY.
The town was incorporated as a city in 1876. Tlie vole on the city
cliarter was taken on May 8 of that year. The result of the election showed
that 342 votes liad hccn cast: of tliese. 270 v>ere cast in favor of a<io])iing" tlie
city cliarter. and 72 votes were cast against it.
The first meeting of the city council was held on June 2, 1876. There
were present, Thomas H. Branham, mayor; Alonzo Ford, clerk; James A.
h'lippo, treasurer; and John L. Fry, Samuel \V. Barnett, Frank Rosenljerger,
George H. Alford, W. G. Smith and Frank E. Glidden, councilmen.
Following is a list of the mayors, clerks and treasurers who have served
Greenfield since its incorporation as a city:
Mayors — Thomas H. Branham, 1876-81; William J. Sparks, 1881-85;
Ambrose J. Herron, 1885-94; George W. Duncan, 1894-98; Jolin !"". Eagan,
1898-1902; George A. CaiT, 1902-06; John B. Hinchman, 1906-10; Ora
Myers, 1910-14; Jonathan O. Johnson, 1914.
City Clerk — Alonzo Ford, 1876-77; James \\'. Wilson, 1877-79; William
J. Sparks, 1879-81; Eugene C. Boydcn, 1881-83; Hamlin L. Strickland,
1883-85: Jonathan O. Johnson, 1885-92; Harry G. Strickland, 1892-94; Will-
iam R. McKown, 1894-98; John G. Mannon. 1898-99; William R. McKown.
1899-1902; Robert E. Martin, 1902-04; Oscar O. Bever. 1904.
City Treasurer — James .\. Flipi^o, 1876-94: Wdliam G. Smith, 1894-98;
Isaiah A. Curry, 1898-1902; Cassius M. Curry, 1902-06; David \\'alsh. 1906-
10: David H. Ellis, 1910.
With the incorporation of the t(^wn of Greenfield as a city began a gen-
eral system of improvements, which has made the city what it is today. In
that vear more general .>treet im])rovcnients began. Pennsylvania street was
the first to be improved and for many years it remained one of the best streets
in the city. It was built l)y the late John R. Johnson. Brick sidewalks were
ctMistructed and later a composition was used in the construction of several
sidewalks. During the last (piarter of a ccntun- practically all of the side-
walks in the citv have been constructed of cement, there being now but few
pieces of brick sidewalk left.
r.KICK STREETS.
The first streets were paved with brick in 1897. The following state-
ment will show the dates at which these streets were paved : Howard alley.
1897, by II. P.. Thayer: Whiskey alley. 1897. '\^- ^^'- S. Fries: ^Main .street,
from Pennsvlvania street to Pott's ditch: also South State street. South East
(39)
5lO HANCOCK COUXTY. INDIANA.
Street and Suuth street. 189S, by C. .M. Ivirkpatrick; Depot street, 1899. In
C. M. Kirkpatrick ; North East street, from Main street to South street, 1899,
b}^ C. M. Kirkpatrick; State street, from Main street to North street, 1899, by
C. M. Kirkpatrick; West Main street, from Pennsylvania street to Broadway
street, 190 1, 1>v Daniel Foley; Pennsylvania street, from South street to Depot
street, 1901, by C. M. Kirkpatrick; ]\lount street, from Main street to North
street, 1909, by Elam J. Jeffrie-.
CITY LIGHTS.
At a meeting of the town council on April 12, 1875, nineteen street lamps
were ordered placed along the principal streets, and also at the railroad cross-
ings. These were tlie old-fashioned oil lamps placed on posts. They wore
continued in use until 1886, when a committee appointed by the city council
made a favorable report on lighting the city with electricity. A petition,
which had been generally signed by the citizens, asking for such light, was
also placed on file in the office of the city clerk. Nothing further was done
with the matter at tliat time.
In tlie folldwing spring the first natural gas well was drilled in the city,
after whicli, of course, the city was lighted with gas lights for several years.
At a meeting of the council in May, 1892, the subject of electric lights
was again presented and a verbal contract was made with Irwin & Company,
of Crawfordsville, Ind., to light the city. Thirty-five street lights were
agreed upon at that time. On June i, 1892. the council instructed the mayor
to contract with Irwin & Company for thirty-five street arc electric lights
wlien Irwin & Company should have submitted a bond for $io.oco with
approved security, etc. The bond was submitted and the contract with Irwin
& Company was entered into by the city. On November 30, 1892, the Green-
field Electric Light & Power Company was incorporated with a capital slock
of $30,000, and with Charles G. Offutt, Orfila C. Irwin and Robert S. Thomp-
son as directors. This corporation took over the contract of Irwin & Com-
pany with the city and continued to provide the city with light for a period
of two years, or a little more. On November 22, 1894, Irwin brought a suit
in the Hancock circuit court against the Greenfield Electric Light & Power
Companv asking tliat a receiver be appointed for the concern.
On February 12, 1895, Charles L. Henry purchased the stock, or at
least a greater portion of the stock, of the company and became its owner.
Under his management the company continued to furnish light for the city at
a stipulated price per year. For the year ending January' i, 1897, the street
lighting cost the city $3,850. On November 17, 1898, an ordinance was
GREENFIELD. Oil
adoptetl providing that the mayor and clerk be "authorized and directed to
execute to said Greenfield Electric Light & Power Company nineteen obliga-
tions lor the rental, maturing at the end of each quarter." The terms of the
lease referred to in this ordinance provided that the city pay to the company
a rental of $i,ooo per quarter, except the last quarter, for which a smaller
amount was stipulated. By virtue of this contract the city also had an option
to purchase the plant, with all poles, wires, etc., at any time before the term-
ination of the lease, for the sum of $16,000; all rentals that had been paid under
the lease to be considered as part payment on the purchase price. Before the
contract expired the city purcliased the plant, and has operated it since that
time. The cluster lights in the business section of the city were installed by
the business men in December, 1911. The city maintains them.
FIRE DEP.VRTMENT AND CITY BUILDING.
On March 20. 1880. the citizens of the city of Greenfield met at the court
house to organize a hook and ladder wagon brigade for protection against
fire. Following were the members : E. P. Thayer, R. A. Black, Harry Hunt.
Thomas Selman. N. P. Howard, Jr., H. C. Rummell, Marcellus Walker.
Thomas Randall, E. B. Ploward, Joseph Serrill, R. Boyd, James ^Vilson. C.
T. Cochran, Andrew Tague, S. W. Bamett, A. L. Fitz, S. E. Duncan, James
Farmer, J. W. Selman, Thomas Carr, William Snider, Eugene Glidden, Sam-
uel Spangler. John T. Tindall, J. A. Flippo, Joseph Pauley, Fred Beecher, O.
P. Moore, William Cook. ^ViIliam ^^^ebb and Joseph Baldwin.
.A wagon with ladders was purchased, which the fireman pulled liy hand.
After the waterworks plant had been installed, a hose wagon was purchased.
This wagon was kept at Kinder's livery barn until the erection of the present
city building on North street, in 1895. In December, 1894, a fire, department
was also organized, composed of the following men : William H. Cosby, chief.
Company No. i, E. B. Howard, assistant chief; Clinton Parker, Allen Cooper
and J. E. Hatfield, nozzlemen; Company No. 2, Austin Boots, assistant chief;
Charles W. Huston, Edward Watson and Arlington Ross, nozzlemen ; Com-
panv No. 3, W. A. Hughes, assistant chief; John R. Abbott, William Tolen
and George H. Gant, nozzlemen ; volunteers and assistants, Taylor Morfnrd.
John Walsh, John H. Brown. Emen- Scott, E. J. Jeffries and Ben Porter.
The fire department also adopted the following resolutions : "Resolved,
that we recommend to the city council the following : First, that they pur-
chase a mocking-bird whistle to put at the pumping station. Second, that
they purchase for the use of this department, ohe dozen rubber hats and coats."
The citv council complied with the recommendations of the department
5l2 IIAXCOCK COrXTV. IXDIAXA.
and ]nircliased a mocking-bird whistle. It was adjusted and was to be sounded
at twelve o'clock, p. m., on December 31, 1894. Many people sat up to hear
tbe strange whistle. They waited patiently, but only a very few, who lived
in the immediate \icinily nf tlie pumping station, heard it. Some said it
sounded like a small dog barking or howling; others said it made a noise like
the wind blowing through the whiskers of a councilman. The mocking-l)ird
whistle was unsatisfactoiT and it was removed from the pumping station.
On February 20, 1895, the cnuncil adopted a resolution favoring the con-
struction of a city building, to lie used for a council chamber and engine
room. John H. Felt was employed as architect to prepare plans and speci-
fications therefor. After due deliberation it was decided to locate the build-
ing on the south side of North street, where it now stands. On March 25,
1895. bids were opened, and on .April 3 the contract for the construction of
the building was awarded to \\'illiam H. Power for $2,791. The iniilding
was constructed during the suninie'- of 1895, and has since that lime lieen used
as an engine room and as a residence for the driver. Two or three years
after the engine house was built a team was purchased b)" the city for the
hose wagon and for several years "Old Tom" took the hook and ladder
wagon to the fires. Five or si.x years ago another team was purchased for
the hook and ladder wagfin and old Tom was retired, after a sei"vice of mam-
years in the department.
During the first ten years of the organization of the jjresent fire depart-
ment the wagon was driven by William H. Cosby. James Warrick and Samuel
Morgan. Since June 27. 1905. I'red Sitton has had charge of the engine
house and has dri\en the ho.se wagon to the fires. Following are th.e names
of the men who at this time compose the fire department of Greenfield : Fred
Sitton. driver; James Moran, chief; assistants. Ear! O. Jackson. Robert C.
Fair, \\'illiam Sitton, Charles S. Duncan. John G. Young, James Walsh, Frank
Hafner.- Charles W. Huston. Johnson R. Abbott. Charles N. Eastes and Guy
W. Richie. William H. Cosby served as chief for two years. 1894-96. He
was followed by William .\. Hughes, who served four years .\fter this
changes were made practically every year until recently. James ?klnran is
now serving his third year as chief.
W'ATERWORKS.
During the winter of 1888-89 the city council had under consideration
the construction of a waterworks plant. At a meeting on March 20, 1889, a
resolution was adopted "that the plans, specifications, etc.. of a system of
waterworks, as prepared by Joseph H. Dennis of the city of Indianapolis, and
GREENFIELD. 613
uuw on file in the mayor's office of said city of Greenfield, be and the same
is hereby in all things accepted and confirmed and adopted In- the said com-
mon conncil, as and for a system of waterworks for the said citv of Green-
field." 'i'lie clerk was ordered to ad\-ertise for bids for the e< instruction of
the plant, which were received on August 19, 1889. After the bids had been
receixed and before a contract had been entered into, dissatisfaction aro.-e
among the members of the council and the entire matter was rescinded.
Irwin & Conipau)- nicl the city council on January 10, 1893, and discussed
widi them the proposition of putting in a water plant fcjr the city. At a March
meeting of the council, in 1893, Irwin made a proposition to give the city a
water supply system at a cost not to e.xceed $2,500, the city to be at no expense
for fuel, engines, pumping station, pumps, etc. He agreed to give the city
fifty or sixty hydrants located in all parts of the town so that property owners
would be equally ]3rotected. The company was to be given a franchise and
was to collect water rentals from private consumers, the prices to be so fixed
as to meet their approval. The council was to have exclusive control over
the system. Objections were made to this proposition and an argument was
advanced that the city ought to own and operate its own water su]jply plant.
In the end the jiroposition of Irwin & Company was rejected.
During the summer of 1893, lu'wever, an agitation was kept up for city
ownership of a water plant. An election was ordered by the council to be
held on September 12, 1893, to determine the matter. .\t this election 292
votes were cast in fa\or of citv ownership and 114 against the city ownership
of the waterworks.
Following this election, the council, at a meeting on October 20, 1893,
accepted llie proposition of \'oorhees & W'itmer, of Buffalo, X. Y., to make
plans and specifications and superintend the construction of a water plrmt.
The firm was to do all work and make all necessary plans for $1,200. Bids
were received for the construction of the plant on March 21, 1894, and that
of Snider & \\illiams, of Dayton, Ohio, for $23,875 was accepted. For this
amount they were to construct the entire plant with even-thing complete. The
contract was closed on March 22. Water was turned into the mains for the
first time on .Vugust 14, 1894, and the plant was accepted. Since that date
the city has supplied the residents with water.
SCHOOLS.
Four or five liuildings seem to have been used for school ])urposes in_
Greenfield before the time of the Civil War. There is some conflict as to
where the first buildings stood and the confusion occasioned thereby may
314 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
make it appear that tlicre were mere buildings than were actuallv used. It
seems pretty certain, however, that the first school in Greenfield was taught
in a small log building that stood on the hill just south of the old cemetery.
It was perhaps one-third of the way between the old and the new cemetery.
This building was erected in 1820 and was used for school purposes about
two years. The names of the teachers who taught here are now beyond
recall.
.Another house seems to have been erected in 1832 on the east side of
State street just above North street. It was also a log school house and some
of the teachers who taught in this building were Mrs. Church, Caroline
Depew, Messrs. Coy, Corkings, Fi.sher, Alitchell, Ensminger, Meredith Gos-
ney and James Templin. Although the above named were all tcacliers in
the early schools of Greenfield there is probably some doubt whether all of
them taught in the little log school house on North State street. There is also
some uncertainty as to how long this school house was used. It is certain
that Ijefore the county seminary was built schools were conducted on South
street and also at two points. on North East street.
On August 23, 1843, ^ contract was entered into with Cornwell Meek for
the construction of a county seminaiy building. It is again a little uncertain
as to just when the first school was taught in the seminar}-. From an issue
of the Greenfield Spectator, published in 1848, it is clear that on September
24 of that year, P. Lawyer and Miss il. Walls were to open their second
term of school in this building. William T. Hatch also taught several terms
and was followed in 1850 by John \Mlson, who is still remembered as an old
resident of Greenfield. Mr. W'ilson was followed by H. R. Morley and
James L. Mason. At the June term, in 1855, the county commissioners
ordered the auditor and treasurer to proceed to sell the county seminary, in
accordance with the provisions of an act approved January 12, 1852.
With the adoption of the new state constitution in 1852, a system of
free schools was inaugurated in the state. Under the new law a house was
erected in Greenfield on the north side of North street just east of the first
alley west of Pennsylvania street. There seems to be some difference of
opinion as to whether this house was erected in 1852 or 1854. It was prob-
ably erected in 1854. and stood on the site now occupied by the Catholic
church. The first teacher in this house was Jonathan Tague who taught dur-
ing the winter of 1854-55. John B. Herod taught the school during the next
winter and was followed in 1856 by James L. Mason. In 1857 the Rev.
David Monfort established his school, which soon outgrew the building, and
was then removed to the second storv of the jSIasonic hall. After the removal
GREEXFIELD. C<] ^
of the school to the Masonic hall, it was organized as an academy and was
attended by quite a number of students from Hancock county, and from sur-
rounding counties. This school, known as the Greenfield Academ}', has been
treated under a separate caption. The public school was made a part of the
term of the academy and a catalogue of tiie school, in 1859, indicates that it
included a session of nine weeks.
At the beginning of the Civil War tlie only schools in Greenfield were
those located in the Masonic hall. There was no school house in Greenfield
except the little building on North street, which was entirely inadequate.
This occasioned quite an agitation, and much that was said and done appeared
in the columns of the local paper of that date. On December iq, i860, the
situation was summed up in the following statement by the Democrat: "The
fact that there is now no public school house in a town of the size and with the
population of Greenfield, and that to secure the advantages and blessings of
a school alike free to all, our school trustees have to go a-begging for rooms
in which to hold it, does not speak well for the public spirit and enterprise of
its citizens ; or for that appreciation of the benefits of education, which ought
to stimulate all good citizens. If, as has been said, education is the guardian
of our rights and liberties, and the hope of the world, in this perilous time, to
the free institutions of our common country, it behooves every citizen to con-
cern himself in the rearing of the temple of learning in which the rising
generations are to be prepared for successful action in riper years. The old
and unsuitable building recently parted with for a church for our Catholic
fellow citizens, was a miserable apology' in size and suitableness, as well as in
external appearance. We suggest that the mone\- derived from its sale,
together with the funds that have and will hereafter accumulate for building
purposes, and such contributions as may be made by citizens, be employed in
the purchase of suitable grounds and the erection of a building of sufficient
capacity to accommodate all the children of the town Such a building would
not only be of incalculable advantages for school purposes, but would be an
ornament to the town and an honor to its citizens. Besides it would be a
strong invitation for thirfty and energetic tradesmen and others, to settle
among us, and assist in making Greenfield what it ought to be — the seat of
learning and the emporium of the county."
On January 11, 1861, a school meeting of the citizens was held at the
Methodist Episcopal church for the purpose of selecting a teacher. Ninety-
nine citizens were reported present. Thomas Carr, one of the corporation
trustees, called the meeting to order : A. K. Branham was elected president
and Jonathan Tague, secretary. A motion was then made to select a teacher.
5l6 HAXCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
and M. C. Foley \\as placed in nimiiiiaticMi. i'lieie seem to ha\'e been fac-
tions in this meeting and also strong feeling with regard to the school situa-
tion generally. An angry discussion followed the above motion, as reported
in the local paper of that date, and the motion was tabled. A resolution
was then adopted by a vote of fifty to forty-nine, the substance of which
was to have no schools at all until a suitable and adequate building should be
erected for school purposes. A heated discussion followed the adoption of
this resolution; many left tlie meeting and Mr. Branham withdrew from the
chair. At the request of a nuni1)cr of citizens who were present, H. B. Thayer
took the chair. Prx)ceedings were then continued and Mr. Fole\- was elected.
In the latter part of Jaiiuan', 1861, thexcorporation trustees appointed
H. J. Williams school trustee. He secured a hall and the Methodist Episcopal
church for rooms and authorized Q. D. Hughes to ascertain which of the
schools tlie citizens desired to patronize. This created a spirit of rivalry
between the two schools. There was more or less ill feeling manifested by
the friends of the schools, which caused Mr. Hughes to destrov his list of
names and Air. \\'illiams to resign.
During the winter of 1861 a school was taught at the ]\Iethodist Episco-
pal church by Lee O. Harris, with Miss Mahala Roney as assistant. In the
fall of 1862 Rev. M. H. Shockley and Lee O. Harris were chosen joint prni-
cipals of the public school which was taught in the Masonic hall. Mrs. L. S.
Gephart, Mrs. Neal and M. V. B. Chapman were assistants, l-'ioni this time
until the close of the war the schools of the city were taught l)v \arinus
teachers, among whom were Mr. Mendenhall, Mr. Johnson, Aliss Hall, Lydia
Martin and Miss Linda Osborn. In llie meantime an agitation was kept up
for an adequate school building. In March, 1861, the local paper recited:
"We are grateful to learn that the corporation trustees have commenced to
work in earnest toward securing a school house for the corporation. They
ha\e purchased of Jacob Slifer one acre of ground fronting on the Nat onal
road, just east of Mr. Sebastian's residence. Brick for the building are to be
burned on the ground during the spring months." This, however, proved to
be a vision and the building failed to appear.
At the close of the Civil War, on September 13, 1865, another meeting
of tlie citizens was held at the court house to take steps for the erection of
a school house. R. .A. Riley was elected president of the meeting and William
Mitchell, secretar}-. J. ^^'ard Walker offered the following resolution :
"Resolved, that a committee of one from each ward of the town be appointed
to solicit subscriptions to build a good and sufficient school house of suf-
ficient dimensions to accommodate all of the children in town." This resolu-
GREEXFIEl.I). (H7
tion was adopted and tlie following committee appointed: Morgan Chandler,
William Mitchell, 11. J. Williams, J. Ward Walker, John W. Rymi and P. II.
Rovd. A committee composed of 11. l!. Thayer. 1". H. Crawford and 1'. (iuy-
mon was alsn ap])ointed to report on the location and plan of a hnilding and
the prohahle cost thereof. A. K. Branham, school trustee, reported that l;e
had $1,300 on hands in the luiildino- fund and that the current levy wmild
raise the amount to $1,500.
The ahove all looketl Aery favorable and yet it was several vears hefo'^e
a new building was constructed. In 1865 Lee O. Harris was again elected
principal, with J. M. Stevenson first assistant, and Miss Lou Foley, Miss
Linda Osborn and Mrs, La\ina (Jephart as other assistants. This school was
started in the Masonic hall Inil was later divided between the Masonic hall
and the Methodist E])iscopal church. Miss Linda Osborn was principal at
the hall ,with Miss Mary E. Ogle. Miss Alice Pierson and Mrs. L. S. (lephart
as assistants. Miss Lou Foley was principal at the church, and Ilattie B.
Spinning and Inez (jWMun, assistants. The term continued sixty-five days.
During the fall and winter of 1867-68 the school was conducted by James
Williamson; Lizzie Stevens and Miss Linda Osborn were assistants. There
were likely other assistants who cannot be recalled at this time. In the me.ui-
timc. (in December 12. 1867, the trustees of the Masonic hall gave notice that
"after the present winter the hall cannot be procured for school services, public
or pri\ate." The spring tenn, however, opened on April 6, 1868, with Lee
O. Harris, principal, again at the h;dl. with William M. John.son, Miss Maiy
E. Ogle, and Edward C. Galbrealh as assistants, and M. C. Foley principal at
the church, with Miss Linda Osborn and Miss Nannie Foley, assistants. Dur-
ing the winter of 1868-69 the school was taught by D. R. V'anWie and 1 1. !■".
Spencer, assisted by Mrs. L. S. Gephart and others. Mr. VanWie afterward
taught two private schools in rooms that were rented from the business men
of town.
On Ma\ 4. i8()S, an election was held in Greenfield to determine the site
for a school building. The voters were to choose between two sites, one
wdiere the West building now stands and the other at the southwest corner
of Bradley's addition. In this election one hundred and forty-six votes were
cast in fa\or of the West site and se\cnt_\--three in favor of locating the school
in Bradley's addition. Benjamin I'.lder had offered to give the groimd now
occupied by the West school building on condition that the school house be
erected thereon. After the election the school trustees advertised for bids
for the construction of the new school house. 'I'he bid of Harmon Everett was
the lowest, and the contract for the construction of the \Vest building was
5l8 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
a\\-arded to him for $10,974. About December i, 1869, another meeting of
the citizens was held for the purpose of taking steps to procure furniture for
the new school. At this meeting R. A. Riley offered the following resolution,
V. hich was adopted : "Resolved, that the board of town trustees be required
to issue corporation orders, payable in one year, in such snms as may be needed
for convenient use in procuring seats and other necessaries for the school
house and tliat tliey levy such tax as they may be authorized by law to levy
for the payment of the same." H. B. Wilson, Thomas Bidgood, William S.
Wood and William Mitchell were appointed as a committee to solicit citizens
to accept such orders for money advanced. During the evening and in the
following morning this committee raised seven hundred and fifty dollars for
the purpose above mentioned.
On January 26, 1870, the Greenfield free school was opened in the new
building with two hundred and thirty-six pupils. N. W. Fitzgerald was prin-
cipal, and Miss L. A. Osbom, Mrs. Julia Fitzgerald, Miss Marv F.. Ogle,
Miss Mattie Flanner, Mrs. E. E. Galbreath and Mrs. J. W. T.acv were
assistants. The school board at the time was composed of A. K. Branham.
P. H. Boyd and H. B. Wilson. Mr. Fitzgerald was principal of the school
just one year, but he introduced some methods that were copied for several
years in a greater number of the schools of the county. For the puq^jose of
encouraging industry and attendance at school, he placed upon "Honor Rolls."
which were made at the week ends near the close of the term, the names of
all pupils who had been perfect in their recitations and deportment and had
lost no time by absence or tardiness. These Honor Rolls were published in
the local papers. Following are lists of the pupils whose names appeared upon
the Honor Rolls that were published from time to time during the spring of
1870.
"Room I, ^Mary Ogle, teaclicr — Willie Shenway, Amelia Pie. Charles
Danner, Georgia Creed, Emma Rardin, Xancy Anderson, Thomas Webb. Bel!
Baker, Lorenzo D. Pallou, Mary Lace, Allen Cooper, Eva Lacy, Alice Dobbins,
George Gephart. John Crush, Juliet Cooper and Parthenia Slifer.
"Room 2, L. A. Osborn, teacher — Charles Keefer, Arthur Gorman, Wil-
lie Sears, Arthur Chapman, Thomas H. Mitchell, Thomas Hogan, Jefferson
Cox, Glespie Vickrey, Belle Marsh, Lelia Walker, Anna Chambers, Sarah
Lace, Sarah Earles, Mollie Creviston, Kate Howell. Allie Anderson. Douglass
Hamilton. Charlie Skinner. Charles Personette, Samuel C. Mitchell, R. W'\\-
lie Brown, \\Mllie Randall. Frank Addison. Ottie Skinner. Rosa L. Gant. Lina
Banks, Fannie Adams. Miranda Nicholson, Allie E. Walker, Ella Xicholson,
Jessie Randall, Louisa Sears, George Cooper, Ernest \\'illiams, Joseph Walker,
(;ki;i:.\ FIELD. 619
Frank Hammel, James Walsh, Jolm Walsh, Fernando Carmichael, Emma
Carr, Rosalind Banks, Lizzie Crowell, Elza Wharton, Anna Shepard, Josie
Tag-ue. Ida 15. Cox and Isadora Wilkins.
"Room 3, M. E. Flenner, teacher — Ouinn Johnson, lona Williams, Laura
Pope and Arthur Walker.
"Room 4 — Elmer Swope, Elva M. Riley, Annie Carr, Fannie Keefer,
Penn Bidgood, Edgar Tague, Annie Chittenden, Angie Williams, George Wil-
son, Eliza Slifer and Brainard Cooper.
"Room 5, principal department, N. W. Fitzgerald, superintendent — H. G.
Amick, Clint Hamilton. ]\Iary L. Wilson, William Hammel, Lizzie McGregor,
James A. New, Julia \\' ilson, Jennie Roberts. John F. Mitchell, Mollie Lacey,
William Pierson. J. R. Boyd. Mellie Ryon, Samuel C. Fitzgerald, Laura
Brown, T. M. Morgan, Paulina King, Pet Guymon, Edwin Howard, Kizzie
Short, \^'illiam Wilson and Annie Tague."
Tiie Honor Roll proved to be a popular idea. Several teachers in the
county adopted the plan before the close of the school in 1870, and for almost
ten years thereafter the local newspapers continued to publish such lists from
schools in all parts of the county.
The Honor Rolls published by Superintendent Fitzgerald also put the
pupils in a much more favorable light than that in which they had found them-
selves during the previous summer, when an unsympathetic observer wrote of
them in the local paper: "The boys of Greenfield are probably on a par with
boys of other towns, but they are a decided nuisance when congregated at the
court house yard playing marbles, killing the grass and endangering the trees
by their continual tread, saying nothing of their loud and improper talk. They
had better be pulling weeds in their gardens, or reading some useful book."
In the fall of 1871, George W. Puterbaugh was elected principal, with
F. C. Doran, Lee O. Harris, Miss Frank Ross, Miss Rachel Howell and Miss
Mar}- E. Dille, as assistants. In 1872, Mr. Puterbaugh was again elected
principal, with Lee O. Harris, W. P. Smith, W. S. Fries, Abram W. Frost,
Jacob Rothenberger, Argie H. Parker, Kate R. Geary and Julia Mathers,
assistants. \\'ith a few changes the same corps of teachers was employed in
the fall of 1873. In 1873 a colored school was organized, with fifteen pupils,
and with John L. Bailey as teacher. The school was discontinued after 1895.
The corps of teachers employed in the fall of 1874 was composed of George W.
Puterbaugh, principal, and Theodore \\'inn, Kate R. Geary, Bessie R. Good,
Angie H. Parker and Julia Mathers.
A little incident occurred in the school in 1875 that aroused quite a great
deal of interest. One R. M. Hughes, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was in the
620 IIAXCUCK COL'NTY, INDIANA.
State of Indiana, visiting schools. He seemed to be especially interested in
arousing a love for Shakespeare among the pupils. He offered a beautiful
gold medal to the pupil in the Greenfield sclmols who would best interpret
Hamlet's "Soliloquy on Death." Thirty-five pu])ils read, many others listened
and were to have taken part, but gave up the contest. The judges were John
H. Binford, James A. New, and Dr. Alvin J. Thomas, minister of the Christian
church. The winners of the first, second and third places respectively were,
Alice Creviston, Earl Brown and Ida Geary. The inscriptions on the medal
given as first prize were: "Presented as a token of respect by a lover of talent,
February 25, 1875 :" on the reverse side. "Trust in God and allow nothing to
prevent you from acting honorable at all times. R. M. Hughes." This gold
medal is still treasured by Mrs. Alice Glascock.
In 1875, John H. Binford was chosen principal, with W". S. Fries, Mag-
gie Brown, Jennie Sisson, Bessie R. Goixl, Clara L. Bottsford and Julia Math-
ers, assistants. Jacob Rothenberger taught tlie colored school.
In 1876-77 John H. Binford was again'elected principal, with Maggie
Brown. Kate R. Geary, Jennie Sisson, Cornelia Lowder, Angie H. Howard.
Prudence Hougham and Eva Williams, as assistants. The colored school
was taught by Edward H. Tiffany. This was the first term of scliool taught
within the corporation of the city of Greenfield.
In 1877 \V. H. Simms was elected superintendent. His assistants were
J. J. Pettit, Clara B. Bottsford. Prudence Hougham, Kate R. Geary, Mrs. J.
W. Jones, Jennie Sisson, Eva Williams. Edward H. Tiffany taught the
colored scliool.
Mr. Simms was retained as superintendent for tlie year 1878-79. Miss
Mary E. Sparks was the principal of the high school and Mrs. Kate Applegate,
Ella Creswell, Aggie McDonald. Ella Bogu. Eva Williams and Kate R. Geary
were grade assistants. Edward H. Tiffany taught the colored school.
In the spring of 1879 the first class graduated from the Greenfield high
school. On Wednesday evening, April () (if iliat year, the first commencement
was held and llie following program riMulered at the Masonic Hall :
PROGRAM.
Class motto — Paliiia )toii sine laborc. Music. Prayer. Music. Salu-
tatory, "The Kaleidoscope, " by E. J. Williams. Oration, "Great Men are
Beacon Lights," l)y Samuel C. Mitchell. Music. Essay, "Simon Says Thumbs
Up," l)y Miss Laura Pope. Oration. "Gold Basis," by George H. Cooper.
Music. Valedictory, "The Web of Life is Strangely Woven," by Ida B. Geary.
GREENFIELD. 62 1
Music. Presentation of diplomas, liy W. 11. Sinims. superintendent. Music.
Benediction.
The essays and orations deli\eretl liy llie students on that evening were
all published in the issue of April 17. 1879. of the Hancock Democrat. The
program above is typical of tlie programs that were given for a number of
years — in fact, until 1806. For a number of years tlie essavs and orations of
the students were published in the Hancock Democrat.
In the spring of 1896 the plan of holding the commencement was changed,
and for the first time a lecturer was brought to the cit\- to deliver a "commence-
ment address." The high school commencement was held on A])ril 10, of that
year, at which Dr. J, T. Headley, of Cleveland, Ohio, delivered a discourse
on "The Sunny Side of Life." The plan of em])lo\-ing a speaker instead of
having the essays and orations of the students was not very kindly received
by a great many pepole. Alany preferred to hear the students and felt that
a C(immencement was a students' occasion and that a lecturer had no business
nn the ]ilatfi)rm. It is interesting to observe the comment on ihc subject that
appeared in the local pa])ers at that time. It was not until a year or two later
that protests entirely disappeared from the local press.
Mr. Simms was retained as superintendent of the schools during the
years of 1879-80-81. Miss Sparks was also retained as principal of the high
school during those years. Only a change or two was made in the grades.
Laura A. Pi)pe was added to the list in the fall of 1879. Calvin Gillium was
employed to teach the colored school in the fall of 1879 and was retained until
the spring of 1882. In 1881 John W. Stout was elected superintendent of the
schools and Mary E. Sparks retained as principal of the high school. The
grade assistants were Miss Ada Anderson, Kate A])plegate, Mattie Sparks,
Ida deary, I.^ura Pope, Eva Williams and .\nna Harris.
In 1882-83 ^ii'- Stout and Miss Sparks were retained, the grade assist-
ants lieing Ada Anderson, Ida Geary, Laura Pope, Eva Williams, Vickey Wil-
son, Edna Smith and Anna Harris. Robert A. Roberts taught the colored
school.
During the summer of 1883 the east school building was erected. Hunt
& Herron were the contractors and Albert Fitz did the brick work. The con-
tract price for the luiilding was five thousand four hundred dollars. During
the school year of 1883-84 J. M. Strasberg was superiiuendent and Miss Mary
E. Sparks, principal of die high school : the assistants at the We.st building
were Ida Geary. Vickie Wilson and Laura Pope during the first i)art of the
term, 'ihe lerm was finished Iiy Maitie Sparks. Artie Linville, Jennie Willis
and .Vnna Harris.
622 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
The first teachers at the East building were Mrs. Strasberg, Ada Ander-
son, Iduna Smith and lola Coffin. Robert A. Roberts again taught the col-
ored school. In 1885 J. V. Martin was elected superintendent of the schools
and Mary E. Sparks, principal of the high school. Mr. Martin served as
superintendent until the time of his death in 1889. Will H. Glascock was
elected in the fall of 1889 and served until the spring of 1891.
Until 1887 the Greenfield high school offered only a three-year course.
After that, another year was added. There were no commencement exercises
at the close of the term, the class not graduating until the spring of 188S,
when they had finished the four-year course.
During the superintendency of Mr. Glascock the schools Ijecame crowded
and an agitation was started for another building. In 1890 plans for the new
building were made before a site for the building had been selected. At that
time the school board was required by law to obtain an order from the city
council to build a school house. This privilege the city council refused to
give until it was determined where the new school house should be located.
The council wanted the building in the second ward, the school board was
opposed to locating it in the second ward but wanted it more centrally located
in order that it might serve as a high school building for the entire city. To
aid in the determination of the matter a meeting of the citizens was held at
the court house on the evening of May 10, 1890. Reuben A. Riley was elected
chairman of tlie meeting and William J- Sparks, secretar\ . Judge Gooding
stated the object of the meeting to be "to consider the question of further
school privileges for the accommodation of the cliildren of the city." The
question for consideration was whether the building should be located in the
south part of town or north of Main street. Henry Snow and William R.
Hough both spoke on the question urging that the house be located in the
second ward, south of the railroad.
The chair then appointed David S. Gooding, William R. Hough and
Elbert Tyner as a committee on resolutions. This committee reported in
substance that, whereas petitions had been presented to the school board signed
by 245 persons, representing more than one-half of the taxpayers of the city
and two-thirds of the residents in the first and second wards, asking that the
school building be located within the second ward, and that since the people
of the second ward were asking for a grade building and not for a high school
building, that therefore a four-roomed building ought to be erected in the
south ward not nearer than four squares to Main street, etc. This resolution
was adopted. The present site of the South building was then determined
upon by the school board, composed at tlie time of D. H. Goble, Joseph Bald-
GREENFIELD. 623
win and Edward P. Scott. On June 14. 1890, a contract was entered into
between the school board and Orr & T,anc for tlie construction of the liouse,
for $5,946.
The action taken above settled the matter of the South Ijuildin.q-. There
was still an agitation, however, for a high school building. The liigh school
was still located in the West building, which was becoming inadequate. On
March 20, 1895, the city council ordered an ordinance prepared to authorize
the city school board to erect a $30,000 high school building. Steps were
taken for issuing bonds, which w-ere sold on April 3, 1895, for $28,850. The
purchasers, on examining the transcript of the record, however, refused to
take the bonds on the ground that they were illegal, exceeding the two per
cent, limit. Later in the summer the bonds were sold.
On July 31, 1895, the school board, composed of Epln-aim l\Iarsh, Brain-
and Cooper and Elmer E. Stoner, contracted with Geake, Henry & Greene, of
Ft. Wayne, for construction of the present high school buildings, for the sum
of $29,400. The building when completed and furnished cost the city approxi-
mately $35,000. The last building in the city was a one-roonicd frame house
constructed in East Greenfield, in 1906.
Music was introduced into the schools in the fall of 1S92. I\Irs. Alice
Glascock was the first supervisor and devoted four days of each week to the
work for two years. She was followed by J. E. Mack, who gave all of his
time to the subject. Music met with more .or less opposition when first intro-
duced. Many people opposed it because they considered it a useless expense
and the time wasted. Even the teachers were not all in entire sympathy w'ith
the movement. Manual training and sewing were introduced in the fall of
1905; drawing in 1906. In 1914. a kitchen or labratory for domestic science
was fully equipped in the high school building with gas hot plates, white
enamelled kitchen cabinets, white enamelled cabinet tables with wooden tops,
aluminum cooking utensils, etc. Preparations for teaching agriculture were
also made in the fall of 1914.
Following is a list of the men who have served as superintendent of
schools since Greenfield has been incorporated as a city: John H. Binford,
1876-77; W. H. Simms, 1876-81; John W. Stout, 1881-83; J- M. Strasberg,
1883-84; J. V. Martin, 1884-89; Will H. Glascock, 1889-91; George S. Wil-
son, 1891-99; Alpheus J. Reynolds, 1899-1901 ; A. E. Martin, 1901-03; Wil-
liam C. Goble, 1903-11; Frank Larrabee, 191 1.
With the discovery of gas, in the spring of 1887, and the establishment
of factories at Greenfield, the number of school children increased, which, of
course, caused a greater number of teachers to be employed in the schools.
624 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
It would he impractical)le to give the complete lists of teachers for each year
since that time, hut following is a list of those who have taught for several
years or more since the latter eighties :
Grade teachers — W. B. Bottsford. Lulu Dove, Anna L. Harris. H. D.
Barrett, Kate D. Wilson. Audrey Barnard. Elsie Huddleson. John Radcliffe,
Ella Barrett, Xelle Baldwin, \'irginia Morton. Martha Stockinger. Katherine
firiffin. Maude l'"li)wers, Leona M. (jarrett. l-'rank C. Bryant, Emma Parnell,
William M. Coffield, lola Coffin. Viola Ham, Hiram Thomas, Lizzie Bald-
win, Merrill Wood, Bessie Z. Jackson, Hannah ]\I. Test, Edna Penfield. \\"\\l
Leamon. Maude Iliff, ^lahelle Smith, Arlliur Boone, Ahhie Henby, Horatio
Davis, Ida B. Geary, Mrs. Ada Xew, Hattie Rains, Minnie Grist, Louise Hill,
Neva Roney, Minnie ITi)Uck. Xida A. Card, Mary Badger, Rhoda Coffield,
Ethel Clift, James A. Eurgason, Agnes Fort, Mary C. Pavey, lailu A. Gilliatt,
Zoe Ham, S. C. Staley, Nellie Hoel. John T. Rash and Kate Nave.
High school teachers — Mary E. Sparks, Ida Steele. John H. Whitely,
Henrietta Pagelson, Bessie Herrick. John H. Jolinson, Erances L. Petit, El-
wood Morris. Gerlrude Larimore, Effie A. Pa tee, Hugli E. Johnson, Clara
Hagans, Arthur Konold. Sylvester Moore. Jesse Warrum. J. M. Pogue,
Edna B. Carter, Mary Sample. Xora Corcoran. Ruth Allerdice, Lena A. Eoote
and John \\'. Kendall.
Supervisor.s — Mrs. Alice Glascock, J. E. Mack, Delia M. James, Gen-
evieve Engibous, Laura E. Jennings. Myrtle Woodson, Elizabeth Williams,
Leah Arlliur and Nellie C. Winkler.
' The names of the present teachers are given in llie cha]5ter on "Edu-
cation."
MISCELLANEOUS.
There were enrolled in the schools of Greenfield during the year 1914-15.
966 pupils, with an average daily attendance of 799. Of these, 190 were in
the higli school and 776 were in tlie grades. Tlie total cost of maintaining
the grade schools for the year ending July 31, 191 5. was $50,672.50. The
total cost of maintaining the high school was $7,628.90; a total of $21,355.34
was paid out to the teachers in the schools. The estimated value of the school
property is $90,000. The total assessment of taxables in the city was reported
as $2,213,760. Greenfield has a good public library in connection witli lier
schools.
CTTV LIBRARY.
In 1878, W. H. Simms, who was then superintendent of the city schools,
organized a library. The first class which graduated from the high school.
HIGH SCllOUL. t'DlKT lUHrfE.
PUBLIC LIBRARY. GREENFIELD
GREENFIELD. 625
in tlie spring of 1879. canvassed the city in an effurt to collect books, and
on November 24, 1879. an association was formed, composed of the members
of the Greenfield high school. The following were its officers : President,
George S. Wilson; vice-president. Miss Crissie Gilchrist; secretary, Miss
Jessie Randall ; trcasmer. Josie B. Tague ; corresponding secretary. Thomas S.
Mitchell ; executive committee. Eddie Thayer, Lenna Gwinn and William Ath-
erton. The object of this association was to procure means to enlarge the
high school library that had been started.
The high school at that time was held at the West building. Books
were added to the library each year. In 1895, ''''^ present high school build-
ing was constnicted and was occupied in the fall of that }ear. The school
now had more commodious apartments and on No\'eml)cr 5, 1897, a meeting
of the citizens of the city was held at the building for the purpose of consid-
ering ways and means of establishing a public library. A large number of
people were in attendance. The high school cadet band, under the direction
of Professor Mack, made its first appearance at this meeting. E. E. Stoner
was elected president of the meeting and Dr. Charles K. Bruner. secretary.
The subject for discussion was "Best plans for establishing a library." After
due consideration of the matter, the president was directed to appoint twelve
citizens to constitute a committee to solicit funds to the amount of $1,000.
Such a committee was appointed and as a result of their efforts the fol-
lowing subscriptions were made: Mrs. J. L. McNew, $100; Ora Snider,
$100; James W. Riley, $100; S. R. Wells. $50; E. E. Stoner. $50; Jerome
Black, $25 ; George H. Cooper, $25 ; Hesperian Reading Club, $25 ; J. Ward
\\'alker Company, $25 ; Mrs. Ephraim Marsh, $25 ; W. R. Hough. ^2^ : Lee
O. Harris, $25 ; William Mitchell Printing Company, $23 ; Cosmopolitan Club.
$25 ; George S. Wilson, $25 ; R. D. Andrews. $250; J. D. Conklin & Son, $20;
W. S. Fries, $15; Mrs. M. J. Elliott, $15; F. G. Banker. $to: C. K. Bruner.
$10; H. L. Strickland, $10: J. H. Binford. $10: E. W. l--elt. $10: D B.
Cooper, $10; J. K. Henby, $10: H. Snow, $10; Ida B. Steele. $10; Bessie
R. Herrick, $10; William H. Glascock. $10: C. W. Morrison & Son, $10:
W. A. Sen^ice, $10; W. G. Smith, $10; A. J. Reynolds. Sio; A. C. Pilkenton.
$60; J. F. Reed, $5 ; C. M. Curry. $5 ; William J. Cleary. $5 ; L. E. McDonald,
$5; C. A. Tolen, $5; W. S. Montgomery, $5; J. II. M.ndden. $3: Charles
Downing, $5 ; J. S. Jackson, $5 ; C. E. Kinder, $5 ; jujin F. Eagan, $5 ; M. E.
Brown, $5; Neva Roney, $5: George W. Duncan. $10: H. D. Barrett, $5;
Ella M. Corr, $5 ; Fred Beecher. $5 : William Ward Cook, $5 ; E. S. Bragg. $5 ;
Mrs. W. H. Gant. $5; Mrs. .\. J. Banks, $5; Nettie Adams, $5: Thomas
New, $5; E. E. Thomas, S^: W. R. McKown. $5: M. C. Ouiglev. $^ : Tef-
(40)
626 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
fries & Son, $5 : W'illiam A. Hughes, $3 ; Ella M. Hough. $5 ; E. P. Thayer.
Jr. $5; lola S. Bragg. $5; Mrs. Kate Martin, $2.50; Anna H. Randall, $5;
Lizzie Harris. $2.50; H. L. Thomas, S2.50; S. C. Staley, $2.50; Elizabeth
Baldwin, $2.50: Kate Wilson, $2; Louise Hill, $2; Ada New, $2; Viola Ham,
$2 ; Viola Spencer, $2 ; Harry Strickland. $5 ; C. S. Brand. $5 ; V. L. Early, $5 :
Pearl E. Tyner, $5 ; Mrs. L P. Poulson, $5 ; John Corcoran, $5 ; F. S. Ham-
mel, $5; John Larrabee, $2.50. Total, $1,103.50.
In the fall of 1898, a committee composed of the following persons was
appointed to select books: Lee O. Harris, Charles K. Bruner. William R.
Hough, Mrs. Ephriam Marsh, Mrs. Blanche McNew and ^Irs. George W.
Duncan. This committee purchased books with the funds on hands and the
new library was established in the room just north of the hall, on the first
floor of the high school building. It was kept in this room until October.
1909, when it was moved into the new library building. Miss Minnie Hughes
was appointed first librarian and served until 1902. Miss Manie Handy acted
as librarian from 1902 until 1907. Since 1907 Mrs. Kate G. Poulson has
been librarian.
About ten years ago the high school building was becoming crowded and
for this reason it was found desirable to have a separate libraiy building.
Andrew Carnegie had aided in the establishment of a number of library
buildings, and tlie school board, composed of J. ^^^ Harrell. George H.
Cooper and Samuel J. Offutt. applied to him for a donation. In this they
were entirely successful. Mrs. Melissa Cooper, mother of George H. Cooper,
donated the ground for the building. The following tablet, placed in the ves-
tibule of the library, is explanatory of how the building came to be erected :
"acknowledgment
"Andrew Carnegie Gave Ten Thousand Dollars to the Erection of This
Building. The Ground was Donated as a 2\Iemorial to Mrs. Malissa Cooper."
The building was constructed in 1908-09 and was occupied by the library
in October, 1909.
Since its establishment a number of citizens have donated pictures and
books. The lower hall has been named Hlarris Hall, in honor of Lee O. Har-
ris, and the County Federation of Country Clubs has placed a large portrait
of the Captain in this hall. A picture painted by the late Richard Brown Black
hangs in the reading room above, and the D. H. Goble collection of corals
and shells comprises one of the valuable donations to the librar>-. The report
of the librarian made in May, 1899, soon after the establishment of the library,
GREENFIELD. 627
showed that it contained 1.758 books. On January i, 1900, 2,030 volumes
were reported. Man)' additional hooks have heen purchased so that at present
the library contains approximately 6,800 volumes.
LIBERTY BELL AT GREENFIELD.
On its return to Philadelphia from the St. Louis Exposition, the train
bearing the Liberty Bell to its destination was stopped for possibly an hour
at Greenfield on November 18, 1904, to give the people an opportunity of
seeing the historical bell. This opportunity was provided through the efforts
of W. C. Goble, then superintendent of the city schools. All of the teachers
of the city with their pupils were at the depot, where there was an immense
gathering of the people of the count)-, to see the bell. Short addresses were
made by Mayor Bookwalter, of Indianapolis, and by Mayor Weaver, of the
city of Philadelphia.
MILLS, F.\CTORIES, ETC.
A tan yard was established in Greenfield immediately north of the
National road and west of what is now the Potts ditch. It was first owned
by Henry Chapman; later owners were Samuel Henry, Xatlian Crawford,
A. T. Hart and Randall & Milton. Milton finally came into possession of it
and suspended operations some time previous to the Civil War. Henr)' B.
Wilson, who was postmaster for a time at Greenfield, operated a tannery from
1865 to 1873.
The first saw-mill in Greenfield was built in 1848. by James R. Bracken
and John Templin. It was located just across the National road from the
first tan yard above described. It was possibly just a little east of the iw
yard. A large amount of lumber that was used on tlie plank road in 1852
was sawed at this mill.
A grist-mill was erected south of the railroad in 1855, by Nathan Craw-
ford, Freeman H. Crawford and Samuel Longnaker. It burned in i860,
but was rebuilt a few years later by Mr. Chaney. Later owners were Hiram
Woods, during whose ownership it was again burned ; Alexander, Ne\\- &
Boots, and New Brothers. AlxnU ten years ago the company owning the
mill was incorporated as the Barrett Elevator Company. Its principal ownei s
now are A. J. New & Son. The name of the corporation has also been
changed and is now known as the Greenfield Milling Company.
A saw-mill was erected south of the railroad by Benjamin Cox. in )y6o.
In 1862 a circular saw-mill was erected south of the railroad and east of the
depot. It was operated only a few years.
628 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Morris Pierson erected a woolen-mill south of tlie railroad and just
below the depot, in 1868. It was owned and operated for several years by
Morris Pierson, Craig & Minnick, and Scofield. It was destroyed by fire.
A planing-mill was erected by ^^^illial■ns Brothers and Hamilton, in the
south part of town, about 1870. The>e men operated the mill for a number of
years. It was burned a time or two and is now owned l)y the A. P. Conklin
Lumber Company.
A grist-mill was erected l)y Joseph Boots, J. B. Fouch and Samuel E.
Gappen, in 1872. It was later owned by Xelson Bradley. \\'. G. Scott, W. S.
Fries, and others, and was know for many years as the Hancock Mills. The
plant was later bought by Albert L. Xew and others, who incorporated and are
now known as the New Milling Company.
A flax factory, built in 1875 in t!ie east part of tlie cil_\-. did a flourishing
business through the latter seventies, but wlien flax culture was abandoned
in the county, in the early eighties, there was little business for it. It burned.
•A saw mill, erected by George Newhall in 1876, was located in the west
part of town, south of the railroad, and operated a planer in connection with
the saw-mill. It burned about 1878 or 1879.
A desk factory was erected in the southeast part of town, in 1876, by
F. M. Gilcrist. It was bought in 1879 '^y J- E. Brown, who oi:)erated it for
several years thereafter. A desk factory was erected in 1876 by A. E. Teal
and George ^^^ Puterbaugh, in the southwest part of town, and was operated
for eight or ten years.
A saw-mill was erected liy (iordon & Son, in i<^77, in the southwesi part
of town. Jerome Black later Ijought an interest in llie mill, when it was
operated under the name of Black & Gordon. The owners of the mill have
since incorporated and are now known as the Greenfield Lumlier and Ice Com-
pany.
While good timl)er was yet plentiful in the county several heading fac-
tories were established at (jreenfield. Tb.e first one was established in 1880
by Charles Cammack, and another in 188 1, by Pratt & Puterbaugh, Both
factories were located in the south part of town.
After the discovery of gas, in the spring of 1887, several large concerns
moved to Greenfield, .\mnng them were four glass factories: two window
houses and the Greenfield l~ruit Jar and Bottle Works, in the west end of
town, and the bottle works, at the east end of Greenfield. The window houses
have been gone for a numlier of years. Tlie Greenfield Fruit Jar and Bottle
Company have a new ]ilant that is kept intact, but has not been operated for
three or four years. The plant was purchased a few years ago by Ball
GREEXFIELP. ()Jy
BrotlKTS. who are said to liave taken the glass-hlowiiii;' machines tn tlu-ir fac-
tories at Muncie. Since that time the local factory has not heen o])erate(l.
The east end bottle works was operated tmtil about a year ago, when it was
destroyed by fire.
Two other large factories that came to Cireenfield following the dis-
covery of gas were the Home Stove Company, which built a factory south of
the railroad, and the Xail Works, which was a large factory at the east end
of town on Chandler's addition to the city. The opening of both of these
factories, the Home Stove Company and the Xail Works, was attended with
elaborate ceremonies, including a barbecue, etc.
.\ paper factory was also erected on the hill just east of Brandy wine
creek and south of the National road. It was operated for a number of vears
and finally suspentled l)ecause of prosecutions for poisnning the waters of
Brandywine.
The Greenfield Xo\-elty Works was established on the north side of the
railroad at the west end of town, in 1890, by J- H. Moulden, and was operated
until a few years ago. The plant is still standing.
The N^ational Adjustable Chair Company was established and ownetl by
E. J. Andrews, J. E. Webb and others. It manufactured a very fine grade
of Morris chairs and was operated until five or six years ago.
There have been other smaller concerns in operation, but the above in-
cludes practically all of the larger mills, factories, etc., that have been estab-
lished at Greenfield.
COMMERCIAL CLUBS.
Greenfield has had several commercial clubs for the pui"pose of building-
up the town. The first one was organized on March 11, 1875. On that date
a meeting of the citizens was held at the court house at Greenfield for the
purpose of taking steps to attempt to bring factories to Greenfield. \\'. S.
Wood was elected president, and John A. Hughes, secretary. The specific
purpose of the meeting was "to take such measures as would induce the
Wooten Desk Company, of Indianapolis, to move their factory to Greenfield."
The following committee was appointed to confer with representatives of the
desk company : H. B. Thayer, John A. Hughes, S. T. Dickerson, S. War Bar-
nett and J. V. Cook. A great deal of interest was manifested by citizens
in attendance, and among those who offered to donate land and money in order
to get the desk factory were Montgomery Marsh, W. S. Wood, W. C. Burdett,
S. T. Dickerson, John V. Cook, H. B. Thayer, H. J. Dunbar, George T. Ran-
dall and W. F. Pratt. In the accomplishment of its immediate purpose the
club failed.
630 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Soon after the discovery of natural gas, in 1887, a Board of Trade was
organized. A meeting of the business men was held on February 7. 1888, who
elected the following officers for the board: R. A. Black, president; L. H.
Reynolds, vice-president; E. P. Thayer, secretary, and W. P. Wilson, treas-
urer. The first directors appointed were J. K. Henby. W. P. Wilson, ^\'illiam
New, E. P. Thayer, R. A. Black, George \\'. Duncan and L. H. Reynolds.
The object of the Board of Trade was "to hold gas for home consumption
and to build up industries in and about Greenfield." A great field was open
for the efforts of such an organization and these men no doubt had a great
deal to do with bringing to the city such industries as the glass plants, the
stove foundry and the nail works.
Within the last few years, at least two Commercial Clubs have been
organized for the purpose of bringing industries to Greenfield ; one was organ-
ized on February 15, 1910, and another has been organized since that time.
No large factories, however, have come to Greenfield during the past five
or six years.
A social and commercial club known as tlie Temple Club was organized
in December, 1896, with about fifty members. The directors for tlie first
year were S. R. Wells. Charles G. Offutt, Ephraim Marsh. E. P. Thayer, jr..
R. A. Black, George S. Wilson, Walter O. Bragg and Charles Downing. The
club is still maintained and has its headquarters in the ^lasonic Temple. It is
a social club, however, rather than a commercial club.
The Greenfield Business ]\Ien's .Association was formed on March 15,
19 1 6. Practically all of the business men are members. The purpose of the
association is to increase acquaintanceship and foster the highest integrity
among its members; to take concert acticm in matters pertaining to the gen-
eral welfare of the meml)crs where individual effort would be powerless, such
as observance of li(ili(la\s, protection against adulterated and inferior goods;
to maintain credit rating, etc. ; to take any other action that may be neccessar}'
for inutual protection of the general business interests of the city. .Although
the association has been in existence only six weeks, a "clean up. paint up
week." and the "Wednesday sales" have been promoted.
FIRES.
It has only been within recent years that Greenfield has had adeijuate
protection against fire. As far as people can remember, and as far as there
is any record, the first great fire occurred in 1839, eleven years after the
organization of the county. It destroj-ed all of the property on the north side
of Main street between what are now Alount and State streets. This fire
GREENFIELD. 63 1
destroyed several business blocks and also a large hotel and stable that stood
on the nortliwest corner of State and Main streets, where tlie Masonic Temple
now stands.
In 1857 another fire occurred in the same district and destroyed several
valuable buildings.
The greatest fires of later years have destroyed individual buildings,
such as tlie elevators, saw-mills, etc. Not over ten years ago tlie mill and
elevator then standing immediately south of the Pennsylvania depot, was
burned. Not many years previous to that the Greenfield Lumber and Ice
Company's plant was destroyed. Since that time the west end glass works
bumed and just a year ago the east end bottle works was consumed by fire.
\\'ith Greenfield's splendid waterworks plant and her efficient fire de-
partment, almost any fire within the city can be effectively controlled if the
department is notified in time.
CHARITY ORGANIZATIONS.
The first charity organization organized in Greenfield seems to have
been tlie Greenfield Benevolent Society, founded in May, 1874. liefore Green-
field was incoi-porated as a city. It was a ladies' organization, and in Feb-
ruary, 1875, numbered twenty-five members. The first officers of the society
w^ere : Mrs. H. B. Thayer, president ; Mrs. N. P. Howard, vice-president ; Mrs.
Inez Lyons, secretary ; Mrs. Brown, treasurer. The committee on collections
was composed of Mrs. H. J. Williams, Mrs. F. H. Crawford, Airs. J. B. Law-
rence, Mrs. Morris Pierson, Mrs. James L. Mason and Mrs. H. J. Dunbar. It
seems that the society collected clothing, and at times food stuffs for the poor
of the town. Donations of wood and flour were also frequently made by the
citizens of the town as well as by people from the country. A report shows
tiiat from a festival given by the society in June. 1874. $38.70 was realized,
and that a concert given by the Eolian Club also netted the society $33.70.
During the winter of 1874-75 the society expended for shoes, dry goods and
groceries the sum of $32.90 and had left on hands $40.27.
It was this society that promoted the spelling match at the court liouse on
March 13, 1875, in which practically all of the business men, as well as others,
participated. Three cords of wood and a ham of meat were the prizes offered
to the winning side for the benefit of the society. Spelling matches were
frequently held and a small admittance charged to raise funds for tlie poor.
This society was kept intact for six or seven years ; in fact the local papers
still mention a Benevolent Societv in 1886. • It is difficult to sav at this time
632 HAXCOCK COUNTY. IXPIANA.
whether this was the same society or whether it was another societ}- under the
same name. For many years Mrs. I,emuel Gooding- was its secretary.
The churches of the city have ahvays done a hberal share of charity work
among our needy poor. In 1904, another society was organized which lias
come to be known as the Associated Charities of Greenfiekl. In November
of that year class number 9 of the Christian Sunday school, known as the
"Sunshine Circle," took all of their collections from tiiat time until Christmas
and sent it to Indianapolis for the poor children oi that city. It was sug-
gested that they give a Christmas charity and invite a committee from each of
the several churches of Greenfield to co-operate with them. This was done.
A literary and musical program was given on December 13, 1904. at which
admittance fees were collected in eatables, toys, fuel and money. Later a
permanent charity organization was effected with the following officers : I^Irs.
Mattie J. Elliott, president; Mrs. Hiram Eshelman, secretary, and Mrs. W. H.
Hughes, treasurer. On January 17, 1905, a constitution and by-laws were
adopted for the association. A citizens' meeting was called at the court house
on January 30, 1905, and about one hundred and fifty citizens attended. A
program was given, including such subjects as "Charity as a Character
Builder," "Moral Forces in Social Life." "Reaching the Higher Ideals," etc.
This organization has remained in existence to the present. Its presi-
dents have been Alartha J. Elliott, William C. Goble, N. R. Spencer. George
J. Richman, John K. Henby and Alice M. Collier, tlie latter being president at
this time. People during the last decade have responded generously to the
appeals of the organization and the association has been able to give care and
comfort to many cases of destitution that have been reported.
Aside from these organizations for home charity, Greenfield has also
made liberal donations on various occasions. In 1884, $223.35 was donated
to the Ohio river flood sufferers; in 1906, $608.80 was donated to the San
Francisco earthquake sufferers. Liberal donations, amounting to several
hundred dollars, were also made to the Belgium relief fund in 1914. Oilier
donations have also been made of which no record lias ijeen ])reserved.
THE COLORED FOLK.
During the latter seventies the colored folk, under the leadership of
George L. Kno.x and others, were active in building up a church organization
and in doing other religious work. During these vears literary .societies flour-
islicd generally over the country, and the colored ])eoplc of Greenfield also had
their debating society and literary clubs, by wiiich programs nere given and
which were greatly enjoyed by those in attendance. Among the most inter-
GREENFIELD. 633
esting of these was a colored delating club, organized in 1878. lis members
included (ieorge L. Knox, James Kelley, Cook White. Brazelton W'atkins,
Tbiimas and Morrison. Knox has, since that time, become one of the most
prominent men of his race in the state of Indiana. 1 le has been the editor of
a newspaper, and has also become known as an able speaker upon political
and other topics. His services have been in demand beyond the confines of
the state of Indiana. E\cn as a younger man and as a member of the colored
debating society of (ireenfield, he recited poems rmd told his I:o_\-hood stories
to the delight of his audiences. Several of the debates in which the members
of the society participated included the discussion of such cpiestions as, "W'hicli
is most destructive — fire or water?" "Resolved, that there is more happiness
in single than in married life;" "Who caused the freedom of the colored people
— Abraham Lincoln or Jeff Davis ?"
Concerning the debate on the second ([uestion, the newspaper report of
the event recites: "It was simply immense and laughter resounded in the
hall from the opening to the close of the exercises." An admittance fee of
five cents was charged by the society for the benefit of the church.
In the fall of 1881 a colored camp-meeting was also held at Boyd's Grove,
or at what is now the old fair ground, north of the city. It opened on Sep-
tember 2, and remained in session for about twelve da_\s. It was in its nature
a great revival service, led by E. W. S. Hammond, the presiding elder of the
colored Methodist Episcopal church of this district. Such meetings were also
held for two or three years following and became more than local affairs.
Special rates are said to have been obtained from the railroads, and people
from all over the cijuntry, especially young people, came to attend the meet-
ings. If the newsjjaper reports of these colored camp-meetings are correct,
there were frequently fifteen hundred to two thousand people in attendance.
The grounds were well lighted and policed. There were tents for those who
came from a distance and who wished to remain for a period of time. Seats
were arranged so that all could be comfortable and a portion of the ground
was set off for horses and buggies so that they would not interfere with the
sen-ices. Stands were also inaintained for refreshments. Services were ordi-
narily held at 10:30 A. M., and at 2:30 and 7:30 P. M. The last camp-meet-
ing was held in 1884.
SECOND M. E. CHURCH ( COLORED).
Following the camp meeting, the Second IMethodist Episcopal church was
organized in the American Methodist Episcopal conference, in 1884, including
the following charter member'^: Mrs. Johnson, Ransom Xeal, Rachel Xeal.
634 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Mrs. Hunt, George Knox, Aerie Knox, Mamie Hatten and Nancy Harvey.
The church went into the Methodist Episcopal Lexington conference in 1890.
Among the early pastors were Reverend Hutchison, Nathaniel Jones and R. S.
Denny. In the latter year the frame church building was erected on the east
side of South State street, just a short distance north of Cemetery street. The
building committee was composed of Ransom Neal, A. Y. King, Sallie Hamp-
ton, George W. Page and John Knox.
A Sunday school was also organized in 1884. Among its superintendents
have been A. Y. King. John Knox, Lucy Page, ^linnie Knox and Mellie
Hampton. Mrs. Lucy Page has had charge of the Sunday school work of the
church since 1897. Since that time there has been but one class, with an aver-
age attendance of fifteen. The church now has ten members. It has had a
number of pastors, yet no one, likely, has rendered so valuable a service to
the little congregation as Mrs. Lucy Page, with her home assistants.
CEMETERIE.S.
The old cemetery, which is located immediately nurth of tlie railroad and
two squares east of the court house, was donated to Hancock county as a
burial ground by Andrew P. Jackson, on May 9, 1843. The spot had been
used as burial ground ever since tlie f>rganization of the county. The county
commissioners, in turn, conveyed the cemetery to the city of Greenfield, on
March 3, 1868. It is no longer used for burial purposes and for the past sev-
eral years has been under the care of the township trustees, as provided by
recent statutes for the care of such cemeteries. In this cemetery lie some of
the oldest residents of the county. On tlie stones that mark the resting places
of our older people are the names of Cornwall Meek and wife, Jeremiah Meek,
Nathan Crawford, William Sebastian, John Sebastian, the wife of Alexander
K. Branham, the Chapmans, the Templins, James Rutlierford and wife. Dr. B.
F. Duncan, H. J. Williams, Robert Barnett, Thomas P. Snow, Harry Pier-
son, Lewis Sebastian and others. After the new cemetery had been laid out,
many of the Ijodies were removed to lots purchased there. But the stones
that still stand on the cemetery impress the visitor with the flight of time and,
to the older people, recall memories of the long ago,
PARK CEMETERY.
Park cemetery, which lies a short distance south of the old cemetery,
was purchased by the town of Greenfield, on April 7, 1863. The original tract
consisted of six acres, ^^''hen the town bought it, it was covered with timber,
and on September 4, 1863, tlie town council ordered that the privilege of cut-
ELM AT ENTRANCE OF PARK CEMETERY, GREENFIELD
GREENFIELD. b35
ting the timber and clearing the cemetery be sold to the lowest and best bidder,
the bids to be received on Saturday, September 19, 1863.
The record of the town, council also shows that on April 7, 1865, on
motion of J. W. Walker, councilman, the plan and plat proposed by Lemuel
W. Gooding for laying off the ground of the Greenfield cemetery was adopted.
The cemetery was laid off with streets and alleys as we now know it. A num-
ber of additions have been made to it since tliat time so that now it contains
about thirty-five acres. The last addition was made just a few years ago, and
the survey, with the circular drives, etc., was made by the county surveyor,
O. H. Monger. It is maintained by a tax levied by the city of Greenfield and
is known as one of the most beautiful cemeteries of its size in the state.
Here rest many whose names are prominent on the pages of the county's
history. Observing the names on the memorial stones as one enters the
cemetery gate and turns to the southward, are James A. Flippo, Matthew L.
Paullus, Alfred Potts and Lafayette H. Reynolds. Turning eastward in the
first street, we see the names of William H. Glascock, Joseph Baldwin, John
H. Binford, James A. New, Lee O. Harris, Wesley Addison, Jonathan Tague,
Adams L. Ogg, Salem O. Shumway, Philander H. Bo3^d, James L. Mason,
Madison Hinchman, Dr. Elam L Judkins, William New, Morris Pierson, Ben-
jamin F. Wilson, Hamlin L. Strickland, Elmer E. Stoner, Ephraim Thomas,
Tames K. King. Capt. Isaiah A. Curry. David S. Gooding. Jacob Slifer,
William G. Smith and Montgomery Marsh.
Standing at the mound and looking to the south and west, are the names
of S. War Barnett, William G. Richey, Dr. Noble P. Howard, Andrew J.
Banks, Aaron Pope, Henry Swope, Andrew T. Hart, Hollis B. Thayer,
Edward P. Scott, Alexander K. Branham, D. H. Goble. \\niliam Mitchell and
Charles Atherton. who laid out the town of Philadelphia more than eighty
years ago.
To the southeast of the mound lie Dr. Lot Edwards and George Y.
Atkison.
To the northeast of the mound stand the memorials of J. Ward Walker,
Rueben A. Riley, Calvary G. Sample and William Sears.
To the northwest of the mound lie \\'illiam Wilkins, formerly sheriff of
Hancock county: the Burdetts, Penuel Bidgood. John \\'. Ryon and W. S.
Fries.
Coming west along the north side, we observe the names of Samuel H.
Dunbar, James P. Foley, Richard A. Black, Dr. Warren R. King, Samuel P.
Gordon, Jackson Wills, Chesteen \V. Gant, Nelson Bradley, Morgan Chandler,
536 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA-
James L. McNew, \\'illiam C. Dudding. Charles G. Offutt, Moses Braddock
and Stokes Jackson.
On tlie newer ])arl of tlie cemetery to the south stand the memorials of
William C. Barnard, W. H. H. Rock, Aquilla Grist and Alorgan Caraway.
Here, too, lie Ephraim Marsh and William Ward Cook, resting througli the
eons of eternity, even as they fought life's battles — side by side.
BU.SINESS DIRECTORY 1880.
Following is a directory of the business men of Greenfield during ilie
early eighties :
Merchants — J. Ward \\'alker & Company, Hart & Tliayer, William C.
Burdett, Jackson & Brother, Lee C. Thayer.
Baltics — Greenfield Banking Company, Nelson Bradley, president ; Mor-
gan Chandler, cashier. Citizens Bank, P. H. Boyd, president ; J. B. Simmons,
cashier.
Druggists — F. H. Crawford, E. B. Grose, V. L. Early.
Grocers — J. J. Hauck, T. A. Gant, Sanford Furry, \\'. S. Gant. G. F.
Hauck, O. D. Hughes, Alexander & Son, Richard Hagan, Alexander, New &
Boots.
Private Banking — John A. Hu.ghes.
Agricultural Implements — A. J. Banks. Baldwin & Pratt, D. H. Goble,
Corcoran & Wilson.
Jewelers — F. E. Glidden, L. A. Davis.
Hardzi'are Dealers — A. J. Banks, Baldwin & Pratt.
Smitlis and Wagon-m-akers — Walker & Morford, Lineback & Barr, Hus-
ton & King, S. W. Wray, William Newhall.
Physicians — R. E. Barnet, Howard, Martin & Howard, J. A. Hall, E. I.
Judkins, M. M. Adams, S. S. Boots, L. A. Vawter. O. M. Edwards, J. W.
Selman and J. Francis.
Boots and Shoes — G. T. Randall.
Undertakers — ^^'illiams Brothers & Hamilton, Corcoran & Lantz. True-
blood & Alford.
Dentists — E. B. Hdwanl, R. A. Hamilton.
The following are also the names of business men in Greenfield who
agreed to keep their business houses closed on December 2-^. 1884, from one
to four P. M. : Harry L. Strickland. V. L. Early, A. Hackleman. E. B. Grose,
Hart & Thayer, L. A. Davis, George F. Hammel. G. \\'. Randall, S. Furry,
M. C. Ouigley, F. E. Glidden, J. J. Planck. New & Hammel, Lee C. Thayer,
Baldwin iK: Scott, J. A. Dalrymple, C. M. Jackson, A. J. Banks, Edwards &
GREEN FIKIJJ. 637
Corcoran, Boyd, Hinchman & Company, E. P. Thayer, Walker Brothers,
A. K. Branham, J. ^^'arcI Walker & Company, W. S. Cant, Amick & Alford.
TELEPHONES.
Although Hancock county is now covered with a net work of telephone
wires, it has only been a little more than thirty years since the first line for
public scrxice was lirouglit into iJie countw This line was constructed from
Indianapolis to Greenfield and was ready for operation on June 21, 1884. The
telephone office was installed in Early's drug store. A private line or two
may have been constructed within the county prior to that time, and several
pri\atc lines may iiave l-.een constructed in the few vears following. The first
regiilar telephone exchange was not installed at (ireenfield until l-'ebruary i,
1895. when the Morrison exchange was established, with alxnit sixty phones
contracted for. Among the first subscribers for the telephone system of
Greenfield and Hancock county were the following: H. S. Hume, Frank Mor-
gan. Jacob Forest, L. B. Griffin, Ephraim Marsh, S. R. Wells, James A.
Wells, H. L. Strickland, John Borrey, ^^■illiam Mitchell, Jr., \\". A. Wilkins,
Herald T\iblishing- Company, M. M- Adams. D. S. Bragg, William Tolen &
Company. \\'. B. Cuyler, ^^'. S. Montgomery, Black & Gordon, Hariw Strick-
land, A. P. Conklin, W. R. King, X. P. Howard, Jr.,'C. W. Morrison & Son,
H. B. Thayer. J. E. Dailey, Dr. S. S. Boots, W'iUiam \^■ard Cook, W. S. Gant,
\\'. IT. Paulcx-, J. Ward \\alker, Edmund P. Thayer, J. W. Ramse>-, W. S.
Walker, Samuel P. Gordon, C. K. Bruner, C. E. Kinder, I'. S. Gant, J. H.
Binford. ]\Iarsh iK' Cook, William Hughes, Mitchell Printing Company, J. W.
Cooper, J. \\ard \\'alker & Company, Xew Brothers, E. P. Thaxer & Com-
pany, G. W. Sopher, J. G. Alexander & Company, J. M. Hinchman, Jeffries
& Son, J. W. Carter and Arthur Walker. Seymour Morrison had started the
teleplione business at McCordsville and branched out until his lines reached
Greenfield. V. L. Early, George H. Cooper and William .\. Hough then
bought an interest in his business and made Greenfield the center of the Mor-
rison lines. V. L. Early, as general manager, probably has had more to do
than any other one person, with the establishment of telephone .service in
Hancock county.
On April t. 1896. a line was also com])k'ted between Greenfield and
Knightstow n.
About 1900 the Hannah-Jackson Telephone Company, was organized as
a second county system in opposition to the Morrison system. It was found
to be unprofitable, however, to operate two telephone systems in the county
and after a few years the Hannah-Jackson Company went into a receiver's
638 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
hands and was bought by the Morrison Compayy. Since that time the Mor-
rison Company has grown and rural hues have been installed until it is
now possible for any person in the county to converse with any one else in
any other part of the county. The New Long Distance and also the Bell
lines connect with the Morrison exchange, so that practically any point in the
United States that has telephone connections may be reached from Greenfield.
INDIANAPOLIS & GREENFIELD TRACTION LINE.
The interurban line between Greenfield and Indianapolis was promoted
and constructed by Greenfield parties. Among the promoters were F. G.
Banker, William C. Dudding, C. M. Kirkpatrick, Nathan C. Binford, Lorenzo
E. McDonald, R. A. Black and Elmer J. Binford. The latter was the attorney
for the company. When the papers were presented to the attorneys at Cle\-e-
land, Ohio, who represented the concern that was being asked to finance the
road, they received mention as being among the most perfect documents ever
presented for consideration. As a result of this legal work, ilr. Binford be-
came known as one of the ablest corporation lawyers in the state.
The contract for the construction of the line was taken by the Kirkpatrick
Construction Company, of which C. M. Kirkpatrick, of Greenfield, was body
and soul. Work began on the line in the fall of 1899, and the road began
carrying passengers regularly on June 17, 1900.
The major portion of the stock was held by the persons above named, who
later sold it at a very handsome profit. The line has been one of the best pay-
ing roads in the state, and is now owned by the Terre Haute, Indianapolis &
Eastern Traction Company.
BANKS.
The Greenfield Banking Company was established as a private bank, Sep-
tember 4, 1871. It was at first located at the corner of IMain and State streets,
where the Masonic Temple now stands. The original stockholders were Nel-
son Bradley, Morgan Chandler, J. Ward Walker, Alex Swope, Stephen Dick-
erson and Joseph O. Binford. Nelson Bradley was the first president, and
J. Ward Walker, the first cashier. Later the bank was moved to its present
location, and became a state bank in December, 1898. The first stockholders
of the state bank were Nelson Bradley, Ephraim Marsh, Henry L. Moore,
D. B. Cooper, Charles Barr and W. O. Bragg. The officers were Nelson
Bradley, president; Ephraim Marsh, vice-president; D. B. Cooper, cashier,
and Walter O. Bragg, assistant cashier. Mr. Bradley, who was the first
president of this bank, remained in that capacity until 1909, when he pre-
sented to the board of directors the following letter of resignation :
GREENFIELD. 639
"Greenfield, Indiana,
"Monday, August 2, 1909.
"To the Board of Directors ;
"I hereby tender my resiynaiiou as president and director of The Green-
field Banking Company, said resignation to take effect on the 6th day of Sep-
tember, 1909, at which time I will complete mv thirty-eighth year as president
and director of The Greenfield Banking Company.
"I resign for the reason that my advanced years make it impossible for
me to give the attention to the duties which the positions require. I am now
eighty-seven years old and I am glad to say tliat from tlie time this bank was
established, Septemlier 3, 1871, to the present, during all of which time I
have been president, no man has lost a dollar.
"Nelson Bradley."
The officers were changed fn)m time t(_) time : Charles Barr succeeded Mr.
Bradley as president and he, in turn, was succeeded by S. S. Boots, the present
president. \Y. O. Bragg, John A. Rhue and W. T. Leamon have been cash-
iers, and A\'. A. Hough, John A. Rhue, J. \\\ Fletcher and W. T. Leamon-
have served as assistant cashiers. The present stockholders are Charles Barr,
S. S. Boots, Harry G. Strickland, E. L. Tyner, W. T. Leamon, J. W. Fletcher,
Addie B. Ginley, H. B. Beale. Myra J. Moore, Clarence Barr. W. A. Hough,
Ella M. Hough and the estate of John R. Moore. The officers at present are,
S. S. Boots, president; E. L. Tyner. vice-president; W. T. Leamon, cashier;
J. W. Fletcher, assistant cashier; directors, S. S. Boots, Charles Barr, E. L.
Tyner, Harry Strickland, W. T. Leamon and J. \^'a^d Fletcher.
'J'lie Citizens Bank was organized as a partnership or private liank in
the spring of 1873. by Philander H. Boyd. John B. Simmons. \\'illiam S.
Wood and Israel P. Poulson, of Flancock county, and Aljiram Bo\d, Wayne
county. Indiana. The building where the l)ank is yet conducted was erected
and the first banking business was transacted on January 4. 1874, Philander
H. Boyd being president, and Joliii B. Simmons, cashier. Mr. Wood sold
his interest to tlie other partners and retired March 12 1874. and the partner-
shi]) as thus constituted continued until the death of Mr. Simmons, Mav 20,
1888.
Witiiin a year or two after opening, the liusiness had grown to such pro-
portions that additional help was required, and Wallace A. Simmons and
{•"rank Simmons, sons of the casliier, were successively called in as book-
keepers. On account of ill health both soon had to retire. George H. Cooper
came to the bank as regular bookkeeper in 1883, but for several years previous
640 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
he liad assisted at ocld times. In 1887 lie was advanced to assistant casliier
and at the death of Mr. Simmons, he was chosen cashier.
On July 16, 1888, James A. Boyd, of Cambridge City, having acquired
the interest of his father, Abiram Boyd, and Mr. Cooper having the interest
of Mr. Poulson, the bank was reorganized, the partners being Philander H.
Boyd and George H. Cooper, of Greenfield, and James A. Boyd, of Cambridge
City. This partnership continued until the death of Philander H. Boyd on
August 30, 1897. The surviving partners continued to conduct the affairs
until .\pril i, 1898, when the business was purcliased by the present invners:
James R. Boyd, son of the first president; George H. Cooper and \\'illiam B.
Bottsford. Mr. Bottsford. who had long been a teacher in the public schools,
came to the bank as bookkeeper in 1892, and is regarded as one of the ablest
accountants in the state. He was made assistant cashier in 1897.
The Citizens" Bank from its beginning has lielptd advance the material
interests of the county. An examination of its books, which was necessary
to gather the above data, reveals facts and events closely allied with the lives
of many of its patrons, and with nearly every material advancement of the
county. On the opening da}- there were twelve depositors, who deposited a
total of $1,365. Thomas H. Mitchell, second son of William Mitchell, of
the Hancock Democrat, made the first deposit. He was at that time a new.s-
ijoy selling the Iiidiaiuipolis Sentinel and Cincinnati Enquirer. Mrs. Malissa
Cooper, mother of the present cashier, was the first woman to make a deposit.
Mr. Mitchell is the only one of the first depositors now living, but it is note-
worthy that many of the names yet daily entered on the books are of the sec-
ond and third generations of most of the first depositors. The births, mar-
riages, deaths, in fact, full family histories, as well as the building of school
hou.ses, churches, lodges, factories, and other commercial progress are trace-
able in the many entries in the financial books of the institution. The "bank
open" and "bank closed" metal sign whicli hangs on the front door to announce
the daily routine of the bank was painted by James Whitcomb Riley while lie
was a sign painter, and it bears his characteristic name as he was accustomed
to paint it on all tiie signs he painted.
The bank has a paid-up capital and surplus of $6o,oco, and being a part-
nership bank, with the individual estates of the partners back of it, makes it
one of the "financial strongholds" of the county. The present officers are:
James R. Boyd, president; George H. Cooper, cashier; Horace K. Boyd and
Sheldon B. Cooper, bookkeepers.
Tlie Capital State Bank was organized. January 8. 1898. and was char-
lertd as a state bank on I'ebruary 15, 1898. On February 10 of the same
GREENFIELD. 64 1
year it opened its doors for business. The capital stock of the bank was
originally $25,000. On December 21, 1907, it was increased to $50,000.
The moving spirit in the promotion and organization of the bank was John
H. Binford, who later l)ecame president of the institution. The first directors
were William Toms, Isaiah A. Curry, L. E. McDonald, Nathan C. Binford
and John H. Binford. L. E. McDonald was the first cashier and served until
1908. Nathan C. Binford was the first president and ser\'ed until 1908, at
which time he was chosen cashier. John H. Binford was elected president
in 1908 and served until the time of his death in 1912. He was followed by
Joseph L. Binford, who served as president until his death in 191 5, when he
was followed liy Robert Barclay Binford. At present Robert Barclav Bin-
ford is president, and Nathan C. Binford, cashier of the bank.
The original stockholders were Nathan C. Binford, Luzena Thornburg,
Elizabeth Thornburg, Josiah C. Binford, Mary E. Binford, Levi Jessup. Mar-
tha J. Elliott, E. Clarkson Elliott, Florence C. Binford, Charity B. Toms,
William Toms, \^'illiam H. Scott, Isaiah A. Curry, R. H. Ramsey, lulgar A.
Binford, J. E. Wiseman, Jesse Brown, Mary L. Bruner, L. E. ^IcDonald, S.
S. Boots, William Mitchell Printing Co., Martha Binford and John H. Bin-
ford.
Later stockholders have been Joseph Boots, Mary A. Jessup, D. R. Love,
F. M. Sparks, K. E. Smith, Ada Smith, A. E. Smith, A\'illiam H. Scott,
Joseph L. Binford, H. L. Moore, Ben H. Binford, W. P. Binford, R. B.
Binford. A. A. Bacon, M. E. Denny, Chesteen Smith. William G. Smith, E.
W. Felt, J. P. Moore, C. M. Currj-, M. C. Cole, William R. Johnston, M. A.
Johnston, F. B. Huddleson, C. F. Reeves, L. H. Binford, P. T. Hill, A. M.
Hill, L. A. Hill. E. V. Toms, L. A. Binford, Omer Binford, Sophia Boots,
^^'illiam R. McGraw, Charles H. Troy, William H. H. Rock, R. F. Cook, C. B.
Henley. J. N. Cook, L. G. Rule, Elma Binford, Mary S. Boots, R. A. Rock,
Amos Hill. Paul F. Binford, Mar\- E. Simmons, Mary E. Hanna, Milo Good-
pasture. D. G. McClarnon, E. R. Briney, R. J. Binford, F. L. Binford, F. B.
McCutcheon, J. C. Binford, M. C. Binford, Morris Binford. E. J. Chappell. M.
B. Chappell, C. F. Binford, I. H. Binford, Walter Binford and D. M. Binford.
The Hughes Bank was a private institution, established by Job.n A.
Hughes on July i. 1881. It first opened its doors at No. 15 South Pennsyl-
vania street. After July i, 1884, it occupied the rooms at loi West Main
street. John A. Hughes remained in the bank until the time of his death,
on August 25, 1885. George H. Cooper held a position as assistant cashier
from July i, 1881, until July i, 1883. At that time he was succeeded by
William A. Hughes, who, after the death of his father, operated the bank
(41)
642 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
until January i, 1908. Wlien its business was liquidated, all depositors were
paid in full.
Four or five years ago the Home Savings and Trust Companv was or-
ganized by Cliarles E. Barrett, an attorney of Indianapolis. It offices were
located in the New building at Greenfield. The venture, however, proved a
failure and after a few months its doors were closed. Se\eral Greenfield
parties were financially interested in it.
THE GREEXFIEI.n BlILDIXG AND I.OAX ASSOCIATION.
In the summer of 1883, the late James AI. Alorgan. Elam I. Judkins, F.
E. Gedden, Xelson Bradley, James Demaree; J. Ward Walker, Charles M.
-Mexander, Sam E. Duncan, John Corcoran. Albert R. Hughes, D. B.
Cooper, V. L. Early and others conceived the idea of organizing a building
and loan association.
After canvassing the citizens of Greenfield to ascertain if an institution
of such a character could subsist in Greenfield, it was determined to effect an
organization, with the above-named citizens as incorporators. Articles of
association were filed in the office of the secretary of state on July 25, 1F83.
The following men were selected as directors to serve for one year : James
M. Morgan, Elam I. Judkins. D. B. Cooper, F. E. Glidden and John Corcoran.
The directors organized with James M. Alorgan as president ; Xelson Brad-
ley, treasurer, and Charles M. Alexander, secretary. The first Monday in
September, 1883, was fixed as the date upon which the subscribers to the
stock were to l^egin to pay. The association organized with a capital stock
of $300,000, which was increased to $1,000,000 on October 29, 1885.
The association started out on a plan known as a serial, with shares at
$300 each, payable 50 cents per week. Si.\ series were issued, one each year,
stock to mature in about seven years. About this time it became evident that
the first series issued would mature in a short time, and to accumulate money
10 pav off this series liecame a problem. The directors and stockholders
found it necessary to change from a serial to a permanent plan, making the
shares of stock $100, instead of $300, payable 25 cents per week.
The presidents of the association have been James M. Morgan, F. E.
Glidden, S. S. Boots and the present incumbent, V. L. Early, with continuous
service since September 2, 1890. Xelson Bradley held the office of treasurer
from the organization until January 12, 1909: John .\. Rhue. treasurer from
[anuarv 12, 1909, to April 3, 1911, and Charles Barr, the present incumbent,
from April 3, 191 1.
Charles M. Alexander was elected secretary at the time of organization.
V
JOHN F. MITCHELL AND WIPE
c
GREENFIELD. 643
and served one year. He was succeeded liy \V. O Bragg, who served until
September, 1880, and since that time John Corcoran, the present secretary,
has discharged the duties of tiiat tjftice.
PrBI.ISIIIXc; HOUSES.
Greenfield at ])resent has three publishing houses, the oldest of which is
\VM. MITCHELL PRI-NTING CO.
William Mitchell, the fountler of the printing company, came to Green-
field in 1856. He first became identified with the Greenfield Sentinel, and
was one of the men who launched the Hancock Democrat in 1859. Other
men of the company were. Noble Warrum, David S. Gooding, William R.
W'est and George Y. Atkinson. _ David S. Gooding was editor-in-chief for
several years and William Mitchell, local editor. So much of Gooding's time
was given to politics that before the close of the Civil War, William Mitchell
bought the plant. During the war the Democrat championed the cause of
the "War Democrats,"' and ga\'e its undivided support to the Union cause.
In fact, it became the local organ of the Union party. Its policy appears
weekly in bold letters across its front page : "The Union — the Constitution —
the Rights of the People."
The first liDUie of the Democrat was in the east wing of the first cnurt
house on the public square, described in the chapter on "County Buildings."
■Soon after the Civil War, \\'illiam Mitchell moved the establishment to the
.second floor of the Ranks' block. No. 15 W'est Main street. The paper was
published here until it was moved ijito its present home on South State street,
!n 188 1.
In 1876 John F. Mitchell, the oldest son of William Mitchell, was taken
in as a partner and assumed full control of the establishment. .\t this time
the firm began doing business under the name of the Wm. Mitchell Printing
Company. In iSgo, after the death of his father, John F. Mitchell bought
the interest of all other Mitchell heirs, and since that time has l)een the sole
owner (if the plant. He tnok his sun. Jnhn F. Mitchell, Jr., into the manage-
ment of the business in 1907. It was the wish of \Mlliam Mitchell that the
business he had founded should remain as a' living monument to him. This
wish has I)een respected, and all business is still transacted in the name of
\\'m. Mitchell Printing Company.
The growth of Inisine.ss made more floor space necessary, and in iqoi an
addition was constructed on the south, much larger than the original plant.
644 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
In 1906. the old Methodist cliurch was purchased, a binderv installed, and
the engine house, immediately west of the church, constructed.
The printery has lived through many phases of history. During the
Civil War the United States government seized the plant under the right of
eminent domain to print the names of men in Indiana subject to draft. The
columns of the Democrat of that time are filled, too, with interesting speeches
and tracts. Later, James Whitcomb Riley, the Hoosier poet, found things
of interest in the shop, and here some of his earliest poems were printed. The
old Washington hand press which was brought overland in the fifties has
long been replaced by the most modern machinery. The \\m. Mitchell Print-
ing Company operates one of the largest printing establishments and book
manufacturing plants in the state. They draw th.eir business from coast to
coast, manufacturing books for some of the largest business houses in the
countn,-. They have their own gas well and generate electric power for their
entire plant by two large gas engines. They have, aside from their own power
plant, their own electric light, gas and waterworks. The plant is novel from
its meclianical standpoint. It contains the best of American and European
machinery for printing and binding books. The book presses are equipped
with automatic feeders, and feeders are also installed on their folding
machines. Their batter^' of linotype and type-casting machines is complete
in every respect. All old-type machines were thrown out and new machines
installed at the first of the present year. The bindery is one of the most
complete institutions in the West for binding books in large editions. Books
of all kinds are made, from the full leather de luxe hand-tooled book to the.
smallest leaflet.
THE D. IT. COBLE PRINTING COMPANY.
In January, 188 1, Aaron Pope, superintendent of the Hancock county
schools, and Capt. Lee O. Harris, a teacher in the schools and one of Indiana's
best-known writers, established the Hom-c and School Visitor, designed for
use in the schools of Hancock county as supplemental reading. A few months
after the appearance of this publication. Prof. Pope died and his interests
were jnuxhased by the late David H. Goble. Later, Mr. Harris retired from
the partnership, and Mr. Goble assumed complete control. Mr. Harris, how-
ever, retained his editorial conned inn with the paper to the time of his death.
December 23, 1909.
In 1903, the publishing business, which had been carried on under the
name of Mr. Goble, was incorporated under the name of The D. H. Goble
Printing Company, Mr. Goble occupying the office of president to the time
WILLIAM MITCHELL,
Deceased
MRS. WILLIAM MITCHELL.
Deceased
JOHN F. MITHELL. JR.
GREENFIELD. 645
of his deatli, September 30, 1905. This corporation is purely a family affair,
the stock being- owned by the children of the founder, namely, Mrs. Millie
Trees, Mrs. John Irwin, James N. Goblc and Isaac A. Goble, of Cireenfield,
Indiana, and Mrs. Luther Poland, of Indianapolis. Its present officers are
Isaac A. Goble, president; Millie A. Trees, vice-])residenl ; James X. Goble.
secretary-treasurer.
Back in the early eighties, the sons of Mr. Goble took an active interest
in the printing business. The little paper, a small four-page affair, was lifted
from the local field and carried to every quarter of the state and its dimen-
sions have grown to that of an up-to-date magazine, which is used in the
district schools of Indiana.
In the early days of this concern, the publishers began, in a small way,
making legal blanks for township trustees. By persistent work, and 1;y mak-
ing of their goods a little better than the ordinary, their trade has been,
extended until they are now possibly the largest manufacturers in the state
of records for townships and schools, and theirs is a standard of quality.
SPENCER PUBLISHING COMPANY.
The Daily Reporter was established April 27, 1908, by Xewton R.
Spencer, ably assisted by Mrs. Spencer. The office was in the east room of
the Ramsey building, on the south side of East Main street, just west of the
alley leading south to Meek street. The basement of the building was used
for a press room, and the ground floor for a composing room and office.
The composition was hand set, the force including three comixisiturs. .\n
old-style oscillating Campbell press, purchased from Dale J. Crittenberger, of
Anderson, subsequently auditor of state, was installed. This press was out
of the office of the Anderson Democrat. It was a curio to the employees of
the Reporter office, but it gave a very neat print. The entire equipment of
the Reporter office, when establi.shed. did not cost to exceed one thousand
dollars. The advance circulation was onl\- three hundred. The Reporter was
a six-column folio. It contained very few advertisements, for the reason
that the business men of Greenfield did not feel friendly towards its estab-
lishment. They pointed out that two daily papers, the Star and Trihintc, and
four weeklies, the Democrat, Republican, Herald and Globe, were being jnih-
lished in the city, and that only one or two of them indicated any degree or
success. The founder of the Reporter, however, eager to break into the
game in Greenfield, was not discouraged by any of these obstacles. He
endured privations and practiced the most rigid economy, living largely upon
unjustified hope of success for months before he had sufficient money to
646 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
pay tlie current expenses of the paper. During these many months he saw
the small reserve bank account gradualh- grow smaller, and he e\en wimdered
if it would hold out until the enterprise was self-supporting. W'ithm ten
months fmm the time of establishing the Reporter, the management pur-
chased the subscription list of the Evening Star from the Greenfield Printing
and Publishing Company, and merged it into the Reporter. The publication
of the Greenfield Herald and Greenfield Globe was suspended at the same
time, and tlie printing plant in wliich they had \xtn printed was removed to
Cumberland. Indiana. On February 21, 1910, Newton R. Spencer, having
previously purchased the Evening Tribune and Weekly Republican of Walter
S. Montgomery, took charge of the papers and the plant, merged the Tribune
with the Reporter, and has since that time ]Hiblished the Daily Reporter and
the IVeekly Republican. For one year they were published on North East
street in the Dudding and Moore block. On March 24, 1911, a fire damaged
the machineiy and composing room of the printing plant, and its location
was changed to the Acme building, at the comer of South Pennsylvania and
Railroad streets, where a new Mergenthaler linotype was installed on May 1.
19x1. In the fall of 1913, a lot was purchased on East ]\Iain street and the
erection of the present modern newspaper building was begun. It was com-
pleted in 19 14, and was occupied on July i of that year. The new building
is substantially built and conveniently arranged for the newspaper business.
It has been very fa\-orabIy commented upon by newspaper men from different
parts of the state. Mrs. Spencer has been connected constantly witli the
office since the establishment of the Reporter, as has also the son, Dale, who
began as a newsboy and has worked in all of the mechanical departments,
including the linotype. Marshall Winslow, the city editor, has been with the
papers for many years. He was connected with the Tribune and Republican
when those papers were sold by \\ . S. Montgomery, and he is familiar with
ever\- phase of the business. The Spencer Publishing Company was incor-
porated in 1 91 3.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY, (igi6).
Following is a directory of the principal business men of Greenfield not
elsewhere enumerated :
Department Stores — ^J. ^\^ Cooper & Company, A. H. Rottman, Star
Store (Simon Koin, proprietor), Charles Williams & Company and J. Ward
Walker Company.
Groceries — Fred Havens, John Morrison, C. Bert Orr, Rock & Son, H.
G. Strickland. Star Store, C. E. Vaugh and Earl Walsh.
GREENFIELD. 64/
Druggists — Early Drug Company, W. P. Johnson and IL II. Zike.
News Dealers — Walter Myers, William M. Lewis.
Hardware — Chandler & Newhouse and Pickett & Sons.
Dentists— R. I. Bell, B. S. Binford. R. M. Calloway, J. D. Hughes, E.
B. Howard and J. H. Posten.
Insurance, Loans and Real Estate — Paul Binford, .\. C. Van Duyn.
Charles Barr, D. B. Cooper & Son, Lester T. Ellis, W. I. Garriott, E. E.
Gant. William A. Hughes, V. L. Patton, A. N. Steel, Wood Brothers and
Ora Myers.
Jewelry, Etc. — Carl Rock and Beggs & Kyle.
Bakeries — George Furry, William S. King & Son and P. T. Lahr.
Blacksmiths — Marshall McBane, James Moran and Mdrford & Son.
Draymen — H. G. Amick, T. H. Eaton, S. P. Green, Jeffries Brothers
antl W. E. Smith.
Garages — Harry Hendricks, Orr Brothers, C. E. Kinder & Son, O. H.
Monger & Son, Clarence Waddell and Wood Brothers.
Hotels — Columbia Hotel and Grand Hotel.
Lumber and Building Supplies — A. P. Conklin Lumber Company and
Greenfield Lumber and Ice Company.
Merchant Tailors — George P. Justus and \\'. W. McCole.
Meat Dealers — H. B. Bolt, Walter Fisk, F. S. Fort. E. L. Gorman, Star
Store and Fred Rihm.
Photographers — J. I. Butler and A. E. Pierson.
Plumliers — Standard Heating & Plumbin.g Company, Grant E. Gomian
and Mo}xl Spangler.
Restaurants — John Bohm, C(jurt House Restaurant and City Restaurant.
Wood and Coal — A. P. Conklin Lumber Company, Greenfield Ice and
Fuel Company, Greenfield Lumber and Ice Company, (]ray Brothers, Green-
field Milling Company and New Milling Company.
L^ndertakers — H. Eshelman, Frank R. Lynam. .\. H. Rottman and
Pasco Brothers.
Elevators — (Greenfield Milling Company and Xew Milling Company.
Ice and I''uel — (Jreenfield Ice and Iniel Company and Gray Brothers.
Florists — Jacob Forest and L. H. Haney.
Furniture — A. H. Rottman, J. W. Coo])er S: Company, J. Ward Walker
Company.
T.XXPAYERS.
I'ollowing is a list of the citizens of Greenfield who paid taxes in sums
exceeding one hundred dollars in 1915:
648 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Xancy Adams, $139.60; Luman Banks (estate), $291.49; Jerome Black,
$870.91: lone Black, $185.09; James R. Boyd, $671.58; John H. Binford
(estate). S511.37; Nathan C. Binford, $140.37; Charles Barr, $289.35;
Laura Banker Bennett. $112.64; Mary L. Bruner, $346.49; J. Bridges and
wife, $107.54; Horace G. Beckner, $157.45; Edward L. Bennett, $101.31;
Benton L. Barrett, $399.00; Barrett Elevator Company, $199.52; Margaret
E. Brown, $121.52; Andrew J. Banks (estate) $218.12; Isaac H. Barnes,
$126.04; Harvey D. Barrett, $107.46; Mrs. J. H. Brooks, $117.74; Myrtle
H. Beckner, $149.71; A. R. Brown (estate), S365.35 ; Jessie F. Brand,
(estate), $133.25; George H. Cooper, $1,106.84; ^'lie E. Cook, $103.58;
Melissa Cooper (estate), $177.27; Julia Carter, $242.66; Lisha Bussell Clift,
$110.52; Alfred P. Conklin, $715.52; Citizens' Bank, $1,189.45; Capital
State Bank. $1,318.78; Emma E. Chappell, $263.84: Christian F. Collyer.
$183.41; Philander Collyer, $146.57; Martha Cupp, $164.05; George W.
Duncan (estate), $102.44; John H. Duncan, $187.64; W. C. Dudding and
wife, $135.28; Charles Downing, $130.19; George W. Daenzer and wife,
$350.17; Charles S. Duncan, $108.39; Vincent Early, $248.19; Arthur K.
Ellis, $117.44; Early Drug Company, $106.12; James Flippo, $115.47; Henry
Fn,^, $171.35; Frank V. Felt, $202.40; Jacob Forest, $100.46; Edgar L.
Fritch, $193.97; Herbert E. Fink, $168.88; Vard H. Finnell, $115.83; Milo
Gibbs and wife, $170.20; Greenfield Banking Company, $1,484.62;
Elvira Gooding, $114.33; Lemuel and Mary Gooding, $149.99; Ches-
teen W. Gant, $104.71; Elmer E. Gant, $253.93; Ozora Belle Gant,
$569.19; Cerena T. Grose, $151.46; Charles M. Gibhs, $185.80;
Malinda Goble (heirs), $243.38; Pearl and Paul Gibbs, S110.37;
Mrs. L. B. Griffin, $104.15; John H. Groff, $i58..48; Greenfield
Ice and Fuel Company, $154.48; Greenfield Building and Loan Association,
$100.47; Pearl Gibbs (administratrix). $105.27: Oscar Heller. S219.T6: Eli
Hagans, $115.86; William A. Hughes, $110.95; Edward B. Howard,
$150.27; Frank S. Hammel, $121.97; John M. Hinchman, $164.99; Emezena
Hinchman, $588.43; \\"illiam R. Hough, $204.89; William A. Hough,
$306.71 ; J. W. Harrell, $153.26; John F. Holland, $110.37; Fred T. Havens,
$205.56; Elijah A. Henhy. S132.55: Theophilus Hargrove. $125.57; Level L.
Jeffries, $263.02; Uriah H. Jeffries (estate), $161.32; James Edwin Janney,
$198.10; Emma J. Justice, $200.81 ; William A. Justice, $131.03; Charles E.
Kinder, $297.88; Simon Koin, $419.23; George W. Lacy, $443.04; Henry
C. Long (estate)', $322.63 ; Mary J. Lynam, S264.38 ; John S. Loehr. $1 16.88 :
Nettie E. Larrabee, $139.40; J. M. and F. C. Larimore, $458.05; Francis
Moore, $203.29: Oliver P. Moore, $141.50; John F. Mitchell. $477.42;
GREENFIELD. 649
Robert L. Mason, $279.32; George W. Moorehead, $298.67; Elwood Morris,
$252.89; Marion G. Mullendore, $108.21; Robert L. Mason and wife,
$149.99; Thomas McClarnon, $170.69; James E. McCullouijii. $136.40;
William R. McGraw, $259.60; Blanche B. McNew. $451.33; .Vndrevv J.
New, $475.60; Thomas H. New, $697.60; Martin L. Newhouse, $201.98;
A. L. New and wife, $621.19; Charles G. Offutt( heirs), $228.29; Clarella
A. Orr, $159.30; John S. Orr, $157.19; Jermina E. Pratl. $239.30; Isaac
B. Pickett, $128.76; Samuel N. Patterson, $138.67; A. C. Pilkenton, $289.39;
M. C. Ouigley, $286.96; George T. Randall (estate), $762.47; William H.
H. Rock (estate), $118.86; George W. Reed, $118.86; John H. Rottman.
$101.88; Rachel A. Rabb, $129.20; Marshall T. Smith, $227.60; William G.
Scott (estate)', $274.51; William Stewart and wife, $106.12; Mrs. 11. L.
Strickland, $271.97; Henry Snow, $308.26; Thomas H. Selman. $135.19;
Josephine Selman, $676.42; Hannah E. Sparks (estate), $331.61; Roxie
Thomas Sample, $185.67; George W. Souder, $2;^2.t,2; Matilda I. Stoner,
$135.28; Samuel Steele, $330.09; Matilda Sparks, $312.17; William E.
Stewart, $101.88; William A. Service, $176.72; Lee C. Thayer, $976.16;
Permelia A. Thayer, $818.15; Julia A. Thomas, $124.99; Greenfield Lumber
Company, $601.94; Elbert L. Tyner, $196.39; Home Brewing Company,
$124.52; the New Milling Company, $207.15; Edgar A. Toms, $254.06; the
A. T. Gidley Company, $269.13: A. C. \'an Duyn (administrator estate Win-
field Enright), $152.82; J. Ward Walker (estate), $243.66; James R.
Walker, $106.41; Jonas P. Walker, $106.51; Albert White. $115.18; Edwin
Weaver, $101.88; Charle.s Williams, $248.01; J. Ward Walker Company,
$646.09; Cora D. Williams, $270.74; Alva Woods and wife, $105.39.
STREET F.\IR.
In the spring of 1899 the business men of Greenfield considered the
advisability of holding a street fair during the summer. They held a meeting
on March 10 and selected the following officers: John Eagan, president;
Harrv Strickland, secretary: J. W. Walker, treasurer, and Col. E. P. Thayer,
superintendent. An executive committee was later ajipointed, composed of
H. G. Strickland, William C. Dudding. C. E. Kinder and John Birr. Ar-
rangements were made and during the summer a street fair was conducted,
during which, booths were erected and displays made of the different business
lines and the industries of Greenfield and vicinity. People from all parts of
the countv attended and. in addition to the enlightenment offered by the
industrial and business displays, they were entertained by the usual number
and variety of side-shows, merry-go-rounds, etc.
650 HAXCOCK COUNTY, I.NDIAXA.
FIRE DEPARTMENT HORSE SHOW.
For se\eral years horse shows were given at Greenfield under the
auspices of tlie Greenfield fire department. The first was given in 1909.
They were then repeated every year, including 19 14. A feature of the event
in 191 1 was an industrial parade. The parade consisted of automobiles,
wagons and carriage floats, horsemen and footmen. The floats e.xhibited
different lities of business and the industries of Greenfield and community.
The parade was led by the Greenfield band and was over one-half mile in
length. The city was illuminated and the occasion was enlivened with a
display of fireworks, etc. .\t each horse show the streets were filled with
stalls, tents, merry-go-rounds, "ocean waves," Ferris wheels and side shows.
Sack races, pie-eating contests, etc., were also held for the entertainment of the
public.
CHAUTAUQUAS.
Through the efforts of the ladies' clubs of the city, a Chautaucjuri was
promoted in 1905, under the management of Rev. Harr\- Hill, of Indian-
apolis. The Chautauqua was held on the grounds at the West school building
and was repeated in 1906. The programs included the 1:;est of music, oratory
and dramatic art. Financially, however, the ventures were not very successful
and the movement was abandoned after the second year.
During the winter of 1912-13, representatives of the Co-operative Chau-
taucjua Association of Bloomington, Illinois, including J. L. Loehr, canvassed
the city and vicinity for subscriptions for the purpose of promoting another
Chautauc|ua. The effort was successful and during the past three years,
1913, 1914 and 191 5, Chautauquas have been held at tlie old fair grounds
n.orth of the city. The best talent available has been on the platform, including
the famous Innes liand, of New York City, and Booker T. Washington, in
1914, and Helen Keller in 1915.
The board of directors of the Chautauqua have also considered other
matters relating to the welfare of Greenfield. On several occasions, tlie
value of a gj'mnasium has been discussed, and plans for raising funds for
the construction of such a liuilding have been considered.
TROOP ONE, BOY SCOUTS.
Troop One, Boy Scouts of .America, at Greenfield, was organized in the
spring of 191 1 by Rev. J. B. Williamson, and was the outcome of a boys'
organization in tlie Presbyterian church. L'ndcr the instruction of Reverend
GREICNFIKLD. 65 1
Williamson, as tlie first sc(jut master, the boys took several small camping
trips and great enthusiasm was aroused. In 19 13 Prof F. W. Bryant Isecaine
scout master and through his efforts the organization flourished. Following
Professor Bryant, Rev. C. H. Smith took the work and he, in turn, was
followed by Rev. S. L. Gates. The organization has not only proven bene-
ficial to the boys themselves, but also to the community as a whole. At the
Chautauquas and other large gatherings, the boys have rendered valuable
assistance to the management. The present scouts and subjects they major
in are as follows: .Mniond Duncan, wireless; Paul Goble, wireless; Herman
Johnson, woodcraft; James T. Larimore, first aid to the injured; Dale Spen-
cer, first aid to the injured; Robert Mason, first aid; Dale Morton, wood-
craft: Charles Page, woodcraft; William Duncan, woodcraft; Oakes Line-
liack, campcraft; Corr Service, scoutcraft; Kenneth Mason, campcratt.
MAIL DELIVERY.
City mail delivery was begun on January 2, 1902.
Ten rural free delivery routes have l>een established from the postofifice
at (ireenfield. The first four routes were establislied on October i, 1900.
Two routes were established on August 1, 1901, and the remaining four on
September i, 1905.
THE OLD GOODING TAVERN.
The most interesting of the historical structures which now stand along
the old National road is the Gooding tavern, which stands on the southwest
corner of State and Main streets in this city. The quaintness of its archi-
tecture seems to breathe a spirit of pioneer days and recalls to the minds of
the older men of our city many interesting traditions. In 1844, Henry Clay,
nominee for the presidency for the third time, was traveling from Dayton
to Indianapolis and remained at the Gooding inn for dinner. In 1843, Hon.
7-!. M. Johnson, former \ice-president of the United States, stopped for a day
at the famous tavern. Another man, whose associations make the building
of historical significance, was Hon. George W. Julian, candidate for tiie vice-
presidency in 1852, and a member of Congress from this district for a num-
ber of years. Mr. Julian when not in Washington lived at tlie (iooding
tavern.
Joseph Chapman was the builder of the tavern, the north half of the
building being completed in 1832 i)y iiim. Later the building was sold to
James B. Hart, who kept tlie tavern for a time. He was a brother of the late
Andrew T. Hart and the father of John E. Hart, of this city. Mr. Hart sold
652 HAXCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
the tavern, together with some adjoining lots, to Asa Gooding, the father of
the late Hon. David S., Lemuel and Miss Elvira Gooding. The father owned
property in Shelby county, but, inspired by the advantages offered by the
building on the National road, was anxious to buy land along this highway.
He rode horseback from Richmond to Terre Haute and decided that Green-
field was the best point between the two cities. The old building, owned
then by James B. Hart, was the finest house on the National road between
Dayton and Terre Haute. Mr. Gooding constructed the southern part of
the building. For a number of years he kept the tavern and a little store,
but, on account of ill health, he leased the tavern at two different times during
his life. The first lessee was Louis Beeks, who operated the inn for three
years. Later, William P. Rush, ex-sheriff of Hancock county, took charge
of it. During this time Mr. Gooding moved his family into a house on South
street, where he died in December, 1842.
For several years the widow of Asa Gooding successfully operated the
tavern. After a time she rented the building to Taylor & Ellsworth, but at
the end of a year Mrs. Gooding returned and remained in charge of the
tavern until 1855. At that time Dr. N. P. Howard rented the inn for three
years. .After that time the building was never used as a tavern. Mrs. Gooding
rented out the various rooms to individuals. George L. Knox, a well-known
barber in this city, occupied the corner room for fifteen years.
THE OLD MASONIC HALL.
The old Masonic hall, as it is familiarly known to Greenfield people, was
built by Hancock Lodge No. loi. Free and Accepted Alasons. The corner
stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies by Deputy Grand Master Elijah
Newlin on August 14, 1854. The Masons occupied this building until the
completion of the new temple on the corner of Main and State streets. The
third floor was devoted to the order, but the second floor was used for many
purposes. The Presbyterians used this part of the building as a church until
1867, when they moved into their new home, on South Pennsylvania street.
The second floor was also used as a school and many men of this city went
to school in the old hall. Perhaps the most famous of the pupils who were
instructed here was the well-known Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley,
The earliest teacher that we were able to find was Daniel Monfort, who con-
ducted a private school before the war. After him came a man by the name
of Hall. Associated with these gentlemen was J. M. Stephenson. In 1863
the Rev. M. H. Shockley was in charge. \\'hcn the war was over, Capt. Lee
O. Harris, who lived in this city until his death in 1909, was elected super-
OLD WALKER CORNER, GREENFIELD
OLD GOODING CORNER, GREENFIELD
MASONIC TEMPLE. GREENFIELD
OLD MASONIC HALL. GREENFIELD
GREENFIELD. 653
intcndent and he successfully conducted the school for several years. Captahi
Harris was also associated with Mr. Shockley and Mr. Foley as teachers
during the war. Later, the school was moved to the new school building in
the west part of the city and the old room in the Masonic hall was turned into
a theatre. The hall was used for this purpose until 1897.
The building now looks as it always did, with the exceptiun of a few
modern ad\ertisements on its walls. The third floor at the time of the com-
l)letion of the new Masonic Temple was rented to the Red Men, who remained
there until March, 1899. The second floor has recently been used by the
Eagles, who now own the building, and it is said to be one of the most
attractive rooms of the order in the state. During the history of the build-
ing a number of men have rented the first floor for business rooms. Among
the earlier were Freeman H. Crawford, druggist; J. J. Hauck, grocer; John
Crusli, meat market; Henry Chapman, tinner; S. W. Barrett, stoves and tin-
w'are and Hart Brothers, stoves and tinware. The first floor is now occupied
by M. T. \\'illett, grocer, and Floyd Spangler, plumber.
MUSIC, BANDS, ORCHESTRAS, ETC
Among the early music teachers in the county were }iliss Lucinda iTor-
!ey, Aliss Emma Millikin, Fannie Martin and Narcie V. Lockwood. They
were all piano teachers. The first two probably taught at Greenfield as early
as 1850. Miss Morley probably brought to town a piano of her own, since
there wxre then very few such instruments in the homes of the i)eople at that
time. Among the first families to own such an instrument in the county were
John Myers, Thomas D. Walpole, Dr. N. P. Howard and Samuel Longnaker.
Miss Martin and Miss Lockwood had charge of the musical department in
the old Greenfield Academy during the latter fifties and early sixties.
Alx)ut the same time, during the latter fifties. Prof. L. \V. Eastman also
came to Greenfield as an instructor of bands and orchestras. The first bands
organized in the county were the Men's Saxhorn Band and the Ladies' Sax-
horn Band, at Greenfield. These bands were both under the direction of
Professor Eastman. The first saxhorn band was organized by Thomas
Offutt and William E. Hart, about 1857. This is the band referred to by
Riley as the "old band." It was composed of the following members: L.
W. Eastman. F.-flat cornet ; William Lindsey, tuba ; Nathan Snow, second
tenor; S. War I'.ennett. first tenor; Nathaniel C. Meek, first alto; William E.
Hart, ]5-flat cornet; Thomas Richardson, second alto; Thomas Offutt. B
bass: William E. Ogg, third tenor; John A. Riley, bass drum.
John Riley mav have been rather young to be included as a charter mem-
654 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
ber of the band, but it is known that he played witli them soon after their
organization. Other members were taken into the band, and at the outbreak
of the Civil War it enlisted as the regimental band of the Eighteenth Regi-
ment of Indiana Volunteers. The report of .\djntant-General Terrell shows
that at the time of enlistment the band was cotnposed of Omer Arnold. Samuel
^\'. Bamett, F. M. Crawford, James E. Cravens, James H. Crowder. William
Elliott, Albert C. Griffith, William E. Hart, John W. Lambert.'ion, Edwin M.
McCrarey. Samuel M. Martin. John H. Xoble, William L. Ogg. .Martin E.
Pierson, Thomas E. Richardson, James T. Reed. Henry T. Snow, Xathan
Snow, James E. Stewart, Alfred M. Thornburgh and David Youst. Pro-
fessor Eastman was still the leader of the band. The boys were honorabl}^
discharged in tlie fall of 1862. and on their return iiome were given a hearty
welcome at the Dun1)ar corner Ijy the citizens of Greenfield. The Dtmljar
corner was the the northeast corner of Main and State streets, where Johnson's
drug store now stands.
In 1859 a ladies' saxhorn band was also organized, composed of the
following ladies, as nearly as can be remembered at this time : Laura Guy-
mon, Ella IMalhers, Nellie Millikin, Luna Meek, Fannie Martin. Flora
Howard and .Mice Thomas. Tliis band seems to have played but a few \ears.
It took part in concerts that were given at Greenfield, of which we have at
least a few programs preserved. It is interesting to observe on these pro-
grams the prominence held by small musical instruments. Few piano solos
were included. X'ocal classes, however, took part, and flutes, guitars and
brass instruments were used chiefly. Following is an illustrative program
that was given at the Masonic hall in (ireenfield on Friday evening. July -|.
1861 :
Purl First.
"Hail Columbia," Saxhorn Band: "National .\nthem Song." Octille ;
"German Waltz." flutes and guitars; "Thoughts of Childhood." quartette.
Mrs. Sallie Gebhart, Miss Julia Mathers. Mrs. G. N. Glass and Mr. Eastman;
"Alice Waltz," Ladies' Saxhorn Band : "Autumn Winds," Miss Alice Thomas
and Mr. Eastman's Vocal Class; "Flotilla Schottish." flutes and guitars;
"Yankee Doodle." Ladies' Saxhorn Band.
Second Part.
"O're Prairie." vocal class: "Lizzie Polka," flutes and guitars; "Oh, the
Merry Days," quartette, Miss Alda Guymon, Miss .Mice Pierson, Mr. J. \'.
Stevenson and Mr. Eastman; "Sober Ouaker." Miss F. Martin and Mr. East-
GREENFIELD. 655
man; "Captain Branliam's March," flute trio; "Warbling- Waters," quartette,
Miss Libbie Matiiers, Miss Addie Edwards, Mr. J. R. Silver and Mr. East-
man.
Til in! Part.
"Oriental Quickstep," Saxhorn Band: "The Distant Dream," quintette,
Miss Ella Mathers. Miss Sallie Gebhart, Miss .Mice Pierson, Mrs. J. V.
Stevenson and Mr. Eastman; "Hattie's Quickstep," Mutes and guitars; "Mid-
night Moon," Miss Luna Meek and Miss Alice Pierson: "Midnight Watches,"
quartette, Miss Mollie Loehr, Miss Julia Mathers, Mr. J. V. Stevenson and
Mr. Eastman: "Luna Waltz," flute trio; "What Eairv-like Music," Miss
Eannie Martin and Miss Flora Howard; "O, 'Tis Sweet to be Remembered,"
quartette, Miss Lizzie Longnecker, Miss Alda Guymon, Mr. S. W. Harnett
and Mr. Eastman: "Eulalia Lee," song. Miss Flora Howard: "I-'ishcr's Horn-
pipe," medley, flutes and guitars. Admittance fee, fifteen cents: children,
ten cents.
After the return of the Sa.xhorn Band from military service a number of
its members re-enlisted as \'olunteers. A band was maintained, however, at
Greenfield, and for several years its name appears in the local ])apers as the
Greenfield Cornet Band.
THE ADELPIII.VNS.
In 1868, during the political campaign, a band was organized of the
older players, including also a number of younger musicians, which styled
itself the Adelphians. This band was composed of the following niemlxrs, as
nearly as they can be determined at this time; James Cox, driver: William
Davis. Ed Millikin, War Barnett, Thomas Carr, Charles Warner. Jesse Mil-
likin, Isaac Davis, John Davis, John Guymon, Fred Hafner, Emsley Wilson,
Hiram Riley and John Riley.
The band had a good equipment of uniforms, band wagon, etc. The band
wagon was made by Joe Cartwright in a shop that stood at the northwest
corner of Noble and Main streets, where Doctor Larimore's residence now
stands.
In addition to the players named above. James Whitcomb Riley, Clint
Hamilton and Fred Beecher occasionally played. Riley and our present
mayor, Ouin Johnson, had the snare drum for a time. Charles Warner, an
old German shoemaker, at first carried the bass drum, after which it was
taken by Ouin Johnson, .\fter a season with the bass drum, the mayor took
the snare drum and played it for a numl^er of years in the bands that followed.
656 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
The Adelphians maintained their organization for ahnost ten years, altliough
tlie membership was constantly changing.
citizens' band.
In 1 87 1 a number of the younger boys organized a band known as the
Citizens' Band. At first they styled themselves the Juniors, but later a con-
stitution and by-laws were adopted and placed on record in the office of the
county recorder of Hancock county, on October 20, 187 1. The members of
the new organization, as siiown by the record, were J- R- P- Johnson. James
H. Banner, Hiram Kern, Peter Johnson, W. E. \\'ilictt. J. B. Rains. J. O.
Johnson, E. B. Shumway, J. M. Chappius, B. F. Barr and H. G. Amick.
This band was the first to purchase a set of upright instruments. The older
laands had all used the "over shoulder" horns.
The boys plajxd for awhile under the direction of Dewitt Sivey, Isaac
Davis and probably others. After two or three years, the Citizens' Band and
the Adelphians were merged and were known as the Adelphians. This was
probably about 1874. The band then played for several years and gradually
became known as
THE DAVIS BAND.
During the early eighties it was composed of the following members :
Isaac R. Davis, Thomas Carr, John Davis, Charles Davis, Abijah Davis, Penn
Bidgood, Geatano Ponti, Ouin Jolinson and Frank Barr.
Isaac R. Davis, the leader of this band, was an accomplished musician.
He was not only the leader of the Greenfield Band for a number of years,
but was a band teacher, and instructed a number of the best bands in central
Indiana. His home band, as well as the Xcw Palestine Band, which he
taught, and others, played during several seasons of the Indiana state fair
at Indianapolis. One need but refer to the histories of the bands in the county
to appreciate his influence in the development of musical talent among the
young men during the seventies and eighties.
The Davis band remained in existence until 1889. when the remnants of
tiiis band and the "Citizens' " or "Sivey's"' band consolidated. Among tlie
later additions to the Davis Band were \\'illiam R. White, William Carr.
George Mitchell, William Offutt, Frank Hammer and probably others.
DEMOCRAT BAND.
In 1884, a "Democrat Band" was organized, largely through the efforts
of William M. Lewis. It was organized for campaign purposes and included
GREENFIELD. 657
the following members: William M. Lewis, Asa New, William Wright,
George Mitchell, John Johnson. James W. Wilson, William Stewart, Joe
Darymple, Walter Scott, Dewitt Sivey and Jeff. Cox. The Ijand pla\ed
through the campaign of 1884, though a reorganization was probably
effected before the campaign closed. Either gradually, or after reorganiza-
tion, the band became known as the
citizens' b.\nd.
Dewitt Sivey was the leader and organizer of the band, and at different
times it was known as "Sivey's Band," '"Sivey's National Band' and as the
"Citizens' Band." ^Vmong the members who played in the ijand at different
times were : Dewitt Sivey, Ed Sivey, J. W. Wilson, Will Carr, William
W'right, Emory Scott, Jeff Cox, Elsworth Coble. William Stewart, Ed Tague,
William Tully, Clint Sivey, Thomas Carr, Owen Shumway, Frank Hammer,
Charles Nigh, "Stover" Nigh, William Gordon, Homer Carr and probably
others. On August 19, 1884, James W". Wilson presented to the band a ban-
ner, made of blue silk and bound with heavy gold fringe. Gold tassels were
artistically arranged at the corners. On the front of the banner was inscribed
in beautiful gold letters (the work of Will H. Carr) the words, "The Green-
field Cornet Band." On the other side was a collection of musical instruments
m gold leaf. To the banner was pinned a gold maltese cross with the follow-
ing inscription: "Presented to the Citizens' Band by J. W. Wilson, August
19, 1884." The banner was presented by Mr. Wilson in a vei-y neat little
address and was accepted on behalf of the band by William Wright. This
banner was carried by the band for a number of years. The "Citizens" or
"Sivey" band wore neat uniforms with belts, and cartridge boxes in which
to carr}' their music.
THE DOBBINS B.\ND.
In the meantime, about the middle of the eighties, a third band was
organized, known as the Dobbins Band. Among its members were Charles
Williams, Emanuel and John Dobbins, Jeff Cox, William Shumway, Ed
Jackson, Ed Tague, John Hafner, W'ijliam Tully, Charles Nigh, and probably
others. This band played less than a year, but during its existence there were
three bands in Greenfield; the Davis Band, the Sivey Band, and the Dobbins
Band. .After the Dobbins Band quit playing, the Davis Band and the Sivey
Band remained as separate organizations until 1889, when their remaining
members consolidated. During the existence of both bands there was a
great deal of rivalrs-, not alwavs friendly.
(42)
658 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
After consolidating, tlie band played until 1894, when, the Red Men's
lodge having Ijeen organized, and nearly all the boys having joined the lodge,
the band was reorganized as the
RED men's band.
William K. White became the leader of the new band at this time.
Among its members were William Carr, Emor}- Scott. William Stewart. .Mvin
Johnson, Charles Millicent. William Jones, William Gordon, Omer Gordon.
\\'illiam Offutt, John Felt, J. Ward Fletcher, and probably others. The band
was known as the Red Men's Band until about 1897, when another reorganiza-
tion was effected under the name of the
GREENFIELD MILITARY BA.XD.
The band lias been knnwn by that name to the present. William R.
White has been its recognized leader since alxjut 1894. and is the leader at
this time, .\mong the members who have played in it at various times are :
William R. Wliite, .\ubrev M. Thomas, William Xiles, \"on Glascock, .\lbert
Frost, Flmer fiorman. Xnble Curry. Homer Carr. William Gordon, \Y\\\
Lamberson. William Jones, William Carr, William White, Charles Davis,
Carl Brand, Dora Jeffries, Jesse Warrum, Malcolm Hancock, John Davis,
;\rthur Rafferty, Fritz Bidgood, J. Ward Fletcher, Frank Craft, Merle Glas-
cock, Fred Niles, Charles Gibson, Marvin Fletcher, Samuel Moore, Samuel
Trueblood. Xoble Howard, Earle Frost, Charles \\'isehart. Charles Rucker,
Tesse Rucker, Henrv Rucker. Virgil Wheeler. Thomas Moxley, Albert Bar-
n;ir(l, James Barnard. Joe Reedle, George J. Richman, Emory Scott, r.erry
Willis Cooper, Berlin Dieter, and no doubt others.
Of the above, Carl Brand, a grandson of Isaac R. Davis, has achieved
distinction as a clarionet player. For the past year or two he has been the
leader of the Indiana University Band, which in the meantime has been
selected as the regimental band for the Second Regiment. Imliana National
Guard
In addition to the above named bands. Professor Mack, the supervisor
of music in the Greenfield schools, organized a band about 1895-6. which,
however, played onlv a few months. He also organized a cadet band among
the high school boys, which played for awhile. alx5ut 1897.
ORCHESTRAS.
The Davis boys also had an orchestra at different times during the
seventies and eighties. About 1903, William R. White organized an orchcs-
GREENFIELD. 659
Ira composed of the fnlluwing members: William R. Whi'te, Samuel T-
Offutt. John A. Rhue, Albert Frost, William L. Niles, Von Glascock, William
Carr, Fritz Bidgood, Bynmn Jackson, George and Oscar Suess, Hugh Jolin-
sond and J. Ward Fletcher. The organization was kept intact tor five or six-
years, and from 1903-07 played for practically all the common and high scIkhiI
commencements in the county.
LITERARY SOCIETIE.S, CLUBS, ETC.
The first literary society that was organized in Greenfield, of which our
oldest residents ha\-e any recollection, was a society of young men known as
the "Dark Lyceum." This society was organized in the very early history
of the town, when Andrew T. Hart was a young man. It is known that the
society gave entertainments, including songs, readings, elocution, etc., hut
whether the}- were public or private is not reinembered.
The next society, of which we do have a record, was known as the
"Thes])ian Society." From the announcement of their first exhibition the
following lines are taken : "The society announce that their first grand exhi-
bition will take place on Friday evening, April i, 1859, at Thespian Hall (Odd
I'ellows' Hall). The object of the society is to improve themselves in elocu-
tion and produce such pieces as will instruct as well as annise the people, and
they sincerely hope their humlile endeavors may be crowned witii success."
The first evening's entertaininent consisted of the presentation of a
domestic drama entitled "Toodles." Those participating in the jday were S.
M, Martin, Barnett and Meek, J. M. McKinnie, Mr. O'Bryon, 1". H. Offutt.
E. S. Duncan, W. L. Ogg, E. B. Atherton, W. E. Hart, Miss Brace ard Miss
Craddock. The evening's entertainment was concluded with "The Burlesque
Tragic Opera (in one awful act), replete with operatic gems," thrilling imper-
sonations, terrific combats, imposing marches, etc., entitled 'General Bom-
liastes Furioso,' presented by O'Brj-on, S. ^I. Martin, X. B. .Meek and Miss
Parkhurt." J. L, Mason was manager, J. L. McKinnie, acting manager, and
-Mr. O'Bryon, stage manager.
.A. second entertainment was announced to be gi\en on Friday evening,
.\pril 15, 1859, under the same management. The following statement of
the success of the first entertainmein is gi\en on the announcement of the
second exhibition : "The unbounded enthusiasm with which the first exhi-
Ijition of the Thcsjiian .Society was received li_\- the fashion, the elite ;nid the
respectability of Greenfield has induced the management to announce a second
exhibition, to take place on Friday evening, .April 15, 1859, at Thespian Hall,"
The evening's entertainment consisted of the presentation of two dramas.
660 HANCOCK COUNTV. INDIANA.
"The Limerick Boy" and "Tlie Golden Farmer/' The first was presented
by Bryan C. Walpole, F. M. Crawford, S. M. IMartin, WilHam E. Hart, S.
W. Barnett, Miss Smith and Miss Brace; the second by J. M. McKinnie,
Br>'an C. Walpole, F. M. Crawford. S. :\1. Martin, T. H. Offiitt. .M. V.
McConaha. W. E. Hart, E. S. Duncan, E. B. Atherton, Miss Holland, Miss
Brace and Miss Rounder. Doors opened at seven o'clock: exhibition com-
menced at seven-thirty. Admission, fifteen cents.
During the Civil \\'ar several societies were organized and gave enter-
tainments, as may be observed both in the Literary chapter and the chapter
on Education.
.\bout 1870 a dramatic club was organized and named "The Adelphi."
The members were known as "The Adelphians." This organization was
kept up for several years, and gave plays at the old Masonic hall. The mem-
bers were James Whitcomb Riley, Lee O. Harris, George A. Carr, S. \\1ar
Barnett. A. Ford, E. P. Millikin, Jesse Millikin. George B. Cooley, O. X.
Ridgeway, John J. Skinner, H. JNlcGruder, A. C. Hamilton, Mrs. Nellie
Cooley, Misses Angie Parker, Mary Dille, Kate Geary, and probably others
whose names cannot be recalled. The club was a prominent feature in the
literary life of the town. The plays produced were of high dramatic rank,
and the company endeavored to present them with all possible excellence.
Many of the members showed marked dramatic ability. Here the poet Riley
got his first experience in histrionics, in which he excelled. Not only did he
show talent in that line, but all the stage scenery used in the plays was de-
signed and i)ainted by him. The citizens showed great interest and appreci-
ation, and the .\delphians always played to crowded houses. Manv of the
members were also connected with the Adeljihian Band.
In 1875 a "Reading Room Society" was organized, which gave a series
of entertainments. It was this society which promoted the Knightstown-
Greenfield spelling match, that has been discussed elsewhere.
In 1878 George Knox and a group of his associates also organized a
colored debating society, etc.
On January 10, 1879, the Greenfield Reading Club was organized, w ith
twenty-four charter members. Its first officers were Miss Belle Reed, presi-
dent : \V. I'^rank Hays, vice-president: W. P. Bidgood, secretary; membcr-
shi]i was limited to twenty-four.
In the same year the social influence of the saloon was offset by the
temperance workers Iw the establishment of reading rooms. "Tiic Blue
Ri])bon Reading Room Association" was organized at (Greenfield on April ?.,
1879, with the following officers: Nelson Bradley, president: F. E. Glidden.
GREENFIELD. 66 1
first vice-president; Mrs. Inez Lyon, second vice-president; G. T. Randall,
treasurer; H. B. Thayer, recording secretary; Dr. L. A. Vawter, correspond-
ing secretary. This society opened a reading room at the Guymon house,
on the northwest comer of Mount and Main streets, that should be attractive
and that should offer pleasant associations for the young men of the town.
women's clubs.
Beginning with the eighties, more definite and more systematic work
was undertaken, which replaced in a large measure the activity of the literary
and reading room societies of the previous two decades. The first woman's
club organized in the county was the
CHAUT.^UQUA LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC CLUB.
This club was organized in 1880 with the following charter members :
Mesdames Dr. N. P. Howard, Charles Downing, Mary Swope, Edwin
Howard, Lemuel Gooding, Samuel Martin, D. B. Cooper, Ephraim Marsh,
Elbert Tyner, Malissa Cooper, Jerome Black, George Cooper and M. H.
Gant, Misses Elvira GcKxling, Lena Banks, Viola Banks, Etta Holstock
and Ada Anderson.
It took up the Chautauqua course of reading, which extended o\er a
period of four years and from which the members graduated upon satisfac-
tory completion of the four-year course of reading. The Chautauqua Lit-
erary and Scientific Club was maintained for ten years or more. Following
this a number of clubs were organized, the first of which was
THE IONIAN CLUB.
The Ionian Club, so named in honor of its founder, Mrs. lone Brown
Black, had its beginning on December 17, 1888. Who the charter members
were is not of as much importance as the purpose they had in mind. The
club's motto, "We taste an intellectual pleasure twice, and with double the
result when we taste it with a friend," covers the sole reason for its inception
and its continuance.
In the beginning there was no organization and no definite plan of work
other than the reading of new books. The first book studied was "Robert
Elsemere." The small group of women gave one afternoon of each week to
an informal discussion of some book which all were reading, and since free-
dom of speech was encouraged, much collateral information was forthcoming.
When the private libraries of club members became inadequate, they fer-
(juently took the long carriage drive to Indianapolis to consult the city
library.
662 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Interesting discussions of one of Dumas' stories turned the cIuIj's atten-
tion to tliing-s foreign, and for four years its members enjnved a most profit-
al)le study of French history and hterature. No other one subject veceixed
a like amount of attention.
Many of the chib's charter members were young mothers and for several
years its meetings were held on the outskirts of an inner circle of small
children. Some of these children, mothers now in their turn, are amonir
the present acti\e members.
Witli tlie enlarging of its membership the club was organized under the
name of the Woman's Clulj. The history of country after country was studied.
Sometimes an entire year was devoted to an author, as Tennyson : and two
were given to a study of Browning. In 1Q13 they took the work of the Chau-
taufjna Reading Circle and are in the tin'rd year of their four-year course at
this time ( 1915).
THE HESPERIAN CLUB.
The Hesperian Club was organized, October 17, 1889, at the home of Mrs.
N. P. Howard. Sr. The new society gave some time to the consideration of
a naiue that might be worth v of the company of ladies. The name of "Hes-
perian" (western star) was finally proposed by Mary Vawter and adopted.
The club was organized with twenty charter members, five of whom are now
living: ]\Irs. Elbert Tyner. Mrs. W. H. Scott, of Yakima, ^^'ashington, Mrs.
Permelia Thayer. Mrs. Clara Strickland and Mrs. Angie Howard.
The Hesperian Club was the third literary club organized in the city. Its
purpose was the social and intellectual ad\ancement of its members. During
the first seven years of its existence it lived a Bohemian life mentally. The
memljers listened to Rienza as he addressed the Romans ; followed by Victor
Hugo, Sir ^^'alter Scott and other eminent authors through interesting scenes
and incidents in Egypt, Scotland, Ireland and other foreign countries. Fin-
ally they landed on the good American shore the year previous to the World's
Fair at Chicago, that they might more fully understand and appreciate the
Ijeautiful White City. Since then the)- have gone abroad again and traveled
with Stoddard over many foreign points of interest. Later, the Bay View
Reading Course kindly guided them to places and themes of interest, profit
and pleasure.
Many beautiful and impressive events have been given Ijy the club.
Among them was a Bohemian tea, observance of tenth anniversary on Novem-
ber II, 1899, in the parlors of the Columbia Hotel, with all literary clubs as
guests; Greenfield day, with Mrs. John Mitchell, in which all of the city's
GREENFIELD. 663
poets, composers and artists were discussed and quoted ; "Tlie I.ullahy (if Xa-
tions,'" with Mrs. Minnie Thayer.
The club now has twenty-five active members, with a list of associate,
corresponding and honorary members. The subject for the current year is
India.
I'olldwing" are the ladies who ha\'e ser\-ed as presidents of the clul): Mrs.
Emma Vawter, 1 889- 1890-91 -92-93 : Mrs. George W. Duncan, 1893-Q4; Mrs.
L. W. Gooding, 1894-95-96; Mrs. H. B. Thayer, 1897-98; Mrs. George W.
Duncan, 1898-99-1900; Mrs. Elbert S. Tyner, 1900-01; Mrs. S. S. Boots,
1901-02; Mrs. H. L. Strickland, 1902-03: ^Nlrs. Emma Vawter, 1903-04-05;
Mrs. J. F. Mitchell. Sr.. 1905-06-07-08-09-10; ^Irs. Joshua Barrett, 1910-
11-12-13; Mrs. Hiram Eshelman, 1913-14-15-16.
Since the organization of the club it has had to mourn the loss of a num-
ber of its members, among whom are Estella M. Dalmbert. 1892; Cinderella
J. Howard. 1895; ^Mary Vawter, 1895; Anna Offutt. 1899; Matilda M.
Hough, 1900; Clara Vawter, 1900: Zelia Cole. 1902; Anna A. Nethcrcut,
1907; Mattie Sisson, 1909; Emma Vawter. 191 1; Martha Stockinger, 191 1;
Rebecca Black, 191 1; Malissa Cooper, 1913; Marietta Reed, 191 5; Etta Bar-
rett. 1915, and Mary M. Gooding, 1916.
The Hesperian Club annually oliserves Christmas, the members enjoy-
ing a dinner and the old-fashioned Christmas tree, and exchange of gifts,
thus binding closer all of its members into one great loving family.
n.\UGHTERS OF THE RENOLUTIGX.
A chapter of this society was organized at (hx-cnfield by Jkliss Tarcjuinia
Yoss, state regent, on June 11. 1904. The first meeting of the ladies was
held at Cuyler's studio. Mrs. ]\Iadge Cuyler was elected regent, and Mrs.
Bess Hinchman. secretary and treasurer. The society continued to meet at
the homes of the different members, but principally at the Cuyler studio, on
account of its central location, until igo8. Since that time only occasional
meetings have been held.
The purpose of the Society is "to perpetuate the ])atriotic spirit of the
men and women who achieved American independence; to commemorate
prominent events connected with the War of the Revolution ; to collect, pub-
lish, and preserve the roll, records, and historic documents relating to that
period; to encourage the study of the country's history; to promote sentiments
of friendship and common interest among the members of the society, and to
provide a home for and furnish assistance to such Daughters of the Revolu-
tion as may be impoverished, when in its power to do so."
664 HANCOCK COUXTY. INDIANA.
The membership of the society is limited to hneal descendents of an ances-
tor, (i) who was a singer of the Declaration of Independence, meml)er
of Continental Congress, member of Congress, Legislator, or General Court
of any colony or state, or (2) rendered civil, military or naval service under
authority of any of the thirteen colonies, or of the Continental Congress, (3)
by service rendered during the War of the Revolution became liable to the
penalty of treason against the government of Great Britain, provided, such
ancestors always remained loyal to the cause of American independence.
Following are the members that have belonged to the Greenfield Chap-
ter: Permelia Thayer, I\Iae Selman, Frances P. Snow, Yessie Fierson, Mary
Montgomery, Mary Reed, Madge Cuyler, India Selman, Katherine Dann,
Alma Pierson, Nellie Hughes, Clara Heizer, Lizzie Early, Bess Hincliman,
Margaret Smith and Ida Barrett.
KAPPA KAPPA KAPPA.
Upsilon Chapter, at Greenfield, was installed on March 31, 1906. witli
the following charter members : Marie Pilkenton Huglies, Roxana Thayer
Fldridge, JMary Montgomery McKay, Ruby McXamee, Mary Sample, Stella
Thompson Brooks, Bertha Justice Bragg, Caroline Kinsley Hoard and Bess
Kinsley.
Since the installation of the local chapter the number of members has
been about fifty. The local chapter has confined its work to general work
among the needy of Greenfield. The money to carry on this work is obtained
in different ways by entertainments, etc. A Christmas tree for the unfortu-
nate of the city is made possible by a contribution of one dollar from each
member, this having been used in previous years for a similar party for the
sorority themselves.
ladies' home reading ci.rB.
The Ladies' Home Reading Club was organized in 1894, at the home of
Mrs. C. M. Currj-, with the following charter members : Lillie Walker, Jennie
Peters, Vanie Gates, Ora Carr, Katie Felt, Mrs. John M. Moxley, Mrs. Frank
Morgan, Ella ]\Ioore, Frankie Smith, Luclla Ramsey, Florence Curry, Ellen
Gibbs, Nan Dudding, Rosie Rhue, Date New. Alice Hendricks, Alice Rufner,
Julia Gooding, M. A. Bottsford and Gratiot McCune Curr}-. Only two of
the above charter members now remain in the club. Mrs. Marshall T. Smith
and Mrs. Charles E. Hendricks.
The first officers elected were, Mrs. Luella Ramsey, president : I\Irs. Nan
Dudding, vice-president: Mrs. Jennie Peters, secretary, and Mrs. Ellen Gibbs,
GREEXFIELD. 665
treasurer. The club at the time of its organization decided to study tlie Bible
and to meet on every Thursday afternoon for the purpose of discussing cer-
tain chapters thereof.
In 1895 some of the members desired to follow other lines of work and
they withdrew from this club and organized the Tiradatim Club. Tlie mem-
bers remaining in the Home Reading Club continued the study of the Bible
and in 1903 finished the Old Testament. Since that time the entire Bible has
been studied and portions of it have been reviewed.
The club also gives time to social events, features of which are annual
dinners for the families of the members of the club, all of which are, of course,
thoroughly enjoyed. The club has had to mourn the deaths of eight of its
members : Mrs. Nan Dudding, Lillie Walker, Audrey Binford, Anna Morgan,
Florence Curry, Ellen Thomas, Ellen Gibbs and Beulah Getman. It has al-
ways given active support to measures of civic reform. It was this club that
circulated a petition addressed to the city council asking that an ordinance be
passed prohibiting spitting upon sidewalks.
CLIO CLUB.
The Clio Club was organized February 21, 1896, with thirteen charter
members, Mary Woodard, Jennie Duncan, Mae Duncan, Vashti Binford, Min-
nie Grist. Mesdames A. C. Pilkenton, M. E. Nethercut, Edward Ruffner, J.
W. Cooper, S. G. White. W. B. Bottsford, Charles Downing and Ada New.
In the fall of 1895 a representative from the Progress Magazine, of Chi-
cago, came to Greenfield and secured several members. Meetings were held
weekly until in February, 1896, when the ladies had plans formulated for the
Clio Club. The men of the Progress AIaga.i;iiie did not continue their meet-
ings and the Clio Club has held regular meetings since. At first the meetings
were weekly, but at present tliey are held every two weeks.
The first two years the work followed the course as outlined by the Prog-
ress Magazine; since that time a program committee each year has outlined
the w-ork. At present the membership is limited to thirty, with an associate
list of members who pay dues, but arc not responsible for work done in the club.
After the first few vears the programs became more general and the
club studied individual authors, music, art, sociology, geography, philosophy
and current events. In 1899 the Holmes breakfast was given, to whicli all
meml>ers of the federation were invited. The ladies have also given numerous
socials f(ir the cnjovment of their families, such as the Colonial tea, the lecture
on Oberammergau, etc. Civic matters have received the attention of the club.
The poor-house reform mo\cment. which was finally carried tn the Legisla-
ture, originated with them.
666 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
In Memoriam: Mrs. Audrey Binford. Mrs. Josephine Boyd, Mrs. ^[ar-
tha Pratt. Mrs. Sarah Bragg, Mrs. M. K. Xethercut and Mrs. .\da Xew.
THE VINCENT SOCIETY OE THE HALL I.\ THE GROVE.
"The Vincent Society of the Hall in tlie Gro\'e" was organized on Jime
27, 1912, with these officers: I'resident, Mrs. J. H. Binford; vice-president,
Mrs. L. B. Griffin; .secretary-treasurer, Mrs. J. H. Moulden. The ohject
of the society is t(i unite all Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle grad-
uates in a pemianent organization, which shall have a general oversight of the
Chautauqua work in the community, encouraging graduates to continue hahits
of systematic reading.
It is the purpose of the society to hold at least two meetings each year;
one to he of a social nature, at which Chautauc|ua Literary and Scientific Circle
graduates shall be welcome ; the other to be devoted to the consideration of
plans for the extension of Chautau(|ua work in the community. Following are
the members w ith the date of their graduation from the Cb.autauqua Literary
and Scientific Circle; Florence Clark Binford. 1884; Mary M. Gooding, 1884;
Elvira Gooding, 1884; Permelia .\. Thayer, 1886; Dennie S. Griffin. 1888;
Sarah A. Moulden, 1900; M. Irene Stoner, igoo; Florence C. Larimorc, 1900;
Lucy H. Binford, 1902, and Martha Wilson, 1913. Honorary members, Fan-
nie M. Cleary, 1900, and Theodisia S. Johnson. 191 1.
COSMOPOLITAN CLUB.
The Cosmo])olitan Club was organized in October, 1894. by Mrs. Mary
Swope, with a membership of se\enteen active members and six honorary
members. Its object is the mutual benefit and impro\ement of its members.
Following were the active charter members : Mary Swope, Jennie Swope,
Mrs. V. L. Early, Mrs. Free Crawford. Mrs. J. AI. Larimore, Mrs. L. B.
Griffin, Mrs. Frank Hammel, Mrs. J. H. Moulden, Mrs. Myra Moore and the
Misses Edith Stabler. Clara X'awter. Ruby Martin, Mo Randall. Pearl Randall,
Florence Thayer and Maggie Snyder. The honorary members were Mes-
dames Bruner, E. E. Stoner. Stabler, Hume, J. H. Binford and Miss Laura
Moulden.
During the first year of its organization an entirely new feature was intro-
duced into the social life of Greenfield by a series of parlor talks, given Ije-
fore the club and its guests, .\mong the si)eakers were the Rev. Dr. Stabler,
of the .Methodist b'piscopal church: Rev. Souder, of the Presbyterian church;
Hon. William R. Flough. Dr. Mary Bruner, Florence C. Binford, Mary Wood-
ard, and Hannah Pratt Jessup, ])astor of the k^riends church. .\ musicale or
GREENFIELD. 66/
two were also given. The first nine years were given to the study of the
work as outHned by the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle: the next
four were spent in a systematic study of the Bible, matriculating with Chicago
Universitv, after whicli, in 1908. tlie clul) returned to the Cliautaunua J.iter-
arv and Scientific ("irclc course, wln'cli lias been followed to the present time,
1915-
During the twenty-one years of the club's existence it has brought to
Greenfield several well-known persons to address the people of our city upon
timely topics. Among tliem are, Miss Niblack, on art ; Prof. Elbert Russell, a
series on the Life of Christ ; Dr. Joshua Stansfield, upon the Bible ; Dr. Charles
P. Emerson, on "The Message of Modern Medicine :" and Dr. ]\I. H. Lich-
liter, upon the "Vine and the Oak."
The social spirit has not been neglected. Several functions might be
mentioned: A Martha \\'ashington banquet; an expansion party: a banquet
given to the members of the club by the Barbarians (their husbands) : a Hallo-
ween party, and a playlet, "The Goose Feather Bed." The influence of the
club has been given to all public enterprises that have needed help. They gave
the first entertainment for the benefit of the public library, wliich netted a
neat sum.
The membership has changed very mtich in twenty-one years, but the
club still has the following charter members: Active. Mrs. J. II. Larimore. Mrs.
J. H. Moulden. Mrs. L. B. Griffin, Mrs. Myra Moore: honorary, Mrs. Irene
Stoner, Mrs. J. H. Binford and Mrs. Laura Duncan.
The membership now consists of the following active members : Mesdames
J. H. Binford, E. S. Hart. S. J. Offutt, L. B. Griffin. J. M. Larimore, N. C.
Binford. Laura Duncan. Kuppers. Myra Moore, T. I. Morgan, Irene Stoner,
Flossie Pasco, John Early, Martha \\'ilson, Carrie Barrett, J. F. Reed, J. H.
Rogers, Hazel Fink, Charles Cook, Herbert Bruner: associate, Airs. J. H.
Moulden. "He conquers who wills" is still the determination of the club, and
"Never be discouraged" is its watchword.
GRADATIM CLUB.
The Gradatim Litcrar\- League was organized by Miss Vania Gates (now
deceased) in 1895, at the home of Mrs. Marshall Smith, who was then living
in the old Cooper home on the site of the present Carnegie Library. Mrs.
Smith was the first president. Mrs. \\'illiam PI. Moore, vice-president, and
Miss Gates, secretary-treasurer. The society was formed for the purpose of
studying the history of the various countries. It has continued along that
line of study, having taken up the ancient and nii^dern history of England,
668 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
France, Germany, Belgium, Africa, South America, ]\Iexico and the United
States. The ladies are now reading the histories 'of Rome, Italy and Greece.
During the first year of the club's existence one of the members was selected
as instructor and the first of these was Mrs. Alary Swope (now deceased), one
of Greenfield's most brilliant literary women.
The club's name originated from the poem "Gradatim," written by J. G.
Holland, and the motto has always been, "No Footsteps Backward." The
club has always been interested in all the civic movements of the city and
county. During the twenty years of the club's life there has been but one
death among the active members, that of Mrs. Luella Ramsey, in December.
1906. At the present time there are four charter members, Mrs. J. A. Peters,
Mrs. A. K. Ellis, Mrs. A. J. New and Mrs. R. H. Archey. The club is fed-
erated with the city, district and state and takes an active part in all federation
work.
FRANCHISE LEAGUE.
On the 8th day of June, 1912, Dr. Amelia Keller, of Indianapolis, came
to Greenfield and addressed a company of women at the home of the late Mrs.
Mary Boyd, on Woman's Suffrage. After the address a league was formed,
with Mrs. Emma Martin, chairman; Mrs. William Service, treasurer; Mrs.
H. T. Roberts, secretary. Eight members were enrolled. A number of meet-
ings were held, but not much enthusiasm was manifested.
In 1913 Mrs. J. M. Larimore was made chairman. The membership
increased to fifteen. Several books on the suffrage question were read and
discussed, delegates were sent to the state convention and interest in suffrage
was increased considerably.
Mrs. N. R. Rhue was elected chairman in 1914. Mrs. Ada O. Frost is
serving as president for 1916. Following are the members of the league:
Mrs. John H. Binford, Mrs. Nathan Binford, Mrs. Iduna Barrett, Mrs. Ada
Frost, Miss Marvel Frost, Mrs. William Hough, Mrs. J. M. Larimore, Mrs.
Blanche McNew, Miss Tilla New, Mrs. Oakerson, Mrs. James Reed, Mrs.
Rosa Rhue, Mrs. H. T. Roberts, Mrs. Irene Stoner and Miss Nora Henby.
HOME ECONOMICS CLUB.
On September 20, 1912, twelve women, who were home makers, as well
as housekeepers, banded themselves together in an organization to be known
as the Greenfield Domestic Science Club, tlie purpose of which is to study
how to make the home and its occupants better and happier. Eight members
were added and the membership limited to twenty. The program for the
GREENFIELD. 669
first year was classified under Food Values, Sanitation and Hygiene. Through
the kindness of one of our local dealers the club visited a meat market, wliere
the butcher gave a demonstration of the different cuts of meat, explaining
their comparative food value and cost.
In heliruaiy, 191 3, a request came from the State Federation that
all domestic science clubs change their names to that of Home Economics, and
from that time this club has lieen known as tlie Greenfield Home Economics
Club.
On Alarch 15, 1912, Mrs. S. M. Ralston was a guest of tlie club and gave
a very interesting talk to the club and invited guests. Doctor Griffin talked
on "How to Take Care of Our Bodies"; H. E. Barnard, the state food and
dntg commissioner, on "Food and Drug Adulteration ;" Miss Edna Henry,
assistant to Dean Emerson, of Indiana Medical School, on "Social Service
W'ork." At different times practical demonstrations of cookery have been
given before the club by different members, showing the preparation from
start to finish of bread, cake, salads, candies and desserts. There have also
been fireless-cooker and chafing-dish demonstrations.
The Home Economics Club is a member of the City Federation and of
the Sixth District Federation. It has a membership of twenty; meets every
two weeks on Monday afternoon, and is preparing material for a cook book
to be published soon.
FEDER.^TION OF CLUBS.
The Greenfield Federation of Women's Clubs was organized, May 2,
1899, including the following clubs : Woman's Club, Hesperian, Cosmopolitan,
Clio, Home Reading Club and Gradatim Literary League. Later, the Daugh-
ters of the Revolution, Tri Kappa Sorority and the Home Economics Club be-
came identified with the organization, giving a total niomliership of about
two hundred.
The first corps of officers w^as composed of Mrs. Matilda Marsh, presi-
dent; Mrs. Permelia Thayer, vice-president; Mrs. M. J. Elliott, secretary;
Mrs. J. H. Binford, secretary; Mrs. A. J. New, treasurer. Mrs. Walter O.
Bragg was chairman of the committee that drafted the constitution and by-laws.
The object of the organization, as set forth in the constitution, is to con-
sider questions pertaining to social, educational and literary matters and the
advancement of methods for the best culture and advancement of the city.
With this aim in view, the federation lias done many things to uplift the com-
munity, both morally and pliysically, and to cultivate a higher standard of liv-
ing among the people of the city. It has created a sentiment for a cleaner,
670 ' HANCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
more sanitary and more beautiful city. It lias always stood for the very best
and has ever been ready to co-operate in any movement which would develop
the moral, social or spiritual conditions.
Once each year the federation provides a social meeting for its members
and their friends. For tliese occasions many of the best speakers and enter-
tainers before tiie public have been brought to the city. Among them have
been Doctor Quayle, Addison Harris. Amos Butler. Ernest Seton Thompson,
Fred Emerson Brooks, Dewitt Miller. Segal ]\Iyers Concert Company, May
Wright Sewell. Dr. Jane Sherzer, Mrs. George Hitt. ]\Irs. Olaf X. Guldlin.
Mrs. Albion Fellows Bacon and Miss Meddie O. Hamilton. In adflition to
these, the late Ephraim Marsh delivered an address on "\\'hat I Saw in
Europe," and All^ert L. Xew gave a stereoptican lecture on "Wireless Tele-
graphy." Several delightful evenings have also been given by our local
musical talent. To promote a general interest in art, three art exhibits have
been held. The first of these contained three hundred pictures and continued
three days. The proceeds amounted to ninety dollars, with which beautiful
pictures were purchased to adorn the walls of the various school rooms of
the city. Miss Xiblack I)rought to our city a display of Japanese art and
delivered a lecture on the same. At another time she lectured on "Teclmic of
Art." Mrs. Florence Edyth King also lectured on art.
The federation has created a sentiment for much of the civic improvement
and moral refonn brought about since its organization. A "spitting ordi-
nance" and "curfew ordinance" have been passed. Objectionable pictures and
posters have been removed from public bill boards and other places. Book
racks, provided with good literature, have been placed in public waiting rooms.
Children have been excluded from the court room during sensational trials.
Annual cleaning-up days have been observed and sanitary conditions in many
parts of the city have ])ecn improved.
To encourage the growing of flowers, the federation held two aster shows,
which were quite successful. Tlie federation has also managed the sale of
many dollars' worth of Red Cross Christmas seals since they have been in use.
The poor house reform movement, which was Ijrought Ijefore the state Legis-
lature by the State Federation of Clubs, had its inception in the local federa-
tion. The summer Chautauquas held in 1905 and 1906 were largely due to
the efforts put forth by tlie federation. The late Ada Xew gave much time
and effort to this undertaking.
In May, 1909, the federation entertained the si.xth district annual con-
vention of women's clubs in a manner reflecting credit upon the federation
and the city.
GREENFIELD. 67 1
LODGES.
Hancock Lodge Xo. loi. Free and Accepted Masons, was instituted under
dispensation, February 22. 1849. with James Rutlierford, worshipful master:
Harry Pierson, senior warden; James Rraci<en, junior warden; and the fol-
lowing Master Masons: Col. George Tague. Orlando Crain, Morris Pierson,
James Shipman and Nathan D. Coffin. The worshipful master appointed
Orlando Crain, secretary; George Tague, treasurer; James Shipman. senior
deacon; Nathan D. Coffin, junior deacon; Morris Pierson, tyler. They met in
the old seminar}-, which was for a long- time the faniil\- residence of Capt.
Reuben A. Rilew The room in which they met was occupied at the same
time by the Sons of Tempei"ance. The lodge continued to occupy the old
seminary until they moved into the Masonic Hall in 1855.
The lodge worked under dispensation until June 20, 1850. The follow-
ing persons were raised to the sublime degree of blaster Mason while work-
ing under dispensation, and in the order named, to-wit : Robert E. Barnett,
Jonathan Rawls, John Templin, John Shipman, E. B. Chittenden, J. K. Nixon,
Adams L. Ogg, Cornwell Meek, John Milroy (on demit), B. T. Butler, George
Henry and P. H. Foy, who passed to the degree of Fellowcraft ; consequently,
all the others, except Foy, were charter members of the lodge. The officers
under the charter, and installed as such on June 20, 1850, were as follows:
James Rutherford, worshipful master; James Bracken, junior warden; Mor-
ris Pienson, treasurer; Robert E. Barnett, senior warden: Jonathan Rawls,
junior deacon ; E. B. Chittenden, tyler.
The following brethren ha\-e filled the office of worshipful master in the
order given: James Rutherford, six years; Robert E. Barnett, ten years; Elam
I. Judkins, three years; Jonathan Tague, one year; L. ^\'. Gooding, one year;
Presley Guymon, two years ; George W. Dove, seven years ; Ephraini Marsh,
five years; Samuel S. Boots, one year; Joseph Baldwin, one year; William
G. Scott, two years; \\'alter O. Bragg, one year; William H. Glascock, one
year; William Ward Cook, two years; A. J. Smith, one year; John Corcoran,
one year; Charles Downing, two years: Samuel P. Gordon, John T. Duncan.
William C. Barnard, William P. Bidgood. Edward W. Felt. Robert William-
son, Francis M. Conklin, Elwood Morris, John A. Rhue, Charles F. Reeves,
Samuel J. Offutt, Harry G. Strickland. Ora INIyers, Paul H. New, Hiram L.
Thomas, Charles R. Gately, J. War<l IHctcher. Lattie O. Hanes and Irwin W.
Cotton. Since Charles Downing, each master has served just one year.
Nelson Bradley held the office of treasurer continuously from 1870 to
the time of his death.
672 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
The first trustees of the lodge were Andrew T. Hart, Robert E. Barnett
and James Rutherford, who continued to act as such, except Rutherford, who
died in 1856, and who was succeeded by W'iiham R. West. Those three acted
until AugTjst 15, 1862. when the first legal election was held, which resulted
in the election of Robert E. Barnett, George Tague and Xathan Coffin.
The corner stone of the old Masonic hall was laid with appropriate cere-
monies, August 15, 1854, by Right Worshipful Elijah Newlan. deputy grand
master of the grand lodge of the state of Indiana. The building committee
of the old liall were James R. Bracken, chairman. Reuben Riley. Samuel Long-
necker, Benjamin F. Duncan, Adren Rivett and Xathan D. Coffin.
The building of the old hall taxed the I\Iasons to their fullest financial
capacity, and for a long time the fate of the enterprise hung in the balance, as
is shown by the report of the building committee, which reads as follows : "The
character and standing of the lodge is at stake on this enterprise. The com-
munity at large look with great interest on the success of this project and,
having advanced tlms far, it would leave a very unfavorable impression, num-
bering as we do within our ranks so many of the ablest and best men of our
county."
The lodge held a grand festival, July 5, 1855, in the public hall of the
Masonic building, which is evidently the first meeting of any kind held in the
old hall. Just when the old lodge hall was dedicated, the minutes do not dis-
close, but it was some time in the year 1855. On November 26. 1857. Dr.
Robert E. Barnett, on behalf of Mrs. James Rutherford, presented to the lodge
the Masonic regalia of James Rutherford, the first worshipful master of the
lodge. Brother Rutherford was a bright Mason, but, like many others, he
failed to obey the lessons whicli he so frequently taught, and his life went
out in darkness.
Nearly three-fourths of a century have passed by since the little band of
Masons met in the old seminary. Proud they were when the old Masonic
hall had been built. That was a great undertaking for that day. Pleasant
memories now cluster around the old hall. It is dear and sacred to Masonry,
yet the time came when the city and lodge had outgrown it and when the breth-
ren felt that it was not up to date. There were many spirited debates as to
what should be done or where the lodge should go. Many, especially among
the older members, preferred to build on the old site. The outgrowth of this
was the appointment of a committee composed of Charles Downing, worship-
ful master ; Samuel P. Gordon, senior deacon ; John T. Duncan, junior dea-
con, and Nelson Bradley. Samuel R. ^Vells, Daniel E. Cooper and Ephraim
Marsh, who were given full power to purchase ground and to locate the site
GREENFIELD. 673
for the new temple. \\'hat was known as the Walker corner was finally
agreed upon, Init it took money to liuy such valuable property, and subscrip-
tions were immediately started, which was headed by Brother Nelson Bradley
with a casli subscription of one thousand dollars, and the fnllnwiny brelln-en in
the amounts respecti\'el_\' :
Xelson Bradley, $i,000: Ei)hraim Marsh, $200; Daniel B. Cooper, $100;
J. Ward Walker, >$ioo; George S. \\'ilson, $ioo; A'inton L. Karly, $ioo; Win-
field S. Fries, $ioo; Morgan Chandler, $ioo: Samuel S. Boots, $ioo; Elmer
E. Stoner, $ioo; John T. Duncan, $50: C. W. Morrison, $50; William G.
Scott. $50 : \\' m. C. Barnard, $50 : John L. McNew. $25 ; M. C. Quigley, $25 :
John O. ^^■hite, $25 ; \\'. S. Montgomery, $25 ; Harry Strickland, $2^ : A. J.
Smith. ,?25: I. P. Poulson. $25; A. V. B. Sample. $25: Henry Snow, $25:
John Corcoran, $25; S. A. Wray, $15: S. R. \\'ells, $300; Samuel P. Gordon,
$200; Charles Downing, $100: Charles Barr, $100; William Ward Cook,
$100; Barr & Morford. $100; Edwin P. Thayer, $100: Jasper H. Moulden,
Sioo: Geiirge H. Cooper. $100: \^'iilliam H. Glascock, $100; George W.
Morehead, $50 ; George W. Duncan, $50 ; Elbert Tyner, $50 ; Lawrence Bor-
ing, $50; Walter O. Bragg, $2-{: Harry S. Hume, $25: Harvey D. Barrett,
$25; Lee Barrett, $25; Quitman Jackson, $25; W. R. King, $25; Felt &
Jackson, $25 ; E. N. Wright. $25 ; D. Beckner, $25 : W. B. Walker, $25 ; C. K.
Bruner, $15 ; T. T. Barrett. $10; W. S. Gant, $10: William Tollen & Co., $10;
\\'. W. McCole, $10 ; W. N. Vaughn. $10 ; S. X. Shelby, $5 ; N. D. Coffin. $5 ;
F. J. Coffin, $5; ^^■. A. \Mlkins, $10: T. J. I'aurot. $10: J. S. Jackson. $10;
S. "W. Wiley, $10; E. S. Bragg, $10; Euos Gery. $5 ; E. J. Binford, $5 ;
Charlie Winn. $5. Nearly $5,000 was raised in two days.
On March 25. 1895. the Walker corner, or the northwest corner of Main
and State streets, was purchased for $8,850. On August 5. 1895. the con-
tract for the temple was let to Hinesman Brothers, of Noblesville, for twenty-
six thousand nine hundred dollars. The corner stone of the Ijuilding was laid
with appropriate ceremonies in October, 1895. The Alasonic Temple is an
elegant stone structure, with a mercantile room on the first floor, offices and
Temple Club rooms on the second floor, and the lodge rooms on the third floor.
Hancock Lodge now has a membership of abnut two hundred anil eighty.
Walter O. Bragg, a member of this lodge, at one time served as grand master
of Free and Accepted Masons of the state of Indiana.
Greenfield Chapter No. 96, Royal Arch Masons, was chartered on October
19, 1882, with eleven charter members: Jeremiah P>. Sparks, Nelson Bradley,
Enos Gery, Ephraim Marsh, Newton C. Nord, \\'illiam N. \'aughn. AX'allace
Everson, (jeorgc W. Dove. Tohn ^L Dahvmple. Milton G. Alexantler, James
(43)
674 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
K. King. All charter members were climitted from the Knightstown chapter.
The present membership is one hundred and ninety-one.
Greenfield Commandery No. 39, Knights Templar, was instituted on May
16, 1896, under dispensation, and received its charter on April 22, 1897.
Nearly all the charter members were dimitted from Knightstown Command-
en,'. The first officers of Greenfield Commandery were: Ephraim Marsh,
emminent commander; Walter O. Bragg, generalissimo; E. P. Thayer, cap-
tain general ; S. P. Gordon, senior warden ; Henry Snow, junior warden ; J.
Ward Walker, prelate; Nelson Bradley, treasurer; George H. Cooper,
recorder ; William C. Barnard, standard bearer ; J. M. Larimore, sword bearer ;
Charles Downing, warden ; W. H. Vaughn, sentinel.
Greenfield Commander}- lias prospered steadily through the years and
now has one hundred and five members. One of its members, Harry G.
Strickland, after passing through the chairs of his home commandery, was
further honored by passing successively through the chairs of the grand com-
mandery, serving as grand commander of Knights Templar of Indiana in 1914.
At the grand commandery meeting at Indianapolis in May. 191 5, Greenfield
Commandery won a beautiful silver trophy lor having the largest percentage of
its members in line.
Miriam Chapter No. 64, Order of the Eastern Star. — On January 6,
1887, a number of ladies and gentlemen met in the old Masonic hall, Green-
field, Indiana, and petitioned the grand chapter of the Order of the Eastern
Star for dispensation and for the organization of Miriam Chapter. At that
meeting thirty-seven persons were obligated by ^^'. D. Engle, deputy grand
patron, of Indianapolis, and officers were appointed pro tem. On the i4tli
day of April, 1887, a charter was issued to ]\Iiriam Chapter No. 64, and on
May 17, 1887, Edwin D. Palmer, grand worthy patron, installed the follow-
ing officers : D. K. Love, worthy patron; Pearl E. Tyner, worthy matron;
Matilda J. Marsh, associate matron ; \\'ood Walker, secretary ; Adela Marsh,
treasurer; Mary S. Boots, conductress; Emma Jackson, associate conductress;
Belle Cooper, Adah; Belle Hammel, Ruth; Allie Cook, Esther; Nellie Smitli.
Martha; Allie Glascock, Electa; Mary J. Barnett, warden, and Enos Geary,
sentinel.
Miriam Chapter continued to hold their meetings the second Tuesday of
each month in the old Masonic hall, until 1895, when the new Masonic Temple
was completed. With the other Masonic orders, they transferred their par-
aphernalia into the beautiful new chapter rooms. At present there are two
hundred and thirty-nine members in good standing. Mrs. Allen F. Cooper, a
member of this chapter, was elected grand worthy matron of the Order of the
GREENFIELD. 6/5
Eastern Star of the state of Indiana, for the year 1913. Will H. Glascock
at one time served as grand worthy patron, and Mrs. Pearl K. Tvner as
grand treasurer, Order of Eastern Star of the state of Indiana.
Greenfield Lodge No. 135, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was insti-
tuted on July 26, 1853. The lodge was organized in the old court house and
afterward moved to the three-story brick building at the comer of Main and
State streets. From there it was moved to the county seminary, where it re-
mained for a time. After the county sold the seminary building the lodge took
lease on tiic new building upt up by Dr. Noble P. Howard, on Main street.
Finally, on account of increasing membership, together with a desire on the
part of the lodge to occupy a building of their own, the trustees were instructed
to contract with William C. Burdette for the third story to be erected on his
new block (Capital State Bank building), which was done. In 1S91, the lodge
moved to the second story of the brick building at the southeast corner of
Main and East streets, and iiave occupied the same continuously ever since.
The charter members of this lodge were N. P. Howard, George Armstrong,
M. W. Hamilton, Simon Thomas, John R. Boston. The members initiated
the first night were Robert A. Barr, Benjamin Deem, James H. Leary, Ben-
jamin Miller, John D. Barnett, Chelton Banks, M. G. Falconbun.- and Eli
Ballinger.
The first elected officers were : George Armstrong, noble grand ; N. P.
Howard, vice grand ; John D. Barnett, secretary ; Jonathan Dunbar, treasurer.
The lodge at the present time is in a flourishing condition and has a member-
ship of 226.
Humphries Encampment No. 49, a liigher degree of Odd Fellowship,
was organized in May, 1856, with the following charter members: Noble P.
Howard, A. P. Williams, George Armstrong, J. S. Harvey, J. E. Doughty,
B. R. McCord, George Lowe, E. L. Tyler, J. A. Cottman and J. K. English.
The degree at present is not very active.
Hope Lodge No. 114, Daughters of Rebekah, was organized, March 20,
1874, with the following charter members: Ephraim Marsh, A. P. Williams,
Emma L. Williams, Q. D. Hughes, M. M. Hughes, C. J. \\'illiams, A. E.
Williams, A. R. Jones, A. L. Jones, AMlliam Chappell, Ella Chappell. \\'illiam
Custer, Hester A. Custer, Edward Lace, Nancy A. Lace, Jackson McGnider,
Mary J. Wilkins, Charles L. Cochran, Rosa A. Cochran, M. L. Paullus, Mary
A. Paullus, William Sears, Loretta Sears. Andrew Eakes, Marian L. Lakes,
T. L. Bentley, Charles Reifle, Josephine Reifle, Joseph Burke, M. J. Bnrke,
John R. Johnson, Nancy Johnson, William Mitchell, Thomas R. Lineback.
Lydia J. Lineback, W. E. Burdette, John W. Bush, Montgomery Marsh, .Ann
L. Marsh, T. J. Dawson and Rachel M. Dawson.
6/6 HANCOCK COUXTV, IXDIAXA.
After a few years the lo(I_<2;e (lisc<intinued for a time, and was reorganized
about 1885. with the following membership: M. L. Paulius, Mary Paullus, W.
^\^ A\'ebb, Catherine Webb, Mary Hart, James L. Smith, Ann E. Smith, John
W. Carter, Mellie Carter, O. D. Hughes, Mary M. Hughes, John Corcoran,
and with the following officers : Mary M. Hughes, noble grand ; Mellie Car-
ter, vice grand ; Mary Hart, recording secretary, and Catherine M. Webb,
treasurer. The present membership is one hundred and fourteen, with the
following officers : Mrs. Edith (ilascock, noble grand ; Mrs. Rose Carr, vice
grand; Mrs. Alice Archey, recording secretary; Mrs. Belle Wood, financial
secretary ; Olive Hagans, treasurer.
Eureka Lodge No. 20. Knights of Pythias, was organized on the 29th
of Febniary. 1872, on the second floor of the Iniilding known as the Walker
corner. Among other jilaccs of meeting were the old ^lasonic hall, the room
over the Capital State Bank and an old building which stood on the lot now-
occupied by the lodge. In 1908 the lodge purchased a three-eighths interest
in the building known as the Strickland Ijuilding. In 191 5 they purchased
the remaining five-eighths interest. They now own the entire building and
are in a flourishing condition, with three hundred and twenty-five members.
The following were the charter members: R. E. Barnell. W. S. \\'ood, H. J.
Williams. E])hraim IMarsh. J. .\. New, Enos Geary, E. P. Thayer. S. W. Bar-
nett, J. J. Pratt, William 1-". Pratt, Marion Eorgey, J. D. Yannuys, George
W. Dove, Joseph Baldwin, Calvin Souder, A. P. Williams, B. F. Gant, Milton
Peden, John W. Ryan. Jackson ^^■ills, Z. D. Hughes. One of its members,
\\'. S. Wood, attained the honor nf past grand chancellor of Indiana.
Uniform Rank. Knights of I'ytliias, was organized on the 14th day of
December, 1903, with John !>. Hinchman as its first captain. It flourished
for a few years, but gradually declined. In 1914 it was reorganized and at
present is in a good condition. It has thirty-two memlx^rs fully equipped.
The present officers of the company are as follows: George B. Wilson, cap-
lain: Alonzo Ray. first lieutenant ; Paul R. Boyd, second lieutenant; A. H.
Rottman, sergeant recorder: R. H. Muri)hy, sergeant treasurer; E. R. Elliott,
first sergeant ; A. X. Steele, second sergeant ; Roy Thomas, commissary ser-
geant; Link florman, bugler, and Charles Gilson, musician sergeant.
Laurel 'leinple Xo. 21, Pythian Sisters, was organized by the founder
of the order, the Rev. J. A. Hill, of Greencastle, Indiana, in October, 1889,
and the charter was granted on May 12, 1890. There were twenty charter
members, including members of the order of Knights of P\ thias, and the wives,
daughters, mothers, widows and sisters of Knights of Pythias in good stand-
inef. The first officers were: Most excellent chief, Eliz.abeth Suess; e.xcellent
GUKr.XFIEI.D. 677
senior, Nellie Alillikan : excellent junior. Ora Brajs^o-; manager of temple, Bor-
gia I'arnard; mistress of records and corres])(indcnce, Carrie Lynn; mistress of
finance. Belle \\ liite; protector of temple. Carrie Walker: g'uard nf the outer
temple. Belle Gant ; past chief. Lena Bedgood. The memljcrshi]) imw numhers
one hundred and thirty-one.
The temple has always met in the hall nccupied by Eureka Lodge No. 20,
Knights of Pythias, which at the time of the organization of the temple was
meeting in the old Masonic hall. The meeting place was subsequently changed
to the l. O. O. F. building, then to the Binford lilock. then to the present
meeting place in the Knights of Pythias building.
The order of Pythian Sisters at its inception was an independent organ-
ization drawing its membership from the order of Kniglits of Pythias and the
fem;ile relatives of members of that order. In 1892 the supreme lodge.
Knights of Pythias, at its session in Kansas Citw passed a law making it pro-
hibitory for knights to hold memliership in any organization bearing the name
or any form of the name "Pythian." By this action the order of Pythian
Sisters, which had grown rapidly and numbered many temples in the Cnited
States, must either lose tlie knights or cliange its name. The latter alternati\-e
was accepted and the name of the order was changed to "Rathbone Sisters,"
honoring Justice H. Rathbone, founder of the order of Knights of Pythias.
The local temple was known as Laurel Temple No. 21. Rathbone Sisters, for
fourteen years. In 1904, the supreme lodge. Knights of Pythias, by special
legislation, granted official recognition to the order of Rathbone Sisters, mak-
ing it an independent auxiliary to the order of Knights of Pythias and restor-
ing its former name, "Pythian Sisters." Mrs. Allen F. Cooper served as
grand chief, Pythian Sisters of the state of Indiana, in 1903.
Wenonah Tribe No. 182. Improved Order of Red Men, was instituted
on the 14th day of March, 1893, with forty-five charter members. It now has
a membership of five hundred and tliirty. During its career it has met in the
old Masonic hall, the Capital State Bank building, the Ilinchman hall, and in
its present quarters, at the southwest corner of East and Main streets. The
tribe owns the fine business block at the corner of East and Main streets, hav-
ing purchased and paid for it, at a cost of twelve thousand dollars. Wenonah
Tribe has among its members one past great sachem, Charles A. Robin.son. who
has filled all the offices in the stale organization. Doctor Robinson has been
a lecturer for the Red Men for fifteen years and has traveled extensively in
the interest of the order.
W'enonah Haymakers Associati<in No. 1 32^-2 , was organized with sixteen
charter members in the old Masonic hall, on ^larch 7, 1899. From the hall
678 HAXCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
it moved to its present location in the Red Men's hall at the southeast cornei'
of Main and East streets. Its motto is, "Fun and Good Fellowship."' The
lodge pays sick and death benefits, each member being assessed fifty cents on
each death, which is paid to the family of the deceased companion. It now
has a membership of three hundred and fifty-one.
Oronoco Council No. 59, Degree of Pocahontas, was organized, Decem-
ber 19, 1895, with a charter membership of forty-five, in the hall over the Cap-
ita! State Bank. It soon afterward located in the Ilinchman hall and later
in the old Masonic hall, at the corner of Main and Pennsylvania streets. Sev-
eral years afterward, the council located in what is known as Red Men's hall,
corner of Main and East streets. It now has a membership of one hundred
and fifty-eight. Only six charter members belong at this time.
Greenfield Camp No. 5063, Modern Woodmen of America, was organ-
ized, October 13, 1897, with twenty charter members. It now has a member-
ship of one hundred and eighteen. Ten deaths have occurred since the organ-
ization of the lodge, on which the order has paid twelve thousand dollars of
insurance. Its meeting places have been at the old Alasonic hall, the old I. O.
O. F. hall and the hall over the monument room at the southwest corner of
Main and Pennsylvania streets. \\"illiam Robb was the first venerable consul.
Greenfield Tent No. ^tl- Knights of the ^Maccabees of the World, was
instituted August i, 1890, with eight charter members: John Corcoran, M. K.
Cummins, John L. Fry, M. A. Fry, A. J. Smith, A. R. Walker, W. B. Walker
and Harry G. Strickland. At present there are thirty-five members. Fifteen
thousand dollars of insurance has been paid to local representatives of deceased
members. Isaac A. Goble has been the record keeper for the past twenty
years.
Golden Aerie No. 11 15, Fraternal Order of Eagles, was organized June
21, 191 5, with one hundred and sixty-two charter members. This number has
now grown to one hunclerd and ninety. The lodge was organized and has
always met at the old r^Ia.sonic hall, at the southeast comer of Main and Penn-
.sylvania streets, which building is now owned by the Eagles. Twenty-four
members have been lost by death since the organization of the lodge.
Brandy wine Lodge No. 1631, Loyal Order of Moose, was organized
August 9, 1915. with fifty charter members. At present there are one hundred
and three members. The lodge meets in Hinchman's hall on each Monday
night. The first officers were: Past dictator, George William Daenzer; dic-
tator, William E. Bussell ; vice-dictator, Paul Bell ; prelate. Joseph Bundy ;
secretary, J. F. Pauley ; treasurer, Edward Staley ; inner guard, Charles Bram-
mer ; sergeant at arms, Frank Harrison ; outer guard, Charles Grose ; trustees,
William I. Bumsides, J. W. Fisk and Oren Henley.
GREENFIELD. 679
BRADLEY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
There uere Methodists among the ven- first settlers in Greenfield, whu.
no doubt, met for worship as soon as the town was laid out in 1828.
Among these very early people were Abram, Samuel and Moses Van Gilder.
Major Stephens and Jeremiah Meek. A little later came James Parks, John
Rardin, Jacob Tague. Dr. Lot Edwards, Richard Guynion, John Hager, Mar-
garet Rilev, the poet's grandmotlier, Joseph iVnderson, Hugh W'ooster and
James D. Templeton.
A circuit was established at Greenfield in 1830 with a nuniljer of appoint-
ments. The pulpit was then filled once everj- four weeks. The circuit, with
a number of changes, was maintained until in the spring of 1870, when Green-
field was made a station. Since that time, preaching services have been held
twice every Sabbath.
The first services in the history of the church were conducted by the
Methodist itinerent preachers, who, from time to time, visited the town. After
the establishment of the circuit in 1830, the Revs. James Havens. Tarkington
and Swank were among the first preachers on the charge.
The first preaching services were held in the old log court house which
stood just below the Gooding hotel, and which has been described in another
chapter. After a time the congregation worshipped in the log school house
that stood on the east side of Xortli State street, about half way between North
street and the branch. About 1840, a little frame church, thirty-four by forty
feet in size, was erected on the west side of South State street, a short distance
below the railroad, at a cost of five hundred and twenty-nine dollars and
sixty-two cents. This church was occupied until 1866, when the old brick
church, still standing, was erected on the southwest corner of South State and
South streets. This building was erected during the pastorate, and largely
through the untiring efforts, of the Rev. George W. Bowers. It was com-
pleted in 1867, and dedicated in that year by Dr. T. M. Eddy. The building
was forty by seventy feet, and was constructed at a cost of six thousand dol-
lars. Reverend Bowers was very much beloved by his congregation, and the
columns of the local newspapers of that time frequently published suggestions
that the church should be named "Bowers Chapel." In 1878 the brick church
was remodeled and greatly improved in appearance under the pastorate of the
Rev. Y. B. Meredith. It was lighted with artificial gas. The windows were
also changed from the rectangular form to the present form. The trustees,
at that time were Jonathan Tague. b'red Hammell, Dr. X. P. Howard, Hollis
B. Thayer, Dr. S. M. Martin and James A. New. In 1884. under the pastor-
68o
HAXCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
ate of tlie Rev. J. \\'. Welsh, the inside of the church was again modified by
the addition of class rooms, hall, gallery, new pulpit platform, and railing.
During the pastorate of the Rev. J. d. Walts, the churcli was re-seated, sup-
plied with new and more modern windows, new pulpit and other improvements.
After the electric light plant had l)een installed in Greenfield, electric lights
were put into the churcli.
During the nineties it became \-ery evident tliat the membership of both
the church and Sunday school was outgrowing the place of wor.ship. The
ladies of the congregation, with prudent foresight, began to organize to raise
funds to be applied towards the construction of a new edifice. The Ladies'
Society and the Cosmos Society were organized during the nineties, and their
work will be discussed later. The Ladies' Society, however, jjurchased a lot
at the northwest comer of 'Slain and Pennsylvania streets, on which the church
now stands, for three thousand five hundred dollars. The deed of conveyance
was executed January 4, 1902. Tlie churcli had been incorporated under the
laws of the state providing for the incorporation of churches and other societies.
The board of tnistees at this time was composed of Isaiah A. Curry. ])residcnt :
Edward \\". Felt, .secretary: Elmer E. Stoner, M. H. Gant. M. T. Duncan. Cas-
sius I\I. Curry and John H. Binford. They employed C. A. Krutsch & Com-
pany, architects, of Indianapolis, to make plans and specifications for the new
building. After the plans and specifications of Krutsch & Company had been
accepted, the board advertised for bids, and the contract for the erection of
the building was awarded to Edward R. Wolf, of Indanapolis, the contract
price Ijeing twenty-two thousand four hundred and sixty-eight dollars. The
contract did not include the heating, seating, lighting, frescoing, chandeliers,
organ, carpeting, art glass, architect's fee, nor any of the furnishing, fixtures,
or incidentals, which, added to the original contract price, made the total cost
of the edifice approximately thirty-five thousand dollars. Of this amount
Nelson Bradley voluntari!) cimtributed fi\e thousand dollars. In appreciation
of this gift, .and in his honor, the church was named the Bradley Methodist
Episcopal Church. John H. Binford was the treasurer of the board of trus-
tees during this period. His financial ability and his willingness to assume
financial responsibility for the church during the construction of the house, will
likely never be understood or fully appreciated by the entire membership.
The corner stone of the church was laid Alay 22. 1902. Addresses were,
ilelivered on the occasion by J. Frank Hanly, late governor of Indiana, and
the Rev. G. H. Hill. In the corner stone were placed a Bible, hymn book,
discipline, church papers, list of officers, teachers, and members of the Sun-
day school, copies of each of the local papers, a program of the Woman's P'or-
BRADLEY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. GREENFIELD
METHODIST I'KOTKSTANT CHURCH, GREENFIELD
GREENFIELD. 68 1
ei,i;ii Missionar\- Societ\-, ]irog;rani of the laying of tlie corner stone, a copy of
"Tlic Cosmos," a liistory of the church by Jolin H. Binford, and qnarterly
conference reports from 1837 to 1842.
The new clmrch was dedicated on XovemI)er 30, 1902. The dedicatory
sermon was prcaclied liy the Rev. W. D. Parr, assistant secretary of tlie Ciiurch
Extension Society. The church was erected (hiring the ])astorate of Perry E.
Powell, who served the congregation from 1901-04.
The congregation has owned five parsonages. The first one stood on
the northwest corner of North and Swope streets, which was then the eastern
terminus of North street. The second stood on the east side of South State
street, just north of the railroad. In the latter sixties the congregation pur-
chased a parsonage on West Main street ( the present number of the house
being 222), but sold it again in 1875. In 1876, a parsonage was purchased
adjoining the brick church on the west. The present parsonage came to the
congregation as a devise from the late Philip J. Bohn, whose will was probated
June 21, 1909. It is located at No. 503 East Main street, and is known as the
"Bohn Memorial Parsonage."
The church has had a steady growth from its humble beginning. In
1878 it had a membership of about one hundred and fifty. Its present mem-
bership is about five hundred and fifty. The congregation worships in an
elegant stone structure, whicli, w ith its galleries, has a seating capacity of one
thousand. The church edifice has also been constructed with a \ie\v of accom-
modating the different department and classes of the Sunday school. Nearly
all of the classes have private rooms and do not have to lalxir under the dis-
advantage of the confusion arising from having all classes in an auditorium.
Following is a list of the pastors who have served the congregation since
1838: F. M. Richmond, J- S. Barwick, 1838: I^ M. Richmond and George
Havens, 1839: J. B. Birt, j. W. Mellender, 1840: \V. C. Smith, J. \\ K. Miller,
1841 ; G. A\'. Bowers, 1842; F. F. Sheldon, 1843 : J. S. Donaldson, 1844: II. II.
Badley, L. M. Hancock, 1845; A. D. Beasley. Kzva Manyard, 1846; A. D.
Beasley, J. F. McAnally, 1847; J. W. Smith, J. F. McAnally, 1848; J. B.
Mershon, 1849; Eli Rammell. 1850-1851 : F. M. Richmond, 1852; S. N. Camp-
bell. W, 1\. Ednidudson, 1833; J. R. Davis, 1854: S. C. Cooper, 1855; J. S.
McCarty, i85()-57: William Ander.son, 1858-59: M. Black, J. M. Parr, i860;
John Hill. 1861-62: J. C. White. 1863-64: G. W. Bowers, 1865-66: Charles
Martindale, 1867-68: 11. L. Lacey, 1869-70-71 : George Havens, 1872-73-74;
M. A. Teague, 1875-76: L. R. Streetcr. 1877: ^". 1'. .Meredith, 1878: J. F.
Rhodes, 1879-81: Enoch Holdstock, 1882-83: J. W . Welch. 1884-85;
R. D. Robinson, 1886-87-88: J. K. Walts, 1889-90-91 ; J. A. Lewellen, 1892-
682 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
93; Thomas Stabler, 1894; M. E. Netheixut, 1895-96-97-98; F. M. Stone,
1899-1900; Perry E. Powell, 1901-02-03-04; W. W. ^lartin, 1905-06-07-08;'
C. E. Line, 1909; L. J. Xaftzger, 1910-11-12; Charles H. Smith, 1913-14;
S. L. Gates, 1915; O. A. Trabue, 1916.
The church entertained the North Indiana conference at its regular ses-
sion in April, 1909.
For many years the church lias had the support of a strong and faithful
choir. Among the former choristers have been Asa New. Dr. J. \\'. Sparks,
Charles ]\Iillicent. Will Handy, J. E. Mack, D. M. Stuart and T. I. Morgan.
Eugene E. Davis has been chorister for the past eleven years. During this
latter period the choir has given one or two concerts annually, and has ren-
dered a number of high-grade selections, such as "The Holy City," "Seven
Last Words of Christ," "Ruth," etc. Miss Grace Anderson has been church
organist for the past sixteen years.
Sunday School. — It would be difficult to say now just when the Sunday
school was first organized. It has grown until, for the past several years, it
has had an average attendance of about two hundred and eighty-five. It has
the cradle roll, beginners, primary, junior, intermediate and senior depart-
ments. The Sunday school has six organized Bible classes holding charters
from the State Sunday School Board : The American Bible Class, chartered
March 15, 1909; the Ever Faithfuls, June 2, 1909; the Gleaners, January 19,
1914; Beacon Lights, March 10, 1914; Conquerors, February 4, 1915, and
Cadets, February 14, 191 5.
Following is a list of the superintendents who have served the Sunday
school as far as the names can be recalled : Nelson Bradley, Adam P. Hogle,
J. Ward Walker, John H. Binford, Alpheus Reynolds, Edward W. Felt,
W. W. Haller, I. A. Goble, Charles H. Troy, Frank Larrabee, Samuel J.
Offutt. James F. Reed. John W. Kendall and Elmer E. Gant.
Epworth Leagues. — Tlie Wesleyan Chapter of the Epworth League was
organized on April 10, 1896, and Ada New Chapter of the Junior Epworth
League was organized on April 2y, 1896.
The Ladies' Society. — Tliere had been a ladies' societ\- liefore tiie organ-
ization of the society referred to :it the caption hereof. The present society
was organized on December 7, 1892, during the pastorate of the Rev. J. A.
Lewellyn. The record gives as a reason for the new society, that "the old
organization had not only grown tired, but had retired to the silent shades of
the past." It was organized for the purpose of rendering to the church ever)-
sers'ice possible, financially, socially and spiritually. It bought the lot on
which the church now stands, and for which the sum of three thousand five
GREENFIELD. 683
hundred dollars was raised. It also contributed two thousand five hundred
dollars additional toward the construction of the church. Later, the ladies
donated one hundred dollars to the Ada New church, and since that time have
aided numerous local benevolences. The society endowed a bed in the Meth-
odist Hospital at Indianapolis. For the past several years it has also furnished
the weekly church bulletins, with which the members are familiar. The per-
sons who have served as presidents of the society are, Mesdames Freeman
Crawford, C. M. Curry, J. H. Moulden, E. E. Stoner, W. H. Scott, Fllen
Bragg. S. S. Boots, J. T. Pierce, J. M. Larimore. Emma Justice, Martha
Wilson, W. A. Coultrap, O. C. Brann, W. D. Getman and L. E. Dixon, who
has served as president for the past five years.
Cosmos Society. — The idea of the Cosmos Society originated with Mrs.
Pearl E. Tyner and was organized in 1895 with Mrs. L. W. Gooding as
president. The original purpose of tlie society was to welcome strangers and
to study the history and policy of the Methodist Episcopal churcii. It was
not at first organized for the purpose of aiding the church by raising funds.
Soon after the ladies had associated themselves together, however, the ques-
tion of a new cinirch was presented. It then took for its immediate object the
raising of money with which to purchase a pipe organ for the new church.
Money was raised by home socials, entertainments, fairs, exhibits, etc. Be-
fore the construction of the new church, the society also contributed to the
public library fund. When the Bradley Methodist Episcopal church was
erected in 1902, this society had a pipe organ installed at a cost of three thou-
sand five hundred dollars. The society has also purchased a silver individual
cnmmunion service, and in April, 1916, presented a marble baptismal font to
the church. It now has a membership of about sixty-five. Following are
the ladies who have served as president of the society: Mrs. L. \\'. Gooding,
]\Irs. George W. Duncan, ^Irs. John Huffman, Mrs. Charles E. Henricks,
^Irs Jnhn Rosser, Mrs. Wood L. Walker, Mrs. Rilev McKown and Mrs. E.
S. Hart. In April, 1916, the society presented a baptismal font to the church.
The Wonlan's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal
clunxii w-as organized in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1869. An auxiliary society
was organized in the Methodist Episcopal church in Greenfield, Indiana, in
1880. Its very existence was one of ups and downs, until 1889, when the
treasurer of the conference organization located in Greenfield, and new life
and new members were added at each regular meeting. With a membership
of over one hundred in the woman's auxiliary and sixty in the children's
societies, it is recognized as a valuable asset in the church economy. It has
educated two girls in Peking, China, and supports a Bible woman in Korea,
684 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
besides doing its pro rata share in the support of six missionaries sent out by
the North Indiana conference. During the thirty-six years, approximately
three thousand dollars ha\e been raised for the cause. Its mt)tto is "SaNcd
for Service;" its aim, "Every woman in the church in the society, and every
non-Christian woman in the world, a Christian." Several elect women, full
of faith and courage, have made the work rich in fruitage during the years,
and have gone to their reward. Others are efficiently filling their places.
Mrs. John H. Binford has been president of the society fiir tlie past twenty-five
years.
GREENFIELD CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
In an early day there moved from Kentucky to Greenfield four families
who were advocates of the doctrines and practices of the Christian church.
They were the Sebastians. Branhams, Offutts and Rainses. Between 1840
and 1854, ministers of this church occasionally visited Greenfield and meet-
ings were held in private houses, the old seminary building, in tlie cnurt house,
and in the old Methodist church.
The church was organized in the old ^lelhoclist Episcopal clnu-cli in ilie
spring of 1854, under the ministry of Elder J- C. Thornberr)-. Tlie charter
members were A\'illiam Seljastian, Elizabeth Sebastian. Joseph Clayton. Hum-
phrey Offutt, Lewis Sebastian and Mrs. Amos. The fomi of organization
consisted in the members signing an agreement to take the Bible as their nde
of faith and practice. By the close of the year, the membership had grown to
fifty in number.
The leaders in tlie work of erecting a church house were A. K. Branham
and Lewis Sebastian. The former at that time was not a member of the
church, but he donated thirty-five feet of the lot for the new church, the other
ten feet l)eing donated 1)y Colonel Tague. This lot was on the east side of
the court house square. The old court house, the first one erected by the
county on tiie puljlic square, was purchased for two hundred and fifty dollars.
It was torn down and the lorick carried across the street to form in part the
walls of the new church. The building when completed cost two thousand
dollars, and served the congregation as a place of worship for forty years. It
is the building now occupied by the D. H. Goble Printing Company. Of
those prominent in the church during these years, mention should be made of
George Barnett, who was during most of that time an elder in the church.
The building now occu])icd b\- the clnux'h was begun in the year 1895,
during the first pastorate of Rev. B. F. Dailey, who drew the floor plans of the
building, of which the architect was John Felt. The building committee was
CHRISTIAN CHURCH, GREENFIELD
GREEX FIELD. 685
composed of Alorgan Chandler. A. K. Branhani, Dr. W. R. King, John Ryon
and Morris Hinchman. Tlie corner stone was laid on July 9. 1895. Ad-
dresses on tliat occasion were made hy Elders Dailey, E. S. Conner and D. R.
X'anlUisk'irk. in the cnrner stone were placed a I'ihle. a history of the church
written hy A. K. Branham, copies of the newspapers' pnhlished in the city,
an account of the huilding- enterprise, and a roll of the officers of the
church and church organizations. The building cost about twenty-five thou-
sand ddllars. and was dedicated on l-'ehruarx- 23, i8g6. bv Z. T. Sweenev, of
Columbus, Indiana. It was the first of Greenfield's modern churches and
reflects great credit upon the enterprise and faithfulness of those who made
it possible.
Among the earlier ministers who occasionally visited the church were
John O. Kane, John B. New. Bennett Edmondson, C. Blackman and S. K.
Hoshour. \\hile on his last tour through the West, Alexander Campbell
spoke from the pulpit of the old church.
The following men have served the church as regular ministers in the
years indicated: Littleton Rains, 1853-58; .V. F. Hobbs, 1858-61; J. C. Mc-
Cullough. 18G2. During 1863 and 1864 there was no pastor. George Camp-
hell. 1865; Thomas Lockhart, 1866; James F. Sloan, 1867-69; Dr. A. G.
Thomas, 1870-74: James F. Sloan, 1875; Walter D. Cani])bell. Anderson
Chastaine, J. L. Parsons, 1888-90; E. S. Conner, 1891-93; B. F. Dailey, 1894-
95; William Card, 1896-97; B. F. Dailey, 1898; T. H. Kuhn. part of 1899;
B. F. Dailey, December 1899 to March, 1904; F. B. Sapp, April, 1904 to May,
1906; V. W. Blair, August, 1906 to March, 1909; R. O. Rogers, May, 1909
to August, 1910; B. F. Dailey, 1911-12; M. S. Decker, 1913 to the present
writing.
It will be noted that B. F. Dailey served the church as pastor four dif-
ferent times, aggregating over ten years. During his first ministry the church
was built and during the last, a three thousand dollar pi])e organ was installed.
The church property as it stands today represents an expenditure of thirty
thousand dollars.
Helping Hand Society. — One of the active agencies df the church has
been the Aid Society, organized in the early history of the church, and renamed
the Helping Hand Society in 1894. It paid on the new church building three
thousand five hundred dollars. L'nder its auspices, the pipe organ was placed
in the church. Over half of the cost of the instrument was paid by the Helping
Hand Society. The faithful women whu ha\e worked in this society. ha\e
helped to tide the church over many a crisis.
The Missionarv Societv. anxiliarv to the Christian Wnman's Board of
686 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Missions, was organized by \\'. K. Arbell, a returned missionary from Jamaica,
on February 26, 1888. Following were the first officers : Nola Mathes, presi-
dent; Anna Brown, vice-president; Isabella Slifer, secretary; Pauline King,
treasurer. The charter members were, Mrs. Nola Mathes, Anna Brown, Mel-
lie Wills, Arabella Slifer, Melissa Cooper, Pauline King, Rebecca Magann,
Nancy Chandler, Lottie Glascock, Mary Bottsford, Eliza Addison. Two char-
ter members are still in the work, Mrs. Mathes and Mrs. Slifer. The society
has had a splendid growth, spiritually and in numbers. It now has fifty-two
active members.
During the last twenty-five years a Christian Endeavor Society has been
the center of the activities of the young people of the church and has contrib-
uted largely to their social and spiritual culture.
Sunday School. — Early in the history of the church a Sunday school was
organized. It is one of the most potent factors in the life of the church. Its
average attendance of late years has been probably between two hundred and
fifty and three hundred. It is made up of classes ranging from beginners to
adults. The Loyal Men's Bible class was chartered June 14, 1913, and has
been for years one of the most active departments. The "Sunshine Circle," a
class of young ladies, formerly known as Class No. 9, has always been very
active in the Sunday school. In 1904 this class laid the foundation for what
has since become known as die "Associated Charities of Greenfield," the his-
tory of which is given elsewhere.
Some of the superintendents have been George Barnett, William J. Sparks,
O. L. Carr, J. B. Pusey, J. D. Meek, W. B. Bottsford, Frank Morgan, W. S.
Montgomery, W. C. Goble, Ora Myers, William A. Service, Samuel Kassan
and George Wiggins. The Sunday school has at times had the largest enroll-
ment of any school in the county.
The church on two occasions, in 1896 and in 1903, entertained the state
convention of the Cliristian church of Indiana. . Its persent membership is
about five hundred and fifty.
PRESBYTERIAN CliURCH.
The Presbyterian church, of Greenfield, was organized on the 30th day
of July, 1855. There is a tradition which has been vi-ritten into some of the
histories of the church that Dr. B. F. Duncan and John Wilson were watching
by the bedside of a sick friend and that near the liour of midnight they were
inspired to make plans for the organization of this church. A petition was
presented to the Indianapolis presbytery, "Old School," at its regular session
held in .April, 1855, at the Presbyterian church at Hopewell. Indiana, praying
GREENFIELD. 687
said presbytery that a Preshyierian cliurch be organized in Greenfield, In-
diana. This petition was signed by Joim Milroy, Alexander Crocket, Nancy
Crocket, John Foster, John A. Richie, Samuel Milroy, Eliza Crocket, B. F.
Duncan, Martha ^Meek, Fllen .Stirk, James Bracken, Hugh (lambrcl and
Thomas D. Walpole.
The presbytery granted the prayer of the i>etitioners and appointed the
Revs. David Monfort and David Stephenson, and James Blake, a ruling elder,
as a committee to organize the church. This committee met on July 30, 1855,
at the Christian church in Greenfield to perfect the organization. John Foster
was elected ruling elder and was ordained immediately. The following per-
sons were received as members at this meeting, in addition to those who signed
the above petition : Mary Milroy, Sarah Gambrel, ^Vbhevill Foster, Isabella
Cheney, Samuel Creviston and Mary Creviston. The name adopted for the
church was "The First Presbyterian Church of Greenfield, Indiana.'" The
first lueeting of the session of this church was held on December 2. 1835, the
members present being John Foster, the only ruling elder, and David Mon-
fort, moderator. This session received at its meeting, on examination, Isaac
Rardin, he being the first convert to unite with tlie church. The first infants
baptized were James .\lvin Meek, Richard C. Stirk and Caroline E. Stirk.
After this church was organized, and until the congregation was able to
have a church building of its own, the members worshipped in the old Masonic
hall, at the southeast corner of Main and Pennsylvania streets. It was not
until in the fall of 1867 that the congregation commenced the erection of the
first church edifice at the corner of South and I'ennsylvania streets in this
city. This building was completed in the winter of 1868, and on Sunday
morning, December 20, of that }ear, the congregation took leave of the
Masonic hall. The Rev. Isaac W. Monfort, their pastor, preached the fare
well sermon from the text, "For who shall despise the day of small things."
The first service held in the new church was on the same Sunday evening,
which was a prayer service and was in the gallery of the new building. On
the following Sunday the new church was dedicated, the Rev. Robert Sloss
preaching the dedicatoi-y sermon.
The first convert received after the congregation took possession of the
new building was Mrs. Hattie B. Stitt, who united with the church on Jan-
uary 5, 1869. The ministers who have filled the pulpit of the church, either
as stated supply or pastors, from the time of its organization, with tlie dates
of their appointment, are: David Monfort, 1855, three years: William
Sickles, 1859, one year; O. T. Giddings, i860, two years; M. H. Shockley.
'1862, one and one-half years; Abbott, 1865, six months; Isaac
688 HANXOCK COL'XTV, INDIANA.
W. Monfort, 1866, four years; Eben Muse, 1871, six months; Tohu Dixon,
1872, four months; John B. Logan, 1873, ten months; Charles T. Wliite,
1874, two years; Joseph B. Lowery, 1877, one year; Lewis Lorremer, 1878,
two years; S. -\. Jamison, 1880, five months; James H. Hawk, 1880, thirteen
months; J. A. i'.rowii, 1883; David R. Love, 1884, four years; J. P. Hutch-
ison, 1889-91 ; S. S. Aikman, 1892-3; !•".. W. Souder. 1894-96; W. H. Sands.
1896-99; James Clare Leach. 1901-03; (jeorge C. Xoetling, 1903-06; J. Gil-
more Smith, 1907-08; Joseph B. \\'illiamson, 1908-13; John !*". Charlton,
1914-15; Wilfred Lindsay, 1915, to the present time.
Rev. David 2^Ionfort was a man of great spirituality. p(isitive in char-
acter and beloved l)y all whn knew him. He was not a profound preacher,
hut a remarkable talker; tender hearted and sympatlietic. of good executive
abilitv and a fine judge of human nature. To him the church was indebted
for all the earlv labor done in saiil church and we may add that he was its
founder. lie conducted a very successful revival during his three years'
pastorate and in i860 he returned to Greenfield and conducted a second re-
vival. Rexerend Monfort received into the church one hundred and twelve
members. He was the founder of a tlay school that was conducted in the
Masonic hall for eight years. During this time we had no organized school
.system in Indiana, no county superintendent, no county institutes, and no
standard of education by and through which teachers obtained their schools;
lull the man who taught for the least money and taught the most hours in
the day was the most successful candidate. Yet this school, under the man-
agement of David Monfort and his successors, assumed a very high standard
in point of education and multitudes of young ladies and gentlemen from
abroad sought this school to complete their education, and a large number
of teachers went forth from the school. This was the only denominational
school ever taught in this county and all those who patronized it. or were
familiar with its workings, will testify to its value.
The ruling elders who have constituted the sessions of the church are:
John Foster. Joseph Mathers, Robert K. Barnett, Andrew Patterson. Hugh
B. Wilson, G. B. Spinning, Thomas Cain, Franklin Gilchrist. James Com-
stock, Nathaniel P. Roberts. Marion Steele. L. A. \awier. H. J. Williams.
Later elders, with dates of appointment and period of service, are the follow-
ing: Robert Williamson, clerk. October 14, 1900 (ceased to act April i,
1907); George W. Souder. Octolier 14, 1900 (died September i-j. 191 5) ;
J. Warren Comstock, October, 1900 (died January i, 191 1) : Jesse H. Bundy.
Octolier 5. 1905 (still serving) ; John .\. Riley, clerk, April 9, 1007 (died
December 8, 1911): L. E. McDonald, .\pril 9, 1907 (served diree years):
OLD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, GREENFIELD
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. GREENFIELD
GREENi ri;Ln. 689
Benjamin S. Binfonl, \\'illiam P. Johnson, Arthur Williamson. W'ilHam H.
Smart, Earl (iambrel and Ernest Bovev. The latter six are still servinsr.
The deacons who have constitnted its various boards are, Isaac RaVdin,
Benjamin F. Duncan, J. Edwards, H. C. Chapman, Daniel Chittenden, E,
I. Judkins, John C. Butts, Jerome Williams. Warren Comstock, Walter
Roberts, L. A. \'awter, John 'i'. Lineback, John A. Hughes, fieorge W.
Soudcr, William 1'. Wilson, John Bohn, Alfred Rottman, Charles Carter,
Lee O. Harris. W. i*. Johnson. Frank S. Hammel. Arthur H. Williamson,
Will A. Stewart, William H. Marsh, O. N. Boyd, R. L. Ogg and O. N.
Dugan.
The auxilaries of the church are the Young People's Societies of Chris-
tian Endeavor, junior and senior: Sunday school. Woman's ^lissionary
Society and Ladies' Aid Society.
The church was organized with a membership of eighteen, as above
named. \\'hen the congregation took leave of the old hall in 1868, it had
grown to one hundred and forty. It has a present membership of about
three hundred. Its members now worship in an elegant brick edifice, erected
in T906. at the northeast corner of Penns}'lvania and South streets. This
house was erected at a cost of twenty-four thousand dollars. The corner
stone was laid on September 21, 1906. the address of the day being delivered
by Dr. D. W. Fisher, president of Hanover College. The stone contains a
copper box, in which were placed copies of the records of the church, papers,
coins, etc. The house was dedicated, April 14, 1907, by Rev. J. W. Powell.
The average attendance at services during the past several years has been
approximately one hundred persons.
A Sunday school was organized in connection with the church in 1855.
Following are the names of the persons who have ser\ed in the capacity of
superintendent of the Sunday school since its organization : Rev. D. Mon-
fort. Joseph Mathers. Robert' Hull. W. G. Thomas, J. H. Stevenson, R. E.
Barnett, H. B. Wilson, Marion Steele, R. E. Barnett, William .\. Wilson,
William Glascock, Quitman Jackson, A. H. Rottman, William Marsh, Dr. B.
S. Binford and \. H. Rottman. Of the above. R. E. Barnett served for more
than sixteen years. O. D. Hughes also served as secretary for a period of
fourteen vears. The Sundav school as now organized has fifteen classes, with
an average attendance of about one hundred and fifty.
Prior to the organization of this church, a Presbyterian church, "old
school," was organized in this city by the Reverend Hai-per, of Madison
countv, in 1840. Their place of worship was the old Methodist Episcopal
church which stood on South State street. In 1841 a Presbyterian church,
(44)
690 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
"new school," was organized by the Reverend Broadman. Its members wor-
shipped in the old seminary building. Neither of these organizations was
permanent and no autlientic records of them are known to exist. It was not
until the organization of the church in 1855 that Presbyterianism had any
permanent organization in Hancock county.
ST. Michael's roman catholic church.
The first Catholics in Greenfield celebrated mass in the homes of
the several families prior to i860. In that year services were held for the
first time in the old building which has been sold and removed to the south
part of the city for the Mission church. The first mass w-as read by the Rev.
Father Bessonies, the aged priest of St. John cathedral, Indianapolis, for a
congregation of fifteen families. Father Bessonies read mass occasionally
for the next two years ; then, as now, there was no resident priest, and the
congregation up to 1876 was under the control of tiie pastor of the cathedral
at Indianapolis.
In 1862 Rev. Father O'Reily was pastor, followed by Father Brassett
and Father McMullen, now of Richmond, Indiana. Father Aldering, now
of St. Joseph's parish, Indianapolis, was the next priest to read mass. Then
came Father Donovan, from Brownsburg.
In 1879- the control of the parish was given to the Franciscan Fathers,
with their home at the Sacred Heart church at Indianapolis. At that time
ihe church was organized and became known as St. Michael's Roman Catholic
church. The first priest from the Sacred Heart church was Father Arsenius.
Father Alexius took his place for three years and then Father Arsenius
returned for two years.
Following are the names of the Franciscans who have been pastors of
the church since 1877: Fathers Arsenius Fahle, Alexis Berenard, Rudolph
Herstman, Angelus Bill, Lawrence Pauly, Simon Schwartz, Zachary Ehler,
Valentine Dorenkemper, Jasper Thoennessen, Philibeft Haase, Xazarius
Kai.ser, Alexis Bender, Hyacinth Schroeder, Amelian Zumkeller, Marian Glahn
and Father Lendger.
Father Angelus was sent and read mass for four years. He was succeeded
by Father Lawrence. At this time, the congregation becoming large, the
priest began to accumulate a fund for the erection of a new church. Father
Simon was sent instead of Father Lawrence ; then came Father Zachary, who,
finding that the old building was too small for his congregation, went to
work to build a new one. In the early part of 1897, a building committee
was appointed and plans drawn for the erection of the present edifice. The
GREENFIELD. 69 1
contract was awarded to Peter Clements, of Indianapolis. The first mass
was said in the present church before it was completed, February 27. 1898.
At present the church has about one hundred members. Mass is held
on Sundays at nine-thirty a. ni. and three p. m., with an average attendance
of from fifty to sixt}'.
Instruction is given to the children by the priest in the teachings of the
church. There are usually from ten to twenty in this class.
METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.
The Methodist Protestant cliurcli of Greenfield, Indiana, was organized
in the Presbyterian church in 1885, by the Rev. Hugh Stackhouse. There
were forty-nine members, of whom JNIrs. Josephine Knight and James T.
Bodkin are the only ones who retain membership in the church. Services were
held m the home of the pastor, Charles Evans, for about one and one-half
years prior to the organization. For a short time afterward, sen-ices were
held in the Grange hall. The congregation then worsliipped for a time in the
brick blacksmith shop which stood where the barn of the New Alilling Com-
pany now stands, on East Main street.
The first trustees, George O. Knight, C. M. Kirkpatrick, Morgan
Chandler, James T. Bodkin and S. O. Shumway, were elected in the winter
of 1887. The following summer a building was erected on the site of the
present church. On the day of the dedication, the lot on which it stands was
presented to the Indiana Methodist Protestant conference by Nelson Bradley
and wife, with a check for one hundred and fifty dollars. The memberslu'p
was then weak, but possessed the spirit of earnestness. The members of the
other churches, also many citizens, nol)ly came to their assistance and made
the enterprise possible. Many of the liberal donors were S. O. Shumway,
who had the church construction ; W. C. Dudding, Nelson Bradley, Morgan
Chandler, C. E. Kinder, J. T. Bodkin, C. M. Kirkpatrick, William A. Hough,
Wiliam H. Pauley, George W. Crider, David L. Duncan, Joseph P. Knight
and Mrs. W. C. Dudding.
The first church was built under the pastorate of Rev. J. C. Smith. The
parsonage was builded under the pastorate of Rev. D. W. Evans, in the year
1 89 1. The church was remodeled and enlarged in 1898 under the pastorate
of Rev. D. W. Evans. In 1903, the annual conference, which convened at
Muncie, set apart Greenfield as a station, with Rev. J. R. Moody as pastor.
The following pastors have served this church: Rev. Charles W. Evans, 1885,
one year; Rev. J. G. Smitli. 1886-87, two years; Samuel J. Jones, 1888, one
year; David \V. Evans, 1889-93, ^'^'^ years; James L. Barclay, 1894, one
692 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
year; W. L. Martin, 1895, one year; David \V. Evans, 1895-1900, five years:
M. F. Iliff, 1901, one \'ear; S. S. Stanton, 1902, one year; J. R. Moody,
1903-05, three years; W. W. Lineherry. 1906-08, three years: E. T. Howe,
1909, one year; J- A. Rhoades, 1910-11, two years: Clarence J. Kerlin,
1912-13, two years; A. Adam Irelan, 1914. one year. The present pastor is
Rev. George A. Jewell. The present memjjership is two hunderd and fifty.
The Ladies' Lookout Society of the church consists of about sixty mem-
bers, and has l;een for a number of years a great financial aid to the church.
The Sunday school was organized in 1885, with Dudley Hudson as
superintendent, who sen-ed for two years. Since that time the following
persons have served as superintendents: Mrs. .Alice Tague. one year: S. O.
Shuniwav and Cicero J. Hamilton. In 1898 Lawrence Wood was elected
superintendent and has served continuously for the past eighteen years, with
the exception of three years, when the office was filled by Charles ^I. C.ibbs.
S. O. Shumwav and Samuel Stevens, who each served one year. In January.
19 1 6, Lawrence Wood was succeeded by Charles E. \\'alker. the jjresent
superintendent. The a\erage attendance for the last several years has been
from ninetv to one hundred. In 1915 the average attendance was one hun-
dred and Iwenly-lwo per Sunday. The school is divided into twelve classes,
one in the beginner's department, two in the primary de])artment, one junior,
two intermediate, and six adult classes.
THE GRKENFl F.I.I) FRIENDS CIILRCIl.
This church was organized in Xoveniber. 1889, when Esther and Xathan
Frame held a series of meetings in the old court house, and \\'estland monthly
meeting granted them a meeting for worship. The next year Robert Douglas,
of Ohio, preached for the congregation every two weeks, in the old Masonic
hall. The charter members were J. K. Henby and family. P. .\. Card and
family, William Robb and family. J. J. Wylie and family, J. T. Binford and
familv. Eli Scott and family. Lemuel Harold and family, Charles Ratliff
and family, M. Y. Shaffer and family, C. K. Cruner and family. Hannah
Cook, Martha Binford and X. C. Binford.
The following summer. 1S90, the present church building on Xorth State
street was erected. It was dedicated on December 15, and services have been
held there regularly since. The building committee was composed of J. K.
Henby, N. C. Binford. Eli Scott, Lemuel Harold and Mary L. Bruner. The
late J. H. Binford bought the lot and did all the legal business for the con-
gregation.
The preparative meeting, the business meeting of the church, was opened
GREENFIELD. 693
by a committee consisting of J. O. Binford. lluldaii Binfoid, Jonathan Jessup
and Ann White, from Westland monthly meeting, on jnne 24. 1891. lihvood
Scott, of Carthage. ])rcache(l for tiie congregation a short time after the new
Imilding was moved into, in tlie spring of 189 1. He was followed by Marv
E. Miars, of Wilmington, Ohio, who ]ireached from 180)1-1894. Other
ministers of the church follow: Liudlev A. Wells, 1895—98; Orville Jones.
1898-9; Oscar Moon, 1899-1901 ; T. K. Woodanl, 1901-2; Daisy Barr,
1902-4; Thomas E. \\"'illiams. 1904-5: Edgar H. Stranahan, 1905-6; Homer
J. Coppock, 1906-8; Thomas R. Woodard, 1908-9: Isaac X. Stanley, 1909-10;
Mary Miars Harold, 1910-14; Oscar H. Trader. 1914, to the present time.
The average attendance is about sixty and the numl;er of resident members
one hundred and fifty-four.
A Sunday school was organized as soon as the building was ready for
use and has been held regularly since. The a\erage attendance is about fifty;
number of classes, eight. The church has always had one or more adult
classes. The following persons have served as superintendents of the Sunday
school : C. K. Bruner, J. J. W>lie. E. C. Elliott, N. C. Binford, W. C. Henley
and \\'ilfred Andrews. The church owns only the church building.
The Friends Sociable was organized fourteen years ago and has had a
meeting monthly since. Its object is the study of history and work of the
church and the development of social life.
The Foreign Missionan' Society was organized in 1899, by Lucy H.
Binford, who has always been its president. It has studied the irniform
lesson books and met regularly each month. The membership is about fiftj*.
SHILOII PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Shiloh Primitive Baptist church stands on the north side of North
street, midway between East and Spring streets. The complete history of
the church has been given in cnnncction with the history of Blue River town-
ship, where the church was originallv organized.
HE.WENLY RECRUIT HOLINESS ASSOCI.-\TION.
A Sunday school was orginalh organized in the summer of 1895, by J.
M. Havens and wife, A. C. Rossow and wife, Mrs. Hewlett and others, at
the corner of South Pennsylvania and Pierson streets. In Decemljer, 1897,
this Sunday school identified itself with the Heavenly Recruit organization
and selected H. S. Fuller as pastor, who began his work on January 0, 1898.
The first trustees were Samuel M. Gajipen, J. W'. Melton and J. M. Havens.
In the same year the old Catholic church was purchased and moved to lot 17
694 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
on Pierson street. The congregation continued to worship in this church
until 1906, when a cement l)lock building was constructed. The 1)uilding
committee was composed of Samuel M. Gappen, J. W. Melton and Rev. H.
S. Fuller. The most of the cement blocks were made by the Rev. tl. S. Fuller
after he had been at work all day in the chair factory. The church was dedi-
cated, May 19, 1907, by the Rev. W. W. Martin, of the Bradley Methodist
Episcopal church. The indebtedness of tiie church was not paid at that time,
but left the congregation in a rather cramped condition for several years.
The Sunday school has been conducted in the church and the following
persons have sen'ed as superintendents: Douglas Shook, S. M. Gappen
Henry Hastings and J. W. Melton. Samuel M. Gappen, who has been super-
intendent for a number of years, is at the head of the Sunday school at this
time.
The cliurch now has about fifty members. The average attendance at
services is about twenty-five. From four to si.x classes have been maintained in
the Sunday school, with an average attendance of thirty-five. There are usually
about fifteen adult church members in attendance at Sunday school. The
congregation owns its own church and parsonage.
UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST.
This congregation was organized under the preaching of the Rev. Z. T.
Mower, in 1897. He was assisted by Elder J. T. Roberts, then presiding
elder of the district. The present brick church, on the southwest corner of
Lincoln and Swope streets, was erected in 1898. The corner stone was laid
on Jnne 21. 1898. and the dedicatory services were conducted by Rev. W. R.
Funk, of Dayton, Ohio, on Wednesday. October 10, 1898. Following are
the names of the pastors who have served tlie congregation since the date of
its organization: J. C. Mower, 1897-99; F. S. ]\Iinchell and wife, returned
missionaries from .Africa and who barely escaped with their lives at the time
of the uprising of the natives against the missionaries, 1809-1900: C. .\. and
Laura Love, 1900-1902; F. H. Linville, 1902-3; S. B. Ervin, 1903-4; William
J. Karstadt, 1904-5; O. F. Lydy, 1905-09; H. W. Robbins, 1909-13; A. D.
Smith, 1913-14, Mack Crider, 1914-15 ; C. E. Small, 1915, to the present time.
The church at present has one hundred and fifteen memliers. The
average attendance at services during several years last past has been aljout
sixty-five. A Sunday school was organized in 1898. It now has an average
attendance of about seventy-five. Eight classes are maintained and adult
members of the church attend the Sunday school. Following are the names
of the persons who have served as superintendent of the Sunday school since
GREENFIELD. 695
Myers, Viola Denny, J- H- Laiimore and W.
B. Ware.
The church has a Ladies' .Aid Society wliich was organized in 1898, for
the purpose of aiding; in caring for tlie local expenses of the church. A Young
People's Society of Christian Endeavor was also organized in 1909. Its
purpose is to train the young people in the work of the church.
SEVEXTII-n.W .\DVENTISTS.
This congregation was organized as a result of the encampment held at
the fair grounds, August 29 to Septemlx*r 9, inclusive. 1901. At the close
of that meeting a tent was pitched on a vacant lot at the northeast corner of
Noble and Walnut streets. Elder S. Y. Huntington and James H. Nichaus
and wife conducted services every night for almost two months, presenting
to the i)eople such subects as Bible Sabbath Keeping, Soon Seconfl Coming
of Christ, etc. \\'licn cold weather set in, the tent was taken down and tl^.e
lot purchased.
On November 10, 1901. the ground was staked off and a church com-
pleted, which was dedicated on February 9, 1902. The dedicatory semion
was preached by W. W. Prescott, of Battle Creek. Alichigan. The following
officers were elected for the first year : S. Y. Huntington, pastor; L. J. King,
elder; Martin Dunn, deacon; .S. H. Xiehaus. treasurer; Mrs. Kate Hunting-
ton, cle'rk ; Mrs. J. H. Niehaus. organist. The congregation continued to
worship in this church for several years. Gradually, however, some of them
moved away, while others were called to the Great Beyond, and for several
years past services have been held at irregular intervals in the church.
HEAVENLY RECRUIT CHURCH.
The Heavenly Recruit church stands on the cast side of A street, between
Fourth and Fifth streets, on the east side of Brandywine creek. It was built
in 1906, largely through the influence of John Lewis. He was assisted in
his efforts by Ben Brewer, Samuel Harding and others. Lewis and Brewer,
Henry Hastings and others have preached for the congregation, but there
has never been a salaried pastor.
A Sunday school is conducted in connection with the church. Services
are usually held on Sunday afternoons. The attendance is small.
ADA NEW METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Greenfield school board, in 1906, erected the school house on the
east side of Brandvwine. Mrs. Ada New was elected as teacher of this school
696 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
and coiuiiuied her service tliere for a period of five years. In the meantime,
she was not only the teacher of the public day school, but led in the organi-
zation of a Sunday school and church. She was pre-eminently the central
figure about whom those institutions grew. The Sunday school was organized
before the first term of the day school closed, and in the early spring of 1907
a board of trustees was appointed for the church in East Greenfield. This
board was composed of Judge Robert L. Mason, Amos Chapman, William
C. Droeger, Henry Owens. Ada New and Re\-. W. W. Martin, of the Brad-
ley Z^Iethodist Episcopal church. On May 10, 1907, this board held its first
meeting at the residence of IVIrs. Xew. The question of naming the new church
was presented. The people of East Greenfield desired to have it named for
its founder. On motion of Judge Robert L. [Mason, seconded by Amos
Chapman, the church was named "Ada Xew ^lethodist Episcopal Church."
At a meeting of the board on May 20, 1907, Thomas Moxley was employed
as architect to prepare plans and specifications for a building. It was also
decided to build the church of boulders or cobble stones. On May 8, 190S,
the church was attached to the Philadelphia circuit. Thursday, May 28,
1908, was set apart as "Boulder Day," when all of the people of East Green-
field, with others who were willing to contribute of their time, were to gather
and bring in boulders or cobble stones, for the erection of the church. The
work of building progressed slowly. The excavation was finished and cement
foundation walls were built in 1909. During the summer of 1909; Judge
Robert L. Alason resigned as a member of the board, and a new board was
appointed by the quarterly conference of the Bradley Methodist Episcopal
church. The new members of the board were Albert L. New, Joshua Barrett,
George J. Rfchman, E. E. Gant and W. \\\ Haller. The board organized as
follows: J. H. Barrett, president: George J. Richman, treasurer, and Ada
X^ew, secretary-. Thomas Mo.xley having gone to the state of Oklahoma,
William Gordon was employed as architect in 1909. He was directed to
examine the work that had been completed and report thereon. He reported
that the basement wall was insecure and submitted plans and specifications for
reinforcing it. The question of erecting a cement or frame church was also
considered by the new board. The frame and cement buildings were con-
sidered favorably by the board, because such buildings could be constructed
at much less cost than a cobble-stone building. Mrs. X'ew, however, w'as
always strongly in favor of erecting a boulder church. At a meeting on
October 12, 1910, it was moved by George J. Richman, and seconded by
Albert L. New, that the church lie incorporated under the laws of the state.
This was done. .Articles of incorporation, were prepared by Mr. Richman
GREENFIELD. 697
and were signed and acknowledged by all members of the board on October
17, iQio. On November ii. 1910, a motion was made and carried that the
architect prepare plans and specifications for a frame bnilding, it being feared
that the cement foundation walls woukl not support a cobble stone structure,
and the frame building being less costly. On November 26, 1910, .Mbert L.
New, George J. Richman, Joshua H. Barrett, William Droeger and E. E.
Gant resigned. In connection with tb.is action of the board, the record con-
tains the following entry : "This was discouragi'.ig, but faith in God was r:Ot
lost. .\da New, secretary."
The new trustees appointed to take the places of those resigning were
Rev. Paul Truitt, Nevil Reeves, William Droeger, Henry Owens and Ada
New. The pastor, Paul Truitt, suggested, on November 27, 1910, that the
Sunday school room be cut off, and that just the olilong building Ije erected.
In relation to this suggestion the record recites: "The secretary objected,
saying that if we only have faith in God, who could build all, since the
Sunday school room is a great con\enience, especially for the regular weekly
meetings, Sunday school committees, etc.. and would be a great saving of
fuel, lights, etc."
On December 3, 1910, the trustees had another meeting, at whicli the
question of cutting off the Sundav school room was presented. Some work
of tearing down the foundation had already been done, which was causing
dissatisfaction among the people. The pastor and Nevil Reeves spoke in
favor of cutting off the room as suggested. Henry Owens finally cast his
vote with them, which apparently decided the matter. The record of the
meeting, howe\er. recites: "The secretary expressed herself as opposed to
this, but pledged to leave it with God and the men." The record under date
December 5, 1910, recites further, "There being great dissatisfaction regard-
ing the tearing down of the foundation, the pastor called a mass meeting of
the citizens to see what the majority of the people desired. .After a discussion,
the majoritv vote was cast in favor of keeping the Sunday school room as
at first planned."
In the meantime, funds bad been collected and the work of constructing
the cobble stone building had proceeded slowly. On April 17, 191 1, however,
the secretar\- made the following entiy in the church record : "The walls
are now finished to the square. Thank God, they are beautiful and substan-
tial."
The corner stone of the building had been laid on Octoljer 4. 190S.
Bishop John H. Vincent made the principal address on that occasion. The
new house was dedicated on Sunday, September 17, 191 1. The dedicatory
698 HAXCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
sermon was preached by Dr. \\'illiam D. Parr, of Kokomo. The vesper
service was conducted by Bishop Vincent.
The building committee at the time of the completion of the church
was composed of the following; men : William C. Droeger, Qiarles Warren
and Alonzo Gibson.
The building is a beautiful cobble stone structure. For its veiy existence,
all credit must be given to Mrs. New. The church was in process of con-
struction for a period of four years. Her lioards of trustees resigned because
of the lack of funds, the apparent inability of raising funds, and because of
the lack of business methods in the prosecution of the work. Probably, the
church could not have been built if the ordinaiy rules of business procedure
had been observed. Mrs. Xew possessed a faith that overcame all obstacles,
and that transcended all possibilities of finest business organization.
Christ's uxiox missiox church.
For several months prior to the summer of 1908 a number of the families
in the western part of Greenfield worshipped at private residences and in
rooms that were rented for that purpose. In that year j\Irs. Malissa Cooper
donated to the school trustees of Greenfield the real estate upon which the
public library now stands. The house that stood upon this lot she gave to
the people above referred to, to be used as a place of worship. The liuilding
was moved to the northwest corner of \\"alnut and Franklin streets, where it
was remodeled for church purposes.
Lewis Shumway. Henry Tibbitts and James Finnell were selected as
trustees to care for the property of the church. They have served in this
capacity to tiie present. Among those who have worshipped here are John
Jolmson and wife, Dolly McPherson, Matt Richey and wife, Roy and Tilgh-
man Shirley, William Rhody and wife and others.
A Sunday school has been conducted in the church, of which Henry
Hastings, Tilghman Shirley and others have been superintendent. The Sunday
school usually has an attendance of from twenty-five to thirty-five. Church
services are held on Sunday mornings, also Sunday afternoons and generally
on Tuesday evening. The church has never had a salaried pastor. Henry
Hastings, Lucy Page and others have preached there.
CHRIST SCIENTISTS.
In July, 1914, the people of this faith in the city of Greenfield effected
a little organization and arranged to meet at the homes of the members for
worship, but generally meeting at the home of John Corcoran, on Douglas
GREENFIELD. 699
Street. In tlie spring of 191 5 the rear room in the Gates block, over the book
store, was rented, and since that time services have been held there on Sun-
days and Wednesday evenings. Following are the names of the people who
have met for worship regularly with the little band of Christ Scientists : John
Corcoran and wife, Mrs. Charles Williams, Mrs. George Davis, Mrs. John
B. Hinchman, Mrs. Charles G. Gant, Mrs. W. S. Gant, Mrs. Caroline Goble.
Mrs. Clyde Townsend, Mrs. Charles M. Gibbs, Mrs. John Halsall, Mr. and
Mrs. George W. Reed, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hudson, John Bohm. Sr.. and
Mrs. J. B. Knight.
THE TABERNACLE MEETING.
All the churches of the city united in an evangelistic campaign m No-
vember, 1914. A taljernacle was erected at the northwest corner of East
and North streets. Ministers and laymen labored on its construction. Dr.
H. H. Hall, of Pennsylvania, led the meeting, which continued for three
weeks or more, during the month of November. All of the ministers and
churches gave their support to the effort. Intense interest was manifested,
and the tabernacle, which accommodated from fifteen hundred to two thou-
sand people, was filled to overflowing every evening. Almost four hundred
conversions were reported.
MINISTERIAL .\SSOCIATION.
On -November 24, 1902, a permanent organization was effected among
the ministers resident at Greenfield, known as the Ministerial Association. Its
charter members included J. M. Thompson, pastor of the Baptist church ; J.
Clare Leach, of the Presbyterian church ; Perry E. Powell, of the Metliodist
Episcopal church; S. S. Stanton, of the Methodist Protestant church; B. F.
Dailey, of the Qiristian church ; Daisy Barr, of the Friends church, and F. H.
Linville, of the United Brethren church. Rev. Daisy Barr was elected
president of the association and F. H. Linville, secretary.
At the first meeting the subject of tithing was discussed and the opinion
prevailed that "it is as binding now as in former years." It was decided on
that occasion to distribute a tract on "tithing."
The association is still maintained and includes all of the resident min-
isters at Greenfield. Regular meetings are held and matters for the general
good are discussed.
CHAPTER XIX.
GREEN TOWNSHIP.
Green township, named after John Green, one of the \ery early settlers,
is located in the north central part of Hancock county. It is six miles east
and west by five miles north and south. The civil township lies in two con-
gressional townships. Sections 12, 13, 24, 25 and 36. off of the west end of
the civil township, lie in congressional township 17 north, range 6 east. The
remaining twenty-five square miles composing the township lie in congres-
sional township 17 north, range 7 east.
Green township was first organized at the September term of the board
of commissioners, in 1832. and was fonned from the northern parts of Jack-
son and Harrison townships. At that time it included all of what is now-
Green and Brown townships. Brown township was organized as a separate
township at the September term of the board of commissioners, in 1833.
Since that time Green township has had its present bovmdaries.
Its surface is generally level except along Sugar creek, where it is rolling.
Sugar creek enters the township near its northeast corner, then comes down
almost to the middle of the township and takes a westerly course almost to its
west line. It then turns sharply, cutting the west line of the township about a
mile north of its southern line. There is no other natural drainage, but a
large number of open ditches have been constructed, both from the north and
south, which emptv into Sugar creek. These open ditches, with a system of
tile drains, give the township a complete system of artificial drainage. The
level surface of the township, together with a fertile soil, makes it admirably
adapted to heavy fanning.
The first land entrv in tlie township was made by William Shortridge
on May 26, 1829, who entered tlie northeast quarter of section 19, township
17, range 7. Among other families who came at a very early date and
entered land in Green towniship, as shown by the tract book in the county
recorder's office, are the following: James Alford, Frederick Jackson, Henry
Collins, Levi Jackson, Harvey Scott, IMatilda Edwards, George Baity, William
Cass, Elizabeth Green, Ichabod Ashcraft, John L. Alford, Andrew Alford,
George Davidson, George Y. Atkison, Henn,- Jackson, Samuel Smith, Joseph
S. Watts, Joseph Murfin, Drewney Reynolds, Thomas L. Fuqua, Robertson
Jarrett, George Shortridge, Andrew Bragg, Dempsy Jackson, John D.
Cooper, Lucinda McCray, James Cass, William Willett, John Green, Alfred
TOO
GREEN TOWXSIUP. 70I
Henby, Ncri Janett. Isaac Magruder, Enos Jarrett, William Shortridge,
Nicholas Jarrett, John McKinsey, David Hittle, William Barrett, Levi Rash,
S;iimiel Wilson, George lienry, Morris Piersoii, Elijah S. Cooper. Alford
'l"hnmas, Moses Gibbs. Robert Cnrry. Jacob Aniick, Abraham Rbuc. Robert
Sanford, David McKinsey, Andrew F. Hatfield, Edward Barrett. Stephen
Jackson, Robert \\'ilson, James Walker. Henry Hunt. Jonathan Dunbar, John
(jibbs. Henry ^lanifold, James Judkins. William Amick. Logan Alford.
Jacob Kingery, Harper Reed, Rolla Personett, John Power, Joseph Barrett,
William AA'ilson, John Rash, James \\'ilson. \'incent Cooper. Paul Moore.
Robert Jackson. Hugh Gibbs, James Drury, Isaiah Jackson, Seth \\'ilson,
David Piper.
Following are a number of the industries of the township : Grist- and saw-
mill, built by George Mason, in 1835, and located northeast of Eden on the
northwest quarter of section 22, township \y, range 7. Grist- and saw-mill,
erected bv William Beeson. in 1836. on Sugar creek aliout two and one-half
miles from Eden. Saw-mill, built about 1850, by Bragg & Guy, at Eden.
Saw-mill, erected by Dr. Samuel A. Troy on his farm on the northwest quar-
ter of section 23, township 17, range 7. It was later owned by Trueblood,
Barrett & Trueblood, and ^^'alker. During the seventies it was moved to
the extreme southwest corner of Green township and located on the south
half of section 36, township 17, range 6. Saw-mill, erected at ]\Iilner's Cor-
ner in 1873, by Walton, Rule & Miller, and operated for probably two years.
Saw-mill, erected at Eden l)y C. Mingle, in 1875, or probably a little later.
Saw-mill, erected by Stephen B. Tucker at Milner's Corner, in 1880. and
operated for several years.
A tannery was established by Dudley Eaks in the northern part of section
36, township 17, range 6, probal)ly in the latter thirties or early forties, and
one was established at Lewisbnrg by John Price, probably in the latter forties
or early fifties.
The Barnard sorghum factory, owned and operated by Elwood Barnard,
was built in 1901 and has been operated every season since that time. It is
the largest and best equipped plant of the kind in Indiana, having a capacity
of twelve hundred gallons of sorghum per day, and a season's output of from
twenty to thirty thousand gallons. Barnard's sorghum is a household word
in Hancock and adjoining counties. It is the only manufacturing establish-
ment now in Green township.
CH.XRLESTOX.
At a very early date in the township's history- a town was laid out on
the west bank of Sugar creek about where it crosses the south line of the
702 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
northwest quarter of section 22, township 17. range 7. Its name appears
in the county commissioners' record in connection with road construction. A
cemetery is now located very near the site where the town was surveyed.
Like Beriin in Center township, and many other towns that are platted in new
territory, it never came into actual existence.
EDEN.
Eden, originally Lewisburg. was surveyed and platted on August 21,
1835. Though the record fails to show the name of the person making the
plat, the deeds for the lots were executed by John L. Alford. who no doubt
caused the sur\-ey to be made. The original plat consisted of thirty lots. To
this one addition was made, by Levi Archer, on April 26, 1871. consisting of
seventeen lots.
The commissioners' record shows that in 1836 George Henn- was
licensed to sell foreign and domestic merchandise at the town of Lewisburg.
Since tiien small stores have been conducted at the town practically all of the
lime. Orville Baity conducted the store for man)' years. Lee Justice and
Umberhower & Fuqua have been later merchants. It has also had its saw-
mills, blacksmith shops, etc., during the years. A postoffice was maintained
at Eden until the rural routes were established from Greenfield.
milker's CORNER.
Milner's Corner is located at the northeast corner of section 2^. township
17, range 7. It consists of a dwelling or two, a store and a blacksmith shop.
No plat has ever been made, but business has been conducted there for more
than a half century. Among the merchants of the town have been David
McKinsey. John Dawson, Henry Milner. Nimrod Davis. Joseph Decamp,
(Zaldwell & Keller, William and Joseph Bills, Tague & Brother, ^^'. Vanzant,
Charles H. Troy, Charles Albea, Sanford Gable and Frank Pritchard. the
latter now conducting the store.
A postoffice was established here in 1868 and maintained until the ^^'il-
kinson rural route was established. May i, 1903.
Among the physicians who have been located here are D. H. Myers,
George Williams. Charles Pratt and S. A. Troy. Dr. Troy for a number of
years had an exceedingly lucrative practice from this point.
The village has also had its blacksmith shops, saw-mills, etc.. during its
history. For many years Cyrus Manning & Son conducted the blacksmith
shop. The elder Manning died several years ago and since that time tlie
son has conducted the business.
GREEN TOWNSHIP. 7O3
SCHOOLS.
The first school in Green township was erected a short distance north-
east of Eden. This was in the settlement huilt on the Greenfield and Pendle-
ton state road. The second school house was huilt in the northeast corner
of the township by settlers who evidently came over the Knightstown and
Pendleton state road. Other houses were built as they were needed until
finally ten districts were established. Ten single-room district schools were
maintained in the township until the two-room building was erected at Eden
in 1889, during the trusteeship of Charles H. Troy. The first district aban-
doned was district No. lo, known as the Purdue school, about one and one-
half miles west and a little south of Eden. In 1900, during the trusteeship
of Dr. William A. Justice, two additional rooms were built to the Eden
school preparatory to the establishment of a township high school.
The first high school subjects were taught in the school during the win-
ter of 1896-7 by I. H. Day. No definite course had been outlined, Imt work
was introduced in the fall of 1897. The principals of the high school, since
its organization, with the dates of their first appointments, are as follow:
I. H. Day, 1896; John T. Wilson. 189S: J. M. Pogue, 1901 ; L. M. Luce,
1904; A. H. Symons, 1906; Charles Collingwood, 1907; J. A. Moore, 191 1;
O. W. Jackson, 1912; J. A. Moore, 1914; O. W. Jackson, 1915.
During the principalship of John T. Wilson the Eden high school became
one of the most prominent of our township high schools. For several years
it was regarded as probably second to none among the township high schools
of the county. On account of the smallness of the attendance during recent
years the school has not been given the advantages of development provided
by later legislation. A three-year course has been maintaind, and efficient
teachers have been employed, but the school has never been certified nor has
it ever had a four-years course of study. It has followed the first three years
of the course outlined for the certified and commissioned high schools of the
county.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Green township has a population of 1,035, ^s shown by the census of
1910. In the spring of 1915, 264 children between the ages of six and twenty-
one years were enumerated in the township. During the winter of 1914-15
208 pupils were enrolled in the schools. Of these, 27 were in the high school
and 181 in the elementary grades. The average attendance for the year was
151 pupils in the elementary grades and twenty-three in the high school.
The total cost of maintaining the elementan- grades during the vear was
704 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
$2,963.00; the total cost of maintaining the higli school was $1,540.75: the
total amount paid teachers during the year was 84,194.00; the estimated value
of the school property as reported by the trustee, August i, 1915, was
$25,000; tlie total assessment of taxables in the township was $1,234,870;
the township paid for the transportation of school children, ,?i,449.85.
TOWNSllir TRUSTEES.
The following men ha^■e served the township in the capacity of town-
ship trustee since the enactment of the law creating the office in 1859: Mere-
dith Gosney, 1859; Edward Valentine, 1861 ; Joseph Barrett, 1865; Edward
Valentine, 1866; Andrew H. Barrett, 1869; William L. McKinsey. 1874;
Sidney Moore, 1880; Heniy B. A\'i!son, 1882; Irvin Porter. 1884; Henry B.
Wilson, 1886; Charles H. Troy. 1888; William A. Justice. 1894; James E.
Barrett, 1890; Almon Murfin, 1900; Sherman Rothermel. 1904; Daniel J.
Warrum, 1908; Walter .\. Jackson, 1914.
JUSTICES OF THE PE.VCE.
The local courts of tiie township iiave been presided over by the lollow-
ing men: John L. Alford, 1833: Andrew J. Hatfield, : John I'erguson.
; Elijah S. Cooper. 1841-46; James Jones, 1843: Miles Walker, 1850;
Michael Cooper, 1853: \\'illiam Cook, 1858-62-66; R. M. Fuqua, 1863; Isaac
Barrett, 1867; J. M. Trueblood, 1869-73-77: W. T. Hamilton. 1870; W. R.
Fen ell, 1846. 1855, 1859, 1878; John Price, 1848; M. M. Addington, 1848;
W'illiam Barrett, 1849-54: Joel Manning, 1882-86: David H. McKinsey,
1884: William Collins. 1880': James W. Wilson. 1880; William R. Ferrell
1882-86: James W. Jackson. 1886; William R. Ferrell. 1886-1890-94; James
'M. Trueblood. 1901 ; Samuel H. Trueblood, 1907.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
Green township has contributed several names to the list of county serv-
ants, among whom are Andrew J. Hatfield, representative; Charles H. Troy,
auditor; Elijah S. Cooper, county treasurer: Samuel Archer and Benjamin F.
Pauley, sheriffs ; Jonathan Smith and Daniel M. Ballenger, commissioners.
PHYSICIANS.
Among the physicians who have been located in Green township are
Paul Moore, \\''illiam Loder. Jones & Edwards. Samuel A. Troy, J. J. Car-
ter. John and William A. Justice, and J. E. P^rrell. the latter being located
at Eden now.
<
a;
<
GREEX TOVVN'Sllir. ' 7O5
HEA\-y TAXPAYERS.
The following' persons in Green township paid taxes in amounts larjjer
than one hundred dollars during the year 1915 : David H. Alforcl, $135.56;
Samuel Alford, $116.29; Charles Z. Albea. $216.15; A. C. and E. Albea,
$125.14; Anna B. Adkins, $114.31; Martha Baden, $117.16; John Brooks,
$113.22; David H. Baity, $462.58; William M. Barnard, $223.16; Elwood
Barnard, $198.41 ; Hiram N. Barrett, $474.57; Daniel M. Ballenger. $102.71 ;
Elsie H. Berkebile, $118.26; Thomas M. Carrollton, $149.58; Mar\' J. Col-
lingwood, $155.49; James F. Cass, $222.50; H. A. Cranfill and wife, $136.09;
Flora Curry. $250.09; George P. Frank, $124.83 ; Johnson H. Frank, $181.20;
Matthew L. Frank, $346.68; Robert and Man' L. Fair, $185.06; James M.
and Viola George, $102.50; Anthony T. Ginley, $148.04; Levi A. Jackson
and wife, $117.16; Lambert Jarrett, $100.52; Francis M. Jackson, $114.10;
Jesse B. Jackson, $142.78; William A. Jones, $141.92; Thomas J. JcMies,
$232.14; William H. Keller, $312.29; Edward J. Keller, $228.29; Oliver P.
Keller and wife, $170.70; Isaac and Margaret J. Martin, $231.51; Maggie
Morris and children, $113.45 ; Stephen A. Moore, $289.83; John A. Morrison,
$129.43; Almond H. Murphin and wife, $187.55; James T. McCarty.
$187.46; Ward T. Martindale, $262.01; Oi-pha J. Murphin, $101.40; Eliza
Mingle, $210.02; Marion A. Mingle, $252.83; Lee D. Olvey (estate).
$1,020.54; William H. Piper, $210.24; Thomas B. Piper, $144.97; James F.
Piper, $258.20; Mary A. Pauley, $122.86; Rosa Poole, $129.74-, Azel Shull,
$102.28; William H. Sherry, $141.69; Mary F. Spuriy, $103.36; Charles H.
Troy, $383.25; Henry B. Wilson (estate), $236.95; Archibald Wilson,
$310.76; Noah W. Wilson. $106.21; Ida M. Wilson, $280.75; M'argaret E.
Wilson, $249.44; Elizabeth Warrum, $100.10.
B.\RNARD FAMILY ORCHESTRA.
The Barnard faniih- of musicians consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Elwood
Barnard and their five children, Ethel, Olive, Helen. Anna and Robert.
Mr. Barnard was born on a farm near Eden. Mrs. Barnard, who was
Miss Ola Gordon, was l)orn near Knightstown, Henry count}-, Indiana. Both
received their education at Spiceland Academy. Each had musical talent,
but neither had an opportunity of developing it to any great extent. As their
children grew up the parents gave them musical instruction until they had an
opportunity to procure teachers for them. In 1899 the necessary instruments
to form an orchestra were selected and each began taking lessons on the
instnmient chosen. The children drove from the farm in Green township to
Fortville. a distance of six miles, then took the train to Indianapolis to take
(45)
706 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
their lessons at the ^Vletropolitan School of ]\Iusic. They de\elopecl rapidly
and made their first appearance in public at the installation ceremonies of the
Eden Masonic lodge in December, igoo. On March 29. 1901. they played
for a school commencement at ilie .Methodist Episcopal churcli in lulen.
They also played for se\'eral other commencements in Hancock county dur-
ing that season. On December 13, 1901, they gave their first concert in the
church at Eden. In 1902 they played for all the common school commence-
ments in Hancock county and for a number outside. They continued tiieir
study of music and in the spring of 1903 the family moved to Indianapolis.
From that time their (!e\el<^pment was rai)icl. Their first cliautauqua
engagement was at Madison, Ind., in July, 1903. Since that lime they have
probably filled more chautauqua engagements in various parts of the United
States than any other similar organization. During one summer under the
management of the Redpath Chautauqua system of Chicago they played for
one hundred and ten chautauquas. Tlic family as a \\hole disbanded in liie
spring of 1909, after having toured a greater part of the United States and
Canada in lyceum and chautauqua work under the management of the lead-
ing bureaus. Some of the younger members of the family, with the aid of
others, continued the work under the familv name until the spring of 1<)I5,
when the Barnard Family Orchestra ceased to be an organization.
EDEN CORNET B.VND.
The first brass band was organized in Eden about 1887 and was known
as the Eden Cornet Band. It was composed of the following members: Sam-
.lel H. Moore, E-flat cornet; Joseph W. (ireen, E-flat cornet: Elwood
Barnard, solo B-flat cornel; Walter Cranfill, first cornet; Oliver X. True-
blood, first alto; Ernest J. Alford, second alto; James Cranfill, first tenor;
Tames W. Jackson, first tenor; Joseph E. Jarrett, second tenor; Vancy Cran-
fill, baritone ; James W. Johnson, E-flat tuba ; Hiram Jarrett, bass drum ;
Albert E. Chappell, snare drum.
This band was organized, financed, instructed and managed by Elwood
Barr.ard for a number of years, with the exception of a term of lessons given
by Isaac Davis, of Greenfield. During tliis lime there were quite a number
of additions and changes, Walter X. Bridges taking up alto; Oren Moore,
slide trombone; John W. Huston, tulia ; Fred Huston, tenor; Samuel H.
Trueblood. snare drum, .\lbert E. Chappell liaving dropped out.
The band did a i)rofitable business during its life, furnishing music for
rallies, Sunday school picnics, public speakings, and played a number of times
for the Hancock Countv Fair As.sociation.
GREEN TOWNSIIir. 707
EDEN CONCERT BAND.
After the old hand hccame a niatler of liistory, a new Ixuul was organ-
ized, known as the Eden Concert Band, inider the management and instruc-
tion of Samuel H. Trueblood. This organization was maintained for about
twenty years, or up until four or fi\e years ago.
The following is a list of members and the parts they played during the
existence of this band: Jesse \\'arrum and Gern Decamp, clarinets; Samuel
H. Trueblood, Stewart Slocum, Frank Stewart, Charles Roberts and Ernest
W'arrum, B-flat cornets ; Thomas L. Huey, ,\rnold Roberts, lulward Wagner.
Clarence Dangler, altos; Lee F. Justice, Noble Beagle, Thomas M. Alford,
tenors; William E. Burkes and Samuel H. Moore, trombones; James Barn-
ard and Bert J. Cooper, baritones; Edward Decamp, Orville Baii\- anrl Albert
Barnard, E-flat basses; James X. \\'arrum and Walter Iluey, B-flat bas.s;
Oliver Ball, Olen E. Ball and Ed.ward AI. Shull, liass drums; Lawrence Jar-
rett, H. D. Reeves and George Roberts, snare drum.
MILNER's CORNER CITIZENS BAND.
By Noble H, Troy.
The jMilner's Corner Citizens Band was organized on April 4. 1913, by
the young men of this community for the purpose of a social pastime and
developing their musical talents. It can be truly said that the band has
pleased hundreds of people who have listened to their sweet strains ot music.
This organization is composed of the following members; Noble H. Troy,
manager; Aubrey Thomas, director; Ralph Eisk, C. H. Jackson. Roy Hass-
ler and Glen Johns, cornetists; Robert Troy and James Barnard. barUones;
Dale Troy and Luther Barnard, trombones; Lon (iodby, alto; Chester .\lford,
tenor; Jesse Hays, tulia ; Edward Jackson and Robert Dorman, drummers.
LODGES.
Eden Lodge, No. 477, Free and .\cce])ted Masons, was instituted May
_'6, 1 87 1, with the following charter meiubers : L. 11. Riggs, E. S. Bragg.
G. Morrison, A. li. Trueblood, D. H. .\lford, T. T. Barrett, Samuel Alford,
J. W. (ireen. G. W. Hopkins and .\. W. Powell. The i)resent number of
members is one hundred and twenty-fi\e. When the lodge was first organ-
ized it held its meetings in a room over I5arrett & Company's store. In the
year 18185 ''^ ^^''•'^ "H'ved to the room over the old "Wagon Shop," where it
remained until 1899. Then it was moved to the hall which it occupies at
]iresent. The lodge owns its o\v!i hall and a lot adjoining, and is in a pros-
708 IIAXCOCK COLXTV, IXDIAXA.
perous condition. Its meetings occur on Saturday evening on or before the
full of the moon of each month.
Eden Chapter Xo. 119, Royal Arch Masons, was chartered January 17.
1900, with the following charter members, who were also its first officers:
\V. A. Justice, high priest; Irven Barnard, king; H. B. Wilson,
scriljc; M. B. Walker, treasurer; Elwood Barnard, secretan- ; R. J.
Sample, captain of the host; I. H. Day, principal sojourner; John fl. Mugg,
roj-al arch captain; John W. Hudson, master of third veil; Jesse H. Jackson,
master of second veil; J. W. Trittipo, master of first veil; J. S. Bills, guard.
Eden Chapter No. loi. Order of Eastern Star, was organized April 23,
1890, with twenty-six charter members The first officers were Carrie Bar-
rett, worthy matron; Irven Barnard, worthy patron; Rosa Smith, associate
matron. At present there are ninety-five members. The lodge has always
held its meetings in the Masonic hall, on Saturday evening on or before new
moon.
Hancock Lodge Xo. 705, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Eden,
was organized ?*Iarcli 13, 1893, with five charter memljers, Matthew L.
Frank, Marion Ferrell, Samuel B. Slaughter, O. P. Barrett and \\'illiam Chap-
pell. At present there are about one hundred members. The meetings were
held in the hall over Trueblood's shop. In 1901 the lodge was moved to tlie
hall in which it meets at present. The lodge owns the building and the
site upon which the Imilding stands. It meets on Tuesday night of each
week. An encampment was also organized at one time, but its cliarter has
been surrendered.
Lodge X^o. 483, Daughters of Rebekah, was granted a charter on March
12, 1895. Following are the names of the charter members: Flora Barrett,
Mar>' Mathews, M. O. Maley, Myrtle Taylor, J. L. Dangler and wife, Effie L,
Alford, Minnie Jarrett, Daisy Jarrett, Cludie Huey, Orla Taylor, Dora West
and Hattie Short. There are sixty members at present. Meetings have
always been held in the Odd Fellows hall. Meetings are held the first and
third Saturday night of each month.
CHURCHES.
Several of the early churches of the township are no longer in existence.
Thus there w-as a Methodist Episcopal church known as Roberts chapel,
located two and one-half miles southwest of Eden in the elbow of the road
near the southwest comer of the northeast quarter of section 25. township
17, range 6.
At about the same time the Baptists also erected a small church house
GREEX TOWNSHIP. /Og
along the west side of section 24, township 17, range 6, or alumt one and one-
half miles west of Eden. It was moved into WM-non tmvnship prohahly
about the time of the Civil W'ar.
CENTER GROVE METHODIST El'ISCOPAI. CIirRCII.
A class, from wiiich grew what was later known as the Center Grove
Methodist Episcopal church, was first organized in 1845 and worshipped at
a point about three miles east of Eden. Their meetings were at first held
at what was known as the Barrett school house. In 1R55 the congregation
erected a frame building at a cost of one thousand two hundred dollars, on
the west side of the road that angles a little to the southwest through the
oast half of the northeast quarter of section 28, township 17, range 7, at a
point probably twenty rods south of the north line of section 28. Services
were conducted here until about 1897.
EDEN BAPTI.ST CHURCH.
The Eden Baptist church was organized northeast of Eden at the Crist
school house in April, 1871. Among its charter members were G. W. Hop-
kins and wife, Gavin Morrison and wife, Ira Shafer and wife and S. F.
Baker. Services were held for several years, but no pastor preached reg-
ularly for the congregation after the latter seventies.
EDEN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The first meetings of the Eden Methodist Episcopal church were held
at the private residences and bams of the members, Thomas Dawson, Robert
Walker and Robison Jarrett. The first ministers were Stephen Masters and
James Vess, followed by Reverends Donaldson, Leach and Richmond.
In 1838 the society erected a log house for worship in Eden on the
ground where the present brick church stands. Here services were held until
about i860, when a frame building, costing about one thousand and five
hundred dollars, was erected and was dedicated by the Rev. John S. McCarty.
In the spring of 1904 a meeting of the members was called and a sub-
scription started for the erection of the present new building, the cost of
which was about eight thousand dollars, one-half being subscribed before
work on the same was commenced. It was dedicated by Bishop J. H. Vin-
cent and the Rev. J. W. Zerbe. pastor, Sunday, October 13, 1904. The
building committee was composed of Henry B. Wilson, D. H. Baity, Irven
Barnard, B. L. Barrett. William Barnard and Ehvood Barnard. The church
trustees at that time included the above named, also John E. Barrett, John S.
Spurry, Samuel Alford and A. E. Curry.
710 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Among those who liave served the congregation as pastors during tlie
latter years are Jolin S. McCarty, Tliomas Stabler, ]\I. Black, J. L. Ramsey,
\\'illiam Anderson, D. D. Powell, J- C. White, Lamb, Short, Tagne. Bowers,
Thomas, McDaniel, Covert, Soutlierland, Rogers. Bicknell and Girard ; J. C.
Tettro, 1893-94; J. H. Slack, 1895; F. M. Lacy, 1895-98: G. H. Myers,
1899-1902; J. W. Zerbe, 1903-06; M. M. Reynolds. 1907; Rhodes, 1907; W.
E. Loveless, 1908-10; L. G. Black, 191 1; F. ]\L Dawson, 1911-12; A. J.
Duryee, 19x2-15. The congregation at present consists of one hundred and
foity members. The average attendance is about thirty or forty.
The Eden Methodist Episcopal church has been on many different
charges. At one tim.e it was with Curry's chapel and Mt. Carmel. with the
parsonage located at Eden. Xe.xt it was joined with Philadelphia, then it
was put on the Fortville charge, with tiie parsonage at Fortville. Later,
Fortville was made a point within itself and Fdcn was put on the Ingalls cir-
cuit, witli the jiarsonage at Ingalls. Next it was put on the Maxwell charge,
where it is at present, the parsonage being located at Maxwell.
Previous to 1885 a Sunday school was conducted just tVir a few months
during the summer seasons. Since 1885 it has been conducted every Sunday.
In May, 1884. Elwood Barnard organized the first Sunday school that was
conducted regularly, with L. H. Riggs, superintendent. For the first few
years Mr. Barnard also tO(,)k upon himself much of the responsibility of the
Sunday school in managing and conducting its business and buving its sup-
plies. The first winter it sometimes fell to him to Iniild the fires. For many
years he was choir leader and did a great deal to advance the people in sing-
ing and music. The average attendance at present is about one hundred.
There are twelve classes at present. Adult church members take an active
part. The following is a list of tlie superintendents: Ir\en Barnard. B. L.
Barrett, Elwood Barnard, Ozrow Kemerly, John S. Spurry. D. H. Baity,
Margaret Barrett, H. B. Wilson, Irven Barnard, I. H. Day and .A. E. Curry.
The Sunday school is supported by the farmers and their families and it is
said to be one among the best Sunday schools, though not the largest, in the
Richmond district.
The Ladies' Aid Society of the Eden Methodist Episcopal cluirch was
organized in 1904, for the purpose of raising money to help build the new
church. The organization was composed of the ladies who were members
of the churcli and a few others. The (Organization paid n\er to the liuilding
committee about one thousand and five hundred dollars, wliich the ladies
raised by giving dinners, festivals, and doing sewing, etc.
GREEN TOWNSHIP. 711
LICK CRKHK CHRISTIAN ClU'RCH.
The Lick Creek Christian church was originally located aliont forty rods
east of the northwest corner of tlie northeast (|uarter of the northwest (|uar-
ter of section 12. township 17, range 7. Among the charter memhers were
John K. Rash. Lawson l'\u|ua. Joseph Winn. John H. liuslon, Ik-njaniin
Legg and a yiv. Snodgrass. Among the first officers of the church were
Joseph Winn, Joh.n Huston and Jolm K. Rash. Among the ministers who*
served the congregation were J. W. l-'errill. Rev. IJlaney. Roliert S. Acker-
man and Thomas H. Kuhn.
The church was maintained at tlie location ahove descrihed until ahout
i8c;3, when it was moved to the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of
section 11. township 17, range 6, in Vernon township. 'I"he congregation
worshipped here until ahout i8c/) when it was consolidated wi'h the Chris-
tian church at Tngalls.
.MAPLE (IROVF. FRIENDS CIirRCML
The Maple (irove h'riends church is located a cjuartcr of a mile east of the
middle point of the west line of section 24. township 17. range 6. The
congregation was organized during the latter seventies and worshipped for
a time at the Purdue school house, which stood at the southeast corner of
the northwest quarter of section 24, t<i\\nship 17. range 6. During the early
eighties the present cluirch luilding was erected, .\mong the men who
donated fifty dollars or more toward the constniction of the church were
Lee D. Olvey, James B. Galhreath. George F. Lewark, Daniel X. Jackson.
Jesse P. Cook, General \\'. Jackson, Moiu"oe Gant and Jasper Cauldwell. The
building committee was composed of Lee D. OI\e\-. James P>. (ialbreath and
George F. Lewark. .\ Union Sunday school was organized while services
were still held at the Purdue school house. It was afterwards moved to the
clnurh aufl named Afaple Grove L'nion. On January i, 1915. the name of
tlie Sun<l:i\- school was changed to the Friends Sunday school. There is an
average attendance at churc'.i and Sunday sch< ol at present of ahout
twenty-five.
Among the pastors who have served the church are Mrs. White, John
Kittinger. Fred Bous and Rev. Hinshaw. the latter l)eing pastor at this time.
Among those who have served as sui)erinten(lents of the Sunday school are
Thomas ^fcClarnon, George Lewark, .\lfred Bills, General Jackson and Rose
Cooper, the latter being the present superintendent.
The first church was destroyed liy fire about fifteen years ago. Lee
Obey had ke]it u]i insurance on the church and the money recei\ed from the
712 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
insurance company was used toward the construction of the present building.
Adjoining the church is a beautiful cemetery, formerly known as the
Jackson and Olvey cemetery, and later simply as the Olvey cemeter}-. About
1906 Mr. Olve)^ expended quite a sum of money in improving the grounds,
making cement walks, fencing, etc. Others donated days of labor, among
whom were Joseph A. Fuqua, George Andis, Frank Andis and General
Jackson.
mii-NEr's corner united brethren church.
By Noble H. Troy.
The Milner's Comer United Brethren church was organized in May,
1885, in the school house (which is still standing) by Rev. W'illiam Gossett.
It can be truly said of this venerable man that he was the means of bringing
this portion of the county out of the mire, for by his preaching of the blessed
Word the eyes of men and women were opened to the beauties of life and
llie hope of the great Beyond.
It was through the efforts of Rev. William Gossett that the present
church building was erected in the summer of 1885. He was abl}^ assisted in
the work by Dr. S. A. Troy (deceased), James Keller (deceased), John
Keller (deceased), F. M. Jackson, M. L. Frank and others. This church is
in good spiritual and financial standing, surrounded by prosperous farmers.
The present officials are Dr. J. E. Shannon, superintendent; Rev. Alex-
ander Eddington, pastor; C. H. Troy, secretary; James H. Bussell, treasurer;
James Albea, E. J. Keller, A. E. Albea, Elmer IMcComas and Charles Alvea,
trustees.
The Milner's Corner United Brethren Sunday school was organized by
Charles H. Troy, .April i, 18S6. Mr. Troy was elected superintendent and
served five years, after which he was succeeded by Mrs. Hepsy Shipley, James
R. Walker, W. P. Bussell, E. J. Keller, James M. Bussell. Charles H. Troy
is superintendent at the present time.
The Sunday school is in a fine spiritual condition, has a membership of
eighty and an average attendance of fifty ; and we can truly say this school
is blessed with good musicians, both vocal and instrumental ; it has a fine
piano and orchestra. The members of the orchestra are, Mary Troy, pianist;
Noble H. Troy, violinist ; Robert Troy, baritone : Dale Troy, trombone ; Ralph
Fisk and Charles H. Jackson, cornetists.
The present Sunday school officials are C. H. Troy, superintendent ;
Ruth Troy, secretary; James Bussell, treasurer; F. AI. Jackson, Ellen Mc-
Comas, Ralph Fisk. E. J. Keller and Charles H. Jackson, teachers.
GREEN TOWXSIIIP. 713
JACKSON ClIArEI. (UNITED BRETHREN).
Jackson chapel stands im llie count)' line at the northeast corner of tlie
northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section lo, townsliip 17, range
7. The present house was built during the summer of 1895 and was ded-
icated by the Rev. William Bell, of Dayton, Ohio, on December 4, 1895.
Another church, known as Wliite chapel, stood two and three-quarters miles
west of the point above described, and on the Madison county side of the
road. This house became dilapidated, and during the pastorate of the Rev.
William Gossett the new house was constructed on the new location. The
charter members were, Martha Mingle, Madison Mingle, Thomas Franklin.
Mahala Franklin, W. A. Pritchard, Electa Pritchard, Herman Pritchard,
Effie Pritchard, Carrie Jackson, Ellen Jackson, Levi Jackson, Louise Jackson,
Hannah Milliner, Rosa Blakely and Mattie Pritchard. At ])resent there are
tiiirty-seven members.
Among the pastors who have served the church are, James F. Reynolds,
William Demundren, Charles P. Martin, Morton Hobson, N. P. France,
Alonzo Myer, A. C. Willmore. O. F. Lydy, W. M. Griffin, E. J. Jenkins,
D. E. Johnson, Grover Wright and A. Edrington.
A Sunday school was organized in 1896, which now has four classes,
with an average attendance of thirty-five. The adult members of the church
are generally in attendance at Sunday school. Among the superintendents
of the Sunda\- school are. W. A. Pritchard, Louise Jackson, Preston Chad-
wick, William Rogers. \Villiam Franklin, Ira Franklin, W. S. McCarty, Eva
Albea. The a\erage attenrlance at churcli services is about forty.
CHAPTER XX.
JACKSOX TOWNSHIP.
Jackson township was organized al the May term, 1831, of the board of
commissioners of Hancock county, and was made to incUide all of what is
now Jackson and Brown townships. At the September term of the board,
1832, Green township was organized, which was made to include all of what
is now Green and Brown townships. This left Jackson townshii) with its
present dimensions. At the June term, in 1850. the lioard of commissioners
organized Worth township, which included twenty-four sc|uare miles, or all
of what is now included in Jackson township except a strip two miles wide
crossing its south end. Thus from 1850 until the March term, 1853, of the
board of commissioners, Jackson township consisted of a narrow strip two
miles north and south by six miles east and west. This included, however,
the more tliickly settled portion of the fonner township along the National
road, and gave Jackson townsiiip ])robal)ly as many inhabitants as were
included in Worth township abo\e. Since jMarch 11. 1S33, Jackson town-
ship has had its present boundaries. It is six miles square. The civil town-
ship of Jackson lies in two congressional townships. Sections i. 12, 13, 24,
25 and 36, along the west sifle, lie in congressional tnwu-^hip 16 north, range
7 east. The remaining part of the township, consisting of thirty S(|uare miles,
is located in township 16 north, range 8 east.
Its natural drainage consists of Six Mile and Little Six Mile creeks,
both flowing south through the eastern part of the township. >Jameless
creek, formerly known as Straight creek, flows southwest through the central
part of the township, and Brandywine creek drains six or eight sections in
the northwest corner of the township. The township has also lieen well
drained by a system of artificial drainage, including the large open drains
with their covered arms.
The first land entry was made by \\'illiam Oldham, who on X'ovember
20, 1824, entered the nurthwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section
23, township 16, range 8, which lies aliout two and one-half miles north of
Charlottesville. Other entries followed in rapid succession, and on the entry
book may be found a number of the family names still familiar in the town-
ship and county, .\mong them are included, Margaret R. Bracken, James
Davis. Elisha Earls. Francis Craft, George \Y. Hatfield. William Hawkins,
Robert McCorkhill. John Kirkpatrick, Ezra Miller. Samuel Smith, Benjamin
714
JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 7^5
Cooper, Lemuel 1). I'ort. James Oldham, lulward Lewis, Jacob Brooks,
facob Slifer, John Lewis, Robert F.arl, Andrew l'aule\-, Edward liarrett,
James Dille, \\'illiam Oldham, William Leamon, James Sample, Abraham
Watson. William llazlett, Thomas Hatfield, William Co.\, David Scott,
Elijah Ballenger, Robert White, John Wood, Calvin Roland, James Steele,
David I'riddy, John R. Jacobs, James Lowney, Samuel Longnaker, James
\'anmeter, James P. Foley, James Fort. Jordan Lacy, Thomas Craft, Isaac
X. Tlill. Samuel Dille, William Scott, Robert H. Wilson. John Sample, Moses
Braddock. William Ramsey, Rebecca Snodgrass, Henry Wilson, Meredith
Gosney. John Stephens, Samuel Overman, Moses ]\IcCray, Michael 1 little,
Richard R. Earls, Ebenezer Goble, \Wlliam Kirkpatrick, George Craft, Jacob
S. llewev. Sovereign Earl, John Catt, Joseph Lewis, Joseph Fort, James
Williams, James Hinchnian, Solomon Hull, Joseph Pauley. Basil I\Ieek and
James Templeton.
Nameless creek furnished water power for several mills at a very early
date. Of the mills established in Jackson township were the following: Grist-
mill, erected by John Fort, in 1827, at about the middle of section 26, town-
ship 16, range 8, stood about one mile north of Charlottesville. A saw-mill
was erected by David Longnaker about 1833, on Six Mile creek about the
middle of section 23, township j6, range 8. A saw-mill was erected about
1835 on the west half of the northeast quarter of section 16, township 16,
range 8, on the place known as the Henderson ^IcKown farm. It was oper-
ated by different parties and was finally mo\ed to the northeast corner of
section 7, township 16, range 8, on a farm owned by Joseph Higgins.
Another saw-mill, erected in i860 by Walton & Rule, on the southeast corner
of section 13, township 16, range 7, at what is commonly known as Lea-
mon"s Corner, was operated here until probably in ilie early seventies, when
it was moved to Cle\eland. In 18S1 it was purchased liy a Mr. Mingle and
moved to Eden.
.\ tannery was erected about 1844 l)y James R. Bracken, probably along
the east side of the norlheasl (|uarter of section I, township 16, range 7, or
just a short distance south and west of what is now \\'illo\v branch. A tile
factory was erected in 1869 by Thomas L. Marsh and William Draper, just
below the northwest comer of section 8, township 16, range 8. Draper
finallv liougbt the interest of Marsh and operated the factory until during
the eighties. .\ blacksmith shop was operated during the thirties by Abraham
Huntington, on the northwest quarter of section i, township 16, range 7, or
in the extreme northwest corner of the township.
Jl6 HAXCOCK COrXTV, IXDIAXA.
The first nursen- in the county was estabhshed immediately nortli of
Charlottesville about 1840, by Isaac Barrett.
SCHOOLS.
The first school houses in the township were erected along the National
road. The first school house was probably erected somewliere in the south
half of section 31, townsliip 16, range 8, in the extreme southwest part of the
township. These of course were private schools. The first public school
seems to have been erected at what is now known as Leamon's Corner.
Another very early school was erected immediately north of Charlottesville,
and a school that was very prominent in the early township was Cleveland
Academy, erected one-half mile north and one-fourth mile east of Cleveland.
The teachers of the county held their institute at this school a time or two,
all of which has been discussed elsewhere. The first school at Charlottes-
ville was erected on the bluff of Six Mile creek south of the National road.
After the free school law was enacted, in 1852, the township was divided into
nine districts. Later, two extra schools were built. The first brick school
house in the township was constructed at the northwest comer of section 17,
township 16, range 8, then known as district No. 11. The second brick house
was constructed at the northwest corner of section 19, township 16, range 8,
which has ever since been known as Leamon's corner. Later, brick houses
were of course constructed in all of the districts of the township. Several of
them were entirely destro\ed by the storm of June 25, 1902.
Among the very early teachers of the township were James Loehr,
Edward B. Sample, Burd Lacy, A. T. Hatfield, George W. Sample, \Villiam
Sager. Jesse Leonard, John A. Craft, James Sample, Thompson Allen, C. G.
Sample, H. H. Ayers, Nathan Fish, John Mclntyre, John H. Scott, George
W. Hatfield, Milton Heath, Penelope Heath and Catherine Stephens.
Among the later teachers that will be better remembered by the jounger
generations are William M. Lewis, A. V. B. Sample, who also served several
years as county examiner of Hancock county, J. H. Landis, E. W. Smith,
Ancil Clark, E. A. Lewis, George Burnett, S. C. Staley, Richard Warrum,
George W. W'illiams, Vinton A. Smith, Edward P. Scott and Edwin
Braddock.
During the eighties a county normal or two were held at Charlottesville.
The regular high school work that was the beginning of the present system
of high schools was installed in the fall of 1896, during the principalship of
Charles Mauck. The school has been maintained since that time with the
following principals : Charles Mauck, 1896-98; Ora Staley, 1898-1907; Will-
JACKSON TOWNSHIP. JIJ
iam Stafford, 1907-08; Roscoe Thomas, 1908-13; Sylvester Moore, 1913-14;
Walter Orr, 1914 to present date. Before the close of the term of 1912-13
the liigh school was commissioned by the state department and has been a
commissioned high schnn] since that time.
MISCELL.\NE0US.
Tlic population of Jacksnn township is 1,450, as shown I)y the United
States census report of T910. In the spring of 1915, 425 children between
the ages of six and twenty-one years were enumerated for school purposes.
There were 338 pupils enrolled in the schools, of which 53 were in tlie high
school and 285 in the elementary grades. The average daily attendance in
the elementary grades was 238 ; in the high school, 48. The total cost of
maintaining the elementar)- schools for the year 1914-15 was $5,109.58. The
total cost of maintaining the high school was $2,962. The teachers in the
township were paid for the school year of 1914-15, $7,128.60. The esti-
mated \-alue of all school property l;clonging to the township, as reported by
the township trustee on August i, 191 5, is $35,000. The total assessment of
ta.xables in the township as represented by the assessor in 1914 was $1,615,000.
During the school year of 1914-15, 34 children were transported to school at
a cost of $857.50 to the township.
TOWNSHIP TRU.STEES.
Following are the men who have served Jackson township in the office
of township trustee since the office was created, in 1859: Burd Lacy, 1859;
David Priddy, 1863: Philip Stinger, 1867; George W. Williams, 1869;
James B. Clark, 1871 ; A. V. B. Sample, 1874; Henderson McKown, 1878;
Tames F. McClamon. 1880; A. V. B. Sample, 1882; Elisha Earles, 1884;
Tames L. Foley, 1886; Henderson Mclvown, 1888-90; Allen Hill, 1894;
William C. White, 1900; George Burnett, 1904; William T. Orr, 1908; Mar-
.shall N. Hittle, 1914.
During the administration of David Priddy there was no bank in the
county, and probably not a safe except the one in the county treasurer's
office. Priddy kept the township funds in this safe and when it was robbed,
on the night of January 12, 1866, about $1,100 of this money was stolen.
Priddy reimbursed the township from his own funds, but the amount was a
complete loss to him. He had the sympathy of the community and a little;
effort was made at one time to raise funds to reimburse him. Nothing was
accomplished, as far as can be learned, nor was he as fortunate as some of
the later officials who were reimbursed T)\- special acts of the Legislature.
"iS HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
The local courts have been presided over by a number of men, among
whom are Basil Meek, 1831 ; Samuel Thompson, date unknown; David Tem-
pleton, 1832; Robert McCorkle, 1834-38-42-49-54; Henry Kinder, 1841 ;
Edward Barrett, 1845; James P. Foley, 1846; G. Y. Atkison, 1848; John
A. Craft, 1849-56; John Stephens, 1850; Andrew Pauley, 1855-60; Thomas
M. Bidgood, 1858; John Reeves. 1859; Elhson Addison, 1859; W. M. L.
Cox, i860; William Brooks. 1862; Cyrus Leamon, 1864-72; G. J. T. Dilla,
1864; James ]\IcClarnon, 1865; John H. Scott, 1866; G. W. Landis, 1867-
72-76; Elijah C. Reeves, 1868-72; Lafayette Stephens, 1869; Ira Bcvil. 1870-
74-78; John W. Wales. 1876; John E. Leamon, 1880; William R. Williams,
1880; Arthur Thomas, 1882; S. C. Staley, 1886-90; John W. Reeves. 1898;
Leamon, 1899; John F. Duty, 1902-09-14; John W. Reeves, 1902;
Arza E. Cox, 1902; Daniel Burk, 1906; Dora Crider, 1906-10.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
The following men from Jackson township have served the county in
official capacities : James P. Foley, Noble Warrum and John Addison, rep-
resentatives; Jacob Huntington, John Barrett. C. H. h'ort and Philander
Collyer, county treasurers; Basil Meek. George W. Sample and William M.
Lewis, sheriffs; John R. Reeves, recorder; J. H. Landis. surveyor; Richard
Williams. Jordan Lacy, John Addison. John S. Lewis. Jacob Slifer. Sr.. and
Linza Walker, commissioners.
OLDER FAMILIES AND HEAVY TAXPAYERS.
Among the families that have long been established in the townshi]) are
the Addisons, Braddocks, Barretts, Earls. Forts. Glascocks, Loudenbacks,
McClarnons, Oldhams, Rocks, Simmons, Smiths. Scotts, Slifers. Thomases,
Walkers, Warrums. \\'illiamses and Derrys.
Among the heavy taxpayers of the township who paid taxes in sums
exceeding $100.00 in 1915 are: Joseph N. Addison and wife, $260.87; Sam-
uel M. Addison, $254.03: John \\'. Addi.son. $160.83; -^l^^ -^- Apple.
$127.68: Jacob E. Barker and wife. $110.39; David H. Bundy, $116.85;
Nathan O. Cranfill. $771.05; Frank Craft, $151.33; Aaron E. Carroll.
$149.91; John T. Collins. $176.89; Citizens Bank, $142.50; William H.
F.ib, $210.71; Noah W. Braddock. $1,774.89; Freeman Braddock. $588.59;
George Brooks. $128.06; Elijah A. Barrett (heirs), $212.61; James I\T.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP. /IQ
Brunson and wife, $112.29; James H. Davis, $123.69; Kem Derry, $124.35;
Martha K. Derry (heirs). $288.80; John B. Dimick, $154.85; Milo Good-
pasture, $178.69; Allen T. Hatfield (heirs), $111.15; Marshall N. I little,
$151.85; Xoah [■'. and Etta Al. Lnudcnb.-ick, $126.25; Perry Lewis, $119.32;
Sarah B. McGraw, $173.31; Elizabeth J. O'Banion, $107.16; Andrew Orm-
ston and wife, $122.74; Robert S. X. Oldham, $280.44; Guy M. Oldham,
$127.58; George R. Smith, $134.23; Thomas S. Smith, $379.33; William H.
Simmons, $417.24; John S. Simmons, $624.15; Mary E. Simmons, $270.56;
John E. Scott, $118.18; Charles E. Sipe, $170.14; Samuel K. Shelby,
$131.23; John \V. Simmons, $102.12; Martin R. Thomas, $24.5.48; John W.
Thomas, $144.78; Leonidas R. Thomas, $455.05; William 1 ). Thomas,
$129.77; Albert Williams, $101.16; John W. Williams, $107.63; John W.
Wales, $266.76; William M. Wilson, $147.25; Mary .\. Johnson, $173.47;
Charles A. Jackson, $139.46; James F. McClarnon, $201.59; Robert S. Mc-
Clanion, $328.32; David R. McClarnon, $165.49; Daniel G. McClarnon.
$392.08; Frank McClarnon, $129.86; Elizabeth Pierson, $117.42; Harriet
Patterson, $193.52; John W. Reeves, $129.57; Minerva Smith, $182.59; John
H. Smith, $427.88 ; William L. Smith, $132.81 ; Charity E. Simmons, $149.34 ;
Robert M. Simmons (heirs), $248.71; George Scott, $222.49; William D.
Steele, $111.24; S. C. Staley, $195.32; William S. Thomas, $133.19; Minor
M. Thomas, $155.61 ; Lucian B. Thomas, $156.18; Safronia Thomas, $197.22 ;
C. M. Vandenbark and wife, $490.22; Andrew J. Walker, $146.96; William
P. White, $120.27; Halbert F. Wilson, $108.47.
TOWNS.
Jackson township has two towns — Cleveland and Charlottesville. Both
are located on the National road; Cleveland at just atout the middle of the
southern part of the township, and Charlottesville in the southeast corner of
the township.
Cleveland was originally known as Portland. It was surveyed and
platted by that name on July 8, 1834. The original plat consists of sixty-
four lots. No additions have ever been made to it. It was known as Port-
land until a few years prior to the Civil War. Reference to the early licensed
grocers and tavern keepers will show that they gave their location as Port-
land. Like Philadelphia and several of the other smaller towns that seem
to have crystalized and become incapable of further growth, Cleveland at one
lime did quite a great deal of business. A saw-mill was located there for a
number of vears, and with its store, blacksmith shop, physicians, etc.. it
became finite a business center for the community. It seems that after the
720 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
railroad was constructed, however, business sought other channels and foi
the past thirty or forty years Cleveland has simply had a store and a black-
smith shop, with now and then some other branches of business.
The town now has one frame church and has also become the meeting
place of the Eastern Indiana Holiness Association, which has a camp consist-
ing of a number of buildings at the northeast part of town.
CHARLOTTESVILLE.
Charlottesville is one of the oldest towns in the county. Its original
survey was made by David Templeton, on June i6, 1830. The original plat
consisted of fifty-six lots. Since that time the following additions have been
made to the town: Foley's Addition, laid out by James P. Foley, December
28, 1853; fifty-nine lots. Smith's First Addition, laid out by Timothy F.
Smith, Januar)- 29, 1868; twenty-nine lots. Smith's Second Addition, laid
out by Timothy F. Smith, February i, 1869; five lots. Chandler's Addition,
laid out by George L. Chandler, Februaiy 3, 1869; five lots. W'alker's Addi-
tion, laid out by Samuel Walker, February 2, 1869 ; four lots. W'atson's
.\ddition, laid out by William C. Watson, February 3, 1869; nineteen lots.
Stringer's Addition, laid, out by Philip Stringer, February 2, 1869; four
lots. Edward Earl's Addition, laid out b}' Edward Earl, June 11, 1869;
twenty lots. Edward Earl's Second Addition, laid out by Edward Earl,
February 9, 1870; sixteen lots (or fifteen lots and one acre for school lot).
The very early business men of Charlottesville appear on the list of
licensed grocers, taverns, etc. Among the later men were James P. Foley,
Richard Probasco, William Thornburgh, Hutton & Ovemian, J. A. Craft,
P. H. Bowen, William McGraw, W. S. Lane and H. F. Wilson.
Charlottesville was at one time an incorporated town. The petition ask-
ing for its incorporation was presented to the lx)ard of county commissioners
at their June session, 1867. and was 'signed by John A. Craft, H. yi. Morris,
S. R. Banner. Henry iMederick, d. \\'. Dungan, Thomas Springstead, Jolni
Keller, Philip Stringer, Samuel Grunden, W. W. Thomburg. I. M. Jones,
Lafayette Griffith, William Henley, J. N. Chandler, R. B. Weese, Gideon
Johnson, H. Chambers, James Obanion, Warner M. L. Cox, \\". H. H.
Rock. J. H. .\Ilison, Joseph Schaffer, Jeremiah Goddanl, John Girty, Jacob
Brown, Ira Schaffer, A. H. .Allison and A. T. Lemay.
The petition showed that the town had a population of 254, including
sixty-four voters. The board of commissioners set the 29th of June.
1867, as the time for holding an election to determine whether the town should
be incorporated. Thirty-six votes were cast, all being in favor of the incor-
JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 721
poration of the town. At tlie Septenilier session, 1867, the board of com-
missioners ordered "said town of Cliarlottesville incorporated under the name
and style of Charlottesville." .\n election was held on October 7, 1867, at
whicli the fullowing men were elected as llie first officers of the town: J. 11.
Allison, clerk; Henry Morris, treasurer: S}dvester Raker, assessor; John
Girty, marshal; Thomas Spring'steen, William Thornburgh and J. H. Allison,
trustees, the latter declining to serve.
Charlottesville has one rural free delivery route, which was established
on April i, 1903.
CH.\RL0TTESV1LL1£ i:i)rC.\TI0NAL ASSOCIATION.
This was one of the unique corporations of Hancock count}-. The com-
pany was organized on ^larch 7, 1870. Its articles of incorporation were
recorded on April 15, 1870, in the miscellaneous records in the county record-
er's office of Hancock county. The purpose of the incorporation as stated
in the articles was "to buy, own and hold the necessary real estate in said town
of Charlottesville, in the county of Hancock and state of Indiana, and to erect
and maintain thereon suitalile and sufficient buildings, and from time to time
make such changes, alterations anil re]xiirs thereto as to the association may
seem right and proper, and to establish, maintain and control a school or
schools therein for the education of males and females, upon such terms and
conditions and upon such ])lan or system as such association may from time to
time agree upon and adopt." The capital stock of the association consisted
of $5,000 in shares of $10 each, which could be increased from time to time as
the interest of the association might require. Article 8 provided, "said asso-
ciation shall procure the ground laid off for a school house lot in Earle's
Second Addition to the town of Charlottesville;" .Vrticle 9. "The main build-
ing to be first built shall be substantially built of brick, not less than forty-four
feet square and two stories high."
Following are the names of the stockholders : T. F. Smith, \V. H. H.
Rock, John McGraw, R. C. Niles, Jacob Brown, Jacob Orr, H. P. Lantz,
Thomas Springstead, Edward Earle, C. M. Rock, H. J. Bogart, John F. Girty,
S. H. Brown, Hiram (Iriffitli, Martin Fort, Daniel Bohn, John A. Craft,
H. M. Morris, H. F. Miller, J. H. Alli.son, I. M. Jones, \\'. W. Thornburgh,
John S. Orr, Henry Frederick. Thompson, Henry Kinder, William
Thomas, William Johnson, J. O. Lane, .\. J. Lemay. Philip Stinger, John K.
Hill, \N"illiam Oldham, R. B. Weese, S. F. Williams, Isaac N. Bartlow, Jack-
son Galloway, Burd Lacy, Samuel Grass, John Addison, Joseph Higgins,
Harvev B. Smith, W. S. Bvrkit, D. C. Hasting, Meredith Walker, A. V. B.
(46)
"^22 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Sample, Charles White, Frank Smitli, Joseph Hill, James \\'ilson, Kitturah
Fort, Daniel Grass, William Myers, John Taylor, Enoch Pierson. Thomas J
Owens, Samuel Hill, A. J. Foley, W. B. Cox, George W. Landis, J. Lewis
Coskins, William White", Zenos Bundy, Henry Burk. Robert H. Ross, Joseph
B. Liddall, Z. \V. Coffin, W. N. White, Henry Londenljack. Nathan C. Hill.
George M. White, Harvey Galloway, Asenath H. Nicho, J. C. Stewart, Lafe
Griffith, P. J. Bohn, Henry Carroll, Joseph Stultz, James Forts, Joseph Hos-
kins, Andrew Jackson, Jeremiah Goddard, J. H. Aliller, James O. . Powers,
M. M. Thomas, Temple Stewart, ^^'illiam B. Tweedy, Anthony Smitli, J. M.
Clark, John M. Tygart, J. H. Kiser, A. M. Hoskins. William' W^ilkins.Rafe
Orston, S. M. Wales, George I. Girty, Jehu Stewart and Robert Brown.
Pursuant to the purpose for wliich the company had been organized, it
proceeded to erect the first brick school house which stood on the site of
the present school, north of the National road and east of Charlottesville.
After the completion of this building the Charlottesville Educational Associa-
tion leased it to the town of Charlottesville for .school purposes. The terms
of the contract may l;e best seen from the contract itself, which was dated
May 31, 1872, and of which the following are the essential parts:
"The trustees, directors, etc., have this day rented, leased and let unto
the town of Charlottesville, for the term of twent\-five }ears from tliis date,
for public school purposes, so much of the building and real estate herein-
after named as may be necessaiy for the public free schools of said town ;
and when said building shall have been finished as is hereinafter provided for,
said town shall have possession for school purposes as aforesaid, of a suf-
ficient portion of said building and ground whenever said town shall require
the same for a public free school, and at llie expiration of sucii term or sessions
of such free public school aforesaid all of said property shall be delivered unto
the possession of said trustees or directors, their successors, etc., of the said
Charlottesville Educational Association, and shall remain in their possession
and subject to their use and control, and be subject to be let or occupied by
such trustees, directors, etc., until the same shall again be required for public
free schools of said town as aforesaid. All of said property shall be delivered
unto the possession of said trustees, directors, etc., at the end of said twenty-
five years and all right or interest of said town under this lease shall forever
cease and expire. And when during this lease said town shall not need any
part of said property for the actual occupation of public free schools of said
town, all of said property shall be subject to the absolute use and control of
said trustees and directors of said ass(xiation. And at any time during the
continuance of this lease if the whole of said property shall not be necessary
JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 723
for the use of sucli public free school, such remaining portion shall be subject
to the use, occupation and control of said trustees and directors. And the
trustees and directors of said association agree to complete said building ready
for occupancy, or so much thereof as may be necessary for the use of such
public free school, as soon as sufficient money is paid by the trustees of said
town, but are not bound to complete any more than may be so necessary, and
they agree to complete and provide with furniture for such school such parts
as may be so necessary for such school, and have such part ready for occu-
pancy as soon as the same shall be required by said town for such public free
school provided sufficient money shall have been paid to do the same, and the
trustees and directors of said association agree to keep said portion of said
building in repair but are not bound to repair in cases of any unnecessary waste
or damage, nor destruction by fire or the act of God, committed during the
occupancy by said town.
"And in consideration of the above of the agreement made by said
lessors said school trustees of said town, for said town, agree to put a good
plain plank fence around said school lot and said school trustees agree to pay
said lessors the sum of $2,000 in further consideration of this lease, and the
said school tmstees and town shall devote all available means now on hands
in the payment of said $2,000, and said town shall levy and collect money
as fast as possible for said town to do to pay the sum of $1,500, and the re-
mainder of said $2,000, to-wit : $500 shall be paid in full within twenty-four
years from this date, but if after said $1,500 shall have been paid, the said
trustees and directors of said association shall need said money remaining for
repairs the said town, on demand of the trustees and directors of said associa-
tion, etc., shall pay the sum of $50 annually, until the same shall be paid,
commencing with the day of such demand, but in any event said whole sum
shall be paid within twenty-four years as aforesaid. Formally closed, dated
May 31, 1872, and signed, sealed and acknowledged by T. F. Smith, H. M.
Morris, Anthony Smith, Enoch Pierson, William Oldham, John Addison,
John A. Craft, as trustees on the part of said association, and by John McCraw
and Isaac N. Bartlow, school trustees for the town of Charlottesville."
This rather unusual procedure did not prove to be wholly satisfactory to
everybody concerned. The mention thereof made in the local papers shows
that it later became more or less of a local political issue in the township. It
seems too, that the town of Charlottesville did not comply with the terms of
the contract, or at least "did not devote all available means now on hands in
the payment of said $2,000." Possibly the town did not "levy and collect
money as fast as possible for said town to do to pay the sum of $1,500." At
724 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
any rate the Charlottesville Educational Association brought a suit in the
Hancock circuit court and recovered a judgment against the town of Char-
lottesville for the sum of $600, in June, 1873. (Cause No. 533 in the Han-
cock circuit court.)
The above judgment remained unpaid, otiier debts acciflnulated, por-
tions of the town were disanne.xed. and on August 24, 1880, Charles ^I. But-
ler, prosecuting attorney for the eighteenth judicial circuit of Indiana, of
which the Hancock circuit court formed a part, filed a bill of information in
said court in wliich he alleged, charged and averred "that the said corporation,
the town of Charlottesville, have forfeited their charter in the tnanner and
way following, that is to say: That said corporation, the tnwn of Charlottes-
ville, since its organization has failed and refused to keep the streets in repair
and has failed and refused to take steps to promote the interests of the citi-
zens. That said corporation has allowed judgments to remain impaid against
it for more than a year. That there is now and has been fur more than three
years last past a judgment of the Hancock circuit court, of Hancock county,
Indiana, in favor of the Charlottesville Educational Association and against
said corporation of the town of Charlottesville, amounting in tlie sum of about
$700 remaining unpaid, and the said prosecuting attorney would further in-
form the court that said corporation is insolvent and unable to pay all of its
bona fide indebtedness, and that said corporation has exceeded her authority
in this: That she has narrowed the cori)orate limits of said town, thereby
relieving numerous persons from contributing their proportionate share of
taxes into the corporate fund, thereby increasing the taxes on the property of
the residue of the citizens of said town, and releasing and relieving Daniel
Grass and Edward Barrett from an\- corporation ta.xes, all of which is con-
trary to the form of the statute in such cases. Wherefore, the said Charles M.
Butler demands that the ciiartcr of said corporation be forfeited and that a
receiver be appointed to discharge her indebtedness, etc."
And the court after having this information under consideration, and
"after having heard evidence adduced and being sufficiently advised in the
premises, finds that all matters and facts set forth are true. It is further or-
dered, adjudged and decreed !)}■ the court that :ill tlie rights and franchises
of said defendant, the town of Charlottesville, be forever forfeited and lost to
her and her agents of e\ery kind or character, and the court now here appoints
P. Jacob Bohn a receiver, who shall give lx)nd to the satisfaction of the clerk
of this court, who shall reduce the assets of said defendant to possession and
pay the debts of said corporation under the same rules prescribed for the
government of administrators." (State vs. town of Charlottesville. Cause
Xo. 3333 in the Hancock circuit court.)
JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 725
Mr. Rohn refused to qualify as receiver and James >[. Barrett finally
qualified. Under the order of the court he made a tax levy or twd and raised
funds to pay the town's indebtedness. The charter was forfeited on (October
19, 1880, and Charlottesville never reincorporated as a town.
During the summer of 1886 the brick school that bad been cunstructed
by the Charlottesville Educational .Association was blown down and it became
necessary to construct another building. The Educational Association was
insolvent. James L. Foley, trustee of Jackson township, therefore filed his
petition for the appropriation of real estate for school purposes tluring the
summer of 1886. He alleged in his petition that it was "necessary for the
purpose of erecting a jjublic school house thereon to purchase the real estate
owned b\- the Charlottesville Educational Association, being the school lot
in Earle's Second .'\ddition to the town of Charlottesville ; that the directors of
the Educational .Association own tlie lot in fee simple; that they have failed
to use it for educational purposes and that said association is wholly insolvent."
He therefore asked the court for the appointment of appraisers to appraise and
assess the value of said real estate and to make such further orders in the
premises by the appointment of a commissioner or otherwise to divest the
title of said real estate from said Charlottesville Educational Association and
to vest the same in Jackson school township: to forever quiet the title to said
real estate in said Jackson school town as against said association.
James F. McClarnon, Lucian B. Thomas and John H. Lane were ap-
pointed appraisers on June 8, 1886. L"pon the filing of their report the town-
ship paid to the clerk of the circuit court the sum of $250 and the court ordered
the title quieted and vested in Jackson township as prayed. (Foley vs. Char-
lottesville Educational Association. Cau.se No. 5269 in the Hancock circuit
court. )
The .second brick building and the one that stood until just a few years
ago was then erected by James I.. Foley, in the fall of 1886. 'idiis school house
was condemned by the state board of health in the spring of 191 1. William
T. Orr, township trustee, then employed George W. Gordon to draw the plans
and specifications for the present building. . It was erected during the sum-
mer and fall of 191 1 at a cost of approximately $30,000. At present it stands
as the newest and probably the most modern township high school building
in the count}-.
FREE .VXD .\CCEPTED MASONS.
Sardis Lodge No. 253, Free and Accepted Masons, at Charlottesville,
was organized on January 2^. i860, with the following charter members:
726 HANCOCK COUNTY. INDIANA.
John A. Craft, Richard Probasco, Joseph Loudenback, J. M. Chandler, Dr.
A. B. Biindy, Elhson A\'illiams. Thomas X. Bidgood, George W. Sample,
John Shipman, John Thompson, Jr., William \\'. Thornburgh, Albert White,
Joseph J. Butler, Joseph R. Hunt, Samuel B. Hill, Edward Butler, Temple
Stewart, Andrew Pauley, Ambrose Miller, Thomas Conklin, S. A. Hall, C. E.
Allison, William Cook, Josliua ]\Ioore and John Kiser. The first meeting
place of the lodge was on the second floor of the building on the north side
of Main street above the store then owned by John A. Craft. John A. Craft
was the first worshipful master, Samuel B. Hall the first senior warden, and
C. E. Allison the first junior warden.
A charter was granted to the lodge by the grand lodge on May 29, i860.
The organization was maintained until 1878 when the building and all of
the effects of the lodge, except the records, were destroyed by fire. There
was no other room that could be used for lodge purposes and the members,
feeling that they were unable to build, surrendered their charter on Novem-
ber 20, 1878. Among those who acted as worshipful master in the lodge were
John A. Craft, A. V. B. Sample, Jesse Leaky and I. B. Smith.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
Charlottesville Lodge No. 277, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was
granted a charter on May 22, 1867. The lodge was organized with eight
charter members ; A. H. Miller, Thompson B. Burch, R. B. \A'hite, P. John-
son, John Johnson, \\"illiani S. Hill, Drury Holt and George S. Chandler. It
has a present membership of one hundred and seventeen. The lodge meets
every Saturday night in its own building, which consists of a two-story frame
house forty by sixty feet, with two business rooms on the first floor and the
lodge room on the second floor. The property of the lodge is worth about
$4,000. It has a degree staff under the management of Charles W. Ramsay,
which has achieved a high degree of excellence in the presentation of lodge
work. It has given the work in many halls, including those at Carthage, Ar-
lington, Knightstown, Dunreith, Lewisville. Cambridge City, Greenfield,
Eden, Fortville, McCordsville, Wilkinson and Shirley.
DAUGHTERS OF REBEKAH.
Blonda Lodge No. 318, Daughters of Rebekah. was instituted on Jan-
uary 28, 1890, with eleven charter members. At present the lodge has one
hundred and ten members.
jACKSox Towxsiiir. 727
CHARLOTTE.S\ILLK BRASS BAXD.
The first brass band was organized At Charlottesville about 1869 or 1870,
by W. L. Niles. The members of the band were W. L. Niles. leader; Isaac
J. Hatfield, C. M. Niles and Homer Hackleman, cornetists; James Danner
and Charles Owens, altos; \\'illiam Scott, tenor; Alvin Johnson, baritone; Jere
Hilligoss, tuba; Foster Miller, bass drum; Charles Leamon, snare drum.
Mr. Niles was the only teacher of the band. He had had two years of
instruction under Prof. L. \\'. Eastman, who was the teacher of the first
Greenfield bands. About 1871 or 1872 the people of Charlottesville assisted
the boys in raising money to purchase a new set of band instruments, and
also a band wagon and uniforms. The organization was then maintained,
with a few changes, during the seventies. In December, 1883. a reorganiza-
tion was effected, and the greater number of the members named above, with
a few others, incorporated under the laws of the state. The new band, as
shown by the miscellaneous record in the county recorder's office, was com-
posed of William L. Niles, E-flat cornet (leader) ; Isaac J. Hatfield, E-flat
cornet; Willie White and Omer Hackleman, B-flat cornets; C. M. Niles and
Charles Owens, altos ; Frank Craft and Edward Carroll, tenors ; John A. John-
son, baritone; Wilbur Carroll, tuba; Foster Miller, bass drum; Charles E.
Leamon, snare drum. This band continued to play until in the nineties. Isaac
J. Hatfield was its leader during the last few years of its existence.
CITIZENS BANK OF CHARLOTTESVILLE.
The Citizens Bank of Charlottesville opened its doors for business on
November i, 1913, with the following officers and directors; James F. Mc-
Clamon, president ; Luther F. Symons, vice-president ; Clarence Haskett. cash-
ier; H. T. White, C. F. Binford, J. M. Addison and H. M. Fort, directors.
The capital stock of the bank is $10,000. Following are the stockholders:
J. N. Addison, Charles F. Binford, Irvin H. Binford, Ernest H. Bond, H. M.
Fort, Levi Gurley, Ezra Hill, Amos Hill, Allen Hill, Hawley Hall, Robert
Hall, Clarence Haskett, Mary Hanna, Roy Lowe, James F. McClarnon, S. H.
Murphy, W. L. Niles, W. C. Overman, Mina Overman, Andrew Ormston,
Donald J. Peacock, W. E. Ross, H. T. White, F. E. White, Frank Weeks and
Zona M. White.
The present officers are James F. McClarnon, president; Robert Hall,
vice-president; Clarence Haskett, cashier; H. T. White, C. F. Binford, J. N.
Addison and H. M. Fort, directors.
728 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
CHARLOTTESVILLE BURIAL CLUB.
Tlie Charlottesville Burial Club was organized on January 27. 1912, by
\y. R. Walker, with Willard Lowe, president ; \\". R. \\'alker, secretary and
treasurer, and Joseph N. Addison, George Haman and Guy Oldham, com-
mittee. The club was organized with two hundred and twenty-five members.
It now has a membership of three hundred and forty. It is maintained by
making assessments in advance, the money being placed in bank for payment
on the death of a member of the club.
The membership is divided into three classes: Those from two years of
age to twelve years of age pay twenty-five cents and recei\e $50 at death;
those aged from twelve years to forty-five years pay fifty cents and receive
$100 at death; members from forty-five to sixty years of age pay seventy-five
cents and receive $100 at death. Money is paid directly to the members of
the fainily of the deceased, and an}- undertaker may be employed. Xo a])pli-
cants are received for membership unless thev are in good health.
Eleven deaths have occurred in the club since its organization, including
ten adults and one child. No officer receives a salary ; expenses only are paid.
The club has made a gain at each assessment and at present has a deposit in
bank from which to draw. \\'. R. \A'alker lias been secretary and treasurer
of the club since its organization.
CH.\RLOTTES\"ILLli TIR'R.^DAV CIRCLE.
In December, lyii, some women of Charlottesville, feeling a desire for a
closer social tie and also intellectual development, met togetlier and organized
what is known as the Charlottesville Thursday Circle. Its object is to aid
in general culture through the programs, to strengthen bonds of friendship,
and afford some profitable social life to busy women. Each year the work has
been of a solid nature and has ])een a source of much wholesome jileasurc and
broader culture. The work for 1916 is to be on "Our Country," devoting
some time to Indiana because of the centennial.
The first president was Mary E. Roland. She was followed Ijy Editli
J. Hunt and Cora L. Craft. The president for 1916 is Doris Binford. 'I'he
circle conducted a lecture course in 1912-13 and has done some pliilantin-opic
work. It belongs to the Federation of Clubs of the sixth district and also to
the Federation of Country Clubs of Hancock county. In January, 1915,
it joined with the latter club in celelirating the birthday of Lee O. Harris, at
Greenfield. Although organized only a .short time the club can already see
the real advantage of such an organization in the better development of its
members.
jackson township. 7-9
leamon's corner.
Leamon's Corner is located on the range line where sections 13. t8, 19
and 24 meet. It has always been a well-known corner in the townshij). For
many years a postoffice, a little store, a blacksmith shop and a saw-mil! were
maintained there. The postoffice was kept In- Cyrus Leamon from a very
early day, but was discontinued in the summer of 1881. The blacksmith shop
was operated for a number of years by Bud Phillips, son of Thomas Phillips,
who had had a blacksmith shop for a numl)er of years in Blue River township.
The little store wa-; kept u!Uil abdul the time the postoffice was taken away.
STRINGTOWN.
Stringtown is located in the extreme southwest corner of Jackson town-
ship, in section 36. In the early history of the township Rufus Scott main-
tained a store there for a number of years. One Banner operated a black-
smith shop and William Ba.Kter had a little chair shop. Just across the road
to the west, in Center township, at a later date stood Newhall's saw-mill. The
railroad maintained a switch there and the accommodation trains stopped to
let passengers on and off. At a still later time a machine shop and foundry
was built just south of the National road and adjoining the east line of section
35, township 16, range 7, by the Trees. This machine shop is still operated
by L. J. Trees and is thoroughly equipped for doing iron work, repairing of
engines, machinery, etc. It is one of the well-known corners in the covmty.
RAILROADS.
Jackson township has two railroads and two interurban lines. The
Pittsburgh. Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis follows the town.ship line between
Jackson township and Blue River township. A branch of the Big Four
and the Indianapolis & Newcastle interurban cross the southwest corner of
the township for a distance of a little more than a mile. The Terrc Haute,
Indianapolis & Eastern traction line follows the National road through the
township from east to west.
MISSIONARY UNION BAPTIST CHURCH.
There were several churches in the early history of the township that
are no longer in existence. Among them was the Missionary Union Baptist
church. This church was organized on July 19. 1852, at what was known as
Pleasant Hill, which stood probably a half-mile east of the range line and one-
h.-'lf mile south of Willow Branch. Tlie first house of worship for the Baptist
730 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
congregation, however, was erected at the southwest corner of section i6,
township i6, range 8, or just across the road from where Center school house
is now located. This house was erected in 1856 and was used by the con-
gregation until 1878. At that time it was torn down and moved to a point
one-half mile west of Leamon's Corner. The new church stood at the north-
west corner of the northeast quarter of section 24, township 16, range 7.
Among the original members of the church were WilHam Brammer and
wife, Samuel E, Wilson and wife, John O. Moore and wife, and James Bram-
mer. Among the later members were Benjamin Clift, A. C. Dudding and
S. W. Felt, all of whom took an active interest in the work of the church.-
Services were conducted by the congregation until at some time in the early
nineties, when on account of deaths and removals, the church organization was
dissolved and the building sold.
The Baptists also held regular services at the residence of Silas Hunting-
ton, in the extreme northwest part of Jackson township for a number of years
during the very early history of the township. The New Light Society also
had a little log church in the northeast corner of the township, where they
worshipped for several years in that very early day.
SIX MILE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This church stood about one and one-half miles north of Charlottesville.
Its location is still indicated by the cemetery at the northwest corner of the
northeast quarter of section 26, township 16, range 8. A history of the
church is included as a part of the history of the Charlottesville Methodist
Episcopal church.
CENTER CHURCH SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.
The church building used by this congregation is still standing at the
southeast corner of the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section
24, township 16, range 7. It was erected in 1879 at a cost of probably $300.
The first trustees of the church were Joseph O. Binford, Aaron White and
John S. Lewis. Among its pastors were Joseph O. Binford, Micajah M. Bin-
ford and Winbern Kearns. Serv^ices were discontinued during the nineties.
The church was originally organized in 1878 and services were conducted at
the Leamon's Comer school house until the above church was constructed,
in 1879.
PLEASANT HILL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Pleasant Hill church was organized at the residence of Moses Brad-
dock, in 1834. At first it belonged to the Knightstown circuit. Among the
JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 731
early ministers who aiilcd in tlie organization of the chnrch were Benjamin
Cooper, Alfred Thomas, F. C. Holliday, John F. Truslow, \\\ ^^'. Hihben and
James Hill. D'uring the ministry of the two latter, in 1837, a class was organ-
ized composed of Polly Biirris, Margaret Braddock, Nancy Braddock, Bar-
bara Braddock, Benjamin Cooper and wife, Alfred Thomas and wife, John
M. Thornas and wife, and David Thomas and wife.
In 1838 the membership contributed their labor and built a little log
church which was used for worship as well as for a school. The seats were
made of split poles and in one end was a huge fire-place about si.x feet in
width. Along the north side of the room was a narrow oiled pa]3er window.
Among the early teachers who taught in this church were Isaac Barrett and
Frances (Brown) McCray, the latter of whom taught twelve successive terms.
In 1839 L. P. Berry preached the first sermon in this house. George Havens,
Greeley McLaughlin, D. F. Straight and D. W. Boles were among the early
ministers who preached at the log church. In 1841 the church was made a
part of the Greenfield circuit. In 1852, under the pastorate of Francis M.
Richmond, a new church house was erected, at a cost of about $1,000. Both
this building and the former church stood about eighty rods east of the range
line and one-half mile south of Willow, in the northwest quarter of section
6, township 16, range 8.
The first trustees of the church w-ere John Jones, George Fisk, Elisha
Earles, John M. Thomas and David Thomas. A Sunday school was opened
in the church in 1839, by David Thomas, and was maintained as long as the
church remained in Jackson tow-nship. After the Big Four railroad was
constructed, which now passes through Willow Branch, the congregation
erected a new house, which is the church now standing at the w'est side of
Willow.
CHARLOTTESVILLE METIIODLST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Some of the first settlers in the vicinity of Charlottesville were Metho-
dists. In the early pioneer times they held senn'ces in a school house one
mile north of town on the west bank of Six Mile. Later a small frame church
was built at the Six Mile cemetery, iwn miles north of Charlottesville. This
church cost $70 in money ; liberal donations were made in work and material
and the church was dedicated by John B. Burt in 1838. The first trustees
were Benjamin Fort, Raleigh Ramsey, Andrew Jackson, Anthony Fort and
William Oldham. Traveling preachers found their way to the church for
many years, when it finally became neces.sary to have services in town. At
this time the town school house stood on the east bank of Six Mile and was
used until a church was built.
732 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
James P. Foley donated a lot in his addition to Charlottesville, which
helped greatl\- in Ijuildins; tlie large frame cliurcli \\hicli was dedicated in
1855, by Rev. Cyrus Mutt, a graduate of Asljury University. The pastor
then in charge was the Re\erend Mendenhall. Tlnis church was remodeled
and new seats purchased therefor in 1890, through the efforts of Rev. T. D.
Tharp, assisted by the Ladies' Aid Society, of wliicli Mrs. George Girty was
jiresident.
The storm that swe])t through the county on Jnne 2^. 1902, did great
damage to the church. Soon thereafter tlie i)astor. Rev. James A. Ruley.
called the trustees together to plan a new church. The peojjle had had their
crops destroyed by the storm and were very much discouraged, but the pastor,
with an efficient board of trustees, was successful. The work was begun in
1903. Thomas Moxley, of Greenfield, was employed as architect, and A\'in-
field S. Lane, of Charlottesville, took the contract- for the construction of the
church. The trustees at that time were Robert S. X. Oldham, \\'illiam Mc-
Graw, \\'infield S. Lane, James C. Pratt and James Cranfill.
Tlie new cliurch is a frame structure, and part of the timber of tlie old
churcli, in good preservation, was used in tlic new l)uilding. During the pastor-
ate of Rev. William Anderson the parsonage burned down and was rebuilt.
In 1893, under the leadership of the pastor, Rev. J. \\". iSowcn, the parsonage
was papered, painted, and a new veranda built, at a cost of $125. Again in
1902-03 the parsonage underwent needed repairs: was painted, a new dining
room built and the veranda extended, costing about $100. This work was
done by tlie efforts of the pastor. Rev. J. A. Ruley.
The comer stone of the new ^letliodist Episco]xd church was laid with
short appropriate ceremonies, September 21, 1903, the ])astqr, J. A. Ruley,
officiating, assisted by Rev. Omer Hufford, pastor of the Christian church,
and Rev. Benjamin Hutchins, pastor of the Friends church. In the corner
stone was placed a tin bo.K containing the names of the church membership, a
history of the church, a picture of the pastor, a Bible, a hymn book, Suiulay
School Journal and tlic ll'cslrni Christian Advocate.
The new church was dedicated on January 31, 1904, by Dr. William D.
Parr, assistant secretary of the Church E.Kpansion Society, assisted by Rev.
G. E. Hill, presiding elder, and by Dr. Perry E. Powell, of Greenfield, and
J. F. Radcliffe, of Knighlstown. A sum of $2,100 was raised to liquidate
the indebtedness by one o'clock. In tlie afternoc^n Doctor Hill conducted me-
morial services in tlie church, assisted by the following ministers: Albeit
Cone, of Greenfield : J. F. Radcliffe, of Knightstown : J. T. Scull, of Carthage,
and J. .\. Ruley. the pastor. Additional money was raised in the evening for
CHARLOTTESVILLE M. E. CHURCH
NAMELESS CREEK CHRISTL^X CHl'RCH
JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 733
the benefit of the churcli. Among^ the larg^e ])le(lges was that of ,$ioo by class
No. 7, composed of fifteen youn<^ men, taught by Mrs. W. S. Lane. The
Ladies' Aid Society subscribed $500 in addition to the previous contribution
of $500.
The new church has five rooms, a vestibule, auditorium, lecture room and
pastor's study. Between tlie lecture room and auditorium is a nilling parti-
tion. The floors are bowled, elevated and carpeted throughout. Memorial
windows were donated by friends of deceased loved ones. The names in the
windows are Mrs. Anna Probasco, Mrs. Eunice Allison and daughter, Mrs.
Achsah Lemay Wilkinson, Martin Fort and wife, William and Sarah Oldham,
Alexander T. Foley and wife, Elias and Maria Roberts, Josepli and Leah
Evans, Homer Kemp Ruley, Mrs. Louise Xaftzger, Aliss Rua B. Lrme ; also
the Epworth and Junior Leagues.
I'lOXEER CHl'RCir WORKERS.
A history of Methodism at Charlottesville would not be complete with-
out mentioning the names of some of the old pioneer members, who h?.\ e long
since passed awa}', and some of their children and grandchildren are mem-
bers of the church today. Mrs. Anna Probasco, wife of Peter Probasco, is
said to be the mother of Methodism in this vicinity. Mrs. Probasco was the
first Sunday school worker here and was superintendent, secretary, treasurer,
teacher and chorister, and often swept paths in the snow so the children could
get to Sunday school in the school house, before any church was built. She
was ver}' active in all church work and would ride on horseback, and sonietim.es
go on foot, to collect money to carry on tlie work. At one time wlicn the wau-r
was high and she could not get across the creek she secured the services of
two men and had a large tree felled for a foot log. It is said, by the way, that
if that tree were standing today it would be worth fifty dollars, but trees
were plentiful in those days.
The home of Peter Probasco was one of the stopping places for traveling
preachers, who went on horseback, and who many times arrived with wet
clothes, having forded the swollen streams. They found a welcome with Mr.
and Mrs. Probasco, who loaned them clothes while their wet clothing was
dried. Mrs. Anna Probasco lived to be nearly one hundred years old. One
of her children, Mrs. George Kinder, of this place, is still living. Many
other homes also welcomed the preachers, and at quarterly meeting at the
Six Mile church the people came for many miles and were entertained. The
meetings were spiritual and were greatly appreciated, and the church was
crowded to its utmost.
734 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
William and Sarah Oldham and family, and James P. Foley and family
loo.k a great part in this work, and also the families of James and Nancy Lc-
may, Benjamin Fort, Andrew Jackson, Rolla Ramsey, James Lakin, Henry
Woods, Anthony and Katurah Fort, Reuben Loudenback, Isaac Hill, Jesse
Atkins, Joseph Tygart, Richard and John Probasco, j\Irs. Sarah Earl, Mrs.
Phebe Bartlow, Mrs. Parklnirst, Mrs. .\l)ig-ail Goddard, Mrs. Sarah Armston,
Mrs. Lafayette Steffy, Mrs. Isaac Leamon, William Johnson, Charles White,
and Jackson White, a local preacher; Dr. Daniel Grass and family, Martin
Fort, Talbert Fort, Henry Morris, Edward Barrett, David and Mary McClar-
non, Reuben Niles, Robert Jewell, Henry Carroll, Joseph and Leah Evans and
their families, and Mrs. Eunice Allison, who lived to be more than ninety
years old.
Rev. John T. Hatfield, now widely known as the "Hoosier Evangelist,"
was for many years a class leader and was a great help to the church as a
special leader in the doctrine of holiness. Alexander T. Foley was also a
class leader and co-worker with John Hatfield. At that time Thomas Mc-
Clarnon, who was then eighty-one years old, was the class leader and was
very active and enthusiastic.
The first Epworth League was organized in 1890, by the pastor. Rev.
T. D. Tharp, and wife.
The ministers who have served on this circuit cannot all be given in
order. Among the first were John B. Burty, Kelley, McDonald, Metts,
Stout, Kinnan, Beamer, Armstrong, James Havens, Milton ]\Iahin. Thomas
Stabler, Ambrose Stevens, D. F. Straight; J. C. Clayton, i860; F. A. Sale,
1862; J. W. Lowery, 1863-65; W. E. McCarty, 1866; S. Saulsbury, 1867;
J. S. McCart}-, 1868; James Pierman, 1869; E. L. Freeman, 1870; A\'illiam
Anderson, 1872-75; W. E. Curtiss, 1875-77; M. Waymann, 1877-79; James
Leonard. 1879-81; I. N. Rhodes, 1881-83; Charles Harvey, 1883-86; R. S.
Reed, 1886-88; A. M. Patterson, 1888-90; T. D. Tharp, 1890-91; J. H.
Slack, 1891-93; J. W. Bowen, 1893-95; E. F. Albertson, 1895-96; Albert
Cone, 1896-98; Earl F. Naftzger, 1898-1902. James A. Ruley, who came
here in 1902, had been abundant in his labor, as was also his wife, who was
superintendent of both the Sunday school and Junior League, and was an
ardent worker in the missionary cause.
Pastors who have been in charge of the Methodist Episcopal church since
the dedication in 1904, are M. R. Pierce, J. \\'. Richey, William E. White-
lock, W. H. Gray, Rolla I. Black, J. W. Miller, M. A. Harlan, and E. H.
Taylor, present pastor. Several young men and women have gone out from
this church to work in other vineyards of the Master. Among tlie number
JACKSON' TOWNSHIP. 735
tlie Rev. IMaurice Barrett, wlio graduated from Depauw University in 1912,
and from the School of Theology, Boston University, in 191 5, and who was
recently appointed as a missionary to India by the Bradley Methodist Epis-
copal church, of Greenfield, should be mentioned. In November, 191 5, he
conducted a revival, the result of which was one hundred and twenty converts,
the largest numlier in the liistorv of the cliurch. This revival stands alone
as the most successful within the memorv of anv of its now !i\ing menilK~r.-;.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
An Evangelical Lutheran congregation was organized at Charlottes-
ville by Reverend Wells, about 1847, oi' ''■ ''ttle earlier. Tn lh;it year a
frame church was erected on a lot donated by Daniel Bohn at the north edge
of town. Among those whose families worshipped here were Daniel Bohn,
Daniel Fries, Thomas Dungan, John Blessinger, Michael Shaffer, John Lenox,
W. H. Ferris, Zachariah Fries, Michael Fries, Jesse Dawson and John Kinder.
Philip J. Bohn and some of the Danners and Schultzes were also probably mem-
bers of this church. The first pastor to preach in the new church was Rev. S. P.
Snider. Others whose names can be recalled were Reverends Friday, Jack-
son Cromer, John Cromer, and Thompson.
The Lutherans were prosperous for several years, at one time having a
membership of about one hundred and fifty. The members scattered, how-
ever, and services ceased to be held during the early sixties. In the latter
eighties the house was bought and remodeled by the Christian congregation
that had just been organized.
CHARLOTTESVILLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The Christian church at Charlottesville was organized in 1888, witli th'r-
tecn charter members : T. J. Owens and wife, George Herkless and wife, Mrs.
Anna Fort, Mrs. Ettie Niles, Mrs. Dorzena Smith, Mrs. Rebecca Rock, An-
thony Smith and wife, Macklin Jeffries, Henry \^■aldon and John Bell, Sr.
Only four of the charter members are now living : I\Irs. Herkless, Mrs. Ettie
Niles, Mrs. Dorzena Smith and Mrs. T. J. Owens, now Mrs. James McClarnon.
The little congregation had no place of worship but later it secured an
old abandoned Lutheran church building, remodeled it and furnished it so
that it was satisfactory for a place of worship until the organization became
sufficiently strong to erect a new house of worship. The first church build-
ing was erected in the north part of town and continued to be occupied until
it was destroyed by the storm on June 25, 1902. A few months later a new
building was commenced and b}- the donation of work and money was rapidly
736 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
pushed to completion. This building is now standing. It is a substantial
frame church with a seating capacity of four hundred. It was dedicated in
1903 by the Rev. Omer Hufford.
The pastors who have served the congregation are Reverends McHar-
gue, Kuhn, Shults, Collins, Gard. Campbell. W'illoughby. Burkhart, Hufford,
Thompson, and Hosier, the latter being pastor of the church at this time. The
church has had a prosperous Sunday school from its earliest organization.
Among those who have served as superintendents of the Sunday school are
Mrs. Anna Fort. Mrs. John Fry. Mrs. Xiles. Hugh Conway, Messrs. Jeffries,
Shelby and Davis, iliss Xellie Davis, and Mrs. Xellie ^^'hite. who is the pres-
ent superintendent. The church has an auxiliary organization known as tlie
^^'illing \\''orkers, consisting of thirteen members.
CHARLOTTESVILLE FRIENDS CHURCH.
This church was established during the latter sixties. The house of wor-
ship is located south of the railroad in Rush county, but a number of the resi-
dents of Charlottesville worship there. A Sunday school is conducted in
connection with the church.
CLEVELAND METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
A little congregation of Methodists was organized in the northwest part
of Jackson township about 1840. It seems that at first they worshipped at
private residences, but in 1850 erected a church just a short distance north of
Cleveland. Among the charter members were \\esley Williams and wife,
Elisha Earle and wife, John Sample and wife, Joseph Barrett and wife, An-
drew Smith and wife, Thomas Hatfield and wife, George Hatfield and Deb-
orah Earls.
The congregation worshipped at the church above described until tour-
ing the latter sixtie-^. or possibly until 1870. when the church was moved to
Cleveland and remodeled. The same building iss till standing, though it was
again remodeled in 1913. The congregation has grown u!itil now there are
one hundred and fifty members.
A Sunday school was organized when the church was first built, or soon
thereafter, which now has an attendance of eighty-five or ninety, and more
than one hundred are enrolled. Practically all of the adult members of the
church attend the Sunday school. Theodore Miller is the present superin-
tendent.
Among the pastors who have lately served the congregation are tlie
Reverends R. I. Black, I^Iiller, Harlan and Taylor, the latter being pastor at
JACKSOX TOWNSHIP. 737
this time. The church now forms a part of the Charlottesville circuit. When
the remodeled building was dedicated two years ago Mrs. Vinnie Hatfield
and Mrs. Phebe Miller were present, as die onl\- members who had also attended
the dedication of the church during the sixites.
brown's chapel METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Rev. Joseph Williams and others conducted a camp 'Meeting in 183S
and organized a class in the neighborhood of Wesley Williams, on the line
between sections 19 and 20, township 16, range 8. A }ear or two later they
built a log church which was used for worship until about 1861. About that
lime, after a number of the original members had moved away and others had
died, a reorganization was effected by the Rev. D. S. Welling, in the school
house on the Robert Smith farm, at the northeast corner of section 36, town-
ship 16, range 7. William Leamon, James M. Clark and William Williams
were elected trustees. Harvey Collins, Thomas Shipp and S. M. Lowden
were among the first pastors.
In 1868, during the second pastorate of Thomas Shipp, a new house of
worship was erected, at a cost of $1,000, on the corner described above, known
as Brown's chapel. Robert Smith, J. M. Clark, C. G. Sample, John M. Lea-
mon and Peter Crider were trustees. The house was built by J. P. Clark and
was dedicated in October, 1868, by Rev. George Brown, of Pittsburgh, Penn-
sylvania. The church was named Brown's chapel in his honor. This house
was used until 1898, when it was repaired and remodeled. The building then
stood until June 25, 1902, when it was destroyed by the cyclone that swept
over Hancock county.
A new church was at once erected, which is now standing. It is a neat
frame house standing on the site of the former building. A Sunday school
is conducted in connection with the church, with an average attendance of
probably forty-five. Preaching services are held every two weeks and prayer
meetings every Thursday night.
PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF THE NAZARENES.
This little congregation was organized at Stringtown in February, 191 5,
by F. E. Harding, present state superintendent of the Xazarene church. It in-
cluded the following members : John Mitchell and family, Charles Mitchell
and family, Nathan Derry and family, Benjamin Lowe and wife, Mrs.
Nancy Mitchell, Miss Frankie Crider and Arthur Crider. A sum of $500 was
subscribed for a new church on the evening of the organization. Grover Van
Duyn and wife donated a plot of ground for the church at the northwest corner
(47)
738 HAXCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
made by the crossing of the Xational road and the east Hne of section 35.
township 16, range 7. The church will stand just across the road from
Trees' shop. Some work has been done on the new house which is to be
completed in 1916.
The Nazarene church is a comparatively new organization. Tlie first
church of this order was organized in 1895. It teaches the W'esleyan doctrine
of Christian perfection, but has a Congregational form of church worship.
EASTERN INDIANA HOLINESS ASSOCIATION.
In the fall of 1907 a great revival was held under a tent at Cleveland,
under the leadership of John T. Hatfield and others. As a result of this meet-
ing a number of persons, on September 7, 1907. associated themselves together
as a corporate body under the laws of the state. This incorporation adopted
the name appearing as the caption hereof. The purpose of the association as
stated in its articles, "is the salvation of souls and to promote holiness." Its
plan "is to carry on religious services and to promote religious worship."
The original incorporators were John T. Hatfield, Milo Goodpasture,
Roscoe Thomas, Thomas A\'illiams, John O. Mitchell, Maurice Barrett, Jolin
Williams, John M. Havens, Maud Thomas, John Butler, and Evert Chalfant.
The first officers were Milo Goodpasture, president : Roscoe Thomas, vice-
president; John T. Hatfield, secretary: Thomas Williams, treasurer and gen-
eral superintendent ; John O. Mitchell, Jolin ]\I. Binford, Rev. John Seelig.
John Williams, Rev. John Butler, John W. Crawford, John ^\'. Thomas. John
Havens, Frank Edwards. William Macy, Rev. Homer Cox, H. H. Mitchell,
Rev. Maurice Barrett, Rev. Evert Chalfant and T. B. Leary, tnistees.
The association now owns ten acres adjoining Cleveland on the northeast,
and has erected a number of buildings thereon, including a large tabernacle,
and other buildings for the temporary residence of people who may come to
attend the yearly revival services. Trees have been set out. and over the en-
trance appear in large letters the words "Salvation Park." Two revivals have
been held each year since the fall of 1907, each covering a period of several
weeks. Great throngs of people gather at these revivals and much religious
enthusiasm is evinced. The first meeting is usually conducted in June, the
second one in September. The association preaches the doctrine of justifi-
cation and of immediate, entire, snnctification.
XAMELE.SS CKEEK CHRISTIAN CHfRCH.
At the northeast corner of section 17, township 16, range 8, stands the
house of worship of one of the oldest congregations in the county. For sev-
JACKSOX TOWXSHIP. 739
eral years prior to any rcj^ular cliurch organization there seems to liave existed
among: tlie settlers a co-operation in s])iritual matters, altliough lliey differed
somewiiat in their rehgious beliefs. They erected a rude log house for wor-
ship and named it "The L'nion Meeting House." It stood a few rods south
of the present church. Like many of the early places of worship, it was built
of uniiewn logs, with clapboard roof, and puncheon floor. The doors were
hung on wooden hinges, and the scats, without backs, were made of puncheon
with heavy wooden pins for legs. Tine house was heated in cold weather
by burning charcoal in an open space in the puncheon floor at either end of
the room. The charcoal was obtained b}' burning', during the summer or
autumn nmnths. large piles of wood covered with a thin layer of earth.
Realizing the need of a ])ermanent clnurch organization, a council of eld-
ers was called to "constitute a church in Gospel order." The council met at
the house of Daniel Priddw September 8. 1839. It was presided over by
Elders John Walker and Peter Reder, and the following named persons : Aaron
Powell, Elizabeth Powell, Sisom Siddle, Elizabeth Siddle, Lemuel Perrin, and
Charlotte Tygart, who. "upon being examined and found in the faith of the
Gospel were constituted a legal cliurch of Jesus Christ."
The minutes also show that : "The church in council being regularly
organized covenant our faith to be as follows, to wit : we believe the Old and
New Testament to be the Word of God and of Divine authority and the only
true and infallible nde of faith and practice of all Christians to follow. As
such we take the Word of (iod for our man of council which is al)le through
faith in Jesus Christ to make us wise unto sahation."
'I iius was formed a nucleus of men antl wonien with avowed principles
of faith and practice which attracted kindred spirits, and in a few years such
men as Samuel Smith. Jordan Lacy, Meredith Walker, John Level, John
Street, Peter Furman, Hardy Wells, Aaron Powell, John B. Simmons, Elbert
Wales, and a number of others with their families united b>' obedience and
letter with the little band already organized.
The records of the church also show with what degree of care the mem-
bers sought to carry out the injunction, "Let everything be done in decency
and good order." The officers, for instance, were chosen not as "lords over
God's heritage, but as servants of the church." On February 13, i8_ii, the
members sitting as a council "sav that the church at Union Meeting House
.shall be called the Reformed Baptist Church of Christ." On December 18,
1844. "the Reformed Baptist Church met at Union Meeting House for the
purpose of striking off a ])art of their peculiar name, and the church say that
their name that has been known heretofore as the Reformed Baptist Church
74° HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
of Christ, the words, Reformed Baptist sliall be struck out from their name,
and tlie church hereafter shall be desigiiated and known only as the Church
of Christ." Thus it seems that those pioneers were not only anxious that
the church be one of "gospel order," liut that its name should honor the
Master.
The second house of worship, a substantial frame structure, forty by
sixty feet, was erected in 1853. It served its purpose for more than half a
century. The present house, a modern rural church home, was dedicated
July 10, 1904.
The congregation is widely known throughoiit the county for its
benevolent and missionary spirit. It has a membership of one hundred and
fifty, a well organized and graded Sunday school, and an auxilian- of the
Christian Women's Board of ^Missions, numl)ering twenty-six members. The
church has had as ministers in the past such men as Elders John Walker,
Drury Holt, James Conner, Daniel and David Franklin, James, James W.,
Samuel, and E. S. Conner; Seth Bennett, Robert Edmundson, G. C. Price,
Jacob Blount. Omer Hufford, B. F. Dailey, \\'illiam Mullendore, W. R.
Carter, Joseph Sherritt, Carl Van Winkle, and Frank W. Summer.
The average attendance at church service for the past several years has
been about one hundred and fifty. The average attendance at Sunday school
has been probably seventy-five. Among the superintendents of the Sunday
school have been James T. McClarnon, Orange Julian. George Smith and
Marshall N. Hittle, the latter having served about sixteen years, since 1897
CHAPTER XXI.
SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Sugar Creek township is six miles s(ju:irc and is located in the south-
west corner of tiie county. It was laid out as one of the three original town-
ships on April 7, 1828, and included the entire western portion of the county.
X'arious changes ha\e been made in its boundar}- lines, all of which may
be followed by referring to the chapter on county government.
Twelve sections, or a strip two miles w^ide off of the western side of the
civil township, lie in congressional township 15 north, range 5 east; the
remaining portion of the civil township, consisting of twenty-four sections,
lies in congressional township 15 north, range 6 east.
The township is drained principally by Sugar creek, which enters the
township just west of the northeast corner thereof, and flows in a south-
westerly direction, crossing its southern boundary just below New Palestine.
Little Sugar creek crosses the extreme southeast corner and Buck creek flows
through the northwestern part of the township. Several large open drains
have been constructed, all of which flow into one or other of the above men-
tioned creeks. With the exception of a narrow strip bordering Sugar creek,
the township is level or gently rolling. The soil is fertile and the town-
ship is admirably adapted to heavy farming.
The first land entity was made by George Worthington, who entered
about two hundred and foiiy acres, including the present site of Philadelphia
and the land lying to the north and west thereof. The first entry in the
southern part of the township was made by Jacob Muman, who located just
l)elow New Palestine in 1823. .\mong the family names that are still familiar
in the county are the following, taken from the tract book showing who
entered land in Sugar Creek township: Arthur Carr, John Eastes, William
Sanders. August Langcnberger. Thomas Schreiber. Anton W'ishmeier. Reu-
ben Barnard, Owen Griffith, Robert Carr, Henry Hawk, Christopher Black.
Abraham Hudson, Ludvvick Richmann, Michael Murnan, William McCance,
Rachel Collyer, Gerret Snodgrass, Henry Wright. Ouiller Shockley, Darius
Cunningham, Jacob Murnan, Robert Snodgrass, Matthius Luse. Samuel P.
Seward, Charles Fish, Albert Lange, Jacob Schramm, John C. W. Racener,
Jacob Huff, George Worthington, William Pierson, Ovid Pierson, Morris
Pierson, John Dance. Hei-vey Bates. Jonathan Dunbar, Amos Dickerson.
Henry Racener, Jonathan Evans, James Hinchman, Joseph Conner, William
741
742 HANCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
Murnan, Samuel Cones, George Leachman, John Powner, George Lipscomb,
Jacob Jones. Micajah Martin, John Hager. Henry Steinmire. Henry
Ruschaupt, Andrew Fink. Henry Fink. George Hickman. W'ilham Black,
James Parker, David McNamee, James P. Wilson. John Delaney. Andrew
McGahey. Peter Pellus, Wellington Collyer, John Aslicraft. John Snodgrass.
Jr., Joseph Cones, Samuel Shockley. Benjamin Snodgrass. Henry
Brandenburg.
The Brookville state road was constructed through what is now the
southern part of the township before the county was organized. In 1835 the
National road was constructed across the northern part of it. These two
roads caused the first people to locate in the northern and southern parts
of the township, and, of course, the first business houses, including the
groceries, taverns, etc., were located along them. James Parker and Peter
X. Xewland. and, later, J. Ross and Hugh Kelly, opened taverns along the
National road. John Delaney operated a tavern along the Brookville state
road many years before the Civil War. on the site of the William Nichols
homestead, or where Henry Lantz now lives, about one mile west of New
Palestine. It is said that Mrs. Delaney was known as a good cook for many
miles along the old state road.
Amos Dickerson. John Delaney and Jonathan Evans opened small gro-
ceries along the Brookville road in 1831, 1833 and 1838. respectivelv. John
Eastes opened a little groceiy along the National road in the western part of
the township in 1832, and in 1838 Atherton & Avery established the first
grocery within the present site of Philadelphia. In 1838 the first towns were
also platted — Philadelphia on April 8, 1838, by Charles .Atherton, and New
Palestine on Octol^er i, 1838. by Jonathan Evans.
A number of mills were also established along the creeks and in other
parts of the townsiiip. Among them are :
Grist- and saw-mill, erected on Sugar creek by Stephen Bellus. about
1828. two miles north of New Palestine. This mill stood near the mirth end
of what is known as the Pitcher farm. It was later owned by Amos Dickei-
son, Myron Brown, Uriah Emmons, George Kingery and Lewis Burk. It
stood until about 1872. A saw-mill was erected by Black &• Brother, on Sugar
creek, one mile south of Piiiladelphia. This mill was operated until about the
close of the Civil \Var, or possibly a few years later. .V saw-mill was estab-
lished in 1850 by James Smith on Little Sugar creek, about forty rods east of
tlie west line of tlie west half of the southwest (|uarier of section 34. township
15, range 6, immediately east of the present residence of Ralph G. Logan. .\
saw-mill was erected on Sugar creek by Lewis Burk. about 1850. or possibly
sroAK cutEK T(n\xsHii'. 743
a little later. It stood one-half mile north and one-half mile east of New Pales-
tine. It was later owned b\- David Ulrey, John Kingery, Henry .\shcraft,
James Boyce and James Min-nan. The interest of all these persons in and to
the mill and the mill race was pnrchased hy Jnhn M. i'iicher dnrins;' the latter
eighties. Tiie amount of water in the creek was becoming too small during the
dry seasons to be relied upon for ]jower and Mr. Pitcher placed his threshing
engine in the mill and operated the mill with steam power until in the early
nineties. lie delighted in running the mill at evenings; lanterns were hung
;Ujout the place and the saw could be heard until nine and ten o'clock at night.
It became a very attractive i)lace to the children of the neighborhood, who
congregated there to |)lav or watch the men at their work. Just a few rods
northwest of the mill was a very fine s])ring. Mr. Pitcher excavated at this
spring and put in a layer of cement, b'rom the cement an irtju pipe about
two inches in diameter w-as brought up. and the water from the spring came
up the pipe. The spring was visited l)y numl)ers of people wlin came into
that community. It has been covered since the mill has been abandoned.
A saw-mill, erected in 1850 by Kelly & Brother, one mile west of Phila-
delphia, was operated for a number of years, and one erected by James B. Con-
over in 1856, a short distance west of Sugar creek on the National mad. was
operated about three years. A saw-mill erected by Matthews & Reed about
1856, stood in the north central part of the township and was operated about
five years. A grist- and saw-mill was erected by Thomas Tultle in 1857. on
his farm about twn nn'les southwest of Xew Palestine in the vicinity <if Swamp
school house.
A saw-mill, erected by Gemmer & \'<igel about 1850, stood about one-
half mile northea.st of Xew Palestine in wliat is now the barn yard on the
Anton F. G. Richman farm. The (iemmer farm and mill were later taken
over by Thomas D. W'alpole. Other owners were Charles Wright and John
M. Pitcher. William Gordon finally bought the mill and removed it. A
grist-mill was erected at Xew Palestine in 1856 by Henry Gates and \^■illiam
Ball. Later owners of the mill were Scott & Davis, Joseph Conner, Charles
F. Richman, Adam T. Hogle, Benjamin !•". Wilson, Elbert Helms, Hayden
Pierson, William T. Eaton and I-'ralich iS: W'altz. The mill burned aliout
1886, while owned by B. F. Wiilson, but was rebuilt. The present owner is
John Waltz. A grist-mill, built about 1882 or 1883, at Philadelphia, by a
man named Mints, was operated six or eight years, and a grain elevator, built
at Philadelphia bv Hudson Smith and others about 1883, was operated six
or eight years.
A saw-mill, erected at I'hiladelpiiia during the seveiuies by Rufus
744 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Black, was operated for ten or fifteen years. A saw-mill, erected at Gem in
1871. by the Stutsmans, burned in 1879, but was rebuilt and operated until
1902. Chris Fink, the last owner of the mill, sold it to James Webb, who
removed it to a point northeast of Maxwell. A saw-mill was erected at New
Palestine in 1878, by Fred Gessler. The mill was operated a number of years
by Mr. Gessler, when George Waters lx)ught it and ran it until four or five
years ago. A grist-mill was erected at Philadelphia about 1882 by some
Henry county parties, who operated it for several years.
A planing-mill and bent-wood factory was erected at New Palestine by
Drake Brothers about 1889. It was purchased a few years later and very
much enlarged by James Madison, who now owns and operates it.
At present there are two mills in the township — the planing-mill owned
by James Madison and the grist-mill owned by John W^altz, both at Xew
Palestine. About ten years ago a grain elevator was built at Gem. which
has been operated for several years by Fred Thomas.
TAN YARDS.
Joim E. Baity established a tan yard on the McNamee farm just south
of school No. 4. in 1845. In 1847 Alexander Ogle built a small tannery
near Philadelphia. Early in the fifties Thomas Swift operated a small tan-
nery at New Palestine.
TILE F.\CT0RIES .VND BRICK YARDS.
The first tile factory in the township was built by Jacob Schramm, at
the northwest corner of section 18, township 15, range 6, about 1863. It first
manufactured what were known as horseshoe tile, which were open on one
side. After four or five years Mr. Schramm began the manufacture of flat-
bottomed tile. \\'ork was suspended at the factoiy during the seventies.
William Roesner established a tile factory on the south side of tlie
National road, just west of Gem, about 1865. It was bought by Fred Wicker
in 1875, but resold to Roesner in 1882, who operated it until seven or eight
years ago.
Shellhouse, Spurn.' & Annstrong built a factory on the south side of the
Brookville road, one mile east of New Palestine, in 1869. Benjamin F. Free-
man, Edward P. Scott, A\'illiam Reasoner and others had an interest in this
factory at different times. No tile has been manufactured there since about
1882-3.
Anton F. G. Richman established a brick yard in 1880 on the north
side of the railroad and on the west side of the road just one-half mile east
of the overhead bridge at New Palestine.
■V^^r
^4''SSS,
OLD SCliOOl, IIOITSE AT XEW PALESTINK. KXOWN AS "UNIOX HALL" DURLXG
TllK CIVIL WAR I'ERIOn
SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 745
BLACKSMITH SHOPS.
With the estabUshnienl of the towns of Xew Palestine and Philadelphia,
blacksmith shops were located tliere. Reuben P)rirn;ird, father of Ex-County
Treasurer William C. Barnard, however, built a sliop in 1832 on his farm on
the county line, about one mile east of the southwest corner of tlie county.
SCHOOLS.
The first school houses in the township were pole cabins, covered with
clapboards and supplied with "cat and clay" chimneys and puncheon floors.
They were not public buildings, but were constructed by tlie citizens as they
settled in different sections. One of these school houses was located on the
north side of the National road just east of Philadelphia. Another was located
in section 5 on the south side of the National road, where the National road
crosses the east line of that section. It was known as the Brown school
house. About 1890 this school was moved one-half mile west and located
on the north side of the National road. In 1902 it was mo\'ed to Gem., where
the building now stands, between the National road and the railmad. in
section 6.
Another building was located in the east central part of section 8, pos-
sibly forty rods west of the east line of section 8. It was known as the Mills
school. The McNamee school was located in the southeast corner of section
7. The Morford school, which has since become known as the Caraway
school, was located in the southeast corner of section 16. "Number 6," as
the school has long been known, was located in the southeast corner of sec-
tion 28. It has laeen known as the Brandenburg school and as the Gates
school. Near the center of section 26, township 15, range 5, was located the
Hickman school, or, as it has since been known, the Tuttle school, and Swamp
school house. The first school at New Palestine was located in the northeast
part of town, in the hack part of what is still known as the "old school yard,"
on which Ruber's blacksmith shop is now located.
All of these houses were built on the same plan. Some of them had two,
others had three windows. The lights were eight by eight. The door was
so low that a large man had to stoop to enter.
Some of the first teachers in the township were George Robinson, Daniel
Valentine, Richard Lindsey, Reuben Barnard and Eliza Barnard. The names
of the later teachers will be found in tlie list of teachers given in another
chapter.
About 1853-4 several families came from Cincinnati and settled in the
746 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
neighborhood of the Hickman school. They seemed to be progressive and
at once set about sohciling donations from the patrons of the school for a
more modern school house. They succeeded in getting enough subscriptions
to erect a frame building. This was the first frame school house in Sugar
Creek townsliip. and the first scliool was held therein in 1855. An interesting
little incident occurred in this connection : Among the citizens of the ncigii-
borhood was a mulatto named Lafe Cambridge ; he had subscril^ed and paid
his money toward the construction of the building. When he sent his chil-
dren, however, objections were raised becaused they were colored and tiie
children were not permitted to attend.
About ten years after tlie building of this house the township paid each
individual for his interest in the school and the house became the property
of the township. For many years the Tuttle school bore the reputation of
being one of the best and most advanced schools in the township. One Daniel
Ransdall taught the school many years ago. He was afterward elected clerk
of the city of Indianapolis and since that time has served as clerk of Marion
county. From iS8g to 1S93 ^^ ^^''^^ ^lie marshal of tlie district of Columbia,
and since tlien lias served as sergeant-at-arms of the United States Senate.
Not much progress was made under the system of township manage-
ment in \ogue prior to 1859. In that year Robert P. Brown was elected
as first township trustee of Sugar Creek township and school affairs took a
change for the better.
An agitation was started about that time for a new building at New
Palestine. Different citizens advocated its location in sections 29, 30. 31 and
32. Some of these points were three-fourths of a mile from New Palestine.
Tlie new law, liowexer. re(|uire(I that the school house sliould be built where
it would accommodate the majority of tlie children of the school district. The
new township trustee, with the ad\ice and direction of the stale superinten-
dent, built the old frame house tiiat is now known as the "old school house."
For a numl)er of years past it has been used by Air. Huber for storing
maciiinery. It was built in i860. In the east end of the building was a
township room, where tlie township trustee transacted his business antl where
elections were held. .\ number of citizens also made arrangements with tlie
township trustee to build a second story, which was to be used for different
purposes. Dances and exiiibitions were held there, and during the Civil War
it became known as "Union Hall." It was here that Thomas C. Tuttle's
company of "Anderson (niards" was organized.
In 1866 the number of school children of the district became so large that
more room was necessar\- and the township trustee bought the interest of
Sl'GAU CREEK TOWNSHIP. 747
each stockholder and converted the hall into two school rnoms. Tlie hmise
was then used tor school purposes until the spring- of 1884. when ihc brick
building', which is still in use. was constructed.
An agitation was begun for a new ijuilding, however, long before 1884.
Some of the articles that api^eared in the local papers are interesting for the
spirit and the conditions they reflect. Among the local items sent bv the Xew
Palestine correspondent to the Hancock Democrat, appears the following,
published February 12, 1874:
"Mr. E. P. Scott, our efficient and gentlemanlv trustee, is discussing
the propriety of building a new school house that will be an honor to this
place. If the school funds for that purpose are not sufficient the citizens pro-
pose to donate liberally."
In this connection it is interesting to observe the peculiar twist that ])oli-
tics are able to give anything that may have been said. During the following
summer Mr. Scott became a candidate for reelection. On August 13 he felt
called upon to issue the following statement for publication in the Hancock
Democrat to set himself right before the people of his township:
"Editor Democrat: — I w'ish to announce through _\-our jjaper. to the
Democracy of Sugar Creek township and citizens generally, that the person
who gave notice through the Greenfield Nczt's of last week that I intended, if
reelected township trustee, to build a ten thousand dollar school house for
New- l*alestine corporation, out of the township fund, did so falsely and with-
out foundation: and T parlicularlv recjuest such person to represent the truth,
if nothing more. This was done to belie me and, if possible, to uisure my
defeat. I sincerely ask a candid review^ of my ])ast official conduct, then
jud.ge for the future. I am, etc..
"Edw.xkd p. Scott."
On Januarv 6. 1876, someone interested in the school situation at Xew
Palestine sent the following letter to the Hancock Democrat for publication :
"Mr. Editor: — Having become tired of waiting for someone to agitate
the (|uestion of erecting a new school house in our town, if you will Ije so
kind as to allow me a small space in your very excellent paper, I propose to
make a few remarks regarding it. In the first place, the present buikling
does not afford sufficient room. It will accommodate but one hundred and
twenty-five pupils comfortably. There are one hundred and ninety-,seven
enumerated in the district and one hundred and seventy-six enrolled in school.
This leaves fifty-seven pupils to lie crammed in after the manner of loading
hogs in cars. Only one room is fit for school purposes.
"In point of wealth the district is above the average, and the citizens
748 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
ought to possess sufficient energy to aid the trustee to provide a respectable
school house. Can they celebrate the centennial year in a better way? Citi-
zens, are you ready? Are you educated up to the point that will enable you to
appreciate the advantages a new school house will bring you? I have not
room to enumerate them, but they are many. Trustee, are you ready for the
crowning act of your administration ? Perhaps you will be condemned, but
certainly not by the intelligent class. Let us be up with the spirit of the
times. QUID est id."
On February 28, 1878, the following paragraph again appeared among
the items from the correspondent at New Palestine :
"There is much said (and more thought)' of erecting a commodious
school building. Look out, McCordsville, Fortville and Charlottesville!
When the time comes for our old shell to come down we'll have the best
house in the county outside of the county seat. The house we have is con-
sidered dangerous and it is so crowded that many children are kept at home
by sickness engendered in its badly ventilated chambers. Our citizens are
able, and they are unanimously willing to build. If we had room and comfort
we could enroll over two hundred scholars. In fact, this is the place to estal>
lisli a full-fledged high school."
On May 20, 1880, the New Palestine correspondent hopefully wrote,
"A new school house is being wanted and will be built sometime in the future,"
That the agitation was not without results appears from the following para-
graph taken from the Fortville items in the Hancock Democrat, on Feb-
ruary' 3, 1881 :. "Mr. Barnard, trustee of Sugar Creek township, inspected our
school building today. He expects to erect one in New Palestine next
summer."
Mr. Barnard did advertise for bids for the construction of a school house
in August, 188 1. A dispute, however, arose among the patrons as to its loca-
tion. Some wanted it north of town, others west of town; others felt that
it ought to be located within the town. Being unable to satisfy the patrons,
Mr. Barnard dropped the matter. But this did not allay the agitation.
Shortly thereafter the following appeared among the local items from New
Palestine : "The citizens of New Palestine are somewhat exercised about the
school house question, which we hope will finally be settled for the good of
all. As it is necessar\- to have something done in this direction, we hope, for
the good of the cause, that sober second thought will prevail over those who
wish to rule or ruin,"
In 1884 the new building came. It was erected jointly by the town of
New Palestine and Sugar Creek township. The school board of New Pales-
SLGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 749
line was composed of Christian H. Kirkhoff, Ernst H. Faut and William
.\. Wood. Sylvester Wagoner was the township trustee. R. P. Daggett, of
Indianapolis, was employed as architect and the contract was awarded to Levi
Pearson for five thousand and seventy dollars. The school town of New
Palestine issued bonds to the amount of two thousand and five hundred dol-
lars, which were sold to raise funds for the construction of the building.
These bonds were finally taken by Gustav and August Schramm. P.ecause of
current statements that the_\- would never Ix; paid and that the purchasers
would be losers, the Schramm brothers at first refused to accept them. To
satisfy the Schramms, the school Ijoard and others gave their personal promis-
sory notes as collateral security for the bonds. They were paid before they
became due.
Elaborate exercises were held, both at the laying of the cornerstone of
the building and at its dedication. The history of the laying of the corner-
stone is contained in a short poem, written by William Parish, which was
published at the time in the Hancock Democrat. ^Ir. Parish was then a
youth, probably in the advanced grades of the schools. Since that time he
has been the editor of the local paper at New Palestine, and now resides at
Louisville, Ky. Following is the poem :
THE LAVIXG OF THE CORNER STONE.
The sun shone down with radiant heat,
As the people came to see the feat ;
This feat of which I am going to speak
Took place in the town of Sugar Creek.
Speeches and prayer were said, but was no dome,
'Twas only the laying of the corner stone.
Some spoke of bygone days in tales.
How they used to roll logs and thresh with flails.
They spoke of children now and children then,
What is now and what might have been :
Of the old log house and puncheon seats,
And windows of greased paper sheets.
They laid down the stone with many a thought,
Yet not thinking just how they were brought.
In other generations, when razed to the ground.
How the people will wonder when the articles are handed around !
First in the box the history was laid down.
Then the cards of the business men in town ;
.^nd some coins of different worth
Were dropped in with little mirth.
Then came Mr. Pearson, a mason by trade.
And the bo.x with brick was nicely overlaid.
In future years when we're under the grass
Other generations w-ill know what came to pass.
750 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
What we do and what we are,
And back many generations just how tar;
Also of our school systems old and new,
And they can tell their children how we used to do.
The Board came out in full array :
They thought 'twould be a glorious daj'.
The speakers great and speakers small,
They each had a word for us all.
In thoughts I know I'm not alone
On the laying of the corner stone.
On the evening of Xovemljer 22, 1S84, the new house was dedicated.
The building was lighted widi Chinese lanterns from top to bottom. It was
thrown open to visitors at 6:30, and was soon crowded to the utmost. There
were speakers upstairs and downstairs. State Superintendent Holcombe was
present, as were also County Superintendents Dobbins, of Shelby county, and
Harlan, of Marion county. Superintendent R. A. Smith and Ex-County
Superintendent John H. Binford. of Hancock county, both made addresses.
Ballard's orchestra furnished tlie music for the occasion. A feature of the
exercises of the exening w'as the presentation to the school of a large blue
silk banner, inscribed with the words, "Education is the Life of Liberty."
This banner was presented by E. H. Paut and remained in tlie schot)l for
years afterward.
In 1895 some of the early dreams were realized when a systematic high
.school course was established. Frank Larrabee began the work and was
followed by George J. Richman, 1900-1903: Elmer Andrews, 1903-12;
Kirby Payne, 1912-13; \V. W. \\'inn, 1913-16. A three-years course was
maintained in the school until 1908, when a fourth year was added, and the
school was certified under the new system adopted by the state. During the
trusteeship of Van B. Cones a heating plant was installed and an addition
was built to the house to accommoilate the growing numlier of pupils. Tlie
iddition was constructed by Charles F. Richman. The taxation for the sup-
port of the joint school was becoming very l)urden.some to the town of New
Palestine, and when the addition to the building had to be constructed, the
school board was abolished and the township again took full charge of the
school. The high school received its first commission at a meeting of the
state board of education, in I-'ebniary, 1916.
Two men stand out prominently in the history of the Xew Palestine
school. During the seventies tlie school had a very bad reputation for dis-
cipline, etc. A number of teachers had been unsuccessful, when William .\.
Wood appeared u])on the scene. He was a small man physically, yet he
possessed the disciplinary ability necessary to "straighten out" the school.
SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 75 I
Mr. Wood remained in the school for twelve years or more, and during the
latter seventies and eighties stood as one of the first teachers in tlie comity.
Klmer Andrews took charge of the high school in 1903, and remained prin-
cipal of the school for a period of nine successive years. During his services
the school was certified and was placed upon a firm foundation, from which,
in all probahility, it will never be shaken.
It is also worthv of record that Charles Ballard has been the janitor
of this school for just about a quarter of a century.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Sugar Creek township has a population of 1.673. ^s shown by the United
•States census report of 1910. In the .spring of 1915. 425 children between
the ages of six and twenty-one vcars were enumerated in the township.
Two hundred and ninety-three puj^ils were enrolled in the schools during
the winter of 1914-15. Of these, 40 were in the high school and 253 in the
elementarv grades. The total cost of maintaining the elementary schools
for the year 1914-15 was $6,940; the high school, $2,396. The teachers
were paid for the year, $6,170. The estimated value of all school property
is $25,000. as reported by the township trustee on August i, 1915. The
lotal assessment of taxables in the township, including New Palestine, as
reported by the assessor in the spring of 1914 was $2,011,010. Sixty children
were transported to school at a cost of $1,694 to the township.
TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES.
Following are the names of the men who have ser\-ed the township in
the capacitv of trustee since the office was created in 1859 : Robert P.
Brown. 1839; Ernst H. Faut, 1865: Edward P. Scott, 1872; David Ulrey.
1876: William C. Barnard. 1878-1880; Sylvester Wagner, 1882-1884: John
E. Dye, 1886; Albert Helms, 1888; Ezra Eaton, 1890; John Manche, 1890:
Henn,- Frahch. 1894-, Van B. Cones, 1900; Velasco Snodgrass, 1904; John
P.urkhart. 1908. and Scott Brandenburg. 1914.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Following are the names of the men who have presided over the local
courts of the township, with the dates of their appointment or election :
Charles Atherton; George Leachman, 1834-1870; G. W. Robinson. 184-!:
George O'Brien, 1846: .Adam Hawk. 1851-1860; George Barnett. 1856;
W. H. Dye, 1868; E. S. Bottsford, 1872; Henry .\. Schreiber. 1874: George
W. Kingery. 187S: John M. McKelvey. 1880-1888; Daniel W. Place. 1882;
752 HANCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
John G. Jacobi, 1884-1888; Andrew J. Downing, 1888; Adam P. Hogle.
1894-1914; George E. Lamb, 1898; Levi McCormick, 1900; Homer Leon-
ard, 1 906- 19 10.
Among the earlier justices of the peace the name of George Leachman
appears more often probably than the name of any other justice in the county.
From the date of the organization of the county until the early seventies his
name appears upon practically all of the deeds and mortgages from the
southern half of Sugar Creek township. Of late years the name of Adam
P. Hogle has been prominent as a justice.
Jones township for a number of years included a part of Sugar Creek
and also a part of Buck Creek township. During its existence the follow-
ing men served as justice of the peace for that township : Charles Atherton,
1843; Daniel Skinner. 1840-45-50; Isaac Travis, 1846; Joseph J^Larshall.
1849; Abraham Stutsman, 185 1; John H. Hazen, 1852; Allen Caylor, 1852.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
A number of the humble senants of the people have been chosen from
Sugar Creek township, among whom are Samuel Shockle}-. commissioner
and representative ; William ^IcCance, Enos O'Brien, John O'Brien. William
H. Dye, John E. Dye, Edward P. Scott and John Maiiche. county com-
missioners; R. P. Brown, treasurer and sheriff; E. H. Faut and \\'. C.
Barnard, treasurers ; John V. Coyner, county surveyor ; Charles J. Richman,
auditor; George J. Richman, county superintendent of schools; Edward Eik-
man, joint senator; Mack Warrum, sheriff.
RAILROADS AND INTERLRBANS.
Sugar Creek township has two railroads and two interurban lines, the
history of which is given elsewhere.
GERMAN SETTLEMENT.
The nucleus of what has since become generally known as the "German
Settlement" was formed in 1828. In that year Carl Julius Leopold .\lbert
von Bonge was banished from the Fatherland because of participating in a
political revolution. Bonge was a nobleman and had received a classical
education in Prussia, his native state. He came to Sugar Creek township
and entered the southeast quarter of section 12, township 15, range 5. A
companion. Albert Lange, who was also banished by Prussia came with Bonge
and entered the northeast quarter of section 14. township 15, range 5, the
land upon which school No. 3 is now located. Bonge's land was just north
SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 753
ami west of this school. Boiige remained in Sugar Creek township until
about 1840, when he removed to Marion county. Lange had moved to
Terre Haute a few years before and had taken up the profession of law.
He was later elected mayor of Terre Haute and served twice as auditor of
Vigo county. During the Civil War he served two terms as auditor of the
state of Indiana.
About 1833 Anton Wishmeier came from Minden-on-the-\\'cscr, in
l-last Prussia, and settled in the north central part of section 24, township
15, range 5. His buildings stood about eighty rods southwest of the present
German Lutheran church. A tree or two of the old orchard may still be
standing. When \\^ishmeier came he brought his wagon, harness and farm-
ing implements from Gennany. He bought horses in Baltimore and drove
from that city to the home just mentioned.
In 1834 Dr. Rosenberg, who had gone from Germany to the state of Illi-
nois, wrote some articles for the Sunday school journals of East Prussia.
He described the beauties of Illinois, dwelling especially upon its broad prai-
ries, its Ijeautiful flowers, etc. Through reading this literature a group of
about sixteen young people at the town and in the vicinity of Minden-on-the
^Veser were inspired to seek their fortunes in the state of Illinois. They left
home on Easter Sunday, in 1835, and set sail from Bremen, reacliing Balti-
more after a stormy passage. Several of the group remained at Baltim.ore
and at other points in the East; others came by wagon from Baltimore to
Wheeling, West Va. Their goods were stored in large, heavy oak boxes,
some of which may still be found among their descendants. One wagon
was sufficient to carry their effects. A few of the company rode, while
others walked. At nights sleeping apartments were made, both in the wagon
and under the wagon. They were all in good health and, from their own
reminiscences it seems that they had quite a jolly trip crossing the mountains
of Pennsylvania and western Virginia. From \\'heeling thev came by boat
to Cincinnati, and there at the wharf stood Dr. Rosenberg. To their bitter
disappointment, if not to their utter consternation, he told them that the
state of Illinois was the unhealthicst spot on the face of the earth ; that milk
sickness was so prevalent that people were dying everywhere. Several of
the company wept. Others, including Ludwig Richmann, were acquainted
with Anton W^ishmeier, who had settled in Sugar Creek township, and in
their extremity they decided to find him.
A wagon was procured and the company started northwest from Cin-
cinnati, reaching the National road probably at Cambridge City. They then
came on to Greenfield, where it seems that the taverns were filled. The
(48)
754 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
driver finally rented a blacksmith shop for the night. Here the company
stayed, and tiie ne.xt morning went on west to the point now known as Brier's
switch, .\rthur Carr lived un the west h.ilf of the southeast (luarter of sec-
tion I, lownshi]) 15. range 5. and their first night in Sugar Creek townsliip
was spent at his residence. From this point they found W'ishmeier, and the
remaining members of the company made other homes in Sugar Creek town-
sliip. .\mong them were Christian Spilker, William (Luke) Rosener, Chris-
tian Steinmeier, Sr., and his three children; Christian Steinmeier, Jr., and
his two daughters, Louise and Sophia ; Lewis Richmann and Louisa Bohne.
and proljably one or two others. Louise Bohne was married to Lewis Rich-
mann soon after they reached their destination. She is familiarly remem-
bered as "Grandma" Riclimann throughout the western and southern parts
of Sugar Creek township. It was she who became the author's foster-
mother in his infancy : who spoke the sweet gentle words and who gave him
the kindly care that liis own mother was not here to give.
Among other Ciernians who came and whose descendants may still be
found in the township, are Jacob Schramm, France Landwehr, Christian
Schildnieier, Christian Miller, Anton Eickman, C. Henry Rosener, F. L.
Christian Rosener, .\nton Fink, Gottlieb Ostermeier. Christian !•". Hoff,
Anthony Kirkhoff, Ciiarles Klopper, W'ilhelm Langenljerger, Christian
Knoop. \\'illiam Borman, Carl Oswald, Adam ^lerlau, Benjamin Rothe, Carl
Breuer, Wilhelm Ruschaupt, Anton Meier. John Greim, Conrad Gundrum.
George Lantz, Ernest H. and Ernst W. Faut.
Jacob Schramm sent an agent named Havemeier from Germany to select
some land for him. Havemeier selected the southeast quarter of section 12,
township 13, range 5, in Sugar Creek township. He also had a house built,
part of the ground cleared, and in 1835 Mr. Schramm came. He soon
became one of the most enterprising farmers and citizens of the county. He
erected the first frame barn in Sugar Creek township, which is still standing.
While the National road was being planked he also constructed a plank road
from his home on the south side of section 12 to the National road. He
charged toll for the use of this road, and the people from that vicinity and
those located south and east of his residence commonly took the plank road
to Indianapolis to do their marketing. He also established the first tile
factory in Sugar Creek township, making first the "horseshoe" tile, and
later the flat-bottomed tile. This factory was established about 1863, soon
after Isaac Beeson began manufacturing tile in Blue River township. Dur-
ing the fifties, and before the manufacture of tile in the county, he had a
carload of stone shipped which he used to put in blind ditches. He accumu-
SUGAR CRKEK TOWXSTIIP. 755
lated a great deal of wealtli iluring Ins lifetime and used portions of it in
traveling. He made several trips to Germany, and at least one to Jerusalem
and other points in the Holy Land. Bef(M-e his death he was instrumental
in having a free gravel road constructed in the Gennan Settlement, and by
\irtue of a clause in his will lie left two liinusand dollars, the income of
which was to be used for the maintenance of the roatl.
William Borman, though of \ery humble station, lived to be just abiuit
one hundred years of age. He died in the early eighties. .\s a young man
he had been in the Napoleonic wars, and was one of Xapoleon's soldiers
taUen from I'russia in his famous campaign against Moscow.
Germans kept coming into the neighborhood of the settlement until
al>oul twenty-five years ago, since which time there probably ha\e ijeen no
accessions at all by immigration. Some of the older families have entirely
disappeared, but the descendants of most of them may still be found in the
community. They have been a frugal, industrious people, and ha\e made
iheir porliim of Sugar Creek tcwusliip a garden spot m the county. The
land has been drained, roads have been constructed and the best of buildings
may be seen upon their farms.
Ernst 11. Faut located at Xew Palestine and took up the trade of a
blacksmith. He was shrewd and intellectual, and soon came to be an influen-
tial man, not only among the Germans, but as a man of the county. He
served both as assessor and township trustee of Sugar Creek township, and
later as cnuntv treasurer ni Hancock county. He tised to say that he car-
ried the vote of the old German Settlement in his vest pocket, and this came
near being a literal truth. They laid before him all their troubles, foreign
and domestic, and counseled with him upon all matters. He wrote the wills
of the living and the (il)iluaries of those who had passed through the veil
of eternity.
GERMAN' CHURCHES.
The first German church is said to ha\e been established in 1836 by a
number of Gemians who came from Hamburg. Germany. They built a
little log house on the west line of section 24, township 13. range 3, just
south of the railroad. The first minister was a man named Kiebler. He was
followed by the Rev. Aluth. a I'nited Brethren minister, who is mentioned
in connection with other churches in the county. It seems always to ha\-e
been denominated an Evangelical .\ssociation.
The Germans who settled to the north and east of this locality came
principally from East Prussia. They held tenaciously to their old form
of worship and in 1841 called the Rev. J- Ci. Kunz, of Indianapolis, to preach
756 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
for them. Rev. Kuiiz preached every fourth Sunday for several years and
laid tlie foundation of the present
GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.
This congregation at first worshipped in the little log church located on
the west half of the southwest quarter of section 24. township 15, range 5.
It stood on the east side of the road, immediately south of the Cincinnati.
Hamilton & Dayton railway and just across the highway from the present
.Schildmeier cemetery. The congregation worshipped in tliis little log church
until 1 85 1, when the present frame church was built. On IMarch 28, 1845.
Christian Schildmeier and Maria, his wife, sold and conveyed to the "Church
of Zion," in consideration of two dollars and fift}- cents, one-fourth acre
upon the following express conditions : "That said land is to l3e used for no
(jther purpose but for a burying ground and tiiat there shall never be a dwell-
ing house built on said land, and further, that the members of the Church of
Zion shall fence said grounil with a good fence and keep said fence in good
repair, and should the meeting house that is adjoining the above described
burying ground be discontinued at any time hereafter, the said Christian
Schildmeier and his heirs or assigns are to have the bur\ing ground back for
the sum of two dollars and fifty cents." The bur^'ing ground abo\e described
is the ground now known as the Schildmeier cemetery.
The ten acres of ground now owned by the congregraion, upon which
the church, school, parsonage and teacher's residen.ce are located, was first
bought from Anton Frederich Wishmeier and Maria Wishmeier, his wife, on
September 24, 1848, for one hundred and fifty dollars. It is located near
the middle of the north line of section 24, township 15, range 5. The grantees
named in the deed from the ^^'ishmeiers are Anthony Reasoner. Charles
Henrv Reasoner, Christian Rethmeier, William Lewis Reasoner, Christian
Spilker, Charles Rethmeier, William Brier, Anthony F. Wishmeier,
Anthony F. Rabc, Charles Miller, Gottlieb Ostermeier, Anthony Eikmann
and Christian Schildmeier. The deed recites that the real estate is conveyed
"as a site for a school house and parsonage, and it is stipulated between the
parties respectively that if anv other person of the neighborhood shall join in
the association or company and pay their proportion for the land, and have
their names recorded in a book to be kept for that purpose, then in that case
those persons so joining shall be joint sharers in the real estate."
The first parsonage and a little log school were built on this real estate
in 1848; the church, as stated above, was not built until 1859. The Rev. A.
Brandt was the first resident pastor, who came about 1848 or 1849. The
RKV. .1. G. KUXZ.
For almost 30 years pastor of the German Lutheran Church
^iii:iiij]i|f
^^^^.
GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH, PARSONAGE. TEACHER'S RESIDENCE AND
SCHOOL, SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP
SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 757
relation between Brcmdt ami the congregation seems tu ha\'e been rather
unpleasant ; for some cause he brought suit against Christian Schildmeier,
one of his members, and was twice defeated before George Leachman, a
justice of ihe peace. The congregation did not support Brandt in his con-
tentions, and a split occurred which came near causing the dissolution of the
church. A number of members living to the north and west withdrew
permanently and organized the German Evangelical church, which now
stands just west of Cumberland. Others in the immediate neighborhood
withdrew and never returned. Brandt was followed by Revs. Hermann and
Scheurmann. It developed that Hermann was a free thinker. His congrega-
tion came to feel that his sermons did not ring true, and finally one of the
brethren asked him whether he believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of
God. "Certainly," replied Rev. Herman, "we are all sons of God." This
lacked a great deal of satisfying the orthodox German, and the congregation
had another crisis to pass through. Rev. Kunz was then recalled and
remained as pastor of the church from 1853 until 1882.
The land abo\e referred to was held in the name of the entire member-
ship of the congregation, as shown by the deed, until October 13, 1857, when
it was deeded to Christian Frederich Reasoner. The following members are
named as grantors in this deed ; Charles Rethmeier, Elinore Rethmeier, Will-
iam Brier, Christina Brier, Anthony W'ishmeier, Elinore Wishmeier, Anton
Rabe, Louise Rabe, Charles Miller, Christina ]\Iiller, Gottlieb Ostermeier,
Sophia Ostermeier, Anton L. Reman, Sophia Reman, Christian Schildmeier,
Maria Schildmeier, Anton Frederick Reasoner, Louisa Roesner, Charles
Henry Rosener, Sophia Rosener, Christian Hoff, Christina Hoff, Ernest Cre-
ger. Sophia Creger, Christian Miller, Christina ^filler, Henn,- Meier, Louise
Meier, Christian Rethmeier, Elinore Rethmeier, William Rosener, Christian
Spilker, and Sophia Spilker.
On November 10, 1857, Christian Frederich Reasoner and Elinore Rea-
soner, his wife, conveyed the church lands back to Henry Meier, Charles Meier,
Anton Henry Reasoner and C. Henry Reasoner, trustees of the German
Evangelical Zion's church of Doe creek. The deed recites that this con\ey-
ance is made "with the express condition that said land shall be used for
religious and school purposes of said denomination, and further, should a
split occur in the congregation, then the right of the propertv in said land
shall go exclusively to that portion which shall adhere, without reservation,
to the full and tme confession of the alx)ve named Evangelical Lutheran
church, whether such portion shall be the majority of the entire congregation
or not." The congregation still holds the land by virtue of this deed.
758 HANCOCK COCKTV, INDIANA.
The original frame church was l)uih Ijy a man named Kaiser, in 1859.
at a cost of eight hundred dollars, and was dedicated on Septemlier 26 of
tliat year. It was remodeled in 1892 by Charles F. Richman. .\ pipe (irgan
was installed and dedicated on June t8, 1899. The services in the clunxh
were conducted in German until 1902. when English services were held in
the afternoon on one Sunday of each month. On October 12. 1903, a res-
olution w'as adopted to have English and (jemian services every third Sun-
day. On January 2, 1905. a resolution was adopted to have English services
only on the morning of every third Sunday; all other services were to be
conducted in German. This resolution still stands.
.\ Ladies' Aid Society was organized in the clunxh in 1903: it now con-
tains thirty-two members and meets once each month at the home of one of
the members. Its purpose is to help poor students who are preparing for the
ministry, and to keep up tlie interior of the church. The Ladies' Society
Ixiught a new altar fur the church in i<;o3. It has papered the church twice,
and in 19 14 paid lor revarnishing the benches. During the pastorale of
Re\-. llenkel the society and the entire congregation contributed generously
toward the education of his sons for the ministry.
The old log school house which stood between the present parsonage
and the church was used until 1878. At that time the present school house
was built. .\ new parsonage was built in 1885 by Charles F. Richman, and
the parsonage was enlarged li}' the addition of se\eral rooms in 1893. ^^"'"
lowing is the list of pastors who ha\e served since the organization of the
present congregation: J. G. Kunz. 1853-1882; Frederick Zagel, 1882-84;
William K. Kai.ser, 1884-92; H. Henkel. 1892-1903: F. Markworth. 1903 to
the present time. G. ]\Iark\\orth, the fatlier of the present pastor, has acted
as assistant pastor of the church since 1905. For many years, in the absence
of the pastor, Henrv Meier, whose name appears so prominently in the history
of this chtuxh. read sermons from the books of Dr. ^^'alter or Dr. Luther.
Several of the above named pastors also taught in the church school. Rev.
Kunz taught in the old log building and also ni the present building for a
period of almost thirty years. ITe had a large family of girls and at differ-
ent times they assisted him. especially his daughters. Maria and Bertha.
During the sixties a teacher, named Lahusen, was employed by the
congregation. He was to receive a salan- of possibly one hundred and eighty
or two hundred dollars per year, and was to "board around" with the people,
staying one week at each house. He stayed ]iart of the year on this plan. Inn
one night, while he was boarding at X(~)elting's, he tlisappeared and never
returned, imr was anything ever heard of him afterward.
SrOAR CRKEK TOWNSHIP. 759
Fiillowing' is also a list of teachers who afterward seixed the congres^n-
linn: Sehiienhart. 1879-81: \\'as;ner. 1881-83: M. Kunzehnan came alxnit
1883 or 1884 and stayed until 1S97; Oscar Gotch. 1897-IQC2, after which
Mr. Kunzelman and the Rev. Markworth each taught a few months. Will-
iam Binder was called in October. 1903, and remained until March, 1905 ;
Theodore Markworth taught from September, 1907. to December. 1909:
Carl Buuck, l-'ebruaiy 10, 1910, to October. 191J; Rev. Markwnrth then
tau,ght again for several months. The present teaclier. dustav Scheiderer.
was called in September, 19 13.
T(i the ("lerman Lutherans the house that has been dedicated to the wcr-
shi]) iif (lod is a sacred place. l'"or this reason thev will permit no meetings
to be held xyithin the church except regular services and business meetings
for the adniinistratiiin of the affairs of the church. X<ithing of a secular
nature is permitted to come in. Exen the Christmas entertainments for years
and years have consisted of exercises by the children in telling the story of
Christ's birth and reciting the prophecies, etc., pointing to Christ. The
children are taught the Bible and Bible history in the parochial school, and
thev are able to recite verses of Scripture witli ease. Thev' have a bcauliful
custom of responding to the cjuestions of the pastor on Christmas eve within
the hallowed precincts of the church. The following little statement con-
cerning these Christmas entertainments appeared in the Ilaiicock Democrat
on Deceml)er 30, 1880: "Wt the ( lerman Lutheran church, under the super-
intendenc}- of Re\'. J- G. Kunz. the Christmas tree and the appropriate
declamations and the Christmas songs, and the extra large amount of pres-
ents on the occasion, was surelv the greatest affair ever exhibited in Han-
cock county. This congregation is the most numerous in membership and
wealth, and the members are \erv liberal in their donations for church and
school purposes and ha\e celebrated Christmas in the greatest manner
imaginable, which would ba\e been a credit to a metropolitan city, as it is
much credit to the church and its worthy minister antl will bear imitation."
The writer of the above article, who listened to the "declamations."
probably did not understand German, and did not know that these "declama-
tions" consisted of portions of the Scripture. The Christmas tree, with the
angel at its top and its burning candles, has always been a feature of the
Christmas entertainment. .Any departure from the simple Christ stor}- that
has always been so beautifully and joyfully told by the children must detract
from the beauty of their Christmas celebration. The children are alwa\-s
voung — the storv never grows old and nc\er becomes tiresome.
760 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
THE GERMAN CORNET BAND.
Rev. Henkel had some knowledge of brass instruments and band music,
and organized a band among the boys of the congregation, when he came to
the Settlement in 1892. Several scon dropped out. but the following mem-
bers played for several years: Fred W'ampner, Christian Hoff, Will Knoop,
Henry Knoop, Fred Bnins, George Sander, Otto Schramm, George J. Rich-
man, Fred Harmening. Lewis H. Merlau. Lewis Richman, Henni' Brier and
Ed Knoop.
They had no instructor except the pastor for a short time. They were
all laborers on the farms and gave only their spare time to practice. The
band never succeeded in playing a verj- high grade of music, yet during the
summer of 1896 they played a number of the marches of John Philip Sousa,
who was then the march king of the world. After that year the band declined
and the toys finally quit entirely. Later a new band was organized which
played for two or three years.
ALBRIGHT GERMAN CHURCH.
A new frame church was erected on the east side of the county line, just
below Julietta, in 1866, and became known as the Albright German church.
Services were conducted in Gennan until about 1890, after which they
were conducted in the English langaiage on certain Sundays of each month.
The German membership began moving away, others died, and after about
1895 services ceased to be held. Since that time the church has been sold
and moved away. Among those who were faithful for many years should
be mentioned Elinore Custer, Fred Schmoe, Mrs. \\''eber, of Julietta, and
the Fink family.
PHILADELPHIA.
Philadelphia, the first town in Sugar Creek township, was platted on
April II, 1838, by Charles Atherton, the original plat consisting of eighteen
lots. The record fails to show by whom the survey was made, but in all
deads of conveyance the lots are described as being in Charles Atberton's
original survey.
Two additions have ijeen made to the town since then. Pearson's addi-
tion, known as Second addition, was laid out on June 7, 1839, by Ovid Pear-
son, and contains forty-two lots and six outlots. A third addition, known as
Clark's addition, was laid out on April 2, 1864, and consists of nineteen lots.
For many years after the town was l?id out Charles Atherton was the
general merchant and postmaster. During the latter fifties a man named
Sl:GAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 76 1
Berry also operated a gmcer}-. in which he sold h'quor. The ladies of the
town and vicinity took exception to this part of his business and conspired
together to rid the town of tlie evil. Benw received an intimation of what
was about to happen, locked up his store and left town. The ladies, however,
made an entrance, some say through a window, and others say they battered
the door down. However, that may have been, the liquor was found and
poured upon the floor. Soon thereafter the owner left for other parts.
Later merchants were Allen ]\[cCane, Joseph Marshall, G. W. Willctt,
Samuel McConnaha, J. B. String, J. B. Conover, Oscar Meek & Brother,
John Gamer and H. F. Wilson. The present merchants are Raymond Wil-
son and Mr. Swarms. Elzy Grigsbv also sells groceries from a room in the
rear of the barber shop.
The early physicians of the town have been mentioned elsewhere, but
the list of later ones includes Drs. Eubank, King and Bell.
During the latter seventies and eighties a great deal of business was
transacted at Philadelphia. It was an important little railroad town. There
was a saw-mill, grist-mill and a grain elevator, and the Stutsmans and Ben-
jamin Elliott had a blacksmith shop. The first brick school house in the
township was also erected at Philadelphia m 1873.
\'ery few improvements have been made in the town during the past
fifty years and the older citizens tell us that it remains very much as it was
from their earliest recollection. The postoffice was removed when the
Greenfield rural mutes were started in 1902.
rillL.\DELPHIA METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCPI.
The first meetings of the people which resulted in the organization of
this church were held about 1835. The people who attended at that time
were Charles Atherton, Sr., and family. W'illiam Brown and family, Mrs.
Willett. Jonathan Homaday and family. Thomas J. Smith and family.
Joseph Gray and family, and likely others.
In the very early histoni^ of the church meetings were held in an old
log school house that stood on the north side of the National road, near the
east end of town, and, later, in a frame school house built by James Boyce
and Joseph Marshall, on the north side of the National road about the middle
of town. Seiwices were also held in the large reception room of Willett's
tavern, on the south side of the National road, and at the old Pennsylvania
station and freight depot, which burned down about 1878 or 1879.
Among the early ministers were Mr. Edmondson. J. B. Burch, .Abra-
ham Kuntz, Rev. Havens, \\'illiam Anderson and Rev. Colclazier. The latter
762 HANCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
was the minister about the time the present church house was built. The Rev.
Abraham Kuntz. and his wife, who was a sweet singer, held a very success-
ful revival in the old school house in the winter of 1854-5. The present
house was built in 1856 and was dedicated by Bishop Ames. .\t that time
it stood about twenty rods south of where it now stands. Ten years ago the
building was mo\ed to its present site, and since that time has been remodeled.
A Sunday school lias been conducted in connection witli the church ever since
about 1850.
Tlie churcli belonged to tlie Greenfield circuit until the dreenfield
church was made a station, in, 1879. At that time the Phihulelphia circuit
was formed, including Philadelphia, Eden, Curry's Chajiel and Sugar Creek,
under the pastorate of Ilar\ey Sutherland. Among tlie ministers of the
churcli, and the dates of their appointment, are Harvey Sutherland, 1878;
AN'illiam Anderson, 1879: Hosea W'oolpeit, 188 1 : A. C. Gruber. 1884: Will-
iam Peck, 1885; D. H. Guild. 1888: E. \\'. Reinhart, uSyo; John Heim.
1891: William Ramsey. 1893: H. H. Compton. 1895; S- l"^- Harter, 1896;
M. C. Pittenger, 1899: .\lbert Luring, 1900: L. P. Pfeiffer. iQOi : E. M.
Waggoner, 1904; H. Hardingham, 1905; Barton, 1906: M. M.
Reynolds, 1906: C. A. Hile, 1907; F. Greenstreet, 1909: Paul Truitt, 1909;
E. H. Taylor. 191 1 ; Leroy Iluddleston. 1912: J. B. O'Connor, 1915.
PHII.ADELI'IIIA CHURCH CEMETERY.
Tiiis cemetery, long known as tlic Hrnvkins cemetery, was surveyed in
May, 1 87 1, and presented by Joseph Hawkins to the trustees of the Phila-
delphia Methodist Ejiiscopal church. The price of the lots were fixed at si.x
dollars, the proceeds to l)e used in caring for and ornamenting the ground.
The trustees of the church were to fence the ground, keej) it enclosed, and
keep up tlie cemetery. The deed was delivered by Mr. Hawkins to the trus-
tees of the ciiurch at a meeting attended by a number of the memljers. Sev-
eral people present made short talks, and W. S. Fries, the surveyor, gave a
discourse upon "The Sacredness of the Grave."
-Additions have been made to the cemetery since that time. It was
maintained by the church until 1908. In the fall of that year it was incor-
porated under the laws of the state of Indiana and has sitice l;een in the hands
of the lot owners.
FRIENDS CHURCH AT I'niLADELPHIA.
The Friends church at Philadelphia was organized as a result of a great
camp meeting held at Dye's lake in the fall of 1886. by Eli Scott and a party
SL(;.\K CKKEK TOWXSHIl'. 763
frcini Indianapolis. The camp-meeting was lield m the open air until the
nights Ix'came too cool, when a large tent was erected. There was much
enthusiasm and before the meeting closed the following families, with others,
had handed themselves together for the purpose of organizing a church:
Clarence L. Black and wife, Emma Jane Gilson, Jolm Short and wife, Mrs.
Jennie Colestock, .several members of tlie Fields family, James Shelton and
wife, Henry Plawk and wife, .\rmenus McKelvey and wife, John McKelvev
and wife, Oliver Smith and wife. During the spring and summer of 1887 a
church was constructed on the north side of the National road at the west
end of Philadelphia. l'V)r several years Revs. Eli Scott, ETunt, Mrs. Carter,
and others preached to the congregation. Some of the members moved away,
others withdrew to other churches, and after a few years services ceased to
he held in the church. The house stood vacant for a numlier of vears and
was sold a few years ago to Mrs. Flora Stant, of Philadelphia.
During the winter of 1897-8, Rev. Mower, a United Brethren pastor,
conducted a revival for several montlis in this house in an effort to organize
a United Brethren church at Philadcl])hia. The effort, however, was not
successful.
SPRING L.^KE r.\RK.
Spring Lake park is located about one-half mile southwest of the town
of Philadelphia. The gully now occupied by the lake originally contained a
number of springs and in 1884-5 ^^'illiam D\e conceived the idea of i)utting
a dam across the west end of it to make an artificial lake. It was surrounded
by woods, and on the south lay eight or ten acres or more of timber, an
excellent picnic ground. The dam was constiiicted and the place, then known
as Dye's Grove, was opened to Sunday schools, lodges, and other organiza-
tions for picnics. A passenger steamer, which was able to carry about thirty
persons, was built on the lake in 1S86. It was a small steamlxjat, but it
attracted a great deal of attention in the \icinity for a summer or two. The
employees of the "Pan-Handle" Railroad Company held their annua! picnic
there in 1886. ^\ camp meeting was also held in 1886. the result of which
was the organization of the congregation of Friends at Philadelphia. It has
been used as a picnic ground more or less ever since that time. Boats, as
well as facilities for bathing, have always been maintained.
During the latter eighties one of the great sham battles of the count v was
fought there. In the course of time the place became known as Spring Lake
park. In Kjoi, after the Indianapolis & Greenfield traction line had been
built, a summer theater was opened and was maintained for two summers.
764 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Often, however, the singers and actors had the entire building to themselves
and after the second season the theater was not reopened. A baseball park was
maintained, which drew' large crowds on Sundays during 1903. The park
has changed hands several times; E. E. Matthews owned it for several years,
when it was bought by a company of persons who platted the entire tract for
residence purposes in the spring of 1912.
PHIL.\DELPHIA CORNET BAND.
A brass band was organized at Philadelphia in 1874, and incorporated
under the laws of the state. Its articles of incorporation may be found in the
miscellaneous record in the county recorders office in the court house at
Greenfield. The names of the meml^ers of the band, as shown by these
articles of incorporation, were Marion Philpott, \\'illiam Dye, Jr., Sam Mar-
tin, William Eddins, Charles Gilson, Henry C. Stutsman. John Stutsman,
J. A. Stutsman, J. M. Stutsman, Charles Stutsman and Annenus McKelvey.
This band, with a changing membership, continued to discourse strains of
iiiusic to the little town until in the eighties. It had a ven,' handsome, old-
fashioned band wagon, high at each end and low in the middle.
NEW PALESTINE.
New Palestine was laid out, October i, 1838, by Jonathan Evans, six
months after the town of Philadelphia had been laid out. It fn-st consisted
of fifteen blocks and thirty-six lots. Since that time a number of additions
have been made to the town, as follows:
North West Addition, laid out by Conrad Gundrum on Eebruary 18,
1854, and consists of twenty-three lots.
PValtke's Addition, laid out August 7, 1867, and consists of twenty-five
lots.
Kirkhoff's Addition, laid out by Anthony Kirkhoff, October 9, 1873, and
consists of six lots.
Kirkhoff's West Addition, laid out by Anthony Kirkhoff on January
2, 1875, and consists of ten lots.
Anderson's Addition, laid out by H. P. Anderson, April 10, 1872, and
consists of thirty-nine lots.
Hobbs' Sub-Division of parts of Anderson's and Kirkhoff's West Addi-
tion, made by Pliny F. Hobbs, May 25, 1865, and as subdivided consists of
five lots.
Coyner's Survey, laid out by Susan M. Coyner. December 21, 1886; em-
braces a re-subdivision of lots 7, 8 and 9, of H. P. Anderson's Addition.
SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 765
Correction of Kirkhoff & Anderson's Addition, by order of town trustees.
:\ray 2, 1873, because of imperfect description of said plats.
Anderson's Second Addition, laid out by Hayden P. Anderson. March
73. i8<)5, consists of three lots.
Anderson's Third Addition, laid out by Hayden P. Anderson. Novem-
ber 9. 1903; consists of eleven lots.
Claffcy's Addition, laid out by Amelia E. Claffey, June 13. 1905; con-
sists of twelve lots.
Jonathan Evans was the first merchant and the postmaster at the town.
Evans's place of business was located on the southeast corner of Main and
Bitner streets, where the drug store and bank are now situated. Among
the other very early merchants were Amos Dickerson, who lived on the
north side of Main street, on the west side of the first alley west of Bitner
street. Andrew McGahey, Robert King, S. S. Johnson and Joseph Cones.
These were followed in business by Shockley, Brown, Schildmeier, Shreiber,
Rupkey and others.
About the time of the war, or a little earlier, a frame business room was
erected at the northeast corner of Main and Bitner streets. This room was
occupied at different times by Freeman & Westlake, Kassebaum, Freeman,
Eaton & Gates ; Eaton & Son, Waltz & Richman, Richman & Son, Richman
& Kitley, Peffley & Kitley, Peffley, Geisel Brothers. Kassebaum is said to
have made a fortune in this building about the time of the war and following.
^^^ T. Eaton & Son were in business there for manv vears during the seven-
ties and eighties and up into the nineties.
Another frame business room was erected about i860 where the three-
story brick building known as the Vansickle building now stands, on the north
side of Main street about the middle of town. It was built by H. P. Ander-
son and later occupied by Vansickle & Helms. Vansickle & Westlake, A^an-
sickle & Nichols, Nichols & Nichols. WaXtz & Richman. Short & Ashcraft,
Geisel & Kitley, and Albert Geisel.
During the nineties Henry Nichols erected a little room on the south side
of Main street just a few lots west of the street leading to the school house.
Later his present brick building was erected, which he occupied for a number
of years and wliich has since been occupied by others.
INCORPORATION OF TOWN.
The petition asking for the incorporation of the town of New Palestine
was dated May 22, 187 1, and was presented to the board of county com-
missioners at their June session, in 1871. The petition was signed bv the
766 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
following named persons : E. J. Richardson. John Gundrum. Sanford Furry.
H. A. Schreiber, Jesse ^latlock. Jacob Huchel. M. ^I. Hook, A11>ert Free-
man, John W. Kingerv, Reason Hawkins, M. M. Alexander, Pliny Hobbs,
^Vmos Eversson, Henry H. Eaton, John Mausner, John P. Armstrong. J.
A. Schreiber, J. C. White, S. H. Bennett, Jefferson Ulrey, Eli Stout, Calvin
Bennett, Robert D. Stirling, Samuel S. Davis, Thomas J. Beeler. Edward
Hudson. G. Stineback, Samuel C. Willis, G. H. Robinson, D. J. Elliott, Ben-
jamin H. Rice. James I^rober, George Kinger^-, \Vesley Eaton, Hiram
Alurnan. W . H. Foster and B. F. Tnie. The petition also showed that the
town had a population of twi) hundred and seventy-nine people, with seventy
voters.
The board of commissioners fixed the fourth Saturday of June. 1871.
and the depot at New Palestine as the lime and place for the voters to meet
to determine whether the town should lie incorporated. The election was
held as ordered. The report thereof made to the board of county cnm-
missioners showed that a majority of the votes had been cast in favor of the
incorporation, whereupon the board ordered and declared the town incor-
porated under the name and style of New Palestine.
The first election of town officers was held on March 29, 1872. at which
the following men were elected: Samuel Hook, clerk; Benjamin F. Rice,
treasurer; Hiram Murnan, marshal; John S. \'ansickle, assessor; trustees,
Henry Gates, eastern district ; Henry A. Schreiber, southern district : Ma-
thias M. Hook, western district.
For many years the town had great difficulty with its name. The
postoffice was known as Sugar Creek. The railroad and express stations
as Palestine, and the name of the town itself was New Palestine. Because of
a town named Palestine, in Kosciusko county, Indiana, people were often
having their mail and other matters missent, that were directed to Palestine.
.\ great deal of mail, of course, was addressed to Palestine instead of Sugar
Creek, bv people who simply knew the name of the town. Through, the
efforts of E. F. Faut and Congressman Bynum. the name of the postoffice
was changed from Sugar Creek to New Palestine, on Januarj^ 16, 1889. The
name of the railroad station and e.xpress office was also changed to New
Palestine.
The citizens of New Palestine have always taken an active interest in
the administration of their local affairs. Tickets for town offices have
usually Ijeen nominated along party lines, yet frequently citizens' tickets, etc.,
have been nominated. In 1874 two tickets were placed in the field, one, the
"Law and Order" ticket, the other, the "Common Sense" ticket. .\s is usual
SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. "jd"]
in politics, the "Common Sense" peope were defeated. Since that time
"Citizens' " tickets have freqnently been nominated, but the pohtical ticket
has usually been successful.
BLACKSMITHS AND OTHER MECHANICS.
The names of E. II. Fant, Charles I-'aut, Conrad (ieisel and Gus Snnth
arc among- the early ijUicksniiths of the tmvn. The l\'un shop was operated
until the death of Charles I'aut, about three years ago. Conrad Geisel's shop
was closed a1x)ut ten years ago. Gus Smith, whose shop stood on the west
side of Bitner street, just across from the old school house, was bought out
by John Huber and William TrL-ntlenian. in i88j. They were young men
at the time and conducted the sh(jp under the nanie of "Our Boys" until 1887.
At that time Mr. Huber took o\er the shop and Air. Trentleman began work
for the Faut Brothers. In 1899 he again opened his own .sho]), which he has
maintained to the present.
Charles F. Richman has lieen a caqjcnter and coniracior at .\ew i'ales-
tine for over a half century. Some of the best dwellings in the vicinity,
including also churches and schools, stand as monuments to his workman-
ship. Perry & Pliney F. Hobbs also contracted for a numl)er of years dur-
ing the eighties and later. At present Chris Rosenbaumer is the principal
contractor. Eli Stout has for many years been a house painter, while Charles
Ballard has painted the buggies and carriages.
WATER SYSTEM.
A gas well was drilled in the creek bottom just below the hill in 1901,
or possibly a year earlier. It was a failure, but an artesian well remained.
In March, 1902, Max Herrlich installed a '"ram," by means of which the
water has been forced into the tank elevated on a derrick about fifty feet
high on the hill just northeast of town. He then piped the town, to all parts
of which gravity forces the water. Tt is used for all purposes. The school
has used this water since 1902.
NEW PALESTINE BANK.
On August 10, 1892, the first bank at New Palestine opened its doors
for business in the rear of the brick building standing on the northeast corner
of Main and Bitner streets. This bank was promoted by Luther Erganbright
and James Pritchard. though Mr. Erganbright took charge. It opened on
rather slender capital, but grew into a prosperous institution. In the spring
of 1893 it was reorganized under the state law with a capital of twentv-five
768 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
thousand dollars. It also moved from its old location to the \"ansickle block
on the north side of Main street, about the center of the town. This organ-
ization was composed of William T. Eaton, president; Luther Erganbright,
cashier; Miss Cora Shaeffer, John Manche and Henry Fralich.
Tlie bank continued to do business until July, 1895. when Mr. Ergan-
Ijright withdrew. It shortly afterward surrendered its charter and quit the
banking business.
Through the efforts of William T. Eaton, the ])resent Xew Palestine
private bank was organized and opened its doors for business on September
20, 1897. The bank at that time was owned by William T. Eaton, presi-
dent; Henry Fralich. cashier; Edward Eink, Jolm II. Binford and Anton
E. G. Richman. After several years of successful management Mr. Eaton
retired on account of ill health and disposed of his holdings to the remaining
stockholders. After Mr. Eaton's retirement Edward Fink was elected presi-
dent, Henry Fralich, cashier, and Miss Maggie Fralich was eriiployed as
assistant cashier and bookkeeper. After the death of Anton E. G. Rich-
man, in 1908, his son, Charles, took his father's holdings and Ijecame a
member of the firm. In the spring of 1911 Miss Maggie Fralich severed her
connection with tlie brink. Before her retirement Edward Eink had familiar-
ized himself with banking business and upon her resignation took an active
part in the administration of the bank's affairs. In the spring of 1912 John
H. Binford died and his son, Paul, who was appointed administrator, rep-
resented his father in die Imnk. In August, 19 12, Charles P. Weiser, of
Indianapolis, was employed as bookkeeper and later was made assistant
cashier. In September, 1912, Henn- Fralich's retirement as officer and stock-
holder in the liank necessitated a complete reorganization thereof, which
resulted in the selection of the following stockholders : Charles J. Richman,
Benjamin G. Faut, Edward Fink and Paul F. Binford. The present officers
are Charles J. Richman, president ; Benjamin F. Faut, vice-president ; Edward
Fink, cashier, and Charles P. Weiser. assistant cashier.
NEW PALESTINE MAIL.
For a number of years previous to the Civil War, Xew Palestine had
only two mails per week — one from the west, on Tuesday, and one from the
east, on Friday. The mail was carried on horseback. During the winter
months there were sometimes no deliveries for weeks because of bridges being
out between Indianapolis and Rushville. "Bridges out" was a valid excuse
for the star route carrier. He drew his salary whether the mail was deliv-
ered or not, if he had a legal excuse for not carrving it. Sometimes the
SUGAR CREEK TUW.WSIl U'. 769
patrons made up a donation and hired the postmaster at I'hiladelpliia to go
to Indianapolis and get the Sugar Creek postoffice mail. During the Civil
W'-dY tiie people, of course, were anxious to get the news. Frequently a num-
ber of them cluljloed together and had the Indianapolis Journal sent out on
the "Pan-Handle" railroad and thrown off at Gem. (It will be remembered
that the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railway was not completed until
1869.) All those in the club had to take turn to go after the morning paper.
By this method the people of the vicinity were kept informed as to the events
of the war. After the war and until 1869 a star route from Philadelphia to
New Palestine was established and Thomas O'Riley had the contract for
carrying the mail. He brought the mail three times per week. After the
railroad was completed, of course, mails- were delivered daily at New
Palestine.
Two rural routes have been established from New Palestine, route i,
in July, 1902, and route 2, in September, 1905.
TEMPERANCE CAMPAIGNS.
A fuller history of the temperance movements is given elsewhere. One
of the exciting events in the life of New Palestine was the explosion that blew
up the saloon, on October 16, 1881. Of a similar nature was the blowing
up of the pool room on May 21. 1882. In 1899 a ven,- bitter temperance
campaign was led principally by Rev. John S. Ward, of the Methodist church,
and Dr. O. C. Nier.
TOWN LIGHTS.
Two efforts were made at New Palestine to drill for gas, following its
discover)' in 1887, but the quantity produced by each well was so small that
it proved unprofitable. Gas was piped from the vicinity of Fountaintown,
however, and during the latter eighties the citizens of New Palestine used
it for cooking and heating purposes and the streets of the town were lighted
by gas flamljeaux. The gas pressure became low in two or three years and
was found insufficient for practical purposes at New Palestine. About 1900,
or a }ear or two later, an acetylene light plant was installed in the town hall
that stood on the northeast comer of the school ground. From this plant
the streets were lighted until the explosion, which occurred in the fall of 1906.
During the following year another plant was installed on the hill just south
of the railroad and north of the extreme east end of town, and the town was
again lighted until the summer of 191 5, when the Indianapolis & Cincinnati
Traction Company installed electric light. Since then the town has been
lighted with electricity.
(49)
770 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Xew Palestine fire department was organized in April. 1893, with
Max Herrlich as chief. The company consisted of twenty-four men. A hand
engine was purchased, which was used until the burning of the town hall, in
1906. Large cisterns were constructed in the streets and distributed in
various parts of town. After the burning of the town hall, in igo6. in which
the equipment of the fire department was destroyed, a new gasoline engine
was purchased, which is still in use.
EXPLOSION OF ACETYLENE LIGHT PL.VNT.
One of the most serious accidents that ever occurred at Xew Palestine
was the explosion of the acetylene light plant, on the evening of October i,
1906. The streets of the entire town, as well as some of the residences, were
lighted from the plant, which was located on the ground floor of the town
hall, which stood at the northeast corner of the present school ground. .\
Republican caucus was being held on the second floor on that evening, at
which W. H. H. Rock, chaiiTnan of the Republican county central commit-
tee; Elmer J. Binford, candidate for judge: William A. Hough and James
F. Reed, all from (Greenfield, were present. A number of local Republicans
were also there, including ^^'illiam Toon, Perry Hobbs. John O. Branson.
Frank Hanes, John Hittle and Warren Coffey. The mechanism in which
the gas was produced was out of order, and the gas leaking from the tank
filled the lower room of tlie building. A disturbance of the light upstairs
was observed and the town marshal. John L. McCinie, went below to inves-
tigate. He struck a match at the door, which caused the explosion, wrecking
the entire building. William Toon was fastened under the debris of the
building and was immediately burned to death in the flames caused by the
escaping gas. Perr\' Hobbs and John O. Branson were also severely burned.
All of the other members present were injured, some seriously and others
slightly.
NEW P.VLESTINE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHITRCH.
The Xew Palestine Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1830.
in a school house, near where the cement block factoiy now stands, at the
rear of the old school ground, .\mong the prime movers and first members
of this organization are found tlic names of David and Catherine McXamee,
George H. and Man- Robinson, Thomas Swift and wife, Lewis and Phelie
Rurk, Joseph and Elizabeth Conner, John and Sophia .\shcraft, Joseph and
Elizabeth Monjar, Adam Hawk and wife, Whitfield True and wife, Dr. B.
SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 771
!•". True and wife, Henry and Xancy Gates. Benjamin I'lceman and wife.
Dr. J. M. and Mary Ely, Benjamin McNamee and wife, William Leachman
and wife, Hiram Chambers and wife, Jolm Jolms and wife, 11. I lou.ti'h and
wife. Jane McVey and Eliza Jones. The first trustees of this society were
William Thomas McVey, Dr. J. M. Ely and David McNamee.
The first church building was erected in the summer of 1856 and was
dedicated the following September by Thomas Eddy. There is now a mem-
bership of two hundred and fifty-one; average attendance, one hundred and
twenty-five.
The ministers who ha\e jjresided here from time to time are as follow:
James Conner. J. L. Sneeth. J. W. McZ^Iullen, Andrew Kitchen, h'phraim
W'right. Wray Rosencrans. Jenkins. Ransdall, f'atrick Carlin. I'. R. Rijberts,
Thomas Sharp W'hitmore. Jesse Miller, F. ]\I. Turk. White. Benjamin,
Augustus Teris, IMcCaw, B. F. Morgan, E. A. Danmont, George Winchester,
W. B.- Clancy. J. L. McClain. .\lbert Cain. I.. D. Moore. T. B. McClain,
John G. Chaffer. J. N. Thompson, W. S. Troyer, E. D. Keys. H. O. Frazier,
Merritt Machlan, J. S. Ward. William Zaring, John Machlan, J. P. Masson,
W. D. Woods, Frank H. Collier and P. R. Cross. The circuit of many
points was obliterated in 1S84, and New Palestine became a station.
In iqoi, under the pastorate of John S. Ward, the okl frame structure
gave wa\' to one of brick ;uid stone, niodcrn in every i^articuku'. at a cost of
eight thousand dollars. The building committee was composed of Dr. O. C.
Neier, William Lantz, ]\Ioore Holden, Conrad Geisel and Benjamin Faut.
This committee was organized by electing Dr. O. C. Neier, president, William
Eantz, treasurer, and John S. Ward, secretary. Plans were submitted by
.Architect Allen, of Indianapolis, and the contract was awarded to Charles F.
Richman. Work began on July 15 and the building was dedicated on Decem-
ber 15, igoi.
The present officiary of the church is as follows; Trustees. William G.
Lantz. John M. Ashcraft, Benjamin Faut, Jnhn Manche. Ro.scoe Andrews,
Edward Fink and A. P. Hogle ; stewards, .\. 1'. Hogle; president. Walter
Faut; secretary, Roscoe Andrews; treasurer, JMancis Leonard; Ella Hogle,
Alice Schreiher, Laura Kincaid, W. H. Trentleman and Flora B. Lantz ;
Sunday school superintendent, Forbes Leonard ; president of the Epworth
League, Ralph Ruschaupt ; president of the Ladies' .\id Society, Flora Lantz ;
chorister. Henry C. Nichols ; organist, Myrtle Schreiher,
A new parsonage was erected by Charles F. Richman in uym. at a cost
of three thousand five hundred dollars.
The Sunday school established in connection with the church meets on
■/■J2 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Sunday morning and has an enrollment of two hundred twenty, with an
average attendance of one hundred and fifty. Forbes Leonard, tlie present
superintendent, has an able corjjs of teachers, as follow: Re\'. R. R. Cross,
men's Bible class; A. P. Hogle, ladies' Bible class; Mrs. .\. H. Geisel, junior
girls; Murray Addison, junior boys; Loraine Cross, nitennediate ; Lillian
Ulery, intermediate ; Mrs. Joseph Fritts, primary : Myrtle Schreiber,
beginners.
Three adult classes comprise one-half the attendance and are mostly
church members. The superintendents, as nearly as can be ascertained, have
been as follow : Benjamin Freeman, Henry Merlau, Dr. Hook, Dr. Christian
Kirkhoff, ^\'. D. Place, A. P. Hogle, Ezra Eaton, David Ayres, L. L. Ergan-
bright, C. M. Jackson, William Ashcraft, T. G. Short, Walter Faut, Elmer
Andrews, Raymond Lanlz, Clara Arminger, James Hawk, Forbes Leonard.
An Epworth League was organized in 1892 ; the present membership is
thirty-six. Devotional meetings are held each week and socials are given
each month. Ralph Ruschaupt is the president.
A "Mite Society" was organized in 1886, consisting of the ladies, mem-
bers or friends of the church. The officers are, ^Irs. Stewart Nichols, presi-
dent; Mrs. Alice Schreiber, vice-president. This society was reorganized in
a few years and named the Ladies' Aid Society, with Ella Hogle as presi-
dent and Mrs. Alice Schreiber, vice-president. Then followed as president,
Mrs. Mary Gundrum, Mrs. Anna Neier, Mrs. Ella Machlan, Emma L. Jack-
son, IMargaret Collier. Maud Lantz and Flora Lantz. Mrs. Kate Weber is
the present vice-president; Mrs. Fink, treasurer; Gertrude .\ndrews, secre-
tary. ■ The total membership numbers sixty loyal, noble-minded women.
There are various committees to look after the welfare of the church and
parsonage, and visit the sick. Meetings devotional are held the first Thurs
day of each month.
GERM.\N METHODIST EPISCOP.VL CHURCH.
The German Methodist Episcopal church was organized in the spring of
1 85 1. Its charter members were John D. Faut, Christina Faut, Anthony Kirk-
hoff, Mary Kirkhoff, Conrad Gundnmi and wife, John Lange and wife, Jacob
Lange and wife, Henry Fink and Elizabeth Fink. The first trustees of the
church were John D. Faut, John Manche, Anthony Kirkhoff, Henry Fink and
Conrad Gundrum.
In 1852 the congregation erected a house of worship in the northeast
part of New Palestine, adjoining the old school ground. Among the min-
'Sters of the church were the Revs. Philip Doer, Wilke, Heis, Ficken,
SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 773
Krill and others. Services were held Ijy this congregation until within a
decade of the close of the last century'. At tliat time the greater luimber of
Germans had departed this life and their children preferred to worship in
English. They consequently united with the English Methodist Episcopal
church at New Palestine. About the close of the century the congregation
sold their property to Max Herrlich.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CIIRIST).
The first presentation of the Disciples' plea for an apostolic teaching of
the Gospel at New Palestine was made by Elder New. He came in 1866, at
the invitation of a few scattered brethren of that body living in the com-
munity. From this time the members of the church were visited at irregu-
lar intervals by a number of itinerant brethren. The early gatherings were
held in groves along the banks of Little Sugar creek in the summer, and in
private homes in the winter. A number of sen'ices were also held in the
German Methodist church. Later they were held in the school house at
New Palestine, where an organization was perfected on September 4, 1870,
under the leadership of W. R. Low, who became the first pastor. The follow-
ing resolution was subscribed to on that day :
"We, the undersigned members of the Body of Christ, agree to con-
gregate ourselves together for the worship of the true God and the edifying
of each other in love ; to be governed by the word of God exclusive of the
dictations and commandments of man." Signed by ]\Iichael H. Hittle, Eliza-
beth R. Hittle, Sanford Furry, Henn,^ Bussell, Albert Freeman, Harriet Free-
man, Malinda Bussell, Margaret Kamerian, Rachel Kamerian, Ethelbert
Richardson, Malinda Richardson, Minerva \Mieeler, John P. Armstrong,
Eliza J. Armstrong and Lavina Pitcher. The names of Hayden P. Ander-
son, J. M. Pitcher and Thomas Parish were soon added to the list of charter
members.
Shortly after the organization was effected the congregation was denied
the use of the school house and services were held in the railroad depot,
which had been built and given to the town by Hayden P. Anderson, who
was then freight agent. In 187 1 Mr. Anderson also donated ground and a
house of worship was erected thereon, at a cost of one thousand five hundred
and fifty dollars. This building was dedicated on Thanksgiving day, Novem-
ber 25, 1871, by W. R. Jewel, of Danville, Ind. At this time George B.
Richardson, M. H. Hittle, J. P. Armstrong, J. M. Pitcher and H. P. Ander-
son were chosen as deacons.
Some of the early ministers of the church were W. T. Hough, J. A.
774 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Lockhart, John A. Navitz. \\'. H. Boles, Rev. Roberts, Barzilla Blount and
Dr. H. ^\^ McCane. Among the later ministers have been some of the most
prominent of the In'otherhood : L. E. Sellers, national secretary of the Chris-
tian Temperance Board; H. A. Pritchard. president of Enreka College,
Eureka. 111. ; E. E. Moorman, now pastor of Englewood church, Indianapolis,
and A. L. Ward, pastor of First church of Lebanon, Ind.
The house of worship' was remodeled in 1906, and was dedicated in
September of that year by L. L. Carpenter, of Wabash. In this building the
following persons have served as pastor: Carl Barnett, under whose leader-
ship the building was remodeled; Clarence Ridenbach, 1908-1912; A. Burns,
1913, and Herbert J. Buchanan, the present pastor, who began his work in
1914.
A very successful evangelistic meeting was held in the church in March.
1914, at which thirty or more members were added to the church roll. It
also made it possible to employ ministers who could gi\e all their time to tins
church.
A Sunday school was organized at the time of the organization of the
church. J. P. Armstrong was superintendent for a number of years. The
school now has an enrollment of about ninety members and is well organized.
The graded system of lessons is used, and the adult department is well
attended by the church membership. The present superintendent is Everett
Snodgrass. Mrs. W. H. Larrabee is superintendent of the elementary
department.
The Helping Hand Society has Ijeen an effective auxiliary of the church
f(ir the past eighteen years. Its present officers are Mrs. E. C. Branden-
burg, president; Mrs. William Gunn. secretary; Mrs. W. H. Larrabee. treas-
urer. A Christian Endeavor Society was organized in March. 1914, with
a score or more of young people as charter members. Charles Leonartl was
the first president of the society. .\n auxiliar}- to the Christian \\^oman'5
Board of Missions was organized in October. 1914. It is in a prosperous
condition. Mrs. William Gunn is the president. The church is now enjoying
a period of its brightest history. Fifty members have been added to the
church during the past two years. The resident membership is one hundred
and seven.
GERMA.V E\'A.\GELIC\L ZIOX's CIllKLH.
The German Evangelical Zion's church was organized on October 22.
1887, through the efforts of Rev. P. (r. H. E. Wittich. Rev. \\"ittich. who
had come over from Gennanv several vears before, had been educated in the
SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 775
German uni\ersities. He spoke a lieauliful (jerman, but a Ijroken En^^lisli.
He had a clear voice and a magnetic personality. It was these (jualities that
enabled him to accomplish his work at New Palestine and vicinity so
successfully.
The little congregation at first worshipped in the (ierman .Methodist
church that stood in the northeast part of town, adjoining the old school
ground. Later it wnrshipped in the hall <if what is now known as the \'an-
sickle building. In this hall it celebrated its first Christmas festivities in
1887.
In the meantime steps were taken for the erection of a new building. .\
building committee was appointed, ci imposed of John G. Jacobi, Peter Kissel.
William Ruschaupt, George Hack and .\nton F. Schildmeier. In the spring
of 1888 work was begun and the building was completed and dedicated in
the fall of 1888.
The charter members of the cliurch were Frederick Gessler, Jacob Den-
kel. [olin G. Jacobi. Ernst H. Faut, Ma.x Herrlich, Wilhelm Ruschaupt.
Henry Clapper, George Hack, Cliarles Harking, Johann Gessler, George
Gessler. Wilhelm Gessler, Jacob Stroh, Anton F. Danner, b". 11. W'altke,
Anton F. Schildmeier, George H. Waltke, Anton L. Jacobi, Henry Ruschaupt.
George Freigel, Jr., Louis H. Jacobi. .\nton Craft, Henry Weber. Peter
Kissel, Henry Ruster, \\'ilhelm Hupe and Johann Kroening. Of the above.
Hcm-v Ruschaupt, George Hack and Jolm G. Jacobi are still members of the
church.
The congregation has a good frame parsonage on the church ground,
erected in 1893. Following are the pastors who have served the church:
Rev. Wittich. October, 1887: Fred Dreer. June, 1891: Theodore Kettlehut,
July. 1892: C. G. Kettlehut. November. 1895; Daniel Bretz, May. 1898; John
Ilaussman. January, 1900: Charles IMeyer, June, 1901 : William J. Crammer,
October, 1902: H. C. Toelle. September. 1909; .\. B. Meyer. January. 1913:
Theodore Schory. .\pril, 1915. The average attendan.ce at the regular serv-
ices of the church is probably sixty.
A Sunday school was also organized in Octol)er, 1887. There are now
seven classes, with an average attendance of sixty-five. The adult members
of the church also attend Sunday school. Among the superintendents are
George Freigel, Max Herrlich, Herman Ehlert, Mrs. Louise Kissel, Rev.
H. C. Toelle and Christian Rosenbaum.
The church has a Ladies' Aid Society and also a Young People's Society.
Roth are prosperous and doing a live and wide-awake work, s]5iritually and
financiallv.
■J-jd HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
This church was made the beneficiary in the will of Anton F. Schild-
nieier, one of its members, who departed this life in the spring of 191 5. In
Article 8 of the codicil to his will, Mr. Schildmeier provided: "It is my
desire that in the settling up of my estate the trustees of the German Evangel-
ical clnirch at New Palestine shall receive five hundred dollars to be applied to
funds for the purchase of a pipe organ for the church." This amount was
paid to- the trustees of the church by the executor, Henry Schildmeier, on
October 27, 1915.
CROWN POIXT CEMETERY.
This cemetery was first laid out by Elizabeth Cones, on December 20,
1870. At that time it contained forty-one lots. Other additions were made
later, but the older portion of the burial ground gradually fell into decay
and became overgrown with weeds and brush. Ten years ago there was a
feeling among the lot owners that some steps should be taken for the Ijettcr
care of the cemetery. There seemed to be a division among the people, and, on
the one hand Charles H. Faut, W. H. Carver, William S. Toon, N. P.
Brandenburg and John L. Boring attempted to incorporate the ctmetery
under the Voluntary Association act. A number of other persons interested
in the cemeterv joined in a petition which was addressed to the board of
county commissioners of Hancock county, asking for an incorporation of the
cemetery under a special statute providing for the incorporation of cemeteries
that had long been in use. Charles H. Faut and others at once placed their
articles of incorporation on file with the secretar}- of state under the name
of the Crown Point Cemetery Association. Those who- proceeded before
the board of county commissioners stopped at the close of the proceedings
before the commissioners. A law had been passed, however, which stip-
ulated that no incoi-poration should be held complete, and that no incorpora-
tion could exercise corporate powers until its articles of association had been
placed on file with the secretary of state. This was not done for the ceme-
tery until in the summer of 1909. When the articles were presented to the
secretary of state it was found that there were already articles on file for an
association known as the Crown Point Cemetery Association. Though the
incorporation of the cemetery under the Voluntaiy Association act was
invalid, it nevertheless placed the name on file in the office of the secretary
of state, which prevented the other interested parties from incorporating
under tiie same name. A further petition was then filed with the board of
county commissioners asking tiiat the name be clianged from Crown Point
Cemetery Association to the New Palestine Cemetery Association, and the
incorporation has been known by that name to the present.
SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. "/T/
Since the incorporation of the cemetery many improvements have been
made. All brush and weeds have been cut down from the old part. The
cemetery has been leveled, and has now 1>een sown to grass. Streets and alleys
have been improved, a new entrance has been constructed from the west, and,
withal, the cemeterv is now (juc of the most beautiful in the county.
LODGES.
New Palestine Lodge No. 404, Free and Accepted Masons, received its
charter on May 25, 1869, with the following charter members: F. M. Hook,
J, P. Armstrong, Conrad H. Shellhouse, Edward P. Scott, Burroughs \\'est-
lake. P). F. Stutsman, Calvin Bennett and J. P. Vernon. The first steps
toward the organization of the lodge were taken in January, i86g, when the
grand master appointed the rest of the officers necessary to perfect the organ-
ization. The lodge has grown from eight charter members to a present
membership of one hundred and three. When the Vansickle hall was built
the lodge took an interest in the building and waS given a ninety-nine-year
lease on the hall on the third floor. The set of three gavels now used in the
lodge were presented on the evening of October 21. 1899. by Conrad Shell-
house, a charter member, and the first junior warden. They were made of
olive wood by an Arab, under the instruction of Brother Shellhouse, and
were obtained within about two hundred feet of the site of King Solomon's
temple.
New Palestine Chapter No. 213, Order of the Eastern Star.^ — On May 15.
1897, I. C. B. Steman, grand patron of the grand chapter Order of the
Eastern Star, appointed Edward P. Scott as patron; Mar)- M. Nichols,
worthy matron: Cassie M. Caraway, associate matron. At this meeting W.
H. Glascock, associate grand patron, instituted the J. C. Vansickle Chapter,
Order of the Eastern Star, at New Palestine. The officers of Miriam Chap-
ter No. 64, from Greenfield, being present, took their respectixx stations,
Tola Bragg, worthy matron, instituting Ella Hogle into the mysteries of the
order. On April 2, 1898, Morgan Caraway presented an amendment to the
constitution asking that the chapter be known as New Palestine Chapter No.
213, Order of the Eastern Star. There were thirty charter members, of
which eight are still in the chapter. Five have died :md the rest have either
changed their membership or have withdrawn. At present there are thirty-
five members. They have always met at the Masonic" hall.
New Palestine Lodge No. 215, Knights of Pythias, was organized on
-April 9. 1889. with twenty-five charter memliers. It has at present eighty-
two members. Since its organization it has paid in sick benefits approxi-
•/"/li HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
mately six thousand dollars; death lienefits, nine hundred and thirty-seven
dollars; for nurse hire, eight hundred and ninety-five dnllars. Of the char-
ier members, nine still retain then" membershii) in the lodge. Six have gone
out and ten liave died.
P\tliian Sisters Xo. 313. au.xiliary to the Knights of Pythias, was organ-
ized April 29, 1905. in the nld \'ansickle building, with the following char-
ter members: Marion Tucker and wife. Moore Holden and wife, Joseph
Fritts and wife. Jnhn Burkhart and wife. Charles Ballard and wife. Pleasant
Parish and wife. Jolin Hittle and wife, ^^'illiam Tucker and wife. Robert
Branson and wife. Harry Wel.'er and wife. Margaret Sheafer. Flora Strong.
Lizzie Andrews, Ellen Drake. Anna Geisel. Lizzie Means, Lula Nichols,
Mary Peffly, Audry Rupkey (Larrabee), Mada Shilling (Scott), Leona
Scott, Sadie L^lrey, Leota Wilkins and Clara Arminger. The first officers
were Margaret Sheafer, most excellent chief; Nora Hittle, excellent senior;
Martha Holden. excellent junior; Clara Arminger. manager; Leota Wilkins,
mistress of recorils and' correspondence; Margaret Burkhart. mistress of
finance;. Elizabeth Ballard, protector; Belle Fouty, guard; Flora
Strong, past chief The present membership consists of twenty-one knights
and thirtv-nine ladies. Tiie motto of the lodge is. "Onward and I'pward."
In Memoriam : Max lierrlich. Pet Allen, .Sadie L'lrey, Minnie Cox and
Elizabeth Ballard.
Mohican Tribe Xo. 217, Impro\ed Order of Red Men. was organized
on b'eljruar}- ig. i8i;6, with thirty charter members, .At present there are
one hundred and nine members. Tlie tribe meets in the hall of the old school
house, which during the Ci\il War times was known as "Union Hall."
Mohican Council No. 95. Degree of Pocahontas, a l:)rancb of the Red
Men. was instituted June 9. 1897, with thirty-six charter mcmliers. The
first officers were: Prc^phetess. Lura Eaton; Pocahontas. .Mice Avers;
Wenonah, OUie Westlake ; Powhatan. Max Herrlich ; keeper of records,
Emma lierrlich: keeper of wampum, Sarah Martindale: first scout, Lizzie
James; second scout, Addie Harris; first runner, Minerva Sharp; second
runner, Mary Kastor; first counsellor, Lydia Leonard; second counsellor,
Mary Drake; first warrior, W. II. Harris; second warrior, Robert Gould;
third warrior, E. B. Martimlale: fourth warrior. Albert Kastor; guard of
forest, Fannie Leonard; guard of wigwam, Rosetta Payne. This council
now has sixty-one members. In Memoriam: W'ilhelmina Eaton. John (iim-
drum, .Max Herrlicli. .Maggie .\shcraft, Susie Andrews, ]\lary Ulrey and
Sadie Ulrey. Miss Emma Herrlich has been the keeper of records for tlie
lodge ever since its institution witli the exception of one year.
SUGAR CREKK TOWNSHIP. 779
Mohican Hay Luft No. 217^^, was organized May 18, 1898, with ei,q:hteen
charter members. It also meets at Hiiber"s hall.
Xew Palestine Lodge No. 844, Independent Order of Odd i'ellows. was
organized on December 12, 1906, with thirty-four charter members. Pres-
ent numlier of members, fifty-eight. The ludge meets in the second floor of
the Geisel building or over the Ijank and drug store.
The Daughters of Rebekah also have a lodge in cnniiection with the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Xew Palestine District Court of Honor Xo. 381 was organized Decem-
ber 30, 1897. with twenty-five charter members. Some of the members have
dieil, others have mo\ed away, so that at present there are only eigT.t mem-
bers left in the order.
Xew Palestine Cam]) Xo. 6()2_'. Modern Woodmen of America, was
instituted March 21, 1901. with twenty-four charter members. The camp
now has a membership nf ninety-five and meets in the (jeisel hall over the
bank and drug store.
NEW PALESTINE CORNET BANDS.
Ever since the sixties the town of X'ew Palestine has, from time to time.
had its cornet hands. Among the older musicians should be mentioned Henry
G. ]\Iickle. Walter ^^'atterson, Charles Hanes, J. M. I'Teeman, Thomas ].
Elliott, James Arthur, Smith T. Xichols, John H, Garver. Genrge W. .Xichols.
Milliard F. Anderson, Fred iM-iegel, Harry Garver, John Westlake, William
Gundrum, John Carson, Marshall Watterson, James Everson, Amos Ever-
son. John Merlau, John Rawlings, Edward Ayers. Lucian Watterson, John
Hittle, Fred Claffey and Godlib Mickle. Isaac Davis, of Greenfield, taught
the band for a while. During the early eighties a special teacher was em-
ploved, who made his home at X'ew Palestine, to give all of his time to the
l)and and to the indivicUial nienibers thereof. It likely reached its highest
state of excellence from 1880 to 1884. In 1877 it played at the Shelbyville
fair and later played at a number of the surrounding county fairs, as well
as at the state fair. In i88n .1 new wagon, also new instruments and new
uniforms, were purchased, at a cost of over iMie thousand dollars. The
peo])le of the communitv contrib.ited liberally to supply the liand with this
equipment. The bovs themselves jiaid out a large amount for instruction.
and for a time enjo\ed the reputation of l>eing one of the very best bands in
the state. About 1900 another band was organized under the leadership of
James Everson. which remained in existence for three or four years. Among
the players of this band were: James H. Everson. Hiram K. Banks, Guy
jSo HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
B. Westlake, John Monjar, Mat Kellum, Edward Eickman. Pearl Gilson,
Otto Schramm, Gustav Letchle, George J. Richman, Roscoe Andrews,
Charles \A'aggoner, C. E. Gundrum. Harry Short, Fred \Y. Claffey, Harry
Garver, Ed Schreiber, I. C. Schlosser and Evert Short. Another band was
organized a few years later, which played for a short time.
In addition to the brass bands, Charles Ballard has on several occasions
organized orchestras, which have played a good grade of music. Ballard's
orchestra appeared at various celebrations during the eighties, such as the
opening of Vansickle's new hall on September 2t„ 1884, and the dedication
of the school house at New Palestine in 1884.
HARVEST PICNIC.
One of the greatest social events in the life of New Palestine and its
vicinity was a harvest picnic, on August 8, 1895, which had been promoted
bv tlie business men of New Palestine. It was held at Gundrum's grove,
about three-quarters of a mile northeast of New Palestine. The Indianapolis
Military Band was present during the day. The people were entertained
and amused with mule races and contests in which the boys climlsed greased
poles, etc. There were baby shows and other features of the program in
which people were interested. This picnic proliably brought together the
greatest number of people e\er congregated at one time in that vicinity.
TROGRESS CLUB.
There is one literary club at New Palestine, the Progress Club. The
organization of the club was suggested by Carrie D. Amout. Its purpose is
"intellectual improvement and social culture." The club was organized on
September 13, 1910, with the following charter members: Julia Waters,
Myrtle Elliott, Anna Geisel, Daisy Eikman, Carrie Arnout, Myrtle Schreiber,
Hazel Mitchell, Levanche Conklin, Jessie Rogers, Anna Waltz.
The first officers elected were Mrs. Carrie Arnout, president; Mrs.
Jessie Rogers, secretary; ^Irs. Myrtle Elliott, treasurer; Mrs. Daisy Eikman,
assistant secretary and treasurer. The first program committee was com-
posed of Myrtle Schreiber, Levanche Conklin and Daisy Eikman. Meetings
of the club are held fortnightly. A free lecture is given each year, to which
the public is invited. Social evenings and a yearly picnic are the diversions.
The club at present is composed of the following members : Clara Arminger,
Eliza Ball, Indiana Ferris, Anna Geisel, Emma Herrlidi, Mary Herrlich,
Bessie Herrlich, Eva Hittle, Nancy Huber, Grace Mace, Lucile Madison.
Mattie Merlau, Maud Parish, Blanche Schlosser and Margaret ^^'ilhamso^.
SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 781
GEM.
X'o survey was ever made of this town and consequently there is no plat.
Tiie postoffice was maintained until 1902, when the rural routes were started
from Greenfield. Nicholas Stutsman established a store in 1871, and he and
his successors have kept stores there from that time to the present. Among
the people who have helped make Gem what it is are J. Townsend, Burk &
Son, William Gladden & Son, Chris Fink and Snyder Brothers. Jesse Sny-
der is the present owner of the store.
The Stutsmans, and later, Chris Fink, operated a saw-mill and planingf-
niill at Gem from 1871 until 1902. Isaac Stutsman had a blacksmith shop
for a number of years prior to the middle nineties. Joseph Coon also had a
shoe shop for a number of years. At present there is a store and a grain
ele\-ator at Gem. The elevator is operated by Fred Thomas.
GEM METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Gem Methodist Episcopal church was organized in the fall of 1904
during a revival conducted by the Rev. F. M. Waggoner, pastor on the Phila-
delphia circuit. The following were the charter members : Rosa Cly, Samuel
Cly, Pearl Domanget, Maud Grigsby, Mabel Grigsby, William D. Gladden,
Flora Gilson, Rosa Gladden, Elzy Grigsby, Emily Grigsby, Mary E. Hawk,
Theresa Harbaugh, Martha Kuhn, Delores Kuhn. \'ania Kuhn, Laura Mills-
paugh, Blanch Reasoner, William Riser, Nellie Rodewald, Delia Reasoner,
Florence Reasoner, George Rodewald, Margaret Spilker, William Spilker,
Estella Spilker, Elizal>eth Spilker. George .Stutsman, Nancy Spilker.
The little frame church was built by Henry C. .Spilker, and was ded-
icated February 26, 1905. A Sunday school has been conducted in connec-
tion with the church ever since its organization. Christian Fink, who has
since joined the church, takes an active interest and is one of its financial
pillars of support.
HEAVY T.VXPAYERS.
For a number of years during the latter part of the life of Dr. Paul
Espey, at New Palestine, he was the heaviest taxpayer in the township, with
Benjamin Freeman second. Since that time George Lantz, Ernst W. Faut.
Anton Schildmeier. Sr., the Schramms, and probably others have paid larger
installments than either Espey or Freeman. A number of men now living
pay taxes in the county exceeding the sum of one hundred dollars. Among
them are: Jasper Allen and wife, $100.94: William .\. Brier. $119.86; Will-
iam C. Black, $178.96: .\manda M. Barnard, $158.03: Heinrich Borgman,
782 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
$116.86: Jane Brandenburg, $105.24; E. O. and Marcella Brandenbnrs;,
$101.92; Joseph Everson, $139.11; Emma L. Freeman, $144.25; Christian
Fink, $280.64; H. G. and C. E. Gundrum, Si 19.85 ; Frederick Hack, $152.39;
Edwin C. Huntington, $199.86; \\'orth B. and \'io]a Harvey. $135.46; Louis
H. Jacobi, $331.94; Louise Knoop, $179.61: Wilham G. Lantz and wife.
$769.41; Heniy M. Lantz and wife. $203.35; Fredrick C. Landworher,
$132.48; Charles L. :\Ianche, $202.86; John M. Ashcraft. $468.09; James
Burns, Si 11.05; George Bottsford. $136.12: Emma E. Banloner, $182.27;
Robert .\. Briles, $151.06; Jolm \\'. Brun, $105.25; James E. Barnard
(estate), $416.78; Van B. Cones, $193.22; Benjamin G. Faul and wile,
$647.66; Edward Fink. $588.65; \^■alter Faut, $233.29; Wilham J. Gei.sel,
$261.13; John H. Hiltle, $123.50; John M. Hall, $125.33; \\'illiam Mutton.
$112.81; C. M. and E. L. Jackson, $115.37; Louis Lantz, $153.55; Henry
M. Lantz. $185.60: August Langenberger, $114.21: John Manche. $510.47;
Henry INIerlau, $197.04; Louis H. Merlau. $112.39; William .\. V. Meier.
$134.46; Henry C. Xichols. $166.33: Henry Ortell. $22y.';s-- Plea.sant F.
Parish, $103.92: Anton F. Rabe (estate), $154.88; Frederick Rhodenbeck
and wife, $165.81; Anton Schildmeier. Sr., $1,648.38; Otto Schramm,
$202.86; John Schlosser. $143.26; Frederick Sanders and wife. $105.08;
Catherine Weber. $253.65: Ernest H. Faut, $115.44; Christian Geisel,
$161.07; John Huber, $101.64: William H. Larrabee and wife, $180.37;
William Merlau, $120.03; John Moore (estate), $144.92: Charles A. Oster-
meier, $132.80: Henry Ostermeier, $288.51: Louis F. Richman, $142.59;
Julia L. Rushhaupt, $173.47; William Rodenbeck and wife, $204.51 : Anton
F. Schildmeier. Jr., $251.16: Yelasco Snodgrass, $163.68; Anton William
Spilker, $214.31; Emilee Schramm. $154.88; William G. Schildmeier,
$126.-83; l-"redrick Wampner. $115.88; Henry bValich. $252.43; Geisel
Brothers, $170.73: John F. Kirkhoff, $160.08; John W. Waltz, $207.90.
CHAPTER XXll.
VERNON TOWNSHII'.
Vemon township was first ors-anized at the May term of tlie hoard of
county commissioners, in 1836. It was made to include all that it now com-
prises, alsi) a strip seven miles east and west and ime mile north and soudi,
lying south of the jiresent township line or immediately south of the line
dividing townships 16 and 17 north. At the Septemljer term, in 1838. Union
township was made \i> include three s(|uare miles off of Vernon township,
heing sections i, 2 and 3, in township [ft. which arc n(i\v included in Center
and Ruck Creek townships. On March 11. 1853, all that part of Vernon
township which lay south of the line dividing congressional townships 16 and
17 north was made a part of Buck Creek township. Since that time it has
had its present boundary. Its greatest length is seven miles east and west,
and its greatest width, five miles north and south. Eight s(|uare miles, or a
strip two miles wide off of the west end of the civil townshi]) lie in con-
gressional township 17 nnrth. range 5 east; the remaining part 01 the civil
township lies in congressional township 17 north, range 6 east.
The surface of Vernon township, like that of Buck Creek township, is
exceedingly level except along the creek in the northwest corner, above Fort-
\ilk'. where it is rolling. Sugar creek crosses the extreme southeast corner
of the township. Flat Fork creek rises near the s<nitheast corner and flows
in a northwesterly direction south of Fortville. Buck creek rises near the
center of the township and flows in a southwesterly direction. Both Buck
creek and Idat Fork creek, however, are simply large open ditches. The
difficulty of draining- Buck Creek has been discussed in the history of Buck
Creek township. A Flat Fork drainage company was also organized in 1874
for the purpose of im])roving the outlet of hlat I'ork creek. Many covered
ditches have been constructed since that time, ;ind at present the township is,
well drained.
The first laiul entry was made by George Crim who entered the east
half of the southwest quarter of section 29, township 17. range 6. on Novem-
ber 16, 1826. The tract book in the recorder's office shows that represen-
tatives of a large number of families still residing in the county entered land
in Vemon townshi]). .\mong them were: Robert Hanna. Henry Bolander,.
lohn Apple. William McCord. Andrew Bolander. John Cory. David Flarper.
David iMsher. Joseph Winn. Charles Doty, Charles Snodgrass, Joseph Jen-
7S3 '
784 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
kins, George Pn'chett, John Vanzant, Joshua EUmgwood, John Warren,
W'iHiam Cauldwell, John Jackson, Alfred Aniick, Shadrach Chappel, John
Hines, James Thomas, Enoch Olvey, John Denny, John Stringer, John Roney,
George Beaver, Daniel Bolander, William Apple, Parmelie Vanlaningham,
Daniel Apple, Zimri \"anlaningham, Isom Boyd, Thomas Jenkins, Lawson
Fuqua, John Snodgrass, Thomas Cushman, Samuel S. Faussett, Jacob Smith,
Thompson Murrer, Charles Evans, Samuel Arnett, Jacob Shultz, Archibald
Gardner, Benjamin Jackson, Isaiah Jackson, Henry Manifold, John G. Lewis,
Levi Dobbins, Jehu Denny, Samuel Henry, Thomas J. Hanna, Peter Emeiy,
George Pickle, Sarah McCord, Larimer Vanlaningham, John H. Robb,
Christopher Apple, Simon Martin, Willis Wisehart, John Rash, Calder Snod-
grass, Samuel Wisehart, Martin Fisher, George Davis, James Murrer, Francis
Ellingwood, Bazalie Tiiomas, James B. Fred, \\'illiam Amick, Lucinda Hines,
James Jackson, William Thomas, George Chappell, Isaac Helnii, Richard
Stokes, Thomas Arnett and David S. Gooding.
MILLS, FACTORIES, SHOPS, ETC.
On account of the lack of water power, no water mills were ever estab-
esaljlislied in tlie early histon- of the township, among which were the
following :
Saw-mill, Imilt by Noel & Company, at Fortville, in 1849. Grist-mill,
built by'Noel & Company, at Fortville, in 1853. Grist-mill, built by Elias H,
McCord, at McCordsville, in 1854, and operated until the latter seventies.
Grist- and saw-mill, built by Hooker & Son, at Woodbur}-, in 1854. Grist-
mill, established at Fortville by Andrew Hagan, probably during the seven-
ties. It has been owned by several parties and changed to an elevator, now
owned and operated by IMcBane & ilcBane. Saw-mill, established at Mc-
Cordsville during the early history of the town by Elias McCord. -\nother
portable mill was established there by ^^'illiam Driffel in the latter seventies.
Saw-mill, established at McCordsville about 1880 by Arch Newman: later sold
to Ringer & Pressley. Operated for a number of years. Flax factory, estab-
lished at Fortville in tlie latter seventies by Andrew Hagan. and operated
until during the earl)' eighties. Tile factor)-, established on the southeast
quarter of section 31, township 17, range 6, by Aaron Littleton and operated
during the seventies, prol)ably later. Elevator, established at Fortville about
1882 by Andy Moore and Lee Roberts. An elevator has been operated on
the site by several parties since that time. A building burned less than two
years ago, and in 191 5 the present elevator was constructed, now operated
by W. D. Springer. The Grasselle chemical factory, established at Fortville
VERNON TOWNSHIP. 785
in 1894. manufactures silicate of soda and employs al»ut forty men. Grain
elevator, estalilishcd at McCordsville about igio and dwned since that time
])y .\. B. Cohen & Compan\-.
SCHOOLS.
One of the first schoul houses in \ crnon township was located at the
northwest corner of section 3(1, township 17, range 5, or just one mile south
of McCordsville. It was known as school district No. i. Another was
located where Fortville now stands. School No. 9 was located at the north-
west corner of the southwest quarter of section 16, township 17. range 6, or
just one mile south of I''ort\'ille. School No. 11 stood at the northeast cor-
ner of the northwest quarter of section 14, township 17, range 6: school No.
5, at the southeast corner of the west half of the northwest quarter of section
23,. township T7, range 6; school No. 4, on the east side of the Greenfield
and Fort\ille pike, near the soiuh line of the west half of the soutinvest
quarter of section 26, township 17, range 6; school No. 3, at the southwest
corner of the southeast quarter of section 28, township 17, range 6;
school Xo. 2. at the southwest corner of section 29, township 17. range 6;
school No. 7, at the southeast corner of section 18, township 17, range 6.
All of these schools have been abandoned at this time except school No. 4,
known as Denny's, and another school known as Cook's, which stands on the
west side of the Greenfield and Fortville pike near the center of section 22,
township 17, range 6. Tlie pupils from the other districts now attend either
at McCordsville or Fortville.
The first graded school was established at McCordsville in 1S74. It
was a two-story, four-room brick l)uilding, and was used until it l)urned. on
April 14, 1877. After the fire the school term was completed in the Meth-
odist church and at the dwelling of Mark Thompson. The walls of the
building had not been damaged very much and were used again in the con-
struction of a similar l)uilding. This building was used until 1893, when it
was condemned and torn down. .A third btiilding was at once constructed,
which burned during the winter of 1901-2. the term being finished in the
Universalist church and at the residence of Thomas R. Pentecost. In 1902,
during the trusteeship of John D. Cory, the present high school building was
constructed.
Peter Hinds, one of the teachers of the township, has been teaching in
the McCordsville schools since 1892. He was out during the winter of 1902-3.
but, with this exception, has now been in the school continuouslv for twenty-
four years.
(50)
786 UAXCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
In 1876 a normal was conducted by Superintendent W. H. Motsinger
for the benefit of applicants who wished to write upon the teachers' exam-
inations. Another such normal was conducted by J. W. Jay in 1890. More
or less high school work was also done at different periods, but a systematic
high school course was not introduced until in the fall of 1889, during the
principalship of J. W. Jay. Since that tmie a regular course lias Ijecn fol-
lowed, and in 1896 the school was granted its first commission. The prin-
cipals who have had charge of the high school since its organization have
been, J. W. Jay, 1889; W. B. Stookey, 1895; R. L. Alodesitt, 1904; O. W.
Jackson, 1906; Leonard AI. Luce, 1912.
The manual training department was installed in the school in the fall
of 191 3 and a kitchen for domestic science was fully equipped in the fall of
1914.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Vernon township, including Fortville, has a population of .2,447. ^^
shown by the census of 1910. There were enumerated in the township, not
including Fortville. in the spring of 1915, 354 children between the ages of
six and twenty-one years; of these, 212 were enrolled in the schools of the
township, not including the pupils of Fortville or those of the township who
were transferred to Fortville ; 26 were in the high school and 186 in the ele-
mentary grades. The average daily attendance in the elementary grades was
154; in the liigh school. 25. Tlie total cost of maintaining the elementary
schools during the year was $8.2.^5.62; the total cost of maintaining the
high school, $3,200.96. The total amount paid teachers for the j-ear was
$6,824.08. The estimated value of all school property, as shown by the
report of the trustee made August i, 1915, was $16,000. The total assess-
ment of taxables in the township, as reported liy the assessor in 1914, was
$1,524,930. The transportation of pupils cost the township $2,498.50 for
the term closing in the spring of 1915.
TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES.
The following men have served the township in the capacity of trustee
since the creation of the office in 1859: Perry J. Brinegar. 1859; Levi
Thomas, 1861-1863; G. W. Stanley. 1863: Andrew Hagan. 1866; Stokes
Jackson, 1876; Samuel Arnett, 1880; Calvin Jackson. 1882-1884; J. P.
McCord, 1886-1888: Richard Sample, 1890; J. W. Trittipo, 1894: James P.
McCord, 1900; John D. Cory. 1902; Quincy A. Wright. 1904; R. C. M.
Smith, 1908; W. C. Vanlaningham, 1914.
VERNON TOWNSHIP. 787
During the administration of Cah-in Jackson as trustee he deposited
the to\vnshij> funds with the Indiana Banking Company, at Indianapolis. On
August 9, 1883, this bank failed, while holding on deposit $1,999.70 of the
funds of Vernon township. Of this amount $410.70 was later recovered
by the trustee, leaving an actual loss of $1,589.00, which was paid to Vernon
township by Mr. Jackson from his private funds. While the Legislature of
1885 was in session a large number of the citizens and taxpayers of Vernon
township petitioned the general assembly for a special act to relieve Mr. Jack-
son from said loss. Such a law was approved April 11, 1885, and the trus-
tee of Vernon township was directed to pay to Mr. Jackson the sum of
$1,589.00 to reimburse him for the loss he had sustained.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
The local courts of the township have been presided over h\ the follow-
ing men since the organization of the township in 1836: John S. Apple, 1837-
1841 ; Jehu Denny, 1838 ; William Caldwell, 1840-1855 : Walter Denny, 1845;
William R. McCord, 1846: Jesse Cook, 1850-69-78; Elias McCord, 18^2;
Azel Hooker, 1856; Th.^mas R. Noel, 1857; Smith McCord. 1860-186S;
Solomon Jackson, i860: \\'illiam Anderson, 1864; William H. b'oley, 1866;
Emil Lenz, 1869-78; William G. Scott. 1871 ; Dennis Tobin, 1872; J. B.
Galbreath, 1872-76; Lewis Chappell, 1874; Jacob Denny, 1878; O. P. Hast-
ings, 1878; James W. McCord, 1880; Cicero Vanlaningham, 1880; Oliver P.
Hastings, 1883-84-88; Charles P-. Thomas, 1884-88; Robert F. Cory, 1884;
Thomas R. Noel, 1888: \Mlliam J. Simmons, 1888; Levi J. Cook. 1888;
William Huston, 1890; John Hervey, 1890; Heniy Shore, 1892; Monroe
Shore, 1895; John R. Smith, 1895-98; Alvin Greer, 1902; Albert H. Kinna-
man, 1902; James L. Vail, 1902-06; John J. Sims, 1906-10: Elsworth Stottle-
myer, 1906: Nathan Prather, 1910: Ira I\I. Collins, iqio: Peter A.
Kinnaman, 191 5.
COUNTY OFFICKRS.
Among the citizens of Vernon townshij) who have served as county
officers are: John Myers and James Mannix, as auditor; Andrew Hagan.
county treasurer; U. S. Jackson, sheriff; Ira D. Collins and John T. Rash,
county recorder; Amasa Cohee and William E. Chappell, county assessor;
Elias McCord, Resin Perry, Da\id Caudell, .Andrew Hagan, Robert G. Wil-
son and William H. .Mbea. county commissioners ; Smith McCord, repre-
sentative; Simon P. A'ancy, senator, and Charles N. ^^'arrcn. road
superintendent.
788 HAXCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
HEAVY TAXPAYERS.
Among the older families of the township and llie town of Fort\ille are
the Apples, Brokaws. Bells. Caldwells, Chappels, Cushmans, Uennvs. Jeffreys,
EUingwoods. Forts, Cottrells. Crossleys. Kemptons, Ferrells. Hagans. Bolan-
ders. Humes, Flerveys, Hidays, Jacksons, Kellys, Kingans. Lains, McCords.
Merrills, Noels. Rushes, Shores, Shultzes, Stokes, Stottlemeyers, Stuarts,
Thomases, Tobins. Triltipos. \'ails. Vanlaninghams, Corys and W'iseharts.
Following are also the names of those who paid ta.xes in sums exceeding
one himdred dollars in 191 5: Samuel B. Apple. $120.56; Jehu C. .Apple.
$256.46; William H. .Mhea, $195.98; Madison Brooks (estate), $992.37;
Brooks & McCord, $221.56; John Boucher, $171.12; James E. Barrett,
$308.34; George W. Bratton, $110.30: Elizabeth J. Brooks, $190.98; William
Cook (heirs). $122.08: James M. Cook. $569.86; Maggie Cushman. S277.94;
Marion Chappell, $143.44: Thomas E. Crossley, $110.40: Mary Denny,
$157.40; Meredith Davis, $133.42; Hiram Dunham, $247.86; John M. David-
son, $380.36; Carl Emery. $148.56; Fred and McCord, $233.48: John P.
Finn. $166.12: .\nnie Giroud, $164.38: Emerson Gentner. $184.10; James
H. Helms, $129.28: Peter Hinds. $108.22: Sherman E. Helbert. $113.24:
Calvin J. Jackson, $172.00: Lenore F. Jackson, $153.36: W. W. and La Verne
Jackson, $145.62: John Lain. $132.00; James M. Morris. $197.08; Seymour
Morrison, $221.70; Elhanon McCord, $139.74; Arabella McCord, S190.10:
Charles L. Pope, $150.20: Silas W. -\pple, $106.82; Oscar E. .Apple. $161.86;
Alary A. Bolander, $116.42; Alarion Brooks. $173.10: Henry Boucher, Jr..
$172.22; Nicholas and Mary A. Brandle, $119.68: Louis .A. Browne and
wife. $304.65; Jesse P. Cook, $207.10; Harvey Cauldwell. $444.50: John V.
Cushman, $224.76; Conrad H. Crossley, $175.92; Enoch H. Dobbins,
$253.20; Tsom W. Denny, $726.^7: Harrison C. Davis, $120.88; Daniel
Durick, $224.98; James H. Emery. $128.84; Thomas AL Enoch, $103.12;
Charles F. Fred, $122.84; Elizabeth Gaskin, $114.24: Oscar Groves, $229.95;
Xelson Gaskins, $119.90; Alargaret Humbles, $174.40: Franklin L. Hanna,
$186.60: Nellie Hiday, $196.20; Jessie G. Jack.son, $152.38: Su.sanna Jack-
son, $111.40: William Kelly, $220.40: Samuel Kingen, $139.08; James J.
ALaroney. $112.92; Charles P. L. Alerrill, $137.56; Ratie AlcCord, $247.86;
Henderson AIcFarland, $131.89; Patrick AIcAIahan and wife, .'>io6.6o: Chris-
tian V. Pope and wife. $123.60; George W. Shultz, $163.50; Theodore E.
Smith, $121.64; Amos W. Saville, $214.52; Hiram and H. C. Stottlemeyer,
$171.34; David J. Thomas, $184.86: The Grasselle Chemical Company,
$638.74: Charles N. Warren. $138.10: Mary Wilson. S273.80: Robert H.
\ERXOX TOWX.SIIII'. 789
Wilson, $120.78 ; A. B. Ayers and wife, $217.83 : Emersdii F. Cahen. $167.08;
Jesse P. Cook. S160.28; Larkin W. Crouch, $106.53: Amanda Dickey,
ST04.30; Fortville State Bank. $742.53: John W. Hudson, $156.59; John F.
Johnson, $242.46: McComas, $209.56; Wilh'ani R. Rasii, $179.05: First
National Bank of Fortville, $707.86: \V. P. Williams, $107.95; J'*'!" ^^^■
Rash, $102.34; James Shultz, $436.13: Lesley J. Smith, $128.72: Henry C.
Shore, $120.78; Charles E. Springer, $156.96; William W. Snider, $116.42;
Samuel Cal Trittipo, $181.16; Aaron Vail and wife, $176.58: George L. and
Eva M. Vail, $182.23; Robert G. Wilson, $244.38; Heniy S. Adams, $312.28;
Charles Bargner, $122.74; James M. and Jesse F. Cook, $268.71; E. L.
Crouch & Company, $120.84: Edwards Lodge No. 178, Independent Order of
Odd Fellows. $100.17; Kasper Herr, $341.87: George McCarty, $364.24;
Randall & Randall. $113.20; Henry Shaffer. $312.29: Oliver Voorhis,
$149.78; Andrew J. Whetsel. $182.22.
HIGIIW.WS. KAII.W.WS. IXTERURB.\NS.
\^emon township has iiad to meet some of the difficulties in road con-
struction that were discussed in the history of Buck Creek township, although
gravel was more accessible to some parts of \'ernon than to Buck Creek
township. \'ernon township has also taken advantage of the Three-Mile
Road law to procure better roads. In 1908-09 eleven roads were constructed,
at a cost of $86,580.00. Of this amount, however. $30,480.00 was paid by
the township for the construction of the Thomas A\'. Gardner road, which is
the brick street through Fortxille. Ihe township has one railroad and one
interurban line.
MT. CARMEL B.\PTI.ST CHURCH.
This church was erected in 1S63 at the soiuhwest corner of the S'juth-
east quarter of section 11. township 17, range 6. The congregation had
been organized many years previous. As early as 1837 meetings were held
at the home of James Denny and others of the thirteen members who com-
posed the early congregation. Later, services were conducted in a little log
church that stood immediately north of Fortville. Among the early pastors
were Thomas Jenkins. Morgan McOuerA- and J. F. Johnson. .\ later pastor,
David Caudell, was for many years one of the best known men in the county.
A short address of his is given as a part of the history of the early settlers'
meetings.
In 1887 the Baptist church throughout Indiana and Kentucky divided
en the question of predestination. This question also divided the ]\It. Carntel
790 HANXOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
congregation, and as a result of the division another churcli was erected on
the Greenfield and Fortville pike at tlie south edge of Fortville. .\mong the
memljers of this congregation are the Cushmans. Mrs. Bolander, William
Denny and wife, Henrj^ Shore and wife, Mr. Jeffries and others. The
wing of the church that still worships east of Fortville subscribes to the theory
of the absolute predestination of all things from time eternal ; the branch
worsliipping at the church south of Fortville does not take this view of the
question. Each of the congregations has a membership of probably twenty
or twenty-five.
The church south of Fortville was constructed in 1903. Before the con-
struction of the new church the members worshipped at the school house just
across the road from the old Mt. Carmel cliurch, and at tlie home of Mrs.
Cushman.
GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH (dUNK.\Rd).
This congregation was originally organized in 1852. Services were at
first conducted in the log school that stood just across the road from the
present church. Among the original members were Alfred Denny and wife.
William Thomas and wife, Burt Jackson and wife, George Kingery and
wife. Among its early pastors were Revs. Caylor, Harmon, Bowman and
Hoover. Services were conducted for a number of years in the school house
and the membership rose to about fifty or sixty. In 1883 Alfred Denny and
his son, Isom. took steps toward the erection of a church edifice. This church
stands on the east side of the Greenfield and Fortville pike, where it crosses
the south line of section 26, township 17. range 6. The elder Mr. Denny
gave the land and he and his son furnished the money to complete the work.
Soon after the completion of the church, a Sunday school was organized and
was well attended. Isom Denny was superintendent of the Sunday school
much of the time and took great interest in the work. Elder John Caylor
was its first minister; other elders have been Fadeley and Holsinger. Elder
Norris was its last minister. After the erection of the new church the services
were always held in English. About six or seven years ago the church doors
were closed.
MT. VERNON UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.
The Mt. Vernon United Brethren church is located in the southern part
of Vernon township at the northwest corner of section 33, township 17.
range 6. The congregation was definiteh- organized in 1898 with the follow-
ing charter members : John N. Dobbins and family, George W'itham and
family, John Keister and family and Ralph Martin and family.
VERNON TOWNSHIP. 791
During; tlie summer of 1898 the Rev. Z. T. Mower, then pastor on the
Mohawk circuit, started a movement to erect a church in the neiglihoriiood
ahove descrilied. Services liad been held for some time in the Jackson school
house, w^hich stands a few rods east of the west Hne of tlie .southeast quarter
of section 28, township 17, range 6. A building site was donated to the
churcli by John M. and Susanna Dobbins, and a committee, composed of
Robert G. Wilson and John Thomas, was appointed to superintend tlie work
and raise the necessaiy funds. ^Nloney was subscribed l)y the people of the
neighborhood and many of the farmers donated their time and work to aid
in the construction of the church. Work on the new building was l)€gun
about August i, 1898, and in the following October the church was dedicated
by Dr. Funk, of Dayton, Ohio, and Rev. Cartridge, of Noblesville.
A Sunday school was organized with Charles W. Hiday as its first
superintendent. Since that time Mr. Hiday and William Stansberrv hax'c
served as superintendents. At present Gilbert Hanna is superintendent.
Four classes are maintained in the Sunday school, the adult, young people's,
intermediate, and the primary classes, which have a total enrollment of about
twenty-two. There are at this time only ten or twelve active members.
The following are the ministers who have served the congregation :
Z. C. Mower, 1898: O. F. Lydy, 1898-99: Enos Veal, 1899-1900; \V. C.
Robbins, 1900-01; J. H. Broughman. 1901-02: O. F. Lydy, 1902-04: James
Dawson, 1904-05; M. C. Bartlow, 1905-06; J. C. Wyant, 1906-10: ^I. Myers,
19T0-T1: J. Smith, 1913-14: G. Stewart, 1915-16.
WOODBURY.
This town was originally laid out on Decemljer 12. 1857, by Francis
Ellingwood, and contained thirty-two lots. No additions have Ijeen made
thereto. It was laid out following the construction of the Bee-Line railroad,
which passes through McCordsville and Fortville. Tn its early history it was
quite a business place, but in later years it has been completely overshadowed
by the neighboring towns of McCordsville and Fortville. The railroad main-
tained a station there for a number of years. A postoffice. store and black-
smith shop were also kept at the same time.
Among the earlv business men were John. William and Joseph Bills.
Axel Hooker, Asbur}-, Taylor and Lockhart, Martindale. Brown, Pern,' J.
Brienegar and George W. Shultz. Its blacksmith shop was operated by Peik,
Olvey and Morrow. During later years there has been only a feeble effort
at maintaining a store and at present it is closed. It can scarcely be said that
anv business is conducted at Woodbury at this time.
792 HANCOCK COCNTY, INDIANA.
WOODBURY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In the early seventies the Mctb.odists of the community held services in
a school house which stood a short distance north of the southeast corner of
section i8, township 17. range 6. In 1874 the buildino- that is still standing in
the town was erected and was dedicated by the Rev. Samuel Lamb. The
first trustees were Franklin Dunham, John Sample and John Hooker. A
Sunday school was conducted in connection with the church for many years.
At present very few of the members are li\ing and services are conducted
onl)- at irregular times.
m'cordsville.
^IcCordsville was originally laid out on September 11. 1865. by James
W. Xagley. and contained thirty-four lots. Since that time the following
additions have been made to the town :
Iliday's Addition, laid out by Jacob Hiday. February 11, 1869. and con-
tains twenty-three lots.
Bradley & McCord's Addition, laid out by Xelson Bradley and Elias H.
McCord, May 23, 1873, and contains thirty-nine lots.
Bradley's Addition, laid out by Nelson Bradley, .\ugust 2'/. 1873.
McCord's Addition, laid out by William McCord. September 4. 1873.
Among the early business men were William Emery. Mr. Littleton and
Nelson Bradley, who later became one of the leading bankers at Greenfield.
Among the later business men were Harvey Caldwell, H. M. Thompson.
Hanna & McCord, Israel Fred, T. R. Pentecost, Hall, and Michael Ouigley.
who for many years has been a leading druggist at Greenfield. Among the
earlv blacksmiths were James M. \\'right and Nelson Gaskins. In 1891 R. C.
M. Smith came to ^McCordsville and bought the stock of Israel Fred. In
1896 Charles F. Fred and John S. McCord erected the store in which they
are still doing business. In 1880 Aquilla McCord and Jesse Jackson engaged
in the general merchandise business in the Har\ey Caldwell brick store and
in March, 1891, sold their stock to Lewis C. Tickle and Martin Lingle. This
firm continued in business until 1904, when they sold their stock to Mr. John-
son, who in turn sold to Solomon Burchill. in 1906. In the fall of 1914 this
stock of goods was sold to a party of traders who sold a part of it at auction
and moved the rest away. John Bateman thereupon put in a stock of
groceries and fresh meats and has Ijeen engaged in business since that time.
Chappell Brothers opened a general store in the east part of town about 191 2
or 1913, which is still conducted by Ernest Chappell. The building and stock
of R. C. M. Smith burned in 1906. In 1910 he sold the vacant lots to .\. B.
Cohen & Compan\ . who have erected a grain elevator thereon.
VERNON TOWNSHIP. 793
About 1895. or possibly a year or two earlier, S. Morrison and Thomas
Springer established a teleph.one factory at McConisNille. .\ few years later
they sold it to the Eureka Electric Company, of Chicago, wim ojierated the
plant until i()02 when it was sold to Luther l-"rost, Seymnur Morrison, I'rank
Martindale and others. The purchasers then incorporated under the name
of the Columbia Electric Company, and continued to manufacture telephoues
until 1905. In that year Luther Frost and others establisheil the Leader
automobile factory, at McCordsville, where the first Leader automobiles were
assembled. This plant was o])erated until 1907, when it was moved to
Knightstown.
A postoffice has been maintained a McCordsville ever since it has been
a town. The office has one rural free delivery route.
The AlcCordsville cornet band was organized aliout 1902 and played for
two years or a little longer. Among its members were Walter McCord,
Charles iMTd. Irvin Teal, Loren Helms, George Helms. Llarold Helms,
Luther R. Frost, I'au! I'rown. Llomer Smith. Fred Haskell, l'"rank Wood
and Will Helms.
GI1.LL"M CHArEL METHODIST EPISCOP.M, CHL'KCII.
The church history of McCordsville dates back to the year 184c). when
a class w as formed at the Robb school house. Among the first members were
L \\ . Her\ey, llenrv N. Thompson and wife, Marcus Thompson, the
McCords, Thomases, Littletons, Crumps, and others.
Li the year 1854 the class built the first church in McCordsville, at a cost
of one thousand and three hundred dollars. It was dedicated by Rev. N. H.
Gillum and named ( iilluni chapel in his honor. Among those who stood on
the walls of Zion were the Rev. White, Mershon. J. W. Smith, Samuel Lamb,
Thomas Stabler, Maxwell, and C. P. Wright, all of whom .<erved the con-
gregation l)efore 1876. Since that time the following ministers have served
the people as their pastors: R. B. Powell, 1876-79: T. I. F.lkin. 1879-1881;
M. G. Phillips, 1881-S4; A. L. Folkner. 1884-85: D. F. Stright, 1885-87; W.
C. McCaig. 1887-1888; A. E. Sarah, 1 888-89 : George W. Green, 1889-1892.
In 1889 a parsonage was built just east of the chapel, at a cost of one thou.sand
and two hundred dollars. Since then the following pastors have been on the
charge: F. A. Fish. 1892-95; J. H. Slack, 1895-98: T. H. C. Beall. 1806-97;
W. G. Bogue. 1897-98; John O. Campbell, 1898-1902; Edwin Dickson,
1 902- 1 906.
On June 25, IQ02, the old chapel was destroyed by the storm which
passed through McCordsville, and as the cla.ss hatl no building in which to
794 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
hold their meetings, the Rev. Edward Dickson, pastor at that time, decided to
build a new church, especially since the old one was so close to the Big Four
railroad. The class bought lots 4. 5 and 6 in Bradley & McCord's Addition
to McCordsville, of Thomas P. Hervey, and erected thereon the present
Methodist Episcopal church. In Ihe fall of 1902 it was dedicated by Rev.
W. D. Parr. The following pastors have served in the new church : Gilbert
E. Martin, 1906-07; Hubert Webster, 1907-09; John C. Wengetz, 1909-10;
P. J- Albright, 1910-11; Ernest J. Wickersham. 1911-13 (resigned to enter
DePauw University); W. E. Aldred, 1913-14; H. A. Goering, 1914-15.
For many years previous to 191 5 McCordsville and Mt. Comfort con-
stituted the McCordsville charge. In the spring of 1915 the McCordsville
class asked the annual conference, which convened at Auburn, to make
McCordsville a station, which was done and IVI. R. Pierce sent as pastor.
The class began the work for the year 191 5 with Somerville Liglit, district
superintent; M. R. Pierce, pastor; T. E. Smith, A. J. Apple, William F.
Helms and George T. Vail, church trustees: James L. Vail, William H. Vail
and Hiram Dunham, parsonage trustees; T. E. Smith, William F. Helms
and William V. Woolman, stewards ; John S. McCord, secretary, and Charles
F. Fred, treasurer of the board of stewards; T. E. Smith, exhorter; Hiram
Dunham and William F. Helms, class leaders ; Mrs. Flora A. Robb. president
of Epworth League ; Mrs. Josie Vail, president of the Ladies' Aid Society.
The officers of the Sunday school are: John S. McCord, superintendent;
T. E. Smith, assistant superintendent ; Miss Lena Fred, secretary ; Miss Helen
Phillips, assistant secretaiy ; Hiram Dunham, treasurer: James L. \'ail. choris-
ter; Miss Effie McCord, assistant chorister. The average attendance of the
Sunday school is one hundred. The church membership is one huntlred and
twenty.
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, m'CORDSVILUE.
The Universalist church at McCordsville was buill in the year 1888. and
among the ministers who have served the class were I. B. Grandy, Forsher
and Beckett. Since 1902 no regular ser\ices have been held.
LODGES.
McCordsville Lodge No. 140, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized
under dispensation granted in 1852, and received its charter in 1853. Its
first meetings were held in an upstairs room in the h»me of Elias McCord.
The first officers were Barzilla G. Jay. worshipful master; Dr. J. W. Her-
vey, senior warden: Nelson Bradley, junior warden. In the same year in
VERNON TOWNSHIP. 795
whicli it received its charter, its place of meeting; was moxed to Oaklandon.
where it became known as Oaklandon Lodge No. 140.
McCordsville Lodge No. 501, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized
under a charter granted May 25, 1875. .\mong the first officers were
Thomas P. Hervey, worshipful master; Henry Crossley, senior warden;
Ebenezer Steele, junior warden. The lodge has a present memlx;r.ship of
seventy-seven.
Chapter No. 44, Royal Arch Masons, was organized at McCordsville on
the 23rd day of May, i860. Its present membership is eighty-six.
McCordsville Council No. 52, Royal and Select Masters, was instituted
March 8, 1881, by Martin H. Rice and William Hacker, assisted by mem-
bers from Fall Creek Council No. 43. The council was chartered October
19, 188 1, with the following members: Thomas J- Elkins, Thomas J. Hanna.
Jacob Hiday, Jesse S. Jackson, James W. Smith, Moses N. Craig. Aaron
Vail, Addison C. Davis, James M. Wright and Ebenezer Steele. Its first
officers were : Harvey Cauldwell, illustrious master ; Elias McCord, deputy
illustrious master; Henry Crossley, captain of the guard; Moses N. Craig,
treasurer; James W. Smith, recorder, and Jesse S. Jackson, steward and
sentinel. The present membership of the lodge is one hundred and seventy.
Chapter No. 156, Order of the Eastern Star, was instituted on April
25. 1895, ^"d its first officers were John C. Hervey, worthy patron; Miss
Mary J. Wilson, worthy matron; Mrs. Sarah A. Stanley, associate matron.
The present membership is one hundred and eleven.
McCordsville Lodge No. 338, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was
instituted in the upper room of the Thompson warehouse, November 17, 1869,
with the following charter members : Green McCord, noble grand ; James H.
Thomas, vice-grand; Aaron Vail, secretary; William McCord, treasurer; C.
W. Hervey, David Brown, P. A. Raber, J. Bills, James N. Helms, John Dun-
ham, James W. Nagley, Alfred Bills, Israel Fred. William Sapp and Sylvester
Gaskins.
The lodge continued to hold its meetings in the original room until an
increase of members made it necessary to obtain new quarters. The lodge
thereupon purchased a convenient and commodious hall in a brick building
owned by Cauldwell & Steele. Here the lodge prospered until their hall was
destroyed by the stoiTn of June 25, 1902; then they bought lots of N. E. Day
and erected a large two-story building, the upper room of which is their new
home. The present membership is ninety-nine.
Lodge No. 444, Daughters of Rebekah, was instituted on Febniarv 24.
1894, the charter being granted to James W. McCord. Aaron Vail, George
796 IIAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
List, William H. Fred. William F. Helms. James L. \'ail. James P. McCord,
Henr)- N. Thompson and Thomas B. McCord. The present membership of
the lodge is one hundred and eight.
McCordsville Lodge Xo. 507. Knights of Pythias, was instituted under
dispensation of December 9, 1903. and the charter was granted on October
4, 1904. The following were the charter members: John S. McCord, Thomas
J. White, Arthur \\'olfgang, Ernest F. Warren. William G. Kimljerlin, Carle
E. Plummer, James F. McCord, Edward F. List. George Wood. Benjamin F.
Ringer, John D. Cory, A. H. Pummer. R. G. \\'ilson. Edward E. McCord,
George Teffers, Nelson Vanzant. Henry C. Fred. Homer .\. Kimberlin. Car!
D. Girt, Charles Wilhams, Leroy Pickle, O. D. Klepfer, Edward Day. Charles
F. Fred, John G. McCord. Shadrach Wilson. William Hamilton. Jackson
Pickle. Daniel Nagley, Alta Olvey, L. F. Stanley. William A. Pilkenton, P.
O. Apple, Gussie E. Smith. Perry C. Apple. John C. Apple. Bert Springer and
Jesse Horton. The first officers were John S. McCord. chancellor com-
mander; Thomas J. ^^■hite. vice chancellor: A. Wolfgang, prelate: E. F.
Warren, master of work: William K. Kimberlin, keeper of records and seal;
C. E. Plummer, master of finance: J. F. McCord. master of exchequer; E. F.
List, master at arms ; George Wood, inner guard : B. F. Ringer, outer guard ;
N. E. Vanzant, host : John D. Cory, A. H. Plummer and R. ( i. Wilson, trus-
tees. The present membership of the lodge is about forty-eight.
Union Temple No. 300, Pythian Sisters, was instituted on March 3,
1905, the charter being granted on October 4, 1905. The following were the
first officers: Miss Mary J. Wilson, excellent chief: Mrs. Ollie White, excel-
lent senior; Mrs. Jennie Apple, excellent junior: Miss Ada Plummer. man-
ager; Mrs. Docia A. Fred, mistress of records and correspondence: Mrs.
Leanna McCord, mistress of finance; Miss Nell Hanna. protector: Mrs. Delia
List, gn.iard ; Mrs. Nellie Apple, past chief. There is at present a member-
ship of fifty active members.
CEMETERIES.
The Methodist Episcopal cemetery of McCordsville was located just
west of the Gillum chapel in 1854. Here slumber many of the faithful. The
first interment was Oliver Robb, Sr., on May 22. 1854.
Tlie L O. O. F. cemetery of McCordsville was laid out by the Indeix-n-
dent Order of Odd Fellows on the i6th day of March. 1871, with one hun-
dred and fifty lots and streets and alleys. The land was donated by William
McCord.
VERNON TOWNSHIP. 797
TEMPERANCE.
The citizens of i'Drtx ille and McCordsville took an active ]Kirt in the
temperance ag'itatiim during the seventies. Ked Kihhdn societies were organ-
ized in JcS77 and Blue Rihhon societies in 1879. D. B. Ross, a temperance
lecturer, who spent a great deal of time in the county in 1879, organized
thoroughly the temperance forces. Temperance organizations were main-
tained for several vears and for a time fullowing 1879 there was not a licensed
saloon in the township. Since tiie election on March 5, 1909. under the
county local option law. Vernon township has been in the "dry" column.
Two elections have b.een held under the township local option, in both of
which the "drys" were successfid.
CULTURE CLUB.
The Culture Club was organized in Xovember. 1894. by Mrs. S. Morrison
and Mrs. T. R. Pentecost. Their object was to improve the intellectual and
social conditions of the community. The club has members in both Hancock
and Marion counties, but was originalh^ organized in Hancock county. Mrs.
Bertha ^Morrison, now of Portland, Oregon, was the first president. Only
one charter member now remains as an active member, Mrs. S. Morrison, of
Indianajjolis. The club is limited to a inembership of sixteen. It now has
four corresponding members.
Meetings are held on Thursday afternoons e\-ery two weeks, with two
guest evenings in the year. The first years were devoted to the study of
.American literature, followed liy civics, English literature, domestic science.
Shakespeare, English travel, and reviews of the latest books. The cluli now
has members in Fortville, AlcCordsville. Oaklandon and In(h;'.napolis.
THE IRISH SETTLEMENT.
While the Germans were digging canals in the early history of the coun-
tr\-, the sons of Erin were building railroads. When the branch of the Big
Four, then known as the "Bee Line." was constructed through Hancock
counts- in 1830, a number of Irish laborers were of course employed. After
the railroad had been completed some of them bought small tracts of land and
increased the nuinber of their acres as they were able. Among those w-ho
settled in the county at that time, or who came later, and whose names are
still familiar in the county, are the Tobins, Kellys, McMahans. Coreys. Eists.
Bouchers, McCords, McConnels, McCoUeys. Duricks, Buseys, Dugans and
Callahans. The land was productive and later was amply rewarded. Many
of these names now appear on the list of heavy taxpayers of Vernon township.
CHAPTER XXIII.
FORTVILLE.
For many years before the present town of Fortville was laid out, a post-
office and store were kept about a mile north and a little west of the present
town, at a point known as Phoebe Fort's corner. The postoffice bore the-
name of Walpole, in honor of Thomas D. W'alpole, a prominent attorney and
politician at Greenfield. The postmaster, who was also the proprietor of the
little store above mentioned, was Thomas R. Noel, who later became prom-
inent as a citizen of Hancock county.
During the forties John K. Rash, Milas Walker, J. H. Hoppes, Lawson
Fuqua and Alfred Shortridge deadened the timber on the site where the pres-
ent town of Fortville stands. On Februarj^ 12, 1849, Cephas Fort, who then
owned the ground, made the original sun'ey of the town, which consisted of
thirty-three lots. Since then a number of additions and surveys have been
made, as follow :
First Addition, platted by Cephas Fort ; nine lots.
Shull's Addition, platted by Micajah C. Shull, January 20. 1857: five lots.
Noel's Addition, platted by Samuel \'. B. X'oel and Thomas R. Xoel,
December 16, 1856.
Vanvelzer's Addition, platted by L. H. Vanvelzer, December 17, 1856;
twelve lots.
Merrill's Addition, platted by James S. JNlerrill ; twelve lots.
Asbury's Addition, platted August 19, 1872: nine lots.
Record & Voorhis' Addition, platted by Samuel Record and Oliver W.
Voorhis, February 17, 1873.
Crouch's Addition, platted by Larkin \N". Crouch, May i, 1875; nine lots.
Amett's Addition, platted by Samuel Arnett, March 6, 1884; ten lots.
Chodrick's Addition, platted by Anna Chodrick, July 24, 1891 ; thirty-
three lots.
Lindamood's Addition, platted by William Lindamood, ]^Iay 3, 1892;
seven lots.
Central Addition, platted by John L. Mathershead, trustee. October 19,
1894; 244 lots.
Factory Addition, platted by John L. Mathershead, trustee, January 9,
1895 ; six lots.
Lindamood's Second Addition, platted by \\'illiam Lindamood, June 3,
1895; eight lots.
798
FORTVILLE. 799
Smail's Addition, platted by John Smail, December jS. 1897; nineteen
lots.
Yaryan's Addition, platted Ijy Leander R. Yai-yan, February 26, 1902;
three lots.
Morrow's Addition, platted by Orville L. Morrow, July 11, 1904; six lots.
Hagens' Addition, platted by Elizabeth Hagens, August 2, 1904; three
lots.
Paul Hagens' Addition, platted by Paul Hagens, November 3, 1905;
twelve lots.
J. S. Merrill's and Elizabeth Hagens' Addition, platted bv J. S. Merrill
and Elizabeth Hagens, December 3. 1906.
Edgewood Addition, platted by Allan H. Blacklidge, May 7, 1913;
nineteen lots.
When the "Bee Line" railroad was completed, about 1852, the store and
the postoffice above mentioned were renio\-ed to the town. The postoffice
was continued under the name of ^Valpole, although the railroad station was
named Fortville, in honor of Cephas Fort.
The first business house was built in 1849, in which Thomas R. Noel
conducted a general store. He was followed by a Mr. McCarty, who occupied
the same building. Among the other early business men were Perry Fort,
Joseph Chitwood and Tague & Chandler.
Like other towns in new territory, development was slow. Streets were
without gravel and the sidewalks were made of saw-dust and slabs. It was
located in a productive locality, however, and only needed to await the develop-
ment of the surrounding counti"}' to be assured of its own growth.
INCORPORATION AS A TOWN.
A petition asking that the name of the town be changed from Walpole
to Fortville, and that the town be incorporated under the name of Fortville,
was presented to the board of county commissioners at the regular Septem-
ber term, 1863. This petition was signed by William C. Pilkenton, James O.
Weaver, and a number of others whose names do not appear on the record.
The petition shows that Fortville at that time had a population of two hundred
and forty persons. The county commissioners fixed the 30th day of Septem-
ber, 1865, as the day upon which the qualified voters were to hold an elec-
tion at the school house for the purpose of determining whether the town
should be incorporated as prayed. At this election thirtv-six votes were cast
in favor of incorporating the town, and nineteen against it. The report of
the election was read in open court at the regular December session, 1865, of
800 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
the board of commissioners, who then and there declared "said town incor-
porated by the name of Fortville."
The first election of town officers was held on December 21, 1865. and
the following men were elected: treasurer, Thomas R. Xoel : clerk, William
Baker: assessor. Robert Edwards: marshal. NVilliam H. Foley; trustees, David
Staats, first ward : Andrew Ha,^;an. second ward ; John Treher, third ward ;
Thomas Arnett. fourth w;ird. and Joseph W. \\"ilson, fifth ward.
At first improvements were slow. During the latter seventies and early
eighties, however, the newspaper items from the local correspondent gave
abundant evidence of an agitation for street improvements. In 1880 four
hunched dollars was subscribed to improve Main and Staats streets. There
was opposition to tliis improvement, and a question was raised bv some of the
citizens as to whether the property owners could be forced to gravel the
streets. During the eighties and nineties improvements came rapidly. Within
recent \ears cement sidewalks have been put down, the streets have l)een
improved and in 1909 the Thomas ^^^ Gardner road was constructed, whicli
gave ]'"ortville a brick street. Marked improvements were made in 1896.
Several plants alreadv established expended large sums for improvements.
Hagen & \'anlaningham estalilished a planing-mill. and Wisehart & Schaffer
an ice house and storage rooms. Several stories were added to business
rooms, fronts improved, etc., about this time.
Following are the names of some of tlie men who have heljied to make
Fortville what it is :
Dry goods — Hill, Thomas. William Baker. Peter Staats. Andrew Hagan,
Bill Bills & Company, \\'illiam Rash & Lafever. A. J. Whetsell, W. P. Will-
iams and Armstrong & Son.
Grocers — Wisehart & Shafer, Fred Hardin, J. C. Bright, Baker & Will-
iams. Walter McKinzie, Jacob Kramer. F. F. Scotten and F. H. Taylor.
Doctors — Mr. Sanders, S. T. Yancy, j. (i. Stuart, Frank Hervey, Stewart
Slocum. Charles McCord. J. B. Ellingwood, Samuel W. Hervey. S. L. Witham
and O. H. Cook.
Veterinarians — Charles Fort, Jolm L. Hiday, B. E. Helms.
Dentists — J. T. Hoopingarner, Glenn Pell, E. C. Parr and E. C. Oberdurf.
Blacksmiths— Will \\'hite. Russ Peters. Ed. Clampit. John & Cornell
Jarrett, Samuel \'aryan. Will M irse. Grant Murrer, Jolm II, Hiday. James
W. Hiday and \\'illiam Brown.
Painters — Andy McAdams, T. H. Vanzant, Joseph Swanson, July White,
Lee F. Burk. Vinton Davis. \'al. Jeffreys, Willard Jeffreys. Walter Griffin,
John Carr.
FORTVILI.E.
8oi
L'lulertakers — S. H. .McCarty and George McCarty.
Lumber Yards — C. S. Springer, H. S. Adams and \\". C. N'anlaningham.
Hardware — Cook Brothers, Walter Clayton, Randall i\; Kniihers. Ken-
neddy & Hinds, E. L. Crouch & Company, O. A. Wright and Phillips &
Company.
Druggists — Rundrum & Stewart, 1865 : Yancey & Jones, Gideon D. Searl,
James Jordan. A. C. Pilkenton, Brewster & Thomas and John F. Johnson.
Garages — William Oler, Whetsell & Alexander, Brunson & Whetsell,
Brunson & Harris, Hiday & Rudd. Pratt & Crider and Howell & Son.
Carpenters — Gilford Newhart, James Patterson, John Trayor. George
Crist, Thomas Hall, Charles Tuttle, D. T. W"inn. John W. Brush, David
Cottrell, Oliver Bell, Earl Lackey, Ed. Alt'rey, James Crouch, L. W. Crouch
and Frank Crouch.
Jewelers — John Hudson, George McCarty and Ed. Brown.
Livery Barn — Reuben Caylor, Helms Brothers, Joseph Roberts, F. G.
Murrer, Stonebreaker, D. Troy, L Roberts, Walker & Eiks. Bell & Brunson,
Dildine & Humes and Felix Grimsley, Wright & Humer.
Tailors — Andrew Capens.
Plasterers — Sherrill & Lighttoot, Wiley & Wiley.
Harness Makers — Robert Gunsols. William Simmons, James Gwinn and
Frank Caudell.
b'urniture Dealers — Samuel McCarty. James McCarty, George McCarty,
John Hudson and E. L. Crouch.
Variety Store — George Ward. R. R. Wright. J. S. Small.
Barber Shops— R. P. Brown. Wright lK: Welchel. Williams & Baker and
John Doty.
TOWN I.IGIIT.S.
Some of the older records of the town iiave been lost, but older citizens
remember that before the discovery of gas the town trustees had coal-oil
lamps placed on the streets for lighting. This was probably done at some-
time during the seventies or in the early eighties. After gas was discovered
in the countv, in 1SS7, the town was lighted for a number of years with
natural gas. Tn .\i)ril. iQi.v I'l"^ electric street lights were installed.
PROTECTION .\G.MNST FIRE.
During the seventies, or ])robably the eighties, a hand engine was pur-
chased, which was operated l\v volunteers whenever fires occurred in the
town. Xo cisterns were installed, and for water supply the town depended
upon local wells. There are no records to show ju-^t when this engine was
(■51)
802 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
purchased, but it was used until quite recently. In March and .April. IQ13, the
town installed a gravity water system at a cost of $16,849.40. A huge tank,
with a capacity of 50,000 gallons, has been constructed one hundred feet above
the street level of the town. Pipes have been laid and hydrants have been dis-
tributed so that all parts of the town are protected by the system. A large
stream of water can be thrown over the highest buildings. The town also has
two two-wheeled hose carts with five hundred feet of A-i hose on each cart.
The carts are light in weight and are pulled by hand.
SCHOOLS.
The first school house was built in 1857, on the site of the present school
buildmg. It was a small frame building in which the first tenn was taught
by a Mr. Tewilliger. A subscription school was taught by a Mrs. Munson.
This frame school house continued in use for a period of about twenty years,
and of course became wholly inadequate for school purposes as the town grew.
In 1877 the newspaper items of the Fortville correspondent again show an
agitation for a better school house. The frame building burned about 1875-6.
and after that school was conducted in the basement of the Methodist church,
also over a drug store and in a hotel : in fact, wherever rooms could be pro-
cured. People demanded a house commensurate with the needs of the town
and the community. Stokes Jackson was township trustee of Vernon town-
shi]). and in April, 1877, agreed to pay one-half the cost, and to join with the
corporation of Fortville in the erection of a five thousand dollar building.
On May 24, 1877, the Hancock Democrat published the following, with otlier
items from the Fortville correspondent:
"We had a school meeting sometime ago to make an effort to build a
school house, but the city 'dads' and the township trustee failed to agree on
plans, etc. We are no nearer having a school house now than we were
before! Every spring a great interest is gotten up in a school house, and
everybody' talks it, and if wind work would build it. we might now have houses
enough to accommodate the whole township. As vet, however, the 'wind
work is all that has been done and I am afraid we will not have a building this
summer."
On May 31. 1877, the same correspondent included the following item:
"W'c had another school meeting last \\"ednesday, which resulted in a small
subscription."
Nothing further appeared in the local papers concerning the school house
until the following spring. On April 11, 1878, the correspondent wrote: "We
will soon have a new school house; this is a move in the right direction."
KORTXILLE. 803
On November 21, 1878, the correspondent wrote, "Our school is done and
school will begin in about ten days."
In a December issue, in 1878. of the Pendleton Republican, a full report
on the new school house was published: "Last Monday one hundred and
seventy-six hungry minds rushed into the new school building at l'"ortville,
anxious to reap the benefit of the educational advantages their parents are
so amply providing them. Indeed they may well feel thankful for such com-
mendable work as the school board of Fortville and the township trustee of
\'ernon township, Mr. U. S. Jackson, has shown in erecting such a substantial,
commodious school building as Fortville now possesses.
"Fortville has long needed such a house and the present school board,
J. H. Treher, Samuel Amett and J. B. Anderson, deserve credit for pushing
tlie matter to completion. The building was jointly erected by the school
board of Fortville an.d the trustees of \'ernon township, each municipal cor-
jjoration bearing one-half the building expenses and each to pa_\- fur the running
support of the school in proportion to the enumeration of children in school.
"The building is a model school house containing five rooms. It was
built by J. H. Treher, a well-known mechanic and member of the board, for
the low figures of about three thousand and two hundred dollars, including
foundation. Xo part of the work has been slighted and the township now has
a school building with a seating capacity of over two hundred and stands
without a rival in Hancock county for a neatly located, conveniently arranged
school house.
"As yet they have only three teachers, Alonzo Smith, principal; Quitman
Jackson, intermediate, and Miss Edwards, of Noblesville, primary."
The school was conducted jointly for probably twelve or fifteen years,
after which Fortville assumed full control of her own schools. It has been
necessary to make several additions to the building. At this time, 1915-16,
the school has eleven rooms, besides several smaller office and recitation
rooms, and twelve teachers are regularly employed.
A Normal was conducted at Fortville in 1891 and high school branches
were presented that year. In the fall of 1894, systematic high school work
was begun, with Elsworth Orr as principal. In 1895 J. \V. Jay took charge
of the school and during the winter of 1897-8 the first commission for the
school was granted to Superintendent Jay. Following are the names of
the superintendents who have been in charge of the high school : Elsworth
Orr. 1894; J. W. Jay, 1895; Will A. Myers, 1900: Albert Reep, 1906: C. E.
Kelley, 1910; Benton G. Keicher, 191 1 ; Roy R. Roudebtish, 1915.
The school was equipped for manual training work in the fall of 1912.
<S04 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Sewing was introduceil in the fall of 1913. and a kitchen was fully fitted up
for domestic science classes in 1914.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Two hundred and eighty-fi\'e chililren hetwecn the ages of six and
twenty-one years were enumerated in the town of Fortville in the spring of
1915. Alany pupils from the surrounding country were transferred to Fort-
\'ille for school purposes, so that during the year 1914-15 the schools had an
enrollment of 334; of these, 83 were in the high school and 251 were in the
grades. The average daily attendance in the schools for the year was 225
in the elementary grades and 75 in the high school. The cost of maintaining
the elementary grades during tlie year was $4,960.00: the cost of maintaining
the high school was $4,313.75. The total amount paid teachers for the year
was $6,705.11. The estimated value >>{ all school property as reixjrted by
the school trustees on Atigust i, 1915. is $21,500. The tt)tal assessment of
ta.xal)!es in the town, as reported by the assessor in 1914, is $535,650.
NEWSPAPERS AND PRINTING.
Five local newsjjapers have been published at Fortville. The first was
the Fortz'ille Journal, published for a few months about 1879 or 1880. It was
followed by a second Fortz'illc Jciinia! in 1883, and by the Fortville Sun in
1886. The Fortville Tribune was established in 1893 '"''<^'' published by differ-
ent editors until .\pril, 1909, when it was purchased by (his ]L. Stewart, the
present editor and proprietor. lie had previously published the Fortville
Reporter for a few months during the fall of 1901. The difficulties and hard-
ships connected with building up a printing business in a town is well illus-
trated by the number of papers that have been published at Fortxille. W'ho-
e\'er succeeds has a long battle to fight and many discouragements to over-
come before he sees his work crowned with success. But this has been accom-
plished. The Fortz'ille Tribune is now fully established and its editor. Mr.
Stewart, who himself is a product of Fortville, has the satisfaction of seeing
I in his l)ooks a generous subscription list, his ;uhertising columns in demand.
;ind his office busy with job work.
BANDS.
The old Fortville Comet Band was organized about 1870. Among the
members of the band that can be recalled are: Dall Elliott, leader: J- W.
Sherrill, E-flat cornet : Charles Stout, first B-flat cornet : John Shafer, second
B-flat cornet: Ethan Hud.son. first alto: )ames Manford, .second alto: James
F()UT\iLi.i:. 805
Scniy, first tenor; J"s<-'])li Edwards, second tenor; Josepli Sclial'er. third tenor;
Klmore West, tuba; Sebe Russell, bass drum, and A. j. Whetseil. drum.
After several years Dr. S. A. Troy took a deep interest in the band and con-
trilnitcd liherall\- toward its maintenance. The organization, with a changing
membership, was kept up for ten or fifteen years. I'orlville was then with-
out a liand until the time of the
FOKT\ll,LE CONCERT B.VND.
The Fortville Concert Band was organized in the fall of 1910. with the
following charter members : Comets. Ray Teal, Hayden Taylor, George
Lindamood ; clarinet, Russell Banks ; altos. Earl Lackey, Harry Griffey ; trom-
Ixnies, Lester Born, Homer Smith. Clarence Apple; E-flat bass. James Morse;
saxaphones. Dr. S. A. Hervey, Hayes Thomas; liaritones, George Xewhall,
Harry Duzan ; piccolo, .\\'illiam Drake, drums and bells, Fred Yar\an. Of
these, Her\e_\', Thomas, Taylor, Newhall, Apple. Smith and Lackey have
played the entire five consecutive seasons of summer concerts in I''ortville.
After two consecutive seasons of summer concerts in Fortville Russell Banks
was lost to the Barnard Orchestra, then playing the Redpatli Chautauqua
circuit.
The past summer, 191 5, was the fifth consecutive season of Wednesday
evening- concerts for this band on the streets of Fortville. These concerts
having grown to be a vital factor Imih lo the business men and patrons of Fort-
\ille. On these Wednesday evenings in summer tlie town takes on the ajipear-
ance of one gigantic social gathering, where greetings are exchanged
and small business matters transacted. The orgar.ization has been particularly
careful never to ask financial assistance from citizens nor business men, thus
always keeping it, from its birth, entirely in(k'])endcnl and un.der obligations
to no one.
Tile private propert\- of the band consists of l)lack serge. \'el\el-trimmed
uniforms, valued at three hundred dollars: one monster h'-flat bass, sih'er-
plated in trunk; a concert-sized Leedx Iiass drum, with tambourine, traps and
various accoutrements; a set of Leetl\- bells; a library of nuisic, \'alued at one
Inindred and fifty dollars, and a ])ortahle hand stand.
At the close of last season the ])crsonnel of the ban<l w.as as follows:
Cornets. Hayden Taylor. Charles Msher ; altos, Charles Dilts, Earl Lakey ;
alto saxaphone. Hayes Thomas ; tenor saxaphone. Dr. S. W. Hervey ; E-flat
bass, Samuel Tnteblood ; clarinets. Robert Brewster, Kenneth Torrence ; trom-
bones. Garfield Boylen, Clarence .\pple. llonier .^mitli : baritf)nes. (ieorge
Newhall. Flarrv Duzan; drums. R. .'^. Iliatt.
8o6 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
The band was started under the leadership of George Newhall. who con-
ducted it through two seasons. It was subsequently directed liy Dr. S. W.
Hervey and C. E. Plessinger. of Anderson, who conducted it through the past
concert season. Of the present members. Robert Brewster and Harr\^ Duzan
are members of tlie Indiana University Band, which is the regimental band of
the Second Infantry, Indiana National Guard.
FORTVILLE ST.\TE BANK.
This bank was organized as a private bank in September, 1891, by Isaac
W. AlcConnell, of Oxford, Ind., and Jacob P. Isley, of Attica, Ind., Air. Isley
being the president and Mr, McConnell, cashier. It was called the Fortville
Bank, In 1892 James M, Cook and his brother, Jesse P, Cook, became
associated with the institution as partners, Emerson F. Cahen was appointed
as assistant cashier. In 1893 the bank was purchased by .-\lfred Denny,
James M. Cook, Jesse P. Cook and Emerson F. Cahen. Alfred Denny was
chosen president, James M. Cook, vice-president, Emerson F, Cahen, cashier,
and Jesse P, Cook, assistant cashier. Later in the same year James W.
Trittipo became identified as a stockholder and was chosen assistant cashier.
After the death of .Alfred Denny, his son, Isom \\\ Denny, became president.
In July, 1906, the bank was incorporated as a state Iiank, with a paid-up
capital of twenty-five thousand dollars. Under the new organization Isom
Denny was elected president, James M. Cook, vice-president, Jesse P, Cook,
vice-president, Emerson F, Cahen, cashier, and James \\'. Trittipo, assistant
cashier. The above named officers were also the directors of the institution.
The resources of the bank are now over three hundred thousand dollars,
FIRST NATIONAL B.-\NK.
This bank was first organized through the efforts of O, L, Morrow in
the latter part of 1906, as the People's State Bank of Fortville, with a cap-
ital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars. Its first officers were William
R, Rash, president; O, L, Morrow, cashier: W. S. Todd, assistant cashier;
directors. W. R. Rash, H, S. Adams, John F. Johnson, J, A. McComas and
P. A. Randall, The bank's first published statement showed assets amount-
ing to one hundred and forty-six thousand two hundred dollars and six cents.
In 1908 it was reorganized as a national bank with a capital stock of
twenty-five thousand dollars. Its first president, ^^'illiam R. Rash, was
followed by John G, McCord and John F. Johnson, the latter being presi-
flent at this time. The present directors are John F. Johnson. William R.
Rash, Henry S. Adams, Leander F, Whetzel and Philip .\. Randall. O. L.
Morrow has been cashier since the bank was organized as a state bank.
FORTVILLE.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
807
Prior to 1856 services were held in a log- church situated in what is now
known as Fort's cemeteiy, ahout one mile north of Fortville, then known as
Staat's cemetery and church. In 1856 a revival service was held by Rev.
L. W. JMonson in a barn belongina^ to Peter Staat, situated in the north edge
of Fortville. There were a number of conversions and accessions to the
church. Out of this number, with those who had held membership at the old
church, a new class was formed, taking the name of Fortville Methodist
Episco]>al church. The old log church was then abandoned and torn down.
For a short time after this the Fortxille Methodists held their services in the
Staat barn, then for awhile in a log cabin on what is now Xorth Main street.
After shifting about in temporan' quarters for about three years, the build-
ing of a church was launched, in 1859, under the pastorate of Eli Rammel.
Through the earnest efforts of this pastor and the liberal gifts of Peter
Staat, S. A. Patterson and others, a frame church was built on the corner
of Church and School streets. The luiilding was raised and enclosed, but
only the basement was finished for public worship. The building stood in
this condition for five or six years, when, under the pastorate of M. Teague,
an effort was made and the upper room was finished and the church ded-
icated by Bishop Thomas Bowman, in 1865. An annoying debt then hung
over the church for several years and the building would have been sold for
the indebtedness but for the heroic self-denial of Rev. John S. McCarty, who
sold his horse and saddle, took the money and canceled the debt and then
walked over his large circuit, making other sacrifices to save the church from
the disgrace of being sold.
The charter members of the church were: ^Martin Shaffer, Rachael
Shaffer, Minerva Shaffer, Polly Staat, Mary Patterson, Phoebe Staat, Henry
Humphries. Cynthia Humphries, Elizabeth Humphries, Christina Stuart,
Elizabeth Chodrick, Matthias Shaffer, George Kisicker, Virginia Baker,
William M. Baker, Emily Negley, Mary Cinder, I. N. Tewilliger, Camilla
Shaffer, Peter Staat, Hannah Staat, S. A. Patterson, Nancy Hum-
phries, J- S. Edwards, Anna Chodrick, Sarah Kisicker. Mary Shaffer,
Roanna Baker, America Baker, Mary Tewilliger, Elizabeth Poole,
James Negley, Susan Russell, \\'illiam Manford, Robert Poole and Margaret
Poole. The present membership is approximately three hundred and seventy-
five and continually grow'ing. The pastors and their terms of service are
as follow: Milton W'ayman, 1856: James Black, 1857-58; Eli Rammel,
1859; J. S. McCarty, 1860-61 : \\'illiam Anderson, 1862-63: Benjamin Smith,
8o8 • HANCOCK COUXTY, I.NDIANA.
1864: M. A. Teague. 1865: W. E. ^IcCarty. 1866-67; J- \V. Lowry. 1868;
S. T. Stout, 1869-70; J. B. Carnes. 1871-73; E. S. Freeman and J. S. Cain,
1874; E. S. Freeman and R. H. Smith, 1875: E. S. Freeman, 1876; F. F.
Rhoades, 1877-78; E. I. Rhoades, 1879; J. S. McCarty. 1880-82; A. C.
Gerard, 1883-84; D. D. Powell, 1885: A. S. Rodgers, 1886-88; I. S. Bick-
nell. 1889; J. T. Fettro, 1890-92; J. H. Slack. 1893-94; F. M. Lacey, 1895-
98; G. H. Myers, 1899-02; W. B. Freeland, 1903-04: W. T. Amold, 1905-
08; Millard Pell. 1909-10: \\'. 1'".. Murray. 1911-12; W. W. \\'iant. 1913-15.
The Sunday school has been in operation almost ever since the organ-
ization of the church. It has remained through the years one of the most
prosperous auxiliary organizations. The average attendance for the last few
years has been about twn hundred each Sunday. The attendance at the reg-
ular church services will average throughout the year about two hundred.
The movement that resulted in the present church edifice began the next
day after Christmas, 1900. The leader of the work was the pastor, the Rev.
George H. Myers. To him a great deal of the credit must be given for the
present splendid church house. The corner stone was laid on July -^S. 1901.
It was one of the historical events of the town. The work went on to com-
pletion and on March 23. 1902, the new church was dedicated by the Rev.
Dr. J. W. Bashford, then president of Ohio W'esleyan University. The
present valuation of the church property is fifteen thousand dollars. The
board of trustees that served through the building of the present church was
composed of the following members: J. W. Jay, president : W ilham R. Rasli,
treasurer: D. F. Blackburn, secretary: Dr. C E. McCord. J. A. Gardner and
Mrs. Clara Smith.
The church has several other auxiliary organizations. iucUnling senior
and junior Epworth Leagues: a Woman's b'oreign Missionary Society with-
its auxiliaries, consisting of the Standard I'earers, King's Heralds and Little
Light Bearers; a Ladies' Aid Society that has done noble service for years
and greatly assisted in lifting the de))ts on the new building. The chtuch is
in a healthy and growing condition and promises to go on in its ministry to
all that it can reach. It is one of the best of its class in the Muncie district.
CHRISTIAN CM IRC II.
The Christian church at Fort\ille was organized on August 6, 1871.
John Ra.sh and wife from the Christian church at Alfont, .\. Ferrell and wife
from Kentucky, and L. W. Croucli from Tennessee, desiring to unite in an
organization and Imild a house of worshij) in Fortville, decided to hold a
meeting. J. W. l-'crrell, of Kentucky, was sent for, and on Friday night.
CllKISTlAX ClUUCH, PORTVILLE
.M. K. CHURCH, PORTVILLE
FOKTVILLE. 809
August 3, 1871. preached the first sermcui. X. A. Walker, mT Indianapolis.
came and assisted in the meeting. On the following Monday, August 6, in
the Thomas grove, west of I'ortxille, in the temple of (kxl's own rearing,
while the winds were rustling the leaves above them and the spirit of Christ
stirred their hearts within them, a little band of twenty-three pledged them-
selves to God, their Maker and Christ, their Master, on the one foundation,
with the Bible as their only creed, and to work and suffer, if need be, for
the sake of Jesus. The charter monihcrs were, Mary Ann l^llingwood. Eliza-
beth Ellingwood, Margaret Rash. Winnie Clark. Martha A. Scott. Susan
Ferrell, Mary Hiday, Jane Becknell, Sidney Harter, Martha Trov, Mary
Edmonds, Jennie Ferrell, Mary Ann Cavender, Jennie Scott, Marv A. h^irt,
Benjamin Cavender, A. Ferrell. J. K. Rash. S. P. Setters. George W. Fer-
rell, E. h'errell. George Scott and L. W. Crouch.
The ministers who have served the church have been ; J. W. l-'errell. Rev.
Blaney, N. A. Walker. J. O. Cutts. B. K. Smith. W. li. Trowliridge. J.
I\fc.\liam, Niel McAllam. Rev. Ackman, W, H. Kerr. W. Baker. Rev. Haw-
thorn, Revs. Franklin. Wilson. Bullfin. W'illnhy. Johnson, Waller, h'insley
and J. E. Moyer.
.\ Sunday school was organized at the dedication nf the fu'st church
building on the third Lord's day in June, 1872. The su])erintendents have
been, J. W. l-errell, S. P. Setters, L. W. Crouch. J. B. Anderson. C. M.
Cannaday. W. B. Cannaday, John Hauk. Camline Crouch. Claude Hiday and
Waller L"ha]")pell. The axerage attendance has been eighty. There are ten
classes, with a large attendance of adult members.
The first church was a frame building erected in 1871 and 1872. Innlt
by L. W. Crouch. The liuilding committee was composed of J- K. Rash. \.
Ferrell and E. W. Crouch. Dedicatory ser\ices were conducted by X. A.
Walker, of Indianapolis. The present structure is of brick, erected in igoo
by Mr. Fatout. The building committee was composed of Henrv Hidav.
Frank Hunter. Rev. Kerr and L. \\". Crouch. It was dedicated bv J. F.
Rains, of Cincinnati.
The auxiliary societies of the church are the Christian Woman's Board
of Missions, the senior and junior Christian Endeavor Society and the Ladies"
.\id Society. There are at present (1915) three hundred members of the
church.
ST. John's c.vtiiolic ciilrch.
The [jresent frame structure, occupied i)y the Catholics at l-'ort\ille. and
which is soon to be re]>laced b\- a modern brick edifice, was l)uilt in 1869. by
the Re\'. leather D. J. McMullen, of Indianapolis. Previous tn that time
services were held at irregidar intervals in the homes of members.
8lO HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
For a few years there was no regular pastor. Services were conducted
by visiting priests from St. John's church of Indianapohs and St. Mary's
church of Anderson. In 1877 the Franciscan monastery, of Indianapohs, was
given charge of the congregation. The first regular pastor was the Rev.
Father Arsenius Fahle, O. F. M. It is still a mission attended by the Fran-
ciscans, the present pastor being Rev. Father Lendger, O. F. M. There are
at present about sixty members. The present trustees are James Ganley, I^w-
rence Durrick, P. J. Kelley and T. M. Tobin. They will also act as a build-
ing committee for the construction of the new church. The church was
given the name of St. Thomas, in honor of the late Thomas Tobin, who
worked untiringly for the erection of the first church.
There has been regvilarly maintained a Sunday .school, and instruction
in Christian doctrine for members under eighteen. Tlie classes are taught by
the pastor.
There is a Ladies' Altar Society, organized after the Iiuilding of the
churcli. Its purpose is to provide linens, vestments, etc., used in the altar
service. There is also a League of the Sacred Heart, organized in 19 13. Its
aim is to encourage a greater devotion and love of the sacred heart of Jesus
and a closer union in prayer.
PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF THE NAZARENES.
Two or three years ago a party of Nazarenes came ti) Fortville and con-
ducted a series of meetings, the result of which was the organization of a
church. The congregation is small and has not erected a liouse. The people
have been meeting in rented halls to the present. They are planning to erect
or purchase a church as soon as possible.
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS.
In 191 5 George W. Rader and Frank Dudley, Seventh-Day Adventist
missionaries, conducted a tent meeting at Fortville for several months, com-
mencing about June i. As a result of the meeting, in October a congregation
was organized, composed of the following families : H. E. Stottlemeyer and
wife, Abe Cottrell, wife and daughter, William Day. wife and daughter,
Thomas Stottlemeyer. Charles Clace and wife, Margaret .Anderson and Mrs.
Nancy Girt. To the present they have been worshipping at private resi-
dences, principally at the home of H. E. Stottlemeyer. They are contemplat-
ing the erection of a church in the near future.
FORTVILLE.
LODGES.
8ll
Fortville Lodge No. 207, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized on
August 2, 1856, by J. L. Daiinaha, of Clarksville Lodge No. 118, as worship-
ful master; Jacob Baity, of Oaklandon Lodge No. 140, as senior warden;
Silas Helms, of Clarksville Lodge No. 118, as junior warden; J. H. Perry,
of Indianapolis, as treasurer; Hiram Duncan, of Fortville, as secretary;
Samuel Arnett, of Oaklandon Lodge No. 140, as senior deacon; G. W. Kinna-
man, of Clarksville Lodge No. 1 18, as junior deacon ; Robert Alfout, of
JMadison Lodge No. 44, as tyler. A charter was granted to the lodge on
March 26, 1857, showing a charter membership of fourteen. The first offi-
cers were J. L. Dannaha, worshipful master; Eastley Helms, senior warden;
George W. Kinnaman, junior warden; J. H. Perry, treasurer; Hiram Dun-
can, secretary ; Samuel Arnett, senior deacon ; T. J. Dannaha, junior deacon :
Peter Staats. tyler. Tlie ]5resent number of members is one hundred and
eighteen. The lodge has owned two halls, the first having burned on Decem-
ber 31, 1893. The room over the store of W. R. Rash was then used until
the new hall on the third floor of the opera building was dedicated, on April
2, 1902. This hall is now owned bv the lodge. W. R. Rash has Ijeen secre-
tary of the lodge during the past twenty-four years.
Fortville Chapter No. 149, Order of the Eastern Star, was organized in
the Masonic hall at Fortville, May 23, 1894, by Eden Chapter No. iot, Irven
Barnard, deputy. There were twenty-two charter members: W. R. Rash,
Katie Rash, Margaret Rash, J. W. Trittipo. Delphia Trittipo, A. J. Whetsel,
Hattie Whetsel, A. C. Davis, Cynthia Davis, Dr. S. \V. Hervey, Bertha
Hervey, Worth Arnett, Jane Arnett, Lillie Arnett, R. J. Sample, Sarah Sam-
ple, Claudie McCord, Mary Gist, Laura Saunders, Frances Saunders, Ella
Likens and W. J. Manford. The chapter has lost several members by death
and change of residence, and now has an enrollment of eighty-nine members.
Edwards Lodge No. 178, Independent Order c:if Odd Fellows, was
organized October 10, 1856. with the following charier members : J. H.
Perry, R. C. Pitman, C. P. Thomas. H. A. Rutherford, A. Staats, A. H.
Heisen, Peter Morrison, J. B. McArthur, Peter Staats, Sr., J. S. Merrill,
Wood Browning, Silas Helms, J. T. Russell, J. S. Edwards, G. H. Arnold,
A. Burchfield. The first officers were James Perry, noble grand : R. C.
Pitman, vice-grand ; C. P. Thomas, secretary ; H. H. Rutherford, treasurer.
This lodge has owned its own hall for many years. Its first hall burned on
January 10, 1898, and in the summer following the order built a new home
which is now known as Odd l-"ellows hall. The present meml)ership of the
lodge is two hundred and seventy-three.
8l2 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Fortville Encampment Xo. 171. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was
organized Xo\eml".er 18, 1889. with the following charter niemljers : J- K.
{■"ausett, A. Kappas, John Smail, C. \'. Harden, A. W. Clayton, ^I. C.
Oberdurf, Charles Bergner and Sanford Ogle. The encampment was organ-
ized in what was known as the Jordan building. It gained in membership
imtil the Odd Fellows hall burned, when the order dwindled to a few mem-
bers. The remaining mem1)ers met for several years in the rear room of the
h'ortville State Bank, with an attendance of only five or six. W'lien the
Odd Fellows built a new liome the encampment at once commenced to gain in
members until at present it has a membership of one hundred and forty-seven.
Lodge Xo. 80, Daughters of Rebekah. was organized with the follow-
ing charter members: .\ndrcw Kappas, E. E. Kappas, Samuel Troy. Martha
Troy. James Merrill, Charles Doty, Susanna Doty, David Lewis, Luvina
Lewis, Thomas W. Huston, Lucinda Huston. John Hiday and ^lary Hiday.
The lodge now has a memliership of two hundred and forty-two and meets
in the I. O. O. F. hall.
l"(irt\ille Lodge Xo. 404, Knights of Pythias, was organized in the
Jordan building. July 13, 1894. with the following charter members: J. C.
Smail, John Small. John R. Smith. E. F. Cahen, E. W. Collins, C. H. .\lford,
E. E. Bill. William Fausett, E. R. Brown, Selmae Gottschalkson, Paul
Hagens, Charles Manford, James Petligrew. F. W'. Sherril, A. A. Stewart,
J. G. Thomas, W'illiam J. X'anlniskirk. William Walker, Ouincy A. Wright
and George Winn. The present membershii) of the lodge is one hundred and
forty-eight. The lodge suffered a loss by fire when the Jordan building
burned on January 10, 1898. It then moved about from place to place until
1902, when it became established in its new home on the third floor of the
Ayers building.
Fortville Temple Xo. 305, Pythian Sisters, was instituted March 20,
1905, with forty-two charter members. It has always met in the K. of P.
hall at Fortville. It now has a membership of seventy-two.
Manitau Tribe Xo. ^^. Improved Order of Red Men. was organized
February 8, 1875, with the following charter members: Andrew Ka])pes,
John H. Treher, John F. Caldwell, George H. Jackson. A. D. Perkins, Sr.,
Amos Birchfield, Christopher C. Troy, Robert P. Brown, W'illiam Rose,
James C. Jordan, John H. Cottrell, E. B. Clampitt, Jacob Stoehr. Aaron
Chappell, James P. Russell, Garrison Asbury, Charles V. Hardin, Freemont,
G. Murrer, Ambrose Saylor, Joshua Beaver, John B. Chodrick and Henry
Fort. Manitau Tribe was one of the pioneer triljes of the state of Indiana,
FOKT\ILLl!:. 8 1
O
which is iniphcd by its miinlier when one considers lliat there are at this
time in the state about four hundred and sixteen tribes. The early history
of the tribe is marked l)y many ups and downs and its members met with
many misfortunes and liardships in setting forth tlie ])rinciples of freedom,
friendship antl ciiarity. It had no regular meeting place, hut yet managed,
through the diligent and loyal efforts of both officers and members, to estab-
lish itself as one of the foremost organizations in the community. Its first
meeting place was in the old Fisher building. After a short life this was
burned down, consuming the entire property of the lodge along with records
and iither valuable papers. This gave the lodge quite a set-back, from which
it took a long time to fully recover, its membership having dwindled down to
sixteen members. After a time, about the year 1888, and with a gradual
increase in membership, the tribe was able to build the second story of what
was then kncnvn as the Moore block, which they used for a home until Feb-
ruary. 1907, when they moved into their ])resent home, a two-story building,
known as the Red Men's building.
Manitau Haxmakers Association Xo. 53^. — The Haymakers have had
several organizations at Fort\ille at different times. The last association was
instituted during the winter of 1903-04. The present membership is one
hundred and forty-seven. The association is a joint owner of the Red Men's
building, with Manitau Tribe Xo. 53. Impro\ed Orfler of Red Men.
Leola Council Xo. 108, was organized in 1906 with forty-nine charter
members. Meetings are held in the Red Men's building. The lodge imtil
several years ago had one hundred and twenty-fi\e members, but through
removals and deaths the membership has decreased to about sixty.
Camp Xo. 7137, Modem Woodmen of America, was organized and
chartered on October 25, 1899, with twenty-three charter members. Its
present membership is one hundred and six. The camp meets on each Monday
night in its own hall over the O. K. drug store. There has lieen no death in
the camp since its organization.
rUBLlC LIBR.\RV.
In the spring of 191 5 an effort was made at Fortville to secure a pub-
lic library and reading room. On March 22 sixty or more citizens of the
town filed their ])etition with the clerk of the Hancock circuit court, showing
that money had been subscribed and that funds were available to establish a
libr,'n\\-. The c<iurt. Judge Sample on the liench. made a finding to this effect
and on March 31. 10)13. ai)pointcd the following men as members of the
library board: J. F. Hoopingarner. Arthur P>. Ayers and James W. Trittipo.
8l4 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Application has been made to x^ndrew Carnegie for aid to build a library,
but no action has yet been taken on this application.
THE THIMBLE CLUB.
The Thimble Club was organized with sixteen charter members, on May
22, 1902. It was known as tiie Thursday Club until 1908, when it was
re-organized and re-named the Thimble Cluli. Its purpose is to promote
interest in needlecraft and for social development. The ladies meet on Fri-
day every two weeks from two to four. The club celebrated its tenth anni-
versar}- without the loss of a single member by death. Since that time Miss
Laura Jarrett has been taken away. The ladies who have served as ])resi-
dent of the club are Mrs. Fred Hardin, Mrs. W. P. Williams, Mrs. J. F.
Johnson, Mrs. Harry Apple, Miss Laura Jarrett, Mrs. Stewart Slocum, Mrs.
Frank Crouch and Mrs. E. R. Croucli, the latter being president at this time.
FORTVILLE TROOP NO. I, BOY SCOUTS.
This troop was organized five years ago by Harry Griffey. It has
usually had from eighteen to twenty-five members. The boys have the reg-
tl'ition suits and observe closely the rules of conduct governing the order.
In addition to the regular rviles they have imposed others upon themselves
which are scrupulously obsen-ed. They have camped and "roughed" it on
Fall creek on an occasion or two and have enjoyed the outing thoroughly.
The meetings are regularly held in the basement of the Methodist church.
They follow the course of instruction prescribed by the order. Harry Griffey
acted as scout master for the first two or three years, since which time
Samuel J. Stokes has been scout master.
THE COUNTY HOSPITAL.
On May 27, 1914, several liundred citizens from Fortville and vicinity
filed their petition with the board of county commissioners, asking the board
"to locate, build and erect, and make proper and legal pro\-ision for the
maintenance of a county hospital in and for the county of Hancock, state of
Indiana, the same to be located, built and erected in the city of Fortville, in
said county and state, not to exceed thirty-five thousand dollars."
It seems, however, that the board could not be persuaded to think that
the county was in need of a liospital and for that reason failed to grant the
prayer of the petitioners.
FORTVILLE. 815
RURAL FREE DELIVERY.
Two rural free deliver^' routes have been established from the postoffice
at Fortville. Lincoln G. Boden has route i and James C. Jordan, route 2.
These routes were established and the first mail was delivered over them
on September 2, 1902.
MILLS, FACTORIES, ETC.
The mills, factories, etc., of Fortville, have been grouped with the mills
of Vernon township.
TAXPAYERS.
The heavy taxpayers of Fortville have been grouped with the taxpayers
of Vernon township.
GEORGE H. COOPER
BIOGRAPHICAL
GEORGE H. COOPER.
Ami)n,i4" the citizens o\ (ireenfield, Indiana, wlin liave achieved a definite
success in life, not only surrounding themselves with valuahle personal prop-
erty, but what is of greater import, have also gained the respect and esteem of
tiie communit}', is George H. Cooper, who has long been recognized as a lead-
ing and influential citizen of Hancnek cnunty. Mr. Cooper w.'is Imrn on
August 10, icS6o, in Greenfield, the old lionie being where the public library
building now stands. He is tlie son of Dr. Berry \Villis and Malissa ( Hoel )
Cooper, both of whom are now deceased, and who are specifically mentioned
elsewhere in this work.
George H. Cooper attended the Greenfield jniblic schools, graduating from
the high school in 1879. Later, he attended Indiana L'niversit}- two _\-ears, and
also took the Chautau(|ua Literary and Scientific Course at Island Park,
Indiana, under Dr. (afterward Bishop) John H. Vincent, and Dr. John Dewitt
IMiller. being one of the two men wiio graduated with a large class of women.
In the summer of 1880 Mr. Coo])er entered the Citizens Bank at Greenfield
as bookkeeper, and later was employed in tlie same capacity at Hughes' Bank,
in this city, for two years. He tiien returned to the Citizens Bank and has
been closely and actively identified with it e\er since. For many years he has
been cashier of this strong financial institution, and much of its splendid suc-
cess has been due to his careful management and his accommodating attitude
towards the patrons of the bank, of which he owns a large interest. Aside
from the bank, Mr. Cooper possesses also large landed interests in Hancock
county. For the past eighteen years with his family lie has sjjent the sum-
mers at "Tlie Sycamores," a countrx home near Greenfield, and his summer
home, as well as his city home, has l)een freely used as places of entertainment
in the church, school and family social life of Cireenfield.
In the civic affairs of Greenfield and Hancock county, Mr. Cooper has
always shown a healthy interest and performed his full part in promoting every
cause or movement for the advancement of the community. For nearly ten
years he served as treasurer of the Greenfield school l)oard and when, at the
817
(52)
8l8 HAXCOCK COIXTV. IXDIAXA.
the close of his service, the state accountings board examined liis books they
found them balanced to a cent. Mr. Cooper took a leading part in the move-
ment which culnn'nated in the securing of the present public library building,
the site for which was donated to the city by his mother, Mrs. Malissa Cooper.
Politically, Mr. Cooper is a Democrat, and is this year (1916) the nominee
of his party for representative in the Legislature. In the Masonic order he
has taken all the degrees of the York Rite and is a thirty-second degree member
of the Scottisli Rite, while he also belongs to the M\"Stic Shrine. He is a mem-
ber of the Christian church and treasurer of its official board.
On November 21, 1888, George H. Cooper was married to Lotta M.
Bottsford, the daughter of Sheldon E. and Lorinda (Wright) Bottsford, of
Sugar Creek township, Hancock county. Their sons and daughters are as
follow: Lois F., wife of Irwin ^^^ Cotton, of Greenfield; Gertrude M., Berry
W., Sheldon B. and Warren G. Cooper, Their grancfchildren are Wright
Cooper Cotton and Allen G. Cotton.
EARL F. SWAIX.
Earl F. Swain was born in Rusli county. Indiana, November 13, 1880,
son of Isaac Newton Swain, who was born in North Carolina, June 4. 1853,
and who came to Indiana with his parents when only four months old. Isaac
Newton Swain is a son of Ovid Newton Swain, ])orn in 181 5. and Eunice
(Sawyer) Swain, l)orn in South Carolina in 1810. Ovid Newton Swain set-
tled at Manilla, in Rush county, Indiana. He was a farmer by profession. He
rented land for awhile and later bought a tract of eighty acres for eight lum-
dred dollars. Isaac Newton Swain was married on February 19, 1874, to
Mary Josephine Gibson, who was a, daugliter of Sydney Gibson, of Rush
county. Her people were natives of Virginia and were one of the early fam-
ilies to settle in Rush county. Her fadier was an Indian trader, who traded
clothes and groceries for furs. Isaac Newton Swain and wife are both mem-
bers of the Christian church. He is an elder in the church and a member of
the Knights of Pythias lodge and of the Improved Order of Red Men. He is
a Democrat in politics and was assessor of Brandywinc township for a term
of six years.
Earl F. Swain, who is the subject of tliis skelcli, came to Hancock county
with his parents in 1887 and has lived in the county ever since. He received
BIOGRAPHICAL. Su)
his early education at Beaver Meadow. Rusli count}-. Willard Swain, a cousin,
was his first teacher. His next sciionhn^- was in Jjirandywine township, in tlie
Howe school house. The children of Isaac Newton Swain were: Cora, Sam-
uel, James, Arthur, Earl F., Bert and Flora.
Earl F. Swain was married, on October 24, 1903, to Viola Larrabee,
daughter of Louis N. Larrabee, who was. at that time sheriff of the county.
Her home was in Sugar Creek townsliip. 'Jlic children of Louis N. Larrabee
are Edward, \\'alter, Roy, Cecelia, and Viola, who is the wife of the subject
of this sketch. Earl F. Swain lived with his father until his marriage and then
went to live with his father-in-law , and was with him for thirteen months, and
served during this time as deputy-sheriff of Hancock county. Earl F. Swain
is the father of the following children :, Dorothy, Irene, Gladys, Kenneth Earl,
Alice and Josephine. Earl F. Swain is living at the present time on a farm of
two hundred acres owned by William F. Espy. He has lived here for several
years and farms the entire place. He raises alx)ut one hundred and fifty
Poland China hogs each year and about twenty head of Shorthorn cattle. He
usually has about four thousand bushels of corn.
Mr. Swain is a Democrat in politics and in 1912 he was in the contest for
sheriff, but was defeated for the nomination by only one hundred votes. He is
a Mason and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Greenfield.
His wife is a member of the Christian church and he is one of its supporters.
JUDGE ROBERT L. MA SOX.
Judge Robert L. Mason, one of the Ijest-known and most highly-esteemed
lawyers in central Lidiana, who has l:)een engaged in the practice of his pro-
fession in Greenfield, this county, for many years, is a native Hoosier,
having lieen born on a farm on the White river, north of Brownsville, in
Union county, this state, Xovemljer 15. 1859, son of ]n\m K. and Harriet
(Lee) Mason, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Ohio.
John K. Mason was born in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1827, son
of Robert and Rebecca Mason, who came to this country when their son was
still a lad, settling on a farm in the Brownsville neighborhood, in Union
countv, Indiana, where tliey spent the remainder of their lives, for years
honorable and respected residents of that community-. On the farm in the
hills of Union county John K. Mason grew to manhood. Upon completing
820 HANCOCK COIXTV, INDIANA.
liis schouling he began to teacli scliool and was tlnis engaged for a numljer
of years, teaching in the winter seasons and farming during the summer.
He houglit a farm in Union county and married fiarriet Lee. of the neigh-
boring county of Fayette, wIkj was born in Butler county, Ohio, and who
had moved with her parents when a girl to l-"ayette county, this state, where
she lived on the home farm until her marriage with Mr. Mason. Some vears
after his marriage John K. Mason an<l his family moved to Oxford. Butler
county, Ohio, in the neighl;orhood of which city he was engaged m farming
until his death in 1880, he then being fifty-three years of age. He was a
stanch Democrat and during his residence in Union countv had served for
some years as trustee of his township. Upon moving to Ohio he took an
equally actix'e part in jjtjlitical affairs and for some time served as justice of
of the peace. He was a Mason and took much interest in the affairs of that
ancient order. His widow sur\i\ed him for man\- years, her death occurring
on March 2^. 1906, she then l:)eing seventy-five years of age. They were
the parents of four children, namely : Lucullus \\'., of Oxford. Ohio; Robert
L.. the immediate subject of this biographical sketch: Jennie, who married
Charles Rout, of Anderson, this state, who died in .\pril. 1013. and Rosco V..
who died in 1890.
Robert L. Mason was reared on the paternal farm in the neigiiborhood
of Oxford. Oliio, growing up there amid the most excellent social conditions.
I'ljon the completion of his course in the common schools lie began teaching
scln)oI in L'nion county, this state, and was thus engaged for fi\'e years, in the
meantime pursuing his studies in Miami University at Oxford, and was grad-
uated from tliat excellent old institution in 1882, after which he entered the
University at Valparaiso, this state, and was graduated from the law depart-
ment of that institution in the spring of 1886. Thus admiral)ly equipjied for
the practice of the profession to which he bad devoted his talents, Mr. Mason
opened an office at Kansas City. Missouri, anil was engaged m practice in
that citv until 1894. in the spring of which year be located at (ireenfield, this
countv, forming in that city a partnership for the practice of law witii Uriah
S. Jackson, which mutually agreeable partnership continued until Mr. Mason's
election to tlie bench of the Hancock circuit court in 1906. Upon the com-
pletion of his six-year term in that honorable position. Judge Mason moved
to San Diego, California, in the fall of 1912, with the expectation of making
his permanent home in that city, but after a nine-months' residence there felt
the urge of all the old agreeable associations at (ireenfield st) strongly that
he returned to the latter city and in 1913 resumed his fonner practice there
and has been thus engaged ever since, quite content, after his Western e.x-
perience. to make Indiana his home.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 82 1
Oil June 13. 1896, Robert L. Mason was united in niarriasje to Lillie M.
Dennis, wlio was born in Hancock county on Decenilier j, 1872, daugbter of
Augustus and Carobne (Tyner) Dennis, prominent resident.s of this county,
tbe fonner a native of the Old Dominion state and the latter a native of this
countv. she having had the distinction of being the first white child Ijorn
within the precincts of the city of Greenfield, the i)ioneer home of the Tyncrs
at that time lia\'ing lieen on the ])resent site of the I. ( ). ( ). I-', ball
in that city. August Demiis was born in X'irginia in 1829 and when
fourteen years old came with his parents to Indiana, the family settling
in this county, and he sijent the remainder of bis life, a well-known
and well-to-do farmer, one of the ci unity's most substantial and iiifln-
eiitial citizens. He was a Democrat and had served the public very efliciently
in the capacity of countv commissioner and in minor otiices. He and his wife
were meml)ers of the Baptist church and were among the leaders in good
works hereabout. Mrs. Dennis was the daughter of Lewis and Eliza Tyner.
also prominent in the earlier life of this county, Lewis Tyner having been a
former clerk t>{ the court of Hancock county for some years, and his father.
Solomon Tvner. the first school teacher in this county, a man of large inllu-
ence hereabout in pioneer days. Augustus Dennis died on August 23, kji-.
His wife had long preceded him to the grave, her death having occurred on
February 20, 1896, she then being sixty-four years of age. They were the
parents of seven children, of whom four grew to maturity, as follow: Mary-,
who married T- ^^ • Porter, a well-known farmer in Brandywine township,
this county, and died on November 13, 1915. had three children. Carrie.
Harry .\. and Fav Tyner; Allie. who married Elliot Marlow. and died in
1894. leaving one child, a son. Ray Tyner. now deceased: Etta, who married
William Porter, a well-known farmer of Blue River township, this countv.
and has three children, (irace. (hiy and Golden, and Lillie, who was gr.aduated
from tbe Greenfield high school with class honors in 1889. after which she
took a course in a business college at Indianaiiolis. Instead of pursuing the
career she had planned she then was called by her duty to her invalid sister,
Mrs. Marlow. and her invalid mother and was a devoted attendant to both
for five years, her marriage to ]udge Mason following in June after the
death of her mother in I'Vliruary. 1896.
To Robert L. and Lillie M. ( Dennis) Mason three children have lieen
born. I'orest Lillie, born on November 28, 1897. who was graduated from
the Greenfield high school with the highest number of credits ever given a
pupil of that school up to that date and is now attending DePauw Univer-
sity; Rol:)ert L., Jr., July 8. 1899. who is now a student in the high school.
822 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
and Kenneth Tyner, October 4, 1901, who is a high school student. Judge
and Mrs. Mason and children are members of the Bradley Methodist Epis-
copal church, the judge being a member of the board of trustees of the same,
and are interested in all good works hereabout, being held in the highest regard
throughout tlie entire community. Judge Mason is a Democrat and besides
having been honored by the people of this county by Tlie election to the bench
of the Hancock circuit court has served as county attorney and as city attor-
ney at various times. He is one of the directors of the bank at Moliawk. this
county, and is regarded as one of Hancock county's most substantial and
influential citizens. In his fraternal relations Judge Mason is affiliated with
the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Rod Men
and takes an active part in the affairs of the local lodges of these several
orders.
:\IRS. MARGARET I. BROOKS.
Mrs. Margaret I. Brooks, well-known and successful monument dealer,
of- Greenfield, this county, widow of the late John H. Brooks, whose w-ell-
established business she has been carrying on since his death in 191 3, has
proved very conclusively that a womanmay successfully engage in those par-
ticular lines of endeavor in which one is accustomed to find only men engaged.
Energetic, enterprising and progressive, there is no member of the Indiana
Retail Monument Dealers' Association better known in that tody tiian Mrs.
Brooks, for she has held the office of secretarj'-treasurer in that body ; and
she is equally well known in the larger body of the National Retail Monu-
ment Dealers' Association, in which she also has served as an officer.
Mrs. Brooks (Margaret I. Miller) was born on a farm twelve miles
from Martinsville, in Morgan county, this state, December ij, 1874. daughter
of Jolin C. and Delila C. ( Whitaker) Miller, both natives of that county,
earnest and diligent members of their community and substantial farming
people, who spent all their lives in that county and died within four days of
each other, Mrs. Miller's death occurring on February 16, 1913. and that of
Mr. Aliller on February 20 of the same year. ^\x. Miller being sixty-seven
years of age at the time of his death and his wife, seventy-four. Mr. Miller
was a Democrat and had lield several township offices. He was a member
of the Metliodist church and his wife was a Baptist.
Margaret I. Miller received her elementary education in the district
schools in the neightorhood of her home, supplementing the same by a course
in tlie Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute, after wliich she was
BIOGRAPHICAL. 82
O
entjaged for four years as a teaclier in her home county, teachmg three years
in tlie district school and one year in the graded school, and was thus engaged
until the time of her marriage in 1898 to John H. Brooks.
John H. Brooks was born on a farm in the neighboring county of Rush
on March 10, 1866, son of William and Mary (Gates) Brooks, both natives
of that county and well-to-do farming people, who later moved to Hancock
county, where their last days were spent, 'ilie Gates family emigrated from
Pennsylvania to Ohio and thence to Indiana, being among the early settlers
of Rush county. John Gates, father of Mrs. Mary Brooks's father, was bom
in Pennsylvania, his father having Ijeen an officer in the patriot army during
the Revolutionary A\'ar, and tonk a prominent part in pioneer days in Rush
count\'. To William Brooks and wife five children were born, of whom
John II. Brooks was the youngest. William Brooks was a Repulilican and
he and his wife were earnest members of the Friends church;
Jdhn H. Brooks was but a child when his parents moved from Rush
countv to Hancock county and was reared on the paternal farm in this county,
receiving his earlv education in the district school. He then entered the State
Normal School at Terre Haute an<l was graduated from that mslitutinn witli
the class of 1896. Previous to his graduation he had l:^gun to teach school
and for ten years was a teacher in the puiilic schools of tliis state, principally
in the schools of Hancock county. In Tune, 1898, Mr. Brooks bought the
Toel B. Pusev monument works at Greenfield, a small concern, which he im-
mediatelv began to enlarge and extend. He moved the plant to the north
side of Main street, east, and later moved it to its present site on West Main
street, where he had brought the concern to a flourishing state when death
stopped his labors on March i. 1913, less than two weeks after the death of
]Mrs. Brooks's parents. Upon the death of Mr. Brooks his widow continued
the business and is still very successfully conducting the same. Mr. Brooks
was a Republican, a Ijulhright Quaker and a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and of the Improved Order of Red Men.
To John H. and Margaret F. { Miller) Brooks four children were born,
Jessie Irene, Robert Miller, Sarah Eleanor and John Homer, all of whom
are at school. Mrs. Brooks has a very pleasant home at 214 Wood street.
Greenfield, and there she and her children are quite contfortably situated.
She has some farm land, which she rents, and she has proved herself a ver>-
competent manager of the business which her husband left. Mrs. Brooks is
a member of the Friends church and a member of the Clio Reading Club, a
cultural organization of women of Greenfield, and in the affairs of both
takes an earnest interest.
824 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
OSCAR HELLKR. M. D.
Dr. Oscar Heller, one of the leading physicians of this section of the
state, wiio has been engaged in the practice of his profession in this county
since 1896. located at Greenfield since 1902. is a native son of Hancock county,
h.aving been born on a farm in Center township, two miles southeast of
Greenfield. February 26, 1872. son of Alfred J. and Mary A. (Wirts) Heller,
the former a nati\e of Penns\!\ania and ilie latter of Ohio, who were i)rom-
inent residents of the neighborhood in which Doctor Heller was born.
Alfred J. Heller was hut a boy when his parents moved from Pennsyl-
vania to Indiana, the family settling in this county, and he grew to manhood
here and continued a farmer all his life. He married Mary Wirts, who was
born in Ohio in 1833. and who was about ten years old when she came to this
state, the family settling in this county in the early forties. After his mar-
riage Alfred J. Heller established his home in Center township and there he
and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Heller was a Republican
and was a member of the Masonic lodge at Greenfield. He and his wife
were members of the Cliristian churcli and were highly regarded in their
community. She died in 1877. at the age of forty-four years, and he survived
until 1880. They were the parents of three children, sons all. Edward, a well-
known farmer of this county : Oscar, the immediate subject of this biograph-
ical sketch, and William H.. who is connected with the Interurban F.x])rcss
Company at Indianapolis.
Oscar Heller was reared on the home farm and received his elementary
education in district school Xo. 3. in Blue Ri\er township, following which
he attended the high scliool at I'erkinsxille. He then for several years was
engaged in farm lalx)r on various farms in this county, and while thus
engaged took up the study of medicine, with a view to becoming a physician.
In 1893 he entered the office of Dr. J. M. Larimore at Greenfield and for
three years was carefully drilled in the theorv and practice of medicine by
that able preceptor, at the end of which time, in 1896, he o])ened an office
for the ])ractice of his profession at Ridgeville and was there associated with
Dr. B. F. l""reeman for two years, at the end of which time he returned to
Greenfield and was admitted to ])artnership with Doctor Larimore, his former
preceptor, in the meantime having ])ursued his medical studies in the medical
department of the Indiana State University, from wliich he was graduated
in 1897. with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. The partnership between
Doctor Heller and Doctor Larimore continued for about three years, since
which time Doctor Heller has been ]iracticing alone and has lieen very sue-
OSCAR HELLER, M. D.
BIOGRAPHICAI.. 825
cessfn], occupin^: a high position in the regard of liis professional associates
and the general puhlic hereabout. Doctor Heller is a member of the Hancock
County Medical Society and of the Indiana Medical Association, in the delib-
erations of both of which bodies he takes a warm interest. He has served two
terms as coroner of Hancock county, having been elected to that office
on the Democratic ticket, and for four years was secretary of the county
board of liealth. of wliich board he still is a member. He owns a fine farm
in Center tow-nship. this county, and is regarded as one of the suhstanital
citizens of Greenfield.
On June g i8g6. Dr. Oscar Heller was united in marriage to Victoria
Dudiling, who was born in this county on October 6. iSji, daughter of John
C. and Nancy (Tucker) Duckling, also natives of Han.cock county, whose
respective families had settled here in the early days, both families having
come from Virginia, becoming ])rominent pioneer residents of this section.
Doctor and Mrs. Heller take a proper part in the general social and cuhur;'.l
life of the community and are held in high esteem by their many friends here.
Doctor Heller is a Scottish Rite Mason and a noble of the Ancient .Arabic
Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Kiiights of
Pythias, of the Elks and of the Eagles, of the local lodge of which latter
organization he is the past jihysician, and in the affairs of all these several
organizations he takes an active interest.
MOLLIS B. THAYER.
In the memorial annals of Hancock county there are few names held in
more grateful remembrance than that of the late HoUis B. Thayer, who for
many years was one of the most active and influential figures in the com-
mercial and social life of Greenfield, Xo less distinctly outlined in the
memorv of the ])assing generation hereabout is the figure of the late .\ndrew
T. Hart, former ct)unty treasurer and for many years one of Greenfield's
leading merchants, father-in-law of Mr. Thayer; these two strong men having
been for vears associated together in business in Greenfield, after the death
of Mr. Hart the business l)eing continued by Mr. Thayer until the latter's
death. Mr. Thayer's widow, daughter of Mr. Hart, is still living at Green-
field, where she has a very pleasaiu home ,ind where she enjoys many evi-
dences of the In'gh esteem in which she is held throughout the entire com-
munitv.
826 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
HoUis B. Thayer was a native of New Hampshire, born in tlie town of
Keene, that state, September 24, 1833. When twenty years old he came into
Indiana with the construction crew of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company,
at that time building the road through the eastern part of this state, and while
thus engaged received his introduction to the town of Greenfield. Starting
in as a common laborer in the railroad work, Mr. Thayer presently became
superintendent of one of the departments of construction and was thus en-
gaged until i860, two years after his marriage. He then formed a partner-
ship with his father-in-law, Andrew T. Hart, in the general merchandise
business at Greenfield, this mutually agreeable connection continuing until
the death of Mr. Hart in 1888, after which Mr. Thayer continued the busi-
ness as sole proprietor until his death on February 21, 1904, he then being
seventy years of age. During his long connection with the commercial life
of Greenfield and Hancock county, Hollis B. Thayer impressed his person-
ality strongly upon this community. He was successful in his business, his
diligence and enterprise having been duly rewarded, and at the time of his
death was the owner of considerable valuable real estate in Greenfield. Mr.
Thayer was a Republican and ever took a personal interest in measures look-
ing to the perpetuation of good government, Init never was included in the
office-seeking class.
It was on April 5. 1S58. at Greenfield, that liollis B. Thayer was united
in marriage to Permelia Hart, who was born in Greenfield in December 5,
1839, daughter of .\ndrew T. and Gabriella (Sebastian) Hart, who were
among the early residents of that city, .\ndrew T. Hart was a \'irginian,
born on July 7, 181 1, who came to Indiana in an early day in the settlement
of this section of the state and l>ecame, as noted above, one of the most ener-
getic and influential citizens of Greenfield. Mv. Hart was twice married, his
first wife, who was a Mrs. Folander, having died alx)ut two years after their
marriage. He then married, secondly, Gabriella Sel)astian, who was born
in Kentucky on Februar)- 8, 1816, and who had come into Indiana with her
parents, William Sebastian and wife, natives of Kentucky, the family locating
in the then hamlet of Greenfield about 1830. William Sebastian entered a
claim to a quarter of a section of "Congress land" in that neighborhood and
was one of the real pioneers of Greenfield, in which place he for years con-
ducted a tavern, during the old stage-coach days. He also operated a pioneer
blacksmith shop and for years was postmaster of the village. Andrew T.
Hart became one of the early merchants of Greenfield and was very successful
in business, .\fter his daughter's marriage to Hollis B. Thayer he formed a
partnership witli the latter and that partnership was continued until his death
BIOGRAnilCAL. 827
in 1888, he then being seventy-seven years of age. Mr. Hart was a Repub-
lican and for years was one of the active leaders of liiat party in tiiis county.
For some years he served as county treasurer of IlancocU countv and in
other ways rendertnl sucii service as he could in the ]nil)]ic Iichalf. lie and
his wife were memljers of the Christian church and took a ])rominent part in
good works in their day. Mrs. Hart survived her husband but two years, her
death occurring in 1890, she then being seventy-four years of age. They
were the parents of six cliildren. of whom Mrs. Thayer was the first horn.
To Hollis R. and Permelia (Sebastian) Thayer two children were born,
Millie, bom June 30, 1859, ^'^''''O died in her youth, and Edwin, born in Decem-
ber, 1864, who makes his home in Greenfield, though his chief business inter-
ests now are connected with a great irrigation preject in Arizona. Edwin
Thayer married Minnie Ridpath, who was bom in Greencastle. this state,
and to this union two children have been born, George, a mining engineer,
who married Bessie Walker and is now living in Arizona, and Roxie, who
married Luther O. Eldridge, of California, and has one child, a daughter,
Jeanne. Though now nearing the four-score stage of her life. Mrs. Thayer
is hale and hearty and takes a keen zest in current affairs. She for many years
has been an active member of the Bradley Methodist Episcopal church and
still takes a warm interest in that congregation's various activities. Mrs.
Thayer is a charter member of the locally influential Hesperian Club and con-
tinues her active interest in that organization. She has traveled widely and
has made wise use of her opportunities.
THOMAS EDWIN GLASCOCK.
Thomas Edwin Glascock, of Greenfield, one of tlie best-known attorneys
at the bar of the Hancock circuit court, is a native son of this county and a
member of one of the old pioneer families of Hancock county. He was
born on the farm which was entered as "Congress land'' by his grandfather.
Thomas Glascock, in the days of the establishment of a social order here-
about, and which place is still in the family, his father, Lafayette Glascock,
continuing to make his home there. T^afayette Glascock was born on August
9, 1848, and has made his home all his life on the farm where he was born,
long having been regarded as one of the most substantial farmers and stock
raisers in that part of the county. Lafayette Glascock married Eliza Olive
Crane, who was born in that same neightorhood on January 29, 1853, and
828 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
who also is still living', hale and hearty for one of her years. I_^fayette Glas-
cock is a Democrat and has taken an active part in the political affairs of the
county, thout^h not an office-seeker. He and his wife are members of the
Baptist church and their children v, ere reared in that faith. There are four
of these children, all still living, those laesides the subject of this sketch being
as follow : Hector L., born on .Vugust 8, 1874. a farmer, now living at
Greenfield; Albert J-. horn on January 12. 1S78, and Myrtle Olive, bom on
October 12. 1885, who married ICdward Pauley and li\es on a farm in Center
township, this county.
Thomas E. Glascock was liorn on Alay 19. 1872. and was reared on the
home farm in Center township. He received his elementary education in the
Leamon's Corner sch(^ol in the neighborhood of his home and wlien but a
youth was licensed to teach sciiool, but instead of availing himself of the
license entered the high school at (ireenfield. from which he was graduated
in 1892. He then returned to the farm and for a year assisted his father in
the work of the farm, after which he was engaged as a salesman for fruit
trees, traveling throughout Indiana in the interest of a Michigan nursery,
and was thus engaged for three years. In the meantime his though.ts had
l)een turning to tlie subject of the law and he then entered the ot¥ice of Mason
& Jackson at (ireenfield and began the study of law under the direction of
those able attorneys. Two years later, on the motion of Robert L. Mason,
he was admitted to practice as a member of the bar of the Hancock circuit
court and has e\er since then been thus engaged at (ireenfield. long having
been recognized as one of the leading mem1:)ers of the bar. Following his
admission, Mr. Glascock engaged in practice in association with Messrs.
Ma.son & Jackson and this connection was continued for ten years, at the end
of which time he opened an otTice for himself in the Randall Ijuilding, at the
corner of State and Main streets. .After a few years spent at that location
he moved to the Gates building and thence, after a time, to the Boots building,
east of the court house, whence he nio\e(l to the Thayer building, at that time
forming a partnership with Omer S. Jackson, and on September i, 1915.
moved to the M. C. Quigley building, where he is now located. Mr. (jlascock
is a Democrat and for three years served as county attorne>-.
On .\ugust 30. 1898, Thomas E. Glascock was united in marriage to
Delphia Pearl Knight, who was Ixirn in Crawford county. Illinois, on July
7. 1879, and who came to Hancock county when a girl with her parents, the
family locating in Greenfield, where Mr. Knight is still living, a well-known
retired street contractor, and to tliis union two children have l)een born, Olive
Josephine, born on June 1, 1899. and Joseph Lafayette. March 13. i()Oi. Mr.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 829
Glascock is a member of the liaptist church and Mrs, Glascock is a member
of the Methodist cliurcli and take an earnest interest in the .s^eneral bene-
ficences of those cliurches. Mr. (ilascnck is a member of the ]'"raltrnal Order
of Eagles and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that organization.
PHIL.WDKR COLLVER.
I-^hilander Cnllyer, former county treasnrer nf Hancock county and a
well-known retired farmer of Jackson lownsiiip. now living at Greenfield, is
a native son of this county, having been born on a farm in Brandywine town-
ship. December u, 1854, son of Wellington and Rel)ecca (Liming) Collyer,
tiotli natives of Ohio, the former born on .\ugust 6, 1816, and the latter in
February, 182 1. Both Wellington Collyer and his wife had come to Han-
cock county in their youtii w itli tiieir respective families and were married
here. They settled on a farm in Brandywine townshi]) and there spent the
remainder of tiieir lives. Wellington Collyer was a Democrat and was prom-
inent in the early councils of that i)arty in this count}'. He had served as
trustee of Brandywine township and in 186S received his ])artv"s nomination
for the office of county recorder. He and his wife were active working mem-
bers of the Christian church. Wellington Collyer died in 1895, at the age of
seventy-nine years, and his widow survived him but two years, her death
occurring in 1897, she then being seventy-six years of age. Thev were the
l)arents of eight children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth
in order of birth and all of whom are still living save two.
Philander Collyer was reared on the paternal farm in Brandywine town-
ship, receiving his education in the common schools, and remained at home
until he was twenty-one )-ears of age, ;ifter which he rented a farm in his
home neighborliood and engaged in farming on his own account. He married
in 1879 and continued living on !iis rented farm until 1894, in which year he
bought a sixty-acre farm in Jackson township, later buying a tract of sixty-
two acres adjoining and in 1913 bought another adjoining tract of tw-enty
acres, thus being now the owner of a farm of one hundred and forty-two
acres. Mr. Collyer is a Democrat and in the fall of 1908 w-as elected county
treasurer on that party's ticket. He was re-elected in 1910 and thus served
two terms in that office. Tn 191 1 he moved from the farm to (jreenfield,
in which city he now makes his home, and since retiring from the fann has
acted as the local representative of the R. L. Dolling Company, of Indianapolis-
830 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
On October 15. 1879. Philander Collyer was united in marriage to
Cynthia E. Furman, who was born in this county in 1858 and who died in
1907, leaving one daughter. Pearl, who is at home. On March 21, 191 1, Mr.
Collyer married, secondly, Mrs. Christina ( Miller) Fink, who was l»rn in
Germany and who came to .America witli her parents when she was six years
old, the family settling in Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Collyer are memljers of
the Christian church and Mr. Collyer is an office bearer in the same. Mr.
Collyer is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar, a member of the
blue lodge, the chapter and the commandeiy at Greenfield and of the council.
Royal and Select Masters, at McCordsville, as well as a member of Murat
Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Indian-
apolis. He also is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, past
noble grand of the lodge of that order at Charlottesville, and is a member of
the Greenfield lodge of the Improved Order of Red Men and the Knights of
Pythias, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes a warm interest.
JAMES MADISON LARIMORE, M. D.
Dr. James Madison Larimore, retired, who for many years was one of th.e
liest-known and most successful physicians in this part of the state, a prac-
titioner in Hancock county since 1877 and a resident j^hysician of Greenfield
since 1893, is a native Hoosier, having been born on a farm in the neigh-
borhood of Eagle village, in Boone county, this state, June 12, 1843, son of
Joseph and Mary (Mclntyre) Larimore, the former a native of North Car-
olina and the latter of southern Indiana.
Joseph Larimore was but a boy when his parents moved from North
Carolina; pushing on west until they reached the Madison neighborhood of
Indiana, where, at Brooksburg, about eight miles above Madison, on the Ohio
river, they settled. The Larimores had very little of this world's goods and
they had pushed a hand cart carrying their small belongings all the way from
their former home in North Carolina to their new home in Indiana, much of
the labor of this difficult method of transportation falling upon the lad, Joseph.
Upon locating in Indiana the elder Larimore and his son worked at what-
ever their hands could find to do, the father being glad to work for twenty-
five cents a dav and the son for one-half that amount, taking their pay in
bacon and such other provisions as passed current in the channels of trade in
those days, the settlers of that period having mighty little, if any, money.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 83 1
Amid tliese conditions, Joseph Larimorc grew to manhood at Brooksburg
and there he married Mary Mclntyre, daughter of a pioneer, and immediately
thereafter moved to Boone county, this state, that section of Indiana then
being Httle better than wilderness, and liought a small farm in the vicinity
of Eagle village, where the family lived until in 1856, in which year they
moved over into Illimns and settled m Hancock county, where Joseph Lari-
more bought a quarter of a section of land and established a new home and
there he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring when he was about
sixty-three years of age. His wife had preceded him to the grave some
years before. Joseph Larimore was a Democrat and a member of the Masonic
fraternity. He and his wife were members of the Christian church. They
were the parents of five children, three of whom died in infancy and of the
other two Doctor Larimore now is the only survivor, his brother, Thomas
Jefferson, having died at the age of thirty-eight years.
James M. Larimore received his schooling in the primitive schools in
the neighborhood of his boyliood home in Boone county, this state, and later
in Hancock county, Illinois, and grew up witli a full appreciation of the hard-
ships attending life on a pioneer farm. When the Civil War broke out he
enlisted in Company E, Seventh Missouri Cavalry, and served under General
Curtis and later under Genera! Sigel, in Missouri, doing scouting and general
guard duty in the campaign against the guerillas. During the battle of Lone
Jack he was severely wounded in the arm and was taken to the hospital at
xMacon, Missouri. He presently recovered, however, and rejoined his regi-
ment and participated in the battle of Pea Ridge. He received his honorable
discharge in 1863 and upon the conclusion of his military service returned to
liis home in Illinois. From the days of early boyhood James M. Larimore's
mind had turned to the contemplation of the thought of being a physician
and he presently entered seriously upon the study of medicine. Thus equipped
by preparatory study, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at
Keokuk, Iowa, from which institution he was graduated in 1867. Instead
of immediately entering upon the practice of his profession. Doctor Larimore
engaged as a traveling salesman for a wholesale tobacco house at St. Louis
and was thus engaged for some years, in the meantime saving sufficient money
I0 see him through a post-graduate course in the College of Physicians and
Surgeons at Keokuk, from which he received his supplementary degree in
1877. Thus admirably equipped for the practice of his noble profession,
Doctor Larimore returned to Indiana and located at Carmllton. in Brandy-
wine township, this county, now known as Finly — the original of the poet
Riley's famous "little town o' Tailholt;" — and there he remained in the
f>3- HANCOCK COINTV, INDIANA.
active practice until in July. 1893. at which lime he moved to Greenfield and
opened an office in the Arcade building, where he continued his practice until
his retirement in ujoj. During his long and active career as a physician in
this county, Doctor Larimore has prospered, as he deserved to prosper, being
the owner of four hundred and thirty-five acres of fine land in this county, a
handsome home in (ireen field and other substantial possessions.
On July II, 1878, Dr. James M. Larimore was united in marriage to
Florence C. Taylor, who was born on a farm in Center township, this county,
five miles northwest of Greenfield, April 1, i860, daughter of William and
Caroline (Martindale) Taylor, prominent residents of that community.
William Taylor was born in Warren. Ohio, A])ril 30, 1831. and was about
one year old when his parents moved to this county, settling in Center town-
ship, where they spent the rest of their lives, becoming substantial and useful
meml)ers of that neighborhood. William Taylor grew to manhood on the
home fann and remained a fanner all his life, Ijeing at the time of his death
the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres. On May 2. 185 1.
William Taylor was united in marriage to Caroline Martindale. who was
born on a fami northeast of Greenfield, her parents having been pioneers of
that part of the county, September 16, 1835, and to this union ten ciiildren
were born, of whom four grew to maturity, as follow : Florence ('.. who
married Doctor Larimore ; Mary, who married Charles Williams, a Hancock
county farmer. Ixith of whom are now deceased : Rose, now deceased, who
married Benjamin McClarren, of Maxwell, this county, and Sarah, who
married Charles Mauck, of Xewcastle, who now is county suneyor of Henry
county. William Taylor and his w'ife were earnest member.^ of the Methodist
church. Mr. Taylor for many years having been an office bearer in that
church, and their children were reared in that faith. It is noteworthy that
Mr. and Mrs. Taylor jiresentetl the bell now used in Curry"s chapel in Center
township. Mr. Taylor was an ardent l\e])ublican and during the activities
of the Grange in this part of the state was one of the leaders in that interest-
ing organization. He died in 1900. being then sixty-nine years of age, and
his widow survived until 191 3, she being seventy-eight years of age at the
time of her death.
To Dr. James M. and Florence C. (Taylor) Larimore five children have
been born, namely: Gertrude, who married the Rev. ^L H. Lichliter, a
minister of the Meth(Klist church, now stationed at Cleveland. Ohio ; Xellie,
who married David Griffith, a draftsman, now living in New York City: Dr.
Joseph W. Larimore. a graduate of the Washington University, of St. Louis,
now practicing his profession in that city, where he is a Scottish Rite Mason :
BIOGRAPHICAL. S-,,
James T., who is a .student of the Greenfield schools, now preparing for
college, and Iva. who die.) at the age of nineteen months. Doctor an.fMrs
Larmiore are members ,,f tlic Methodist Epi.scopal cliurch, tiie doctor beino- a
member of the official board of the same, and f,,,- years have taken an actTve
part m the social and cultural affairs of their home c.mmunitv. being held
m lugh esteem by their many friends tliroughout the county. Doctor Lari-
more is one of the most active members of the Greenfield post of the Grand
Army of the Republic and for years has been the post surgeon. He is a Re-
publican, with somewhat independent views, an.l lias ever" given his thought-
ful attention to political affairs, though never having been an aspirant" for
public office. Doctor Larimore is a thirty-seccii.l degree Mason, a member of
the blue lodge of that order at (ireenfield and of the chapter, tiie council and
the commandery of the order in the .same citv, lieing eminent commander of
Greenfield Commandery No. 39, Knights Templar. He is a member of the
Indianapolis Consistory and of Murat Temple, Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles
ot the Mystic Shrine, at Indianapolis, in the affairs of all of which depart-
ments of Freemasonry he takes a wann interest.
JOHN MANCHE
John Manche, one of the most prominent citizens and successful farmers
of Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, Indiana, and one of that county's
largest landowners, was born on the old family homestead in Sugar Creek
township, just east of the town of New Palestine. January 26. i84'5. He is
a son of John Manche. Sr.. and Catherine Lang, his" wife, both of whom were
born in C^ermany, the latter the daughter of John Lang, who emigrated to
this c.unlry and Iiecame one of the pioneers of Hancock county. John
Manche. Sr.. was born about 1813 and as a y<mng man emigrated m America,
coming to tiiis county, where he located in Sugar Creek township antl where
he met and married Catherine Lang. I'or a few years after marriage he
resided on the old Lang homestead and in 1848 moved to his own farm of
one hundred and sixty acres on the eastern bank of Sugar Creek, ateut one
and one-half miles north of New Palestine. That land was then all ^•irg^n
forest and John Manche. Sr.. .set about clearing the land and placing'' it
under cultivation. His first home was a small two-room log cabin and'^log
bam, but he did not live there long, for within a short time after taking up
his residence in the wilderness he contracted pneumonia from drivino- hoo-s
(53) " "
834 IIAXCOCK COC.XTY, INDIANA.
through the icy waters of the creek, from which he died, when about forty
years of age. His wife survived him about eleven years and then fell a victim
to the plague of spotted fever wliich swept over this section in 1864, two
children, Catherine and Jcjsephine, dying with her. There still remained five
children, three girls and two Ixiys, but two of whom sur\'ive. These are John,
the mimediate subject of this sketch, and Elizabeth, widow of George Lanlz.
Christina was the wife of C. F. Rafert, both of whom are deceased. }.Iary
was the wife of E. W. Faut, and lx)th are deceased, as is also Paulcer.
Joint Manche was but three \ears of age when his jiarents tdok up their
residence on their own farm and there he spent his boyhood. He attended
the early school of that section, taught by George Robinson, in the old Mor-
ford school house. He was only eight years of age at the time of the death
of his father and thus early in life he felt the responsibilities falling upon the
eledst son of the family. When but seventeen years of age he enlisted for ser-
vice in the Civil ^\'ar. in October of 1863. as a private in Company U. Xinth
Indiana Cavalry. He remained in service until almost the close of the war,
seeing much active service during that time. He participated in the battles
of Franklin, Nashville. Pulaski and numerous less important engagements.
He served under General Thomas until his regiment was ordered to Xew
Orleans in the fall of 1864 and shortly afterward they were ordered to Vicks-
burg, where they remained until the close <>f the war. In the spring of 1865
he received his honorable discharge and in June of that year returned to his
home, his niolher hax'ing died in the meantime.
After the close of the war, John Manche assumed ownership of his part
of his fatiier"s estate, buying out some of the heirs, so that he liad in all eighty-
nine acres, which he began to fann. The following Christmas, December 25,
1865, he was married by Alfred Potts, justice of the peace, to Mary L. Ash-
craft, who was born in Sugar Creek township in 1847, a daughter of John
Ashcraft and wife, both of whom were natives of Ohio and pioneers of Sugar
Creek township. The spring after his marriage. John Manche remodeled the
little two-room log house which his father had built, and lived there for about
two years, when he gave up farming and went into the milling business. He
purchased two water mills on Sugar creek and felt he had Ijefore him an era
of prosperity but his venture proved so unfortunate that within some six or
se\cn years the steam power mill had practically replaced the old witer mills,
and he found his business going elsewhere. He disposed of his milling ])rop-
erty and purchased a small tract of twenty-seven acres some four miles north-
east of Xew Palestine, on which he practically had to start life anew. The
land he purcliased was part of an eighty-acre estate and bad on it a small log
BIOGRAPHICAL. 835
house and stable and all except about twelve acres were still covered with
virgin forest. John Alanche set aliout clearing his land and within eight or
ten years had it all under cultivation and was meeting with success. He built
a fine new frame house of eight rooms, cutting all the timber himself and
liauling it to the mill and later took the finishing timlier to (jreenfield In
he dressed, liis home being one of the best in the community when completed.
In ihe ensuing years, John Manche Imught out the other heirs of the
eighty acres and added to his farm from time to time until he owned two
Inmdred and sixty acres, which he farmed for a time. In hitei years he
l)r;inched out and began buying and selling farming lands until he at one
lii-iK- owned twelve hundred acres ot Hancock and Rush counties' best lands,
all of .which he has of recent years given to his four surviving children, a
remarkable tribute of his generosity and affection and his trust in them. In
January of 191 1 John Manche suffered the great and irrejiarable loss of his
life's companion through death. .Mrs. Manche had tiuMugliout the vcars been
a most loving and helpful wife and devoted mother and with her luisliand
was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is also
a trustee. To their union had been born six children, three boys and three
girls. Emma, the eldest, is decea.sed ; Charlie has l)een twice married, his
first wife being .Vnna Ostemieyer, who bore him four chiklren, one of whom
died in infancy, and the others are Ralph, Claude and INIary. After Anna's
death, Charlie married Dena Kleiman. who has borne iiim one son, Nomian.
William, the third child in the Manche family, is deceased. Delia resides on
the home place. Maurice married Daisy Scott and has two cliildren, Raymond
and Ruth. Elizabeth is the wife of Carl Hardin and has three sons, Herschel,
Louis and Russell.
Mr. Manche gives his political support to the Democratic party, served
two terms as tru.stee of Sugar Creek township and was afterward elected
county commissioner, serving one term. During his term the new court house
was completed and furnished, to which project he gave much time and effort.
and after the expiration of his term, he retired to his fami and resumed his
duties there. Mr. Manche has always been one of the foremost farmers of
tiie county, following advanced methods of agriculture and has seen great
changes come about in the field of his chosen life work. His first farm cost
him twenty-seven dollars per acre, while tiie last ground he purchased cost
him at the rate of one hundred and fifty dollars per acre, indicating the won-
derful advance in the cost of local farm lands. Mr. Manche long since
demonstrated his possession of unusual business ability, for he has prospered
in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and is todav one of the
836 HANXOCK COrXTY, IXDIAXA.
county's strongest men financially. l-"or many years he was vice-president and
one of tlie largest stockholders of the Farmers' Bank of Xew Palestine. As
a man and citizen he is held in the highest esteem, his life record being replete
with good deeds. Mr. Manche was the first farmer in the county to buy an
automobile and also the first man to bu\- a farm tractor.
CHARLES E. VAUGHX.
Charles E. \auglm. one of t!ie liest-known merchants in Greenfield, who
has conducted a grocery store in the Howard block on Main street in that
city since the year 1898, was born in the neighboring county of Shelby on
October 10, 1872, son of William X. and Jerusha (Wolfe) \'aughn, the
former a native of Ohio, born in 1854. and the latter of Indiana, lx)rn in
Shelby county, who later became well-known residents of Greenfield.
\\'illiam M. Vaughn came to Indiana earlv in life and grew up in Shelby
county, where he became a miller and where he married. He later came to
Hancock county. locating at Greenfield, where he engaged in business as a
general contractor in road and cement work. He was a Democrat and in
1878 was the nominee of his party for the office of sheriff, but was defeated.
He was a Mason and Knight Templar and took an earnest interest in the
affairs of those organizations. He and his wife were members of the Chris-
tian Union in Shelby county. \\'illiam M. \'aughn died at his home in
Cjreenfield in March. 1908, at the age of si.xty-three years. His widow is
still living in that city, being now past seventy-two years of age. They were
the parents of two children, the subject of this biographical sketch having a
sister, Jessie, who is at home with her mother.
Upon completing his schooling in the Greenfield jjublic schools, Charles
E. \'aughn was engaged as a clerk in the grocery store of Hamlyn L. Strick-
land at Greenfield, remaining there for seven years, at the end of which time
he transferred his services to the L. C. Thayer groceiy store, where he re-
mained three years, or until he o]iened a groceiy store of his own. Mr. \'aughn
began business for himself in July. iSij8, and has ever since occupied iiis
present location in the Howard block, where he has long enjoyed an excellent
trade, his store being well stocked and up-to-date. Mr. Vaughn's progres-
siveness as a merchant is indicated by the fact that he was the owner of the
third or fourth automol)ile ever used in Hancock county. He is a Democrat,
but has never been an aspirant for public office.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 837
On Xoxcniljer 12, 1S95, Cliarles E. N'aughn was united in marriage to
Xellie May Hatfield, who was at that time employed as cashier in the 'i'hayer
store, where Mr. \'aughii was clerking, and to this union one child iias hccn
born, a daughter, Gertrude Harriet, who is attending DePauw University.
Mrs. Vaughn was born at Cleveland, this county, February 14. 1877, daugh-
ter of Joseph Everett and Lavina (Ross) Hatfield. bfJth of whom also were
born at Cleveland, the former in 1855 and the latter in 1853. Joseph K. Hat-
field for years was the telegraph oi>erator for the Pennsylvania railroad at
Cleveland and later moved to Knightstowai, where he engaged in the general
merchandise business and was thus engaged until his retirement from business,
after which he moved to the home farm in Jackson township, this county,
where he and his wife are now li\'ing. They were the parents of four chil-
dren, one of whom died in infancy, the others besides Mr. \'aughn being
Alma, who married Joseph Williamson, and Russell, who li\es at Indian-
apolis. Mrs. Vaughn was graduated from the Greenfield high school, after
which she was engaged as cashier in the Thayer store, remaining there for
three vears, or until her marriage. ^Ir. and Mrs. Vaughn attend the Pres-
byterian church and take an earnest interest in the various beneficences of
the same. Mr. Vaughn is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar, a
member of the l)lue lodge, the chapter and the commandery at Greenfield, and
takes a warm interest in Masonic affairs, this interest having induced him to
"cross the sands" and become a member of Murat Temple, Ancient Arabic
Order of the Xol)les of the Mystic Shrine, at Indianapolis. He is also a
member of the Greenfield lodge of the Improved Order of Red Men.
JONAS P. WALKER.
Jonas P. Walker, well-known attorney of Greenfield, one of the leaders
of the bar of the Hancock circuit court, is a native son of Hancock county, hav-
ing been born on a farm in Brown township, this county, November 23. 1874.
son and only child of James R. and Mary C. (Piper) Walker, both natives
of this same county, the former of whom was born in Jackson township and
the latter in Green township.
James R. Walker was reared «'n the paternal farm in Jacksun township
and made his home there until his marriage, after which he moved to the farm
in Brown township where the subject of this sketch was born and there he
followed farming until well past middle age, when he moved to (ireenfield and
838 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
engaged in the insurance business, in which lie has been quite successfully
engaged ever since, being one of the best-known residents of the county seat.
Mr. Walker is a Democrat and for years has given a good citizen's attention
to the political affairs of the county, though not included in the office-seeking
class. He is a member of the United Brethren church, as was his wife, who
died in 1910. Tlie Walkers are one of the old families in Hancock county,
having come here in pioneer days by way of Kentucky. The Pipers were also
early settlers in this county, coming from Tennessee, both families ha\ing
done well their parts in the respective communities in which they settled.
Jonas P. Walker was reared on the liome farm in Brown township,
receiving his elementar\- education in the old Buchanan district school in the
neightorhood of his home, supplementing the same by a course in the high
school at \\''arrington, upon the completion of which he entered the Centra!
Xormal school at Danville, this state, and was a student of that excellent old
institutinn during the years 1893-4-5. On September 16 of the latter year
he began reading law in the office of Marsh & Cook at Greenfield and at the
end of two years of careful tutelage under those able preceptors was admitted
to the bar and immediately thereafter, in 1897, formed a partnership with
John G. Wiggins, who was then tlie prosecuting attorney for this judicial
district. He continued in partnership three and one-half years with Mr.
Wiggins, at the end of which time the partnership between him and Mr. Wig-
gins was dissolved and he entered into a partnership with Elmer J. Binford,
under the firm name of Binford & Walker, which continued for five years,
during which time the firm of Binford & Walker acted as general counsel
for the company operating the interurban railway line l)etween New-
castle and Indianapolis.. In January, 1913. Mr. Walker formed" a new
business connection, entering into a partnership with Charles H. Cook,
for the practice of law in Greenfield, and this mutuall\- agreeable
partnership continued under the firm name of Cook & Walker, one
of the l)est-known firms of lav.yers in the county, the senior mem-
ber of the firm being the .son of an eminent attorney under whom Mr.
Walker read law upon taking up the study of the same at the conclusion of
his school course, and the firm is doing business in the same offices at that
time occupied by the old firm of Marsh & Cook.
On May 6, 1903. Jonas P. \\'alker was united in marriage to Margaret
A. White, who was born in Greenfield, this county, March 8. 1886, daughter
of Albert and Isabelle (Brandon) ^^'hite, the former of whom is a native of
Indiana and the latter of the state of Xew York. .Mbert White is a well-
known general contractor of Greenfield, his particular line being street paving.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 839
and he and his wife are the parents of two children, of wliom Mrs. Walker is
the youngest. The latter was reared in Greenfield, receix'ing her education in
the local schools and was graduated from the high scIkioI with tlie class of
1895. To her union willi 'S\v. Walker one child was burn, a daughter, Isabel
M., who is now attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Walker take a proper ])art
in the social and cultural activities of the county seat town and are held in
high esteem by their many friends throughout the county.
Mr. Walker is a Democrat and is an ardent party man, ha\ing been
prominently connected with the party organization in this county ever since
taking up his residence in Greenfield. Mr. Walker was elected vice-chairman
of the Hancock county Democratic central committee and upon the resigna-
tion of the chairman was elected chairman to fill out the term ending March
II, 1916. He is an active member of the Greenfield lodge of the Masonic
order, as well as a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, the Improved Order of Red Men and Knights of Pythias, and in
the affairs of these several organizations takes a warm interest.
CHRISTIAN FTXK.
Christian Fink, one of the substantial fanners of Hancock county, was
born on his father's farm in Sugar Creek township, near Julietta, on May 9,
1858. He is the son of Henry and Loui.sa (Miller) Fink, pioneers of the
township.
Christian Fink spent his childhood on the home place and attended school
at the old Swamp school house. After leaving school he continued to assist
his father on the farm until he was twenty-seven years of age. At that time
the father retired from the farm and mo\'ed to Irvington. It was then that
Christian received a part of the farm which he operated unld 1SH8, when he
moved to the farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which his father had pur-
chased north of and adjoining the town of Gem. This has been the home of
Mr. Fink since that time. He now owns two hundred and fifty-five acres of
well-improved land.
Christian Fink is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of which
he is a trustee. Politically, Mr. Fink is a Democrat but does not aspire to
office, yet he takes an interest in the selecting of the best men to office. He
is well and favorably known both in the township and the county anfl is held
in high esteem bv all who know him.
S4O HANCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
CHARLES MILO GIBBS, M. D.
Dr. Cliarles Mile Gibljs, nne of the best-known and most successful phy-
sicians in Greenfield, this county, is a native son of Hancock county, having
been born on the old Gibbs homestead farm in Center township, three miles
northeast of Greenfield, March 28, 1873, s"" o^ John S. and Sarah I. (Bris-
tow) Gibbs, both members of pioneer families of this county.
John S. Gibbs was born on a farm east of Greenfield, in Center town-
ship, this county, ]\Iarch 30, 1851, son of Milo and Elizabeth J. (Crider)
Gibbs, the former a native of New York and the latter of \'irginia, who came
to tliis county witli their respective parents in the early thirties of the last
century^ both families estaljlishing permanent homes here. After their mar-
riage Milo and Elizabeth Gibbs set up a home on a farm four miles east of
Greenfield and shortly thereafter moved to Effingham, Illinois, where he died
at the age of twenty-six years. His widow, who was born on January 30,
1828. returned to Hancock comity a few j'cars later and is still living in Han-
cock county, being now nearly ninety years of age. John S. Gibbs grew to
manhood on the farm and is still living in Center township, within two
miles of the farm on which he was bom. He married Sarah I. Bristow, who
was born on a farm on the banks of Sugar creek, on the line l>etwecn \'ernon
and Brown townships, eight miles northwest of Greenfield, June 2. 1850.
daughter of Henry and Louisa (May)' Bristow. both natives of Ohio, the
former of whom was Ijorn on Febi-uary 15, 1819. and the latter, June 27,
1826, who settled in this county in an early day of the settlement of this com-
munity and became large landowners and useful and influential citizens of
this county, where both spent the remainder of their lives. Henry Bristow
was a pioneer Methodist preacher and for years was a well-known circuit
rider in this part of the state, his ministrations taking him into \videly sepa-
rated neighborhoods throughout this region. He followed farming (|uite
successfully and was regarded as one of the most substantial citizens in that
part of the county. Both he and his wife lived to advanced ages. Sarah I.
Bristow received her schooling in the old h'razier school house in Vernon
township and was married to John S. (libbs on April 18. 1872. To this
union five children were born, all of whom are still living, as follows : Charles
Milo. the immediate subject of this biographical sketch; Mary E., born on
.August 2, 1873, who married Andrew J. Briney, a well-known Hancock
county farmer: Ida O., March 3, 1878. who married John Briney. who is
living on the old Briney homestead in this county; Iva O., March 23. 1883.
who married Edgar Howrey. living seven miles northeast of Greenfield, and
CHARLES MILO GIHUS. M. 1).. AXD FATHER, JOHN S. GIBBS
BIOGRAIMIICAL. 84I
Ethel F... May i8, 1885, wlm married Charles S. Davis, of riintim nmiitv,
this state.
Charles M. Gihbs was reared vn the home farm and reeeived his ele-
mentaiy education in the Bethel schinil jumse in Center tnwnslii]). which he
left at the end of his eighth year and bei4an teaching school, continuing- to
assist his father on the farm during the summers and was thus engaged for
five years, during winch lime he attended one term at the Central Xormal
College at Danville and one term at the State Xonnal School at Terre Haute.
On July 29, 1896, he then being twenty-three years of age, he entered the
Central College of Physicians and Surgeons at Indianapolis and was grad-
uated from that excellent institution in 1900. Thus ef|uipped for the practice
of his profession. Doctor Gihbs returned to this county and in April of that,
same year fonned a partnership with Dr. J. AI. Larimore. of Greenfield, and
entered upon the practice of medicine in that county, being the first physician
in the county to begin practice under the law requiring a full four-}-ear course
at a medical college for all practitioners. For four years Doctor Gibbs con-
tinued in partnership with Doctor Larimore and then in 1904 o])ened an
office of his own in the Gates block at Greenfield and was located there until
in October, 1913, at which time he moved his office to the Dudding-^Ioore
block, where he ever since has been located and where he is successfully en-
gaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery.
Doctor Giblis is widely known among the medical fraternit}- throughout
central Indiana and holds a high, position in the regard of his confreres. He
is past president of the Hancock County Medical Society, having filled all
the offices in that organization, and is a member of the Indiana Slate Medical
Association, in the deliberations of which he lakes much interest. He has
served the public as coroner of Hancock county, to which office he was elected
on the Democratic ticket, and for three years served as secretary' of the city
board of health at Greenfield and four years as health commissioner of Han-
cock county. Doctor Gibbs is the owner of a fine and well-cultivated farm
of one Inmdred and twenty acres in Jackson township. si.\ miles nortlieast of
Greenfield, to the upkeep of which he devotes considerable altenlion. and is
the owner of several good pieces of real estate in Greenfield Ijesides his fine
home at 403 East Main street, lieing considered one of the substantial citizens
of that city.
On March 29, 1900, Dr. Charles M. (iibbs was united in marriage to
Ida M. Hamilton, who was horn m Center township, this county, May 3,
1874. daughter of Cicero J. and Mary E. (Sample) Hamilton, both natives
of this county, members of |)i<ineer frunilies .-md |)rominent residents. Mrs.
84^ HANCOCK COLXTY, INDIANA.
Gibbs was educated in the Greenfield high school and is a competent and
valuable helpmeet in her husband's busy professional career. Both take a
warm interest in the general social and cultural activities of their home town
and of tiie country at large and are iield in high esteem by their many friends
hereabout. Dr. Gibbs is a Mason, a member of the local hxlge of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he has been the financial secretary
since 1905, and a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, in the affairs
of all wliich organization lie takes an acli\e interest.
WILLIAM H. ALBEA.
\\'illiam H. Albea was born on Marcli 4, 1862. He is the son of William
and Elizabeth (Hayse) Albea. William Alljea was born on Apri 11. 1828.
and died on ^lay 14, 1871. He was the son of Zaccheus Alljea, who was
born in Maryland and who later moved to North Carolina, where lie lived on
a farm for the remainder of his life. He died in i860. William Albea was
twice married, his first wife, who was the mother of the subject of this sketch,
was Elizabeth Hayse, who was born on January 13, 1831, and who died on
July 23, 1863. She was a daughter of Charles and Martha (Rutledge)
Hayse, who were farmers in Iredell county. North Carolina, but who later
moved to Davy county. North Carolina. W'illiam Albea lived his entire life
in North Carolina. He was a slaveholder and owned a tract of four hun-
dred acres of land. At the time of the Cixil War he was a soldier in the
Southern .\rmy. To his first marriage were born the following children :
Joseph \\',, who was born on June 9, 1849, ^"<^1 ^^'^o died on June 23, 1849;
R. A.. July 27, 1850: Mary B.. October 20, 1852: Martha, August 3, 1855;
Charles, November 18, 1857; James, November 30, 1859, and William H..
March 4, 1862. All of these latter are living, and R. A., the eldest of the
family, came first to this state and county, and then the other brothers and
sisters followed. After the death of Elizabeth (Hayse) Albea in 1863,
W'illiam Albea married Jane West, who was born on December 24, 1843.
and who died on June 16, 1883. To this union were born the following
children: A. C, born on December 5, 1864: Thomas M.. October 2, 1866,
and John W., October 2, 1870.
William H. Albea, the .subject of this sketch, was educated in the com-
mon schools. He married Effie J. Murphy, who was born in Hancock county
on February 18, 1869, and wli<> was tlie daughter of John P. and Clara
BIOGRAPHICAL. 643
(Wilson) Alurphy, wlm were fanners in Hancock county. They are members
of the United Brethren ciiurch. John P. Murphy was a soldier in the Civil
War and was wounded in the leg. Mr. and Mrs. .\lhea are the parents of
the following children: W^illiam I'., who lives in this township and who
married Dora Fnqua; Clara E., \\hn married Ott Bolander, and to them two
children have been Iwrn, Pauline, who died aged nine months, and Henry
H. and Lillie Alay. at home. Mr. Albea is a Mason and also a member of
the Independent Order of Odd l-"ellows and of the Improved Order of Red
Men of America. He is a Democrat in politics and has been county commis-
sioner for four years. He is the owner of a farm of one hundred and thirty-
seven acres. He lived for nineteen years in Mohawk, where he ran a general
store, which he sold and moved onto the farm in 1903.
GEN. ALBERT L. XEW.
Gen. .\lliert L. New, one of Greenfield's best-known and most influen-
tial citizens, a prominent capitalist and miller of that city; a former Green-
field merchant, who later became connected with the United States govern-
ment service and for years was actively identified with the work nf the de-
partment of the interior in the \\'est, later becoming connected with the gen-
eral land otfice of the Union Pacific Railroad and still later with the work of
installing wireless telegraph C(]uipments on the vessels engaged in the revenue
service in Pacific waters, is a native son of Hancock county, a circumstance
to which he ever points with pride. He was torn on a farm not far from
Greenfield, in Blue River township, this county. November 21. 1857. son of
William and Margaret (Sample) New, the former a native of Indiana and
the latter of Virgina, both now deceased.
William New was one of Hancock county's early school teachers, later
becoming a farmer in Blue River township. Upon retiring from the farm he
moved to Greenfield, where he opened a general merchandise store .on South
State street, later moving to the building now occupied by the Capital State
Bank, where he remained in business for some years, at the end of which time
he sold his store and engaged in the flouring-milling business. He aUo oper-
ated a coal vard and grain elevators and was very active in the business life
of his home town. He was a Democrat and took an energetic part in local
politics, but the only office to which he ever aspired was that of county com-
missioner and he served in that capacity for several terms, during which time
844 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
he rendered admirable service in belialf of the pubHc. He was commissioner
at the time of the construction of the new county jail and when the coimty
infirmary was constructed. He was a mason and was e\er active in the affairs
of that (irganization. To William Xew and wife twelve children were born,
of whom tlie subject of this Ijiographical sketch is the sixth in order of birth
and all of whom grew to maturity, the Xew family thus being largely repre-
sented throughout this county.
General Albert L. X^ew is a man of varied accomplishments and has led
a singulary active life. He rccci\ed his early education in the district schools
in Blue River township and wlien fourteen years old entered liis father's
store at Greenfield, remaining thus connected for about thirty years. He then
was appointed registrar of tlie United States land office at Evanston, \\'yo-
ming, and was located at that place for five years and six months, at the
end of wliich time he transferred his services to the land department of the
Union Pacific Railroad and for two years was engaged in checking up land
grants for that company. The territorial governor of Wyoming then ap-
pointed him as a special agent to go to Washington to create a proper interest
in Congress in Ijchalf of \\'yoming's claims to statehood and wlien these
claims finally were recognized and \\'yoming was admitted to the general
sisterhood of states. General Xew's admiring friends in the new state unani-
mously tendered him the nomination for a seat in Congress. General Xew
however, fell that his field of greater usefulness lay in anntiier direction and
he respectfully declined the high honor. In 1892 he conducted the campaign
and was chairman of the Democratic state central committee of Wyoming and
on the assembling of the Legislature was the Democratic nominee for the
United States Senate. For some time tiiereafter General New further served
the government as a collector of internal revenue and when wireless telegraphy
was proclaimed an assured fact he took up that new department of the govern-
ment's work and in that capacity installed the first wireless-telegraph station
erected in the United States, that historic station between Catalina Island and
the mainland in California. For six years thereafter General Xew was en-
gaged in that interesting department of naval equipment and during that time
equipped nearly all the revenue cutters with wireless outfits. Upon returning
to his old home in Greenfield, General Xew purchased the interests of the
other iieirs in the mill, coal yards and elevators established by his father and
has since owned the same, his two sons being practical managers of the ex-
tensive interests thus represented. General Xew is a Democrat, but has never
been a candidate for local public office.
On December 19, 1878. Gen. .Albert H. Xew was unhed in marriage to
BIOGRAPHICAL. 845
Maiul I'', llammel!. wlio was born in Clreenfield. and to this vmiim two sons
have been born, Frank H. and Fred \\'., wlio are aclivel}- engaged in inisliing
their fatlier's varied Inisiness interests in and about Greenfield. The News
have a Iiandsome home on Grant street, pronounced liy many discriminating
judges to be the finest house in (ireenfield, and are \er\- pleasantl)' situated.
General and Mrs. New are members of the ]\Iclhodisl Episcopal clunxdi and
the Genera! was one of the office bearers in the church. He is a tliirty-second-
dcgree Mason; a charter member of Albert Pike Commandery No. 4, Knights
Templar, at Evanston, Wyoming; a member of the Indianapolis Consistory,
Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and a member of Murat Temple, Ancient
Arabic Order of Nobles of the ]\Iystic Shrine, at Indianapolis.
FREEMAN BRADDOCK.
Freeman Braddock was born in Center township, Hancock county, on
October 15, 1865, and is the son of Henr)' F. and Sarah E. (Thomas) Brad-
dock.
Henry F. Braddock was a native of Braddock, Pennsylvania, and was
Ijorn on ]\Iarch 28, 1833, lieing the son of Moses and Nancy (Ringland)
Braddock. Nancy Ringland was a native of England, while Moses Braddock
was of Irish descent. Moses Braddock was a farmer in Pennsyhania, where
he owned a farm on which the coal cropped out on the surface in many places
and all that was needed by the family to get their fuel was to pick it up. The
soil was very thin and in order to possess land that was more fertile, he came
West and left the Pennsyh-ania farm as not worth bothering- with. Puit since
that time the city of Braddock has grown to large proportions and covers
the old farm, due largely to the coal deposits being developed.
On his arrival in Indiana, Moses Braddock bought fifteen hundred acres
from the goverment in Center and Jackson townships. He hired men to
build iiim a cabin while he went back to get his family and all returned to
their Indiana home in 1835. On their arrival they found a three-faced camp,
one side of the cal)in had not been enclosed. The trees of the forest met over-
head. .\t nigin the panthers and wolves made the night a terrible one to
the women, who had left good homes in the East. It was a hardship many
of the early ])ioneer women found in their new homes. Here in the wilder-
ness the family lived for four years, at which time the father was taken w-ith
the milk sickness and died, leaving a family of eight children. Il was said
846 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
That whiskey would cure such sickness, but he would not use it. The children
of the family are : John, Mrs. Nancy Alters, Mrs. Hannah Smith, William,
Henr}', Sarah, Richard and Xoah. All of the original fifteen hundred acres
of land purchased by Moses Braddock are in the possession of tiie family with
the exception of eighty acres.
Henrj' F. Braddock was less than one }ear of age when the family came
to the count}' and here he grew to manhood in pioneer surroundings. He
farmed all his life on the farm where the son, Freeman, now lives in the
north part of Center township. At the time he came here die farm was one
vast woods. Here he-made lor himself and family a home, liut his life was for
the most part a pioneer one. He was active in tlie work on the farm until old
age compelled him to c|uit. He had developed a most beautiful farm and had
a woods pasture where it is said that not a weed was allowed to grow for
twenty years. The farm consists of two hundred acres and was a model in
many respects. In 1890 Mr. Braddock built the present home in which he
and the son, Freeman, lived. Henry F. Braddock died on January 19, 1916,
at the age of eighty-two years, nine months and twenty-one days. His wife
was Sarah E. Thomas, a native of. Brown township, and was the daughter
of Alfred Thomas and wife. To Henry F. Braddock and wife were born
four children : Elmer, who died at the age of eight years : John lives in
Brown township on the old Tliomas homestead ; Alfred is a dentist at Port-
land, and Freeman is on the home place.
Freeman Braddock grew to manhood on the farm and attended school
in the township and the high school at Greenfield. After completing his
education he engaged in farming, which occupation he has followed all his
life. He has been most successful at farming and stock raising. He began
to raise Sliorthorn cattle when he was but sixteen years of age. He is one
of the pioneers in the cattle business in this locality. His stock is full blooded
and much of it is registered. Besides his cattle Mr. Braddock has been inter-
ested in heavy draft horses. To his cattle and horses he owes much of his
success in life. He now owns nearly seven hundred acres of land in Center
and Jackson townships.
In 1887 Freeman Braddock was married to Cora B. Cook, a native of
Jackson township, and the daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Wilson) Cook.
Thomas Cook was a life-long farmer and was the son of Dr. Daniel Cook.
Thomas Cook now lives in Oklahoma. His first wife, the mother of Mrs.
Freeman Braddock, died when jSIrs. Braddock was a little girl and she was
reared by her grandparents. Peter Wilson and wife, of Jackson township,
this countv!
BIOGRAPHICAL. 847
Freeman Braddock ;iik1 wife are the parents of five cliildren : Emma
is tile wife of Charles Hutcliinson, of Sugar Creek tnwnship, and lliey are the
parents of two cln'ldren, Lawrence and W'allard F. ; Amy, Hazel, Grace and
Edwin. Edwin, the only son, was born on Alay 23, 1909. He is at this
time the only male descendant of Moses Braddock in Hancock county.
Mr. Braddock and family attend the Nameless Creek Christian church,
the family all bclonoinq- to the church excc])t Mr. Braddock.
CLINTON CAULDWELL.
Clinton Cauldwell was born in Marion county on December 7. 1870. He
is the son of Harvey and Prudence (Cumins) Cauldwell. Harvey Cauld-
well was born in Virginia on October 23, 183 1, and died in Hancock county
■on January 2, 1910. He \\as the son of ^Villiam and Sallie (Crim) Cauld-
well. William Cauldwell was a native of Rockingham and later a resident
of Shenandoah county, \^irginia. He came to Indiana in 1836, reaching
Wayne county in October of that year. In February of 1838 the famil\- came
to Vernon township, Hancock county, and here William Cauldwell entered
three hundred and fifty acres of land in the wilderness. William Cauldwell
was born on May 13, 1804, and died on December 2, 1887. He was married
to Sallie Crim on September 10, 1828. Sallie Crim was born on November
26. 1807, and died on November 12, 1889. They had the following children:
.Allen, born on August 27, 1829, and who died on August 29, 1835 ; Harvey,
October 23, 1831, and who died on January 2. 1910; Martha, January 11,
1834; Maiy, October 28, 1835, and who died on November 8. of the same
year; Jasper, April 14, 1837; Sanford, August 8. 1839, and who died on
March 30, 1846; George, December 15, 1841, and who died on March i. 1866;
Elizabeth, January 8, 1844; E\an, December 22, 1846, and Mark, September
26, 1849, ^""^^ ^^1'" c^'^f^ "" August 3, 1863.
Harvey Cauldw-ell, the father of the subject of this sketch, lived on the
home farm Until he was twenty-one years old. In 1855 he began clerking
for Nelson Bradley in McCordsville. This position he held for thirteen
years. He then bought a store at Castleton, Indiana, and engaged in the
mercantile business for himself. He held this store for eight years and then
sold out and came to McCordsville, where he built a large two-story building
and rented the upper floor and put in a big general store in the lower floor
and ran a big business here for ten years. He was married on August 23.
848 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
i860, to Prudence .Vnn Cumins, who was the daughter of W'iUiam and Sarah
Cumins, who reside near Pendleton, Indiana. To this marriage the following
children were horn: Delia, who died when seventeen months old, and Clin-
ton, who is the suhject of this sketch and who was born on December 7, 1870.
Clinton Cauldwell was born at Castleton, Marion county, and was edu-
cated in the public schools of the county. He was employed in the local tele-
phone factory for about seven years and is now superintending the home
farm. He was married on November 28, 1893, to Laura Hervey, who was
born in Hancock county and who was the daughter of Dr. T. P. and Anna M.
(Cory) Hervev. To this marriage the folknving children have been horn:
Harriett. Xaomi and William.
Mr. Cauldwell has a fine farm of three hundred and sixty-five acres in
Vernon town.ship. He superintends this farm, but does not live on it. He
lives in the village of INlcCordsville. He is a Mason, a member of McCords-
ville Lodge Xo. 501, McCordsville Chapter Xo. 44, McCordsville Council
N^o. 52. Greenfield Commandery, Knights Templar, Xo. 36, Indianapolis
Consistory and Murat Temple, .\ncient .\rabic Order, X'obles of the Mystic
Shrine.
CHARLES KEEPERS BRUNER. M. D.
Dr. Charles Keepers Brunt-r, for years one of the best known and
most successful physicians and surgeons at Greenfield, is a native of Penn-
sylvania, born in the city of Connellsville, b^ayette county, that state. August
23, 1857, son of Dr. Samuel G. and Sarah (Keepers) Bruner, both natives
of that same county and state.
Dr. Samuel G. Bruner, a dentist and an honored veteran of the Ci\ il \\ ar.
was descended from the first of that family to settle in this country in
early Colonial days. The family was established in Fayette county, Penn-
sylvania, and on the original homestead there the grandfather of the subject
of this sketch was born- and there lie s])ent his life, living to the great age of
ninetv-si.x years. Dr. Samuel G. Bruner was reared as a farmer, but later
became a dentist and in 1863 moved to Xew Athens. Obit"), \\here he shortly
afterward enlisted for senicc during the Civil war in the One Hundred and
First Regiment, Ohio X'olnniccr Infantry, with which he served for one hun-
dred days and during which service he contracted typhoid fever, the effects
of which kept him confined to his home for a year after the close of his service.
In 1868 he juoved with his family to Toledo, Iowa, where he spent the rest
yf^.Or.,.^^hk?,
BIOGRAPHICAL. 849
of his life, engaged in the practice of his profession, his death occurring in
1887. he then being sixty-eight years of age. He had been twice married
and liy liis first wife had six children, of whom three grew to maturity, Mrs.
Henry Eicher, of Pennsylvania; Mrs. Lizzie Fisher, of Kuknmo, ludiaiia, and
Mrs. Kate Huston, of Somerset, Pennsylvania. He married, secondly, Mrs.
Sarah (Keepers) Bogarilus, who, by her first marriage, was the mother of
one son, Benjamin S. Bogardus, now deceased. By her second marriage she
was the mother of three children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the
eldest, the others being Harry M. Bruner, of Greenfield, Indiana, and a son
who died in infanc\-. Mrs. Sarah Bruner was the granddaughter of an Eng-
lish physician, who came to this countr\- shortly after the Revoluticmarv War
and settled in Fayette county, Pen.nsylvania, where the Keepers famil\- is
still largely represented. Her father was a carpenter, who was accidentally
killed, leaving a widow and two children, I\lrs. Bruner having had a sister,
Eliza J., who became the wife of William Mdler, of Fayette' county, Penn-
sylvania.
Dr. Charles K. Bruner received his earlv education at \ew .\lliens,
Ohio, he ha\ing been but six years of age when his parents mox'ed to that
place from Pennsyhania. He was ten years old when they moved to Toledo,
Iowa, and at the age of fourteen he entered a printing ofiice there, but two
years later gave up "the art preservative of all arts" and then worked on
farms until nmeteen years of age, when he liegan teaching school and for
ten years was thus engaged. In the meantime he liegan reading medicine in
the office of Dr. C. H. Coggswcll at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, later pursuing his
studies in the office of Dr. J. C. Joralemon. of Toledo, Iowa, and during the
winter of 1882-3 took a course in Rush Medical College at Chicago. Lack
of funds prevented him from finishing the course at that time and he resumed
teaching, after awhile returning to the medical college, from which he was
graduated in 1886. Thus admirably e(|ui])])ed for the practice of his pro-
fession. Doctor Bruner came to this county and set up an office for practice
in Blue River township, where he remained until 1888, in which year he
moved to Greenfield, where he ever since has been engaged in the practice of
his profession and where he has been very successful. Doctor Bruner is a
member and past president of the Hancock County Medical Society, a mem-
ber of the Indiana State Medical .-\s.sociation, of the Mi.ssissippi \'alley
Medical Association and of the American Medical .\ssociation. He is a
Republican and during the Harrison and McKinley adminstrations was a
member of the board of pension examiners. He has ever taken an active
and inlluential part in local jmliiical affairs and for .some vears served his
(54)
850 IIAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
party as a member of the county Republican central committee. He is a
memljer of the Friends churcli, as is also his wife, the latter having a birth-
right in the Society of Friends, and both take an active interest in tiie general
good works of the community.
It was in 1885 that Doctor Bruner was united in marriage to Dr. Mary
L. Binford. who was born in this count)% daughter of Robert Binford and
wife, and who had just graduated in that year from the Woman's Hospital
Medical College of Chicago, after completing the course at Earlham College
and in a training school for nurses at Chicago. Dr. Mary L. Bruner has not
only been a valuable aid to her husband in the practice at Greenfield, but
conducts an extensive practice apart from that of her husband, devoting her
special attention to gA-necolog)-^ and diseases of children. They are the parents
of four children, Dr. Charles Herbert, associated with his father and mother
in the practice of medicine : John Pliilip, deceased, iiad taken the Master of
Arts degree and was a sophomore in the medical department of the University
of Indiana at the time of his death; Laura M., deceased, and Ralph P.
CASSIUS MORGAN CURRY.
Cassius Morgan Cuny, president and treasurer of the New Milling Com-
pany, former city treasurer of Greenfield, for twenty-five years manager of
the old Hart & Thayer store and since discontinuing that latter connection
prominently identified with numerous entci-prises hereabout, long having
been regarded as one of Greenfield's most active and progressive citizens, is
a native son of Hancock county. He was bom on the old Curr}- farm in
Center township, alx)ut four miles northeast of Greenfield, August i, i860,
son of Isaiah .\. and J^Iary C. (Thomas) Curry, both natives of this county
and for many years considered among the most useful and influential resi-
dents thereof.
The late Capt. Isaiah A. Curry, an honored veteran of the Civil War.
for two terms treasurer of Hancock county, for two terms treasurer of the
city of Greenfield, one of the organizers of the Capital State Bank, of which
he was vice-president at the time of his death, and in all ways vitally inter-
ested during his long and active life in the promotion of the best interests of
this community, also was a native of this county, having been bom on the
fann noted above, son of Morgan Curry, who was the son of Isaiah Curr\-.
who came to this state with his familv from ^''irginia in 1828 and located on
BIOGRAPHICAL. 85 1
a homestead farm in Center township, this county, where he estabHshed the
Curry home, the Currys thus having been among the very earhest settlers
of Hancock county. Isaiah Curry erected a small log cabin in the woods
several miles from any neighbor and began to develop his homestead tract,
but died about five years later. He left six sons and four daughters, of whom
Morgan Curry was die third in order of birth. Morgan Curiy married in this
county, Sophia Hanc}-, member of one of the pioneer families, and estab-
lished a home adjacent to that left by his father. There he died in July, 185 1,
at the age of thirty-eight years, and his widow survived him many years.
They were the parents of seven children, of whom Isaiah A. Curry was the
eldest.
Isaiah A. Curry was born on July 16, 1835, and with the exception of
the time spent in the service of his country during the Civil War, spent all
his life in this county. He grew to manhood on the home farm and on De-
ceml)er 31, 1857. married Mary C. Thomas, who also was born in this county,
April 4, 1840, daughter of .Alfred and Jane (Plough) Thomas, pioneers of
that same neighborhood. Isaiah A. Curry and wife set up their first domestic
establishment on a fann of ninety-five acres in the neighborhood of the old
Curry home and there reared tlieir family. In August, 1862, Isaiah A. Curry
enlisted for service in the Union army during the Civil War as a private in
Company B, Ninety-ninth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantn,-, and served
with distinction until the close of the war. He was a fine figure of a soldier
and was rapidly promoted, hokling in succession the ranks of sergeant, second
lieutenant, first lieutenant and captain of his compan}. He received a certifi-
cate of honor, when first lieutenant, for bravei'y and efficiency and his duty
as a soldier was ever foremost in his thoughts. The survivors among "the
boys," as he loved to speak of his comrades in arms, never tire of telling of
Captain Curry's care and attention in behalf of his men in camp or upon the
battlefield. His love and devotion, manifested in many acts of kindness,
proved an inspiration to diem and they all bear testimony that a braver soldier
never drew sword. He never said "go," l>ut "come on, boys," was the cry
to which they responded on many a terrible battlefield. Captain Curry saw
active service about Corinth, Memphis and Vicksburg, later participating in
the Chattanooga and Knoxville campaigns with Grant, being at Lookout
Mountain and Missionaty Ridge. He made the memorable forced march for
the relief of Knoxville and was with General Sherman throughout the Atlanta
campaign and on the famous march to the sea.
Upon the completion of his military sen'ice Captain Currv returned to
the farm and remained there until 1882, in which year he moved to Green-
852 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
field, he having two years l;cfore. in 1880, heen elected to the office of county
treasurer. He was re-elected in 1882 and thus ser\ed two terms in that office.
Upon retiring from office lie gave his attention to the insurance husiness and
did well. In 1898 he was elected citv treasurer of Greenfield and in May,
1902, was re-elected to that office, his further service, however, being pre-
vented in- death two months later, his death occurring on July 12, 1902.
Captain Curry was one of t!ie promoters and organizers of the Ca]>ital State
Bank of Greenfield and was vice-president of the same at the time of iiis
death. He was a Democrat and for years was looked upon as one of the
leaders of that party in this county. Captain and Mrs. Curry were Methodists
and their children were reared in that faith. There were si.x of these children,
of whiim four grew to maturity, the subject of lliis liiographical sketch being
the eldest of these.
Cassius yi. Curry recei\'ed his elementary etlucation in the local school
in the neighborhood of his home and supplemented the same by a course in
the old Spiceland Academy. He then entered the Bryant & Stratton Business
College at Indianapolis and was graduated from that institution in 1882.
At tiie age of eighteen he began to teach school and was thus engaged for
six terms, after which he entered the em])loy of Hart & Thayer, general mer-
chants at (ireenfield, as a bookkeeper. He proved his efficiency in this posi-
tion and presently was advanced to the position of general manager of the
store, a position he maintained for twenty-five years, or until the division of
the old store in 1908. at which time he Ijought the main department of the
store and continued conducting the same tuuil he sold it .in 191 1. In the
meantime he had retained management of the extensive overall factory which
the Hart & Thayer firm hail established in 1905 and is still general manager
of the same, .\fter selling his store Mr. Curry took up the manufacture of
specialties under the name of the Specialty Manufacturing Company, and
operated his factory at (Greenfield for two years, after which it was moxed
to Indianapolis. Mr. Curry still retaining his interest in the concern, being
the secretary-treasurer of the same, the manufacture of cheese-cutters and
meat-slicers being the company's principal line. In 191 2. Mr. Curry was
elected president and treasurer of the Xew Milling Company, of Greenfield,
and still holds that position. Since its organization in 191 3. he also has been
president of the Greenfield Chautauciua .Association and he has been vice-
president and one of the directors of the Capital State Bank at Greenfield
since 1905. Mr. Cmiy is a Democrat and for years has been regarded as
one of the leaders of that party in Hancock county. Upon the death of his
father while serving as city treasurer in 1902 he was appointed to fill the
BIOGRAPHICAL. 853
unexpired term and was re-elected to tliat office. His sister, Mrs. Fayme A.
Mo.xlev, acted as his deputy and was in practical charge of the office during
his incumbency.
On August 2. 188 1, Cassius M. Curry was united in marriage to Florence
C. I-'rost, who died in 1902, leaving two children, Lulu, widow of Herbert
E. Leech, of Greenfield, and Noble M., who married Hazel Scott and
is now lixing at Peru. Indiana, where he is the manager of a hard-
ware store. On June 30, 1904, Mr. Curry married, .secondly,
Edna J. Long, of Wabash, this state. Mr. and Mrs Curry are mem-
bers of the Bradley Methodist Episcopal church and fur \ears Mr.
Curry has been one of the most acli\-e workers in that organization.
He followed his father as a member of the board of trustees in 1902
and ser\-ed as president of the board for twelve years, since which time he
has acted as secretary and treasurer of the board. He is a member of the
'Improved Order of Red Men and of the Knights of the Maccabees. Mr.
Curry has a fine home on the National road at the western edge of Green-
field, well set in beautiful grounds and declared by many to be the finest
house lictween Greenfield and Imlianapolis. He also owns a \aluable farm
Monroe countv and is quite well circumstanced.
NATHAN HUNT.
Nathan Hunt was born on September 4. 1835. He was the son of Henry
and Elizabeth (Roberts) Hunt. Henry Hunt was born in 1801 and died in
1872. He was twice married, first to Elizabeth Roberts, who was the mother
of the subject of this sketch. Elizabeth Roberts was born in North Carolina
and was the daughter of Thomas Roberts, who mo\-ed to Wayne county.
Indiana, where he farmed. Henry Hunt was educated in the common schools.
The children by his first wife were as follow : Johii, Naomi, Mary Jane.
Thomas R., Esther, Nathan, who is the subject of this .sketch and who is
the only living child; William H., Samira and Martha. Henry Hunt moved
to this county when the suliject of this sketch was but two years old, and
purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on Sugar creek, where he
lived until his death, in Green township.
Nathan Hunt belonged to the Quaker church, but later he joined the
Methodist Ejiiscopal church, when he moved from Wayne county to Hancock
countv. Nathan Hunt was educated in the common schools. He married
854 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Lydia Denny, who was the widow of Wyatt Denny. He was married four
times. His third wife was Catherine Amack, who was the daughter of Tunis
Amack. Tiie cliiklren of liis third wife were the following: Georgia E..
who is deceased; Flora B.. Xancy A., \'iola Ann and Dora J. The fourth
wife was Amanda E. Elsbury. who was born in this county and who was the
daugiiter of Allies and Elizabeth (Caldwell) Elsbun,-, farmers of this county.
Miles Elsbur^' was a soldier of the Mexican War. The children of Miles
Elsbury were: Amanda, Flora A. (deceased), Nancy E., Rebecca F. (de-
ceased) and Martha E. (deceased). Mr. Hunt owns a farm of three hun-
dred acres near Maxwell, Indiana, on which he does general farming. On
this he built a fine house in 1881, and a fine barn in 1890. He owned a part
of this land as early as 1865 and to this he added from time to time until he
now owns three hundred acres.
The children of Xathan Hunt by liis fourth wife were: Ila Roscoe,
Miles Oscar (deceased) and Irwin Olsen. Ila married Nell Baity and lives
in this county. Irwin married Burryl Burk and lives in Maxwell.
Mr. Hunt has for the last two years been invalided on account of being
crippled and has given little active attention to the farm.
TILGHMAN H. SCUDDER.
Tilghman H. Scudder was bom on March 28, 1863. He was a son of
Stephen and Emmaline (Whitehead) Scudder. Stephen Scudder was born in
Ohio in 1833 and died in 1883. Emmaline (Whitehead) Scudder was born
in Ohio on August 17. 1830. and is still iving in Tipton county in good health.
They were the parents of the following children : Philander, Stephen and
Tilghman H., who is the subject of this sketch.
Stephen Scudder came to this county soon after his marriage and in
1845 rented some land and when he left the county he had twenty acres of
land near Mt. Lebanon and all his children were educated. Tilghman H.
Scudder went to the common schools of the county and his first teacher was
John Q. AMiite. He was in school only about three months of the
year. All his brothers had l^een school teachers : Philander, who is
now fifty-three years old, is a banker at Windfall. Fie was tnistee at Tip-
ton and taught school there for a number of years. He taught school in
Brandywine township about ten }ears. Stephen, who is in Tipton, taught
school for ten or fifteen years. Benjamin commenced teaching in Tipton and
is now in Phoenix, Arizona, teaching. He is a graduate of the State Normal
BIOGRAPHICAL. <555
at Terre Haute and of Indiana University and has done work in llie Univer-
sity of Chicago. He spent a year in Leland Stanford University, taking
post-graduate work. 11 e lieaded departments of colleges in Arizona and is
one of the leading educators of the West.
Tilghnian H. Scudder remained on tlie farm all nf his life in Hancock
county. He has been a very successful farmer. He was married on April
9, 1893, to Mary A. Rush, of Marion county, who was the daughter of John
Rush. To this union have been 1)orn the f(jllowing children : .\udrey Xaomi,
who was born June 16, 1894, and who is living at home, and Hilda, who was
born on August 2, .1895, also living at Ivime. The subject's first wife died
April 30, 1902, and was buried at Mt. Leljanon. She was a member of the
Mt. Lebanon Methodist Protestant chinch. On January i. 1907, Tilghman
H. Scudder was married, secondly, to Rosena Jeffries, who was the daughter
of E. J. and Jane { Jolinson ) Jeffries, of Hamilton county. They were early
settlers of Hamilton county. Through this marriage the following children
were born: Tilghman Howard. Jr., born on October 9, tori, and Hubert
Woodrow, born on April 6, 19 14.
Tilghman H. Scudder is a farmer and lie has a tract of i>ne hundred and
twenty acres of land. He has earned this by hard labor. He is a director of
the Fountaintown Bank. He is a Democrat in politics and has been township
trustee of his township. He was elected in 1904 and served for six years.
During this time he built a number of cement bridges. He has been an active
political worker in the Democratic party. He is a memlier of the Masonic
lodge and the Knights of Pythias at Greenfield. He is a meml-)er of the
Methodist Protestant church at Mt. Lebanon and his wife is a member of the
Friends church at Greenfield. Mr. Scudder is one of Hancock county's best
citizens and effective in her community life. He is a man whose honesty and
integrity are beyond question.
WILLIAM A. HOUGH.
William A. Hough, one of the leading memliers of the l)ar of the Hancock
circuit court, a practicing attorney at Greenfield since 1888 and for years one
of the best-known lawyers in central Indiana, is a native son of Greenfield
and has lived there all his life. He was bom on June 7, 1865, the son of
Hon. William R. and Matilda (McDowell)' Hough, the former a native of
Indiana, born in Wayne county, and the latter of Edinburgh, Scotland, of
856 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
whom tlie former is still li\ing at Greenfield, honored and highly esteemed
in that community : ,tlie latter died on April 0, 1900. Further reference to
the father is made in a biographical sketch relating to the Hon. \\'illiam R.
Hough, presented elsewhere in this volume.
\\'iniam A. Hough was reared in his native town and was graduated
from tiie Greenfield higli school in t<S82. after which he entered Del'anw
University at Greencastle, from wlnich institutimi he was graduated with the
class of 1886, having earned the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1889
received from the universitv the degree of ^Master of Arts. During his school
days Mr. Hough had been giving close study to the law, under the careful
direction of his father, for years one of the leaders of the bar at Greenfield,
and upon leaving the university continued his law studies in his father's office
and in 1888 was admitted to the bar. Thus equipped for the practice of his
profession he was admitted to partnership by his father and was thus asso-
ciated in practice until tlie hitter's retirement from practice in 1890. Mr.
Hougli then remained alone in practice until 1895, in which year he formed a
partnersliip with Charles Downing, which continued until Mr. Downing's elec-
tion to the ofifice of secretan,- of the Indiana state board of agriculture some
time later, after which Mr. Hough again practiced alone and was thus situated
until he formed his present professional connection with Samuel J. Offutt,
March i, 19 16, under the firm name of Hough & Offutt.
Mr. Hough is a Republican rind for years has t;iken an earnest interest
in the political affairs of his home county and the state in general. In 1900
he was elected Presidential elector for his district and has long been an active
campaigner, not only throughout Hancock county, but throughout the district.
In addition to Iiis extensive law jjractice, Mr. Hough is largeh- inter-
ested in various business enterprises and is regarded as one of Greenfield's
most substantial citizens. He is a stockholder in the Greenfield Banking
Company, a stockholder in the Indiana National Bank and the National City
Bank, of Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Street Railway C(impan\- and numer-
ous other Indianapolis cor])orations, while for eleven years he served very
efficiently as president of the S. .Morrison Tele])lione Cumpany at Greenfield
.Tud in other wa}s has done his ])art in ]iromoting tlie industrial and other
interests of this section of the state. Mr. Hough is a Scottish Rite Mason
and a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine,
affiiliated with the consiston- at Indianapolis and Murat Temple in that city,
and takes a warm interest in Masonic affairs. He is also affiliated with the
Fhi Kappa Psi fraternity, in the affairs of wln'cli lie has continued in inke
an active interest ever since his college days.
o
BIOGRAPHICAL. 857
On June 5, 1895, William A. Hough was united in marriage to Ellen
Ruth Marsh, daughter of Kphraim and Matilda J. Marsh, of Greenfield, and I
this union haxx- been horn two children. Helen Louise. lK)rn on July 2, i8g6,
who died on December 30, 1911, and Marcia McDowell. June 28, 1002. Mr.
and Mrs. Hough take an earnest interest in the various social and cultural
activities of their home town and are recognized as among the leaders in all
movements having to do with the advancement of the best interests of this
community.
NATHAN C. BINFORD.
Nathan C. Binford. former ])resident and since 1908 cashier ol the Cap-
ital State Bank of Greenfield, is a nati\'e sun nf Hancock cnunty. Iiaving Ijcen
bom on a farm in Blue River townshijj. Xo\eniber 30. 1859. son of Robert
and Martha (Hill) Binford. the former a native of Xorth Carolina and the
latter of Indiana, both of whom s|)ent their last days in the neighboring county
of Rush.
Robert Binford was about thirteen years old when he came to Indiana
with his parents, the family settling in I'lue River township, this county,
being among the pioneers of that part of the county, and there he grew to
manhciod on the (|uarter-scction claim entered by the father from the govern-
ment. After his marriage to Martha Hill, who was a member of one of the
pioneer families of Rush county. Robert Binford engaged in farming on his
own account in Blue River township and remained there until 1879. in which
year he moved to Rush county, buying a farm in tlie Carthage neighborhood,
where he spent the remainder of his life, being past seventy years of age at
the time of his death. He was an extensive landowner and substantial citizen.
an earnest Republican in his ])olitic;d \iews. e\er devoted tn the cause of good
government. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, of wlmni the
subject of this sketch was the eighth in order of birth.
Nathan C. Binford was reared on the paternal farm, receiving his ele-
mentary education in the district schools in the neighborhood of his home
and supplemeiued the same liy a course in Earlham College at Richmond, his
parents having been devout Quakers and earnest su])porters of that sterling
old Quaker institution of learning. He thefi entered the Indianapolis lUisi-
ness College, from which he presently was graduated and was for some time
thereafter employed in the office of his brother. John H. Binford. banker, at
Greenfield. Following his marriage in the fall of 1890. Mr. Binford n)oved
858 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
to Carthage, this state, the home of his wife, where he buih a home and en-
gaged in tlie mercantile business and farming and was thus engaged for eight
years, or until the time of the organization of the Capital State Bank at
Greenfield in 1898, in whicli \ear he returned to that city and was elected
president of the bank, a position he held until 1908, when he became cashier
of the bank and has ever since occupied that position, retaining his ])osition
as one of the directors of the Ijank. Air. Binford is the owner of a valuable
farm, to which he gave considerable attention while living at Carthage, and
he still is actively interested in the operation of the same. He is an "inde-
pendent" Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to political affairs,
but has never been an aspirant for public office.
On October 16, 1890, Xathan C. Binford was united in marriage to Lucy
H. Hill, of Carthage, Rush county, this state, and to this union one child
has been born, a son, Donald, who was graduated from the higli school at
Westtown, Pennsylvania, and is now a student in Chicago University. Mr.
and Mrs. Binford are earnest members of the Friends church and take a warm
interest in all community good works, Mr. Binford long having been one of
the office bearers in the church.
WILLIAM A. }.IERLAU
W'illiam A. Merlau, one of Hancock county's representative citizens and
owner of one of its most beautiful and well-kept farms, is a native of Han-
cock county, born in Sugar Creek township on March 6, 1867, a son of Con-
rad and Elizabeth (Meier) Merlau. Conrad Merlau was born in Germany,
January 16, 1837, a son of Henry Merlau. For further details of the history
of the Merlau fariiily. the reader is referred to the sketch of Henry Merlau
found elsewhere within these covers.
Conrad Merlau was a hov nf nine years when lie was brought hv his
parents to this country and lie spent the remainder of Iiis youth on the family
farm in Sugar Creek township, one and one-iialf miles west of Xew Pales-
tine. When twenty-six years of age he was united in marriage with Elizabeth
Meier, Ixim on the old Meier homestead in Sugar Creek township, November
26, 1842, a daughter of Anton and Ann Elizabeth (Grim) Meier. There
were eight children in the Meier family, all of whom are deceased with the
exception of Catherine, Christina and Ellen.
After marriage, Conrad Merlau fanned the family homestead for a year
and then purchased a farm of forty acres located about tlu-ee and one-half
BIOGRAPHICAL. 859
miles northeast of New Palestine. There he made his home until ahout the
year 1871, when he disposed of that fami and bought one hundred and sixty
acres in I'.uck Creek township, ahout two miles northeast of the town of Gem,
and there he has since continued to reside. He suffered the loss of his wife
on July 9. 1902, and Mrs. Merlau is remembered as a most excellent woman.
She was the mother of eleven children, two of whom died in infancy. Eddie
died at the age of lu'ne years and those who grew to maturity were William
A., the immediate subject of this sketch; Annie, George, Fred, Rosie. Julia,
Emma and Edna. Conrad Alerlau is a devout member of the German Luth-
eran church and throughout his majority has supported the Democratic party.
William A. Merlau was a small boy of four or five years when his par-
ents moved to Buck Creek township and there he attended the old' Brown
school house, remaining at his lx)oks ujitil sixteen years of age. He then
turned to farming', assisting bis father in the work of ilic home place until
about twenty-four years of age, when he married. On November 8, 1891,
he was united in marriage with Mary C. Miller, born on the Miller home-
stead in Sugar Creek township, November 26, 1867, a daughter of I-'rederick
and Christine ( Roesner) Miller, b'rederick Miller was biini cin XoN'ember
3, 1833, in W'ietersheim, Minden Prenzen, Germany, and was brought to
this country at the age of two years by his parents. They settled in Sugar
Creek township, Hancock county, where the elder Miller entered land from
the government, about three miles northwest of New Palestine. On that farm
Frederick Miller grew to manhood, marrying Christine Roesner, October 2,
1859. She was bom in Sugar Creek township on her father's farm, A])ril
23, 1840, and became the mother of ten children, namely: Emma, died on
February 2, 1862; William, died on September 13, 1864; Clarence, died on
Fcbniary 4, 1886, at the age of twenty-one years: Mary C, wife of \\^illiam
A. Merlau: Louis W., died on .\ugust 17, 1894, at the age of twenty-four
years; Annie, born on July 26, 1872; Christina, born on August 21, 1874;
Emily, died on September 10, 1887; l-'rederick J., died on May 21, 1879, and
Harry, born on December 27, 1882.
After marriage, William .\. Merlau rented his Grandfather Merlau's
farm for three years and then moved to the old Miller home place, where he
lived for five years. During the last year of his residence there, he bought
fifty acres, a part of the old McNamee farm, located two miles north of New
Palestine, and in 1900 took up his residence there. Shortly afterward he
bought the forty acres adjoining on the south, making ninety acres in all.
The first piece of land purchased had only a three-room house and a log
stable and he paid fifty-three dollars per acre, but had to give seventy-five
860 HANCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
dollars for the last tract he bought. There were about twenty acres of the
land cleared and ready for cultivation and Mr. Merlau set about putting it
all in pmper shape. The first spring he lived there he erected a barn forty-
two by seventy feet and in 1906 built his present beautiful modern residence
of fourteen rooms, which is considered one of the finest homes in Sugar Creek
township. In addition to this, Mr. Alerlau has erected a double corn-crib and
tool-shed and other buildings. During the years the ground has been entirely
cleared, the land tiled and all brought up to a high state of cultivation. Mr.
Merlau usually has from twenty to thirty acres put to corn, making the usual
yield for this section, and has the same number of acres in small grains. He
feeds out an a\erage of one hundred hogs annually, these l)eing of the Duroc-
Jersey breed, and he keeps for his own use usually ten head of cattle, with six
to eight horses for assisting in the farm work, the latter being a good grade
of draft stock. Mr. Merlau says he owes his financial success to the hogs
which he sells, which are fattened on the corn raised on his own place.
Mr. and Mrs. Merlau ha\e two children : Elmer, liom on l-'ebruary 24,
1894, and Freda, born on March 13, 1897. Mr. Merlau and his family are
members of the Gemian Lutheran church and in politics he supports the Dem-
ocratic party. He is a captain of the Horse Thief Detective Association and
interested in all enterprises intended to advance the interests of those of the
community. Mr. Merlau has passed his entire life in this locality and it is
said that no higher tribute can be paid a man than an honorable and long
continued residence in one place. This lieing true, he is eminently entitled to
the respect and esteem in which he is held by all who have the pleasure of his
acquaintance.
WILLIAM T. LEA:\I0X.
\\'illiam T. Leamon, cashier of the Greenfield Banking Company and
formerly one of the best-known teachers in the public schools of Hancock
county, is a native son of this county, having been bom on a farm near
Brown's Chapel, five miles northeast of Greenfield, in Jackson township.
October 22, 1869, son of Isaac and Mary A. (Smith) Leamon, the former a
native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana, both of whom are now deceased.
Isaac Leamon was born in Preble county. Ohio, in 1829, and when quite
young came to Indiana with his parents, the family settling in Jackson town-
ship, this county, where he grew to manhood on a farm. He married Mary
A. Smith, who was born in that township, and established a home in that
BIOGKAPHICAL. 86l
same townsliip. where hotli he and his wife spent the remainder of tlieir hves,
she (l\ing- in 1894 and he in 1898. Isaac Leamon was a Repuhhcan and he
and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal churcli. They were
the parents of nine children, two of wlmm died in infancy, the others being
as follow: Luna, now deceased, who married W. S. Lane, and undertaker at
Charlottesville: John E.. of Indianapolis: Elsie L.. now deceased, who mar-
ried George Steffey. a farmer of the Charlottesville ntigiiborh(jod : James F.,
a clerk at the traction terminal station at Indianapolis: Eva B., who married
Micajah Smith, who is connected with the Indianapolis street railway service;
Charles E.. of Charlottesville, and \Villiam T., the subject of this biographical
sketch.
William T. Leamon was reared on the home farm in Jackson township
and vecened his early schooling in the schools of Charlottesville. He then
rook a course in the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute, after which
he began teaching school and was thus engaged until he entered the service
of the Greenfield Banking Company, with which he ever since has been con-
nected. ]\Tr. Leamon taught for three years in the district schools of Jack-
son township, one year in the schools of Cleveland and eight years in the
schools of Charlottesville. He was principal for four terms in the Lincoln
school at Greenfield. In 1905 Mr. Leamon was engaged as a bookkeeper by
the Greenfield Banking Company and in 1909 was elected assistant cashier of
the bank. In 191 1 he was elected cashier, which responsible position he still
occupies. In the meantime Mr. Leamon had become a stockholder in the
banking company and in 1916 was elected a director of the same. Mr. Lea-
mon is a Republican and has ever given his thoughtful alteiuion to local
political affairs, but has never been included in the office-seeking class.
On October 22, 1899, \\'illiam T. Leamon was united in marriage to
Bertie G. Rock, who was born on a farm in Jackson townshi]). this ciainty,
.August 17, 1873, daughter of the Hmi, W. H. H. and Anna R. (Reeves)
Rock, who later became residents of Greenfield. \V. II. H. Rock left his
Jackson township farm and engaged in the grocery business at Charlottes-
x'ille, later moving to Greenfield, where he followed the same line of business
until his death. He was a prominent Republican of this county, for some
time serving as chairman of the county Republican committee, and served a
term in the lower house of the Indiana General Assembly as a representative
from this district. To Mr. and Mrs. Leamon three children have been born.
Harold Carl. Madge Ruth and \'irginia Lou. Mr. Leamon is a member of
the lnde])endent Order of Odd h'ellows antl is a past noble grand of the lodge
with which he is affiliated. He is also a memljer of the Knights of Pythias.
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
PAUL F. BINFORD.
Paul F. Binford. of (ireenfield, one of the best-known and most energetic
young lawyers in central Indiana, who is also identified with numerous ex-
tensive financial interests hereabout, was born in Greenfield on December 31,
1880, son of John H. and Lucy (Coggeshall) Binford, prominent and influ-
ential residents of that city. The late John H. Binford for many years was
one of the most useful citizens of Hancock county. Educator, lawyer and
banker, he did well his jiart in the common life of this community and his
memory is cherished hereabout. In a memorial sketch relatinjj to the late
John H. Binford, presented elsewhere in this volume, further details regard-
ing this interesting family in Hancock county are set out and to those pages
the reader is respectfully referred for additional information in this con-
nection.
Paul F. Binford was graduated from the Greenfield high school in 1898,
after which he spent a year in the state of Champeche, ]\Iexico, where he w'as
engaged in the lumber industry. Upon his return home he took a course in
Earlham College and was then engaged as city editor of the old Greenfield
Republican, now the Daily Reporter. After two years of excellent service
in the local newspaper field he entered the office of the National Biscuit Com-
pany at Chicago, beginning his serv-ice in that office as "bell boy." Efficiency
of service quickly met its reward and it was not long until he was advanced
to the position of assistant secretary to the president of the company and
later was made assistant manager of the real-estate department of that cor-
poration. In 1907 Mr. Binford was transferred to the offices of the National
Biscuit Company in New York City, acting there in the same capacity as had
marked his service for tlie company in Chicago, and he remained in that city
until the death of his father in 1912 required liis return home to look ;ifter tiie
affairs of his father's estate. During his residence in New York Mr. Binford
entered the International Young Men's Christian Association Schools, attend-
ing nights, and was there graduated in commercial law. He later entered
the New York Law School and was graduated from that institution in June,
1909, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, the degree of Master of Laws
being conferred upon him 1iy tlie same school in June, 1910. In January,
1912, Mr. Binford was admitted to practice by the supreme court of New
York and was thus amply qualified to enter upon the practice of his chosen
profession upon his return to Greenfield. He at once occu])ied the office so
long occupied by his fathei and has since remained there, successfully con-
tinuing the business that his father had established. In addition to his gen-
BIOGRAPHICAL. 863
eral law practice, Mr. Binford is intcre.«;ted in four banks as attorney, stock-
holder or director, and is otherwise actively identified with the commercial
and financial interests of this section of the state.
On January 15, 1916, Paul F. Binford was united in marriage to Mary E.
Henley, who was born at Carthage, in Rush county, this state, December 19,
1894, daughter of Walter C. and Carrie B. Henley, now residents of Green-
field, where Mr. Henley is engaged in the niannfacture nl furniture. Mr.
Binford is a member of the Methodist Episcopal clnn-ch, being a member of
the board of stewards of the same. He is a Knight Templar, a meml^er of
the commandery at Greenfield, and is a member of Murat Temple, Ancient
Arabic Order. Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Indianapolis.
CARL S. ROCK.
Carl S. Rock was born in Hancock county on January 12, 1879, the son
of William H. H. and Rebecca (Reeves) Rock. William 11. 11. Rock was
born in Henry county on June 22, 1844, and died on March 25, 1910. He
was educated in Spiceland Academy and later engaged in the general-store
business in Charlottesville. He quit this to take up the milling business for
awhile in the same town. In iS^c) he left Charlottesville and went to Green-
fied, where he entered the grocery business, in which he was active for ten
years, but retired in 1909, only a short time before liis death. His wife Rebecca
Reeves, was born in Brown township, in Hancock county, on January 20,
185 1. She was raised and educated in Hancock county. Her parents were
farmers. She was married to William H. H. Rock in August of 1872. They
were the parents of the following children : Mrs. Bertie Leamon, who is
now a resident of Greenfield; Guy D., who is a^-esident of Indianapolis; E.
P., who is a resident of Greenfield; Mrs. Zula B. Pierce, who is a resident of
Greenfield; Mrs, Ellis Jackson, wlio is a resident of Greenfield, and Carl S,,
who is the subject of this sketch.
Carl S. Rock was educated in Charlottesville. After he left school he
played professional baseball with tiie International League of London, Can-
ada, for a period of three years. He later went into the grocery business, in
which he remained until 1911. He ne.xt went on the road as a salesman for
a prominent firm and remained in this work for two years and he then en-
gaged in the jeweln- business in January, of 1914, in which business he has
been verv successful.
864 HANCOCK COUNTY^ INDIANA.
On October 15, 1907, Carl S. Ruck was married to Xelle Stoner. the
daughter of Elmer E. and Matilda I. Stoner, both natives of Hancock county.
Elmer E. Stoner was state agent for the Home Insurance Com])anv of Xew
York. He was a Kepublican in ]>.)litics and was jironiinent in his partv. He
was the unsuccessful candidate of his party for state auditor in 1905. He
was a thirty-second degree Mason, and both he and his wife were prominent
memljers of the Methodist Episco]3a! church. He died on Ajiril (>. 1907. His
wife is still li\ing in Greenfield. Nelle Stoner was born in (ireenfield on
(•"ebruary 7, 1886. Her earlier education was received in the (ireenfield
schools, but she later graduated from the Shortridge High School at Indian-
apolis, in 1903. She spent the following two years at Indiana University,
and the year following at a woman's college at Baltimore. She lias onlv one
brother, Karl \V. Stoner, now a student at Purdue University.
Carl S. Rock allied himself with the Progressive party when it was
founded and was the count}- chairman of that ])arty for the years 191 j and
[913. He is a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Knights of
Pythias lodge, and is vice-president of the Brooklyn brick factory at Brook-
lyn, Indiana. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church of Greenfield.
\\ILLI.\M .\LBERT JUSTICE. M. D.
. Dr. William .\lbert Justice, one of the oldest and best-known practicing
physicians in this part of the state, who has been coniinuallv engaged in the
practice of his profession in Hancock county since 1S79 and who has been
located in Greenfield since 1902, is a Hoosier, having been born on a farm
near the town of Markleville, Madison county, Indiana, October 12. 1852,
son of John Jackson and t-ustacha (Blake) Justice, the former a native of
Ohio. l)orn on Februarv 22, 1S26. and the latter of Indiaaia, born on I-"all
creek in Madison county, April 2y. 1830.
John Jackson Justice was l)ut a boy when his jiarents came from Ohio
to this state and settled in Madison county and in the latter ])lace he spent
the rest of his life, a farmer and. carpenter and a man of large influence for
good in his comnninity. John J. Justice grew to manhood on the ])aternal
farm in Madison county antl married Lustacha Blake, a member of a \\ell-
known family of that neighborhood, after which he set up an establishment
of his own and was successfully engaged as a farmer, carpenter and cabinet-
maker. Doctor Justice has in his possession an old wooden-wheel clock,
BIOGRAPHICAL. 865
more tlian one hundred years old, which was in the family home when he
was born, for which his father made a clierry bureau in exchange for the
same from the original owner, and which he prizes \'ery highly. John J.
Justice was a man of strong character and bore the reputation in his com-
munity of never iiaving done an act which would create the adverse criticism
of his neighbors. He was a Democrat and for years served his township in
the capacity of trustee. He died in 1895. at the age of sixty-nine years, and
his widow, who still sur\i\es, is living on the old hnme farm of her father's,
where she has lived continuously since she was four years old. To John J.
Justice and wife six children were borti, namely: William Albert, the imme-
diate subject of this sketch; John Henry, who died on Septemljer 16, 1902;
Ella, wife of Dr. Benjamin Lund Fussell, of Markleville, this state; Kthan
Allen, who is living on the old homestead in Madison county; Margaret, who
married Harry iVI. Hardy and died on June 12. 1886, and Lucian, who dietl
in infancy in December, 1872.
William A. Justice was reared on the paternal farm in Madison county,
receiving his elementary education in the old "Lick" school in the neighbor-
hood of his home, later attending a normal school conducted by R. 1. Hamil-
ton in a Quarter neighborhood, five miles distant, walking to and fro be-
tween his home and the school. He then attended the normal school at
Anderson, at that time conducted by Joseph I-'ranklin, and thus ccjuipped
entered the ranks of public school teachers and for three years was engaged
in teaching scIuhiI in his lionie township. During this time he was giving
close attention to the study of medicine and presentlv entered the office of
Doctor Fussell, under whose tutelage he ])repared for entrance in the Ken-
tucky School of Medicine at Louisville, from which institution he was gradu-
ated in 1878, after which he formed a partnership with Dr. Benjamin Fussell,
which continued about a year. On h-ebruary 3, 1879. Doctor Justice came to
Hancock county and opened an office for the practice of his jirofession at Eden,
where he remained for twenty-four vears. during which time he became one of
the best-known physicians in the county. On Se|)tember 30, 1902, Doctor Jus-
tice moved his office to Greenfiekl and has e\er since been successfully en-
gaged in practice there!
Dr. Justice is a Democrat and ever since locating in this countv has
given his thoughtful attention to local political affairs. He was elected cor-
oner of the county in 1882 and was re-elected in 1884. thus serving two terms.
In 1914 he was again elected to this important public oftice for a term of two
years. Between 1895 and 1900 he served as trustee of Green township and
in other wavs has served the public to the best of his abilitv. The doctor is
(55)
866 HANCOCK COL'XTV. I XDIA XA.
an ardent Mason, as was his father before liim, and for three years was
master of his home lodge, Eden Lodge Xo. 477. He is a member of the
Greenfield chapter of the Royal Arch Masons, of which he was High Priest,
1912 and 1913: of the (jreenfield Commandery, Knights Templar, of which
he was Eminent Commander in 1909, and of the Scottish Rite Masons, at-
tached to the consistory of the valley of Indianapolis. He is also a member of
the council of the order at McCordsville and of the Order of the Eastern Star
at Greenfield, and ^Nhuat Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Xobles of the
Mystic Shrine.
On January i, 1879, Dr. William A. Justice was united in marriage to
Francena L. Lacy, who was born in Henry county, this state, September 23,
1856. daughter of Parker Lacy and wife, the former a native of North Car-
olina and the latter of Ohio, and to this union three children liave been bom,
Lee F., Alma, a teacher in the Greenfield public schools, and Marie, who
married Ralph C. Tapscott. of Greenfield. Doctor and Mrs. Justice ha\e a
fine home at 404 North State street, in Greenfield, which is the scene ot
much genial hospitality, and they are held in high esteem throughout the
entire comniunitv.
CHARLES F. OSTERMEIER.
Charles F. Ostermeier, a retired farmer now living in Cumberland, Han-
cock county. Indiana, was Ijorn in Sugar Creek township on .April 18, 1858,
and there lived and farmed until some eight years ago. He is a son of Chris-
tian H. and Christina (Miller) Ostermeier. the fornier born in Frille, Ger-
many, October 14, 1827, a son of Christian Ostermeier and wife. The elder
Christian was bom and reared in Germany, where he was a farmer and the
father of five children, two of whom had died in infancy. The others were
Christian, father of the subject of this sketch ; Man,-, now Mrs. Wilson, and
Christiana (now Mrs. Clapper)', all deceased except the last named. The
elder Christian was married two or three times and after the death of his
first wife, mother of the family just mentioned, he and his son Christian came
to .\merica in 1841 or 1842. when the younger Christian was but fourteen
years of age. Arriving in America, they came direct to Sugar Creek town-
ship and for probably a year afterward, both father and son worked indus-
triously to earn sufficient money for the passage of the rest of the family.
When this was accomplished, they entered eighty acres of land from the gov-
ernment, being part of the southwest quarter of section 11. all covered with
BIOGRAPHICAL.
867
heavy timber. Here botli fatlur and son worked to erect a small cabin and
barn, wlncb cabm home an.swered for a few years and was followed by a
more pretentions two-room hewn log- house with porch and tliere the elder
Christian passed his remaining days. Both his second and third wives \\ere
from Germany, the latter, named Christina, survivino- liini. She was the
mother of two children: Elnore (now Mrs. Rruskinj^) and Loui.sa (now
Mrs. \\ oemj^eur ) .
As above state, Christian Ostermeier was fourteen vears of age when he
came with his father to this township, where his youth and manhood were
spent. W hen twenty-three .years of age he was married to Christina .Miller,
born on the Miller homestead in Sugar Creek township on December 4 1832.'
and died at her home in this same township. April 8. 1892. at the age of fifty-
nine years, five months and four days. Christian Ostermeier and wife were
the parents of eight children, namely : Christian, deceased ; Charles F. : Chris-
tina, wh<i died when eighteen years of age; Marv. deceased; Willie died hi
mtancy: Emma, wife of Chris Schakel; Henry and Wilham. Both Christian
Ostermeier and wife were devout members of the Ccrman Lutheran church,
as was also his fatlier before him. and he espoused the cause of the Democratic
party upon attaining his majority. Christian Ostermeier died at his home in
Sugar Creek township on October 12, 1899, at the age of seventy-one years,
eleven months and twenty-eight days.
Charles F. Ostermeier passed his childhood and youth on the family
homestead in Sugar Creek township, and attended the Gemian school taught
by the Rev. J. G. Kunz. He continued to help his father with the work of
the homestead until thirty years of age and the following six years found
him working out among the neighboring farmers. On December 20, 1894,
he was united in marriage with Laura Sargent, born in Tipton county this
state, near the town of Windfall, on April 25. 1874. a daughter of James and
Susan (Sanders) Sargent. James Sargent \\as a natixe of Hancock county,
born on April i. 1833. and died at Fortville. January 17. 1900. a son of
Samuel Sargent and wife. Susan Sanders was born near Windfall, Tipton
county, August 8. 1854, and died on December 31. 1891. She was the mother
of nine children, namely: Laura, wife of Mr. Ostermeier: Charlie, died in
infancy; Samuel, Jess, Marv-, Delphia, Josephine, died in infancy; Elvina and
Joseph. James Sargent had been twice married, his first wife l)eing Eliza
Bennington, who bore him six children, as follow: John R.. Frankt Tanc,
Martha, Bell and Jimmie; all dead except Bell and John Richard.
.\fter marriage, Charles F. Ostenneier took his bride to his forty-acre
farm which he had just ])urc]iased from his father and they took possession
868 HANCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
of the five-room house, which was just being completed, and where tliey lived
for a number of years. The following summer he erected a good barn and in
1902 bought fifteen acres to the south of his farm, making fifty-fi\e acres in
all, and in April of igoB he sold this farm and the following fall moved to
Cumberland, where he bought a residence and has since resided. Mr. Oster-
meier has been active in threshing work for the past twenty-five vears. but
has practically retired from the active affairs of life. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Ostermeier are members of the German Lutheran church, of which he served
one year as vorsteher. Politically, he is a Democrat and is one of the best-
known men of Sugar Creek township, where he has spent practically all his
life. He has lived a busy life and enjoys the confidence and respect of his
fellow men.
WILLIAM C. BARNARD.
The late William C. IJarnard, who for years was one of the best-known
and nidst influential figures in the public life of Hancock county, was a native
of this counl}-. ha\ing lieen born (mi a farm in Sugar Creek townshi]). May 31,
1843. son of Reuben and Elizal)eth (Curry) llarnard. both natives of Xorth
Carolina, the former of whom was bom in ("luilford county, that state, Jan-
uary 16, 1805. and the latter in Davidson county. March 16, 1806.
Shortly after their marriage Reuben Barnard and wife came to Indiana
and settled in Wayne county. Not finding- conditions there to their liking,
a few months later thev came over into Hancock county and entered a (|uarter
of a section of land in Sugar Creek township, thus having been nuinl)ered
among the very earliest settlers of that part of the county. There they estab-
lished their home and spent the remainder of their lives, their influence doing
much toward the creation <if proper social and economic conditions in the
formative period of tliat now ])rosperous and well-established comniimity.
Reulien P.arnard was an excellent farmer and as bis affairs prospered added
to his holdings until he became the owner of six hundred acres of fine land
in that .section. He was a close student of the law and for years gave admir-
able service to his community in the capacity of justice of the j^eace. Reuben
Barnard die<l in 1870 at the age of sixty-five years. His widow survived
him more than twenty years, her death occurring in 1892. she then lieing
eighty-six years of age. They were the jjarents of ten children, Louisa, I'-red-
erick, James .\., Sarah, Deljjhinia, Mary. Eunice. Klihu, William C. and Jose-
phine, all of whom are now deceasetl.
WILLIAM C. HARNARD
BIOGRAPHICAL. 869
William C. Barnard was reared on the paternal farm in Sugar Creek
township and received his elementary education in the district schools in the
neighborhood of his home, supplementing the same by a course in Butler
College, after which be entered Bryant's Business College at Indianaixilis and
was presently graduated from that institution. He then returned to the
home farm and entered seriously and systematically upon the work of the
farm, adding to general farming the business of stock raising, in which he
engaged (|uite extensively and became a very successful farmer. Mr. Barnard
was a Democrat and from the days of his youth gave close attention to local
political affairs, taking a deep interest in the iniblic life of the community,
early becoming one of the most widely known men in the county. For six
years he served as township trustee of Sugar Creek township and was later
elected county treasurer and served as such four years.
William C. Barnard married Amanda M. Gibson, who was born in I'rank-
lin townshi]). in the neighboring county of Marion, t)n October 12. 1846.
daughter of Isaiah and Elizabeth ( Mayall) Cibson, and to this union three
children were born, Borgia E.. .\udrey B. and one who died in infancy. Mr.
and Mrs. Barnard were members of the Baptist church and took an earnest
part in all community good works. Mr. Barnard was a thirty-second degree
Mason, a Knight Templar, connected with the commandery at Greenfield:
affiliated with the consistory, .\ccepted Scottish Rite, and with Murat Temple,
at Indianapolis. Mr. Barnard died on January 3. 191 i, and his widow still
survives.
Borgia E. Barnard, only surviving daughter of William C. and Amanda
(Gibson) Barnard, received her education in the schools of Marion countv
and during the time of her father's incumbency as countv treasurer served as
deputy treasurer of Hancock county. On October 23. 1902, Borgia E. Bar-
nard was united in marriage to James H. Pennington, a native of Henn'
county, this state. He is a Knight Templar and a member r)f the .\ncient
Arabic Order. Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, affiliated with Murat Temple at In-
dianapolis. Mrs. Pennington is a member of the Christian church and a mem-
ber of the Order of the Eastern Star, in the affairs of both of which organi-
zations she takes a wami interest.
.Audrey B. I'.arnard. .second daughter of William C. and .\manda (Gib-
.son) Barnard, was united in marriage on March 15. 1894, to Elmer J. Bin-
ford, an attorney of Greenfield, and to this union two children were born.
Hugh Barnard, who died on December 12, 1898. at the age <if three vears.
and Ralph Coleman, born on June 13, 1900, who is now living with his father
at Tampa, Florida. For ten years before her marriage, Mrs. Bin ford had
8/0 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
been a teacher in the pubhc schools of Greenfield, and was a member of and
active worker in the Christian church. Mrs. Audrey (Barnard) Binford
died on February 21, 1904.
CHARLES A'ETTERS.
Charles V'etters. the subject of this review, and one of Brandywine town-
ship's distinguished citizens and most successful financiers, live stock and
grain growers, first saw the light of day in Hamilton county. Ohio, October
6, 1856. Born of humble parents, who emigrated from Germany in about
1852, and losing them in infancy, he, along with a little sister, became wards
of charity. When eight years of age he was brought to Rush county, Indiana,
and placed in a family to remain until he reached his majority. After attain-
ing his majority he continued seven years witli the family who had proven
to be his benefactors.
Mt. Vetters' education, like that of many other men of his age and time,
was limited to the district school, but his longing for knowledge made him
a student of books and men, until there is not a better informed men in Han-
cock county on general affairs and present-day happenings. In 1884 he dis-
played his usual good judgment in choosing the life companionship of Sarah
C. \\'heeler, a most estimable young lady of Rush county, to share with him
the joys and blessings of his married life. She was born on September 9,
1862. the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Arnold) Wheeler.
In 1886, Mr. and Mrs. Vetters moved to Hancock county, settling on
the farm where they have since resided. Their farm was at that time one that
had been greatly neglected, but he, being endowed with a strong body and in-
domitable will, soon created one of the best and most productive estates in
Brandywine township. Mr. Vetters has been eminently successful in all his
farming ventures and is rated among the most successful grain growers and
live stock raisers in Hancock county, and the Vetters family is recognized
as a financial stronghold.
Mr. and Vetters, while living lives of toil, have been mindful of those
dependent upon them and the influence for good that rested upon them in the
church and community in which they reside. Their family of three children,
consisting of one daughter, Anna E., wlio was born on November 22, 1885,
and who is the wife of Claude White, and two sons, Carl, born on January
4, 1887, and John C, bom on January 26, 1890, are all graduates of the
BIOGRAPHICAL. 8/1
common and higli school and each is a talented musician. Tliey are all mem-
bers of and officials in the Christian church.
Mr. and ]\Irs. Vetters have long been memljers of the Christian church
and much ><\ (he lime since residing in Hancock county Mr. \'etters has been
presidnig elder of the Christian church at Little Sugar creek, while his wife
has been a zealous worker in the church and Mile and Helping Hand Societies
at that place.
Mr. X'etters is a temperance man of no uncertain -meaning; a total ab-
stainer from earl)- manhood; one who believes when (jne confesses |esus
Christ as his Sa\ior and only hope for the endless life — just that soon should
he become divorced from the use of all kinds of alcoholic beverages and should
live a life of total abstinence.
The Vetters estate and home is as near ideal as can he found in the rural
districts. The farm, which consists of one hundred and sixtv acres of land,
is kept up in a high state of cultivation. The crops of the farm compare favor-
ably with the best. The well filled barns and dwellings complete in their appor-
tionments; fruits in abundance; a ])lace fur e\-erything; and peace and plentv
abound in the Vetters household.
For nine years Mr. Vetters has not enjoyed good health, but rejoices in
the fact that he has lived lo see his family of children well educated and well
started in life with e\-ery indication of making useful men and citizens.
]\Ir. \'etters is one of Hancock county's best citizens; a factor in his com-
munity; a man whose intiuence is toward the right; a man industrious, ener-
gentic and public spirited; a man whose honesty and integritv are bevond
cjuestion.
ED\VI.\ P. WILSON.
Edwin P. Wilson, of Greenfield, for years one of the best-known mer-
chants of that city, is a native son of Hancock county, having been lx)rn in
the village of Eden, in Green township, November 7, 1872, son of James \V.
and Martha (Johnson) Wilson, the former of whom later became a merchant
at Greenfield.
Reared at Greenfield. Edwin P. Wilson attended schools of that city and
had reached the high school when the death of his father interrupted his plans
for a higher education, his time thereafter being devoted to ihe support of his
widowed mother. He secured a position in the mercantile establishment of
the J. Ward W'alker Company and has ever since been actively connected with
872 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
that estal)lishment. He began his service with the company in the capacity
of clerk and gracUially advanced until he presently became a stockholder in
the concern, later Ijeing advanced to the position of vice-president of the com-
pany and general manager of the store, wliich position he now occupies. Mr.
\Vils(jn for 3-ears has given his most thouglitful attention to the business
affairs of Greenfield and has done mucli in the way of promoting the general
commercial interests of the city and of the county at large. He is a Democrat
and also has given a good citizen's attention to kxal political affairs. For
years he was a member of the school Ixiard of Greenfield and sened as secre-
tary of the board during the period 1905-08. in which capacity he was able to
render admirable service in belialf of the city schools and the general cause
of education hereabout.
On October 18. 1894, Edwin P. \\'ilson was united in marriage to Nannie
B. Walker, who was born in Greenfield, daughter of the late J. \\'ard Walker,
for many vears one of the best-known merchants in central Indiana and head
of the company which controls the store still bearing his name and of which
Mr. Wilson is general manager, and to tliis union two children have been
born. Josephine and James W. Mr. and Mrs Wilson are members of the
Bradley Methodist Episcopal cliurch and give their thoughtful attention to
all movements having to do with the general advancement of the cmiimunity
interest. Mr. Wilson is a charter member of the locally influential Temple
Club. He is a Mason, a Knight Teni])lar. member of the blue lodge and the
commandery at Greenfield and of Mural Temple, Ancient .\rabic Order of
the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Indianapolis. He is also a member of tlie
Greenfield lodge of the Knights of I'xtliias and of the Improved Order of
Red Men.
HARRY W. UMBEXHOWER.
llarr) W. rmbenhower, son of .Xbner and h"" ranees (Brown) Umben-
howcr. was born in Madison county. Indiana, in 1SS2. His father was a
native of Miamisburg, Ohio, his mother was born in Madison county. Indiana.
His paternal grandjiarents were Thomas and Lydia (Kuntz) Umbenhower.
both born in Pennsylvania. Thomas Uml)enhower was a merchant in Penn-
sylvania, but removed to Indiana in early times and was one of the pioneer
settlers in Green township, Hancock co'.uuy. The maternal grandfather was
Simeon Brown, of Madison county. Indiana, and followed the trade of a
carpenter. Abner Umbenhower was educated in Hancock county and was
HARRY W. UMBERHOWER AND FAMILY
BIOGRAPJIICAL. 8/3
Vw'tuix ''It Anderson, working- al his trade as a macliinist. ;'.t tlie time of liis
death, lie was a memljer of the Improved Order of Red Men. and also a
member of the Kniglits of Pytliias. His chi!(h-en were: I3urt. Harrv W..
Ethel and Otto.
Harry W. l^mhenhower was educated in tlie puhhc schimls nf (jnen
township, and worked on the farm during his l)oyhood vears. in iqoj he
engaged in the mercantile business in Eden, Hancock ccmnty. in ]):irtnership
with Odd b"u(|ua, under tlie firm name of Iniqua & l,'mbenhower. This jjart-
nership continued until Eebruary. 1915: since that time Mr. Umbenhower has
continued the business in his own name.
On December 22. 1901. Harry W. L'mlienhower w;is married tf) Mary
lnu|ua. daughter of Joseph Fu(|ua. of X'ernon township, Hancock countv,
Indiana. They have one child, Moyd, and are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
Mr. Umbenhower is a member of the l-'ree and Accepted Masons and of
the Independent Order oi Odd Fellows. Mrs. Umbenhower is a member of
the Order of the Eastern Star and the Daughters of Rebekah.
ABRAM C. PILKENTON.
.\l)ram C. Pilkenton was born on a farm one mile west of Fortxille. In-
diana, in Hamilti)n county. He was the son of Jesse !•". and Elizabeth J.
(Cottrell) I'ilkenton. Jesse F. 'Pilkenton was born in .Vnrtb Carolina and
died on August 8, 1886. He was educated and raised in \orth Carolina and
came to Indiana and took up his residence in Hamilton county when a voung
man. He farmed all his life. He married Elizabeth J. Cottrell, who was a
n;iti\e of Indiana and whose |>arents were also farmers. Vhev were the par-
ents of the following children: .\bram C., wiin is the subject of this sketch;
Lydia. who married Marion Brooks, of X'ernon township. Hancock county;
William .\., who is engaged in the mercantile business in McCordsville, Han-
cock county; George, who is a miner li\ing in California: Thomas, who is
working with the street car company of .San brancisco; James S.. who is
engaged in the mercantile business in Oklahoma and the f(>llowing. who are
all deceased: Nancy, who married John I'lunton. w;is born on Julv 3. i84().
and died on I-'ebruary 10, 1881 ; John, who was born nn May i. 1851. and died
on .\ugust 18. 1874; Mary M.. w!io was born on July ig. 1867, and died on
Octol)er 17. 1881 ; Susan J., who married John Anderson, was born on April
8/4 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
24. 1853. and died on October 11, 1914. The mother died on September 3,
1907. Both she and lier liusband were members of the ^^lethodist Episcopal
church. Mr. Pilkenton was a Repubhcan in politics.
Abram C. Pilkenton, the subject of this sketch, was bom on April 7, 1855.
He lived on the farm on which lie was born for fifteen years and at that time
was thrown on his own resources. He worked from that time on at any sort
of manual lalior he found to do until he had received sufficient education to
procure a teacher's license. He then taught school for six years. H-is first
teacher's license was a six-months' license and his second was a three-years'
license — the best that could be granted at that time. He liegan the drug busi-
ness at Fort\ille on Xo\eml)er 7, 1881, and continued there in that business
until June i, 1895, at which time he moved to Greenfield and establi.'^hed a
drug store, at which place of business he remained until April i, 1913, when
he sold his business to W. P. Johnson, who had been in his employ for thir-
teen years. While he lived in Fortville. Mr. Pilkenton served several years
on the school board. He was later appointed one of the trustees of the school
for the blind at Indianapolis. This appointment was made by Gov. \\ infield
T. Durbin on January i. 1902. He was later re-ap])ointed to the .same posi-
tion by Governors Durbin, Hanly and Marshall and still holds the appoint-
ment. At the present time and for several years he has held the position of
president of this board of trustees. He was also appointed and later elected
president of the state pharmaceutical board.
On May 25, 1882, Abram C. Pilkenton was married to Annie F. Brown,
who was born in Salem, Indiana, on January 2j, 1858. She was the daughter
of Robert R. and Marj- T. Brown, who were both born and raised in Salem,
Indiana. They were the parents of the following children : William A., who
resides in Marion. Indiana; Paul D., who lives in Indianapolis; Carl T.. who
is a physician claiming his residence in the state of Texas, Imt who spends
most of his time in tra\eling; Bessie B. Hackell, who li\es at Rochelle, Illi-
nois, and Annie F., who is the wife of the subject of this sketch, and the fol-
lowing, who are deceased: Mary S., Robert A. and Earl. Roljert R. Brown
(lied on April 24, 1899, and his wife died on .September 30. 1907. They were
both members of the Methodist Episcopal clnirch ami Mr. Brown was a Re-
I)ublican in politics.
Abram C. and Annie F. (Brown) Pilkenton are the parents of the fol-
lowing children : Neva Chittick, who resides at Frankfort. Indiana, and who
was born on September 24, 1883 ; Marie, who married S. B. Hughes and
resides in Omaha, Nebraska, was born on February 15, 1885. and Robert
Jesse, who was born on June 17. 1886. and who died in infancj".
mOGKAI'IIICAL. 8/5
Mr. Pilkentoii is a man of varied activities, in addition to tlie activities
already stated lie is a tliirty-secontl degree Mason and was elected for three
consecuti\e times as one of four representatives of ]\Iurat Temple to attend
the Imperial Council, once at Chicago, once at Los Angeles and once at St.
Paul. Minnesota. He is a member of the Columbia Club and of the Marion
Cluh. He has traveled very extensively, having visited every state in the
Union. He also toured Europe in 1905.
CHARLES L. POPE.
Charles L. Pope was Ixirn in Buck Creek township, Hancock county,
December 4, 1850. He is a son of Christian and Sophia ( Rupke) Pope, both
natixcs of (iermany, who were married tliere. Fred Pope, the paternal grand-
father of the subject of this sketch, was born in England and was a soldier
in the English army. He was sent to Germany and was stationed at one place
for seven years and while there he married a German woman ; there they both
died. The civil occupation of the elder Pope was that of a dealer in live stock.
Christian Pope came from Budeburg. Clermany. in December, 1833, and
located in the (ierman settlement in Sugar Creek tow'ishi]), Hancock county.
Soon after he bought forty acres of timlier land in Buck Creek township,
and built on this land a kind of a brush house in which to live. This land
and all surrouncUng land was at that time an unbroken forest in which wild
animals of \arious kinds roamed at will. Wolves were numerous and inclined
to be savage and troublesome lo the ])ioneer settler, especially at night. Mr.
Pope tells how he protected himself from these ferocious animals by building
a fire and keeping it burning all night in front of his isolated brush abode.
He had only fifty dollars to start with and, in order to earn enough to pay
for his land and "keep the wolf from the door" he and his brothers, William
and Frederick, worked on the canal, coming iiome eveiy two weeks. Their
wives would make an occasional trip to Cumlx;rland to purchase the necessary
supply of groceries. By this sort of economy and industry. Christian Pope
made his start in the woods. He cleared the timber from his forty acres and
built a log house in which to live. He manufactured the lumber necessary in
building bv sawing it from logs by hand. Later he purchased an additional
tract of land, consisting of one hundred and seventeen acres, the same that
is now owned by his son. the subject of this sketch. Here Christian Pope and
his wife both died. The\- were members of the German Lutheran church.
876 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Their children were: Christian. Sophia (deceased). Mrs. Mar\' Brindler.
Wilham, Mrs. Laura ]\lyers, Henry. Charles L. and Andrew, deceased.
Charles L. Pope was educated in the schools of Buck Creek and Sugar
Creek townships, and thirteen days in the Lutheran school. His education
was in the German language ; whatever he has of English education is self-
acquired. He came to the farm where he now lives with his father in 1864,
and has lived here ever since, except seven years that he lived in Indianapolis
and worked at the trade of chair-making. He has here ninety-four acres of
good land, on which he lias liuilt two good houses, harns and other Ijuildings.
He was engaged in general farming here for manv years, but retired from
active work alwut 191 1. and turned the management of the farm o\er to iiis
two sons. Andis and Fred. Mr. Pope was married, .August, i(S8i, to Susan
Roberts, of Hancock county: Andis and Fred, named above, are their two
sons. They are memliers of the Lutheran church.
Mrs. Susan (Roberts) Pope is a daughter of Leandcr Roberts, wlio was
born in Richmond. Indiana. May 11. 1829. He was a son of Joseph and
Etta (Cox) Roberts, who were early settlers of Richmond, Indiana. They
came to Center township, Hancock county, in 1843, ''"^' located on a farm of
sixty-tiiree acres, which was cleared and impro\ed 1)y Mr. Roberts. Here he
and his wife made their home during the remainder of their li\es.
Leander Roberts, father of Mrs. Po])e, was educated in Richmond and
followed the occupation of a farmer. He lived for a time in (ireen township,
Hancock county, and later in Madison county. He was a large landowner
in these two covuities, and was largely engaged in stock buying. His wife's
maiden name was Leah Henrv. liorn in \'irginia. a daughter of Samuel and
Attie Henry, who were among the early settlers of Green township. Hancock
county, where they both died. Mr. Roberts was the owner of atout two hun-
dred acres of land in Green township, 'i'he Roberts family were members of
the Methodist Episcopal church.
lOHX H. HITTLE.
John H. Hittle was born near Rusinille, Rush county, on Se])ten.il>er 15,
1863. He is a son of George and Elizabeth ( Briggs) Hittle. George Hittle
was born at that same place on Decemljer 20, 1833, and he was the son of
Nicholas and Susan (Morgan) Hittle. Nicholas Hittle was born in Penn-
sylvania in 1807 and died in Rush count}- in .\ugust, 1867. He was of Ger-
man descent and spent his early life in Pennsylvania and came to Indiana as
BIOGRAPHICAL. 877
d young man and settled in Rusli county, wliere he engaged in farming. He
entered a tract of one hundred and sixty acre.s of land in Jackson township.
Hancock county, ahhougli he never lived there, lie l)ought a one-hundred-
and-si.xty-acre tract near Uushville. which liecame the family homestead. Tliis
was all virgin timber. He first built a log house and a log stable and pro-
ceeded to clear his land and bring it under cultivation. lie suffered all the
privations and hardships of the early pioneers. He later engaged in buying
and selling stock in addition to his fanning interests antl in those days he
dro\e his stock to Cincinnati and personally sold them on the market. He
so prospered that he became quite wealthy, owning at one time about eight
hundred acres of land. He was a tiiember of the Christian church and a
strong Whig and later a Republican. His wife survived him about ten
years, dying in 1877. They were the parents of nine children, four boys and
five girls, of whom George Hittle was the fourth child. Only one of these
children still survives. Mi's. Elmira Keaton, of Fountaintown. It was on the
old homestead of his father that George Hittle was born and it was there that
he spent his childhood and youth and received his education in the t\pical log
school house of the pioneer days. He helped his father on the farm and helped
him in dri\-ing slock to market. He remained at the old home until he was
twenty-se\en years o{ age. at which time he was married to Elizabeth Briggs.
who was Ijorn on March 13, 1833, near Ruslivillc, Indiana, and who was the
daughter of .\ndrew and Martha (Farrow) Briggs, who were likewi.se early
pioneers, both from Kentucky. They had nine children, of whom Klizaljeth
was the fourth, all these being now deceased. .After his marriage George
Hittle, with only twi> hundred and fifty dollars in money, l)ought ninety-six
acres of land near the home place, for which he paid thirtv dollars an acre.
Here he lived until 1871, when he sold his farm and on October 19, 1871.
moved to Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, and bought a tract of one
hundred and sixty acres of land one and one-fourth miles east of New Pales-
tine, on the old Brookville road. This place had only slight improvements,
yet the cost was sixty dollars an acre. Only about half of the place was in
cultivation, but George Hittle cleared up the place and drained and fenced it.
The farm had a good nine- room house, which is still in a splendid state of
preservation. About 1900 Mr. Hittle retired and moved to New Palestine,
where, on December 13. 1903, he died at the age of seventy years. His wife
survived him for onlv a few months and died on June 19, 1904. They were
the ])arents of the follow ing children : Omer X., who resides in Kansas
City: John H., who is the subject of this sketch; Alma E., who was the wife
of .\lbert Parish, and who is now deceased. George Hittle was a Republican
Ojo HANCOCK COUXTV^ INDIANA.
in politics and was a member of tlie Christian clmrcli. His wife was a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church.
John H. Hittle, subject of this sketch, spent his early childhood in Rush
county, where he attended the old MacMillan school. He was only eight
years of age when he came with his parents to Sugar Creek township. Han-
cock county. Here he spent the remainder of his childhood and youth. Aher
finishing the common schools he continued to help his father on the home
place. When he was twenty-one years of age he was married on April 2.
1885, to Alice Rawlings, who was born in Sugar Creek township on Xovem-
ber 4, 1864, and who was the daughter of Stejihen S. and Sallie Rawlings.
To this union one child, .Anna Rearl. was born on September 15. 1886, who
afterward married Guy B. W'estlake. She was the mother of the following
children: Elise, who was born on January 17, 1905; John, .August 28. 1907,
and Keitha, September 2, 191 3. Anna, who was her father's pride and hus-
band's joy, died on April 19, 1915.
On July 23, 1892. John Hittle's first wife died and on Xovember 29.
1893, he was married to Xora Fritts who was born in Moral township, Shelby
county, March 24, 1868, the daughter of John and Eliza (Anders) Fritts.
The former was bom in North Carolina. Alarch 2j. 1830). and his parents
died when he was seven years of age. He was one of nine hoys, all of whom
\vere taken to raise by friends. When John was a young man lie came over-
land to Hancock county. He was later married in Shelby county to Eliza
Anders, who was born in Maryland on September 30, 1838. She moved
with her parents to Ohio when three years of age and later her parents moved
to Shelby county and here she was married. She was one of nine children.
six girls and three boys, all deceased except Elisha. John. Alartha and l^liza.
who was the mother of Xora (Fritts) Hittle. After his marriage, John
Fritts engaged in farming in Shelby and Hancock counties until his death.
He died in Shelby county on July 28, 1891, at the age of fifty-two years. His
wife still survives and resides with her tlaughter. Mrs. Mollie Brown, at In-
dianapolis. Thev were the parents of the following children: Jennie.
Leonard, Xora, Joseph and Alollie, all living, .\fter his second marriage,
John H. Hittle continued to farm the old home place. He has rebuilt his
bam and built his silo, drained and fenced his farm and brought it under a
high state of cultivation until today he has a hundred and twenty acres of as
fine farming land as there is in this part of the country.
Mr. Hittle is a member of the Christian church anil his wife is also a
member of this church. He is a Republican in politics and is a member of the
following lodges: New Palestine Lodge Xo. 404, Free and Accepted Masons.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 879
Xew Palestine Lodge No. 844, Independent Order of Odd Feilows, a charter
member of New Palestine Lodge No. 215, Knights of Pythias, and all the
auxiliaries. Mr. Hittle is one of the substantial citizens of Sugar Creek town-
ship and is considered one of the most advanced farmers in the county.
HEXm' M. L.ANTZ.
Henry M. Lantz. one of the largest landowners of Hancock county, In-
diana, residing on his fine farm in Sugar Creek townslnp, is a native of tiiat
same township, born there, October 28, 1872. a son of Jolin George and Eliz-
abeth (Manche) Lantz. John George Lantz was a German by birth, born
in Plesse, Darmstadt, in 1830. and died at his home in Sugar Creek township
when seventy years of age, December 16, 1900. He was one of those rugged
characters who carved out a career for himself in bis clmsen land, winning a
competence in the face of many obstacles. ;uid d}ing possessed of the confi-
dence and respect of many friends.
John George Lantz emigrated to America in 184Q, wlien nineteen years
of age, making the voyage on one of the slow-going sailing vessels of that
time, spending six weeks on the water. He first settled in Ohio, where, how-
ever, he remained but a short time when the opportunities which Hancock
county, Indiana, presented to an ambitious young man, brought him here. For
a few years he worked at teaming and cutting timber, this portion of the state
being largely wooded at that time, and at the age of twenty-five he was united
in marriage with Elizalieth Manche, a native of Butler count)-. Ohio, born in
1850. For further particulars of the Manche family, the reader is referred to
the sketch of John Manche, a brother, presented elsewhere within these covers.
To John George Lantz and wife were born seven children, two (Benjamin
and Annie) dying in childhood. The others were Mollie, Emma, William,
Nettie and Henry, the latter the immediate subject of this sketch.
After marriage. John George Lantz and his young wife braxely turned
their faces to the task of making a comfortable home for themselves in what
was then little more than a wilderness. They first lived on the old Manche
place, which they rented, and a few years later bought land about two miles
northeast of New Palestine. This was heavily timbered and they first made
a small clearing and erected the customar}- log cabin and stable of the pioneers.
In later years this was replaced by a comfortable residence, good barns and
the acres of wooded lands had given place to a well cleared and cultivated
farm. He added to his holdings from time to time and at death was the owner
88o HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
of one thousand acres of Hancock county's good farm lands. His widow
still survives, making her home with her various children.
Henry M. Lantz first saw the light of day on the old family homestead,
where his childhood and youtii were spent. He attended school near his home,
and after school days were over, continued to assist his father in the work of
his farm. When twenty-one years of age, on Noveml^er 22, 1893, he was
united in marriage with Maude Nichols, who was born in Indianapolis, Feb-
ruary 10. 1874. a daughter of Henry C. and Mary (Irons) Nichols. Henry
C. Nichols was l)orn in Rusii county, this state, a son of the Rev. William
Nichols, a pioneer Methodist Episcopal circuit rider, and for many years
operated a store in New Palestine. In that store young Lantz clerked for a
short time after his marriage and the next spring rented from his father a
part of the old homestead. He farmed that for about six years, or until the
time of his father's death, when he moved to the old Nichols homestead, a
short distance west of New Palestine. Mrs. Lantz later received a portion
of this fami as her inheritance and Mr. Lantz added to it until he had one
hundred and nineteen acres. He owns three hundred and ninety-nine acres in
Sugar Creek township and two hundred and forty acres in Brandywine town-
shi]). which, with one hundred and sixty acres in Deaf Smith county, Texas,
makes him the owner of eight hundred acres of land, all of which is under his
personal management. Also, in addition to his home farm, he manages the
balance of the three-hundred-acre Nichols homestead, putting in on an average
of ninety acres to com. with perhaps seventy-five acres to small grains. He
feeds for the market from sixty to seventy hogs per annum, keeps four or
five milch cows for his own use and usually has about twenty head of good
graded Percheron draft horses. Mr. Lantz follows the latest improved
methods of farming, judiciously dividing his attention between general farm-
ing and the raising of live stock.
The Lantz residence is beautifully situated on the Brookville road, just
west of New Palestine, and is a modern structure of thirteen rooms. The
roomy porches, concrete ilrives, fine lawn and lovely grove of maples on the
east give a delightful impression to the passer-by, which is fully confirmed
upon entering bv the comfortable and ])leasing interior. Tliere are five chil-
dren in the Lantz family, namely: Donald, Frank. Mary, Kenneth and John.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Lantz are members of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and in politics he is a stanch Democrat. He is regarded generally as one of
Sugar Creek township's and Hancock county's most successful and well-
known citizens and is in every respect worthy of the high esteem in which
he is held.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 88l
LORF.XZO D. rOOK.
J^orenzo D. Cook, a wfll-known ami progressive fanner of Brown town-
ship, this county, proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and fifty acres in
'lie Wilkinson neighborhood, is a native son of Hancock county and has lived
here all his life. He was Iwrn on a farm in Brown township, in the vicinity
of his present home, April 26, 1851. son of Joel and Susanna (Rogers) Cook.
Joel Cook was a Virginian, horn in that jiortitin of the Old Dominion
now comprised in West Virgini;;, on October 5, 1795; son of Daniel and
Rosann (Wilhoit) Cook, the former of whom was a son of Adam Cook, who
was born at sea. while his parents were en route to this countrv from Germany.
Daniel Cook was bom in Madison county, \'irginia, his family having a
plantation on the same side of the I'iappahannock rixer as the Washington
family, and when eighteen years of age lie threw in his lot with those of the
patriots who were fighting for freedom from British rule and served in
General Washington's army during the concluding years of the Revolutionary
W'av, being present at the surrender of Cornwallis. In 1792 he was united
in marriage to Rosann \\'ilhoit of German birth, and to that union thirteen
children were born, of whom nine grew to maturity, as follow: .\dam. born
on June 8, 1793, who died on December 17, 1868; Joel, October 5, 1795,
died on March 12, 1870: Rhoda, August 22. 1799, died on April 15, 1878:
Anna, October it, 1801, died on December 14. 1895; David, September in,
1802, died on July 17, 1877; Dinah. September 15, 1803, died on Xovember
2, 1882: Cornelius. September 15, 1805, died on .\ugust 24. 1884: Jemina,
^lay 15. 1808, died on July 2j. 1883, and F.phraini, January 11. 1810. died on
February 10. 1894. The progeny of these several children of Daniel Cook, the
Revolutionary soldier, numbered one hundred and thirteen and the progeny of
the later generation numbers five hundred and forty, great-grandchildren of
the old Revolutionary patriot.
Joel Cook was reared on the old home plantation in \'irginia and received
an excellent education. On June 2, 1820, he married Xancy Farley, who was
torn in Virginia, a daughter of Capt. Matthew Farley, and in 1830 emigrated
to Indiana whh his family, four children having been born to him and bis
wife in the meantime. The family settled in Rush county, where another
child was liorn, and two years later mo\ed to a farm north of Lewisville, in
Henrv county, where Airs. Xancy Cook died on Jime 2. 1835, c.xactlv fifteen
years after her wedding day. leaving five children, as follow: Matthew I".,
born on .\pril r. 1821 : .\ngeline, October 13, 1823: Daniel, July 29, 1826:
John v.. lulv I ;, 1829. and Jane, .\ugust 29. 1832. Later, Joel Cook left his
(56)
&62 ^ HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Henry cuiiniy farm and moved to Hancock connty. settling on a homestead
tract of eighty acres in Brown township. On June i, 183S, he liaving then
been a widower one day less than three years, he married, secondly. Susanna
Rogers, daughter of Nathan Rogers, and to that union ten children were
born, namely: Sarah, born on March 20, 1839; Nancy. December 27, 1S40;
Harrison, December 9, 1843; J*'^'' -^P''il 15. 1847; Alartha. February 26.
1849; Lorenzo D., the subject of this biographical sketch; Rmily, July 16.
1853: Eli, Septeml)er 18, 1855: Cassinda. December 30. 1858, and Mary.
January 15, 1862. Joel Cook remained on t!ie Brown township homestead
the rest of his life, his death occurring on ]\Iarch 12, 1870.
Lorenzo D. Cook was reared on the paternal farm in Brown township
and received his education in district school No. i. He early liegan fanning
on his own account and is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and
fifty acres, which is well improved and profitably operated. He has erected
all the improvements on his place and has an excellent farm house, with a
good bam and other farm buildings in keeping with the same. Mr. Cook
married Elizabeth Reger, daughter of Manley and Geretta ( Surber ) Reger,
and til this union three children have been born, Milo B., who niarrid I'earl
Morris, and has two children, Myrtle and Russell : Porter, who married Mar\-
F. Larkin and has two children, Ruth Virginia and Nomian, and Arva Victor,
Avho married Blanche Green. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are members of the Friends
clnirch and take an earnest interest in all mm-emcnts looking to community
betterment. Mr. Cook is a Democrat. Init has never been an aspirant for
nublic office.
\V.\LTER W. McCOLE.
Walter \V. McCole, a well-known mercliant tailor of Greenfield, this
county, is a native Hoosier. He was born in Xoblesville, this state. June 2,
1869, son of Major Cyras J. and Elizabeth (Metsker) McCole, both natives
of Indiana, the former of whom died at Noblesville in 1912, he then being
seventy-eight years of age, and the latter of whom is still lixing in that city.
Major Cyrus J. McCole gained his title by promotion during his service
as a soldier of the Lnion army in the Civil War. He was reared to a mer-
cantile life at Noblesville and when the Civil War broke out enlisted for
service in the Seventy-fifth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, presently
being prnmoted to the captaincy of his company. He continued to rise and
was mustered out at the close of the war with the rank of major of the One
BIOGRAPHICAL. 883
Hundred and Twelfth Indiana. Major McCole was a well-known merchant
at Noblesville and continued in business there many years. He was a Repuli-
lican and was a pa.st noble grand of the Xohlcsville lodge of the Independent
Order of Odd l'"ellows. He and his wife were members of the Methodist
Episcopal church. To them four children were born, of whom the suliject of
this sketch is the eldest.
Walter \\'. McCole was reared at Noblesville. the citv of his birth, and
received his schooling- in the public schools of that city. He went from there
to Cleveland. Ohio, where he learned the tailor's trade and in 1889 returned
to Indiana and opened a tailoring establishment in Greenfield, where he ever
since has been quite successfully engaged in business. Mr. McCole not only lias
an extensive trade in and about Greenfield, but carries on a large mail-order
business, his custom coming from all parts of Indiana. He is an enterprising
and progressive business man and keeps in close touch with the general tailor-
ing situation as a member of the International Tailors' Societv.
In June. 1885, \\'alter W. McCole was united in marriage to Hattie
Beecher. who was born at Greenfield, dau.ghter of Fred and California
(Offutt) Beecher, and to this union two children have been born, Elizabeth
:ind Frederick. Mr. McCole is "independent" in his political views. He is
a Roxal Arch Mason and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
in the affairs of which organizations he takes a warm interest.
JOHN F. McCRAY.
John F. McCray, a well-known and progressive farmer of Brown town-
'ihip. this county, proprietor of a fine fami of one hundred and thirty acres in
the Wilkinson neighborhood, is a native of Hancock county and has lived here
all his life. He was born on a farm in Brown township, not far from his
present home, November 5, 1866, son of John and Mary I'. ( I'rown ) McCray,
prominent residents of that communit}-.
John McCray was born in Fayette c<junty, this state, November kj, 18J7.
son of Moses and Jane (Sparks) McCray, natives of North Carolina, the
former of whom was born in 1794 and the latter in January, 1801, who were
ihe parents of thirteen children, of whom ten lived to maturity, Phineas. Marv
William. Rachel, John, Stephen. James, Martha, Nancy and Moses. The elder
Moses McCray emigrated with his family from North Carolina to Indiana and
settled in Fayette county, coming thence, in 1835, to Hancock countv. He
884 HAXCOCK COUXTV^ INDIANA.
liomesteaded a tract of laiul in I->ro\vn township and presently became one of
the most extensive landowners in the county, tlie owner of sixteen hundred
acres nf land. He was acli\e in the work of organizing the pioneer com-
munity into a civic entity, was one of the first school teachers in Brown town-
ship and helped to build the first Primitive Baptist church, in that vicinity,
being a charter member of the saine. In his political faith he was an ardent
W'hig and was active in the early political affairs of the county. Moses
McCray ilied on May 5, 1883. His wife had long preceded him. her death
liaving occurred on December 12. 1864.
John McCray was se\'en or eight years old when his parents moved from
Fayette county to Hancock county in 1835 and he grew to manhood on the
homestead fann, doing his part in the development of his father's extensive
interests thereabout. He early began farming <>n his own account and event-
ualU' l;ecame the owner of about five hundred acres of excellent land. In
1854 he married Mary F. Brown, who was born in Culpeper county, X'irginia,
March 17. 183 1. daughter of Samuel B. and Jemima J. Brown, the former of
whom, Ijorn at Winchester, X'ew Hampshire, April 22. 1785. died at his home
in this county. .\i)ril 26, 1863. and the latter, born in Culpeper county, Vir-
ginia, in 1796, died (.)n January 19, 1874. John McCray and his wife were
among the charter members of the Nameless Creek cluirch and later b.ecame
charter members of the Warrington Christian church. .Mr. McCray was not
only acti\e and influential in the religious life of the community, but took an
active part in political affairs. Originally a Whig, he became a Republican
upon the organization of that party and remained devoted to the principles
of that part}-, lie died on ^lay 9. 1915. He and his wife were the ])arents
of eight children, of whonr the suljject of this biographical sketch is the fifth
in order of jjirtli. the others being Alice. Mary J., Samuel X., .\nna, Harriet,
Martha J. and Leora Frances, the latter of wliom is engaged in teaching in
California.
Tohn F. McCrav was reared on the home farm in Brown township and
received his schooling in the ncighljorhooil schodj. He early began farming
on his own account and is the <i\\ner of an excclleiU farm of one buiKhcd and
thirty acres lying in the vicinity of his old home. He is engaged in general
farming and has l)een quite successful, his farm presenting many evidences
of his thoroughgoing and progressive methods.
In October. 1889. John V. McCray was united in marriage to Mary J.
Addison, daughter of S. M. and Flizabeth Addison, of this county, and to
this union two children have been born, daughters both, Harriet E., who died
at the age of nineteen years, and Essie F.. who is a member of Hancock
BIOGRAPHICAL. 885
county's adniirahlc teaching force, a tcaclier in the schools of lier Imnie town-
ship. .Mr. and Airs. McCray and Miss McCray are members of the Christian
chnrch at Warrington and take an earnest interest in the various social and
cultural activities of their home community. Mr. McCray is a Republican
and takes a good citizen's part in the political affairs of the countv. but is not
included in the office-seeking class.
JAMES H. BUSSELL.
James H. Busscll, countv cumrnissioncr of Hancock ciiunt\'. a well-knnwn
and progressive farmer of Brown township, is a native son of this count\- and
has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Brown township, not
far from the site of his present home. July 9, 1863, son of Martin P. and
Sarah ( McOuerry ) Bussell, the former a native of North Carolina and tlie
latter of this county.
Martin P. Bussell was born on December 21. icSj/, Mm of William
Bussell and wife, natives of North Carohna, and was but two vears old when
his parents came to Indiana in 11829 and settled in Wayne county. Ten years
later they moved over into Hancock county and settled in Brown township,
where Martin P. Bussell, upon growing to manhood, Iiought a forty-acre
farm, which he later enlarged, bv purchase, to one hundred and sixty acres
and became a substantial farmer. In 1852 Alartin P. Bussell married Sarah
McQuerry, who was born in Brown township, this county, daughter of James
McOuerry and wife, and to that union fourteen chiklren were born, as fol-
low: Rachael, Sarah, William P.. Martha, .Allen, Louisa. James H , John R.,
Margaret, Edith, Alice and Joseph E., all of whom lived to maturity save
Margaret and Joseph, who died in early youth, and two died in infancy.
Alartin 1'. Bussell was a Democrat and he and his wife were earnest members
of the Christian church, their cbildren being reared in that faith. Martin P.
Bussell died on February 21, 1897.
James H. Bussell was reared on the paternal farm in Brown townshii^,
receiving his education in the neighboring school, and early began farming
for himself. He has a well-kept farm of eighty acres, all the iniiirovemcnts
on which ha\e been erected by himself, aufl he and his family are \ery pleas-
antly situated. Air. Bussell is a Democrat and for years has given his active
attention to local political affairs. In 1910 he was elected county commis-
sioner from his district and was re-elected in 191 2. thus serving two terms
in that imjiortant office.
886 HANCOCK COUXTV, IXDIAXA.
On October 17. 1885, James H. Bussell was united in marriag;e to Dora
Baer, who was born on Septeml)er 15, 1862, daughter of Joseph and Jane
(Johnson) Baer, and to this union five children have been born, namely:
William E., a rising young attorney of Greenfield, who, after his graduation
from the Greenfield high school, attended Indiana University, later entering
the Indiana Law School, from which he was graduated : Stella, wlio is a
member of the excellent teaching corps of the Hancock county pul.lic schools,
and Daisy, Howard and Olen. \lr. and !Mrs. Bussell are active members of
the United Brethren church at Sugar Gro\e and Mr. Bussell has held all the
offices in that church, being the present superintendent of the Sunday school.
He is a member of the Wilkinson lodge of the Knights of I'ylliias and takes
a warm interest in the affairs of that organization.
TOHX E. S:\1ITH.
John E. Smith, one of Brandywine township's best-knriwn and most
progressive farmers, is a native son of Hancock county, having been born on
a pioneer farm in the township in which he still lives and where he has spent
all his life, October 17, 1850, son of Robert and Mary (Powers) Smith, both
members of pioneer families in this section of Indiana, who established their
home in Brandywine township, this county, about the year 1840. and there
reared their family and spent the remainder of their lives, useful citizens of
the community.
Robert Smith was born in Virginia. January' 26, 1808, son of Daniel and
Isaliel (Gilson) Smith, the former of whom, also a \'irginian, was born on
January 9, 1785, and the latter, of South Carolina. January 18. 1783. who
came to Indiana in pioneer days and settled in Fayette county. On April 29,
1841. Robert Smith was united in marriage at Connersville, this state, to
Mary Powers, daughter of William and Margaret (Hendricks) Powers, the
former of whom was the son of Peter and Mary Hendricks, natives of Ten-
nessee. After his marriage, Roliert Smith homesteaded a tract of eighty
acres of land in Brand^'Avine township, this county, erected a log cabin on
the same and there established his home, his father also entering a tract in
the same neighbrohood. Robert Smith was a good farmer and soon had his
place cleared and under cultivation. As he prospered he added to his land
holdings, until he presentlv became the owner of a fine farm of two hundred
and twentv-five acres. He built a sul)stantial brick house, the brick for the
BIOGRAPHICAL. S87
same Ijeing made on his fann, and his family became verv comfurlably situ-
ated. His father died on December 29, 1848, and his mother died on .\ugust
15, 1864. Rolicrt Smitii was a standi Democrat and lie and his wife were
charter members of the church a: ,Mt. Lebanon. Me died on Julv 22. 1877,
and his widow survived hiin for more than twenty years, her death occurring-
on October 3, 1899. They were the parents of ten children, name!}- : William
P., born on March 2, 1842, who died on March 2^, 1879; Margaret 1., June
10, 1844, who died on April 28, 1851 ; Marshall T.. June 4. 1846; Marv J..
October 22, 1848; John E.. the subject of this biographical sketch: Robert
A., January 10, 1853; M^-linda, .April 10, 1855, who married William
Thompson: Sarah Alice, who married Robert H. Archey; .\ndrew J., October
I. 1859, who died in Texas, and Iduna May, May 11. 1862, who married J.
H. Barrett, and is a teacher in the public schools at Greenfield.
John E. Smitli was Ijorn in the little old log house in which his parents
began housekeeping and was a good-sized Ixiy when the new brick house was
built, he taking a hand in moulding the bricks which entered into the con-
struction of the same. His schooling- was obtained in the district school of
his home neighborhood, where he learned the "rudiments" amid conditions
common to the schools of that period in rural Indian;!, his fii'st teacher being
Syhanus Card. From early yt)nth he was an able assistant in the work of
developing the home farm and remained at home until his marriage, after
which he rented land and presently bought twenty-five acres that originally
belonged to his father, paying one thousand two hundred and twenty-five
dollars for the same, besides which his father also had .given him a tract of
fifteen acres. After paying for that tract he C(jntinued to enlarge his land
holdings until now he has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty-seven acres
surrounding his home: an undivided one-thinl interest in one hundred and
ten acres four miles south and a half interest in thirty acres nortlieast: also
forty acres north of his home. His sister is now the owner of the old home-
stead their grandfather entered ui;on locating in this county, the place never
having been out of the family. Mr. Smith has improved his farm in fine
shape and has a modern ten-room house, one of the best in the township,
heated by furance and piped for water and gas, and the other improvements
about the place are in keeping with the same. He has four bams, a windmill
and other excellent farm buildings, the whole place being operated along the
most improved lines of modern agriculture. Mr. Smith is a Democrat and
gives his close attention to local political affairs, (jood roads with him have
been matters of the utmost im|:K)rtance and he has done much toward ad-
vancing the cause of better highways herealxiut. In 1874 he was electfd
888 HAXCOCK COLXTY. IXDIANA.
road supervisor for liis districl ami has served, off and on. in that capacity a
number of times since.
John E. Smith has been twice married. His first wife, who was Dora
Wilkins, died on June 14. 1887. a few days after the birth of her (inly child.
a son, Robert E., and on Octolier 17. 1900. Mr. Smith married, secondly,
Launa B. EUsbun-, daughter of Richard and Jennie (Hendricks) Ellsbury.
Mrs. Smith is a memlier of the church at Mt. Lebanon and Mr. Smith is one
of the supporters of the church, both gi\ing their earnest attention tii neigh-
borhood good works.
Robert Earl Smith, only son of John E. Smith, is living across the road
to the north from his father's home and is farming a place of forty acres very
successfullv. utilizing modern methods in his fanu o])erations. He has a sub-
stantial concrete house and his farm ecpiipment is in full keeping with the
same, including a gasoline engine. Roliert E. Smith married Mollie Brown,
daughter of Robert and Jennie lirown, and has one child, a son. John Robert,
born on March 28, 1909.
JOHN H. C.\RT-TOX.
|ohn H. Carlton was born in Hancock countx' on June 'i. 1873. He is
the son of James and Man*- ( Power) Carlton. James Carlton was born in
Ireland and married Mary Power, who was born in Pennsylvania. She was
the daughter of Jacol) Power, who was a farmer and who spent his last days
in Hancock count}-. Indiana. The father of James Carlton was Daniel Carl-
ton, who was born in Ireland and who came to America with his family. He
w-as a fanner and belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. He married
Xancv McElrov. and they had the following children: Samuel, David. John
X.. Marv P.. Eliza Ann. Thomas. James, who was the father of the subject
of this sketch, and Ellen. James Carlton received little education. He was
three years old when he was brought to .\merica by his parents. He is a
farmer and owns a tract of one hundred and thirty acres in Center township.
He is a member of the Methodist Episcojjal church. He is the father of the
following children: John H.. who is the subject of this sketch: Charles, who
lives in Center township and who married Iva Cox; Marshall, who lives -n
Center township and who married Blanche Harland.
John II. Carlton was educated in the common schools of Hancock
count V. Indiana, and farmed until about igoo. He is a Democrat in politics.
BIOGKAIMIICAL. 889
and was slicriff of tliis county for four vears, from KJ05 to 19C9. He li\(."(l
in Greenfielil during; tlie time he was sheriff, and moved to Maxwell in 1909
and since then has been in the grain and elevator liusiness with l''ranl< Bran-
denburg;, of Greenfield. Indiana.
John II. Carltcin was united in marriage to Mimiie Cooper, who was
bom in Maxwell, Indiana, the daughter of E. L. and Louise (Roberts)
Cooper, the former of whom had a general merchandise store in Maxwell
for twenty years. Mr. Carlton is a member nf the hi<k-pendent Order of Odd
I'ellows Lotlge. and of the Improxed Order of Red Men.
CHARLES T. P.VULEY.
Charles T. Pauley, the son ni Jdseph and Catherine (Snider) Paule_\'.
was Ijorn on the farm in Green township on October jS. 183 1. The father
was a native of Virginia and the mother was born in Pennsylvania. The
Sniders were of Gennan origin and moved to Madison county in early life,
and died there.
Joseph Pauley received but a limited education in the schools of \'ir-
ginia and was bound out to learn the tanner's trade at the age of eight yenrs.
Mr. Sparks, to whom he was bound, came to Indiana immediately and brou.ght
the bov with him. Here young Juseph attended sclmol but nne term and \\;is
put to work on the farm. On reaching matiu-ity he Ijecame the owner of one
hundred and sixtv acres in Madison county, which he sold in 1833, and came
to the fann in Cjreen township where Charles '!". now lives. Here he lived
until his death, at which time he h;.d two hunderd and fifty-five acres. He
was \erv successful and dealt in furs as well as farmed. He went as far as
\'irginia in conducting bis fur business.
To Joseph Pauley and wife were born the following ch'ldren : James P .
Rebecca Jane Snider, Tabitha .\nn Jones, Leannah .Mingie and Rachel E.
Greene. These children were born to his first wife, who died, after which he
was married to Katherine Snider, to this union the following cbiklren were
born: ICdward. who was killed at the Iiattle of Richnicmd. dming the Civil
War; Mary .A. Piper, George M. and Charles T.
Charles T. Pauley received bis education in the schools of liancnck
county, .\fter leaving school he engaged in farming on the old home place
.ind has been here most of his life. He has seventy-seven acres in the home
tract, on which is a fine brick house, erected by his father. .\ large l:arn had
890 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
also been erected, which has been remodeled by the son. Mr. Pauley does
general farming and stock raising.
Charles T. Pauley was united in marriage on February 29. 1879, to
Mary A. Eckhart, a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, and the daughter
of Christian Eckhart and wife. Mrs. Pauley is a member of tlie Lutheran
church. Fraternally, Mr. Pauk-y is a meml)er of Eden Lodge X'o. 477. Free
and Accepted Masons.
GEORGE R. SIDERS.
George R. Siders, a well-known and progressive farmer of Brandywine
township, this county, proprietor of a fine farm of something more than one
hundred and twenty-five acres, is a native of the adjoining county of Rush.
Init has li\ed in Hancock county more tlian twenty years. He was liorn on
January 25, 1865, son of ^^'illiam and Hester (Unrue) Siders, the former a
native of Franklin county, this state, and the latter of Rush county, daughter
of pioneer parents who had come to Indiana from Virginia.
William Siders was the son pf a Virginian who settled in this state in
early days and he grew to manliood and married in Rush county. In 186.;
he enlisted for service in the Union army during the Ci\il War and died from
the effects of eating poisonous food after having gone for days on scan.t
rations during the Nashville campaign and is buried in the national cemetery
at Nashville. He left two children, the subject of this sketch having a sister.
Amanda, who married Thomas Foster and lives in Blue River township,
this county.
George R. Siders grew up in Rush county and his elementary education
was received in the schools of that county, but he received ven- little schooling
after he was twelve years of age. it early becoming necessary for him to
devote his energies to the assistance of his mother. He was trained as a farmer
and has been engaged in that vocation all his life. He married in 1886 and
ten years later bought the farm in Brandywine township on which he ever
since has made his home, and where he and his wife are very comfortalily
situated. Mr. Siders is a good farmer and has brought his place up to a high
state of cultivation. The imjjrovements on the place are of a substantial
character and the farm is well stocked with a high grade of live stock, about
one hundred hogs, a hefrd of twenty Jerseys for dairy purposes and iweKe
or fifteen head of general-purpose horses. He has a fine seven-room house
of modern construction, cement walks about the place; a roomy barn, a silo
BIOGKAl'HICAL. 89!
and otlier farm buildings in keeping and Ihe lalior^ nf liarn work are lightened
by the use of a gasoline engine. The place is well drained and fenced and is
looked ui)on as one of the model farms of that neighborhood. Mr. Siders is
a Democrat and gixes close attention to local political affairs, always atten.d-
ing- the meetings and conventions of his party.
It was in iS86 that George R. Siders was united in marriage to Rebecca
W'hitlock. (laughter of Philip and Nancy \\'hitlock, farmers of Rush county,
who were the parents of fnur children, Mrs. Siders having a brother, John,
who lives at Portland, Oreg'on, and two sisters, Amanda, who married Henry
W'ilhelm and lives in Missouri, and Florence, who married Henrj- !\IcMann
and lives at Rush\ille. this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Siders one son has been
born. Nile, born on March 28, 1893. O" March 29, 1913, Nile Siders was
united in marriage to Elizabeth Bass, daughter of Marshall and Naomi Bass,
of Shelby county, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Siders, as well as their son and
his wife, are mcniliers of the Christian church at Shilnh, Mr. Siders being
one of the officers of the same. He is also a member of the Improved Order
of Red Men and of the Court of Honor and takes a warm interest in the
affairs of those organizations.
lAMES MORAX.
James Moran was born in Rush county on September 27, 1S36. He
was the son of Patrick and Bridget ( Lavel) Moran. both natives cf .Ireland,
who emigrated to America after their marriage, arriving in l\ush county in
1857, where they took up farming. Patrick !\Ioran was born in 1835 and died
on April 17, 1908. His wife died on July 4,, 191 1. They were the parents
of twelve children, all of whom at the present time are living.
After receiving his education in the district schools. James Moran. the
suljject of this sketch, en.gagcfl for awhile in farming. Init at the age of twenty-
three he took up the blacksmith trade, and worked in different shops in the
county until in 1907 he went in liusiness for himself in the shop which he
now occupies.
On August 9, 1893, James Moran was married to Elizabeth Schrader,
who was born in Indianajiolis on September 29, 1856, and who was the
daughter of Rudolph Schrader. a mechanic of Indianapolis. She was one of
eight children, six of whom are still lixing. Her father and mother are both
dead.
892 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Mr. and Mrs. Moran have but one child. Lillian. She received her early
education in the Greenfield schools and later took a musical course at St.
John's school at Indianapolis. James Moran is a Democrat in politics and
at present is chief of the Cireenfield fire department, having been connected
w ith this department for twenty years. The entire Moran family are Catholics.
:\IORRlS COLEMAX BOOXE.
Morris Coleman Boone, one of Hancock county's well-known and i)ro-
gressive farmers, proprietor of a farm in Brandywine township, on. which
he has made his home since 1902, is a native Hoosier. bom in the neighbor-
ing county of Shelby on October 12, 1854. son of Benjamin Harrison and
Ellen ( Paulen)' Boone, both nati\ es of that same county, members of pioneer
families in that section of the state.
Benjamin H. Boone was born in 1830, son of Joseph Boone and wife,
who were among the early settlers of the neighborhood southwest of Shelby-
ville, where their last days were spent. Upon growing to manhood's estate.
Benjamin H. Boone entered a quarter of a section of timl^er land from the
government, which he later sold and with the proceeds bought an eighty-acre
farm, on which he established his home and spent the rest of his life. Though
but a boy when the Mexican \\'ar broke out, he enlisted for sers^ice during
that war and served until discharged on a physician's certificate of disability,
on account of illness. He was a Democrat and served his district for some
time as super\'isor of highways. He was a memlier of the Christian church
and an ardent supporter of the good works of the same. Ele lived to a ripe
old age. his death occurring on March 31, 191 4. For many years he had been
a widower, his wife having died when the subject of this .sketch was a small
boy, leaving eight children, those besides Morris C. being Barnabas and
William T. Boone and Mrs. Zora Isler. a widow: Mrs. Fannie Mount, of
Greenfield ; Mrs. Sally Wood, wife of Charles Wood ; Mrs. Cassie Gaddis,
of Illinois, and Mrs. Susanna Monroe, of Shelby county.
Morris C. Boone grew up on the paternal fami in Shelby county and
received his elementary education in the district schools of that neighbor-
hood, supplementing the same through his busy life by the thoughtful reading
of carefully selected books. He early began working on his own account and
for ten vears was engaged as a farmer for Sylvester Thomas, who gave him
substantial assistance in getting a proper start on his present well-kept and
BIOGRAPHICAL. 893
well-tilled farm of one hundred acres in Brandywine lownshi]). this county,
where he has lived since 1902 and on which he has made all the present sub-
stantial improvements. His place is amply stocked with well-selected live
stock and his nnulcrn nielhods of farminj^- insure him a competence. Mr.
Boone is a Democrat and ever since taking an active part in the county's
political affairs has been an ardent supporter of the principles of that jjarty.
It was in 188 [ that Morris C. Boone was united in marriage to Jemima
E. House, who was born in Shelby county on July 20, i860, daughter of
Maston House and wife, and to this union four children have been born, three
sons, Charles. Frank and Arthur, and one daughter, Bernice, all of whom
received a high school education and all of whom are engaged as teachers
save -Arthur, who is engaged as a traveling salesman for an Indianapolis firm
and who makes his home at Monticello, this state. Mr. and Airs. Boone are
members of the Baptist church and Mr. Boone is a member of the Knights
of Pvthias.
VINCENT L. EARLY
Vincent L. Early was born in Brownstown. Indiana, on August 9, 1852.
a son of Samuel S. and Bertha ( Beem) Early. Samuel S. Early was born in
Tennessee, near Clinch Mountain. He came to Indiana while (|uite young
and settled in Jackson county. He was very prominent in politics all his life
and he was a Democratic oftice-holder almost all his life. He married Bertha
Beem. wlm was born and raised in Jackson county. Her parents were old
residents and farmers of Jackson county, the father was a ranger in the W'ar
of 1912. He accumulated large land holdings and at one time owned almost
a whole township in Jackson county. They were the parents of the following
children: i'rank E., who is a retired merchant of Rnsluille, Indiana: Ida
Hamilton, of Belleview, Kentucky: Newton, who is now deceased, and \'in-
cent L.. the .subiect of this sketch. Samuel S. Early died in 1882 and his
wife died in i860.
X'incent L. Earlv was educated in the public schools of Brownstown and
entered the drug business as a clerk as .soon as he was out of school. He
remained in this position for three years and later went to Indianapolis, where
he worked as a clerk in the Patterson Brothers drug store in that city. He
remained in that position for five years, after which he went to Greenfield.
Indiana, and entered the drug business for himself. After a few changes in
locaticin he finallv. in 1884. took up his present place of business. Here he
894 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
has done a prosperous business and now controls one of the largest stores in
Greenfield. During the winter season there is a force of three people em-
ployed and during the summer months this force is increased. General drug
supplies, paints, wall paper and glass is the stock carried. In addition to this
store, Mr. Early has other interests. He was the oi^iginator of the Building
and Loan Association of Greenfield, and he was also the instigator of the
Greenfield Real Estate E.xchange. which did so much for Greenfield during
the gas boom. It was through this organization that the glass factories, the
plow works and the stove foundries were brought to Greenfield. He was
also the instigator of the present telephone system of Greenfield and partly
controlled this system imtil recently. The first telephone installed in Green-
field was in the Early drug store and the first telephone company consisted
of Mr. Early, Mr.. Cooper and Mr. Hough. ^Ir. Early is a Democrat in
politics, but has profited by the example of his father and has "stayed out of
politics." He is a Mason and is the oldest active business man in Greenfield.
Mr. Early has been twice married. His first marriage was in iSSo, when
he married Lena Gwin, who was a native of Greenfield. To this marriage
the following children were born : Xellie Fort, who lives in Indianapolis,
and Ines May, who is stenographer in Washington, D. C. in the ofiice of
Senator James, of Kentucky. The first Mrs. Earl\- died in 1885, and in 1886
Mr. Early was married to Mrs. Liza (Conover) Fitz, who was born in Green-
field. She was the daughter of James O. Conover, a merchant of Greenfield,
who also had interests in Madisonville, where the daughter received a part
of her education, having received the remainder in the schools of Greenfield.
There was one child, a son, John J., by this marriage. He is a member of the
present drug firm and is eniployetl in the store.
BERLIN \V. M. DIETER.
Berlin W. M. Dieter was born near Charlottesville. Indiana, on May -23.
1886. He was a son of George A. and Josephine (Jeffries) Dieter. George
A. Dieter was the son of John S. Dieter and wife, the former of whom was
born in 'Germany and the latter in New England. John D. Dieter came to
the United States when a young man and settled in the East. Later he moved
to Adams county, Ohio, where he was engaged in the mercantile business. He
died in California and his wife is .still living in Clear Lake, \^'ashington.
They were the parents of the following children : John. Fernandes, George
A., Florence, Rose and Mary.
•BIOGRAPHICAL. 895
George A. Dieter was born in Ailams county, Oliio, on March 20. 1855,
and died in Greenfield, Indiana, on May 7, 1914. He was educated in Ohio
and in Bakimore, Mandand. He was a stationary en.^ineer and engaged in
this occupation in Greenfield. He was a Democrat in politics. He was a
nieniber of the jNIodern Woodmen lodge and had been through ail tiie chairs
of this lodge. Roth he and his wife were members of the Christian church.
They were married on Decemljer 2^. 1884, and had only one child, the sub-
ject of this sketcli. Josephine Jeffries, wlio was the mother of the subject of
this sketch, was bom on December 25, 1856. and is still living with her son in
Greenfield. Her parents were froni Virginia.
Berlin \\'. M. Dieter came to Greenfield when he was four years old.
He received all of his education in Greenfield, and a.fter he left school he
entered the service of the telephone company of Greenfield. He spent about
four years in this service, working for both the Hannah J.-icksun and Morri-
son telephone companies. When he quit the service he was holding the posi-
tion of trouble-man. After a serious illness, which lasted for ten months, Mr.
Dieter bought a half interest in the Elam Leary electrical supplv house. Later
he bought the entire control of this concern and has developed a large and
lucrative business, the only one of its kind in (Treenfield.
Mr. Dieter is a Democrat in politics. He is a member of the Modern
Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias, i le is also a member of
the Christian church.
FRED A. MASTERSON
Fred A. Masterson, member of tlie town council of Shirley, this county,
and proprietor of a prosperous bakery at that place, is a native of Indiana, hav-
ing been bom on a farm in Wells county, this state, August 16, 1872, son of
Daniel Masterson, a Kentuckian, born in 1835, ^^'^^ came to Indiana when a
boy and spent the rest of his life in this state, his death occurring in .\ugust,
191 1, at the age of seventy-six years. He and his v.ife were the parents of
nine sons, all of whom are still living. The mother died when the subject of
this sketch was two years old and the sons thereafter were scattered.
Fred A. Masterson was reared from babyhood in the family of Robert
Drew, in Wells county, this state, and grew to manhood on the Drew fami,
receiving his schooling in the district school in the neighborhood of that home.
When twenty-one years old he left the Drew farm and learned the cigar-maker's
trade, at which he worked for about five years, after which he took up the
896 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
baker's trade and became a \erv ])roficient baker, presently opening a bakery
in Blufftnn, wliere he continued in business for two years, at tlie end of which
time he sold the place to such excellent advantage that he entered the business
of building up bakeries to a profitable point and selling them to advantage, and
was thus engaged for about eight years. On March 18, 1901, Mr. Masterson
set up a bakery at Shirley, tliis county, in ])ursuance of liis general plans, and
found the place so desirable as a place of residence tliat he had no desire to sell
his establishment and has ever since made his home there and is still quite suc-
cessfully operating his bakery. Mr. Masterson is a Democrat and ever since
locating at Shirle_\- has taken an acti\-e interest in civic affairs and is at present
serving as a member of the town council.
On June 24, 1903, Fred .\. Masterson was united in marriage to Maud
M. Houck, daughter of Al)rahani and Martha P. (Orr) Houck, the former
of whom is a well-known druggist at Shirley and the latter of whom died in
1898. To this union two children have been born, one of wimm died in
infancy, the second being C. Max, born on February 20. 191 1. At the time
of her marriage Mrs. Masterson was tlie leading milliner at Siiirley and for
years has taken a jjrominent part in the social and cultural affairs of her home
town. Mr. and Mrs. ^lasterson are members of the Christian church and take
an active part in the various beneficences of the same, as well as in all local
good works. Mr. Masterson is a Knight Templar Mason, a member of the
commandery at Kniglitstown, and is also a member of the Benevolent and Pro-
tective Order of Elks and of the lnde])endent Order of Odd Fellows, in the
affairs of all of which organizations he takes a warm interest.
HKXm- TllI-:Oi)ORE HL'BER.
Henry Theodore llul)er, a native of \\a\ne county, was Ixirn on June
3. 1857. and was the son of Henry and Catherine (Clinginman) Huber, both
of whom were nalixes of Lancaster, Pcnnsyhania. Tlie father of Henry
Huber, Sr., moved to Wayne county, where he was engaged in the making
of clocks. He died tliere, wliile his wife i)assed away at the home in Penn-
sylvania.
Henrv Huber, tlie father of Henry Theodore Hulier, received his edu-
ca.tion in the schools of Lancaster, .\fter completing his education he learned
the cigar-making trade and came to Indiana about 1850 after following his
trade at Lancaster for some time, .\fter settling in Wayne county he con-
HEXRY T. HLUEK AND FAMILY
BIOGRAPHICAL. 897
tinned to work at liis trade, in Cambridge City, until 1885. and then la'er
seciired sixteen acres east of Germantown, wliere lie farmed until his deatli.
Mis wife also died at the home here. They were the parents of nine cinldren.
eit^ht of whom are still living. The wife and mother was a memjjer of the
-Mbright church: the father, while not a member, was a liberal supporter of
the Lutheran church. The maternal grandfather was Samuel Clinginman.
a native of Germany, who settled in Wayne county, where he and his wife
lived until death. They had four children, one of whom. Rebecca, is now
living in Wayne county.
Henry Theodore Huber received his education in the schools of Ger-
mantown and later took up farming- in Wayne county. In February, 1886.
he came to Hancock county, where he bought thirty-si.x acres where he now
lives. He has since bought additional land and now owns one hundred and
twelve acres, which is well improved and has good and substantial buildings.
In 1885 Mr. Hul)er was married to Elma Catherine W\'igner, a native
of Wa\-ne count\- ruid a daughter of Edward and .Mary (Crick) Wagner.
-Mr. Wagner was a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, and Airs. Wagner
was bom in German. The parents of Edward Wagner, Jacob and Elizabeth
(Gottle) Wagner, were both natives of Berks county, Pennsyhania. The
father of Jacob \\'agner. Jr.. was a native of Germany and moved to Berks
county, where he later died. Jacob Wagner, Jr.. moved to Wayne county in
an early day and there he ac(piired a farm of one hundred and sixty acres,
before his death.
Edward Wagner moved to Wayne county with his ]);irents from Penn-
sylvania and later removed to Adams count v and then hack to Wavne county.
where he and his wife died. He was during most of his life interested in the
ownership and operation of a grist- and saw-mill. He and Mrs. Wagner were
the parents of ten children. They were members of the Lutheran church
ami took an active interest in all church work.
Henry Theodore Huber and his wife are the jjarents (jf the following
children : .\lva. the wife of H. C. Rains, of Lawrence. Indiana, and Horace
Henry, who married Latee Jackson, is the owner of a garage at Pendleton.
Mr. and Mrs. Rains are the ]iarents of four children: Leland K.. Esther M..
Wilbur Paul and Janice.
Mrs. Huber is a member of the Lutheran church and the Daughters of
Rebekah. while Mr. Huber is a member of the Inde])endem Order of Odd
Eellows. the Rebekahs. the Blue Lodge and chapter of the Free and .\ccei)ted
Masons, Red Men and Haymakers. He is a member of the central com-
mittee of the Democratic partv organization.
(57^
S98 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
ABRAHAM S. HOUCK.
Al)rahani S. Houck, well-known veteran druggist at Shirley, tliis countv.
is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Adams county, that state, February 8,
1848. son of George and Mary (Wirtz) Houck. both natives of that same
state, the fonner bom in York county in 1798 and the latter in Adams county
in 1805. who were the parents of thirteen children, three of whom arc still
living tlie subject of this ketch having two sisters living, Mrs. E. Bowers, of
Indianapolis, and Mrs. Johnston, of Centerville, this state. George Houck
died in Centerville, Indiana, in 1883. and his widow sun-ived until 1901, she
being ninety-six years of age at the time of her death.
.•\braham S. Houck was reared at Centerville. this state. recci\ir.g Jiis
elementary education in the sclwols there, one of his school teachers having
been Professor Shortridge, after whom the Indianapolis high school bearing
that name was named. He later attended for three tenns the old Whitewater
College, at Centerville, after which he resumed his place on the farm, where
he remained until 1868, in which year lie engaged in the grocery business and
.'I year later moved to Cambridge City, where he was engaged in the furniture
and undertaking business until 1876, when he went to Kansas, locating at
Emporia, where he was engaged in the same line until 1885. He then moved
to Great Bend, same state, and after a residence of some years there, during
which time he was engaged in the drug business, he returned to Indiana and
was located at Indianapolis until he came to this county and embarked in t!ie
drug business at Shirley in i8g6. Leaving his son in charge of the store there.
Mr. Houck presently \\ent to Kansas City. Missouri, where he was engaged
in the drug business for four years, at the end of which time he went to
Mexico, where for three years he was engaged in looking after mining inter-
ests wdiich he had acquired in the meantime. In 1910 he returned to Shirley,
resumed his drug business there and has been thus engaged since that time,
being one of the best-known and most influential merchants of that place.
Mr. Houck has l>een twice married. In 1873 he was united in marriage
to Martha P. Orr, of Cambridge City, who died in 1898, leaving three chil-
dren, Maud, who married Fred Masterson, of Shirley; Minnie L., now prin-
cipal of the native .schools on the Island of Ceylon, and Clarence D.. a i)ros-
perous druggist at Hartford City, this state. On January 1, 1900. Mr. Houck
married, secondly. Mrs. Lucy Wiggins, of Carthage, this state. .Mr. Houck
i-^ a member of the Chri.stian church, while his wife is a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church, and they take an active interest in the general good
works of their home communitv. For rears Mr. Houck was affiliated with
BIOGRAPHICAL. 899
tlie li'ienexolent and Protective Order of Elks and with the Improved Order
of Red Men, hut u])iin going- to Mexico permitted his memljerslii|> in l)Otii
orders to lapse.
GEORGE E. CONDO.
George E. Condo, undertaker and funeral director at Wilkinson, this
county, is a native son of Indiana, born at East Germantown, this state, Fel>-
ruary 4, 1874, son and only child of Jacob and Elizabeth (Snyder) Condo, the
former of whom also was a native Hoosier and the latter a native of the state
of Maryland, both of German descent.
Jacob Condo was born near Germantown on .\pril 9, 1844, and became a
general farmer. He married Elizabeth Snyder, who was born at Charrotsville,
Maryland, June 29, 1853, and who had received an excellent education in both
English and German schools in the East before coming with her parents to
Indiana. Jacob Condo and his wife were earnest members of the Evangelical
church. He was a Republican and gave a good citizen's attention to political
affairs. He died on his home farm in September, 191 1.
George E. Condo obtained his schooling in the schools of East German-
town and for a short time was occupied on his father's farm, but presently
became employed by a furniture dealer in Indianapolis and was thus engaged
for two years, at the end of which time he returned to East Germantown and
was there employed for six years as a blacksmith. In the meantime he had
determined to become an undertaker and went to Chicago, where he took a
course in the Chicago Embalming College, one of the first institutions of that
character established in the United States, from which he was graduated on
October 22, 1898. Thus equipped for the practice of the calling to which he
had devoted his life, Mr. Condo went to Cambridge City, this state, where for
two years he was employed in the \\'right undertaking establishment. After
this practical experience he decided to enter business for himself and came to
this county, locating at Wilkinson, where he opened an undertaking establish-
ment in 1900 and has ever since been thus engaged in that thriving village.
Mr. Condo is a Republican, but does not take an active part in political move-
ments. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church and he is one
of the trustees of the church.
Mrs. Condo, who was Nellie E. Lyons before her marriage, was born in
East Gennantown, this state, l-'ehruary 14, 1879. daughter of Henry and Eliza
(Earhart) Lyons, both of Dutch descent, the former of whom was born in
900 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Pennsylvania. She recei\ed lier education in the schools of East (jerman-
town and was living on the parental farm near there when she married Mr.
Condo. To that union two children have been born, Mar\-, born in 1903, and
Harold, born in 1907. Mr. Condo is a ^Nlason, a member of the Knights of
Pythias, of the Odd Fellows and of the Red Men and has "been through the
chairs" in tiie latter two organizations. He is regarded as one of Wilkinson's
most active and progressive business men and takes a warm interest in all
movements iiaving to do with the a<!\ancement of tlie Iiest interests of that
village.
TOHX MARCEE SMITH.
John Marcee Smith, a well-known farmer and live-stock dealer, of Center
township, this county, is a native son of Hancock county, born on the farm on
which he now lives, January 6, 1853. son of Abner and Martha (Griffith)
Smith, the former also a native of this county and the latter of the state of
Ohio.
Abner Smith was born on a pioneer farm in Center township, this county.
August 31, 1831, and when five years old was l>ereft of his father by death.
His youth therefore was marked by toil and he liad little opportunity to
secure an education. He became an e\])ert w 1 lodchopper and when the rail-
road was pushed tiirough this count}' he secureil the contract to supply wood for
the locomotives, which at that time used wood for fuel instead of coal. The
railroad company paid him in land wiiicli he thus cleared of the forests and
he thus became a landholder, obtaining a footing upon wliicli liis later success
as a farmer was based. Abner Smith also secured the contract for grading
the old National road through this section of tlie state and thus got a further
start. On Xo\eml)er 31. 1831, he married Martha Oiffith, liorn in May.
1829, whose parents came to this county from Ohio in 1830. and to tiiis union
two children were born, the subject of this sketch liaxMUg a sister, Margaret
J., who married F. L. Broughard. a prominent farmer of this county. Abner
Smith was a Republican and ins wife was an earnest meml)er of the Methodist
church, for man\' years Ijeing among the leaders of this congregation.
John M. Smith was reared on the Iiome farm in Center township and has
lived there all his life. He received his schooling in the district school in the
neighborhood of his home and from boyhood was a valuable assistant to his
father in the labors of the farm. He developed into an excellent farmer and
has done well in his operations. In addition to general farming he long has
lilOGKAl'IIUAL. 901
been actively interested in the live-stock business and has been quite a success-
ful dealer in that line. Mr. Smith is a Republican and gives earnest attention
to local political affairs, but has never been a seeker after public office. He
and his wife are members of tlie Melluidist church and take a warm interest
in the affairs of their church.
Mrs. Smith, whose maiden name was Eldora Hauk, was born in this
county on Sejitember 30. 1S60. daughter of James H. and Mary Jane (Mc-
Amel) Hauk, the former of whom was Ijorn in Oliio in 1824 and the I,-ittcr in
this county in 1829. James H. Hauk was but a l)o_\- when he came with his
parents from Ohio to Hancock county and he grew up here on a farm and
became a substantial and influential citizen. He was a Re]niblican and a
member of the Masonic order. He and his wife were the parents of nine chil-
dren, of whom seven are still living, those besides Mrs. Smith being Da\id F..
Henry L.. Anna, Catherine, George O. and Charles H.
Mr. and Airs. Smith are the parents of the following children : Hosia,
Hazel, Herschell and Hallie. Hosia helps his father on the farm. Hazel
married George Ashcraft and lives in this township. Herschell served three
years in the navy and is at home. Hallie is also at home. All the children
attended high school.
Mr. Smith feeds about one hundred and fifty or two himdred hogs a
year and about sixty head of cattle. The beautiful home was erected before
Mr. Smith bought the i)lace, but the large barns and outbuildings were erected
In' him. He specializes in slu^rtjiorn cattle.
JOHX F. CLSHMAX.
John !•". Cushman was born in Vernon township, at the Cushman JKime,
east of Fortville, March 2, 1847. He is a son of Isaac and Sarah J. ( Pritchett)
Cushman. his father a native of PennsyKania. his mother of Ohio. His
paternal grandparents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Jenkins) Cushman.
Thomas Cushman was born in England and came to America with fnur broth-
ers about 1832, he located in Pennsylvania and his brothers in Xew York and
other eastern states. He engaged in farming in Pennsylvania for several
years, and, in 1838, removed to Hancock county and bought a farm east of
Fortville. adjoining the farm on which the subject of this sketch wa> Imrn.
and on which he spent his boyhood years. On the maternal side, George and
Nancy ( Caudell ) Pritchett were the grandparcius of t!ie sul;ject of this
902 HANCOCK COLXTY, INDIANA.
sketch. They were both natives of Ohio, but came to Indiana in early times,
about 1838, locating in Vernon township, Hancock county, in the neighbor-
hood of the Cushman home. George Pritchett was a soldier in the War
of 1812.
Isaac Cushman was educated in Pennsylvania and came to Iniliana with
his parents when he was about twenty-one years old. He located in \'ernon
township, bought a farm and built a home and engaged in farming. He
had a farm of one hundred and forty acres on which his home was located,
and also owned another tract of eighty acres, which is now owned and occupied
as a home Ijv his son, John F. Cushman, the subject of this sketch. The other
members of his family are Diana Houp and Mary Bolander.
John F. Cushman was educated in the schools of V^ernon township. His
school advantages were somewhat limited because of his father not having
good health, making it necessary for the lx)y to do a good share of the farm
work. I'rom the time he was eleven years old he worked on the farm and took
entire cliarge of the farm before he had attained his majority. He cleared
nearly all the land on the old home place and contributed a full share of thf
work in converting the unbroken forest into cultivated fields. He now owns
the farm of one hundred and eight acres on which is located his present home-
stead, and a forty-acre tract near by, all of which he cultivates in general farm-
ing. Mr. Cushman has been twice married. His first wife was Mary C.
Moon, daughter of William Moon, of Madison county, to whom he was mar-
ried in 1871. To this union four children were born: William, Sarah H.,
Harry and Anna M. He was married, secondly, in 1890, to Mary J. Price,
daughter of Thomas Price, of . Buck Creek township, Hancock county. The
first two children by this marriage. Ila and John, are dead; Russell is the only
Hving child. IMr. Cushman's affiliation is with the Baptist church.
ISAAC W. CAHILL.
Isaac W. Cahill, son of John and Jane (Wilson) Cahill, was born in
Greenfield, Indiana, May 31, 1856. His father was a native of Ireland and
his mother of Ohio. She was a daughter of Isaac Wilson, who came from
Ohio to Center township, Hancock county, in the early days and located on
eighty acres of land in Center township, on which he built a home, cleared
and improved the land and engaged in farming. Here he and his wife both
died.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 9O3
John Cahill was educated in Ireland and came alone to America, in 1848,
when he was seventeen years old. Dependent entirely upon his own resources,
he started to make his own way in the new country to wliicli lie had come. He
began this undertaking on a tract of unimproved land in Hancock county, a
large part of which was considered untillal)le because of being wet and swampy.
By underdraming. tiling and ditching, this land was made tillable and became
highly productive, equal to the best in the county. By industn- and enterprise
John Cahill accumulated a fann of two liundred and ten acres. He built a
good home and otlier necessary farm buildings and continued to live here
until liis death. In liis early days he worked for a time in county offices, in
Greenfield, but practically all his life was spent on the farm. He served for
a time as township supervisor, and was always active in township affairs.
During the last year of the Civil War he =;erved as a soldier in the Union army.
He was the father of si.x children, four of whom are still living: Mary R.,
Isaac \\'.. John and Ellen.
Isaac ^\'. Cahill was educated in the common schools of Center township,
and worked on the farm when not attending school. He lived on the home
place until he grew to manhood when he began farming on his own account.
He now has two hundred and ninety-one acres, one liundred and thirty of
whicli are part of his father's old farm. He has been engaged in general
farming for many years, but is now retired from acti\-e work, his farm being
culti\ated b}- renters. Tlie Cahill family are members of llie United Brethren
church.
JOHN P. BLACK, ^I. D.
Dr. Joim P. Black, well-known physician and oculist at Greenfiekl, this
county, who has been engaged in practice there since the year 1890, is a native
Hoosier, having been bom in the village of Jay. in Jay county, i'ebruarv 8,
1853, son of Michael and Jeanette ( \\'hite) Black, both natives of Ireland, who
later Iiecame well-known residents of this county, the former for main- vears
being one of the best-known ministers of the Methodist church in this part of
the state.
The Rev. Michael Black was a native of County Sligo and he grew to
manhood diere, being trained to the tailor's trade. He married leanette
White, who also was born in County Sligo, and immediately thereafter he and
his wife came to the United States, landing at the port of Xew York after a
three-months trip on a sailing vessel. Upon their arrival in this countr-v,
904 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Michael Black and his wife located at Morristown, Xew Jersey, where for
some time he conducted a tailor siiop. presently coming to Indiana and settling
at the village of Pennville, in Jay county. About that time Michael Black had
become converted to the Methodist faith and so strongly was he influenced
by his new faith that he felt it his duty to become a preacher of the Gospel.
He was a man of much reading and of natural elotjuence and soon became
known as a preacher of power. Upon liis admission to the northeastern
Indiana conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, the Rev. Michael Black
was given charge of a circuit comprising a number of charges in and about
Hancock county and he then, in the late fifties, established his home in this
county, where his wife died in 1867, she then being fifty-three years of age.
In 1870 the Rev. ^lichael Black left Indiana and went to Florida as a mission-
ary of the Methodist church, where he spent the remainder of his life, devot-
ing his best energies to the extension of the cause of Methodism in that state,
his memor\- lieing cherished there as one of the most active inHuences in the
general establishment of the churcii in liie state. His death occurred in 1887,
he then being eighty-one years of age, and he had been actixe in his ministry
almost to the last month of his life. During the Civil War .Mi . Black recruited
a company for ser\'ice in behalf of tlie Union cause, but there was no call for
the same. He was an ardent Repul)iican and for years was an actixe memlier
• if the -Masonic order. He and his wife were the parents of nine children,
namely: William, of Danville. Illinois; Jan;es B.. a resideiu of Indianapolis:
George W.. deceased; Margaret E., widow of W. W. Willing, of Indianapolis;
Richard A., deceased; Levi Robert, deceased; John P., the immediate subject
of this biographical sketch; Martha, of Indianajiolis. widow of V. M. Gipe. and
one who died in infancx'.
John P. Black received his early education in the old Cireenfield seminary
and afterward extended his schooling in various other places. He then t(,)ok
a course at Hanover College and later entered the Indiana .Medical College,
from which he was graduated in 1880, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine.
W'ith a view to a further extension of his medical studies. Doctor Black then
went to New York City and entered the Polyclinic Institute, from which he
was graduated in 1885. Thus e(|uipped for the ]iractice of his profession.
Doctor Black located at Peabody, Kansas, where he remained for three years,
at the end of which time he went to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was engaged
in practice for two years. He then, in 1890, returned to Greenfield antl
opened an office in the Lee C. Thayer building, where he ever since has been
located and where he has built up a fine practice. Doctor Black, though
actively engaged in general practice, makes a specialty of treatment of dis-
BIOGRAl'lllCAL. 9O5
eases of the eye, ear. iK)se and tliroat and as an ncidist has practicallv all the
business in tliat line in Greenfield. Doctor Black is secretary of the local
board of health and is president of the Hancock County Medical Society.
During his residence at St. Paul he also was an acti\c menil)er of the Minne-
sota State Medical Association. The doctor is a I\ei)uhlican and has e\er given
a good citizen's attention to local political affairs.
In November, 1881, Dr. John P. Black was united in marriage to Clara
Hart, who was bom at Knightstown. this state in iS3(), daughter of .Andrew
J. and \^iola (Haynes) Hart, the former of whom was a cabinet-maker and
photograpiier at Knightstown until he moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where
he now lives, and to this union five children ha\e l)een born, all of whom are
living, as follow: Walter A., an electrical engineer at Indianapolis; James B.,
a civil engineer at St. Louis: Laura B., who married Virgil Leech and now
Ii\-es in Boston. Massachusetts: Margaret, librarian of the Brightwood
branch of the Indianapolis public liljrary, and Jolm Nelson, a student al Pur-
due University, all of whom were graduated from the Greenfield high school
before taking up their more e.xtended studies. Doctor and Mrs. Black qnd
their children are members of the Presbyterian church and have ever taken
an interested part in the \arious social and cultural activities of their home
and are held in tiie highest esteem hereabout. Doctor Black is the official
physician of the local lodge of tlie Order of Lagles.
JOHX BOYD HIXCHM.VX.
John Boyd Hinchman, city attorney of Cireenfield. former mayor of that
city and one of the lx;st-known lawyers of Hancock county, is a native son
of this county, ha\ing been born in Greenfield, where he now resides, May
i_^. 1S76, son and onl\- child of John M. and l-luima R. (Boyd) Hinchman,
both natives of this county and i)r(jminenl residents of Greenfield, who are
.still living there, hale and hearty at a ripe old age.
John M. Hincliman was horn in Center townsjii]). this count}-, in the
immediate neighborhood of Greenfield, .son of John Hinchman and wife,
\'irginians. who had settled here at an early day and had become well-known
and iuHuential residents of this community. John M. Hinchman was trained
to a commercial life in his youth and has been engaged in business in (ireen-
field all his active life, being now tlie oldest merchant in continuous service
in the citv. His wife also is a member of one of the old families of the countv
yoG HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
and both have been active in good works for many years, enjoying the esteem
and respect of the entire community. John i\I. Hinchman is an ardent Re-
pul^Hcan and in his earlier years took a prominent part in the pohtical activities
of the cuunt}". He is a ]Mason and for years has taken a warm interest in the
affairs of that ancient order in Greenfield.
John B. Hincliman was reared at (Greenfield, receiving his elementary
education in the public schools of that city, and was graduated from the
Greenfield high school in 1895, following which he spent a year in the Indiana
University at Bloomington. He later took a course in the Indiana Dental
College and for three years practiced that profession in his home town. He
then was elected mayor of Greenfield and for four )ears served very accept-
ably as cliief executive of the city, during which time he gave his attention
seriously to the study of the law and at the conclusion of his term of mayor
al)andoned his dental office and actively engaged in the practice of law, in
which lie has been engaged ever since. Upon leaving the mayor's office Air.
Hinchman was appointed deputy prosecuting attorney for this judicial district
under Prosecutor Edward T. Quigley and after two years of this CDunection
he and Mr. Quigley fonned a partnership for the practice of law, which was
successfully continued until in June. 1915. He tlien was ap])ointed city
attorney, for a term of four years, and is now serving the city in that im-
portant capacity. Mr. Hinchman for years has been one of the leaders of
the Democratic party in Hancock county and for some time was chairman of
the Greenfield city central committee of that party, in which position he ren-
dered valuable service in behalf of the party.
On December 6, 1899, John B. Hinchman was united in marriage to Bess
Burge, who was born at Mt. Carmel. Indiana, December 13, 1877, daughter
of Robert and Alice Burge. the former of whom is a well-known photogra-
pher in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Hinclunan have a very pleasant home at 114
Fifth street and long have been regarded as among the leaders in the social
and cultural life of the city, licing held in high esteem by their maiiv friends
throughout the county. Tiiey are attendants at the Presbyterian church and
take a proper interest in all worthy movements having to do with the advance-
ment of the general welfare. Mr. Hinchman is a thirty-second degree Mason,
a member of the blue lodge of that order at Eden, this county; a member of
the chapter of the Royal Arch Masons, at the same place: a member of Green-
field Commandery Xo. 39, Knigiits Templar ; a member of the Indianapolis
consistory of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, of the valley of
Indianapolis, and of Murat Temple. Ancient .Arabic Order of the Xobles of
the Mystic Shrine, of the oasis of Indianapolis, desert of Indiana. He is a
BIOGRAPHICAL. 99/
charter meinljer of the Eagles lodge at Greenfield : a member of Eureka lodge.
Knights of Pythias, in the same city, and of the Greenfield lodges of the Red
Men and of Ihe Haymakers. Mr. Hinchman is also a member of the college
frateniiiy. i'hi Gamma Delta, a relation established during his uni\crsily
days at Blonnn'ngton. and continues to take an acti\e part in the deliberations
of that wpular fraternity.
GILDEROY C. \MNSLO\V.
Gilderoy C. \\'inslo\v. county sur\-eyor of Hancock county and who for
fifteen years was one of the best-known school teachers of this county, is
a native son of Hancock county. He was lx)rn on a farm in Jackson township
on February 2, 1877, son of Henry and Sarah (Clayton) ^^'inslow, the former
a native of North Carolina and the latter of Iowa, long prominent residents
of Center township, this county, where they arc still living.
HcnrA- \\'inslow was two years old when his parents came from North
Carolina to Indiana and he has made his home in this state ever since. The
family first settled in Henry county, but presently came over into Hancock
county and settled in Jackson township, where a permanent home was estab-
lished, and there Henry Winslow was reared. He became a farmer and has
remained so all his days. In 1863 he enlisted for service in the L'nion army
during the Civil War and served for two years as a member of Company B,
Twenty-second Regiment, Indiana \'olunteer Infantry. Upon the completion
of his military service he returned to Hancock county and began farming in
Center township, continuing thus actively engaged until his retirement. Mrs.
Winslow was but a child when her ]);n-ents came to Indian from Iowa and she
was reared and educated in Hancock county. Mr. \\'inslow is a Democrat
and for years has taken an interested part in local political affairs. He is an
active memljer of the Grand Army of the Republic, in the affairs of which he
takes a warm interest. To him and his wife seven children were born, of
whom the subject of this sketch is the third in order of birth, and all of whom
are living save one.
Gilderoy C. Winslow was reared on the paternal farm in Jackson town-
ship and received his early education in the district schools in the neighbor-
hood of his home. As a young man he began teaching school and was thus
engaged for fifteen years, teaching in the schools of Center township, during
which time he turned his attention to civil engineering. He was graduated
from the engineering course of the International Correspondence .School and
908 HAXCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
for about nine years served as deputy county surveyor of Hancock county, in
this capacity helping to lay out many of the roads in this county. In Novem-
ber, 19 1 2, Mr. Winslow was elected surveyor of Hancock county, as the nomi-
nee of the Democratic jjarty, .ind in 1914 was re-elected to tliat imjxM'tant
office.
On October 6, 1895, (lilderoy C. Winslow was uniteil in marriage to
May VanMeter, who was born in Jackson lownshi]), tliis county, December 19,
1878, and to this union one child has been born, a son, Ral])!i, who was grad-
uated from the Greenfield high school and is now' attending Indiana Univer-
sity. Mr. and Mrs. Winslow take a proper interest in the general social
activities of their home town. Mr. Winslow is a member of the Greenfield
lodge of the Improved Order of Red Men and takes a warm interest in the
affairs of that organization.
JOHN A. TURK.
John A. Turk, custodian of the Hancock county court house and one of
the best-known men in this county, is a native son of Hancock county, having
been born on a farm in Center township on March 1 1, 1865. son of Moses and
Rachel E. (Meek) Turk, the former a nati\-e of Virginia and the latter of this
county. Moses Turk, who was Ixjrn in the early twenties of the past century,
came to Indiana from Virginia when a young man and settled in Wayne
county, later coming over into Hancock county, where he married and estab-
lisiied iiis home in Center townshij). where he spent the remainder of bis life,
his death occurring when he was sixty-five years of age. He was a Mason
and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Protestant church. ]\Irs.
Rachel E. Turk was the daughter of Jeremiah Meek, one of the pioneers of
Hancock county, who donated to the county the ground on which the Hancock
county court house stands. Moses Turk and wife were the parents of six
children, of whcmi but two now survive, the subject of this sketch, who was
the last born, having a sister, Minnie, wife of W. \\ . Eastes, of Owen county,
this state.
John A. Turk was reared on his father's farm and received his schooling
in the district school in the neighborhood of his home and in the Greenfield
schools. He grew up as a farmer and was engaged in that vocation until he
was twenty-eight years of age, when he sold his farm and mo\ed to (Green-
field, having married in the meantime, and has made his home in that citv ever
BIOGRAPHICAL. 9O9
since. For tlie first two years after moving to Greenfield Mr. 'i'urk was
engaged in the sale of musical instiinnents. He then became llie proprietor
of a laundr\- and was tluis engaged for five years, after wliicli he was engaged
in various enterprises until his a])pointment to the res])onsible ])osition of
custodian of the Hancock counl\- court house in 1913. wiiich jxisition he still
occupies. Mr. Turk is a Democrat and for years lias given thoughtful atten-
tion to tile political affairs of the county.
In 1893 John A. Turk was united in marriage to Nora E. Alfrey, who
was born in Marion county, this state, July 7, 1876, and who came to this
county with her parents when she was a young girl, and to this union one child
has been born, a son, Donivan Arthur Eugene. Mr. and Mrs. Turk are mem-
bers of the Methodist Protestant church. ^Ir. Turk being one of the office
bearers in that church. Mr. Turk is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a Red Man
and he and his wife are both members of the Pocahontas degree of the latter
order.
ALLEN F. COOPER.
Allen F. Cooper, county treasurer of Hancock county, who is now serving
his second term in that important and responsible office, is a native son of
Hancock county, ha\ing !)ecn lioni on a farm in Center townshi]). Xovember
TO, 1862. son of Harrison L. and Mary A. (Johnson) Coojjer, the former of
whom also was a native of this oonnty and the latter a native of the state of
Kentucky.
Harrison L. Cooper was born in Green township, this county. l'el)ruary
27, 1839, son of Elijah Cooper and wife, pioneers of that township, who had
come to this part of Indiana from Boone county. Kentuck}'. tiic Coopers
lia\ing entered Kentucky I)y way of \'irginia in tlie preceding generation.
F.lijali Cooper, who was born in 1799, was a man of large influence in an
earlier day in this county and both he and his wife did much in the way of
bringing about proper conditions of social and economic li/e in the neigh-
borhood in which tiiev settled. Elijah Cooper was a farmer and became a large
landowner. He possessed niucli political influence and for some time served
as treasurer of tlie county, the position which his grandson now holds. His
death occurred in 1865, he then being sixty-six years of age. Harrison L.
Cooper was reared on the pioneer farm and was a fanner all his life, be-
coming the owner of a good piece of property in Center township. He was
a Democrat and took an active part in political affairs. He was a member of
yiO HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
the Odd Fellows lodge and in the affairs of that organization took a warm
interest. About the year i860 he married Alary A. Johnson, of Boone county,
Kentucky, and to this union four children were born, namely: Listina, who
died at the age of sixteen years; Allen F.. the subject of this biographical
sketch; Charles E., who is manager of the telephone company at Norfolk.
Nebraska, and Berilla, who died in 1S99. Harrison L. Cooper died in 188 r,
he then being forty-two years of age.
Allen F. Cooper was reared on the paternal farm in this county and was
educated in the schools at Greenfield. He then went to Boone county, Ken-
tucky, where he worked on a farm for five years, at the end of which time he
returned to Greenfield and learned the blacksmith trade under Lunibach &
Barr. In 1890 he and \\'allace Ex'erson formed a partnership and were en-
gaged together in the blacksmith business until 1896, in which year tlie part-
nership w-as dissolved and in January. 1897, Mr. Cooper entered into a part-
nership with Taylor Morford. under the firm name of Morford & Cooper,
which continued quite successfully until Mr. Cooper retired from business at
the close of the year 1912 in order to take up his duties of the office of county
treasurer, to which responsible and important office he had been elected in the
preceding election. Mr. Cooper is an ardent Democrat and for years has
taken an active part in the political affairs of his home county. In 1902-03
he served as a meml>er of the Greenfield city council and in the election of
1912 was elected county treasurer b\- a big majority. So satisfactory was his
ser^'ice in behalf of the public in this connection that he was re-elected in
1914 and is now serving his second term in the county treasurer's office. Mr.
Cooper is president of the local club of the "Dixie Highway" association, or-
ganized for the purpose of promoting a great trunk highway from Chicago
to Cincinnati, and for seven years he was one of the most active members of
the Greenfield volunteer fire department. In other ways Mr. Cooper has dis-
plaved his interest in general affairs hereabout and long has Ijeen looked upon
as one of the most progressive and public-spirited citizens of Cireenfield.
On June 27, 1893, Allen F. Cooper was united in marriage at Columbus.
Indiana, to Elizabeth A. Conn, who was born in Ripley county, this state. Au-
gust 6, 1867. daughter of Joshua and Jane (Johnson) Conn, natives of In-
diana and both of whom are still living. Joshua Conn was a farmer and
buikling contractor until the time of his retirement from active labor.
He is a veteran of the Civil War. having served for four years in
an Indiana regiment during the struggle between the states in the
sixties. His daughter, Elizabeth, was educated in the Columbus schools and
after her graduation from the high school in that city was engaged as a teacher
BIOGRAPHICAL. 9II
in the city schools and taiiglu tlierc tor five years, having been thus engaged
up to tlie time of her marriage to Mr. Cooper. Mr. and Mrs. Coojier are
earnest members of the Christian church at (Ireenfield. .Mr. Cooper being the
present secretary of the board of deacons of that congregation. J-'or years he
has been active in the business of tlie church and has held practically every
office in tlie church save that of elder, having been one of the trustees of the
church for more than ten years. He and his wife have a very pleasant home
at 233 East North street, which is the scene of much genial hospitality, and
they are held in- the highest esteem by their many friends herealx)Ut. Mr.
Cooper is a ]\Iason and a member of the local commandery of the Knights
Templar. He also is an active member of the local lodge of the Knights of
Pythias and is past chancellor of the lodge.
ARTHUR C. VAN DUYN.
.Vrthur C. Van Duyn. well-known attorney-at-law, of Greenfield, this
county, and former prosecuting attorney for this judicial district, is a native
son of Hancock county, having been bom on a farm in Brown township on
October 20, 1870, son of George W. and Sarah A. ( Tague) Van Duyn. the
former a native of Henry county, this .state, and the latter of this county, who
are now living pleasantly retired at Shirley, this county.
George W. Van Duyn was reared to the life of the farm in 1 lem-v countv
and lived there until his marriage, after which he mo\ed to IVrown township,
this county, where he became a substantial farmer and where he and b.is wife
made their home until their retirement from the farm in 1910, since which
tnne they have resided in Shirley, where thev are very comfortablv situated.
To them seven children have been born, of whom the subject of this bio-
graphical sketch is the eldest, and all of whom are still living, the others being
as follow: Claud, a Hancock county farmer; Emma, who married William
Burns, a fanner, who works in Shirley. Indiana ; Obe, who is a farmer and
school teacher; Alice, who married Floyd Kittennan, a HeniT county fanner;
Nellie, who married Thomas Brookshire, a painting contractor, of Henry
county, and Charles, a farmer.
Upon completing the course in the district schools of his home township,
Arthur C. Van Duyn taught school for a couple of terms in Brown township
and then attended the Central Normal' College at Danville for three terms,
after which he resumed teaching and was thus engaged for about ten vears.
912 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
teaching eight years in Brown townshi]). one year in Bine River townsliip and
one year in X'ernon townshi]). (hn-ing which time he also was conducting a
general store at Siiirley. In 1893 lie was appointed jjostni-ister at Shirley and
held that commission for four years. During all these years Mr. \'an Duyn
had l)een a close student of the law and had devoted much of his leisure to
the careful reading of the law, hecoming thoroughly grounded in the rudi-
ments of the profession, and on July 5, 1898, sold his store at Shirley and
moved to (ireenfield, where he look a further course in reading under a com-
jietent preceptor and was adniitttd lo the bar on examination that same _\-ear.
He opened an office for the jjractice of his profession in that city, his first
location ha\'ing been in the Masonic Temple, and has been practicing in Green-
field ever since, his present office being in the Thayer building. In 1900,
two vears after taking up the ])ractice of the law, Mr. \'an Duyn was elected
prosecuting attornev for this judicial district, on the Democratic ticket, and
in 1902 was re-elected to the same office, serving in that important public
capacity for four years. He later was appointed county attorney and .served
in that office for twi) years. Mr. \'an Duyn has been successful in his prac-
tice and lias other interests outside the legal profession, being the owner of
a fine tract oi farm land in Montana.
In 189.2 Arthur C. ^'an Dnyn was united in marriage to Perilee Eakin,
who w-as born in this county in 1873, daughter of James and Hester (Bales)
Eakin, both natives of this county and well-to-do farmers, and to this union
two children have been Ixirn, Raymond C. and Eva Pearl. The \'an Duyns
have man\- friends in and al)out (Ireenfield and are held in high esteem by all.
Mr. Van Dviyn is a Mason and a meml)er of the Knights of Pythias and of
the Improved Order of Red Men and takes a warm interest in the affairs of
these organizations.
THOMAS B. LEAR^■
Thomas B. Leary was born on March 12, 1865, in Center township, the
son of Thomas J. and Marjorie (Johnson) Leary. Thomas J. Leary was born
in Bourbon county, Kentucky, and was married twice. His first wife was
Rebecca Price, who was born in Maryland and who was the daughter of \\"illis
R. Price, who later moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. The children by this wife
were John, Parry, \\'illis and Jane. The second wife was Marjorie Johnson,
of Wayne county, Indiana, who was a daughter of Peter Johnson, who was
born in S<iuth Carolina. The children bv his second wife were Sarah, Thon-.as
BIOGRAI'HICAL. 9I3
B., (he subject of this sketcli ; James and Louisa D., who is deceased. John
Leary, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Maryland and
after his marriage moved to Frankhn county, Indiana, where lie purchased a
farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Blooming Grove township. Thomas J.
Leary, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a man who took great inter-
est in politics. He made many trips to Cincinnati after he located near Green-
field, Indiana, and drove large herds of stock to market. He died on March
5, 1889. and his second wife, wlio was ihe mother of the subject of this sketch,
died on September 17, 1907.
Thomas B. Learj- was educated in the common schools of Hancock county.
He was married on March 12, 1890, to Maggie Irlton, who was born on Sep-
tember 30, 1873, ''"d ^^'lo ^^'^s the daughter of Robert and Catherine (Devitt)
Irlton, who settled on a farm of eighty acres, near Fortville, Indiana. They
were the parents of the following children : James, Sarah. Hannah, Lizzie, who
is deceased; Robert and Maggie, who is the wife of the subject of this sketch.
Thomas B. Leary is the father of the following children : Thomas, who
married Elsie Kimberley and who lives at Mohawk. Indiana ; Olive, who lives
in Center township and who married Thomas Price ; Dewey, Everett, Loren,
Carroll, Pauline, Garnet and Violet. Mr. and j\lrs. Leary are members of the
Nazarene church of Mohawk, Indiana, and he contributed financially to the
building of the church. They are great Sunday school workers. Mr. Leary
owns a farm of one hundred and thirty acres and does general farming and
contracting for gravel road building. He built a home in 1913, a beautiful
residence of twelve rooms, mndern. surrounded by an iron fence and a well-
kept, spacious lawn.
Mr. Leary is making a success as a contractor and now has a contract for
the construction of a twelve-thousand-dollar gravel road two miles north of
Mt. Comfort. He is preparing to have a private railroad switch built to his
gravel pit.
BEXJAMIX S. BIXFORD, D. D. S.
Dr. Benjamin S. Binford, well-known dentist, of Greenfield, this county,
is a native son of Hancock county, having been born on a farm here, October
20, 1874, son of tlie Rev. Joseph O. and Huldah (Moore) Binford. for years
prominent and ititluential residents of this county, the former of whom also
was a native of Hancock county and the latter of North Carolina.
The Rev. Joseph O. Binf<ird. who for vears was one of the liest-known
(58)
914 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
ministers of the Friends church in the central states, died at his home in
Knightstown, this state. August i8. 1910, at the age of sixty-seven, he having
Ijeen born on January 21, 1843. He was reared to the hfe of the farm in
tliis county and upon completing the course in tlie cumnion scliools here
entered Earlham College at Richmond, where he was prepared for the min-
istry of the I'^riends meeting, in w hich he continued an active force for a good
many years thereafter. He owned a good farm in this county, which he
oj>erated quite profitably and where he maintained his established home until
his retirement from the same in 1891. During his long ministry, Mr. Bin-
ford traveled extensively over the L'nited States in connection, with his work
in rhe church inilil the state of his health in his later years precluded his
traveling. He then was stationed at Knightstown, pastor of the I'riends at
that place, and while there was appointed superintendent of the Indiana yearly
meeting of the Friends, which appointment he maintained until about four
years before his death in 1910. His widcnv, who was born in Xorlh Carolina
on March 10, 1840. is still living at Knightstown. She came with her parents
to Indiana in i860, the family settling in Hancock county, where she married
Mr. Binford. To this union seven children were born, namely : Horace L.,
a well-known farmer of Center township, this county ; Elmer J., an attorney,
of Tam]w, Florida: Maiy, wife i)f Joseph Jay, a merchant of Greensboro.
Henry county, this state; Anna J., who lives at Knight.^town ; Benjamin S..
the subject of this biographical sketch: Arthur O.. a wholesale merchant at
Louisville, Kentucky, and Ada, who married Xevil Phelps and is now living
at Montrose, Colorado.
Benjamin S. Binford was reared on tlie home farm in Blue River town-
ship, receiving his elementary education in the district school in that neigh-
borliood, later entering the high school at Knightstown. from which he was
graduated in 1896. In the fall of that year he entered the Indiana Dental
College at Indianapolis and was graduated from that institution in 1899,
witli the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgerj'. Thus equipped for the prac-
tice of his profession. Doctor Binford located at Greenfield, where he opened
a dental office in the Dudding-Moore block and continued in practice there
for ten vears. at the end of which time he moved his office to the New build-
ing, where he is still located and where he enjoys an extensive practice.
Doctor Binford occupies a high position in the regard of his associates in
the practice of dentistry throughout this section of the state and is ex-presi-
dent of the Eastern Indiana Dental Association, a member of the Indiana
State Dental Society, the Indianapolis Dental Society, and the National
Dental Association, in the deliberations of all of which .several associations
BIOGRAPHICAL. 915
he Cikes an active interest. The doctor has given active oversight to his
mother's farm in this county and is tlie owner of a valuable fruit farm in the
state of Washington.
On June 6. 1900, Dr. Benjamin S. Binford was united in marriage to
.\nna May \\'aii<cr, who was l)orn at Greenfield on Scptemljer 2, 1882, elder
of the two children born to Sidney L. and Emma (Hughes) Walker, well-
known residents of Greenfield, where the fomier is a piano salesman, she
having a brother, Hughes Walker, and to this union three children have been
born, Marjorie Bovier, Catherine Irene and Rosemary Helen. Doctor and
Mrs. Binford are members of the Presbyterian church, the doctor being an
elder in that communion, and take a proper part in all good works iiereabout.
being held in high esteem by their many friends. Doctor Binford is a Repub-
lican and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but is not
included in the office-seeking class. He is a Mason and is past eminent com-
niander of the Greenfield commandery of the Knights Templar, having for
vears taken a warm interest in Masonic affairs.
WILLI.VM J. G.ARRIOTT.
William I. Garriott. former auditor of Hancock county and one of the
best-known insurance agents m this part of the state, district agent for two
well-known companies, with offices at Greenfield, was born at \\'arrington,
this state, October 22, 1865, and has lived in Hancock county, Indiana, all his
h'fc. He is a son of Heim' C. and Eliza .\. (Xewman) Garriott, the former
born ill Brown township, this county, July i, 1842, and the latter in X'irginia.
I-'ebruary 22, 1844, both of whom are still living, having for years made their
home in Wilkinson.
EIenr\- C. Garriott was reared on a farm in Brown township and became
a farmer. \\ hen the Civil W^ar broke out he enlisted for service on behalf
of the Union cause in Company A, Fifty-seventh Regiment. Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, and served for more than four years, during which time he received
l,ut one serious wound, which, however, did not permanently incapacitate
him. Upon the completion of his military service he returned to the farm
and was engaged as a farmer, also working at times as a carpenter, until 1874,
in which \ear he traded his farm for a store at Warrington, which he con-
ducted until 1889. He also built a store room at \X'ilkinson in 1880 and there
engaged in the mercantile Iiusiness until his retirement from active business
9l6 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
life alxnit 1906, since wliich time he and his wife have conlinued lo make tlieir
home in that village. Mr. (jarriutt is an active member of the Grand Army
of the Reptiblic; a Royal .\rch Mas^n and a Knight Templar, a member of
the blue lodge and the chapter at Shirley, and of the commandery at Knights-
town, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife are earnest members of the Chris:
tian church and their children were reared in that faith. There were liiirteen
of these children, four of whom are now deceased, leaving nine sons, of whom
the subject of this sketch is the eldest, the others being as follow: Charles
O.. of Knightstown, this state; Frank E., of Muncie; Henr}- .\.. of Indian-
apolis; Korac C. of Wilkinson: Oliver N., of Greenfield; Homer C, of Ken-
nard ; John \\'., of Wilkinson, and Herbert L.. of Columbus, Ohio.
William I. Garriott was reared at Warrington, receiving his education
in the schools of that village, and when fourteen years of age took his place in
his father's store, where he \\as well grounded in the principles of the mer-
cantile business. AVhen his father moved to \\'ilkin?on in 1880 he became
practical manager of the store in the latter place, and in 1889 bought the
store at Warrington. There he remained in business until 1901. in which
year he sold the store and moved to Greenfield, where he entered the H. i'>.
Thayer "Spot Cash" department store, with which concern he remained until
his nomination by the Democratic party as the candidate for county ruulitor
in the campaign of 1902. He was elected in the fall of lliat year and took
office in 1904. serving a full term of four years. Upon retiring from office
Mr. Garriott opened an insurance office in Greenfield and lias ever since been
very successfully engaged in that business. Tn Februar}-, 1913, he bought a
one-half interest in the district agency for the Fidelity Phenix Fire Insurance
Companv. and in Xoveniber, 19 14, bought the remaining interest, since which
time he has been district agent for that company for the territory comprising
fourteen counties, with supervision over ten agents. He also is district agent
for the Standard Live Stock Insurance Company of Indianapolis, and agent for
the Mutual Life Insurance Company, of New "S'ork, and is doing a flourishing
business in his chosen line.
On June 19. 1886. William I. Garriott was married tn Fannie Belle .\rm-
strong, who was born in Franklin county, this state. July 27. 1868, daughter
of William V. and Sarah ( Lockwood) .\rmstrong, both natives of that same
county, prominent farming people there, and to this union two children have
been bom, Ethel Fay, who married Paul H. New, of Greenfield, and Law-
rence E., who married Beulah G. Meek, and also lives in Greenfield. Mr. and
Mrs. Garriott are members of the Christian church and take an active and
BIOGRAPHICAL. 9I7
earnest interest in local good works. Mr. (jarrintl is a Ru_\al Arch Mason, a
member of the blue lodge and the chapter at (Jreenfield, is a charter member
and past chancellor of Wilkinson Lodge No. 136. of the Knights of Pythias,
and is now a member of Eureka Lodge, No. 20, at Greenfield ; a member of
the Independent Order of Odd l''ellows, and a member of the Greenfield lodge
of Improved Order of Red Men, in l!ie affairs of all of which organization?
he takes a \\arm interest.
CARL WILLIAMSON McG.XUGHEY. M. D.
Dr. Carl Williamson McGaughey, a well-known and jirogressive young
physcician of Greenfield, this county, is a native Hoosier, having been born
on a farm in Marion county, this state, nine miles southeast of the city of
Indianapolis, near New Bethel, July 29, 1880, son of the Hon. John E. and
I\lar}- B. (Lowes) AIcGaughe\', tlie former a native of liuliana and the latter
of Kentuck}-.
John E. McGaughey was hoYn on a farm near Brookville. in kranklin
countN , this state, July i, 1848, and when a boy moved with his parents to
Marion county, where he s]ient the remainder of his life. He grew up on a
farm in the New Bethel neighborhood and there married Mary B. Lowes, of
Indianapolis, who was born in Covington, Kentucky, in April, 185(1, daughter
of a Cincinnati dry-goods merchant, who was killed by being run down on the
street by a fire engine, following which his widow and her children moved to
Indianaiiolis. John E. McCiaughey was the youngest of twelve children born
to his parents, there having been six sons and six daughters in the family,
and lie remained on the farm after his marriage until 1896. in which year he
and his wife retired and moved to Irvington, a pleasant suburb of Indianapolis,
where he died in 1908. Mr. McGaughey was a Republican and for years was
one of the leaders of that party in Marion county. In 1878 he represented
his district in the lower house of the Indiana General .\ssembly and was county
commissioner of ]Marion county for two terms, from 1904 to 1908. In other
ways he took an active part in public affairs and was ever regarded as an
influential and useful citizen. He was a Mason and a member of several other
secret societies, including the Knights of Pythias, and took a warm interest
in the affairs of those organizations. He and his wife were memljers of the
l^resbyterian church and their children were reared in that faith. There are
tour of these children, all still living, as follow : Clara, who married I>ank
91 8 HANCOCK COrXTY, INDIANA.
Williamson, a well-to-do farmer of Darke county, Ohio: Carl \V., the imme-
diate subject of this biographical sketch; John E., Jr., a civil engineer and
superintendent of construction of the plant of the Eli Lilly plant at Indian-
apolis, and Robert M., who is prominently connected with the moving-picture
business in Xew York City.
Carl \\'. McCiaughey was reared on the home farm in Marion county,
where he spent his youth, receiving his elementar}- education in school district
No. 8, and was about sixteen years old when his parents moved to Irvington.
the seat of Butler College. He entered the preparatory department of that
excellent old institution and later matriculated at tlie college, from which he
was graduated in 1901, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then en-
tered the Indiana L'niversity School of Medicine at Indianapolis and was
graduated from that institution in 1904, with the degree of Doctor of Medi-
cine. Upon receiving his diploma, Doctor McGaughey was appointed an in-
terne in the Eastern Indiana hospital for the insane at Fairhaven. Richmond,
and spent a year there. He then was appointed surgeon to the Indiana state
soldiers' home at Lafayette, in which capacity he served for one year, at the
end of which time, in 1907, he returned to Indianapolis and served as county
health officer there for two years. In the spring of 1909 Doctor McGaughey
moved to Greenfield, this county, where he opened an office for the practice
of medicine in the Xew blpck and has ever since been thus engaged, having
built up a fine practice and created for himself a high place in the esteem of
his associates in the profession throughout this part of the state. Doctor
McGaughey is a Republican and has served as secretary of the Greenfield
city board of health, of which toard he still is a member, and in all proper
ways gix'es his thoughtful and intelligent attention to the political affairs of
the county, taking a wann interest in all movements having to do with the
advancement of the general welfare hereabout.
On ]\Iarch 14, 1905, Dr. Carl W. McGaughey was united in marriage to
Helen Downing, who was bom in Greenfield on April 9. 1882, daughter of
Charles and Angle (\\'illiams) Downing, prominent residents of that city,
the former of whom, a former clerk of Hancock county and former prose-
cuting attorney for this judicial district, has been secretary of the Indiana
state board of agriculture since 1899, and to this union two children have been
born, Carl and Elizabeth. Doctor and Mrs. McGaughey are members of the
Presbyterian church, in the various beneficences of which they are warmly
interested. They also take a general interest in the scicial and cultural activities
of their home town and are held in high esteem throughout this whole section.
Mrs. McGaughey was graduated from the Greenfield high school and later
BIOGRAPHICAL. 919
attended Butler College, from which she was graduated with the class of 1903.
and is a valuable and competent helpmeet to her husband in the exacting duties
of his profession. Doctor ^McGaughey is a Mason, a mcml)er of the chapter
of that fraternity, and takes an active interest in Masonic affairs. He is a
member of the popular college fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. and still retains a
warm interest in the doings of that orgai>ization. In his college days the
doctor was quite an athlete and continues to give considerable attention to
the questions involved in college and professional sports. For some time he
was a professional baseball player, a well-known and popular pitcher, first
attached to the Northern League as a member of the Duluth team and later to
the American Association as a member of the Kansas City team. He also was
a member of the Young Men's Christian Association champion team of basket-
I)all players, playing center, and played in the first game of basketball ever
played in Indiana.
SAMUEL T. OFFUTT.
Samuel J. Olfult, well-known attorney-at-law at Creenfield, this county,
is a native son of Greenfield, having been born in that city on November 2.
1878, son of Judge Charles G. and Anna (Hammel) Offutt, the former a
native of Kentucky and the latter of Pennsylvania, who were the parents of
tiiree children, of whom the subject of this biographical sketch is the second
in (^rder of birth. Judge Charles G. Offutt was for years one of the best-
known lawyers in central Indiana. He came to Hancock county from Ken-
tucky in the days of his young manhood and entered into the practice of law
at Greenfield, quickly taking a leading place at the bar of the Hancock circuit
court. He was a Democrat and was elected to the office of judge of the circuit
court on the ticket of that party. L^pon the conclusion of his judicial service
he re-entered the practice of the law and thus continued until his death in
1903, he then being fifty-six years of age. His wife had preceded him to the
grave about four years, her death having occurred in 1899.
Samuel J. Offutt was reared in Greenfield, the city of his birth, and was
graduated from the local high school. He then entered Butler College, from
wiiicii lie iircsently was graduated, after which he graduated from Chicago
L'niversitv. where he also studied law. and then entered the Indiana Law
School, from which he was graduated in 1905. Thus equipped for the practice
of his profession. Mr. Offutt returned to Greenfield and opened an office in
his home town. A little later he formed a partnership with George J. Richman.
920 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
under the fiini name t)f Offutt & Ricliman, which partnership cuntinued until
191 1. Mr. Offutt then maintained his office alone until on March i, 1916.
he fonned a partnership w illi WiUiam .\. H(jugh, under the firm name of
Hoitgh & Offutt. wliicli firm is now actively engaged in the practice of law.
In 1 91 3 Mr. Offutt was appointed county attorney for Hancock county and
served in tliat capacity until 1915. Mr. Offutt is an orator of more than
usual ability and during his attendance at Butler College represented that
college in the state oratorical contest.
On December 2"/. 191 3. Samuel J. Offutt was united in marriage to Nell
Reed, wlio also was born in rireentleld, daughter of James F. and Anna (Pope)
Reed, the former a well-known lawyer of that city. To this union was born
a daughter, Margaret Ann, on May 14, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Offutt are
members of the ^lethodist Episcopal church and give attention to the various
social activities of their home town, displaying interest in all movements
having to do with the advancement of the community. Mr. Offutt is a thirty-
second degree Mason, a Knight Templar and Shriner, and a member of the
local lodges of the Improved Order of Red ]\Ien and of the Knights of Pythias..
in the affairs of wliich organizations he takes a warm interest.
WILLI. \M .MARTIX COFFIELD.
William Martin Coffield, deceased, formerlv a well-known and well-to-
do farmer of Center townsiiip, this county, i)roprietor of the attractive "Twin
Alaples Farm" in that township and who for many years was one of the best-
known school teachers in Hancock county, was a native son of Hancock
county and lived here all his life. His father, Barnabas Coffield, for many
years one of the best-known and most iiiHuential citizens of Hancock county,
was born in North Carolina on January u. 1S25, and was l>ut a child when
his parents came to Indiana and settled in this county, where he grew to
manhood on a pioneer farm and in his turn liecame a farmer, the owner of a
quarter of a section of land in Center township. He was an ardent Democrat
and for years took a prominent part in local political affairs, sen-ing in
various public capacities. He married Mary Jane Tyner, who was born in
this count)- in 1833 and wlio li\ed here all her life. They were earnest mem-
bers of the Baptist church, in whicii for many years ]Mr. Coffield served as
as a deacon. Barnabas Coffield li^■e^l to the great age of eighty-five years,
his death occurring in 1910. His wife had long preceded him to the grave.
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WILLIAM .\I. COFFIELD
BIOGRAIMIICAL. 921
her death haxinj;- (lecurred in 1S73, al ihe at;e of forty years. They were tlie
parents of eight cliildren, two of whom died in infancy, the others heing as
follow: WiUiain A!., the suhject of this liioorapliicai sketch; James, wlio is
living in Texas; America, deceased, wlio married Perry CoUins; Lucinda.
deceased; Martha Ellen, wife of J. S. Thomas, of Greenfield, this cotinty, and
Flora, deceased, who was tlic wife of Charles Bailey.
William ^I. Coffield was reared on the paternal farm in Center township
ruid olitained his elementary edncalion in the district school in tiie neighhor-
hood of his home, ujion completing the course at which he liegan teaching
school, his initial experience in the profession which for more than thirty
years claimed his attention having been in one of the tlislrict schools of Blue
River township. He then attended the Indiana State Normal School at
Terre Haute for four terms and thus admirahl\- e(|nipi)ed for the [irofession
to which he had devoted himself, entered seriously upon his career as a
teacher. Vov three terms he conducted schools in Brandy wine townshi]);
then for se\en terms was engaged in teaching in Blue Ri\er township, and
then, for twenty-one terms, his services were engaged by the trustees of
Center township, four terms of which service were devoted to ilie schools
at Maxwell, during which time he helped to organize the high school at that
place. He then was employed for four or five years in the (Ireenfield city
schools, as principal of ward schools, ;d-o at l.ongtellow school. In 1878
Mr. Cofifield married and after awhile bought a home in (h-eenfield. where he
lived for years, but in u)o8 sold his home in this city and erected a new home
on the I'arm of one hundred and ninety-three acres in Center township. "Twin
Maples Farm." which his wife had inherited, and there made his home until
his death. The lumber which entered into the construct iioi of the Cot^leld
home was sawed from timber cut on "Twin Maples Farm" and the residence
is one of the most attractive and suhstanti.il in that neighborhood.
Mr. CofiTield was a Democrat and ever gave earnest attention to local
political affairs, but never was included in the ofhce-seeking class.
It was on June 27. 1878. that \\illi;ini M. t'oflicld was united in m.Hrriage
to Charlotte Catt. who was born on the f.irm in Cciuer township on which
she is now living, Decenil>er 25. 185^), daughter of Jacob and Flsie (Cannon")
Catt. both of whom were liorn in this county, and to this union three children
were born. Rhoda May and Mabel, both of whom are at home, and Ira Cuy.
wht) died at the age of seven \ears. Mrs. Cofiield is an active member of the
Baptist church. Mr. Coffield was an ardent lover of music and was prom-
inent in all music circles throughout this section. He belonged to the "Old
Missouri Harmony Singers," a musical association that met anmially for the
922 HANCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
purpose of singing and perpetuating old time melodies. He also belonged to
the "Diapason Singing Class" at Morristown, Indiana. Before his marriage
he taught a singing school.
William .M. Cofifield died on March 12, 1916, aged sixty-four years, two
months and fourteen days. He was a worthy and useful member of the
Shiloh Baptist church, which he joined on December 3, 1881. On May 2,
1885, he was unanimously ckcted clerk of this church, which position he
filled continuously until called by death. He was singing clerk from the
time he was united with the church until his death. He was very devoted to
his family and his death was mourned by those, not only of his family, but
by all who came within the touch of his splendid personality. He was a fine
type of citizen, who knew his duty well and performed it at all times con-
sistentlv and conscientiouslv.
XEWTON RAMSEY SPENCER.
Newton Ramsey Sjicncer, editor and proprietor of the Daily Reporter
and the JVeekly Republican at Greenfield, a former attorney-at-law and for
four years postmaster of that city, is a native of Indiana, born at Portland
Mills, Parke county, March 6, 1855, son of Robert and Mary A. (Ramsey)
Spencer, both also natives of Indiana, the former born in Washington county
and the latter in Putnam county. Robert Spencer was educated at the Indiana
State University and early engaged in mercantile pursuits at Portland Mills,
where he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring on July 28. 1865. He
left a widow and three children, the subject of this biographical sketch having
had two sisters, Martha E., who married James R. Critchfield, of W'aveland,
Montgomery cnunty, this state, and Mary M., now deceased, who was the
wife of Shelby \V. McCormick.
Newton R. Spencer recei\Td his elementary education in the public schools
of his home village and supplemented the .same by a course at Waveland In-
stitute, after which he entered Indiana University, from which he was grad-
uated in 1885 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. For three years thereafter
he taught school in Fayette and Henry counties, and ser\'ed as principal of
the schools at Springport and at East Connersville. In the meantime he was
studying law in the offices of Joseph I. Little and David W. McKee at Con-
nersville and in 1888, at Indianapolis, was admitted to the bar. Thus equipped
for the practice of his profession, Mr. Spencer went to Johnson City, Kansas,
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XEWTUX U. SPK.XCKR
SPENCER I'.niJM.NG, GREENFIELD
BIOGRAPHICAL. 923
where for three j-ears he was engaged in practice and wliere he served one
term as prosecuting attorney. In 1890 Mr. Spencer returned to Indiana and
located at Greenfield, where he opened an office for the practice of his pro-
fession and in 1899 took charge of the Evcniiii^ Tribune and the Weekly Re-
publican for W. S. Montgomery, and continued in this until his appointment
to tiie position of postmaster of Greenfield in 1902. Upon the expiration of
his term of service in the postoffice four years later, in 1906, Mr. Spencer
bought an interesfin the Greenfield Weekly Globe and in the Evening Star,
with which publications he was connected until 1908, when he sold his interest
in those papers and -established the Greenfield Daily Reporter. In February.
1909, he bought the Exening Star and comliined that paper with the Daily
Reporter. The next year, 1910, he bought from Walter S. Montgomery the
Ez'cning Tribune and the Weekly Republican and merged these latter publi-
cations with the Reporter^ which he has ever maintained as a non-partisan
paper, though his weekly edition the Republican, continues to champion the
principles of the party of that name. Mr. Sjiencer is a Republican and served
his party as chairman of the Hancock county Republican committee, 1896-
1900.
On November 26, 1SS5. Newton R. Spencer was united in marriage to
Viola Banks, daughter of Andrew J. and Viola Banks, of Greenfield, and to
this union has been born one child, a son. Dale Banks Sjiencer. who was born
in 1899; was graduated from the Greenfield high school and is now an able
assistant to bis father in the new.spaper office, having a thorough acquaint-
ance with the details of both the office and tlu- printing shop, from paper
routes to linotype machines. Mrs. Spencer also is a practical printer and has
been associated with her husband's work since the Reporter was started. Mr.
Spencer is afiRliated with the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.
THOMAS HOPE.
Thomas Hope was born on January 14. i860, in New City. New
'^'ork. He was a son of Charles and Ellen (Hughes) Hope, who bfitb lived
and died in New York state. Thomas Hope was eight years old when he
came to Greenfield, Indiana, in Januar}', 1868. He was afterward adopted by
W'illard Lowe, who raised him. He went to the common schools for a period
of four months each year and Martin Ragsdale was his first teacher. He
stayed with Willard Lowe for atout seven years and then he worked around
924 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
in the neigliborhood by the day and by the montli and often received only
fifty cents a day for his work, but lie saved enough to purchase his home.
On November 24, 1881, Thomas Hope was married to Sarah C. McCor-
mick, who was tlie daughter of Patrick and Catherine (Bennett) McCormick.
Patrick McCormick w-as born in Ireland and emigrated to America and lived
in this county for a number of years. He w'as a fanner and a Democrat in
politics. Catherine Bennett was born in Hamilton county, Ohio. Patrick and
Catherine McCormick were the parents of the following children : James.
John, Samuel, Andrew, Sarah C. who is the wife of the subject of this sketch ;
Laney Ann, who is the wife of James Liming, and Mary Elizabeth, who is
the wife of William Cup. Sarah C. McCormick was born on April 2, 1857.
She is tl'.e mother of one child, Edgar Hope, who was married in May, 1015,
to Ada Heim, of Greenfield. Edgar Hope was educated in the common
.schools of Brandywine township and the high school at New Palestine. He-
taught school for six years in Brandywine township and then graduated from
the Central Business College of Indianapolis.
Thomas A. Hope has earned what he has In- hard labor. He has never
had a dollar given him. He now has a tract of twenty acres n{ land nn which
he has built a modern house of eight rooms. He raises hogs and caltle and
horses. Mr. Hope is a Democrat in politics and was township assessor for
six years, elected in 1908. He has also been a strong party worker. Edgar, his
son, is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Red
Men.
ROBERT WILLIAMSON.
Robert Williamson, a well-known lawyer of Greenfield, ibis county, who
b.as been activelv engaged in tlie jiractice of his profession in thai city since
1881, during which time he has been connected with some of the most im-
portant cases tried at the bar of the Hancock circuit court, is a native of the
Emerald Isle, having been born in the town of Larne, in County Antrim,
Ireland. July 15, 1848, son of Hugh and Martha (Moore) Williamson, both
natives of that same county, the former of whom was born in 1794 and the
latter in 1804, both of Scottish descent, the Williamsons and the Moores both
]ia\ing been refugees from Scotland to Ireland during the days of the per-
secution.
In 1849 Hugh Williamson and his family emigrated from Ireland to
Canada, settling in the province of Ontario, where they remained for about
BIOGRAPHICAL. 925
ten years, at tlie end of wliich lime ihey came lu Indiana and settled m Han-
cock county. Hugh \\'illiamson was a \vea\'ei' liy trade and had followed that
calling in Ireland, but upun coming here became a farmer and thus con-
tinued the rest of his life, liis death occurring on his Hancock county farm
on Decenil)er 31, 1863, he then being si.xty-nine years of age. His widow
survived liim thirteen j-ears, her death occurring in 1876, she then being
seventy-two years old. They were the parents of four sons, namely: James
W'.. who was a Presbyterian minister; .\ndrew, a farmer of Brandywine town-
ship, this ct)unt)- : John, deceased, and Roljert, the subject of this biographical
sketch.
Robert Williamson was one year old when his family crossed the water
and settled in Canada anil was ten years old when they came to Indiana and
settled in this county. Upon coming to this county Robert Williamson re-
sumed his studies which had l>een interrupted bv the rcmox'al from Canada
and finished the course in the Couden school in Brandywine township, after
which he attended the high school at Greenfield and a couple of years later
began teaching school, and for nine years was thus engaged, teaching in the
public schools of Hancock county, after which he for some time was engaged
in work on the home farm. In the meantime, and for some time, he had
been deeply interested in the study of the law and when thirty years of age
entered the law office of Judge J. L. Mason at Greenfield and studied under
that able preceptor for three years. The second week of such a connection
Mr. Williamson was engaged on his first case in court and he began to make
a success of his practice from the very start. He was admitted to the bar in
October, 1881, and ever since has been engaged in practice in Greenfield,
long ha\-ing held a high position in the regard of his associates of both the
bench and the bar in this section of the state. Mr, \\'illiamson first opened
an office in the Barnard building on Main street, where a part of the Masonic
Temple now stands. When the former building was destroyed liy fire he moved
to the Thaver building, where he now has offlces. Mr. Williamson sen-ed as
city attorney for some years and is not infrequently appointed as special judge
to hear cases arising in the Hancock circuit court, from the hearing of which
the sitting judge is for any reason disqualified, and his rulings and decisions
ever have been marked In- high quality of judgment characteristic of his fine
judicial tem])erament.
Mr. Williamson was a Democrat, but holds to somewhat independent
views in connection with his p(^litical affiliations, and is more wont to scruti-
nize the qualifications of the respective candidates on the various tickets rather
than the mere party emblems under which such candidates" names appear. Mr.
926 HAXCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
Williamson is a member of the First Presbyterian church and for years was
;ni elder in the same. P^or years he has taught a class of young ladies in the
Presbyterian Sunday school, known as the "Olive Branch.'" and has written
for the benefit of the "Olive Branch" class of that school two charming little
stories, "The Story of Ruth" and "The Resurrection of the Body." He takes
a warm interest in the general welfare of the community, lending his influence
to all worthy movements designed to promote the same, and is he'd in high
esteem bv the entire communit\-.
WILLIAM P. lOHXSOX.
\\'i!liam 1'. Johnson, well-known druggist at Greenfield and one of Han-
cock county's most enterprising and progressive business men, has been a resi-
dent of that city since he was two weeks old. He was born at Sunman, in Ripley
county, Indiana, .April 30, 1877, son of John R. P. and Eleanor (McConnell)
Johnson, who came to this county two weeks later and settled at Greenfield,
wdiere they established their permanent home. John R. P. Johnson was born
in Ohio in 1849 and was but a boy when his parents moved over into Indiana,
settling in Hancock coitnty, where he completed his schooling and where he
was trained in the trade of brick-making. His father. John R., grandfather
of William P., operated an extensi\e brick-making plant at Greenfield, he and
his six sons carrying on the business in a large way, the Johnson firm man-
ufacturing much of the brick that entered into the construction of most of the
chief buildings erected in Greenfield during that period.
Having been but an infant in arms when his parents moved to Greenfield,
William P. Johnson was reared in that city and has spent all his life since
then there. He received his early education in the (rreenfield schools and was
graduated from the high school in 1897, ^fter wdiich he entered Purdue L^ni-
versity and spent a year there, pursuing the course in civil engineering. He
then taught school at Westland for a couple of years, at the end of which
time he re-entered Purdue University and was graduated from the pharmacy
department of that institution in 1902, he having in the meantime, beginning
in 1900, been connected with the Pilkenton drug store at Greenfield, and upon
receiving his diploma re-entered that store as a registered pharmacist. When
the A. C. Pilkenton Drug Company was incorporated in November, 1911.
Mr. Johnson became one of the members of the firm and on April i, 10 13.
he bought the remaining interests of the other stockholders and has since
BIOGRAPHICAL. 927
been sole owner of the store, of wliicli he lias made quite a success, his well-
stocked store and up-to-date methods of doing business attracting a large, trade.
On April 19, 1903, William P. Johnson was united in marriage to Lottie
Smith, who was born in Blue River township, this county, daughter of J. B.
and Mary E. Smith, both of whom are now living in Shelljy county. Mrs.
Johnson has three sisters, Mrs. Ikrt Unger, of Morristown, this state; Mrs.
^"ernal Long, of Gwynnevdie, Shelby county, this state, and Mrs. H. G.
Kennedy, of Greenfield. Mr. Johnson has one brother and four sisters, John
T. Johnson, of Cambridge City, tliis state; Mrs. Eli Gillingham, of Indian-
apolis; Mrs. J. W. Taylor, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Mrs. Ora Taylor, of
Illmo, Missouri, and Miss Nellie Johnson, of Greenfield. One sister. Mrs.
Forman. is deceased.
To \Villiam P. and Lottie (Smith) Johnson three children have been
born. Martha J., born on April 5, 1904: Maiy E., October 7, 1907, and
William E., November 15, 1914. Mr. and iL's. Johnson are members of the
Presbyterian church and Mr. Johnson is one of the elders of that church, as
well as the teacher of the young ladies' class in the Sunday school. He is a
Mason and a member of the local lodges of the Impnned Order of Red 'Men
and of the Modern Woodmen of America. He has been "through the chairs'"
in the Red Men's lodge and is now degree captain. Mr. Johnson is a Demo-
crat and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has never
been an aspirant for public office.
JAMES P. SCOTT.
James P. Scott was bom on January 20, 1853. He was a son of John
Scott, who was born in Fayette county, Indiana, on June 26, 1830. John
Scott's father. Noble F. Scott, came to this neighborhood from I-'ayettc county.
He moved to Iowa in 1858. with James E. Scott, his brother, and with his
father and mother, and lived and died in Page county, Iowa. James E. Scott
lattr W'Cnt to Nebraska and died in Blue Springs on March 2j. 1916. He was a
successful retired farmer. John Scott, w'ho was the father of the subject of this
sketch, received his early education in Brandywine township, this county.
When he came here with his father the country consisted of timber and swamp
land and was a terrible wilderness. Grandfather Scott cleared the land and
settled it and John Scott received his early education in the schools of that
time and he was considered an unusually well educated man for that period.
928 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
He was a fanner and school teacher and also music and singing teacher. He
was considered one of the best spellers of his time. He had singing schools at
different places in both churches and school houses.
John Scott was married on Se])teml)er 15, 1850, to Elizabeth A. Alyea.
She was the daughter of James and Hannah (Abbott) .\lyea, who came to
this county in 1835 and settled in Brandy^vine township. They had formerly
lived in Ohio. Mr. ,\lyea was born in Xew Jersey in 1798 and his parents
died when he was only a child. He lived in Ohio with Abraham Hopper .a
blacksmith. He started to learn the trade while there, but later came to In-
diana. He lived on his farm and followed btHh fanning /and blacksmithing.
The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Alyea were William, Catherine, Frank, who
died in infancy: Eliza J., who was the mother of the subject of this sketch;
.Varon. John. Jackson, Hannah and Mollie. John Scott enlisted in the war
in 1861 and died on September 11. 1863, at Xew Orleans in a Imspital. He
was buried there. He had sened faithfully in the war, having gone to war
v.-ith Charles Gunn and John and Jackson Alyea. He was a Democrat and he
and h'S wife were both members of the Christian church. He was a leader in
the community ant! was well liked and greatly respected, a man whose honesty
and integrity was beyond question.
James P. Scnlt received his Curly education at the Scott school house.
William Workman was one of his first teachers. He went to school about
ten winters, but during this time he had to work to help make the living. His
great-grandfather. James Gunn. gave forty acres of land to each of his chil-
dren and James P. Scott still holds his land. He helped clear and ditch and
fence this land. It fell to his lot to stay with his mother. His mother and the
familv lived in a small three-room house which was not yet finished when the
father went away to the anny and James P. and his brother had to finish this
house. James P. Scott was born in a log cabin on forty acres of land which
was heired fnun his great-grandfather and lie split rails ruul helped fence this
land. The roads in this section were almost impassable and oftentimes they
were corduroyed to hold up the travelers from sinking in the mud. Tlie grain
at that time was cut with a cradle and tound by hand and threshed by horse
power machines.
James P. Scott was married on July 11, 1900. He had stayed at home
with his mother until her death on May 26, 1900. He was forty-seven years
old at the time of his marriage. His wife was Eliza J. Caldwell, who was born
on Januan- 19, 1859, and who was the daughter of Benjamin and Lucinda
(Liming) Caldwell. Benjamin Caldwell was born in Kentucky and came to
this county with his parents and started fanning. Mrs. Caldwell's parents
BIOGRAPHICAL. g2C)
came lierc tnim Ohio. They liad three children : l-^hza J., wlio is tlie wife of
the subject of tliis sketch; Soplironia, wlio married C. J. Tlionipson, and Rosa,
who married L. C. Barrett. Mr. Caldwell was a Democrat in politics and
both he and his wife belonged tn the Christian church. James P. Scott has
no children of his own, but be has raised twn nf his sister's children, who
stayed with bim until they were grown and at present he has another nephew
living with him. Xorman F. Scott. James P. Scott has ninety-five acres of
land all under cultivation. The farm is well fenced and Mr. Scott has built
a fine barn and has a good residence on the place. He raises bogs and cattle
and horses. All of these are of the best stock. He has a fine orchard and
his buildings are all well painted and kept in the verv neatest condition. He
bought thirty acres five years ago at one hundred and twenty-five dollars an
acre. He is a Democrat in politics and belongs to the Knights of Pvthias
lodge at Fountaintown. FiOth he and bis wife are members of the Christian
church.
FRANK L. H.VNNA.
Frank L. Hanna was born in Buck Creek townshijx Hancock county, on
December 19, 1852, the son of Thomas and Mary Jane (Bolton) Hanna.
Thomas Hanna was married five times. He was the son of Robert Hanna, of
South Carolina,. who was born on .April 6, 1786, and who died on Xovember
IQ, 1858. Robert Hanna was one of the constructors of one section of the
National road, which runs through Greenfield. He was one of the first set-
tlers. At one time he was justice of the peace in Hancock county, and he was
killed on the Lake Erie & Western railroad in Indianapolis on Novemlx-r 19.
1858. His wife was Sarah Mowery, who was born on November 10. 1797.
and who died on November 29, 1837. They were married in Brookville, In-
diana, on Aiarch 18, 1813, by Judge Benjanu'n McCarty. They were the
parents of ten children. Robert Hanna was a farmer and owned eighty acres
of land on what is now Tenth street, in Indianapolis.
Thomas Hanna, who was the father of the subject of this sketch, had a
limited common-school education. He fanned in Buck Creek township in
this county. He was the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land.
He died in 1900. He was the father of the following children by his first
wife: Robert B., Joseph .\., Frank L., who is the subject of this sketch, and
Mary Etta. The other wives of Thomas Hanna were Mary Jane Shaffer.
who bore no children : Nancv Jane Helms, who bore no children : Fliza1)etb
(59)
930 KAXCOCK COINTY, INDIANA.
Edwards, a widow, who bore him one son, Julian; Elhe Colhns. wlio l)ore
him five children, Samuel, James, Asa, Mabel and William. Thomas Hanna
V as a member of the Masonic lodge.
Frank L. Hanna, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common
schools, and has farmed all his life. He was married twice, the first time in
February, 1873, ^o Glendora Apple, of Hancock county, who was a daughter
of Jesse J. A])ple, of McCordsville. To this union were Iwrn the following
children : William, Melvin, Belle, Gilbert, Milton, Nellie. Thomas, John,
Hemian and Jessie. He was married, secondly, on February 16, 1908, to
Minnie Holeman, who was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, on August
25, 1881. She was a daughter of E. W. and Harriette (Curry) Holeman.
They were farmers and members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was
a soldier in the Civil \\'ar and was wounded in the knee. Mr. Haima has no
children by his last marriage. He is a memeber of the Christian church and
belongs t^> the Masonic lodge. He is the owner of two farms, one in \ ernon
fownship of one hundred and fifty-nine acres, and one in Hamilton county.
Indiana, of one hundred acres.
MEREDITH DAVIS.
Meredith Davis was born in Fayette county, Indiana, the son of Harry
md Matilda (DeHaven) Davis. Harry Davis and his wife were both born
in Fayette county. He was a farmer and owned about two hundred and
fift\ acres of land. Their children were : Meredith, now deceased, who is
ihe subject of this sketch, and Ouincy, now deceased.
Meredith Davis was educated in the common schools and was a farmer
all his life. He was married on November 29, 1883, to Margaret Grant, who
was born in Cass county and who was the daughter of Simon and Mary
(Murrav) Grant, who were farmers of Cass county. After the death of
Simon Grant, his wife moved to Rush county and from there to Fayette
county. They were the parents of the following children : Carrie, who is
deceased and who married John Reed, of Fortville, Indiana, and who was the
mother of one child, Dorothy, and Margaret, who married Meredith Davis.
Sin. on Grant died in 187 1, and his wife died about 1895. The father of Simon
Grant was William Grant, a native of Ohio. He was the father of the fol-
lowing children: Moses, who was in the Civil \\'ar; Isaac, who was in the
Civil War; Cyrus, who was killed in the Civil ^^■ar : Gcdige. l^wis, Taylor and
BIOGRAPHICAL. 93 1
Jane. William Grant nidvcd to Log^ansport; Indiana, and entered a tract of four
iiundred acres of land when (hat inwn was only a trading post. lie was a
memljer of the Baptist church and was a soldier in the Mexican War. He
died at the age of ninety-two years.
Meredith Davis, after his marriage in Fayette county, came here in 1890.
He owned a farm of one hundred acres and did general fanning. He built
his home in 1908 and died on May 30. 191 1. ?Ie was the father of the follow-
lowing children : ^^'alter, who married Nola Lummis, and who has two
children, Meredith and Donald ; Eva, Ethel, Huber, Carrie, Margaret, Harry,
who died at the age of two years; Paul and Lucile. Mr. Davis was a member
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was an active and progressive
man of his day. Since his death, his widow has been living on the farm.
Huber Davis lives at home and looks after the farm.
M. -M. MOORE.
M. M. Moore was horn on February 14, 1863. He was the son of Sid-
ney and Nancy ( Alford) Moore. Sidney Moore was the son of Paul Moore.
Xancy (Alford) Moore was the daughter of Lambert and Sarah Alford.
Sidney Moore was educated in the common schools and taught school in
this county for about ten years. He then went to fanning on the farm on
which he lived for the rest of his life. He died on May 16, 1866. He was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was active in cliurch work.
He enlisted in the Ci\il ^^'ar as a private and served for three years. He was
the father of the following children : M. M., who is the subject of this sketch,
and Xora. who married h'rank Johnson and who lives in this township. Paul
Moore, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was the first doctor in
this county. He was married to Eunice Bacon, and they had the following
children: Hervey, Roland, Julian. Sidney, Jane, Liza, Mary Ann and Char-
lotte.
M. M. Moore was educated in tJie common schools and farmed all his life.
He was married on November 25. 1891, to Martha Cook, who was the daugh-
ter of Crainor and Nancy Cook, who were fanners of this township. The
subject of this sketch was the father of the following children : Eva. who
married Frederick Pope, in Vernon township, and Paul.
M. ^I. ^loore is a fanner and owns a tract of one hundred and fifty
acres of land, on which he does general farming. He built a fine barn on this
in 1900. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
93- HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
WILLIAM W". SXIDER.
William W. Snider was born on April lo, 1856. He is the son of Jacob
.'itid Rebecca D. ( Chatmaii ) Snider. Jacob Snider was the son of Isaac Snider,
who was married twice, lastly, to Mary Collins. He was a farmer of this
county and owned one hundred and twenty acres. He was a member of the
IMethodist Episcopal church. Jacob Snider was educated in the common
schools and died in 1879. He rented land his entire life. He was a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church and was a Democrat in politics. At one
time he was very much interested in puilitics. Rebecca D. ( Chatman ) Snider
was the daughter of Joseph Chatman, who was a famier in Hancock county.
He was an orator of unusual ability and was known throughout the county
as a public speaker. The children of Jacob and Rebecca D. (Chatman)
Snider were: Isaac, now deceased; Joseph, Hemy, William W., who is the
subject of this sketch: Willard W.. Oliver. Otis, James, Rose and Xina. •
William W. Snider, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the com-
mon schools and has farmed all his life. He was n:arried in 1879 to Cxnthia
C. Barnard, who was a daughter of Francis Barnard, who was born in North
Carolina and was later a farmer in Buck Creek township. The children of
William W. and Cynthia (Barnard) Snider are: Jennie, Walter. Cleveland.
Omer. Iva. Grace, Earl. James. Carl and Floyd, all li\ing. Mr. Snider has a
farm of one hundred and thirty-eight acres, on which he has lived for sixteen
years. He does general farming. He belongs to the Red Men of America.
AIME WILLIAM GIROUD.
Aime \\'illiam Giroud was born in Indianapolis on August 8. 1858, and
died on November 23, 1909. He was the son of Ferdinand and Lucy Giroud
I'erdinand Giroud was a nati\e of Switzerland, while his wife was a native of
France. He came to .\merica and was married and moved to Indianapolis.
Thev both came across the ocean in the same boat. He was a soldier in two
wars in .Switzerland and survived them both without injury. He served in
the Civil War for two years. He owned a farm of one hundred and sixty
acres at Five Points, seven miles out of Indianapolis. He was the father of
the following children: .\ime William, who is the subject of this sketch;
Julia, Minnie. Julius and Ninnie, who died aged seventeen years.
Aime ^\'illiam Giroud was educated in the common schools. He had a
BIOGRAPHICAL. 933
farm of one hundred and ten acres and he built on this a fine house in 1H99
and in 1907 he built a bam. He was married on May 4, 1887, to Mattic
Shinier, of Hillslioro, Illinois, who was born on July 6, 1S60. She was the
daughter of Caleb IX ami b'Uon ( liingham) Shinier. Caleb D. Shinier was
born in Ohio on May 21. 1823, and came to Indiana when he was eight years
old. He was the father of the following children : Emerich, who was born
on December 8. t86i ; James, Septeml)er 24. 1863; Kate. July 6, 1866, and
Mattie, who married Mr. Giroud. Mrs. GiroucFs father died on March 10.
1916, at the age of ninety-two years, ten months and nineteen days.
Ainie W'illiam and Mattie 1 .Shinier) (iiroud were the parents of the fol-
lowing children: Donald E., who lives at Irvington, Indiana, and who mar-
ried Flossie Jones: Hervey, who lives on the home place and who married
Edna Watson; James J. and E\a X., who is deceased.
The grandfather of .Mrs. (iiroud. Elias M. Shinier, was born in Penn-
sylvania on December 6, 1798. He married Mahala Dunn, who was bom in
New jersey on June 7, 1902. He farmed in Ohio for awhile and then came
to Indiana and entered a fami of three hundred and sixty acres, where Irving-
ton, Indianapolis, is now situated. He was a very prominent man in the
political affairs of Indianapolis, and was at one time a congressman. He be-
longed to the Baptist church. He was the father of the following children:
Caleb, who was the father of the wife of the subject of this .sketch; W'illiam
R.. who was bom on December 8, 1825; Isaac H., February 20, 1829; Asa
\'.. August 12, 1832: C. K.. May 20, 1838, and James L'., July 5. 1835.
JACOB DENXEY.
Jacob Dennev was born on June 10, ^H^2. the son of .\lford and Sarah
( Kingerv) Denney. Alford Denney was born on January 21. 1821, and was
ilie son of James and Catherine (Marshall) Denney. He was married to
Sarah Kingery. who was born on October 28, 1823, in Union couiU\ . Indiana,
and who was the daughter of Jacob Kingery, who was a fanner in Union
countv and who spent the latter part of his life in Buck Creek and Vernon
townships of this county. James Denney, who was the father of Alford
Dennev, was a native of North Carolina. He came with his family and set-
tled in Wavne county. Ohio, and was in the War of 1S12. He was married
twice. The latter part of his life was .spent in Hancock county, Indiana, on
a farm.
934 HANCOCK cocnty, Indiana.
Alford Denney, his son, was six years old when his parents moved from
North Carohna to W'ayne county. Ohio. There Alford received most of his
education. He later came with his parents to Hancock county, where he he-
canie a large landowner, possessing a tract of five hundred acres in Vernon
toNvnship. He was a member of the German Dunkard church. He was the
father of the following children : Ison, of V ernon township, who was mar-
ried three times, first to Manda Cook, second to Lydia Southard, and third
to Elizabeth \Miite: Jacob, who is the subject of this sketch, and Mary
Catherine.
Jacob Denney was educated in the common schools and was married on
August 28. 1873. to Mary Bock, whu was born on July i, 1854, in Mont-
gomery county, Ohio, and who was the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth
(Gabel) Bock. Samuel Bock was a farmer and was also a minister in the
German Baptist church. He was the father of the following children : David,
Daniel. Scunuel. Elizabeth. Jacob, Catherine, Daniel, Benjamin and ]\Iary.
The father of Samuel Bock was David Bock, who was born in Pennsylvania.
To the marriage of Jacob and Mary (Bock) Denney were born the following
children : Ison, who married Dora Wilson and who has two children, Bessie
Jane and Albert ; Samuel, who lives in V^ernon township and who married
So])]inniia Simjison and who has one child, Gordon: Alva: Lee. who li\-es in
Anderson. Indiana, and who married Bertha Enoch, and has five children.
Forest, Leslie, Mildred, Merlit and Margery; Herman, who is deceased: an
infant daughter and Albert J. The wife of the subject of this sketch is a
member of the Dunkard church. Jacob Denney is a Democrat in politics and
was at one time constable. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres
of fine farming land and does general farming.
WILLIAM MARSHAL WILSON.
\\'iiliam ^Marshal ^^^ilson was born in Madison county, Indiana, Novem-
ber 2, 1862. He was a son of .A.rchibald and Mary( Keller) Wilson, both
natives of Madison county, Indiana. His paternal grandfather was Michael
Wilson, a native of West Virginia, who came to Indiana at an early day and
was one of the pioneer settlers of Madison county. In common with all
pioneers in tliis section of the Hoosier state, he began life in the woods, on
a section of government land of which the original entry was made by him.
He lived and labored on this tract of land for many years, clearing it of
BIOGRAPHICAL. 935
timber and making improvements in the way of buildings, etc. His death
was from the effect of injuries received from an accident in falHng from the
roof of a house which he was building. The maternal grandparents were
Matthew and Jeannette (Ellis) Keller, who were also natives of West Vi'r-
ginia and were among the early settlers of Madison county, Indiana. They
entered government land, built a home, converted the woods mto cultivated
fields and lived on this farm the remainder of their days.
Archibald Wilson was reared and educated in Madison county, working
during his early years on his father's farm. Later he engaged in farming on
his own account on a farm which lie [)urchased in Madison county. He sold
that farm and removed to Hancock county, locating on a farm adjoining the
one on which the widow of William Marshal Wilson now lives. He owned
a farm of three hundred and seventeen acres and continued to manage and
live on this farm until about 1899, when he retired and removed to Willow
Branch. He iiad two sons: William ]\I., the subject of this sketch, and
George.
William M. Wilson was educated in the public schools of Hancock county *
and was alwavs a farmer. At the tin.ie of his death he owned the farm of
eighty acres, in Green township, wb.ere his widow now lives. He was mar-
ried on April i, 1883, to Ida M. McKenzie, who was born in Green township,
Hancock county, on the farm on wliich she still lives. She was a daughter
of William L. and Mary Jane (Rigby)' McKenzie. Her father was born in
Kentucky, her mother in Liberty, Indiana. Mrs. Wilson's i)aternal grand-
parents were John McKenzie and wife, natives of Kentucky. They were
among the early settlers of Madison couiUy, Indiana, where they entered one
hundred and sixty acres of government land. Later they removed to Han-
cock county and located on the farm now belonging to Mrs. Wilson. Mrs.
Wilson's paternal grandmother was a relative of Gen. .-\ndrew Jackson, a
former President of the United States.
Mrs. Wilson's maternal grandparents were Josiah and Nancy (Milner)
Rigby, he a native of England, she of Indiana. Josiah Rigby came to
America about 1825, before his marriage, and located in Green lownsliip.
Hancock county, and engaged in farming. He had eighty acres of land on
which he built a home and continued to live. Before coming to this country
he followed the trade of a weaver, which he followed for a short time in this
country.
To Mr. and Mrs. W illiam M. Wilson the following children were born:
Hattie. living at home: Clara, deceased: Mary Jane, deceased; Harold Ray,
living in Green township, and Howard Clay, at Lafayette, Indiana.
936 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
yirs. \\'illiam M. Wilson is the owner of a fine farm, coniprisinsj three
hnnch'ed anil five acres, all in one tody. The farm is well improved, with
good residence, modern barns and other farm buildings, and the land in
good state of cultivation and high!}' productive. It is a model farm in every
respect and one of the best in the county. Mrs. Wilson is a member of the
United Brethren church. Mr. W'ilson died on May 2, igoo, and was buried
in Hayes cemetery. He was a member of the United Brethren church. He
left a farm of eighty acres, wliich furnis the present homestead. Mrs. Wilson
owns other tracts of land and also owns forty acres of the eighty left bv her
husband.
IA^n£S LEARY.
James Leary was born on February 27. 187 1. in Hancock county. In-
diana. He was the son of Thomas J. and Marjorie (Johnson) Leary.
Thomas J. Leary was born in Bourbon county. Kentucky, and was married
twice. His first wife was Reljecca Price, who was born in Maryland and
who was the daughter of Willis F. Price, who later moved to Cincinnati,
Ohio. The children by this wife were John. Parry. A\'illis and Jane. The
second wife was ^Marjorie Johnson, of Wayne county. Indiana, who was a
daughter of Peter Johnson, wiio was born in South Carolina. The children
l)y his second wife were Sarah. Thomas B.. James, who is the subject of this
sketch, and Louisa D., who is deceased. Jolni Leary, the grandfather of the
subject of this sketch, w'as born in ^Maryland and after his marriage moved
to Franklin county, Indiana, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and
sixt}' acres in Blooming township. Thomas J. Leary, the father of the
subject of this sketch, was a man who took great interest in politics. He
made many trips to Cincinnati after he located near Greenfield, Indiana, and
he drove large herds of stock to market. He died on March 5, 1889, and his
second wife, who was the motlier of the subject of this sketch, died on Sep-
tember 17, 1907.
James Leary received liis education in the common schools of Hancock
county. He was married on March 9, 1899, to Clara B. Dobbins. She was
born in this county on September 17, 1872, the daughter of John ^\'. Dobbins,
who was born in Rush county on l^ecember 24, 1824, and who died on Sep-
tember 28, 1898. His wife was Susannah Eaton, w-ho was bom in Fayette
county on July 4. 18^4. and who died on April 22, 1915. at the age of eighty
years. She was a daughter of John Eaton, a farmer and a preacher of the
BIOGRAPHICAL. 937
Methodist Episcopal duirch of Camhridg-e City, Indiana. John W. Doljbins
was a member of tlie United Brethren church and lie was a jjreat Democrat.
He was the owner of i)ne hundred and twenty acres of land. He was the
son of Jesse Dobbins, wIid was Ijorn in i\ush county ;md who owned land in
Richmond, Indiana, and who married Elizabeth Chappel. The children of
John W. Dobbins were the following: Louisa, Elizabeth, Wilson, Milford,
Olive. Cora. Xelson, Andrew, Clara B., who is the wife of the subject of this
sketch; Walter, Mary and Ira. who are all living. The children of ihe sub-
ject of this sketch are: Helen, bf)rn on December 30. tqoi : Autumn, born on
January 26. iqo8, and Xeva. born on Dccemijcr 17. 1912. After his mar-
riage. Air. Leary located on a farm near Mohawk. This was a farm of
seventy acres which he bought on September 15, 1902. He does a general
farming and stock raising, having a fine bunch of Shorthorn cattle and Poland
China hogs. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, and his wife
is a member of the L'nited Brethren church.
Mr. Leary has been successful as a stock raiser. On March 9. 1916. he
had a sale at which he sold one hundred and twenty-five head of cattle, which
sold for three thousand dollars. This sale was conducted by W. I. Bumside
and Colonel Mount, of Creenfield.
CHARLES M. ARCHER.
Charles 'SI. .Archer was born in (ircen township on January 22. 1865,
the son of Samuel and Jane (White) .\rcher. .Samuel .\rcher was born iii
1822 and died on August 2j, 1875. He was twice married, first to Mary
Port and to this union were born two children, James and Juliet. His second
wife was Jane \A'hitc. daughter of Benjamin White, a farmer of Henry county,
and to this union two children were liorn. Emily E. and Charles M. The father
of Samuel .Vrcher was the father of the following children: Levi. Martha and
Samuel 1'. Samuel Arclier in earl\- days ran a mill in Eden, Indiana, and
was at one time sheriff of Hancock county.
Charles M. Archer was educated in the common schools and has fanned
all his life. He owns a tract of one hundred and nine acres near Eden, In-
diana. He was married on October 28. 1886, to Clara E. Alingle, who was
the daughter of Adam ami .Saliria Mingle, who were also farmers. To this
marriage was born one child. Earl M.. on Januan- 17. iqo;. Charles M.
.\rcher is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
938 HANXOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
JOHN EDWARD BARRETT.
John Edward Barrett was born in Center township, Hancock county,
January i, 1851, a son of Isaac and Sarah Ann (Wilson) Barrett, the father
a native of Virginia and the niotlier of Decatur county, Indiana, her place of
birth being- near Greensburg, Indiana. The grandfather was James Barrett,
probably of Irish nativity. He first located in West Virginia, but came to
Indiana in early days and settled in Green township, near Milner's Corners,
Hancock county. There he entered government land and engaged in farming
for the rest of his days.
Isaac Barrett was reared and educated in West Virginia and spent his
early life working on his father's farm. Coming to Indiana he engaged in
farming and also in the nursery business. His farm was located in Center
township, whei'e he had one hundred and twenty acres, and there he made
his home until his deatli, which occurred at the age of forty-nine years. His
children were: Margaret M., Ann E., William A., John E.. Xancy I., Mary
E., Cyrus O. and Howard E. He was a member of the ^lethodist E])isco|ial
church.
John E. Barrett was educated in the scliools of Center township, supple-
menting his elementary education by studies in the local normal school. He
'was then engaged in teaching for five years prior to his marriage. After
marriage he located on a farm in Green township. Hancock county, where he
has since lived. He has a farm of seventy-si.x acres, on which lie \nn up hi?
residence and other buildings and made all the improvements on the farm.
In addition to general farming, ^Ir. Barrett devotes a good deal of attention
to stock raising.
On July 30, 1874, John Edward Barrett was married to Laura Henry,
of Green township, a daughter of George Henry, a farmer, living at that time
on a farm adjoining the one at present owned by Mr. Barrett. Cieorge Henry
started cm a journey to Pike's Peak, at the time of the excitement about the
gold discovery, and lost his life on the way by drowning. Mr. and Mrs.
Barrett were the parents of the following children: .\nninta and Minnie E.,
who died in infancy, and Atta Wray, Ila Albert, Margaret E., James Blaine,
\\'ilmer H., Charles H., Elossie B. and Thomas R. Wilmer H. has been a
soldier in the United States amiy for nine years. He is now a sergeant and
is with his regiment stationed at Texas City, Te.xas. These children were by
Mr. Barrett's first wife, who died in 1902. He was married, secondly, on Sep-
tember, 1904, to Ann Eliza New.som, born at Carthage, Indiana, the daughter
of John G. and .Margaret E. (Gates) Xewsom. of Rush county. Indiana. To
BIOGRAPHICAL. . 939
ihis union two cliildren were lioni, of wlmm Ada .Mildred is living^, and Ruth
Caroline is deceased.
John E. Barrett is a "stand-pal" Republican, witlmut anv prefixes,
affixes, or any (|ualification or apologies, whatsoever. He is a nienther of
Eden Lodge No. 477. Eree and .Vccepted Masons; is also a member of the
chapter of Royal .Arch ]^lasons at Edi'ii, and Lodge No. lor, Order nf the
Eastern Star.
THOMAS M. TUCKER.
He to whom this sketch is dedicated is a member of one of the most
highly esteemed families of Hancock county, Indiana, and has spent prac-
tically his entire life in this community, whei-e he is engaged in agricultural
work. A man of sound business methods, strict integrity and undeviating
attention to duty, he has met with gratifying success in his chosen field of
endeavor.
Thomas M. Tucker was born on I'\'I)ru;iry 22, 1879, the son of Andrew
f. and Elizabeth M. (Moore) Tucker, the fomier of whom was bom in Vir-
ginia, and the latter was torn in Indiana, on March 31, 1858, and in child-
hood was left an orphan. Friends of the family, John E. Willis and his wife.
reared the mother of the subject of this sketch in their home in Shelby county,
Indiana. One brother of Elizabeth Moore died while serving in the Union
army during the Civil War and two other brothers went to Indianapolis for
permanent residence.
The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch was a Virginian
by birth, who came to Indiana during the pioneer days \vith a team of oxen
and a covered wagon. He settled on a tract of land he had rented in Shelby
county and worked unceasingly at the occupation of clearing the land and
establishing a cultivated farm. Among his first pieces of work was a log
cabin erected, for the most part, Iw his own hands, which was only one of
the many difficult pieces of labor undertaken by the first settlers in this sec-
tion of the state. Among the scenes of early agricultural life Mr. Tucker and
his wife reared a family consisting of three boys, Andrew, John and Isaac,
and a daughter, Maggie, now Mrs. Matthew Horn.
Following the example set by his father. .Andrew Tucker turned his at-
tention, ui)on reaching the age of manhood, to a life on the farm. He was a
self-educated man, who attained success through his own individual efforts
and force of character. .\t the time of his death, which occurred on March
940 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
31. 191 1, after he liad reached the age of sixty-se^^n years, he owned about
two hundred acres of land in Shelby county. A hard working man. a good
manager and a close student of farm problems, it was only a natural conse-
quence that he should have attained the degree of prominence given him
before his death. 'Sir. Tucker was married twice, the first time to Miss
Parish, who liecame the mother of five children, three of whom dier! ; those
who survived are Rose, who married William H. Downing, and Emma, who
became the wife of William Martin. By this marriage to his second wife,
who was Elizabeth Moore, the following children were born : Thomas, who
is the subject of this sketch ; \\'illiam. Bynum. who was drowned while swim-
ming in Little Sugar creek in 1904; Lilly, who became the wife of Ora Snod-
grass; Xannie, who married Clarence Snodgrass; Myrtle, who married Lester
Valentine; Edna, the wife of IMorris Drake; Marj-, the wife of Berl Russell,
and two children, Xellie and Minnie, who died in early childhood. Mr.
Tucker always manifested a deep interest in political affairs and m all elections
supported the principles of the Democratic party. Religiously, he was a
member of the Christian L'nion church at Carlton, where he served as deacon
and where he and his wife were looked upon as among the strongest sup-
porters of the church welfare. In fraternal affairs. Mr. Tucker was a mem-
ber of the Knights of Pythias at Fountaintown.
Thomas "SI. Tucker received his elementary education in the common
schools of the county in which he was reared, and his first teacher was Miss
\'anie Gates, the daughter of Henry Gates. As the custom in those days
gave the farm boys only schooling during the winter months, Thomas Tucker
received only a meager supply of learning. The prominence he attained in
the commtinity in which he resides is due to his own endeavors and his success
is the logical result of a life of consecutive industry. Mr. Tucker resides at
the present time on a farm consisting of one hundred and twenty acres. The
farm is in an excellent state of cultivation due to the personal efforts of the
subject of this sketch, who has taken pride in fencing and draining the land
and in erecting a silo. Aside from the interests of general farming, Mr.
Tucker takes special interest in the raising of high grade stock. He has forty
head of hogs, from twelve to fifteen head of Shorthorn cattle and eight head
of horses. Mr. Tucker is a firm believer in scientific farming and uses the
most modern implements in his work. His com averages seventy-five bushels
to the acre and he is also interested in the raising of clover and hay.
On Alarch 14, 1900. Thomas M. Tucker was united in marriage to Cora
E. Swain, who was born on .\pril 12. 1876. Mrs. Tucker has become the
mother of the following children : Josephine, who was born in 1902 ; Marion
BIOGUAI'HICAL. 94I
Oscar, wliu died in early cliildhond. and Mildnd M., who was born on Sep-
tember 21, 1907.
Aside from his active duties as a farmer, Mr. Tucker has always mani-
fested a true interest in tliose thing's which pertain to pubhc welfare. He
served for years on the township advisory board and in his political acti\ities
gives support to the Democratic party. As a member of the Sugar Creek
Christian cliurch, he has proved his al)ility as an assistant in church affairs
and acts as trustee to tlie church to which the members of his family also
belcng. In fraternal affairs, he holds membership in the Knights of Pythias
and llie Red Men's lodge, l)oth of New Palestine.
ROBERT G. WTLSOX.
fiobert (_r. Wilson was Jjorn in Butler county. Ohio. [March 8. 1S43, and
died in Hancock county, Indiana, i\Iay 30, 1910. He was a son of William
and -Jary ( (iillespie) Wilson. Some time in the early sixties he removed
with his widowed mother to Cumberland, Marion count), Indiana, and, in
1868, he located in Hancock county, of which he remained a citizen until his
death. He was the fifth in a family of ten children. He was married on
December 20, 1870, to Mary Arnett, and to this union nine children were
born, three of whom. Willie, Ila and Ina, are deceased. The living children
arc: Alar)- Jane, Anna May, Jussie Alice. Hattie E., Shady and John.
Mr. Wilson united with the old Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal churcii,
in Butler countv, Ohio, in 1865, and, on coming o Indiana, transferred his
church membership to the Pleasant (irove church, in \'ernon township, Han-
cock count \'. this church then lieing under the pastoral charge of Reverend
Pliilips. >!■.-. Wilson became a member of Oaklanil Lodge Xo. 140, Free and
Accepted Masons. January 12, 1870: received his demit and became a charter
member of McCordsville Lodge No. 501. April 14, 1875. He became a mem-
ber of McCordsville Chapter No. 44, July 26, 1884. and a member of the
McCordsville Council No. 52. the same date. He was also a charter member
of the McCordsville Chapter No. 156, Order of the Eastern Star; a charter
member and ])ast chancellor of McCordsville Lodge No. 507, Knights of
Pythias, and a member of Union Temple No. 300, Pythian Sisters. Mrs.
Wilson is also a meiuber of the Eastern Star and Pythian Sisters. Mr. W'ilson
served two terms as county commissioner of Hancock countv. He was en-
.gaged in fariuing all his life, antl was the owner of three hundred acres of
94^ HANXOCK COL'XTV, INDIANA.
land at the time of his deatli. He settled on the farm adjoining that on which
his widow now lives when the land was all covered with timber. With the
exception of eighty acres of this land, which was inherited by his wife, Mr.
Wilson ]>urchased and paid for this farm, cleared the timber and made all the
improvements by his own hard labor. To begin in the woods, clear the land
and develop a fami to the splendid condition in which it is today, is an under-
taking of no small magnitndc.
Jolm Wilson, son of Robert G. Wilson, was horn on September 5, 1S84.
He was educated in the public schools of Vernon township, and did his share
of the work on his father's farm in his early years. He was married on Sep-
tember I, 1907, to Bessie Sylvey, who was born in Hamilton county, Indiana.
The children of ibis union are: Ralph, .\rnett, Robert. George and Blanche
Sylvey. John Wilson is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons at
McCordsville.
Shadrich H. .Vniett. father of Mrs. Mary ( .\rnett) Wilson, was born
on September 3, 181 1. in Franklin county, Indiana, and came to Hancock
county with his brother, William Arnett, in 183 1. He settled in Buck Creek
township and continued to live there until his death, which occurred on Feb-
ruary 13, 1879. ^Ir. Arnett was a prominent and influential citizen of the town-
ship and commanded the respect and confidence of the community in which
he lived. He served as township trustee for several years and, during the
Civil War, was enrolling officer of the township. He was an active and influ-
ential member of the Masonic order. In early life he was identified with the
Baptist church, but had no church affiliation in his later life. He acquired a
large estate through his industry and energ\' in his active ^•ears. In persona!
appearance he was of fair complexion ; in phvsique he was strong, portly and
athletic, weighing over two hundred pounds. His children were: Sarah .\..
Mary, Isabella. Flizabeth, Lucinda ,-.nd William H.
WilHam \\'ilson. father of Robert G. Wilson, was born in Erie, Penn-
sylvania, in 181 1. He was a son of John and Jane ( Canahan ) ^^'iIson. who
were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to Butler county, Ohio, when William
was a child. They settled on a farm and spent the remainder of their days
:n that county. William Wilsim was educated in the schools of Butler county,
Ohio, and his life vocatinn was that of a farmer in Butler county, where he
spent his entire life. He was married about 1835 to ^lary V.. (iillespie. a native
of Butler county, Ohio, and a daughter of Robert and Mary I Robinson)
Gillespie. They were both natives of Ohio, and both died in Butler county of
that state. Robert Gillespie was a soldier in the \\'ar of 1812. The Wilsons
and Gillespies were Democrats.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 943
Mary (Gillespie) Wilson, aiul her entire family, came tn Marion county,
Indiana, ahout 1866, and located first near Cumberland. About two years
later the}- remi>\c(l [,, a locution near McCordsville. in the Steel neighborhood,
in Buck Creek township, Jlancock county. There the widow died, livincj at
the time of her death at the home of her son-in-law. Krskine Collins. At the
time of her dealli she owned eighty acres of land in lUick Creek township:
Her children were: Jane, John. Robert. Martha. Hannah. Amanda. Adeleide
and William. Thev were memliers of the Presb\terian church.
JOSEPH OSBON.
Joseph Osbon is a native of I l.ancock county, having been born on a
farm adjoining the one he now owns in Green township, in 1855, and is the
son of C. G. and Sarah I'rater (Martin) Osbon, the father being a native of
Kentucky and the mother ha\'ing- been born in Ohio.
Jackson Osbon. the father of C. G. Osbon, was one of the early pioneers
of the county, having settled in Center township, where he was engaged in
farming. He was at one time one of the county officials. John and Elizabeth
Martin, the maternal grandparents of Joseph Osbon, were also early settlers
in the count}- and they, too, settled in Center township. They came to the
country when it was one vast wilderness. Here they entered one hundred and
sixty acres of land. There was no house for the family, so they lived in the
wagon until the log cabin \\-as erected and ready to occupy.
C. G. Osbon received his education in the rural schools of the township
and later learned the blacksmith trade. He followed his trade for many years
and was also engaged in farming. He owned eighty acres on which he had
his shop. Much of the land was cleared by himself as well as the erection of
the buildings. He was considered the best smith in the. county, in that day.
He w'as perhaps the only man in the county who ever welded, successfully, a
sickle bar to a reaping machine.
To C. G. Osbon and wife were born the following children: Jasper.
who served in the Fifty-third Regiment. Indiana Volunteer Infantry, during
the Civil War; Amanda, Roena, Joseph. Clara and Martha.
Joseph Osbon received his education in the schools of Green townsliip.
After leaving school he removed to an adjoining farm, in 1875, where he has
since made his home. He owns one hundred and twenty-three acres of well
miproved land. The buildings, which were all erected liy him. are substatitial
and modern.
944 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
On Decemher 20, 1874, Joseph Osbon was united in marriage to Rebecca
Hunt, tlie (laughter of John and Mary Hunt. To this union two children
were born: Sarah Lucinda, the wife of A. \\'. Keller, a farmer of Greeu
township, and Marie, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Keller are the parents of one
child, .\da Margaret.
ELWUOD EARX.VRD.
Elwood Barnard, due of llie best-known and most substantial farmers of
Hancock count}- as well as one of the leading manufacturers of high-grade
sorghum in the United States, is a native son of this county and has lived
here all his life. He was born on a farm in Green township, this county,
October 1,1860, son of Roljert ^'oung and Polly (Hopper) Barnard, the
former a natix'e of Xorth Carolina and the latter of Indiana or Virginia, who
for years were among the best-known and most highly respected residents of
Green township.
Robert ^'oung Barnard was born in Iredell county, Xorth Carolina,
January 3, 18 14. eighth in descent from Thomas Barnard, one of the" original
purchasers of Xantucket Island. He came to Indiana in his youth with his
parents and grew to manhood in this state. He married Polly Hopper, who
was born near the town of ]\Iilton, in \\'a>ne county, this state. September 2,
1819, and settled on a farm in Green township, near Eden, in this county,
where he and his wife spent the remainder of their days, her death occurring
on Eebruary 6, 1898, and his on August 11, 1902. They were eamest mem-
bers of the Society of Erieiuls and helpful ;uid useful members of the com-
munity in which they spent many years.
F.lwood Barnard was reared on the paternal farm in Green township
and comjjleted his .schooling in Spiceland .\cademy. When twenty-three
years of age he married and began farming on bis own account. Twenty-
five years ago he began the manufacture of sorghum on his home farm on
rural route X'o. 5. out of Greenfield, and ever since has made a specialty of
that line, long having been recognized as one of the leading producers of
grade sorghum in this country. Xot only does he raise a large acreage of
cane on his own place, but encourages the growth of cane among the farmers
of this county generallx'. his big plant being able to take care of a vast amount
of cane during the season, providing a ready market for that product here-
about. The capacity of the Barnard sorghum factory is twelve hundred
gallons a day and the average number of gallons turned out in season is
ELWOOD BARNARD
BIOGRAPHICAL. 945
above thirty-one thousand. Mr. Barnard also is an extensive dealer in cane
seed and seed oats and the Barnard farm is one of tlie best managed and most
productive in this part of tlie state.
On October i8. 1(883, at Spiceland, Ehvciod liarnard was united in mar-
riage to Ola Gordon, who was born near Knightstown, this slate, November
2-j, 1865, and to this union five children have been born, four daughters and
line son, Ethel, Olive, Helen, .\nn;i and Robori (i. Olive Barnard married
Fred Ayres and lives on rural route No. 3, out of Greenfield, and Anna Bar-
nard married Don b'itzgerald and lives at Indianapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Barnard
are memljers of the Society of Friends and take a warm interest in the gen-
eral good works of their Imme conimunity. Mr. B.-irnard is a ihirtv-second
degree Mason, affiliated with the Indianapolis consistory, .\ncient .\ccepted
Scottish Rite : a noble of J^Iurat Temple, Ancient Order of the Nobles of the
Mystic Shrine, at Indianapolis; past master of Eden Lodge No. 477. Free
and Accepted Masons; past high priest of Eden Chapter No. 1 10. Royal
Arch ]\lasons; member of McCordsville Council, Royal and Select Masons:
past eminent commander of (rreenfield Commandery No. 39. Knights Tem-
plar, anil grand king of the grand chapter of the Royal .Arch Masons of
Indiana.
The sorghum manufactured ])y ]\Ir. Barnard is considered by those who
know as the finest grade produced. This product was e.xhibited at the
world's fair in Chicago under the auspices of the department of agricidture
of the United States government and this department chose Mr. Barnard's
product as the best to exhibit.
AUGUST LAN.GENBERGER.
♦
August Langenlierger. fanner of Sugar Creek township, Hancock
county. Indiana, is a native of that same township, born on his father's farm
on March 15. 1843. ^^ '^ '^ '''^" '-^^ William and Charlotte (Hespi) Lan-
genberger. lx)th natives of Germany, where they were married. William
Langenberger was born on March 2, 1800, and died at his home in Sugar
Creek township in 1872. Charlotte Hespa was born on Februan,- 21, 1804.
and lived to the advanced age of ninety-five, departing this life May i. 1899.
\\'illiam Langenberger received a good education in his youth and mastered
the baker's art while still a young man. He made three trips in all to America,
locating in Indianapolis on his first two tri]is, where he wf)rked at the carpenter
trade, and one the third trip he brought his wife and family, consisting of
(60)
946 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
three children. They were on the water seven weeks, landed at Xew ^'ork
and made the trip to Indiana o\erland in a wagon. William Langenberger
had by that time decided he would be a farmer and chose Hancock county
as his future home. Arriving here he entered eighty acres of land fj-om the
government, at a cost of one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, same Ijeing
the east half of the southwest quarter of section 12, of Sugar Creek town-
ship. Tliis land was heavily timbered and his first task was to make a clear-
ing on which he erected a hewn log cabin of two rooms and also a log stable.
Then for many years he and his family lived the life of the pioneer and by
persistent effort he got forty acres of his farm under cultivation, and lived to
see better days dawn for the citizens of his community. Politically, he was
fir.st a Whig and later espoused the cause of the Repulilican party. William
Langenberger lived an active life and passed away on March 2, 187J.
.\ugust Langenberger is the sole surviving member of a family of five
children, ^^atilda was the wife of George Youngerman; Emily w-as the wife
of William Stegg; Fred died in childhood, and George lost his life while at
the front during tiie Civil War, as a private in Company D., Seventy-ninth
Regiment, Indiana \'olunteer Infantry. August was bom and grew to nian-
hijod on the faniil}- homestead in this county, receiving his education at the
old log school house located on the Bunge farm and also attended the German
school on the Brookville road. As a young man he became proficient at the
carpenter trade and also did considerable cement and brick work, both in ad-
dition to his farm work.
On April 16. 1865. at the age of twenty-two, August Langenberger was
united in marriage with Matilda Schreiber, who was born in Warren town-
ship, Marion county, April 12. 1842, a daughter of John and .\nna Barbara
( Stumpf ) Schreiber. lx)th natives of Germany. John Schreiber was born on
Janu.'irv 30, 1799, in Germany, and died at his home in Marion county. March
14, i860, at the age of sixt\-one years. Anna Barbara Stumpf was bom in
Hesse-Darmstadt on February 12. 1812, and died on May i-|. 1870. through
an accident, being struck by a railway train. There were si.x children in the
Schreiber family, as follow: Adolph, deceased: Matilda, wife of the subject
of this sketch ; Jackson, who died when eight years old ; August, Caroline and
Luis. At the time of their marriage, .\ugust Langenl)crger and wife took up
their residence on his father's farm, which he rented from the fatlier until the
time of the latter's deatli, when he purchased the interests of the other heirs
and has continued to make his home on the place. Shortly after marriage
he erected a comfortable seven-room house, in which he has continued to
dwell for the past fifty years.
BIOGKAl'llICAL. 947
Mr. Langenl>erger holds the respect of his fellow citizens by virtue of his
life (if faithful attention to the duty next to hand and his wish to advance the
welfare of liis community whenever possible. He is one of that fast-thinking-
rank of picmeer citizens who hri\-e lieen perniitled t(i live to see the .jfloriou;
chaui^es which have been brought about in this county and none can be more
appreciative than he. Mr. Langenberger has been a life-long Republican.
There were ten children in the l^angenberger family, as follows : Adolph, de-
ceased, who left one child, Dora; Annie, who died at the age of twenty
months: William lives at liome; John resides m Cumberland: Maggie, wife
of Charles Bardonner; Julia, now Mrs. Lawrence Dinkel : Emma, deceased:
Cora, deceased; Olga, at home, and Bertha, wife oi William Weidenhaupt.
WILLIAM SCHWIER.
William Schwier, who is known as one of the representative agricul-
turalists of Hancock county, as well as one of its progressive citizens, was
l)orn on June 2, i860, in Westphalia, Germany, and is the son of Frederick
and Coraline (Rutar) Schwier. Frederick Schwier was born in 1826 and
ilied in 1883, follo\\ing a useful career as an expert brick-maker and farmer.
His wife survived him but fi\e years, her death occurring in the fall of 1888,
m Tipton county. Indiana. They were the parents of one child. William, al-
though another child was born to the wife by a former marriage, namely,
Henrv Stuber.
William .Schwier recei\ed his early education in his native land, follow-
ing which he engaged in fanu labor for two years and then in the brick-
making for three years. He then became a fisherman on the Holland herring
hoats in the North sea until June 4, 1884, at which time he emigrated to
America, disembarking at New York and immediately coming to Sugar Creek
township, of this county. Remaining here for six months, he then removed
to Ti])ton county, Indiana, where he purchased forty acres of land and con-
tinued to cultivate the soil for eight years. In the sjjring of 1892. he returned
to Sugar Creek township and purchased forty acres of land in the northeast
quarter of section 23, also fifty acres in the northeast quarter of section 20.
Five years later the place containing fifty acres was sold and forty acres were
purchased in the southeast quarter of section 14. He next sold the first forty
acres in section 23, and purchased sixty acres adjoining his Ikhuc place. Here
he has resided since 1898, continuing to make inipmvements until the place
948 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
now has a splendid l)arn, fort\-eight Ijy seventy-eight, an eiglity-five-ton silo,
a double corn-crib and a good seven-room liDuse, also an old house of six
rooms.
On Decemljer 8. 1883, William Schwier and Eleanor Rosener, daughter
of C'.iristian and Christina ( W'esling) Rosener. were united in marriage,
and ten children have blessed their union : William, married Nettie Eikman
and they are the parents of one cliild. Frederick; Mary, became the wife of
Louis Ortel and they have one child, Volga; Elizabeth. Carl. Henry, Herman.
Emma, Amelia, Otto and Eddie. Eleanor ( Rosener) Schwier was born on
March 28, 1861, in Westphalia. Germany, and immigrated to this country with
her husband, her parents having remained in Germany until death. She. as
well as her husband, is a member of the German Lutheran church, in which
denomination he has served as trustee. In his political life. William Schwier
is a faithful follower of the Democratic party. Beside his own property of
one hundred acres, he rents one hundred acres and devotes the two places to
the raising of corn and small grain, as well as horses, cattle and hogs.
lOHX F. SHELBY
[iihn I-". Shelby, a life-long resident (if Hancock county, Indiana, and a
descendant of one of the earliest pioneer families, first saw the light of day
within the confines (;f Buck Creek township on June 29. 1858. a son of
Joshua W. and Xancy (Huini) Shelliy. Joshua W. Shelln- was born in
Union county, this state, on June 16. 1815, a son of Joseph Shelby and wife.
Joseph Shelby was a native of Kentucky and later a resident of L'nion county,
Indiana, and in 1833 he and his family came to Hancock county, making the
trip here in a covered wagon. Joseph entered a tract of one hundred and
twentv acres of land in Center township, about two miles northeast of Phila-
delphia, for which he paid the standard price of one dollar and a quarter per
acre. This section of Hancock county was at that time all covered with
virgin forest and the summer before the family moved here. Joshua W.,
father of the subject of this sketch, then a young man of eighteen, came on
alone and proceeded to make ready for the balance of the famil}-. He cleared
a small space in which he erected a cabin and barn of logs. Through the
years which followed, the Shelby family went through the usual experiences
of the pioneers of this section and through much privation and hard lalx)r.
managed to get their land partly cleared and drained before the death of the
BIOGRAPHICAL. 949
head of the family. Joseph Shel1i\"s wife survived him a mimlier of years,
spending tlie latter ])art of lier hfe witli lier youngest son. Brown, on the old
liomestead. Joseph Shelby and wife were the parents of six children, namely:
Joshua \\'.. John, l.ydia. Ilccky Jane, Benjaniin l-'ranklin and 15ro\vn. all of
v.'hom are deceased.
Joshua W. Shelhy remained with his i)arents, assisting them in making
a home on their newly accjuired land, until the time of his marriage at the age
of twenty-four. On December 26, 1839, he was joined in wedlock with
Xancy Dunn, born in South Carolina, October 4, 1813. The Dunn family
were also early pioneers of Buck Creek township, their old family homestead
being about three-fourths of a mile southwest of Mt. Comfort. Xancv Dunn
was one of the elder of a large family of children and rememljered the trip
from their North Carolina home in a covered wagon to tlie new location in
Indiana. Directly after marriage, Joshua W. Shelb\- built a log cabin on a
part of the Dunn farm, but remained there but a few months when he entered
from the government one hundred and twenty acres in section 21. of Buck
Creek township, and proceeded to make a home for himself as had other
hardy pioneers of this section. His land was marshy, necessitating consid-
erable drainage, as well as the cutting of timber. He made great headway
in getting his land all under cultivation and in later years built a substantial
bouse of six rooms with double log barn and other buildings. His death
occurred on January 5, 1889, and his widow survived him but a shcjrt time,
passing away on ISIay 1 1 , of that same year.
Joshua W. Shelby and wife were the parents of seven children, as fol-
low: Calvin F., born on March 5, 1841, died on April 1 1, i()i4; Samuel N..
September i, 1843; Sarah J., March 20, 1848; Lydia A., September Ji, 1850,
died on March 21, J915: EKira H., June 2~. 1854, died on June 5, "^'^JT,
John I-".. Jime 29. 1858.
John !■". Shelby passed his boyhood and youth on the old homestead,
where he still resides, and received his education at the old Xo. -j. district
school, his first teacher being Miss Welling, who taught him at the old "Pop-
lar Log" school. John F. Shelby assisted with the home work until the time
of his marriage, at the age of twenty-five, on Xovemljer 2'i^. 1883, to Sarah
M. Hastes, born in Buck Creek township on September 8, 1859. She is a
daughter of John X. and Sarah (Casey) Hastes, both of whom came to this
county in the early days. Sarah Hastes was one of a family of seven chil-
dren and had also six half-brothers and sisters.
After marriage. John !•". Shelby settled on twenty-eight acres which he
had bought before his marriage, adjoining the old homestead on the north-
950 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
west. For this land he paid fifty-three and one-half dollars per acre and it
had on it a three-room log house and a small frame barn, twenty-four by
twenty. He also farmed his father's place, continuing in this fashion uj) to
the time of his fathers death in 1889, when he received a portion of the
homestead as his share and purchased the balance from the other heirs, all
except fourteen acres belonging to a sister. This gave John F. Shelby one
hundred and thirty-four acres and in addition to this, he has purchased eighty
acres in section 24, making him two hundred and fourteen acres in all. Mr.
Shelby has erected on his farm a comfortable se\en-room house, also a good
barn, fifty by fifty, corn-crib and granary and other buildings. He is re-
garded as one of the successful farmers of his section, giving his attention to
diversified farming and the raising of live stock.
There are five children in John F. Shelby's family : Claude, single and
at home; Carl, married Lena King and has one child. John .\nthony; Grace,
wife of Fred Elliott, has one child, Lois Hazel; Hazel, wife of Herbert Fink,
and Homer, at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shelley are members of the United
Brethren church, which society he also serves as trustee, and he holds his
fraternal aflfiliation with the Free and Accepted r^Lisons through Lodge No.
140, at Oaklandon. Politically, he is a Democrat and served Buck Creek
township as trustee from 1909 to 1913, discharging his duties in a manner
satisfacton,' to all. Air. Shelby is one of the stalwart citizens of this county,
who have always stood for all that is highest and best in community life, and
has added his quota to the general development of the community in which
he has alwavs lived.
ROBERT HURLEY.
Robert Hurley, generally conceded to be one of Buck Creek township,
Hancock county's, most successful farmers and for many many years a teacher
in the public schools of the county, has a personal history differing consid-
erably from that of his fellow citizens. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, on
Julv 6, 1855. he was the eldest son of the family of three children of Dennis
and Mary Hurley. Dennis Hurley was born in Ireland, while Mary, his wife,
was born in England about 1831 and died in t86i when but thirty years of
age. Dennis came to America when a youth and was here married. He re-
sided in Baltimore and was engaged in the oyster business. Shortly after the
death of his young wife and at the outbreak of the Civil War. he enlisted and
went to the front, never being heard from again. It is presumed that he was
BIOGRAPHICAL. 95 1
killed, but no record of his death was ever known. Patrick, the brother next
to Robert, died when a small child, and John, the babw was taken into the
home of two maiden sisters of Dennis, residing in Baltimore. Robert was
taken into the family of his father's eldest sister, Mary, wife of a Mr. 1 lurley,
who resided at Factoryville, Staten Island, the family later moving to New
Brighton. Robert was about si.\ years of age when taken into his aunt's
family and received his early education at the parochial schools near his
home. When twelve years of age he obtained a position in the office of the
old stock brokerage firm of B. Robinson & Comiiany, of 22 Broad street,
New York City, this being his entry into the business world. So satisfac-
torily did lie perform his duties that instead of receiving the twenty dollars
per montii for which he had hired, he was given tlu'rtv dollars from the first.
His work in the heart of New York's financial district in llie busy days fol-
lowing the close of the Civil War, has left an impression on the mind of Mr.
Hmdey which nothing can ever erase. His duties led him to the offices of
the great financial men of that day, among them being Jay Gould. Jim Fiske
and other well-known figiu'es. However, B. Robinson & Companv went to
tile wall, after which young Hurley secured eni])]o\ment with a firm of gold
brokers, his duty being to keep his employers infomied of the fluctuations of
the gold market. He was with that firm for a few months and later was
employed hy the Western Union Telegraph Companv at their office at 145
Broadway and it was shortly afterward, while lounging at the Newsboys"
Home, that he heard of a party of orphan children t(^ be taken to Indiana,
which then still seemed a part of the far ^^'est. He investigated the project
and joined tb.e party, arriving at Greenfield on January 28, 1868. He was
taken into the home of Moses Turk, two miles northwest of Greenfield, where
he remained until he was twenty-one years of age. During the winter season
lie attended school, assisting with the farm work in the summer and after
finishing, his studies, worked constantly on the farm for two years. In sum-
mer he attended the normal institute at Cireenfield and in the fall of 1878
taught his first term of school. To further fit himself for his chosen work
he later attended the State Normal at Terre Haute and for the following
twenty-seven vears (twenty-nine terms) he taught school in Buck Creek town-
ship, with the exception of three terms in Center township. In 1905 he did
his last teaching and has since been devoting himself to his farming interests.
He first engaged in farming on his own account in 1882 when he rented a
farm from Mary Bell and the following year he purchased eighty acres, being
the south half of the northwest f|uarter of section 21. Shortly afterward he
added twelve acres in the same section and later twenty acres, making a total
952 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
of one hundred and twelve acres in all. During die years of his ownership
he has cleared all but twenty acres of the land, and has thoroughly tiled and
fenced it. He has erected a splendid residence of ten rooms, beautifully
situated, a large bam. forty by fifty-two feet, and also other buildings in keep-
ing with the general character of the place. Mr. Hurley divides his time be-
tween general farming and the raising of live stock, in all of which he is uni-
formly successful.
When twenty-seven years of age, Robert Hurley was united in marriage,
on May 3, 1882. with Lou A. Dillman, born in Buck Creek township, on
March 4, 1861, a daughter of James F. and Mary Jane (Wright) Dillman,
both of whom were early pioneers of ]^Iarion and Hancock counties. James
I'. Dillman was bom in Ohio and was a son of Daniel and Alargaret Dillman.
who settled in ]\Iarion county when James F. was a small child. There James
F. grew to manhood and married Mary Jane Wright, born in Buck Creek
township on August 22, 1836, a daughter of William and Margaret (McCoy)
Wright, both of whom were born in W'ayne county, this state. William and
^Margaret Wright had six children, of whom but two now survive: Morgan
and Mary Jane, mother of Mrs. Hurley. Morgan Wright is a prominent
citizen of Tipton county, this state, having served as sheriff and county com-
missioner. James F. Dillman, father of Mrs. Hurley, enlisted for service in
the Civil War about 1862 or 1863. as a private in the Seventy-ninth Regi-
ment, Indiana Wiluntecr Infantry, and served for eighteen months, when he
met his death at the battle of Lookout Mountain. James F. Dillman was the
father of four children, namely: William Thomas, Margaret F., Lou A.
(Mrs, Hurley) and Mary C, deceased. After the death of James F. Dili-
man his widow married John X. Eastes, who ilied in 1882, and l)y him be-
came the mother of five children: Minnie, who died in infancy; Ivy Belle,
Charles N., Laura A. and Daisy M. To Robert Hurley and wife have been
liorn four children, as follow : Stanton A., married Lena Buchfink and re-
sides at Indianapolis, and they have fi^ur children, John, Robert, Mary Eliza-
beth and Alice ; Chester B. married Hazel Snodgrass and lives in Henry
county, and they have two children, Claude and Mildred ; Roscoe G. and
Flossie Ethel are single and remain at home with the parents.
Mr. Hurley was a faithful member of the L'nited Brethren church, while
his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcojjal church. He gives his political
support to the Democratic party, and is a member of Hancock Lodge No, loi,
Free and Accepted Masons, at Greenfield. Robert Hurley is well worthy
of the high esteem in which he is licld liv his large circle of friends and ac-
quaintances.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 953
JOSia'lI LKIC ALLEX, M. D.
Dr. juseph Leo .\lleii, prnminciit ami well-known physician and surgeon
of (ireenfiekl, this county, is a native son of Hancock county, having been
hovn on a farm in Brandywine townshi]), this county, October 25, 1874, son
of Jiihu and Eliza ( Dunwood)- ) Allen, the former of whom also was born in
this county and the latter in Ohio.
John Allen was born in P.randywine township, this county, October 6,
1848, son of Jesse and Jane ( Snodgrassj Allen, the former of whom was a
native of Xorth Carolina, of English parentage, who came to Indiana and
settled m Hancock county, taking a claim in Sugar Creek township, which he
develo])ed, and later moved to Brandywine township, where he established bis
permanent home, and it was there that John .\llen was born and there he
grew to manhood. Jesse Mien and wife reared a family of twelve children,
six sons and six daughters, all living to lie married. For some years after
his marriage, John Allen farmed in Brandywine township and then moved to
Greenfield, where for two years he conducted a hotel. He then moved to
Shel1)\- Count}- and again to Brandywine township, this county. He later
moved to Henry county, this state, where he bought and operated a farm. He
later conducted a small store in the village of Ogden., where he died at the
age of sixty-five years. He was a Democrat and a member of the Primitive
Baptist church. His widow, who still survives him. was born in Butler county,
Ohio, not far from the city of Hamilton, one of a family of seven daughters
born to her parents. Joseph and Hannah ( Keene) Dunwoody, and all of
whom li\ed to ad\aneed ages. .She is a member of an old Xew lui.gland
family, of Scotch descent, the Dunwoodys of her line in this country dating
back to early colonial days. To John Allen and wife were born six children,
of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest, the others being as follow- :
/esse P., Harrv 15., John Ralph. Grace Ethel, who married Walter E. Per-
kins, of Xewcastle. this state, and Xellie Alice, who died in infancy. Doctor
Allen's brothers are all married and .are well-to-<lo farmers living near
Knightstown, this state.
Joseph Lee .\llen was reared on the paternal farm in Brandywine town-
ship and received his elementary educa.tion in the district school in the neigh-
borhood of his home, which he supplemented by a course in the normal school
at Acton and a \ear in the Carthage hi.gh school, after which he taught for
a couple of years in the district schools of Rush county. He then attended
the normal school at Rushville and took a year of the academic course in th.c
Spiceland. Academy, after which he was engaged for four years as a teacher
954 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
in the graded scliools at Perkinsville. in Madison county, this state, occupying'
his vacations Ijy attending tlie Indiana State Nomial at Terre Haute. In the
meantime he had decided upon a medical career and had done much prelimi-
nary reading in preparation for such a career, reading for a time witli Dr. O.
E. Holloway. of Knightstown. Thus equi])ped he entered the Indiana Medical
College and after a four-years course in that excellent institution was grad-
uated with the class of 1904, witli the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Thus
admirably equipped for the practice of his noble profession. Doctor Allen
opened an office at Charlottesville, this county, and was thus engaged in that
pleasant village until 191 1, in wlrich year he took a post-graduate course in
the Post-Graduate Medical College at Xew York and in March of tliat same
year moved to Greenfield, where he opened an office and where he ever since
has been engaged in tlie practice of his profession, long having been regarded
as one of the leading practitioners in the county. For four years Doctor
Allen served as coroner of Hancock county and is at present county health
commissioner, secretary of the Greenfield city board of health, secretary of
the Hancock county i)ension examining board, president of the Hancock
County Anti-Tuberculosis Society and secretary of tlie Hancock County Med-
ical Society, to the duties of all of which several important engagements he
gives his most thoughtful and intelligent attention. For some years past
Doctor Allen has found a very agreeable diversion in the raising of high-
grade Single Com1) \\'hite Orpington chickens and has become known far ami
wide over the state as a fancier of fine discrimination. He is the president
of the Hancock County Poultry Association and liis string of more than fift>'
prizes taken at chicken .shows indicates the care which he has bestowed upon
the cultivation of this very interesting and renumcrative ami useful "holjby."
On August 2, 1903, Dr. Joseph L. Allen was united in marriage to
Lillie Alexander, who was born in Madison county, this state, youngest of
the five cliildren born to Lewis and Elizabeth (St. Clair) Alexander, prom-
inent residents of that county, and to this union three children have been born,
Phebe Clair, born in 1904: Paul Alexamler, 1906, and Charles William, 19 12.
Mrs. Allen is a woman of wide culture, having received her schooling at Ox-
ford (Ohio) College, the Indiana Slate Xormal and Miss Blaker's Training
School for primary teachers at Indianapolis, and is an admirable hel])nieet
for the doctor in his professional career. Doctor and Mrs. .Mien arc active
memliers of the Bradley Methodist Episcopal church at Greenfield, of which
the doctor is one of tlie trustees. They take a proper part in the social and
cultural life of the communitv and are held in high esteem liy their many
friends hereabout. Dr. Allen is a member of the local lodge of the Odd Fel-
BIOGRAPHICAL. 955
lows, of which he is a past nohle grand; a member of the Masonic order, of
tlie Modem Woodmen and of the Loyal Order of Moose, in the affairs of all
of which popular organizations he takes a warm interest.
GEORGE BOTSFORD.
A life-long resident of Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, Indiana,
and one of the best known and successful citizens, is George Botsford, born
on the farm where he now resides on March 25, 185c;, a son of Elisha Shel-
don Botsford and Lorinda Wright, his wife.
Elisha S. Botsford was born in Connecticut in 1827, a son of George
Botsford. and when he was al)0ut eleven years of age, his parents came to
Indiana, locating in Johnson county, where the father engaged in farming
and passed the remainder of his life. George Botsford was married in Con-
necticut to Clara Pamierlee, and to this union were born two children, Elisha
Sheldon and Amos. Mrs. Clara f rarnierlee") Botsford died when Elisha
was a small child, and George Botsford was married, secondly, to Louise
Parmerlee, cousin of his first wife, and to this union were born the following
children : Mrs. Eliza Pudney, Mrs. Clara Hibbs, Mrs. Johanna Ralston and
George.
Elisha S. Botsford was reared on the Johnson county homestead, re-
ceiving such education as the schools of that section at that time afforded
and when he arrived at }'oung manhood he was united in marriage with
Lorinda Wright, born about 1828. a daugb.ter of William and Rachael
(Baker) Wright. The \\' rights moved from Kentucky to Johnson county in
the early days and there reared a large family, but tme of whom Mrs. Rachael
Walker, still survives. After marriage Elisha Botsford engaged in farming
near his boyhood home in Johnson county and in the early fifties his father
gave him a land warrant to locate in Jasper county. Indiana, and he drove
overland to that county with several other men going for the same purpose
However, he did not like his location in Jasper county, and therefore
negotiated a trade with a Mr. Musselman to e.\change his Jasper county
land for one hundred and si.xty acres of land in Hancock county. This
tract was located in the north jwrt of section 15, of Sugar Creek town-
ship, and has since been the Botsford homestead. The land at the
time of the purchase was all covered with heavy timber, and after erecting
a siuall log cabin and barn. Elislia S. returned to Johnson county for
956 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIAXA.
his family, consisting at that time of his wife and two chil(h"en, and estab-
Hshed them m their wilderness home. Elisha S. Botsford died when forty-
nine years of age, in 1876, and at that time had under the plow ninety acres
of his farm. Politically, he was a Democrat and took an active interest in
township affairs, serving for several years both as assessor and justice of the
peace. His wife had died about one year previous to his death, passing away
on Januan,^ 28, 1875.
George Botsford was one of a family of eight cliildren. namely : Clara
L., Rachael, Ella, William Beaumont, George, Elizabeth, Allen S. and Lottie
^lay, all still living with the exceptions of Clara, Rachael and Elizabeth.
George Botsford received his education at the old Morford school near liis
home, his first teacher being Joseph M. Lowe, and after school days were
over, he continued assisting his father with the work of the farm. On ^L'l}'
4, 1852, when twenty-tliree years of age, he was united in marriage with
Delia E. Nelson, born in Posey township, Rush county, this state, January 13.
1861, a daughter of Thomas J. and Mar}- Ann ( Hittle) Nelson, the latter
born in Union township. Rush county, in 1837, and who died on September
24. 1876. Thomas J. Nelson was born in Bath county, Kentucky. July 7.
1835, a son of Solomon and Eliza Nelson, who came to Indiana in 1839 and
located in Indianapolis, living in a house located on the land where the union
station now stands. The Nelsons later went to Rush count)', where Eliza
died, but Solomon passed away in Hancock county. In Sugar Creek township,
of this county, Thomas J. Nelson still resides. To Thomas J. and Mary Ann
Nelson were born eight children, as follow: John, ^larshall, Delia E., George
E., Sarah Alice, Ezra T., William A. and Eddie M. Thomas J. Nelson mar-
ried, secondly, Mrs. Harriet A. (Hawkins) Riley, born in Brandywine town-
ship, Hancock county, July 27, 1842, a daughter of Joseph and ^lary (Grayl
Hawkins. Tlie second ^Irs. Nelson was the mother of two children by her
first husband and to her union with Thomas J. Nelson, on child. Fannie, was
born.
After niarriage. George Botsford rented a portion of the old home place
for several years. To his share of his father's estate he added the interests of
otlier heirs, which he purchased, thus making sixty acres of the old homestead
his property. He now owns one hundred and four acres, sixty of this lieing of
the old home and the other twenty-four acres, located a short distance away,
being a part of the Joseph Gray farm. Mr. and Mrs. Botsford went to house-
keeping in a small four-room frame house, in which they lived for about
thirty years, when tiieir present modern home of nine rooms, bath, etc. was
erected, with fann buildings to conform. Mr. Botsford is one of the success-
BIOGRAPHICAL. 957
fill farmers of Sugar Creek township, and attriluues his success to tlie raising
of com and hogs. Of the latter he favors the "Big Type" Poland China,
feeding an average of forty for the market per annum. He keeps five or six
cows and four good farm horses. Mr. Botsford has been especially successful
in winning' prize nioney on his corn, to which he has given especial attention
for the past fifteen years. In 1914 he won first prize of fifteen dollars for
t'.ie Ix'st ten ears of corn, (offered by tlie Citizens' Bank of Greenfield during
the exhibit of January 26 to 30: also fifth premium for exhibit of ten ears, and
in the exhibit of February 2;^ to 27, he won the frist prize offered by the Citi-
zens' Bank for the best single ear as well as fifth premium for ten ears. Besides
the special prizes, he has been a winner at other exhibits in Marion and Han-
cock counties in the past few years.
Mr. and Mrs. Botsford are the parents of four children. Crystal A.,
horn on March 3. 1883. is the wife of John W. Wilson, of Brandywine town-
ship, and the mother of one child, Florence. Lelia E., born on December 21,
1884, died on August 11, 1900. George Ray, bom on April 24, 1890. mar-
ried Goldie G. Huffman, has two children, Dorothy E. and Sheldon B., and
resides in Greenfield. Mary L., the youngest of the family, w^as born on May
24, 1899. Mrs. Botsford is a member of the Christian church at Little Sugar
creek.
George Botsford is regarded as one of the lending agriculturalists of h.is
communit}" and as a man wortln- of the high esteem in which he is held l)y all.
He has passed his entire life on the one farm and l)eing in every respect a
worthy citizen of Hancock county, is, therefore, cmnienilv entitleil to repre-
sentation in a work of the character of th.e one in hand.
HON. HARRY G. STRICKLAND.
Hon. Harry G. Strickland, former representative from this district in
the Indiana General .Assembly, one of the directors of the Greenfield Banking
Company, former city clerk of Greenfield, a former well-known newspaper
man and for years one of the best-known merchants of that city, was bom in
the old town of Centerville, over in Wayne county, this state, but has been a
resident of Greenfield since ^it<jS. He was born on July 12, 1866, son of
Richard J. and .\nn E. (Hamlyn) Strickland, the former a native of Ohio
and the latter of England, both of whom were for years residents of Green-
field, honored and respected by the entire community.
958 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Ricliard J. Strickland was born in Ross county, Ohio, September 30,
1830. He was educated in Vermont, having been given excellent oppor-
tunities in the wa)' of schooling, and early became interested in the newspaper
business. He was not only a practical printer, but a writer of force and ability
and when he came to Indiana as an ambitious young newspaper man in the
early fifties quickly made his influence felt. He Ijecame tlie owner and editor of
a newspaper at Riciimond. going thence to Cambridge City, where he published
a paper for a time and then located at Centerville, where he was engaged in
the newspaper business until he muved to Greenfield in 1878. .\s editor of the
IVayne County Chronicle at Centerville, which town at that time was a place
of far greater pretension that it makes today, Richard J. Strickland became
one of Indiana's best-known newspaper men and his paper exerted a wide
intluence thereabout in its day. While there he also established the old Odd
Fellozi-s Journal, later and now known as the Odd Fellozi's Talisman, tlie
official organ of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Indiana, and for
years conducted that journal, becoming in that time one of the best-known
Odd Fellows in the United States. When Centerville became too greatly
overshadowed b\- the neighboring city of Richmond, Mr. Strickland moved
his newspaper plant to Greenfield, the county seat of this county, arriving
there in 1878, and there he began the puljlication of the Hancock Jcffersonian
and continued as editor and publisher of that paper until he sold it in 1889
and retired fmm tlie newspaper business, after many years of active and use-
ful service in that connection. Upon retiring from business Mr. Strickland
returned to his old home at Centerville. where he spent the remainder of his
life, his death occurring on May 29, 1898.
Richard J. Strickland's widow survived him more than ten years, her
death occurring on May 15. 1910. .\nn E. Hamlyn was born in Devonshire.
England, October 4. 1830, and was nineteen years old when she came to this
countr\- w ith her parents. The family settled in Hamilton county, Ohio, en-
tering a considerable tract of land on what is now \\'alnut Hills, Cincinnati's
most attractive residence section, and there she lived until her marriage to
Mr. Strickland. She was one of thirteen children bom to her ])arents, only
one of whom is now living, Mrs. Lizzie Golden, of Acton, this state. To
Richard J. and Ann E. (Hamlyn) Strickland eight children were liorn, of
whom four now survive, those besides the subject of this biographical sketch
being as follow : Ben, assistant clerk of the Indiana state board of printing,
with offices in the state house at Indianapolis, a biographical sketch of wliom
is presented elsewhere in this volume : Mrs. Addie Chambers, of Hastings.
Oklahoma, and Mrs. Grace Taylor, of Indianapolis.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 959
Harry G. Strickland's boylioud was spent in his native town, Ceiiterville,
and iiis elementary education was received in the excellent schools of tiiat
tine old Inwn. Ik- was al)'iut IwcKc years old when his parents moved to
Greenfield and lie continued his scimolmg in the public schools in that city,
being graduated from the (jreenfiekl high school with the class of 1884.
From earliest childhood he had had the run of his fathers printing office and
"knew tlie case" e\en before be was l)ig enough to "chin" the "frames," thus
gradually absorbing all details of "the art preservative of all arts" and be-
coming a very competent printer. Upon leaving the high school he went to
Indianapolis, where for two years lie was employed as a printer in the office
of the old Daily Journal. He then went to Washington, D. C, where he
was employed in the government printing office for a )'ear, at the end of
which time the failing state of his father's health required his return home
and he was in practical charge of tlie publication of the Jeffersoiiiaii until his
father sold that excellent old paper in 1889. Harry G. Strickland then en-
tered tiie grocery store of his brother. Haniyln (now deceased), at Green-
field and remained there as a clerk until 1893. '" which year he established a
grocery store of his own, which he ever since has conducted with much suc-
cess, long having been recognized as one of the leading merchants of Green-
field. Mr. Strickland's business interests are not confined wholly to his mer-
cantile establishment and since 1907 he has. been serving as a member of the
board of directors of the Greenfield FJanking Company.
Wholeheartedly and unselfishly, for years Mr. Strickland has given of
his time and his energies to the public service and there are few men in cen-
tral Indiana who have a wider or more influential acquaintance in the political
circles of the state than he. He served a term as city clerk of Greenfield
and for some years gave ef|uallv efficient service to tlie local public as a mem-
ber of the cit}' council. In 1906 Mr. Strickland was elected, as the nominee
of the Democratic party, representative from this district to the lower house
of the Indiana General Assembly. His service in the house during the session
of 1907 commended him so highly to the people of his home district that he
was re-elected in 190S and was again returned in 1910. serving with equal
fidehty and efficiency during the sessions of 1909 and 191 1. During his
lengthy service in the house Mr. Strickland was a member of some of the
most important committees of that body and he exerted a wide and wholesome
influence upon the legislation of that period. As a memlx;r of the Masonic
fraternity. Harry G. Strickland ranks with the very highest in that ancient
order, the honorary thirty-third degree. Ancient Accepted Scottish Riie.
having been conferred upon him in 19 10. He passed up through the York
960 HANCOCK COrXTV. INDIANA.
Rite and is past i^rand commander of tlie grand commandery of the Knights
Templar of Indiana, as well as a noble of Murat Temple, Oasis of Indian-
apolis, Ancient Arabic Order, Xobles of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Strickland
also has fraternal affiliations with the Greenfield lodges of the Kniglits of
the Maccabees, tlie Improved Order of Red Men and the Ha_\niakers, in the
affairs of all of w liicii organizations he takes a warm interest.
On Xovemlx;r 7, 1889. Harry G. Strickland was united in marriage to
Xettie Williams, a graduate of the Greenfield high school, who was born in
Greenfield, May 10. 1867, a daughter of Joseph and Clarissa (Thomas)
Williams, the former of whom died at Greenfield in 1876 and the latter on
March 8, 1910. Joseph \\'illiams came from Pennsylvania to Indiana and
was for years a well-known carriage manufacturer at Greenfield. He and
his wife were the parents of four children, those besides Mrs. Strickland, who
was the second in order of birth, l>eing Herman Williams, of Indianapolis:
Mrs. Charles Perry, of Greenfield, and Frank Williams, who for the past
twenty years has been associated with Mr. Strickland in the grocery business
at C-reenfield. To Harry G. and Xettie (\\'illiams) Strickland three children
have Ixen born, one of whom died in infancy, the others Iieing Harriet, bom
in 1899, and Richard, 1903. ^Ir. and Mrs. Strickland are meml)ers of the
Presbyterian church and take a proper part in the various social and cultural
actixities of their home town, earnest promoters of all movements designed
to .'idvance the common welfare hereabout.
MRS. LEXA SCHTLD^IEIER.
Lena (Sommers) Schildmeier. who has contributed largely to the general
uplift of the community in which she lives, was born on September 21, 1871,
in Kahl, Gennany, and is the daughter of George and Lena (Schutterly) Som-
mers, both natives of the German town of Kahl. George Sommers was born
on Julv 4, i84(), and was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Sommers, who re-
mained in their native land until death. Jacob Sommers was engaged in the
transfer business, which he followed for many years, dying at an advanced age.
He was the father of three children, all of whom are deceased willi the excep-
tion of George, the father of Lena (Sommers) Schildmeier.
George Sommers was reared and educated in his native country, and was
also married there. He assisted his father in the transfer Inisiness as well
as in his farming interests, being quite content with this arrangement until
AXTOX F. SCHILDMEIER AXD FAMILY
BIOGRAPHICAL. 961
his marriage, at which time he Ijecanic an independent factor in the business
world. At the age of twenty-one this native son of Germany pledged his
protection to Lena Schutterly, daughter nf .\ndrew and Lena Schutterly. and
to them have been born nine children, whose names follow : Lena. Anna, Chris-
tina, George, Elizabeth. Emma (deceased), Ida, Marie and Charles. Lena
Schutterly was also a native of Kahl, Germany, and her birtli occurred on .May
17, 1850. Fler parents were life-long residents of that country. She was
the youngest of three children born to her parents. .Andrew, .Anna and Lena.
In April, 1880, George Sommers, his wife and children immigrated to America,
proceeding- direct lo Indianapolis, Indiana, after their arri\'al in New York
City. They soon found it expedient to locate on the farm of Mr. Wagner in
\\'arren township, Marion county, where they remained for a period of three
years, following which they removed to North Cumberland, Indiana, their
resident in that place covering a period of four years. Their ne.xt experience
was the in-vestment in .^ixty acres of land in Buck Creek towniship, Hancock
county, Indiana, which property became their home for about twelve years.
The ne.xt year was spent in Indianapolis, Indiana. ])ut at the end of that time
they returned to agricultural pursuits on sixty-one and one-half acres of land
in Sugar Creek township, of this county, and this has since continued to be
their home. Tlie family are members of the German Evangelical church and
active in its support.
Lena Sommers was reared until eight years of age on the banks of the
River Rhine and then removed with her parents to this country, finishing her
education in the schools of Marion and Hancock counties, Indiana. On April
12, 1894, she was united in marriage to Anton F. Schildmeier. son of Christian
and Mary (Waller) Schildmeier, and of this union one child was born, Marie
M., who on November 7, 1915, married John .\. Re.sener. and they reside at
the home of her mother, .\nton F. Schildmeier was born on March 17, 1853,
in Sugar Creek townshi]i, on his father's farm. His father came to America
in 1836, as a boy of eleven years, receiving his education in the land of his
adoption. His death occurred on .April 14, 1910, his wife having preceded
him in death in 1861. They were the parents of nine children.
Anton F. Schildmeier spent his childhood on the home farm and received
his education in the (ierman school, under the instruction of Rev. J. G. Kunz.
At the age of t\vcnt\ -three he was married to .Anna Catherine Weber, daughter
of Henry and Elizabeth Weber, and lo their union were born four children,
two of whom died in infancy. The surviving children are Walter, and Lulu,
who married William Spilker. .Anna Catherine (Weber) Schildmeier died
in 1893, and one year later .Anton F. Schildmeier was married the second time.
(61)
962 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
After her marriage. Lena (Sommers) Scliildmeier and her husband took
up their residence on the Schildmeier homestead, continuing here ever since.
On March 14, 191 5, she had the great misfortune to lose her protector and
companion. Anton F. Schildmeier was an exceptional man in many par-
ticulars and left a large circle of friends to mourn their loss. He was an expert
farmer and breeder of Percheron horses and a large landholder as well, owning
one hundred and se\enty-three acres in this county and one hundred and six
in Jennings county, Indiana. He was a member of the German Evangelical
church, of New Palestine. Indiana, as is also his wife. Politically, he was a
stanch Democrat and loyal citizen.
WILLIAM S. THOMAS.
\\ illiani S. 'J'hiiuias, a retired farmer, living in Willow Branch. Hancnck
county. Indiana, was born in this same county, where he has passed his entire
life, on .August 16, 1858. He is a son of David and Mary (Jones) Thomas,
both natives of Ohio, the fonner of whom as a young man was a general
farmer in Clermont county of his native state and later moved to Rush county,
Indiana, where he purchased a farm and remained for a comparatively short
time. He again moved, this time to Hancock county and located in Jackson
township, where he passed his remaining days.
William S. Thomas is one of a family of ten children, six of whom still
survive. Those other than Jiimself are L. B. Thomas, a retired farmer, living
in Knightstown, this state John W. Thomas, farming in Hancock county :
Maurice C. a retired farmer, living in Willow Branch; Martin R.. farming
in Jackson townshi]). this county, and Margaret Olive, wife of K. T. White,
a Henry county farmer. After attending the schools of his native township,
William S. Thomas assisted in the work of the homestead and in later years
rented the farm for a period of seven years, previous to buying out the in-
terests of some of the other heirs.
William S. Thomas has l)een twice married. His first wife was Mar-
garet Huston, born at I'ortville. a daughter of Thomas W. and Lucinda
Huston, Thomas W'. being well-known as the blacksmith of Fortville. Mr.
Thomas had two children liy his first marriage. Jessie K., who died on Octo-
ber 2. 1907, and Jeanelle, wife of .Alvin Sipe, a mechanic of \\'illow Branch.
Margaret (Huston) Thomas died on April 17, 1892, and on December 29,
1897, William S. Thomas was united in marriage with Flora Tutomw, lorn
BIOGRAPHICAL. 963
in Willow r.ranch, January 7. 1X7-'. a daughter of Hiram and Margaret
(Boles) Tutorow. Both j\Ir. and Airs. Tutorow were. born in North Caro-
lina and emigrated to Indiana about the year 1865, driving the entire distance
in a wagon. They had many thrilling exiieriences en route and upon arriving
in Hancock county they secured for their farm the land upon which the town
of W'ilkiw iiranch now stands. Hiram Tutorow died in 1888 and his widow
still survives at the age of eighty-one years, hale -and hearty considering the
strenuous years she has been through. She is the mother of seven children,
five of whom are still li\ing. These are James L., Ella (Mrs. Higgins),
living in Xorth X'ernon. this state; M. P., residing at Hartford City; Pru-
dence, living in Willow Branch with the mother, and Flora, wife of the im-
mediate subject of this sketch.
William S. Thomas and wife are both mcnilT^rs of the Methodist Epi.s-
copal church, interested in the work of their local organization, while in
politics he gives his support to the r\e])ubican party. He is also a member of
the Willow Branch Horse Thief Detective Association and is an ex-officer
of that organization.
\\ ILLIAM A. BREIER.
William A. Breier, well-known citizen and agriculturist of Sugar Creek
township, Hancock county, Indiana, was born on April 26, 1866, fin the Breier
homestead in this township and county and is the son of William F. and
Christina i Rosener) Breier, both natives of Frilee, Germany, who immigrated
to America when very young. William F. Breier was the son of William and
Christina (Deerburg) Breier, also natives of Frilee. (lermany, who immi-
grated to America in 1840. William P.reier was born about 1806, subse-
quently locating in Sugar Creek township, of this county, where he engaged
in farming until his death, which occurred in i888. The farm which he estal>
lished consisted of eighty acres in the northwest quarter of section 13, and
was purchased of Jacob Schram. It was partially improved and cleared and
eventually contained one hundred and sixty acres, eighty acres having been
purchased of Mr. Bunge. This last named property was located in the south-
east quarter of section 11. All of the hardships and privations of pioneer life
were endured by William Breier while he was engaged in the de\elopment
of liis farm, but his services were invaluable to the community. His wife pre-
ceded him in death about seventeen years, her death having occurred in 187 1.
They were the parents of six children, all of whom lived to maturity.
964 HANCOCK COUNTY. INDIANA.
William F. Breier, father oi William A. Breier. was born 111 Fthniarv.
1834, and was Ijut si.x years of age when he came to America with his par-
ents, who made the voyage in a sailing vessel, disembarking at New York
City and removing immediately to this locality. After many years of suc-
cessful farming in Sugar Creek township, his propert\- holding amounting
to four hundred acres, which included the home place jnuxhased from the
other heirs, his death occurred in October, 1889, at the age of fifty-five years.
He was an active member of the German Lutheran church, as was also his
wife, who followed him in death on July 8. 1904. To them were born ten
children, whose names follow : Christina. Dena. who died at the age of twent\'-
two years: Henry, who died in infanc}-; William. Charles. ]Mary. Henry,
Emma, Annie and Benjamin. Christina died at the age of fifty-five.
\\'illiam A. Breier was reared on the Breier homestead and received his
education in the old Xo. 3 school and in the German school, his first teacher
having been Louis Schriber. His teacher in the German school was Rev. J-
G. Kunz. -After the comjilction of his education he returned to the farm and
assisted his father with the wurk, assuming the entire charge at the death of
his parents. The farm is well improved and is devoted to the raising of gen-
eral crops and stock, feeding out about fifty head of Ohio Improved Chester
hogs and keeps eight to ten head of cattle and four head of horses. William
.-\. Breier is a member of the (ierman Lutheran church, and Democratic in
his political views. As a life-long resident of this locality he has always Ijeen
known as a man of sterling worth and integrity.
ELWOOD O'KAXE BRANDENBURG.
Elwood O'Kane Brandenburg was born two miles southeast of New Pal-
estine on September 22. 1856. the son of James Oliver and Alaria (Snod-
grass) Brandenburg. James Oliver Brandenburg was bom in IVatler county,
Ohio, on April 5. 1822. and died in February, 1912. He was the son of
Henn- and Nancy (Bennett) Brandenburg. Henry Brandenburg was from
Pennsylvania and was of German descent. He was born on January 3. 1807.
FTis wife, Nancy (McCullem) Bennett, was bom on August 12, 1807. Henry
Brandenburg died on October 29. 1862. and his wife died in the fall of 1880.
They were married on September 14. 1826. Henry Brandenburg and family
came from Ikitler county. Ohio, in 1836. and settled about two miles south-
east of New Palestine, where they bought an eighty-acre farm. Henry Bran-
BIUGKAPHICAL. 965
flenburg also was tlie owner of another eighty acres to the south, where l*".!-
wood Brandenburg now lives, and eighty acres northeast of the original
eighty, making him owner of two hundred and forty acres in all.
James Oliver liraiideiiliurg, the lather of the subject of this sketch, was
but eight years of age when he came with his parents from I'.uller county,
Ohio. As a boy he grew up on the old homestead of his father in what was
then a wilderness. Here he received his early education and here he was
married to ]\Iaria Snodgrass, daughter of Robert Snodgrass and wife, who
were also early pioneers of Sugar Creek township. After his marriage, James
Oliver Brandenburg moved to the south eighty of the old home place and
here he built a log house and a log barn. The latter building is still standing.
He started in life for himself and cleared up his land. He later bought forty
acres, which he also cleared. In later \ears he built a good frame barn and
a splendid Inick residence of eight rooms. This was along alwut 1875.
James 01i\er Brandenburg spent his last years with his son here. He died
at the advanced age of eighty-four years in Februar}-, 1912. His wife had
died several years previous on May 22. 1884. James Oliver Brandenburg
was the father of the folluwing children : Jasper, who died in nifancy ; James
Henry, wbn is now tleceased, and Elwood O., who is the subject of this sketch.
I'.lwond O. Brandenljurg was born on the old homestead in tlie old log
cabin that was built there liy his father. Here he spent his childhood days
and attended the old Wagner school. After he finished school he continued
to assist his father on the home place until he was twenty-two years of age.
On Januarv 2g, 1880, he was married to .\rminda Alurnan, who was the
daughter of George and Matilda Murnan, pioneer settlers of Sugar Creek
township. To this uninn was Ijorn one child, who died in infancy. About
two years after his first marriage, in the early sjiring of 1881, his wife died,
and on b'ebruarv 2y, 1883. Mr. Brandenburg was married to ]\larcella Gunn,
who was l)nrn in Hancock county on October 7. 1863. and who was the daugh-
ter of William and Jane (Morford) Gunn. William Gunn was a sen of
Robert (iunn, who came from Ohio and settled as a ])ioneer in Hancock county.
Fane Morford, his wife, was born on May 1 1, 1836. in Clermont county. Ohio.
.She was the daughter of Josei)h I?, and Margaret ( Morehead) Morford, who
were also pioneer settlers of Hancock county. About ten years after his
marriage, William Gunn, in 1866; moved to Tazewell county, Blinois, where
he lived for a year and where he met his death through a stroke of lightning
on .\ugust 28, 1871. .\fter his death his widow returned to Hancock county,
where a few years later she was married to James T. Murnan. She spent
the remaining years of her life in Sugar Creek township. She died on De-
966 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
ceniber, 1883. Througli the first marriage she became the mother of nine
children and through the last marriage she is the mother of two children.
After his first marriage Ehvood O. Brandenburg moved to George ^lurnan's
farm, south of New Palestine, where he lived until after the death of his wife.
He then returned tn the home place, where he resided for two years or until his
second marriage in 1883. He then moved to the farm of Mr. Snodgrass.
just southeast of the old home place, and there he resided two years and then
shortly after his mother's death, in the fall of 1885, he moved back to the
old home farm, where he still resides. Mr. Brandenburg is the owner of a
one-hundred-and-twenty-acre tract cotnprising the old home place, a part of
which he heired, and the remainder of which he purchased from the other
heirs. He is the father of two children: Virgil Ray, who married Lulu
Weston and resides in Detroit, Michigan, and Anna Luella, who resides at
home. iMr. Brandenburg is a successful farmer and stock raiser. Both him-
self and wife and children are members of the Christian church. Mr. Bran-
denburg is a memlier of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of New Pal-
estine and also a member of the Court of Honor. He is a Democrat in politics
and has been supervisor for his township.
PLEASANT F. PARISH.
Pleasant F. Parish was born in Sugar Creek township. Hancock county,
on .\ugust 22, i860, a son of Thomas and Ellen (Means) Parish.
Thomas Parish was bom in 1819, in Greensboro, Rockingham county.
North Carolina. He spent his childhood days there and at the age of ten,
after his father's death, he moved with his mother and her family to near
Brookfield, then called Doubletown. Shelby county, Indiana. It was there
that he spent his youth and it w-as thei^e that he was married at the age of
twenty, in 1839, to Ellen Means, who was bom near Madison, Indiana, in
1822. and who was the daughter of Fountain and Elizabeth Means, both of
North Carolina. Fountain Means lived near Madison. Indiana, for one year
and then came to Shelby county, where Ellen spent her childhood and early
life. After his marriage. Thomas Parish farmed near Acton, in Marion
county, for awhile. He finallv bought a farm of one hundred and twenty
acres one-half mile south of New Palestine, where he spent the remaining
years of his active life. In January of i88t he moved to another farm which
he owned a mile north of New Palestine, where he lived for al)<^ut eight vears
or until his retirement from active life. He then moved to Greenfield, where he
BIOGRAPHICAL. 967
lived for five years, or until his deatli, which occurred in Xovemlier, 1893.
when he was seventy-four years old. His wife survived him eleven years,
and died on February 29, 1904. At one time Thomas Parisii owned three
hundred and eighty acres of Hancock county land and was accounlcd one of
the most advanced farmers in the county. He was a Democrat in politics
and both he and his wife were members of the Christian church. They were
the parents of the following children; Lucindia, wh.o is decea.sed; Xeamor,
who died at the age of two years ; Jane, who is deceased ; Eliza. Amanda,
who is deceased ; John, Robert, who is deceased ; Pleasant, wlio is the subject
of this sketch ; Albert and William H.
Pleasant V. Parish was l)om on the old homestead of his father, south
of New Palestine. He spent his childhood there and his youth and attended
the common schools at New Palestine. After finishing his school career he
helped his father on the farm until he was twenty-seven years old. When
he was twenty-two years old he moved, wilh liis family, to the farm north of
New Palestine, where he was married at tlie age of twenty-seven to Elva J.
Fritts. on October 5. 18S7. She was born on Augiist 14, 1863. in Aloral
township. Shelby county. She was the daughter of Jolin and Fdiza ( An-
drews) Fritts, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Shelby
county. Indiana. Their parents were from Maryland. Joim and Eliza I''ritts
were the parents of the following children : Elva, who is the wife of the
subject of this sketch; Leonard, Nora Joseph and Mollie.
.\fter his marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Parish took up their residence on the
old home place south of New Palestine, where thej- have resided ever since.
For the first eleven years Mr. Parish rented this old home place, or until his
mother's death in 1904, at which time lie bought out the other heirs. In
addition to this one hundred and twenty acres of the old home place, Mr.
Parish has purchased a tract of forty acres adjoining this on the soutliwest.
He now owns a fine farm of one hninhx-d and sixt\- acres. He has on this a
sj)lendid modern six-room residence and other modern improvements.
Mr. Parish usually has in cultivation about seventy acres of corn and
about the same acreage in smaller grain. He attributes his success mostly
to his corn and hog raising. He feeds and markets over a hundred head of
hogs every year. He usually has on hand about a dozen head of cattle and
at least that many horses. All of his stock is well bred.
Mr. and Mrs. Parish are the parents of the following children : Lyman
E., who married Maude Branson and who resides in New Palestine; Goldie,
who married Frederick Schildmeier. a farmer of Marion county ; Claude. Ruby
and Dale Woodrow, wiio are at home.
968 HA.XCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Parish are members of the Christian church. Mr.
Parish is a member of the following lodges: Free and Accepted Masons,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, and he and his
wife are members of the auxiliary orders of the Masons and of the Knights
of Pythias. Mr. Parish is a Democrat in politics and he has been a memljer
of the township advisoiy board for ten years.
JOHN R. AXDIS.
John R. Andis was born on October 18. 1837, in Brandywine townshii),
Hancock county, son of Alexander Andis, who was l;orn in \'irginia and
who came here in the early pioneer days and entered a tract of land from
the government. He cleared it. built a log house and barn and this Ikjusc
burned down. He then built a brick house in which he lived for a number of
years, but finally tore this down and built a two-story frame. He was a
Democrat in politics. The mother of John R. Andis was Lsabella (Smith),
who was born in \'irginia. Her family came here from X'irginia. and the
county was then a wilderness. Alexander and Isabella .-\ndis were the par-
ents of the following children: John R.. who is the subject of this sketch;
^Morgan, Samuel, Margaret, wlm married Alexander Osborn : ;uul Mary,
who married Uriah Lowe.
John R. Andis was married in 1861 to Parmelia Kiger. who was a
daughter of John and Sarah Kiger, of Brandywine township, and who had
spent her life there. To tliis union the fnlldwing children were born: Sallie,
Jessie, Clinton. Jackson P.. Robert P. and Harlan, who died when eleven years
old.
John R. Andis recei\ed his early education in the common schools on
the old bench seats split out of trees and most of his school days were spent
in a log house with open fire-place. John Thomas and \\'illiam Rose-
berrv were two of his teachers, and Robert Andis, one of his cousins, was
his last teacher in the Scott school house. John R. Andis stayed at home
and helped his father until he was married. He Ijought sixty-two acres east
of here at thirty dollars an acre and in trade, later on, he made fifty dollars
an acre on this, but he had cleared most of the land, and ditched it and put it in
cultivation. He built a frame and log bouse and b.arn and split the rails with
which it was fenced. He iielpcd run a threshing machine for four or five
vears. one of the old stvle machines nm b\- horse oower. He and his wife
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 969
used the old spinning wlieel and wove their own clotli from which their
clothes were made. To get his mail he had to go to Greenfield, twenty miles.
Mr. .\ndis now owns two hundred and forty acres and he has given to
each of his five children a forty-acre tract. He has earned all this hv hard
labor and in addition to this he paid his way out of the army, besides having
to pay security debts. He has cleared and drained all his land and put it in
a high state of cultivation, well tlitchcd and well fenced. He has built three
liouses and one barn. All of his farms have barns and all the.se he has
repaired. His house on his present place is a two-story one. His present
house is a cottage of seven rooms which he built this year and is a snug, neat
home for him and his wife. He has a fine (irchard and raises hogs, hor.ses
and cattle. He is a Democrat in politics, has been road supervisor and is now
a member of the county council, havi'.ig ser\ed one term and two years on
his second term. He and his wife arc both members of the Christian L'nion
church. He is one of Hancock county's most progressive farmers. He helped
to build the Brandywine pike and also helped ])repare the roadbed for its
construction.
V.\X B. COXES.
\'an B. Cones, a native of Sugar Creek townshi]). was bom on May 4,
1844, the son of Washington and Elizabeth (Murnan) Cones. Washington
Cones was born in Kentucky in 1812 and died on the old homestead in Sugar
Creek township on December 31. 1846. He was the son of John and Raciiael
Cones, both of whom were of Scotch-Irish descent. The family moved to
Greensburg about 1812. ^\'ashington Cones spent much of his early life in
Decatur county, where he worked at the carpenter trade. He later returned
to Sugar Creek township, where lie was married in 183S. Elizabelli .Murnan
was born near Flat Rock, Indiana, in 1820, and was the daughter of Jacob
and Sallie (Weston) ^lurnan, who were among tiie first settlers in this part
of the country. The territory was nnc vast wilderness and many Indians
were ijresent at that time. Sailie w as one of a family of thirteen children and
the only one now living. Of the large family, ten lived to maturity.
.\fter marriage, \\'ashin.gton Cones engaged in farming for himself,
having bought eighty acres of bis father-in-law. Jacob Murnan. The land
was heavily timbered and here Mr. Cones built a rude one-room log cabin.
He later built a one-room frame house and it was here that the son. Van B.
Cones, was born. Just at the time when Washington Cones had succeeded
9/0 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
in paying for his farm he died, leaving his wife and the following five chil-
dren : Amanda, the widow of James Barnard, who died in 1863 ; Sallie, de-
ceased, was the wife of Stephens Rollins; Rachel, deceased, was the wife of
Joseph Fritts; Van V>. and Washington, the latter of whom is a resident of
Burlington, Kansas.
After the death of Washington Cones liis wife by heroic efforts managed
to keep the little family together. This was a most difficult task in those
days. She spun_ flax and wool and weaved the same into cloth, which enabled
her to make a living. She died at the age of seventy-two years in 1892.'
Van B. Cones was born on the old homestead of his father and on the
land that his grandfather had entered from the government and here it wa?
that his father died at the age of thirty-two. He attended school in the old
log school house that stood just east of John Ruber's blacksmith shop. After
finishing the common schools he continued to assist on the farm until the
time of his marriage to ^Margaret Hart on September 3, 1874. ^Margaret
Hart was born at Da\ton, Ohio, on November 20, 1855, being the daughter
of Phillip and Elizabeth (Hockheimer) Hart, both of whom were natives of
Gemiany. The parents, after coming to the United States, settled in Ohio,
near Dayton, and later came to Hancock county, where the father died in
1837. After the death of the father the mother returned to Ohio, where she
was married to George Kasparie. They later located in Sugar Creek town-
ship.
After the marriage of Van B. Cones he continued to live on the home
farm until some time the next year, when he removed to an eighty-acre farm
southwest of New Palestine, which he had purchased. Only half of the farm
had been cleared at the time, yet there was a good frame house and a log
barn. ]Mr. Cones at once began to clear the remainder of the place and to
drain and improve it. He now owns thirty-one acres of the old home place
and one hundred and five acres north of New Palestine, making in all two
hundred and twenty acres.
Mr. Cones does general farming and attributes much of his success to the
raising of hay and wheat. He has al.so made a success of the raising of hogs.
Mr. and Mrs. Cones are the parents of seven children, three of whom
are deceased, having died in infancy. Those living are : Amelia, Clara,
Benjamin and Everett. Amelia is the wife of Benjamin Fralich and resides
in Cuinlierland. They are the parents of three children, Curtis, Lorin and
Letha. Clara is the wife of Walter Faut, of New Palestine. Benjamin is a
resident of Indianapolis and Everett is a resident of Sugar Creek township
and he and his wife are the parents of one child, Jeanette.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 97 1
T^olitically, Mr. Cones is a Democrat and served as trustee of' Iiis town-
ship from igoo to 1904. He is prominent and influential m the affairs of
the count}-, being a man in whom all have the greatest confidence.
HENRY BREIER.
Henry Breier, who is well and favorably known throughout Sugar Creek
township, where he has been a life-long resident, was born on June 1 1, 1873.
on the Brcicr homestead in this coniily and is tlie son of William F. and
Christine (Rosener) Breier, both natives of Frilee, Germany. William F.
Breier was born in February, 1834, and was the son of William and Christina
(Deerburg) Breier, both natives of Frilee, Germany, who immigrated to
America some years subsequent to their marriage and located in this county,
where they operated a farm until death. William Breier was bom about
1806 and died in 1888, in Sugar Creek township, of this county, on the home-
stead which he established and which is still in the possession of the family.
Henry Breier was reared on the Breier homestead and educated under
the instruction of Mr. W'agner in the German school. He also received in-
struction in his studies of Mr. Counzilman and his last year as a student was
in the old No. 3 school. Upon the completion of his student days he continued
to assist his father with the work on the home farm until he was twenty-four
years of age. On February 21, 1897, Henry Breier and Sophia Eickman,
daughter of Henry W. and Matilda (Krentler) Eickman, were united in
marriage and since that time have resided on the present farm with the ex-
ception of seven years which were spent on the Breier homestead. This place
is well improved and is a part of the old homestead, a portion of it having
been received as his inheritance and the balance purchased from the other
heirs. The fifty-si.x acres lie in Sugar Creek township, the entire property
being devoted to the raising of diversified crops and hogs. Thirty head of
hogs are fed out while three head of draft horses and four head of milch
cows are kept. Henry Breir is a Democrat in his jxilitical views and active
in politics. In his religious affiliations, lie is a member of the German Euth-
eran church, as is also his wife, in which denomination he serves as assistant
treasurer.
Sophia (Eickman) Breier was born on June 15, 1876, on the Eickman
homestead, which is located two and one-half miles to the northwest of New
Palestine, Indiana. Henry W. Eickman, her father, was born on January
gj2 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
13, 1841, on the same farm. His wife was a native of Germany, having been
born in that country in 1848. Her death occurred on February 24, 1895.
They were the parents of these children : Mary. Carrie, Charles, who died
when a child; Harry, Sophia, Xanie, Amelia, Ella and Benjamin, who died
in in fane V.
ZACHARY TAYLOR ADKIXS.
Zachary Taylor Adkins, the .-^on of William and Reliecca (Cirubb) Ad-
kins, was born in Virginia on April 4, 183 1. His parents were natives of
Virginia, where they lived and died, the mother at the age of eighty-seven
years. William and Rebecca Adkins were the parents of the following chil-
dren who grew to maturity : Julian. Zachary Taylur. William Edward,
Leonard Thomas, Filmore, Frank, Alfred Hughs, Mary and George Woodard.
Zachary Taylor Adkins was reared in X'irginia and never had the op-
portunity to attend school, hence his lack of not being able to write. The
fall, after the close of the Civil War, he being then sixteen years of age, Mr.
Adkins came to Henry county. Indiana. There were fi\e other families that
came at that time to their new homes in the West, as Indiana was then known.
After remaining here for one year, during which time he worked on a farm,
he went to Kansas, where he remained for five years, after which he came
to Hancock couni\- and rented for a time. In 1878 he bought the farm wliere
he now resides. The original farm consisted of fortv acres, but Mr. Adkins
owns one hundred and twenty acres adjoining, making the home i)lace a tract
of one hundred and sixtv acres. Here Mr. Adkins does general farming and
stock raising. Most excellent Iniildings have been erected and the farm is one
of the best in the community.
On .Vugaist 4. 1877. yir. Adkins was married 10 .\nna IJell Keller, who
lived just across the road from where the present home is suuated. She is
the daughter of Enos and Elizabeth ( Loy) Keller, the father being born in
West \'irginia and the mother in Ohio. The parents of Enos Keller, David
and Cynthia (Ellis) Keller, were both natives of Virginia and came to Han-
cock county at a very early day, locating in Lick Creek about 1835. After
living here for a time they moved to the place where Henry Keller, a cousin,
now lives. Here David Keller bi)ught one hundred and sixty acres of land,
making the first clearing and erecting the first buildings, .\fier a life of
usefulness he died at the age of si.xty years, Mrs. Keller surviving him some
twentv vears.
BIOGRAIMirCAI.. 973
John and Elizabeth ( Ilearlw rilter) l,oy, tliu nialfrnal <;ran(l|)arcnls of
Mrs. Adkins. were born in Ohio and West Virj^^iiiia. respectively, and were of
German descent. They came to Indiana and Jolm Loy bouglit land in Mad-
ison county, about one-half mile north of tin- I lancock county line: licrc he
Incd and died.
Enos Keller received his educaiion in the earlv schools of the countv and
began farming- early in life. His father gave him eighty acres of land, where
Mrs. Keller was born, and here he nio\ed when he was married. This place
he made his home until bis death. Elizabeth Keller, the widow, died at the
home of her daughter. Mrs. Adkins, in September, 1905. The children of
Mr. and Mrs. Enos Keller arc Willard S., who died at the age of seven rears,
and Mrs. Adkins.
Z. T. Adkins and wife are the parents of the following children : Oscar
E., Rosa .\.. Xellie .M.. deceased: Elorence, Willard E. and Charles C. Mr.
Adkins and his family are members of the United Brethren church. Mr.
Adkins enlisted in the army v.dn'le in Kansas, and served under Custer, fighting
the Indians.
LEVI A. lACKSOX.
Levi .\. Jackson, a native of Wayne county, was bom on Sei)iember 21,
1857, and is the son of John and Martha ( Pretchard) Jackson, the former of
whom was l)orn in Wayne counl\-, en route to Madison count\- from Xorth
Carolina, and the latter was born in Madison county. Levi and Elizabeth
Jackson, the parents of Johti Jackson, came from Xorth Carolina to Madison
county in an early day and settled near where Levi A. Jackson now lives.
This they made their home until their death.
The maternal gfandparents of John Jackson were pioneers of Madison
county and here they made their home and here thev died. John Jackson
received his education in the schools of Green township. Me later engaged
in farming and owned two hundred and sixty acres of land in Hancock and
Madison counties. He and Mrs. Jackson were the parents of ten children.
Levi A. Jackson received his education in Madison county. He has
always been a farmer and now owns seventy-nine acres of land in Hancock
county. The farm is well improved and Mrs. Jackson has erected all the
present modern and convenient buildings.
In 1S84 Mr. Jackson was married to Louisa Eckhardt. the daughter of
Christian and Elizabeth (Baker) Eckhardt. both of whom were born in Ger-
974 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
many. After ccmiing to America they settled in Montgomery county, Ohio,
where they were later married, after which they came to Hancock county.
In 1865 they purchased fifty-two acres of land, on wliich they lived until
their death. They were the parents of three children : Mary I'olly, Elizabeth
Alba and Louisa.
To John and Martha Jackson were born the following children : I'rank,
Ellen, Levi .\.. Elizabeth, George. Nellie, Etta, William, Martha and Walter.
There were three sets of twins in the family, as follow : Levi A. and Eliza-
beth ; (ieorge and Nellie ; William and Martha.
Levi A. Jackson and wife, having no children of their own, have reared
Helen Walker, the seventeen-year-old daughter of Mr. Jackson's sister. Helen
has been a member of the family since she was four years of age. Mr. and Mrs.
Jackson are active members of the United Brethren church.
LOUIS HENRY MERLAU
Louis Henrv Merlau, one of the well-known and substantial citizens of
Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, Indiana, is a native of Hancocck
county, born in Buck Creek township, October 11, 1871, a son of George and
Caroline ( Meier) Merlau. George Merlau was born in Sugar Creek town-
ship on the old family homestead in 1850 and died on September 4, 1876.
wh.en but twenty-eight years of age, leaving his wife and two children, Louis
Henry, the subject of this sketch, and Lisette, now the wife of Harry Vahle,
of Sugar Creek township.
George Merlau was a son of Henry A. Merlau and for complete informa-
tion regarding the Pierian family, kindly refer to the sketch of Henry Merlau,
found elsewhere within the pages of this book. George Merlau spent his
boyhood on the old homestead, receiving his early education at the old Ger-
man school house. He married on January 22. 187 1, when about twenty-one
years of age, his bride being Caroline Meier, who was born in Hancock
county on the old IMeier homestead, just east of the town of New Palestine,
in Sugar Creek township, on December 31, 1848. After marriage, George
Merlau located in Indianapolis, where he had been living for some time, fol-
lowing his trade of cari)enter. He remained there but a year or two after
marriage and then returned to Hancock county, locating in Buck Creek town-
ship, where he farmed for two or three years, or until the time of his death.
He was a devout member of the German Lutheran church and a Democrat in
BIOGRAPHICAL. 975
j)olitics. On December lo. 1885, his widow was married to Charles F. Rich-
man, w lie still survives her, she having departed this life on October 26, 191 3,
\vhen sixty-four years of age. Mrs. Richman had no children by her second
marriage, but two step-children arc living: George Richman and Mrs. Helen
Richman Beckman.
Louis Henry Merlau was born on the old Conrad Merlau farm in Buck
C^reek township and with his mother was living on the Meier farm at the timt-
<.f his father's death. After l)eing widowed, subject's mother took her two
children and returned to her father's house, where she remained until the time
of her second marriage. Louis LleniT Merlau spent a considerable portion of
his boyhood with his Grandfather Merlau and attended the public schools of
New Palestine and later the German school. After completing his studies at
the German school, he again entered public schnuls. remaining at his books
until eighteen years of age. He has practically made his own way since a boy
of twelve years and when eighteen years of age engaged in the threshing ma-
chine Inisiness, to which he gave his attention until 1902. During those 3'ears
he was also engaged in fanning and prospered well in his enterprises.
On September 10, 1893, he was united in marriage with .-\nna J. Miller,
horn on July 26. 1872, in Sugar Creek township, a daughter of Fred and
Christina ( Roesner) Miller. Fred Miller was born in ("ierman\- anil was
brought to this country when a boy, his father being one of the early pioneers
of Hancock county. Mrs. Merlau was born on the old Rosener homestead in
.Sugar Creek township, and also came of early German jjioneer stock. The
next fall after marriage, Louis Henry Merlau ])urchased seventy-eight acres
of the Parish farm, located one and one-half miles north of New Palestine.
There were about fifty-three acres of this tract cleared, but no improvements
were made, but he made his home on the east portion of the Parish farm,
which he also rented for alx)ut five years, and by that time had erected a
beautiful eight-room residence on his own land. This house is unusually well
located in attractive grounds and there is also a good barn, forty-eight by
fifty-eight feet, which is of special construction. There are also other build-
ings in keeping with the surroundings. Mr. Merlau usuall\- puts about
twenty-five acres to corn, his average yield Ijeing fifty bushels to the acre,
and he has about the same amount of ground in small grains. He feeds about
twenty-five to thirtx bogs per year and has six head of cattle and the same
number of horses, which are used in the work of the farm.
^Ir. Merlau and his wife have two children living: Ezra, born June 2C1.
1895, and Esther, born on September 10. 1900. There were three other chil-
dren, all of whom died in infancv. .Mr. Merlau .and his faniih- are members
9/6 HANCOCK COUXTV. IXDIAXA.
of the German Lullician chnrcli, of which lie is treasurer and a trustee. In
pohtics he is a Democrat, ahhough ne\er devoting any particular time to
pohtical affairs. He is one of Hancock county's substantial and respected
citizens and as such is eminently entitled to representation in a work such as
the one in hanil.
AUGUSTUS E. SMITH.
Augustus E. Smith, a well-known and progressive farmer of Buck Creek
townshi]). this county, is a native son of Hancock countv and has lived here
all his life. He was born on a farm in Buck Creek township, not far from
the site of his present farm. October 14, 1878. son of William and Olive
(Thomas) Smith, the former a nati\-e of Marion couiuy. tliis slate, and the
latter of Hancock county.
William Smith was born on January 17. 1843, '^'xtli in order of birth
of the fourteen children bom to his father. John Smith, a well-to-do farmer
of Marion county, who was born in Clermont county, Oliio. in 1809. and who.
as a young man. came to Indiana and settled in Marion county, where he
became a substantial farmer, the owner of alx)ut three hundred acres of ex-
cellent land. John Smith was twice married. His first wife. who. before
her marriage, was Harriet Thompson, born on July 7, 1813. bore liim ten
children. His second wife. Rebecca, bore liim four, th<^se children, besides
William, mentioned aliove. being in tlie order of their births, Cyrus, born in
1832; Samuel. 1834; David. 1837; Marion, 1839; Mary E., 1841; Henry,
1847; Cynthia, 1851 : Worth. 1833: Edward. 1S38; Olive. 1862; Lycurgus.
1863: Clara. 1866. and Everett. 1869.
\\'illiam Smith grew to manhood on the i)aternal farm in Marion county,
receixing his education in tlie common schcK)ls of that county, and as a young
man engaged in the business of timl)er buying. He married Olive Thomas,
who was born in Buck Creek township, this county, April 26, 1852. daughter
of Ephraim and Elizabeth (Ferree) Thomas, the former born in 1816 and
the latter in 1820. A few years later William Smith bought an ei.ghty-acre
farm in Buck Creek township, this county, and farmed tliere the rest of his
life, becoming a verv successful farmer antl sttxk raiser. To his original farm
of eighty acres he gradually added by purchase until he l)ecaiiie the owner of
four hundred acres. He was a Republican and took an active part in the
political affairs of his liome community. He died on May 30. 1909. and his
widow still survixcs. They were tlie parents of three children, those besides
BIOGRAPHICAL. 977
the subject of this sketch heiiifj Daisy D.. horn on Deceml)ei- 8. 18O9, who
died in infancy, and Aita P.. P'eliruary 15, ]X/6. who also ihed in infancy.
Augustus E. Smith, the only son of his parents, was reared on the home
farm in Buck Creek township, receiving his elementary education in liu- dis-
trict school in the neighborhood of his home. For three years then he attended
the McCordsville high school and later entered the Greenfield high school,
from which he was graduated. He remained at home, assisting his father
in the work of the farm until his marriage in the fall of 1900, after which he
moved to his present farm in the neighborhood of his old home, where he
now owns two hundred acres of fine land, his farm being one of the l^est-
improved and most profitably cultivated places thereabout. Mr. Smith has
a fine farm residence and his substantial barn and other farm buildings are in
keeping with the same, the place generally e.Khibiting evidences of the pro-
gressive methods of its proprietor. In addition to his general farming. Mr.
Smith also is quite extensively engaged in stock raising and has done well in
that line. He is a Republican and gives thoughtful attention to political
affairs, but has ne\er been included in the office-seeking class, preferring
rather to devote his whole attention to h's growing agricultural operations.
On October 24, 1900, Augustus E. Smith was united in marriage to
Pearl Wright, who was born in this county on January 13, 1879, third in
order of birth of the five children born to her parents, James M. and Rachel
C. (Danaha) ^^'right, the former of whom, bom on Julv 4. 1844, died on
March 29, 1893. <i'^d tlie latter, born on November 14, 1846, died on October
29, 1912, their other children being as follow : Oda Fred, born on March
24, 1868; Walter, October 16, 1875, who died on July 9, 1892; Benjamin P.,
June 3, 1883, and Hazel. September 25, 1888. Mrs. Smith is a member ot
the Methodist Episcopal church at McCordsville and both she and her husband
give proper attention to the good works of their home neighlwrhood.
FREDERICK C. LAXDWEHR.
Frederick C. Landwehr, held in high repute as one of the foremost citi-
zens of Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, Indiana, and one of its most
progressive farmers, is a native of the township where he has passed his en-
tire life. He was born on the old Landwehr homestead, which was pre-
empted by his grandfather from the government, and first saw the light of
day on February 8, 1876. being a son of Frederick and Henrietta ( P.leck"!
Landwehr. Frederick, the elder, was also bom in Sugar Creek township, on
(62)
9/8 IIAXCOCK COUXTY, INDIANA.
the old homestead, in 1843, and died on the same place when but thirty-three
years of age, September 23, 1876, when the immediate subject of this sketch
was but a small child. There were two other children in the family, \\'illie,
wlio died when one \ear of age, and Lena, who became the wife of Get)rge
Bardonner, and is now deceased.
Frederick Landwehr was a son of Carl and Louise Landwehr. both of
whom were natives of Germany, who emigrated to this country in tlie early
days of this section. They came to Hancock county, where Carl Landwehr
secured from the government tlie forty acres which formed the nucleus of
the farm long known as the Landwehr liomestead. This w;is then in ll'e wil-
derness and after laboring industriously for several years to clear and put it
under cultivation, he later added seventy acres, the whole of which he farmed
up to the time of his deatli. There were two children in Carl Landwehr's
family, Frederick and Henry, both deceased.
Frederick Landwehr grew to manhood on the family homestead, being
of much assistance to his father during his boyhood in getting the farm under
cultivation, and there remained after marriage and until the time of his death.
His wife was Henrietta Bleck, who was born in Germany, in 1853, a daugh-
ter of August and Henrietta Bleck, who emigrated to this country in 1866
rmd settled permanentiv in Indianapolis. There they passed the remainder
of their li\es and reared their family of four children, Henrietta. Hannah.
Minnie and Lena — Minnie being the only surviving member. After being
widowed for two or three years, Henrietta (Bleck) Landwehr again mar-
ried, her second husband being Anton Resener, by whom she had four chil-
dren, Emma, John, Fizabeth and Emil, all of whom are living, while the
mother passed from this life September 10, 1895.
Frederick C. Landwehr passed his boyhood and youth on the old family
homestead, receiving his education at the German school. After finishing
his studies, he assisted in the farm work until nineteen years of age. when he
started out in life for himself by securing work on neighboring farms. He
remained employed in this manner until twenty-three years of age, at which
time he was united in marriage on August 11. 1898, with Mary Geisel, born
on Decemljcr 2, 1879, a daughter of John and Christina (Miller) Geisel.
Mary was the only child of this couple and passed her girlhood on the old
John Geisel place, one mile west of New Palestine, where she has continued
to make her home, for at the time of her marriage to Frederick C. Landwehr
he rented the farm from her mother. At the death of hr mother, Mrs. Land-
wehr inherited eighty acres of the home place, to which Mr. Landwehr added
forty acres lying on the west and on that farm they make their home.
niOGKAl'lllCAL. 979
The residence has Ijeen inipro\ed and is now a modem home of ten
rooms, IjcautituUy situated and surrounded by prosperous acres and farm
buildings in keeping with the general appearance of the place. The main
barn is seventy-four by forty feet, with a fourteen-foot shed and a silo with
a capacity of fifty-five tons. Mr. Landwehr divides his attention between
general farming as practiced in this section of the country, and the raising
of some live stock. He prepares from thirty to forty hogs annually for the
market, keeps fifteen or sixteen head of good grade Jersey cows and about
ten head of good draft horses. In the management of his farm, Mr. Land-
wehr displays marked business ability and is, therefore, succeeding well in
bis endeavors, in addition to the farm home, Mr. Landwehr owns seventy
acres about one mile and a half northwest of where he lives, same being a
portion of his father's farm.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Landwehr are members of the German Lutheran
cliurcli. as is also their daughter, Hazel B., the only child of the family. She
was born on Xovember lo, 1900, and is a promising young girl. Mr. Land-
wehr gives his ]5olitical support to the Democratic party and is generally con-
ceded to be among the leading citizens of his townshi]) and county.
CHARLES A. OSTEI^MEIER.
Charles A. Ostermeier, one of the representative agriculturists of
Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, Imliana, is well and fa\oral)ly known
and his character and reputation are above reproach. He has been a life-
long resident of this section, his birth having occurred on May 9. 1852, on
the Ostcnneier homestead in this townshij) and county. His ])arents were
{■ottliel) and Sophia (Miller) Ostermeier, early settlers of this locality.
Gottlieb Ostermeier was a native of Germany and was born ni 1807, immi-
grating to America after having received his education and training as a
spinning-wheel maker. After nearly four months required in making the
voyage, he was landed at Baltimore, Maryland, coming tiience. by canal and
the Oliio river, to Cincinnati and then to Hancock county, Indiana, where he
located in Sugar Creek township. His home was established on eighty acres
of unimproved land, purchased in the southeast quarter of section 13, where
a small clearing was made and a log cabin and barn were erected. Subse-
([uent to his marriage with Mrs. Sophia ( Miller) Richman, who by her former
union had three children, seven sons and daughters came to bless them.
980 HANCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
namely: Christian. M;u-v, ( iottlieb. Christina. Charles A.. Anton and Henry.
The names of the children liy the first union of Sophia ( Miller) Richman are
given as follow : William. Sophia and Louise. All of the children ])y both
marriages have died with the exception of Henry and Charles A.
In i860, (iottlieb Ostemieier purchased one hundred and sixty acres of
partially improved land in sections 7 and 8, which property became the per-
manent home of the family. .\ farm containing one hundred and twenty
acres was also pinxhased, hut was later sold, the home place alone being re-
tained. In political life, Gottlieb Ostermeier was a stanch Democrat and in
his religious relations he was a member of the old Hickorv (German Luth-
eran) church, of which his wife was also a member. His death occurred on
April I. 1S72, his wife surviving him until in the spring of 1891, at which
time she died at the age of sevent}-two years.
Charles A. Ostermeier spent his early childhood on the original home-
stead, just north of the German Lutheran church, and at the age of eight
years moved with his parents to their permanent home, where his education
w'as received in the old log school in the Adrian Rint woods. After com-
pletmg same, he attended the Gennan school in Indianapolis, Indiana, for
two winters, after which he continued to assist his father with the work on
the home farm until twenty-five years of age. On July 25, 1877. Charles .\.
Ostermeier and Mary Breier were united in marriage and six children were
Viorn of their union, namely: Charles Ilenr\-. who died in infancy; Emma.
William. Christian, Ilenrv Fredrick, who died at the age of fourteen, and
Clara, who died when only eleven months of age. Mary (Breier) Ostermeier
was born on March 24, 1852, on the old Breier homestead in Sugar Creek
township, of this county, and was the daughter of William and Cliristina
( Deerburg ) Breier, both natives of Germany, who immigrated to America
in 1840 and located in Sugar Creek township. William A. Breier was born
in I'rilee, Germanv, al)Out 1806. and died in 188S. in his home which he had
established on .\inerican soil.
Seeking his fortunes in the agricultural field, Charles A. Ostermeier.
shortlv after his marriage, rented the farm of Henry Rosener, on which he
continued to reside for one year, thence removing to the Widow Meir's place
v.n the National road. One year later he purchased his present farm of one
hutidred and three acres, to which he later added thirteen and one-half acres
more. While this transaction was in process of adjustment he occupied the
northwest eighty of the Breier homestead and the following year took pos-
session of his own farm. This was in the spring of 1881. which establishes
a record of more than thirtv-three vears that he has been a resident of the
BIOGRAPHICAL. 981
one place. Tlic uris.;inal Imust'. wliicli was used as a tavern in tlie stage-coacli
(lays, has been replaced by one cimlaining seven rooms. The old h()nse was
destroyed by fire on July lo, iS<)i. A residence of nine rooms has also been
built on the east side of the farm ar.d all other buildings are in keeping; with
these edifices. The farm proper is devoted to the raising of corn, cattle and
poultry, these being the principal sources of income. Politicalh', Charles A.
Ostermeier is a worker in the ranks of the Democratic party, and in his re-
ligious life is affiliated with the German Lutheran church, of which he is an
elder, and of which both he and his wife were ardent supporters. On March
7, 1910, Charles A. Ostermeier had the great misfortune to lose the faithful
companion who had always been a devoted wife and mother.
THOMAS M. ENOCH.
Thomas ^I. Enoch, son of John anil Sarah (McDonald) Enoch, was
born on the farm on which he now lives, in \'ernon township, Hancock
coimty, September i6, 1854. His father was born in Miami county. Ohio, in
1815, and was married in that county, in 1836, to Sarah McDonald, who
was also a native of IVIiami county. The paternal grandfather of Thomas
Enoch was lohn Enoch, whose home was in Miami cininty, Ohio, and died
there when John, Jr., was young.
John Enoch, father of the subject of this sketch, received his early edu-
cation in Ohio, and when quite young was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith
trade. He followed that trade in Ohio for several years and was married in
that state. Three of his children were born while living in Ohio. About
1840 he came to ^'ernon township, Hancock county. Indiana, and bought
eighty acres of land from a Mr. .\rnett, paying two dollars and fifl>- cents an
acre for the same. This is the farm on which Thomas M. Enoch now lives,
InU the condition of this land is very different from what it was when his
father settled tlierc in 1840. Then it was nearly all woods and swamp. The
only house on the place at that time was an old log cabin built of round poles,
w ith clajj-board covering held in place by weight poles. The land was covered
with timber, much of it a thick, stubby growth, and a large part covered with
wild swamp vegetation. By the application of great energy and labor this
land was cleared of timber, the swampy places were ditched and drained and
all brought in a condition for cultivation and the production of knintiful
crops. Mrs. Sarah Enoch died in the home on this place when Thomas M.
982 HANCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
was six weeks old. His father was married, secondly, to Rebecca B. Blanton.
There were seven cliildren by the first marriage ; none by the second.
Thomas M. Eiiocli was educated in the public school uf ^'ernon town-
ship, was reared and always lived on a farm. He built the house, in which
he is at present living, in 1910. He was married on June 18, 1882, to Bettie
Ellingwood, a daughter of Joshua Elhngwood. The children of this union
are : Bertha. John, Gracie, Benjamin, Jimmie, Myrtle Delle. Reva Coclean
and E. May. The family are members of the Christian church. Mr. Enoch's
fraternal affiliations are with the Red Men and the Haymakers.
CHRISTLW F. W ILLIAM ORTEL.
Christian F. William Ortel, who is highly regarded as a citizen and a
man throughout this section, was born on September 19, 1856, in Sugar Creek
township, Hancock county, Indiana, on the family homestead. He is the son
of Fredrick and Louisa (Deerberg) Ortel. lx)th natives of Germany, who
immigrated to this country in 1843. Fredrick Ortel was the son of Charles
Ortel and wife who were also natives of Germany. Fredrick Ortel was a
farmer and a pioneer of Hancock county and his large family were reared
in the original home of logs, wiiich was erected in 1852 and razed in June,
1905.
Christian F. William Ortel was reared on the home place and is in-
debted to the German school, and to those of the district in which he lived,
for the education which he received. John Weaver was his teacher in the
district schools and Rev. J. G. Kunz, his teacher in the German school. The
interim between his student days and his marriage was spent in the interests
of his father and for five years he was an employee of the neightoring
farmers, for two years working for John Geisel. On April 4, 1886, Christian
F William Ortel was united in marriage to Amelia Weber, daughter of
Anton and Mary (Stegman) Weber, who were both natives of Germany, and
to this union two children were born, namel}'. Christian, who resides in Heron,
Montana, and Benone, who lives at home. Amelia (Weber) Ortel was born
on July 3, 1867, in Buck Creek township, of this county, and died on Feb-
ruary II, 1888.
On March 5, 1889. Christian F. William Ortel was united in marriage
to the sister of his first wife, Emma Wel)er, and to them has been born one
child. Otto. Emma (Weber) was born on .\pril 30, 1861, on the home place
BIOGRAPHICAL. 983
two miles north of of the town of Mohaw l<. Indiana, and is one of ele\cn chil-
dren liorn to her parents. Seven of tliese cliildren still snrvive, Henry, Chris-
tian, Klnora. Louisa, Lena, Emma and Charles.
Christian F. William Ortel a.s.'-umed entire charfje of the hume farm al-
most immediately following- his first marriage, having purchased the interests
of the other heirs. .And this place has since been his linme. In 1896 fortv acres
of the original purchase were traded for another forlv acres adjoining on the
north, and this large and well managed tract is devoted to the raising of grain
and hogs. Howe\-er, alwut ten head of cattle are kept for farm use beside
six head of draft horses. All of the buildings on this place are large and
finely constructed and add much to tb.e attractiveness of the farm. Tn
church matters, Christian F. William Ortel, as well as his wife, is a member
of the German Lutheran church and both arc acti\-e in its support, he being
a deacon in this denomination. Politically, be is a member (^f the Democratic
party and votes that ticket on all issues.
AXTOX I'. ROSKXER.
Anton F. Rosener, a prominent farmer of Sugar Creek township, was
born in this township on March J3, i<S53, the son of William L. and Chris-
ten.a ( Brademeier) Rosener. .Anton F. Rosener was born on his father's
farm in the little three-room frame bouse tint bacl been erected some tifne
before by the father. Here he spent bis childhood and attended the Ger-
man school. After completing his education he continued to assist with the
work on the farm until he was married.
On June 25, 1875, .\nton V. Rosener was united in marriage to Ma-
linda Miller, who was born on the old Miller homestead, on. b^bruary 2-,
1857. She was the daughter of Charles and ^Lary ( Rosener) .Miller.
.\fter bis marriage Mr. Rosener rented a neighboring farm for one
year, after having been employed b_\- the neighbors as a farm band for a
time. For two years he was on the farm of Mrs. Anton Mier, after which
he rented the place of his sister, Mrs. Louise Knoop, where he remained iov
four years. He then liought a farm of seventy acres of his brother, Wilbam.
three acres of which he later sold to the Pennsylvania Railroatl Com-
pany. He later bought nine acres of another tract, making him a farm of
seventy-six acres. The farm had been improved bv a combination frame
and log bouse, which had in earlier days been used as a laxern, being sit-
984 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
uated on the Xational road. There was al.~;o a good new frame barn. In
1893 Mr. Rosener erected a beautiful eight-room house, a double corn-crib,
a granar)-, hog-house and other outbuildings, making the surroundings most
attractive and convenient.
On July 30, 1893, occurred the deatli of Mrs. Rosener. a woman who
was admired and respected bv all who knew her. To Mr. and Mrs. Rosener
were born the following children : Emma. Ida, Rosetta, Amelia, William,
Albert and Mary. Emma is the wife of Charles Custer, of Sugar Creek
township; Ida and Rosetta are deceased, the former dying at tlie age of
three years and tlie latter at the age of si.x months; Amelia is the wife of
Edward Stevenson, of Ordway. Colorado, and they are the parents of three
children, Ronald, Walter and \'ern; \\'illiam, deceased, was the husband
of Mabel Domanget ; Albert married Emma Schildmeier and resides in
Sugar Creek township; Mary is the wife of \\'illiam Spilker, and thej' are
the parents of two children. Ruth and .Adelbert.
Anton Rosener retired from active business in 191 1. His life has been
an active and successful one. much of his success being due to his ability in
raising cattle and horses. Mr. Rosener is an active meml)er of the German
Lutheran church and was for a time one of the tnastees. His wife was also
an active member and his children are also members of the denomination.
Politically. Mr. Rosener is a Democrat, but has not been an office-seeker,
having confined liis efforts to the selection of good men for office. He is
one of the well-known citizens of the township and the county, being highly
respected b)' all who know him.
LEWIS F. RICHMAX.
In the following lines a brief sketch is given of the life of one of Sugar
Creek township, Hancock county's, most substantial citizens, and one w^ho has
passed his entire life within its borders. Lewis F. Richman was bom on his
father's farm in Sugar Creek township, February 15, 1844. being a .son of
Anton Louis and Louisa (Boehne) Richman. both natives of Germany, the
former born in Westphalia in 1807.
Anton Louis Richman spent his youth and early manhood in the place
where he was born, laboring at farming, and in 1835. when twenty-eight years
of age, he set out for America in company with others of his land. The voy-
age was made on a sailing vessel, taking seven weeks to cross and in the same
-MR. AND .MRS. LEWIS F. RICH.MAX
BIOGRAPHICAL.
985
company was Louisa Bueline, wlin afterwards I)ecaiiK' his wife. Their ship
docked at Baltimore and from that point they journeyed to \\'heeHng, West
Virginia, hy wagon, tiience \>y hoat down the Ohio to Cincinnati, from there to
Dayton by canal and the final lap of (heir journey to Greenfield, this county,
hy wagon. They left their native land on .\i)ril i. 1835, and arrived at their
destination June 10, of the same year.
Anton Louis Richman promptly entered eighty acres of land, being the
west half of the northeast quarter of section 18. Sugar Creek township, the
same being covered b}' \irgin forest.. He made the small clearing and erected
the small cabin of the early pioneer and was then married, bringing his bride
to their rude home in the wilderness. The first year he cleared and cultivated
six acres of his farm and something like two years later traded with William
Rosener for another eighty-acre tract in Sugar Creek township, being the
southeast quarter of section 17. The elder Richman farmed there for about
eighteen months when both he and his wife were overcome by sickness and
were taken to the home of Jacob Schramm, where they remained for some two
or three years. They later traded their second farm for eighty acres in sections
13 and 18 of Sugar Creek township, which latter place had a good log house
and stable upon it and about fifteen acres under the plow. Later the east
forty in section 18 was sold and fort\- acres King to the north of the home pur-
chased, but Anton Louis Richman did not li\e long after this latter transaction,
his death occurring about five years later, in 1858, when he was fifty-one years
of age. It is related that the first work he did for others after coming to this
section was the flailing of rye. He walked eight miles each day, going to Mars
station and received for his labor a bushel of r\e per day. making about twelve
bushels in all.
There were nine children in the family of Anton Louis Richman. namely :
Mary. Charley. Anton, l.ewis, Louisa. William, Hermon. Henry and George,
all deceased except Charley, Lewis, Henry and George, .\fter the deatli of the
father, the mother continued to manage the homestead and during the Civil
War purchased forty acres lying to the west of her home from the heirs of
"Uncle" William Richman. She survived her husband some thirty years,
passing away in July of 1893, when in her eightieth year. Both Anton Louis
Richman and wife were members- of the German Evangelical church and were
among the sturdiest of the early pioneers.
Lewis F. Richman grew up on his father's farm, receiving such education
as was obtainable at the old log school hou.se of district Xo. 3. his first teacher
being John Kaylor. Lewis Richman in his boyhood knew by experience of
the limitations and privations of pioneer life and has been permitted to see tiiis
986 HANCOCK COrXTV, INDIANA.
rich section of the state develop from ])rimitive conditions to the present high
state of civihzation and culture.
Mr. Richman is a veteran of the Civil War, having- enlisted on August 10.
1862, when seventeen years of age, in Company B, Xinety-ninth Regiment,
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. James H. Carr. First Lieut, (ienrge
Teague and Second Lieut. Robert P. Andis. He served until the close of the
war, practically three years, being assigned to the Fifteenth Army Corps, Army
of Western Tennessee, under Gen. John A. Logan, this being General Grant's
old command. Mr. Richman was in some of the important engagements of
the war, among them being the siege of Jackson, Mississippi; the battles of
Big Black River, Missionary Ridge, New Hope Church, Dalton, King's ^loun-
tain. Marietta, Kenesaw Mountain and the siege of Atlanta. On the 22nd of
July, 1864, he was wounded in the arm at the latter place and lay in the hos-
pital at Marietta for three weeks, after winch lie was sent home on a thirty
day furlough. He rejoined his regiment at East Point Station, six miles
from .Atlanta and from that point was with Sherman on his famous march to
the sea. His regiment from there was transferred by boat to Beaufort, and
when they were within a few days march of Raleigh, Lee surrendered. Tiiey
then went on to Washington and took part in the Grand Review before Presi-
dent Lincoln in May. and about June 1. Lewis Richman was mustered out of
service. recei\'ing his honor;ible discharge at Indianajiolis on June 13, 1865.
After returning home he managed tiie home place in company with liis
three younger brothers, and when twenty-nine years old was united in marriage
with Sophia Steinmeier, born in Sugar Creek township, December 27, 1853, a
daughter of Christian and Christina ( Kitise) Steinmeier. both natives of Ger-
many. Christian Steinmeier, at the age of fourteen, came to .\merica on the
same boat which carried Anton Lewis Richman, and the two families had l>een
close friends ever since that time. Christian was with his father and two sis-
ters and the family located about three-fourths of a mile northeast of the Rich-
man home. Some years later the father lost his life in Kansas and the sisters
spent their declining years with Lewis Ricliman's family.
Mr. Richman's mother lived to an advanced age, passing away in July,
1893, and on Deceml)er 31, of the same year, he purchased the home place, con-
sisting of one hundred and twenty acres of some of Hancock county's best land.
In the face of many discouragements in the way of fire and sickness, Mr. Rich-
man has kept steadily on in his plans for the impro\ement of his home farm,
and today has it brought to a high state of cultivation.
To Mr. and Mrs. Richman were born eight children : Louisa, Louis, Ben-
jamin H., Emma, Mary, .\nnie, Maggie and Clara, who died in infancy, and all
BIOGRAPHICAL. 987
are deceased except Emma, Alary, Annie and Maggie. Airs. Richman died
on November lo, 1910, and ihroughoul her life slie was a member of the Ger-
man Lutheran church, as he also is. Alany years ago Mr. Richman became a
member of Henry Kirkhoff Post, of New Palestine, Grand Army of the Repub-
lic, and in politics gives his support to the Republican party. His entire life
has been passed in the one communit}- and no higher tribute can be paid
a man under those conditions than to state he lias the confidence and respect
of all who know him.
JOHN F. WIGGINS.
John !■'. Wiggins was Ijorn four miles northeast of (ireen field, Indiana.
Alarch 6, ]86g. He was the son of Jnhn V. and Alattha ( Clavton) Wiggins;
the father was born in Rush county, Indiana, in 1840; the mother was born
in 1846 at the Clayton home, one-half mile east of Greenfield, Indiana.
The paternal grandparents, Garret and Harriet (Toadvine)' Wiggins,
were bdth natives of Kentucky, and lixod im a farm. Coming to Indiana they
lived for a short time in Rush county, and, in 1842, located on an eighty-acre
farm in Hancock county, where thev spent the remainder of their days. It
was in the home on this farm that John 1'. Wiggins was born. Philip, the
eldest son in this family, remained in Kentuck\- and was a soldier in the Con-
federate army during the Civil War. The other sons were: Joseph, Loss,
George and John F., the father of the subject of this sketch. Loss. George
and John !■". served in the I'nion army during the Ci\il War — George was
ne\er heard from after the war.
The grandparents on the maternal side were Joseph and Ruth ( Rol)erts")
Cla\ton ; he was born in Pennsyhania and she in \'irginia. Joseph Clayton
went to \'irginia when a boy of seven years and lived there until his majority,
and there was married. In 1845 he came with his wife to Hancock county.
Indiana, and located on a siuall farm one-half mile east of Greenfield, known
as the Clayton homestead. There he died about 1870: his wife died on July
17, 1907, lacking but a few days of being one hundred years old. She was
born in Washington county. \'irginia, .August t,i, 1807. James Clayton, a
son. served in the Lhiion ami\- during the Civil \\'ar.
John l'. Wiggins, father of the .subject of this sketcli, was educated in
the common schools and supplemented this elementary education by much
reading in later years. He enli.sted on .August 25, 1861, in Company B,
Eighth Regiment. Indiana Volunteer Infantry, a three-months regiment, and
gSS HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
served until expiration of term : then re-enlisted in the Eigliteenth Regiment,
Wjlunteer Infantry, for a term of three years and served until the close of the
war. After liis discharge from the army he returned to Indiana and has since
been engaged in fanning, now living in Madison county, wliere he owns a
fann of forty acres. He had ten children, eight of whom are still living: his
wife is dead. He is a member of the Grand .Army of the Republic.
John F- Wiggins, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common
schools, and afterward engaged in teaching school in Blue River town-
ship. He attended the Normal school at Marion, and also the Indiana
State Normal School at Terre Haute. He was elected prosecuting
attorney in 1S96 and ser\-ed until 1900, then returned to school teaching for
several years. In 1908 he located in Fortville and engaged in the practice of
law and has followed this vocation since. In his preparatory law studies lie
had for his preceptors Marsh & Cook and Jackson & Felt.
In 1894, John F. \A'iggins was married to Maude Houk, of Fortville,
and has two children, Bessie and lona. He is a member of the Sons of Vet-
erans order, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of .\merica, and
has been a member of the Odd Fellows at Fortville since 1893.
RALPH G. LOGAN.
Ralph G. Logan was born in Morristown. Indiana, June 21, 1880, the
son of John O. and Mary Antionette (Gates) Logan. John Q. Logan was
born in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 21, 1853. John O. Logan's parents were born
in County Down, Ireland, and emigrated to .America, where the father enlisted
in the Civil War and was killed in that struggle and his widow died soon
afterward. They were the parents of the following children : Mrs. Carrie
Pigman, who is living at Connersville, Indiana: William, John O.. who was
the father of the suliject of this sketch, and Jean, all dead except the first
named. Both parents died when these children were very small antl the chil-
dren were taken to raise by different families in hayette county.
John Q. Logan, the father of the subject of this sketch, was taken to
raise by a farmer in Fayette county. He was bound to this farmer for a
certain period of service, but began life for himself immediately at the ex-
piration of this period, although he was but a mere lad. For a few years he
followed various occupations, among which was the laundry business. He
finally took up railroad work and learned telegrapliy. which occupation he
BIOGRAPHICAL. 989
followed for the remainder of his hfe. For many years he was witli the Cin-
cinnati, llamiUon & Dayton Railway Company, and in iS(S2 he went to Col-
orado and became associated with the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Com-
pany. In 1908 he went with the Unintah Railway Company, in whose service
he remained until shortly before his death, the loss of his sight compelling
him to retire from active service.
John O. Logan's death occurred on Febniary 14. 191 5. His first mar-
riage was to Mary Antoinette Gates. This marriage took place on August
i/. 1879. Mar}- Antoinette Gates was the daughter of Henry A. and Nancy
(^Ball) Gates. Henry A, Gates was a native of Chillicothe, Ohio, He and
his wife were both pioneers of Hancock county. Nancy (Ball) Gates died
on November 14, 1881. To this union only one child. Ralph G. Logan, who
is the subject of this sketch, was born. In July, 1886, John O. Logan was
married to Sarah M. Hanna, of Gunnison, Colorado, who was at that time
superintendent of schools of that county. To this union one child was born,
but this child died in infancy. John Q. Logan was a life-long member of
Phoenix Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Rushville, Indiana, and was
for many }ears a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Ralph G. Logan, whose mother died when he was in infancv, was taken
to raise by his mother's fatiicr and step-mother, Mrs. Mary .\an (Lewis)
Gates. He remained with them until his maturity. As a boy he attended the
common schools of Sugar Creek township, until about his twelfth vear. He
then entered the grammar grade of the flreenfield schools and from there he
entered the high school of Greenfield and after spending three years there he
went to the University of Wisconsin and entered the agricultural department
of that great university, from which he was graduated with the class of 1904.
For the next few nmntlis he was attaclied to the faculty staff of the .Agricul-
tural College.
Mr. Logan then bouglit a tract of timlier land in central Wisconsin, but
was compelled to sell this land two years later on account of sickness. He
then returned to Hancock county, Indiana, where he rented the old Higgin-
hothan farm. The following year, in 1908, he rented the farm of Mrs. Col-
umbus Jackson, and the next year, in 1909, he bought eighty acres of this
farm, on which he lived until in 191 1. and then on account of his health he
was again compelled to leave the farm and he engaged for some time in the
railway mail service and traveled in Iowa. In the fall of 1912 he returned
to Hancock county and rented the farm of C. M. Jackson and in 1914 he
returned to his home fann. where he has since resided.
Ralph G. Logan was married on .\i>ril 18, 1906. to Carrie L. Jackson,
990 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
who was born on January 31, 1882, and who is the daughter of Cohnnbus
and Mary (Arnold) J;ickson. To this union were born the following chil-
dren : Henry \'irgil. who was born on March 6, 1907 : John Jackson, Au-
gust 13, 1909, and Bard Arnold. April 4, 1912.
Mr. Logan's farm of eighty acres is situated two miles southeast of New
Palestine. There is a fine five-room dwelling on this and other buildings in
keeping with the surroundings. Mr. Logan is a progressive farmer. He is
a member of the Free and .Accepted Masons at New Palestine. He was for
two years secretary of this lodge. He is an independent Republican in politics.
He is a man of admiral)le character and broad ideals and is highly respected
l)y al! wlio know liini.
FRANK O. WELLING.
Frank O. Welling was bom in Buck Creek township, Hancock county,
Indiana, on August 18, 1857, youngest child of the family of nine children
of Hamilton and Rachael (Corbin) Welling.
Hamilton Welling will be well rememlx^red by man} of the older
residents of this county as a man of high ideals and sterling character, divid-
ing his energies between preaching the Gospel as a minister of the Methodist
Episcopal church, managing his farm, crying sales and doctoring horses.
Few men live more active lives than he. Hamilton Welling was born in
Coshocton county, Ohio, of Scotch-Irish parentage, l-'eliruary 18, 1816, and
died at the home of his son, Frank, on March 18, lyi^, at the age of ninety-
seven years and one monlii. lie jjassed the years of his \outh and young
manhood in Ohio, receiving such education as his day and community afforded
and being early trained in farm work. He was united in marriage with
Rachael Corbin, also born and reared in the same county, being of Pennsyl-
vania-Dutch stock, and to their union were born nine children, eight of whom
were born in Ohio, namely : Rel)ecca, William, Anna, Dorcas. John, Hannah,
Sarah, IMary and l-'rank ()., all deceased with the e.xception of Dorcas, Sarah,
IMary and Frank.
In the early fifties the Welling family came to Hancock county, making
the trip overland in a covered wagon. Arriving in Buck Creek township
Hamilton Welling bouglit eighty acres in section 26, being the east half of
the northeast quarter. Tliis land was purchased from James Harvey and was
entered from the gcnernment by a previous owner. 'i"he ])lace. which is lo-
cated near Buck creek, was covered with heavy timber, there being but three
BIOGRAPMICAI,. gQI
acres cleared and only a one-room log cabin and a slaMe on il, Tliis cabin
was most inade(|uate to the needs of so large a family and it is laughingly
related that when night came, all the fnrniturc would ha\e to be moved out
of doors while the beds were laid on the floor for ihe family, and in the
morning the furniture would be moved back again, after removing the snow
or rain which had fallen during the night. After enduring many inconven-
iences and hardships, Hamilton Welling fin.dly succeeded in clearing most all
of the one hundred and forty-two acres which he owned and put it under the
plow. Also a few years after settling here he built a hewed log house, six-
teen by eighteen feet, which is a part of the ])resent residence on the farm.
This house was rebuilt about 1860. converting it into a six-room house, which
is still in an excellent state of preservation. After Hamilton Welling's sons
became old enough to assume partial charge of the work of the farm, he then
devoted most of his energies along the lines above mentioned. He was ver\-
active in church circles, erecting two churches at different points and con-
tinued preaching as long as health permitted.
In jS(n), when Frank (). Welling was a lillle past eleven vears of age,
his mother died in June of that year. She was a strong and beautiful char-
acter, a loving wife and mother, and after her death her daughter, Hannah,
hra\-ely assumed the duties of housekee])er and looked after the small brother.
In that fashion they continued until April R. 1885, when I'rank was inarried
and his sister Hannah passed from life on December 2^ following. In this
manner, Hamilton Welling came to pass his closing years with his son, Frank,
having shortly after l-'rank's marriage presented him with the title to forty
acres of the home farm as ;ni inducement to him and his wife to remain there
and keep a home for him.
b'rank O. Welling attended school at Welling's Corners, being located
on his father's farm, his first school lieing a summer term, presided over by
his sister, Anna, his first winter teacher being Eli ( iraham. .After school
days were over, he took up his work on the old homestead, where he has
spent his entire life with the exception of one month. When twentv-one years
of age he rented the place from his father, which arrangement continued for
.some time. In addition to the forlv acres of the old farm which he owns.
Mr. \Velling also owns forty acres al)oul two miles north of Mt. Comfort,
being a portion of the old Daniel Stoner place, and he also rents twenty-two
acres of the old home from other heirs.
Mrs. Frank O. Welling before her marriage was l-"rances Olive Stoner,
born in Buck Creek township, July 29. 1864, a daughter of Daniel and Mar-
tha (Hatfield) Stoner, The Stoners were al.so early pioneers of this section
992 HAXCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
and were the parents of ten children, Frances being one of the vounger mem-
l)ers of tlie family. To Mr. and Mrs. Welling have been born six cliildren. as
follow : \"int()n M.. w ho married Maude Rasener and resides in Buck Creek
townsiiip. has one child, Wilbur: \'ernie is the wife of Anton Ploenges and
resides in Warren tr.wnship, Marion county: Earl married Frieda Kentworth
and lives in Buck Creek township: Effie May. Martha and Isabelle are at
home with the parents. Both Mr. Welling and his wife are devoted members
of tlie Methodist Episcopal church of Mt. Comfort, of which he also is a
trustee. He is a Re])ublican in politics, although never aspiring to office, and
is generally conceded to be one of Buck Creek's most highly respected citizens.
HENRY MERLAU.
Henry Merlau, one of the prominent and successful farmers of Hancock
county, Indiana, was born in Arnshein Hesse. Darmstadt, Germany, on May
i8, 1835, the son of Henry Adam and Anna Katherine (Stump) Merlau.
The parents came to America in an early day and after a long voyage in a
sailing vessel they landed in Baltimore from which place they traveled by
railroad and canal boat to Pittsburgh and then down the Ohio to Cincinnati.
From Cincinnati they came to New Palestine by wagon, which required two
weeks to make the journey. The family landed at their new home on Sep-
tember 15. 1846. It was here that a new home was made and the children
grew to manhood and womanhood. They had the following children : John,
Conrad. Elizabeth, George, Catherine, Anna M., Henry and Mary.
Lucindia Katherine. the daughter of Henry Merlau and wife, is the wife
of George W. Hickman, uf Marion county. They have an adopted daughter.
Blanche. Henry Merlau was united in marriage to Malinda, the daughter of
\\ illiani and Lucinda (Shockley) Leachman, the former of whom came from
Ohio with his two eider brothers and was an early pioneer of the county. He
and his brothers. George and Thomas, entered land on the banks of Sugar
Creek in 1824. The country at that time was a dense woods and after remain-
ing here for a time they sold their tracts and entered more land southwest of
New Palestine. \\'illiam Leachman walked to Indianapolis and with one
hundred dollars entered the farm just west of the home place, and it was here
that ]\Ialinda IMerlau was born, in sight of their present residence. The
mother died here when Mrs. Merlau was but two years of age. Many times
she would accompany lier father to the woods where she would watch him
z^<yHji^.
^C^z^
/ayt/i
dL
BIOGRAIMIICAI,.
993
while at work cutting down the Ijig trees. For a time her father worked for
lier uncle, Jacob Murnaii, whose wife did niucli of her trading witli tlie Indians.
It was at the death of llieir twin I)ahies that tlie present Crown Point ceme-
ter}- was first dedicated. 'i'iic grave for the cliiklren was (hig l)y William
I.eachman and was the first in the cemetery, at that time called the .Murnan
burying ground. Henry Mcrlau is at present one of the directors of the
ground. It is here that many of the family are burierl.
Mr. Merlau is the owner of one of the most valuable farms in this section
of the county. Here he has one hundred and sixty-six acres of well improved
and highly cultivated land. The house is a large and splendid structure and
the barn is seventy by forty-two feet. On his other fa mi, west of the home
place, he also lias a barn fifty-four by forty-two feet.
Mr. and ^Irs. ^lerlau liave seen many transformations in the county. In
the early day there were many wild animals in the dense woods that extended
in all directions from their homes. Mrs. Merlau recalls seeing l)ears while in
the woods with her father. Game was plentiful and the hunter was greatly
rewarded for his efforts. The conveniences of tlie present day were, of
course, ^unheard of, or even dreamed about. An old clock in the home of Mr.
and Mrs. ilerlau is evidence of the good workmanship of those days, it is a
twent}--four-hour clock with wooden works throughout and which is still in
good repair and keeps good time.
EDWIX C. HUNTINGTON.
Edwin C. Huntington, a jirominent and successful f;unier ruid banker of
Cumberland. Indiana, is a representative of one of tlie eminent families of the
United States. Mr. Huntington is a native of Marion county, having been
born on b^ebruaiy (^. m'^m, .-md i^; ihc son of Spencer W. and Sarah (Taffe^
Huntington.
Spencer W. Huntington was a nati\e of the state of New York, where
he was born on Sci)tenil)er i, i8ij. and died at his home in Warren township.
Marion countv. Indiana, on January (i. iS()3. He was the son of Chandler
Huntington, who was a native of the state of .\'ew ^'ork .and was of English
descent. The family was a prominent one during the Revolution.irx- times and
later in the early history of the state of New ^'ork.
The .Articles of Confederation went into effect on March i, 178 1, and
continued in operation until \\'ashington was inaugurated President on .\pril
y94 HANCOCK COLNTV, INDIANA.
30, 1789. Althoug;h the Constitution of 1787 provided that Washington
should be inaugurated on ^larch 4, 1789, it was not until the last dav of
April tliat he reached New York to take the oath of office. During the eight-
year period, from 1781 to 1789, the colonies were governed by a unicameral
congress, each state having from two to seven representatives. This congress
had the power, each year, to select one of its members as its presiding
officer and to select the judges who composed the supreme court. The first
presiding officer thus selected was Samuel Huntington, a brotlier of the
grandfather of Chandler Huntington. Thus he in a sense became the first
head of the United States, that is', in so far as being the presiding ofticer of
the first Congress provided by the Articles of Confederation.
Chandler Huntington was bom and reared in New York state and was
a farmer and carpenter. There he was married and there four of his children
were born, after which he and his family decided to locate in Indiana. They
traveled to Pittsburgh on tlie Alleghany river and thence down the Ohio to
Cincinnati and from tliere they entered soutlieastern Indiana for a short dis-
tance on one of the small streams. There they remained in the houseboat all
winter, having landed the boat on the farm of General Harrison. ,In tlie
spring they exchanged the boat for three hundred pounds of bacon and thus
supplied tliey proceeded on their journey to Shelby county, where they located
on an eighty-acre tract of timber land, just south of Freeport. The fann is
now known as tlie Hughes farm. After locating the tract, Mr. Huntington
walked to Brookville. a distance of fifty miles, in order to enter tiie land from
the government.
It was fortunate that a part of the land liad been burned over, as this
made a clearing where they could erect their house and stable. Mr. Hunt-
ington at once began the task of clearing and cleaning some of the ground
so that he might plant his first crop. This done he continued tlie task of
clearing more land and in time added another eighty acres to his farm. He
later built the first grist-mill at Freeport, which was run by water power and
is still in running order. I\Tr. Huntington spent the remaining days of his
life on the old homestead.
Spencer W. Huntington came with his parents to their new home in
Indiana when but seven years of age. Here he spent his boyhood and re-
ceived his education. When twenty years of age he moved to Marion county
with his brother, Nelson, and engaged in the saw-mill business on Buck Creek.
just below Cumberland. He continued in the liusiness for some years and
;U tlie same time lx)ught live stock which he drove to Cincinnati and sold.
U'hen twenty-nine years of age, Spencer W. Huntington was united in mar-
BIOGRAPHICAT.. 995
riage to Theresa Ann Buchanan, the daughter of Tlioma.s Buclianan and wife,
of Marion county. To this union were l)orn seven children, on three of wliom
h\e(l 111 maturity, Marion, MiUon and George. Mrs. Huntington died in
1858.
In 1859 Spencer W. Huntington was married to Sarah Taffe, who was
l)orn in 1822 and was the daughter of (ieorge and Catherine (Herod) Taffe.
of Clark count\, Indirma. George A. Taffe was a native of Kentucky and
came to Indiana in an early day, where he was a pioneer in both ]\Iarion and
Clark counties. In Alarion county he entered land where Brookside Park,
Indianapolis, is now situated. To this union four children were horn to Mr.
and Mrs. Huntington: Edwin C, John T., Laura and Maud H. John T. is
a resident of Indianapolis: Laura is the wife of Frank Askern. of Warren
township, and Maude H. is the wife of Eugene Darrach and resides in Indian-
apolis.
After his first marriage, Spencer W. Huntington engaged in farming on
sixty acres just west of Cumberland, and which place he bought a few vears
later and after the railroad was built. There he lived the remainder of his
life. He was most successful in farming and during the Civil War made
considerable money from the sale of hogs, cjttle and hay. Before his death
he was the possessor of some eight hundred acres of land in ]\Iarion and Han-
cock counties. He was a man of high ideals and strict integrity, Ijeheving in
the teachings of the Universalist doctrine, although he did not belong to the
church. He died on January 5, 1895, his wife having died in I'ebruary, 1894.
Edwin C. Huntington spent his early life on the fami of his father and
attended the district school, .\fter finishing the common school course he
attended the State Normal College at Bloomington, Illinois, one year, then
after nearly two years at Butler College he completed a course at the Bryant
& Stratton Business College at Indianapolis. He returned to his home after
completing his school work and took charge of the home farm.
On January 6, 1885. Edwin C. Huntington was united in marriage to
Carry May Furgason, who was born in Sugar Creek township on February
22, 1862. She is the daughter of Thomas C. and Margaret (Pickle) Fur-
gason, both of whom were old settlers in the county.
One year after his marriage Mr. Huntington and his wife moved to the
north part of the township, where he rented one hundred and sixty acres of
his father. A few years later Mr. Huntington bought the east eighty and at
the same time his father presented him with the other eighty. This has l^een
his home since that time. He later purchased more land and received some of
the old home place, making him some two hundred and thirty-five acres.
996 HANCOCK COLXTY. INDIANA.
Tlie farm is under a liigh slatt- nf cultivation and well ini])ro\ctl. with a
beautiful ten-room house, a large Ijarn and uther substantial buildings. Here
Mr. Huntington engages in general farming and stock raising. He raises
about one hundred head of hogs and seventy-five head of cattle each year.
He also keeps eight or ten head of horses.
To Mr. and Mrs. Huntington have been born the following cliildren :
.Anna E., Sallie, Irene. Eilwm, I'aul and Carrie May. .\nna E. is the wife of
Russell Bartknv, of \N'arren township, Marion county. They are the j)arents
of one child; Irene. Edwin died in infancy; Irene is the wife of John Hill, of
Sandborn, Indiana ; Paul. Sallie and Carrie May are at home.
Mr. Iluiuington was one of the incorporators of the Cumberland Bank,
in 190S, and was elected the first i)resident, which position he filled until
J912, when he was elected assistant cashier. He is still a member of the
official board. Fraternally, Mr. Huntington is a Mason and a Knight of
Pythias, belonging to the former order at Xew Palestine and the latter at
Greenfield. He is a Rei)ublican in politics, but docs not as]iirc to office.
CHRISTI.W E. H. DEERBERG.
Christian 1-". H. Deerberg, residing near Mt. Comfort, in lUick Creek-
township, Hancock county, Indiana, is a native of that same county, born on
March 25, 1872, a son of Henry H. and Louise C. E. (Hartman) Deerberg,
lx)th of whom were born in Germany. Henrv H. Deerberg was born on May
2. 1845. and died at his home in Buck Creek townshi]). May 7, 1914. at the
age of si.xty-nine years. Louise Hartman was born on September 23. 1839,
a daughter of Christian Hartman and wife, both of whom were also born in
Germany and later were residents of Indianapolis. They had four children,
of whom Louise was the eklest.
Henry H. Deerberg came to .-\merica in 1866 when a young man and
located first in Indianapolis and for four or five years worked among the
farmers of Marion county. He was married in 1870 and immediately there-
after came to Hancock county, where he bought eighty acres of the east half
of the s<nithwest quarter of section 36, of Buck Creek township. This was
almost entirely covered with timl)er. ha\ing but a small log cabin and barn,
and through years of tireless energy he managed to get the land cleared and
drained. He purchased other tracts from time to time until he owned two
hundred and sixty-six acres, part in Sugar Creek township, Init the most in
Buck Creek township. Henry H. DeerJjerg was a successful farmer in every
BIOGUAI'llKAL. 997
sense of the word and was one nf tlie most active supporters . of St. John's
E\-an_<;eh'cal cliurcli at Cumherland. of whicli his widow is also a menilier.
Christian F. H. Deerberg is one of a famih of seven children, as follows:
Mar\. wife (if Christian Rodenheck : Christian, the subject "f this sketch;
\\ ilhehnina, wife of Charles Beuke ; a twin sister of Wilhehnina. who died
in infancy: Emma, wife of Louis Kolthoff; Henry C. and Edward. Chris-
tian passed his l)o\ho(id and \(mth mi the faiiiiK- homestead, attending the
E\'angelical school, after which he attended the old Xo. () district school for
a slmrt time, his first teacher being ilenr\- Keller. Me gave all his time after
school days were over to assistiii,g his father in the work of the farm ami
when thirty- four years old. on December 9. 1906. was united in marriage
with Elnora Meier, born in Indianapolis. I'cbruary 4, 1872, daughter of Henry
W. and Elnora (Po])e) Meier. Henry W. Meier was born in Sugar Creek
townshi]), this coiintv. Febrnarv 23, 1)^45. and died here on I'ebruary o. 1911,
at the age of sixty- six years. He was a son of Henry Meier and wife, both
of whom were born in Germany and came to America in the early forties,
settling in Sugar Creek township. There they passed their remaining days
after the manner of other pioneers of this section. Henry W. was born on
the old homestead here, but passed the more active years of his life m Indian-
apolis, returning here for his declining years, and here his widow still
resides. They were the parents of se\eii children, namtly : Mary,
wife of b'red Roeder: Elnora, wife of the immediate subject of this
sketch ; .\nna, widow of Herman W'atlerman : William, who died at
eighteen months of age: Harry: Minnie, wife of Charles Rosener. and
Rosie, wife of Henry W'ulf. .\fter marriage. Christian Deerberg and wife
took up their residence wher they now reside, twenty acres of which land
he bought just after his marriage and ninety-five of which he inherited from
his father's estate. This farm has a good six-room residence, a good barn,
fiftv-two by sixty-six: double corn-crib; good hog house, eighteen by twenty-
four; also a garage and other buiidir.gs. Mr. Deerberg gives sjjecial attention
to the raising of grains, also feeding for the market about 'hirty hogs annually.
He favors the Poland China breed and is successl'iil m this ]>hase of hi< work.
Mr. Deerberg has no children, but his wife has one son by a former marriage.
Clarence Caldwell. Both Mr. and Mrs. Deerberg are members of the ( lermrin
Lutheran church, of which he is vorsteher. In politics he is a Democrat and
is regarded as one of the substantial and progressive citizens of his community,
i'or two vears he has served as superinteiulent of the Hartman road of I'.uck
Creek township and has in other ways demonstrated his interest in communitv
matters, and stands high in the estimation of all who know him.
998 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
ALfiERT BUESKIXG.
Albert Buesking. one of the prominent and successful young- farmers of
Hancock county, was born in Sugar Creek township on July jg. 1880, being
the son of I'redcrick and Eleanor (Swartz) Buesking.
Ereclerick Buesking was born in (iermany in 1835 and there he spent his
boyhood and received his education. His father died when he was but a lad
and young Frederick worked on the railroad for a time in his native land.
At the age of nineteen he came with his sister, Minnie, to America and after
landing at New York he came direct to Indiana, locating at Indianapolis,
wliere he obtained employment. He remained in the city for some time, after
which he came to Sugar Creek township, where he worked for some years
for Anton Schildmeier. It was while here that he met and married Mrs.
Christian (Swartz) Ostermeier, whose husband had died from exposure dur-
ing the Civil War. By her first marriage Mrs. Buesking w^s the mother of
two children : Charles and William. After his marriage, Frederick Buesking
rented a farm for a short time or until he could get possession of the farm of
his mother, where he now resides. The fann of one hundred and ten acres
was only half way cleared and improved with a log house and a barn. Mr.
Buesking proceeded to improve the place and to drain it. In 1882 he built a
modern barn, fifty by seventy feet, and in 1895 he erected a large eight-room
house and otlier buildings in keeping with the surroundings. Here he lived
until 1904 when he retired from active life and took up his residence in Cum-
berland, where he now resides.
Eleanor Swartz was also a native of Germany, where she was bom in
January, 1850. She came with her parents to America when she was but one
and one-half years of age. After landing in New York the father died of
typhoid fever. The mother and children proceeded to Hancock county, In-
diana, and located in Buck Creek township and it was here that Eleanor grew
to womanhood and spent her girlhood days. Frederick and Eleanor Bue.sking
were the parents of four children : AllDcrt. Edward, who died at the age of
twenty; Carrie, the wife of Henry Keasner. of Louisville, and Julia, who is at
home.
Albert Buesking was born on the old homestead where he now resides.
Here he grew to manhood and attended the district schools and later the
German school at Cumberland, after which he was a student for three years
at the Gem school. After completing his education he continued to assist his
father on the farm until the time of his marriage on October o. 1904. He was
united in m.-ini.iee fci Delia Reasner. a native of Sugar Creek township, having
BIOGRAPHICAL. 999
been born on April 5, 1882. She is the daughter of Henry C. and Sophia
(Harding) Reasner, both of whom are of pioneer families of Hancock county,
Mr. and Mrs. Raesner were the parents of the following children : Henry
deceased; \\'illiani, Charles, Benjamin, Dennis, Dena, Minnie, Matilda and
Albert.
Albert Buesking and wife began housekeeping on the home place where
they have since resided. In 1909 Mr. Buesking bought thirty-three acres ad-
joining the home place on the north, making one hundred and fortv-three acres
he is farming at the present time. He cultivates about thirty acres of corn and
forty acres of small grain each year. He markets about forty-five head of
Poland China hogs each year and is interested in the breeding of registered
Percheron horses. He now has several marcs and colts from the "Metz Stock
Farm," at Homewood, Illinois.
Albert Buesking and wife are the parents of three children: Agnes,
Helen and Edward. They are members of St. John's Evangelical church at
Cumlierland, of which he was a trustee at the time of the building of the new
church some years ago.
Politically, Mr. Buesking is a Democrat and at present a member of the
advisory board of the township. He is a man of much force of character and
his ability is recognized and respected by the people of the community in
which he lives.
IRA O. FRANKLIN.
Ira O. Franklin, the son of Thomas H. and Mahalia L. (Roberts) Frank-
lin, was born on Alarch 16, 1871, in Green township. The parents were also
natives of the same township, having been born near Eden.
Jasper and Sarah (Cadwell) Franklin, the parents of Thomas H., were
natives of Greenbrier county. West Virginia, where they grew to manhood
and womanhood and were married. After the birth of four of their children
they came to Indiana. The journey was made in a wagon and was a most
tiresome one. They located near Eaton about the year 1819. Here they
entered one hundred and sixty acres of land and began the building of a home
for themselves and family. Mr. Franklin erected the log house that was their
home until the time of their death. Mr. Franklin was a veteran of the War
of 1812. He had been a strong Whig and later united with the Republican
party. He and his family were members of the Methodist Fi)iscopal church.
To Jasper and Sarah Franklin were born the following children : Allen.
lOOQ HANCOCK CULXTV, INDIANA.
Edward and William, all of whom were in the Civil War; Elizabeth. Sarah,
Leah, Joseph, Thomas, Xancy. Deliha. IMaiy and Robert. The parents of
Jasper and Sarah Franklin died in West Virginia. Mrs. Franklin was raised
Ijy her uncle, Joel Alderson. a slaveowner of West \'irg-inia. His old plan-
tation is now the site of the town of Aldersonville.
Thomas and Martha (Hart) Roberts were natives of Xorth Carolina
and came to Hancnck countv at an earl\- d;'.v. They located near Eden wilh
their respective parents and were married some years later. Here they entered
land about the year 1835.
Thomas Franklin received his education in the early schools of Hancock
county and spent most of his life in (ireen township. For the past four years
he has made his home in Madison county. He and Mrs. Franklin were the
parents of the following children : Rosa, \\'illiam, Martha and Ira O.
Ira O. Franklin was educated in the public schools of Hancock and Mad-
ison counties and at the Danville Xcrmal School. He later engaged in farm-
ing, which he has made his life-work. He has eighty acres of well improved
v'md highly cultivated land, on which he has erected convenient and substantial
buildings and a large and modern silo.
On Decemljer 30, 1896, Ira O. kranklin was united in marriage to Lena
Shull, a native of Green township anil the daughter of .\7zel J. and Xancy
(Miller) Shull, both of whom were born near I-'ortxille.
To Ira O. and Lena l-Vankhn Jiaxe been born three children : \'era, Leo
and Marjorie. The family are all members of the Christian church.
lAMES BLRXS.
James Burns was born in Hamilton county. Ohio, near Miami, on ]\Iarch
28, 1842. He was a son of Harvey and Catherine (McKinney) Burns. Har-
vey Bums was born in Pennsylavnia in 18 14 and died in Howard county,
Indiana, in i860, at the age of forty-fi\e years. He was a son of Isaac Burns,
also of PennsyKania. Isaac P.urn.s was a ])ioneer of Howard county, where
he spent the latter part of his life. Harvey Burns was one of several children.
He spent the early part of his life in Pennsylvania and Ohio. He was mar-
ried in Ohio and some years later, during the Civil War, moved to Indian-
apolis and finallv settled in Howard county. He there engaged in farming
and spent his declining years. His wife. Catherine, survived him se\eral years.
She was born in Hamilton county. Ohio, about 1816, and was the daughter
• BIOGRAPHICAL. lOOI
of Andrew McKiniiev, who was Ikhii and died in ()hi:i and wIkisc witc aftrr-
ward moved to Howard county, wliere she died.
James Burns, the subject of this sketch, was one of ten chilth^en, eii^ht
boys and two girls. He spent his earl\- life on the farm of his father in Ham-
ilton county, where he attended the district school and assisted his father until
eighteen \'ears of age. .\t that lime he nmvcd to Indianapolis, where he re-
mained for three years, tluring wliicli time he worked on the old Colonel
Fletcher farm in West Indianapolis. On October 7, 1864, he enlisted in
Company R, Twenty-first Indiana Heavy .\rtillerv. and served until the close
of the Civil War and was honorably disch.irged at Mobile, .\labania. on Octo-
ber 7. 1865. During his term of service he saw active fighting and took part
in the Ijombardment of Spanish Fort at Mobile. .\t that lime he was slightly
injured bv a shell, .\fter the wa>- he returned to Indianapolis, where he re-
sumed farming. The following spring he was married to .Mrs. Catherine
(Ruddesel) Delaney who was born in Ohio in 1832 and who was the daugh-
ter of William Rudde.sel. al.so of Ohio. The following children were born to
them: Henr\-. who now resides in Indianapolis. an<l Laura, who is the wife
of James Kincaid. who resides in Sugar Creek township.
lames Bums after his marriage took up his residejice on his wile's farm
and a few years after bought out the heirs and came into possession of the
entire farm. \\ hen he took possession of this tract of one hundred acres it
had only a small farm house and a kig barn and about three r.cres of cleared
ground. He at once proceeded to clear the land and to bring it under culti-
vation and to improve it. He erected a good five-room house and a good
barn and corn sheds and other buildings in keeping w itli the gromids. He
usually cultivated about forty acres of corn and about ihirty acres of small
grain and he usually had fifty head of hogs. He kept about a dozen head of
cattle and a half dozen head of horses all the time. In addition to his own
farm he farmed from sixty to a hundred and fifty acres of ncigb.boring land.
Mrs. Burns died in lyoi and a year later Mr. Burns married OIlie Lyons,
who was born in Decatuc-county and who was the d.iughter of David Lyons.
To this union were born the following children: Robert. Xorris. l-'orrest.
wb.o dietl at the age of nine, and Xettie.
lames A. Burns died on Feb.ruary 2i<. iyi(». He was a member of ihe
Methodist Episcopal church. .\t one time he was a steward of this church.
His wife is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Burns
was a Republican in politics and was one of Hancock county's best-known
citizens. He was a resident of the county for over fifty years and was one
of the pioneer settlers, highly respected by his fellow citizens.
I002 HANCOCK COL.XTV, INDIANA.
LOUIS G. LAXTZ.
Louis G. Lantz was lx>rn in Sugar Creek township. Hancock county,
near Xew Palestine, April i6, 1855. a sun of John and Marie fSchleigh)
Lantz John Lantz was horn in Gemiany ar.d spent his youth in that country.
He received his early education there and was there married. After the hirth
of his first child he emigrated to America about 1850, making the trip on a
sailing vessel which took about seven weeks. He landed in New York. From
New York he went to Cincinnati by rail, canal and river and then overland to
Hancock county, where he with liis wife settled in Sugar Creek township.
After his arrival he worked for Andy ?kleier, who lived northeast of New
Palestine. He bought ninety acres of land two and one-half miles southwest
of New Palestine and for this land he paid fifty dollars per acre. The land
had on it an old frame house and a log barn and there were about forty-five
acres of it cleared. He lived here the remainder of his life and died on the
farm in 1902 at the age of si.xty-seven years. His wife survived him six
years, dying at the age of seventy-four. They were the parents of seven
children, four boys and three girls. Those living are: Louis G., who is the
subject of this sketch; John, Mary, Anna, Emma, \\'illiam, who was the
eldest and is deceased, and a son by the name of Henry, who died in infancy.
Louis G. Lantz spent the most of his childhood south of Xew Palestine.
Here he attended llie old Snodgrass log school house, just over the line in
Shelby ci>unt\-. Mr. Lantz relates that he sat on a mill slab with four pegs
for legs while attending school. His first teacher was Mrs. Sarah (Barnes)
Cunningham. After finishing school here he continued to help his father on
the home place until he was twenty-nine years of age. At that time he was
married in 1881 to Emma Eikman, who was the daughter of Antone and
Minnie (Miller) Eikman, both pioneer residents of Hancock county. Emma
Eikman was the eldest of the children.
After his marriage to Miss Eikman. Mr. Lantz moved to Moral town-
ship. Shelby county, where he rented a farm for two years. He then came
back to Sugar Creek township and settled on a forty-acre tract of land which
he had bought before his marriage for fifty dollars an acre. This tract of land
was southwest of the old home place. He built a six-room house on this and
a log bam. There were thirty acres already cleared on it. Here he con-
tinued to reside for twenty years. In addition to farming his own place he
farmed the old home place. In 1906 he purchased the old home farm for
ninety dollars per acre from the other heirs and on this he built a beautiful
Iwehe-room. modern residence, where he continues to reside. This place.
BIOGRAPHICAL. IOO3
togetluT witli his otlier farm and twenty acres whidi lie l)ought just south
of his former place, makes him owner of one hundred and fifty acre-; of
good farm land. His wife also owns forty acres.
I\Ir. and Mrs. Lantz are the parents of eight children, namely: Edward
married Clara W'ehcr, of Sugar Creek township, and is the father of three
children. Maria, Louis and .Arthur: William died in infancy: Carl married
M.irgaret Richman : Harry, Stella, Alfred, Hasseli and Irma, who are all at
home.
Mr. Lantz attributes his success to raising hogs and corn, lie usually
cultivates about seventy-five acres of corn, which averages not less than forlv-
five bushels to the acre, and in addition ahuut fifty acres of small grain. He
is also feeding usually seventy- five head of hogs. He keeps about twentv
head of cattle and about ten head of good draft horses.
Air. Lantz and wife are both members of the Lutheran church. Mr.
Lantz is a Democrat in politics and is one of Hancock county's most sub-
stantial farmers. He is looked on by bis neighbors as a model fanner and he
is a man of sterling character.
VELASCO R. SNODGRASS.
Velasco Snodgrass was born in Moral township, .Shelbv count}-, I'"el)ruar\-
7, 1857, the son of Benjamin and Sarah (Leonard) Snodgrass.
Benjamin Snodgrass was born in Sugar Creek township, Hancock county,
one-half mile south of New Palestine. April 15, 1831, and died at the home
of his son, Velasco R., in April, 1878, at the age of forty-seven years. He
was the son of Benjamin, Sr., and Lorena (Evans) Snodgrass. Benjamin
Snodgrass, Sr.. came from Kentucky to Indiana about 1830 and took over a
part of the old Mernon farm, south of Xew Palestine, which had been entered
as a government tract. This place contained one hundred and twenty acres of
virgin timber and Benjamin Snodgrass, Sr., made his home in what was then
a wilderness. His efforts were cut short by his early death, which occurred
late in 1830 or early in 1831. His widow, five children, four boys and one
girl, continued to live on the old homestead until the death of Mrs, Snod-
grass. It was on this old homestead that Benjamin Snodgrass, Jr., the father
of the subject of this sketch, was Ixtrn and grew to manhood. He e.xperienced
all the hardships of the early pioneer life. He was married at the age of
nineteen to a Miss RoseberiT and to this union were born two children : one.
I004 HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
a girl, who died in infancy, and ilie otiier. Elwodd. who hvcs at tlit- present
time in Iowa. Benjamin Snodgrass. Jr.. was married, secondly, to Sarah
Leonard, who was born, in North Carolina on .\pril 14. 1832. and who was
the daughter of Joim A. and Lavina (Curry) Leonard, hotli of X<jrth Car-
olina. They were likewise pioneers of Sugar Creek township. Their old
homestead is in the south part of Sugar Creek township, where Homer
Leonard now resides. Sarah Leonard, wiio was the mother of the subject of
this sketch, was one of thirteen children, all deceased except Homer. Melissa
and Sheppard. After the first marriage of Benjamin Snodgrass. he started
to farm for himself on forty acres which he at that time owned and wh.ich
is now a part of the William Lantz farm. After his second marriage, he and
his brother bought a farm in Mora! township. Shelby county, and there he
resided for si.x or se\en \ears. in the fall of 1864 he moved to a farm two
and one-half miles southeast of New Palestine, where he liought an eighty-
acre tract. Here he spent the remainder nf liis hfe Tliis place had only a
small log house and barn and about thirty acres of cleared land. He died
here in 1878 at the age of forty-seven. His wife survived him by al)out ten
years. She died in June, 1887. at the age of fifty-se\'en years.
It was to this place where he now resides that \'elasco Snodgrass. the
subject of this sketch, came, with his parents, as a lioy of seven years. He
spent the balance of his childhood and youth here and attended the old Gates
school. His first teacher in Shelby county was Sarah Cunningham and his
first teacher in Hancock county was Ho]3py JNIcDougal. He remained on the
old home place until he was twenty-four years of age. On Xoxember 3. 18S1.
he was married to Diza Smith, who was born in Moral township, .Sliell)y
county. A])ril 4. 1857, the daughter of James H. and Xancy (Emmons)
Smith, both of whom were natives of Maryland and came to Shelby county
in the early pioneer days. The Smiths settled in Shelby county and the Em-
mons in Hancock county. The former had thirteen children, eleven of
whom still sur\i\e. and Diza Smith, the wife of the subject of this sketch,
was the tenth in order of l)irth. .After his marriage. \'elasco R. Snodgrass
rented his father-in-law's farm in Shelby county for two years. He then
moved back to his old home place, where he has since resided. After his
mother's death he bought out the other heirs and Ijecanie the sole owner of
the home place. He has continued to inipro\e the place by improving his
residence, which now contains eight rooms, and his barn, which is now thirty-
six by fifty feet. He has also erected a fine stock barn .and a double corn-
crib and other buildings in keeping with the surroundings. In 1910 he bought
fortv acres one mile northeast of the home ])lace pnd for this he paid one bun-
BIOGRAl'llICAL. IOO5
(Ircd and fifteen doUrirs per acre, and in I()i4 he i.<iu.L;lu forty acres mure
adjoining this tract, fur wiiich lie paid one hundred and fiftv dnllars per acre.
X'elasco R. Snodgrass and wife are tiie jjarents o{ tlie folluwing children :
Clarence, who is married to Nannie Tucker and wlio resides in Sugar Creek
township and who is the father of two children, .\gnes and l'"rances; James
Id.. Ira. Carrie, the latter three ;ill at honie. Mr. .-nid .Mrs. rienjaniin Snod-
grass had fi\e children, two hoys and three girls: X'elasco. who is the suhject
of this sketch: Xenis, who died at the age of nineteen years; Levina, who
died at the age of two; Marie, who is the wife of Marshall Bussel, who re-
sides at Morristown; Esther, who is the wife of .\lhert Stone and who resides
at Morristown, Indiana.
X'elasco R. Snodgrass is a Democrat in politics. He has served as town-
shi]) trustee of Sugar Creek town-hip from 1905 to 19CQ. He is one of Han-
ciick county's well-known and suhstantial citizens. His standing in this com-
munity is shown by the offices which he has held and of other opportunities
which he felt compelled to decline. It goes without saying that he enjoys the
respect of his fellow citizens and that he is a man of sterling character.
s.VMUEt. B. si..\it;hti:r.
Samuel B. Slaughter was horn near Warrington. Hancock county, on
January 1. 1843, and was the son of William and Penina (Beck) Slaughter.
The father was a native of Virginia and the mother of Wayne county, Indiana.
X\'illiam Slaughter was reared in \'irginia and came to Hancock county as a
young man. Here he bought a farm of eighty acres ami liegan farming. He
was later married in the county. To William Slaughter and wife were born
the following children : James, Samuel, William, Mary. I'l-anklin. Le\i'.ia
and Robert.
Samuel Slaughter receixed his education in the connnon schools of Han-
cock county and after leaving school he became a carpenter, at which trade
he worked for thirteen years. At the time of his marriage he gave up his trade
and bought one hundretl acres of land in (Jreen townslu]) and liegan farming,
lie siill resides on the original fanii. where he has erected modern and sub-
stantial liuildings and has his farm under good cultivation. He is a breeder
of fine Duroc-Jersey hogs. During the past four months Mr. Slaughter has
been in ill health and his son attends to the active management of the farm.
In 1873 Mr. Slaughter was united in marriage to Herzella Bradley, and
I006 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
to this uniim the followintj children have been born: Daisy, who married
Wilham Rogers and Hves in Madison county. Indiana, and has three children,
Ralph. Helen and Howard : Ray, who married Susie Curry. li\es in Green
township, Hancock county, and has one child, a girl, Elthia ; Pluma, who mar-
ried Ward Keller, lives in Wilkinson, Hancock county, and has one child,
Elizabeth; Edna, who married Paul Ferrell, lives in Kokomo. Mr. Slaughter
and family are members of the United Brethren church.
Fraternally, Mr. Slaughter is a member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows and takes an active interest in the success of the order. He has
never been an office-seeker, l:ut looks to the election of the liest men to office.
.'\ZZEL T. SHULL.
-Azzel J. ShuU, a native of Hancock county, was born in \'ernon town-
ship, on August 15, 1846, and" was the son of McCagey and Mary (Cadell)
Shull, natives of New Jersey and Ohio, respectively. The parents of McCagey
Shull lived and died in New Jersey. John Cadell and wife, the parents of
Mary (Cadell) Shull. were natives of North Carolina and came to Ohio on
horseback, later locating in Indiana near Fortville.
McCagey Shull. the father of Azzel, received his education in the schools
of New Jersey. After spending his lioyhood days in his native state, he came to
Ohio and there met and married Mary Cadell. They later settled near Fort-
ville and there Mr. Shull engaged in farming until the time of his death.
Mary Shull died some time after coming to their new home and later Mr.
Shull married Mrs. Sarah (Hellem) York. By the first marriage Mr. Shull
was tlie father of eight children, five boys and three girls, and by the second
marriage one child. The sons, John and William, were in the Civil U'ar, John
serving for four years and \\'illiam for one year.
Azzel J. Shull received his education in the schools of Hancock county,
after which he engaged in farming and since 1876 has lived on the present
fann of sixty acres. Here he has erected modern and con\enient buildings,
all of which are in excellent condition. He is engaged in general fanning
and stock raising.
In 1868 Azzel J. Shull was united in marriage to Nancy Aliller, who was
born in Hamilton county, Indiana, on May 4, 1850. Mrs. Shull is the daugh-
ter of John and Susan ( Keffer) Miller. Susan Keffer was a native of Union
county and came with her parents, Jacob and Eva (Teaster)' Keffer, to Mad-
BIOGRAPHICAL. lOOJ
ison county and there died on the farm, that the j)arents liad entered some
time after locating in the coimty. Peter and Catiierine Miller, the parents of
John Miller, were for many years residents of Madison county, hut later re-
moved to Illinois, where they purchased a farm and here they died. John
Miller, the father of Nancy (Miller) ShuU, received his education in the
sciiools of ^ladison count\- and htter engaged in farming dr.ring liis active
life. Mr. and Mrs. Miller were the parents of six cliildren. one, Michael,
served in the amiy during most of tiie Civil War. The mother of Mrs. Shull
died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Shull in 1R80.
To Azzel J. and Nancy Shull were horn f(_)nr children : Alice Cora, Mary
Estella, Lena May and V.'illiam Grover. Tiie family are memhers of the
Cliristian church and take an active jiart in the church work. I'Vaternaily, Air.
Shull is a meniher of the Free and Accepted Masons and of the Improved
Order of Red Men.
DANIEL I. \VARRU:\I.
Daniel J. Warrum. a native of (ireen townshij), near where he now lives,
was born on December 12, i860, being the son of James and Sarah (New)
Warrum, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The paternal grand-
parents of Daniel Warrum came to Hancock county as pioneers and settled
m Blue River township, where they entered land. They later came to Green
township. Harmon Warrum. the grandfather, entered one hunderd and sixty
acres of land in Blue River township in 1805 and later, after having lived in
Green township, moved to Center township, where he died. He was married
to Mary Butler, of Wayne county, who was of Quaker descent. To them
were born two sons, Noble and James, and four daughters. While in Blue
River township, Harmon Warrum built the first frame house in Hancock
county. Mrs. Warrum died at the home in tiiis township. Here in the town-
ship Mr. Warrum accumulated a large farm of several hundred acres.
The maternal grandparents of Daniel J. Warrum were Daniel New and
wife, who were natives of Kentucky. They were pioneers of Blue River
township, where the)- entered land and iiere made their iionie and here died.
James Warmm received his education in the schools of Hancock county
and early in life became a farmer in Green township. Here he livcv! until the
time of his death. He owned alxuit one hundred and sixty acres of land, a
part of which is the farm of Daniel J. Warrum. James Warrum and wife
were the parents of the following cliildren: William H.. Elizabeth, .Amanda,
I008 HANCOCK COrXTY. INDIANA.
deceased: Harmon, decea.sod ; James X.. deceased: ]^Iary M.. Daniel J- and
Louisa. The father and niDther botli died in Green township.
Daniel J. W'arrnni received his education in the schools of Hancock
county and at the Spiceland Academy and the Danville Normal. After com-
pleting his education he engaged in fanning in Center township and later
moved to the farm wliere he was reared and here he has ninety-five acres.
Daniel J. W'arrnni was married on Octol)er 23. 1884. to Elizabeth Frost.
To this union Iwn children have been born: Ernest E. and Jesse J. Mr.
Warrum has but latelv retired as township trustee, in which position he served
for six years.
Fraternally. Mr. \\';irruni is a member of the Free and .\ccepted Masons
and has taken the chapter degree. He and his wife belong to the Friends
chu.rch.
Elizabeth ( Frost ) Warrum was the daughter of James and Eliza (Trow-
bridge) Frost, both natives of Indiana. Mrs. Warrum is a native of Center
township, where her paternal grandparents. Richard and Elizabeth Curry
Frost, settled in an early day. The father of Mrs. \\'arrum was reared in
Hancock countv and lived here uiuil his death. He was an extensive land-
owner. Mrs. Warrum's parents boib were dead before she was two years of
asre.
ELI A. RICHHART.
Eli -V. Richhart was born on November 15. 1859, the son of ^^'illiam and
Margaret (Layton) Richhart. \\'illiam Richhart was born in Pennsylvania
and was married twice, first to Margaret Layton, and to this marriage the fol-
lowing children were born: Samuel E., Eli, who is the subject of this sketch:
Mary, William and .\anc\ . His second wife was Mrs. Joseph Colborn. The
father of William Richhart was Samuel Richhart, who was born in Penn-
sylvania, and who was a farmer. He owned six hundred acres of land in
Hamilton county, Indiana, and he was a member of the Christian church. He
handed down to the Richhart family a very old Dutch Bible. He was the
fallier of the following children: William, F.oze, Nancy, Mary, Priscilla and
Susan. William Richhart, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a
farmer in Hamilton county and owned one hundred and sixty acres, which his
father gave him. He was a member of the Christian church, and died in 1869.
Eli A. Richhart was educated in the common schools, and was married
at the age of twenty-one to Ellen Lautlig, who was born in Hamilton county.
MR. AND MRS. ELI A. RICHHART
RESIDENCE OF EI.I A. RICHHART
BIOGRAl'lIICAL. lOOQ
Indiana, and who was the daughter of Jonas and Catlien'ne ( Caylor) Laudig,
who were farmers and attended the Dunkard church, of wliich Mrs. Laudig was
a devout member. Mr. Richhart hved for twenty-si.x years in I-'all Creek
township, Madison county, Indiana, but about si.x years ago he moved onto the
farm on which he now hves. He has buiU a splendid house and barn on the
same and owns in all one hundred and fifty-five acres in one body. He and
Mrs. Richhart belong to the United Brethren church of Mt. Gilead. He is also
a member of the Horse Thief Association. Eli A. Richhart and wife are the
parents of the following children : William S., w^io lives in Philadelphia, Penn-
sylvania, and who married Lola Reddick ; Jonas F., who lives in Los Angeles,
California, and who married Effie Collins; Clara M., who lives in Madison
county, Indiana, and who married Harry Nowland ; Ruth, who lives in Frank-
lin, Indiana, and who married the Rev. Leo Noland, a Baptist minister, and
Paul D., who is deceased.
CHARLES L. COLLI XGWOOD.
Charles L. Collingwood was l)orn in Rusli county. Indiana, in I1S75. and
is tlie son of Joseph and Mary J. (Grove) Collingwood. l)otli of whom were
natives of Pennsylvania. Charles Collingwood, the father of Joseph, was
born in England and came to .America in 1801. Lydia (^loss) Collingwood.
the mother, w-as born in the state of Xew York, she being a descendant of
tlie Moss familv that came over in the "Mayflow^er." After the marriage of
Cliarles Collingwood and L}(lia Moss, they came to Decatur county, where
they lived and died. Mr. Collingwood was by trade a tailor; in England he
ni.-idf hni)]) skirts and dress stays. He was well educated and a well-read man
and was school examiner when living in Pennsylvania. It is supposed that Ad-
miral Collingwood, of England, who took part in tiie battle of Trafalgar,
was a member of the family. Charles and Lydia Collingwood were the par-
ents of nineteen ciiildren, fourteen boys and five girls.
loseph Collingwood was educated in the primitive schools of i'ennsyl-
vania. In earlv life he learned the trade of a boat builder and assisted in the
construction of boats on the .Alleghany river. He later came to Indiana and
engaged in farming, in addition to his other duties as manager of a saw-mill,
threshing machine and tile factory. He remo\ed from Decatur county to
Kush county and in 1882 located in Hancock county, on the farm of one
hundred a.nd sixty acres, where the son, Charles L., now resides. He died
(64)
lOlO HAXCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
here in 1913 and the widow still makes this her home. The familv were
memhers of the United Brethren church.
To Josepli Collingwood and wife were born the following children:
Ezra B., Charles La Rue. Lvdia Marv. Daniel M.. Charles L.. Elmer E.. IJllie
M. and Goldie Ethel.
Charles L. Collingwood received his education in the schools of his town-
ship and in the Danville Normal. He is also a graduate of the Indiana State
Normal at Terre Haute, from which institution he graduated in the class of
T912. Mr. Collingwood began teaching at the age of eighteen and continued
to teach during a part of the year until he finished the work at tb.e State
Nomial. Eor the past two years he has been at the head of the schools of
Amboy, Benton county, and is superintendent of schools of the township. He
is interested in the Collingwood Brothers' elevators.
In 1896 Mr. Collin.gwood was married to Nellie M. Thomas, of Green-
field, the daughter of J. B. Thomas and wife. Mrs. Collingwood died in 191 1.
Mr. Collingwood is a meml)er of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern
Woodmen of America. He is active in all educational matters and takes much
interest in all enterprises- that tend toward the advancement of the community.
DANIEL M. BALLINGER.
Daniel M. Ballinger was born in Blue River township, Hancock county,
November 26, 1858. He is a son of Templeton T. and Man- C. (Beckner)
Ballinger: his father a native of Virginia and his mother of Kentucky. D.
M. Ballinger began to make his own way in the world when he was twelve
years of age. He worked on the farm and at any kind of work he could find
to do from the time he was a bo)-. In later years he engaged in farming for
himself, renting land for that purpose. By industrj' and economy he saved
enough to buy a small farm and from the proceeds of this he bought more
land until he had a farm of ninet\-three acres, which he at present owns. This
farm is located in Green township. He has recently built a new house and
made an enlargement to his bam, and is making other improvements from
time to time on his farm and farm appointments and facilities. He is engaged
in general fanning and uses modern farming methods.
While making his own \\a}- from his early years, Mr. Ballinger did not
neglect the opportunities afforded in the schools of his neighborhood to ob-
tain an education. He attended the public schools in Green township a suffi-
BIOGRAPHICAL. lOlI
cient time to acquire a good elementary education, and has supplemented that
by reading and practical application in later years. He was married. January
12. iSS^, to .\manda E. Jonas, daughter of Jesse and Ivliza Jonas. Their
children are: Chelsie R., Cora Pearl. T".lva May and Jessie V^ern. The family
are meni1)ers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Ballinger is a member
of the Free and .\ccepted Masons at Eden. He was for six years a member
of the township advisory board. He was appointed, October 7. 1914, to fill
a vacancy on the board of county commissioners, and, at the general election
in that year, was elected for the short term as a member of the board.
The father of D. ]\I. Ballinger was educated in Virginia and came to
Indiana when a young man. He located in Hancock count\', where he later
was married. He worked as a day laborer on the farm in Hancock county,
and later removed to Shelby count}-, where he and his wife both died very-
suddenly. She dropped dead whi'e about her work in the house. He was
working at the carpenter trade and died suddenly while engaged in this work.
Daniel M. is the only living child of this family. .\ daughter. Eva May. died
in EflRngham. Illinois; a son, Henry .SanipS(in. died in infr'ncy, the result of
an accident from falling dow n stairs. The family were members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church.
Hie paternal grandparents of D. M. Ballinger were Virginians; they
were Ixun. lived and died in that state. The maternal grandparents were
Kentuckians and spent their entire life in Kentucky.
BENTOX L. BARRETT.
Benton L. Barrett was born on the farm where his son now lives, in
Green township. Hancock county. October 28, 185 1. He is a son of Edward
H. and Mary A. Barrett, who were pioneer .settlers in this neighborhood,
rhey settled on and improved the farm on which Benton L. lived until he
retired from farming and removed to Greenfield. Edward H. Barrett had a
farm of two hundred and forty acres, a greater part of which he cleared and
impnned. He put up the first log building, which he used for some time as
a residence. He and his wife died here.
Benton L. Barrett was reared and educated in Green township, and lived
(Vn the home place until he retired from active work and removed to Green-
field, in iqoj. He had two hundred acres of land, well improved, with good
residence, barns and other buildings, all of which he Iniilt. He was engaged
IOI2 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
ill general farming. He was married on October 31. 1872, to Sarah E. Stuart,
of Kiiightstown, Indiana. To this union the following children were born:
Eva May Albea, Ilia S., .Margaret A., Laura B. Woods. Carrie A. Simmons.
Edward S. (Ward), Charles H. and Earl I. They were members of the
Alethodist Episcopal churcli.
Edward S. Barrett ( \\ardj was boni on October _>3. 1886, and was
reared and educated in Hancock county. He has always lived on a farm and
now owns the old home place, a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He
was married in Octoljer, 1907. to Bernice Howard, daughter of John and
Martha A. Howard, both deceased. He has one child, Lewis. He is a mem-
ber of tiie Free and Accepted Masons, at Eden.
GILBERT HAXX.\.
Gilljert Hanna, son of l*"rank Hanna, was born in Buck Creek township
in 1880. He was educated in the McCindsville schools and took up farming
for his life vocation. He Ijegan on the farm where his father now lives, in
Vernon township. In 1909 he bought the eighty-acre farm adjoining the
farm of his father and has since lived there engaged in general farming.
Mr. Hanna married Miss Dolly May McCord, daughter of Isaac McCord,
of Buck Creek township. The children torn to this union are: Leo Jackson,
Thelma Caroline, Glenn Ward and Mary Ellen. Mr. and Mrs. Hanna are
members of the United Brethren church.
WILLIAM T. HEXDREX.
William J. Hendren, one of the substantial farmers of Hancock county,
was born in Blue River township in 1870 and is the son of Jeremiah Hendren
and wife. He was educated in the public schools of Hancock county and
took up farming after leaving school. He first located on a farm near .Vlex-
andria. where he remained for five years and then came to the fami where
he now lives, in Green township. At the death of his father in 19 11 he bought
one hundred and eight acres of land of the home place. Here iiis father
erected the first buildings built on the place. Mr. Hendren is a general farmer
and stock raiser.
In 1892 \\'illiani J. Hendren was united in marriage to Sarah C. X^'elliner,
BIOGRAPHICAL. IOI3
the daughter of Louis Xelhner and wife. Mr. XeUiner was Ijorn in Marion
county. .August ii. 183 1, and was tlie son of George and .Mary Xelhner.
wlu) were natixes of Germany and came to Marion county at an early day.
where they engaged in farming. Louis Xelhner came to (ireenfield in 1856
and here married Lydia Lace, of Brandywine township, the daughter of Henry
and Mina (Helms) Lace. Mr. Lace was a native of Pennsylvania and came
to Brandywine townsiiip in an early day, where he engaged in farming. He
died in Greenfield some years after retiring from active life on the farm.
Mr. and ^Irs. Xelliner were the parents of two children : George and Sarah
C. who is the wife of William J. Hendren. The family were memhers of
the Lutheran cliurch.
To \\'illiam J. Hendren and wife have been born the following children:
Marie, Gladys and Iva. The family are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church and take much interest in church work. Fraternally, Mr. Hen-
dren is a member of the P'ree and .-Vccepled ALisons and the Modern Wood-
men of America, at Fortville.
Jeremiah Hendren, father of William J. Hendren, was the son of John
and Mary Hendren and was born in Xorth Carolina, October 18, 1831. and
died on October 29, 191 1. Jeremiah Hendren came to Hancock county with
his parents when he was but twelve years of age, having walked the greater
part of the way from the old iiome in Xorth Carolina. The family having
located in Hancock county, here young Jeremiah grew to manhood and at-
tended school in the county. He later engaged in fanning, in which he was
successful. When war with Mexico was declared he was among the first to
enlist and was the youngest member of the company and the last survivor of
the war in Hancock county. When the Indiana General .\ssembly created
the flag commission, Mr. Hendren was appointed a member and serv^ed as
its president until just a short time before his death. Mr. Hendren was a
charter member of Morristown Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and
retained his membership there until he moved to Greenfield.
On August 21., 1850, Jeremiah Hendren was united in marriage to Sarah
Gates, who died on May 18, 1898. They were the parents of the following
children : Lavina Bi.xler. Ida E. Fisk. Nola M. Mazelin and William J. Hen-
dren, and one daughter, who died when verj- young.
lohn (jates was a native of Pennsylvania, where he was torn on May i.
1793, and was the son of John Gates and wife. His parents were of (ierman
origin, the father having come to .\merica with an elder brother when but
a small boy. He later served as a private in the Revolutionary army and saw
much of the hardships of the war. .After the war he was married and settled
IOr4 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
in Pennsylvania, where he remained until about 1804, when he and his family
removed to Virginia and settled in the rich and beautiful Slienandoah valley.
There being no railroads at this time the family were engaged in driving
teams over the mountains with products of the valley. In 1814 the family
came to Ohio, settling near the present city of Chillicothe. and there the fatlier
bought one hundred and sixty acres of land.
John Gates, Jr.. was the second of a family of nine children, five sons
and four daughters. He moved with liis father's family from Pennsylvania
to Virginia and later to Ohio at the age of twenty-one. He remained at
home and had but few advantages, which was common to the boys of that
time. His education was limited. He had the opportunitv of attending a
German school but a few weeks. He served as a soldier in the \\'ar of 1812,
after which he returned home, where he remained with his father until he
was twenty-five years of age. After the debt on the farm was paid he en-
gaged in work for himself. He worked at the carpenter's trade for three
years, most of which time was employed in the building of bridges.
In 182 1 John Gates was united in marriage to Mary \\'eaver, a native of
Virginia and of German parentage. She was Iwrn in 1802 and at the age
of sixteen came with her parents to Ohio, they driving a two-horse team the
entire distance. .After their marriage they resided in Ohio for about five
years. Tiiere fnur children were born to them: Rebecca, Samuel, Henry and
Dayton In 1825 they made a visit to relatives in Brookville and Rush county.
Indiana. After the visit they determined to try their fortunes in the new
country. Air. (iates at once entered eighty acres of land near Blue \' alley in
Ripley township. Rush county. In the fall of 1826 a rude log hut was erected,
with a dirt floor, and the family moved in. On their arrival their property
consisted of two hor.ses and wagon, some household goods, three cows and
three dollars in money. Here in the midst of the dense forest the family set
to work to make a home and clear the land. After some j-ears of toil they
bought from tlie government another eighty acres of land. They soon
made for themselves a comfortable place to reside. A new house was erected,
which IS still standing ami occupied by members of the family.
It was there that nine children were born to them: Isaac T.. Sarah
Hendren, Alary Brooks, Malinda Stutsman, Elizabeth Hunt. John Wesley,
Margaret Xewson, William and Joseph, the latter two having died in infancy.
John, while in the services of his country, during the Ci\il \\'ar, was taken
sick -uul sent home on a furlough. He later died. The other children are
all alive and with the exception of Mrs. Hunt, wlio lives in Illinois, live in
Rush and Hancock counties.
BIOGRAPHICAL. IOI5
i^olitically, Mr. Gates never took an active i)art in i)art\- politics, yet he
was an advocate of the principles of the Repnl)!icnn ]Kirty. He and Mrs.
Gates in early life belonged to the Lutheran cluu-cli. Imi rifter coming to their
new liome tiiey found it sd inconxenient to attend church of tlieir own denomi-
nation that they became members of the Methodist Kpiscopal church at Frank-
lin and remained consistent workers in the society until the time of their
death. Mary Gates died on March 21, 1858, and her husband passed away
at the residence of his daughter on January 24, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Gates
were honest, upright and industrious people, leaving behind an example
v.orthy of imitation. As parents they were kind, yet firm and resolute, and
impressed upon the minds of their children lessons long to be remembered.
HEXRV T. SPIER.
Henry T. Spier was born in Germany, .\ugust 2, 1857. the son of
William and Caroline ( Dehne) Spier. William Spier was born in (Germany.
January 6. 1821. and died there in 1890. He was a fanner by occupation
and saw militaiy service. His wife. Caroline, was born on March 26, 1832,
and died on ^larch 26, 19 12, at just eighty years of age. I'liey were the
parents of the following children: Caroline, who was the wife of William
Wo])king: Henry, who is the subject of this sketch; Minnie, who was the wife
of Carl Engerking; Christina, wife of William Clapper, and William, all of
whom still live in Germany, with the exception of the subject of this sketch.
Henn* T. Spier spent his childhood and youth on the old home jtlace of
his father and there he received his early education. After finishing school
he learned the trade of carpenter. W'iien be was twenty-five years of age he
came to America and landed in New York on October ii, 1882. lie went
immediately to Indianapolis, where for two years he followed the carpenter's
trade. It was during his second year here, on .\pril 20, 1884, that he was
married to Mary Ann Waltke, who was born in Sugar Creek township (Hi the
uld Waltke homestead on July 13. 1858. She was the daughter of William
and Ricke ( Kruse) Waltke. both early pioneers and both natives of (ierniany.
They were the parents of the following children : Caroline. Sophia and Chris-
tina, who were twins, and Mary .\nn, who was the wife of the subject of this
sketch, .\fter his marriage. Henry '[". Spier came to the old Waltke home-
stead and the same year his wife's father died and a part of the (jld home
place was given to his wife and the remainder of the place was bought liy
I0l6 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIAXA.
Henry T. Spier from the other lieirs. In addition to the forty acres of the old
home place he bought thirty acres of Benjamin McXamee and tliis gave him
seventy acres in all. Since taking posession of this place Mr. Spier has re-
modeled his liouse. which has given him a vcrv comfnrtahlc seven-room
residence.
He has likewise enlarged. coni]ik'lcd anil improx'ed his l)arn and !ias built
a splendid corn-crib and granary and a modern shed and tool-house com-
bined. He has, also, made other impro\ements in keeping with the sur-
roundings. His wife died on January 2, 1912. She was a memljer of the
German Lutheran church. They were the parents of the following children :
Carrie, the wife of Charlie Kottlowski and the motlier of two children, Ger-
trude and Walter; Emma. William, Elizabeth, Louis and Charles, the latter
five are all at home.
Henry T. Spier is a member and trustee of the German Lutheran church,
is a Democrat in politics and one of the substantial citizens of Hancock county.
JUDGE EARL SAMPLE.
Earl Sample, judge of the Hancock circuit court, was born (pn December
6, 1875, on the farm entered by his grandfather, John Sample, near Cleve-
land, in Hancock county. He has lived in his native county all his life. His
parents, Andrew V. B. Sample and Zettie Emma (Moore) Sample, have for
many years been honored and influential residents of this locality. Andrew
V. B. Sample w-as born on the old honicsic.ul near Cleveland, April 29, 1836,
and grew to manhood in Jackson township. Mrs. Sample, the daughter of
John \\'. and Julia Ann (Hayzlett) Moore was born in Kanawha county,
Virginia (now West Virginia), September 20, 1846. She came to Indiana
with her parents in 1840, the family also locating in Jackson township. Mr.
and Mrs. Sample were married in 1873. Two children were born to them.
Earl, now judge of the Hancock circuit court, and Mary, at present the head
of the English department of the high school at Kankakee, Illinois.
John Sample, the Judge's grandfather, was one of the earliest settlers
in Jackson township. His son, familiarly known in the county as V. B.
Sample, was an apt student. After mastering all that the local schools could
offer, he began teaching. He taught for a number of years, but was also
closely identified with the public affairs of his county and township. In
March, 1861, he was appointed county examiner and served one year. In
BIOGRAPHICAL. lOIJ
June, t86S, he was again appointed and served three years more in tlie same
capacity. The office at that time was similar to the present office of county
superintendent of schools. On three occasions he was also elected township
trustee of Jackson townshi]). in 1874. 1S76 and 1S82. In 1894 he was elected
clerk of the Hancock circuit court for a term of four years. He was a life-
long- Methodist and took an active part in tlie church and Sunday school. Fra-
ternally he was affiliated with tlie Masonic order, being- also a Knight Templar,
a memljer of the Greenfield commandery. His untimely death was caused by
the cyclone of June 25, 1902. Mrs. Satnple is still living and resides at Green-
field. The daughter, Mary, graduated from Indiana University' several years
ago. She taught in the high school at Courtland, Indiana, and later took
charge of the English department of the Greenfield higli school. In 191 3 she
went abroad, spending a year at the University of Berlin and in traveling. For
the past several years she has been at the head of the English department of
the high school at Kankakee, Illinois. She spends lier vacations, or at least a
part of each summer, with her mother at Greenfield.
Judge Sample spent his early )-ears on the old Immestead in Jackson town-
ship. In 1894 he graduated from the Cireenficld high school, and entered the
county clerk's office as his father's deputy. This office offered a splendid
opportunity to become familiar with legal forms. He also devoted himself
assiduously to the study of law and on June 20, 1898, on motion of Edward
\\'. Felt, he was admitted to the bar. In 1898 he also entered the University
of Michigan at Ann Arbor, giving his time to literature and law, and graduat-
ing from the law department in 1900. Upon returning to Greenfield a part-
nership was formed with Edward W. Felt, which continued until the latter's
election as judge of the Hancock circuit court. Mr. Sample tlien continued
in the practice alone until 1906. when, he formed a partnership with the late
U. S. Jackson, which continued for a period of five years. In 191 2 he became
the Deinocratic candidate for the judgeship in his native county, and was
elected. He has now served nearly four years as judge of the eiglUeenth.
judicial circuit. The usual number of appeals have been taken from his rul-
ings and decisions, but to this time the higher courts of the state have not
reversed him in a single case. \\'ith the exception of serving as city attorney
for the citv of Greenfield from 1904-08. he has sought no other office.
Judge Sample has had the common e.xperience of attorneys, and has a
clear understanding of the term "lean" as descriptixe of llie early years of a
lawyer's practice. He is ])reeniinenily a trial lawyer, and for this work he is
gifted bv nature and qualified by training. During the six or seven years
preceding his election to tlie bench, there was hardly a case of any importance
IOl8 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
before the court in which he did not appear upon one side or the other. As an
advocate he is easily the peer of any lawyer that has addressed the juries
impanelled in the Hancock circuit court.
Since 1896 he has also taken an active interest in political affairs. In
that menioralile campaign he "slumped" the sixth congressional district in
behalf of the Democratic ticket. In the campaign of 1914 he spoke in twenty-
one counties of the state. In addition to campaigning, the Judge has been
upon the lecture platform, and has refused attractive offers from bureaus in
order that he might devote Iiimself exclusively to the law.
On July 15, 1908, Mr. Sample was united in marriage with Roxie Tliomas,
who was I)orn in Jackson township. June 18, 1884, the only child of William M.
and Sophronia Alice (Barrett) Thomas. Her father, William 'M. Thomas,
was a prominent farmer of Jackson township, and in 1892 was elected county
commissioner of Hancock county, serving two terms. The daughter still owns
his farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Jackson township, in tlie manage-
ment of which Mr. Sample takes an active interest. Tlie Judge's family con-
sists of three members, a daughter, Louise, having been born September i,
1910.
Mr. Sample was reared a Methodist. For about twelve years he taught
a class in the Methodist Sunday school, and for a time was the Sunday school
chorister in the church at Greenfield. Mrs. Sample is a member of the
Christian church.
Fraternally, the Judge is a Royal Arch Mason, a Knight Templar, a noble
of Murat Temple, Ancient x^rabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at
Indianapolis, a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and a j\Iodem ^^'ood-
man. He was prelate of the Greenfield commandery for three years, and was
the first worthy president of the Greenfield Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles.
THOMAS REXTOX KIRLIX.
Thomas Benton Kirlin, a native of Wayne county, was l)orn on June 17,
1854. the son of John and Rebecca Frances (Sealock) Kirlin, natives of \'ir-
ginia and Wayne county, respectively.
William and Rachel ( \\'illits) Kirlin. the grandparents <if 'I'lmmas Hen-
ton Kirlin, came from \'irginia tn their Indiana home in \\a\ne ci>unty in
a wagon. There they entered one hundred and sixtv acres and later bouglit
fifteen acres, wliere Mr. Kirlin erected a saw-mill. The farm was cleared
BIOGRAPHICAL. IOI9
through the efforts of Mr. Kirlin and tlie first buildings were erected bv him,
which were later replaced by more substantial and modern ones. There Mr.
and Mrs. Kirlin made their home until their death. Daniel Kirlin, a grand-
son, now resides on the farm. William Kirlin was a captain in the \\'ar of
1812 and was past ninety years of age when he died.
Daniel Sealock ami wife, the maternal grand])arents of Thomas B.
Kirlin, were natives of \"irginia and came In Indiana, where they were very
early pioneers of Wayne county.
John and Rebecca Kirlin received their education in the early schools of
the county. As a young man Mr. Kirlin engaged in farming and continued
in the work during his active life. He and his wife both died on the old iiome
farm. They were the parents of three chiklren : James, Thomas Benton and
Omer.
Ihomas Benton Kiidin received his educatinn in the scbonls of Wavne
county. After completing his education he engaged in fanning in Wayne
county until 1886, when he purchased his present farm in Green township.
Here he has eighty acres of well improved and well culli\atcd land, where he
does general farming.
On ilarch ly, 1881, Thomas Benton Kirlin was united in marriage to
Mary Sowers, of Wa\ne county, daughter of Henry M. and Katherine
(Boyer) Sowers, the mother being a native of Wayne county and the father
of Pennsylvania.
Henry M. Sowers was the son of jacol) and Mary (Miller) Sowers,
natives of Pennsylvania and Gennany, resjjectively. Mrs. Sowers came to
America as a girl with her parents. There were three sisters and one son in
the family, the son died on the voyage and was buried at sea. The family
were early pioneers of ^^'ayne county. He later established a general store at
Germantown, which he conducted with success. l"or a number of years before
hi'^ death, he was the postmaster at Germantown.
Jacob and Katherine (Boughner) Boyer, the maternal grandparents of
Mrs. Thomas B. Kirlin, were natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, re-
spectively. When the two first met, he being a German could not speak
English, and she being English could not speak German. In time the diffi-
culty was overcoine and the two were married and came to Indiana, where
ihev entered land in Wayne county and there lived on the fann until their
'ieath.
Henry M. Sowers remained a resident of Wayne county, where he was
engaged in conducting a general store, until his health failed him, at whicii
time he traded the store for a farm, where he lived until his death some vears
I020 HAXCOCK COLXTV, IXDIAXA.
later. He and Mrs. Sowers were the parents of five children : Mary. Frank
'deceased), Harry. Xell .\lpha (deceased)' and Rose. The family were all
members of the Lutheran church.
Thomas Benton Kirlin and wife are the parents of two children. Flora
and Floyd. Flora is the wife of Earl McCarty, of Madison county. They
are the parents of tliree children. \'erl. Harold an.d Iva May. Floyd is a
clerk in the postoffice at Indianapolis. Fraternally. Mr. Kirlin is a memljer
of liie Eagles at (ireenfield.
JOHN W. KNOOP.
Among the progressive and public spirited citizens of Hancock county,
Indiana, is John \\'. Knoop. a farmer of Sugar Creek township, who was born
in that same township, December 2, 1868, a son of William and Louisa
(Roesner) Knoop.
William Knoop was born in Germany in 1841. a son of Christian and
Christina Knoop, both natives of that land, who emigrated to .America and
settled in Hancock county in the early history of this section. They were the
parents of six children. Christian, William, a daughter, Charles. Henry and
August, all of whom are deceased and at the time they came to this country,
there were but two children, Christian and William. The father was a miller
in his native land and after coming to this county he purchased one hundred and
twenty acres of land located about two miles north of Xew Palestine. The
place w'as but slightly improved and he and his good wife established them-
selves like other pioneers of the section and bravely set out to bring about
better conditions of living. Christian Knoop prospered and about 1870 he
purchased an additional tract of forty acres, about one mile east of his old
home and on this latter farm passed his declining years, passing away about
1888. His widow survived him for four or five years.
\\'illiam Knoop passed his youth on the original farm home in Sugar
Creek township, receiving such education as the schools of this section at that
time afforded and was still quite a young man at the outbreak of the Civil
War. When twenty-one years of age, in 1862, he enlisted as a private in
Company D, Seventy-ninth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served
until the close of the war. He participated in some of the most important
battles of the Rebellion, among them being Lookout Mountain, Kenesnw
Mountain, .Atlanta, Stone's River, Franklin and Na.shville He was wounded in
BIOGRAPHICAL. 102I
llic leg- and liis health completely inuleniiined hv the exposure to w hich the sol-
diers were subjected. He never fully recovered and hence his death in 1878 at
the early age of thirty-seven. After iiis return from the army, he was united
in marriage with Louisa Roesner, who was born in Sugar Creek township in
September of 1844, a daughter of William L. and Christina (Braedemeier)
Roesner, both natives of Germany and among the early settlers of this section.
Louisa (Roesner) Knoop, who still survives, was one of eight children, four
boys and four girls, of whom but three others stirvive, William. Henry and
Anton. William Knoop was a devout member of the Lutheran church, a
Democrat in politics, and spent his declining years on the old homestead where
he was born and reared.
John W. Knoop is one of eight children, the others being Alary, Emma,
Louis, William and Louisa (twins), Carrie and a daughter who died in
infancy ; all of whom are living except Emma and Carrie. John Knoop spent
his boyhood on the old farm his grandfather had purchased, receiving his edu-
cation at district No. 4 and the German school, and at the early age of fifteen,
on account of the death of his father, he was forced to shoulder the responsi-
bility as the head of the family and together with his younger brothers he
managed the work of the farm.
At the age of twenty-five he was married. May 6, 1894. to Carrie Harvey,
born in Buck Creek township, this county, April 17. 1870, a daughter of Mil-
ton and Sarah (West) Harvey, both natives of this state. Milton Harvey was
born in Fayette county on April 29, 1833, and passed frc^n this life at his
home in Buck Creek township, September 23, 1909. He was the son of
^^'illiam and Jane (Eastes) Harvey, both also natives of Indiana. Sarah
W'est Harvey was the daughter of Israel West and wife, the latter of Irish
parentage. Carrie (Flarvey) Knoop is one of a family of ten children, those
surviving being William, John. Maggie, Dena, Carrie. Tillie. Lee, Katie and
Bennie, the one deceased being Gary. After marria.ge, John \\'. Knoop and
wife took up their residence on the old Knoop homestead, where they remained
but a year, and then moved to the east forty, where they have since resided.
Mr Knoop nianag-es his mother's farm of two hundred acres and is regarded
as one of the more advanced agriculturists of this section.
There are two children in the Knoop family: Raymond M., born on
July II. 1896, and Gladys Louise, born on l*"ebruary 13. 1900. The family
are members of the German Lutheran church, and ]iolitically Mr. Knoop ad-
vocates the principles of the Democratic party. For four years he sen-ed as
deputy assessor of Sugar Creek townshii) and is one of the most highly re-
spected citizens of this part of Hancock county.
1022 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
COXRAD ERNEST GUXDRl'M.
Conrad Ernest Gundrum, one nf the representative citizens of Sugar
Creek township, Hancock county, Indiana, and one of its most progressive agri-
cuhurists, is a native of this country, born in New I'alestine. April 9, 1877,
a son of John and Mary Jane (Gates) Gundrum. John Gundrum was born
in Sugar Creek township, August 10, 1S43. and (bed there on August 10. 1904.
He was a son of Conrad and Ebzabetli (Gemmer) Gundrum. tlie former liorn
in Hesse, Darmstadt, Germany, in 1S20, and died in 1889 on the old Gundrum
homestead in this county. Conrad Gundrum came to America shortly after
his marriage, making the voyage on a sailing vessel an<l consuming three
months in making tlie trip. He came directly to Indiana and located in Han-
cock county, Sugar Creek townshi]). He purchased land located near New
Palestine, procuring this from John l'"augber, who had entered it from the
government in 1825. Conrad Gundrum jmrchased land from time to time
until his holdings amounted to two hundred and forty acres, which constituted
the old Gundrum homestead, and on his land he Iniilt a liewed log house which
was occupied for many years. As he prospered, he desired a more pretentious
residence and himself made the brick which entered into the erection of a fine
eight-room house which is standing today. Conrad Gundrum prospered and
reared a family of eight children, only three of whom survived Iiim. These
were John, Mary and Emma, and tlie latter is the tnily one living at the
present time.
John Grun(h"uni grew up on the family homcsteail amid pioneer surround-
ings, receiving his early education in the schools of New Palestine. He
remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage, when for a
time he lived in New Palestine and operated a saw-mill. However, he soon
engaged in farming east of New Palestine and still later settled on the northern
part of the old homestead, where his father erected for lu'm a splendid nine-
room frame residence, which is still considered one of the best built houses in
the county. Tliis home was almost entirely built from materia! grown on the
home place and the timbers are very much heavier than those entering into
modern construction. It was on that farm and in that home John Gundrum
spent the remainder of his life, and at his death in 1904 lie owned a splendid
farm of one hundred and ten acres.
When a young man John Gundrum was united in m;irriage with Mary
Jane Gates, bom in Rush county, this state, November 2, 1847. Siie was
a daughter of Henry and Annie Gates, who were pioneers of Rusii and Han-
cock counties. Henrv Gates came to this section of the state from Ciiillicothe,
BIOGRAPHICAL. IC23
Ohio, and his parents were horn in 1 'ennsylxania n( Dntch aiu'estry. To John
Gundruni and ]\[ar\' Jane dates, liis wife, were hnrn thni' iliil(h"en, namely:
Una, wife of James Daus^herty : Harry and Ernest, tlie latter heing llie imme-
diate subject of tliis sketch. John Gundrum's widow married again, iier
liusband being J. C. Shockley, formerly of Hancock county Init now residing
at Randolph, Iowa.
Conrad Ernest Cundrum spent liis childhood and youth in New I'alestine
and Sugar Creek township, his first school being district Xo. 6, where his first
teacher was Miss Love. After finishing the grades, he entered tiie high
school of New Palestine and was graduated with the class of i8g8, the first
class to be graduated from that school. He then turned his attention to farm-
ing, assisting his father on the home place and virtually taking charge of it.
On November 2, 1902. lie was united in marriage with Alice Banks, Ixirn in
Columbus, this state, January 3, 1882, a daughter of Hiram K. and Florence
(Fraker) Banks. Hiram K. Banks was born in I'age county, Iowa, in
November of 1837, a son of Elijah and Lulu .Ann Banks, who were natives of
Shelby county, Iowa, and Florence I'raker was born near l'"airland, Shelby
county, this state, January 6, 1861. daughter of .\ntliony and .Malissa (Bishop)
Fraker, both of whom were also born in .Shelliy county. Hiram and b'lorence
Banks were the parents of nine children, two boys and seven girls, three of
whom died in youth. The eldest of the family is Alice, wife of Conrad Ernest
Gundrum ; and then follow Edna. Russell. Eva, Thelma, John, Minnie, who
died at the age of eleven; Dessie, who died at the age of four, and Jessie, who
was eight months old.
Conrad Ernest Gundrum continued in the management of the home
place after his marriage and has always made his home thereon. In 1906 or
1907 he, in company with his brother Harry, bougiit the old Pitcher farm,
adjoining them on the east, thus giving them three hundred acres, and there
they carry on extensive farming. They put seventy-five to ninety acres to
corn every year, averaging fifty busiiels to the acre; the same acreage to small
grains, besides other crops. Tlie)- feed out on an average one hundred and
twenty-five hogs per annum, all tlioroughbred Duroc breed and keep on hand
from twenty-five to thirty head of cattle. They have eighteen head of good
grade draft horses, most of which are used in the work about the farm. The
Gundrum brothers attribute their success financially to hogs, and advocate di-
versified farming, feeding to the hogs tlie grain raised on the farm. Ernest
Gundrum has a beaiuiful residence and a large iiarn forty-eight by sixty-fi\e
feet, with other buildings in keeping with the general air of the entire fann.
To Ernest Gundrum and his wife have been born two children: Lewis.
IC24 HANCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
born on August 22. 1903. and Robert. ^lay 16. 191 5. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Giin<h-um are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church and be holds
fraternal affiliation with the Imjjroved Order of Red Men through lodge
No. 217. of New Palestine. The Gundrum family has been identified with the
life of Hancock county for many years and the various members thereof have
always been men of the highest type, who have been representative citizens
in their da\-.
HENRY ME.\RLING.
Henry Mearling, who has been a resident of Sugar Creek township,
Hancock county. Indiana, for the past thirty-two years, is one of the well-
known citizens of this locality and is accounted an efficient farmer as well.
His birth occurred on May 22, 187 1. in Germany, and he is the son of Heniy
and Christina (Hoffmeier) Mearling, both natives and life-long residents of
that country. Henry Mearling, Sr., was bom in 1833 and died in 191 1, his
wife following him two years later. They were the parents of the children
whose names follow: Christina, Louise (deceaseil), Sophia, Minnie, Henry
and August.
'Henr\' Mearling spent his earlv life in his native land, where lie :iIso
recei\'ed his education, assisting his father with the work on the home farm
and herding sheep. In September. 1887, at the age of sixteen, he immi-
grated to .\merica and established himself in this county, to which place his
three sisters, Christina, Sophia and Louisa, had preceded him. He immedi-
atelv took up his residence with his sister, Mrs. Christina W'eibkey, following
the trade of a carpenter for a period of six or seven months, after which he
was employed bv neighboring fanners until he reached the age of twenty-
five vears. On March 4, 189^1, Menry Mearhng and Sophia Hoff were united
in marriage and si.x children were born of their union, namely: Hariy,
Frieda, .Alfred, .\ugust. Ciilbert and W'ilnia. Sophia (Hoff) Mearling was
born on December 10, 1875. '" Sugar Creek township. Hancock county, In-
diana, and is the daughter of Frederick and Louisa ( Woempner ) Hoff.
hollowing his marriage. Llenry Mearling rented the farm of George
Muntington, in Buck Creek township, and engaged in farming for two years,
after which he purchased sixty acres of land one mile south of Julietta. Frank-
lin township, Marion county, Indiana, remaining there for two years. He
then sold the place, in the fall of 1899, and purchased the present farm of
seventy-three acres in the north half of the southwest (juarter of section 18,
BIOGRAl'UR'AL.
1025
I (Uir years after the purchase of this ])roperty lie moved his residence from
the rear of the place to tlie front and tlie following year erected a commo-
dious harn, fo!ty-eig;ht liy sixty-eight, a large corn-crih, a granary and
tool-shed and other necessary huildings. Beside his own fanning interests,
Henry Mearling cultivates a neighhoring ])r()perty consisting of one hundred
and ten acres, seventy-two acres of the two jjlaces heing devoted to the raising
of small grain, fifty acres to corn and eighteen acres to hay. About one hun-
dred head of Duroc-Jersey hogs are fed out. while twenty head of Shorthorn
cattle and thirteen head of Xorman draft horses are retained on the farm.
In all matters of religion, Henry Mearling is faithful tn the German
Lutheran church. i<i which he was a trustee for four years, llis wife is also
a member of this denomination and an active worker in same. I'liliticallv, he
is a stanch nem<icrat and is acti\-e in all local elections.
CL.\REXCK IIASKF.TT.
Clarence Haskett. the .son of Josiah M. and .-\nna (Hawley) Haskett,
was born on January 11, 1878, in Dudley townshii), Henry county. Indiana.
Josiah .M. Haskett is the son of Robinson Haskett and wife, who were early
settlers of Henry county. Robinson Haskett came from North Carolina and
located in Dudley township. Here he was one of the first settlers and here
he farmed all his life. He was an extensive landowner and a man of much
prominence, taking an active interest in all the affairs that tended to the ad-
vancement of the community. He and his fann'ly were acti\e members of
the United Brethren church.
Josiaii M. Haskett grew to manhooil on the farm of his father and was
engaged in farming all his life. In young manhood he married .\nna M.
lla\\le\, who was a natixe of Henry county and a daughter of I*!li and Mary
I. ( ]acob\) Hawley. who came from Pennsylvania in an early day. .\fter
coming to the countv. Eli Hawley entered land from the government, iiorth.-
west of Strawns Station. He tanned all his lite and owned five hundred
acres of land. Eli Hawley was a man who took much interest in the devel-
oi)ment of the community in which he lived and. because of his wise judgment.
b.e was often the ad\ iser in many of the affairs of the neighborhor)d. He was
recognized by all as a jirudent leader.
Josiah Haskett and wit'e. like their parents, were acti\c in the WDrk of
the United B>retlircn church. .Mr. Haskett was a man of excellent bnsiiu-><
(65)
I026 HAXCOCK COfXTV. IXDIAXA.
judgrnent and ability, and he had the confidence and the respect of all who
Icnew him. His wife preceded him in death by one year. Josiah M. Haskett
and wife were the parents of seven children, as follow : Izora M.. of Strauglm :
A. Clifton, of Rush county : Claude, who lives at Lewisville. Indiana ; Clarence,
of Charlottesville; Clessie, whose home is at Strawns: Chauncey. of In-
(hanapolis. and Borga, of Bloomington. Indiana.
Clarence Haskett grew to manliood on the farm n\ his father. He com-
pleted the common and high school of Strawns and took a course of normal
school work. He began farming for himself on his father's farm and in
iqo2 bouglit a farm of one hundred and fifty-seven acres, southwest of
Knightstown. where he remained for five years. He then sold the farm and
came to Charlottesville, where lie was engaged in the buying and selling of
live stock. He later bought a fann near Strawns, which he still owns. On
Xovembtr i. 1913. he organized the Citizens' Bank of Charlottesvile. and
has l;een the cashier since tliat time. The bank was organized as a private
bank, owned by and incorporated company, with a capital of ten thousand
dollars.
Besides his farm. Mr. Haskett owns a tract of farm land adjoining
Charlottesville on the west, which is used for a feeding farm. His farm is a
well-improved tract, with modern and convenient Ijuildings and in a high
state of cultivation. His success as a farmer has been in keeping with his
progress in other lines of work. He has the confidence and respect of a large
number of ihe liest people of the communitv in whicli he lives and wiicre he
is engaged in business.
In iQOO. Clarence Haskett was united m marriage to \'ema G. Thomas,
a native of \\^illow Branch. Hancock county, and who is the daughter of
John W. and Sarah E. (Smith) Thomas. John W. Thomas was born on
September 27, 1854, at \\'illow Branch, being the son of Alfred and Mary J.
I Earle) Thomas. The father was a fanner and John W., after completing
his education, engaged in tilling the soil, wliich occupation he followed and
was most successful. John W. Thomas farmed near Willow Branch for a
number of years and later sold and removed to Henry county, near Strawns,
where he has since lived. Mrs. Thomas was a native of Jackson township
and the (laughter of Richard and Amanda (Simmons) Smith.
Richard Smith was born on Januan,- 8, 1826. in Ru.sh county, near
Smelzer's mill and was the son of Samuel and Parthenia ( Roland) Smith.
Samuel Smith was born in the state of New York and his wife was a native
of Connecticut. Samuel Smith and his wife came to the county when the
son. k'chard. was but seven years of age, and entered government land in
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO27
Jacksdn township. The countr\- was one vast wilderness at the time and
there '■eemed to he hut h'ttle pleasure in store for the new .settlers. Thev
came from Rush county in a sled. They at once huilt a log- calnn and cleared
a small trad of land and at once hesan the huildinsj of a home. Here thev
have made their home, the land never having- heen out of the family since
entered from the government. Mr. Smith continued to Infy land until he
owned one thousand, three liundred and twenty acres. Richard Smith grew
to mai-'hood on his father's t'arm. where he lived all his life, with the excep-
tion of twelve years after marriagfe, when he resided some two miles from
the old home. He died on I'chruaiy 23. i8go.
Amanda (Simmons) Si-i-iith was horn in Rockingham conntv. X'irginia.
on .\])ril I. 1827. and was the daughter of Henry and Christina (Etter)
Simmons. The Simmons family came from the Shenandoah vallev, \''irginia.
and w( re among the early settlers of Jackson township, where their descend-
ants are prosperous and honored citizens. Amanda Simmons was thirteen
years of age at the time her ])arents came to their new home in Indiana.
t larence Hasketl and wife are the parents of one son. Hoyt. horn on
Ajiril 7. 1904. Mr. Ilaskctt has many friends: is obliging, yet strict, and
adheres to principles of honor and straight business. Mrs. Haskett is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church.
DAVID F. HAWK.
David F. Hawk was born in Sugar Creek township, Hancock county,
Indiana, July 25, 1849. a son of James C. and Mary J. (McXamee) Hawk.
James C. Hawk was born in Brown county, Ohio, September 16, 1824. the
son of Henry and Susan (Flaugher) Hawk. Henry Hawk was born on July
13, 1786, in Washington county. Pennsylvania, and Susan Flaugher was bom
at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1788. Henry Hawk was the son of John
Hawk, who was born in Germany. John Hawk, with his parents, settled
in Washington county. He was the son of John Hawk, Sr. Both he and his
wife died in \\'ashington county. Pennsylvania. John Hawk, Jr., the eldest of
the sons, enlisted in Capt. William Berryhill's Company of the Cumberlatid
Brigade of the Pennsylvania Militia and sen'ed until the close of the war. He
was with Washington at Valley Forge and was present at the surrender of
the British at Yorktown. David F. Hawk, the subject of this sketch, still
has in his possession the army rifle which his great-grandfather carried in
I028 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
the Revolutionary War. This gun was also carried by his grandfather, Henry
Hawk, in the War of 1812. Julin Hawk, Jr., after the Revolution, was married
and migrated to Mason county. Kentucky, where he lived for twelve years.
He was there joined 1)\ liis l)r<ither, Samuel, and they together moved to
Brown county. Ohio, where they settled and died aljout 1840. It was there
that Henry Hawk spent the remainder of his youth. It was there that he was
married to Susan Flaugher. the youngest child of Adam Klaugher and wife,
both natives of Germany. After his marriage Henry Hawk farmed in Brown
county, Ohio, until 1832. when he came to Hancock county, Indiana, and set-
tled one mile west of Greenfield where he li\ed for a year. He then entered
one hundred and sixty acres of land six miles west of (ireenfield and one mile
south of the National road. Here Henry Hawk, the grandfather of the sub-
ject of our sketch, built a large log house, containing two large rooms and a
porch. He also built a large log barn and here in the wilderness made a home.
In addition to being a good farmer he was an expert wea\er and wagon maker
and it is said he could "stock" a plow as quick as a blacksmith could make the
iron work and it is said of him thai not t!ie least of his accomjilishments was
the fact that he could turn a "liand-sijring" at the age of sixty. He died at the
age of seventy-seven years in September, 1863.
The father of the subject of this sketch. James C. Hawk, was the youngest
son of Henry Hawk and he was born in Brown county. Ohio, and in his ninth
vear he came with his parents to Hancock count \'. Indiana. iliis was about
1832. At this time the National road was just Iieing built. James C. Hawk
spent the remainder of his childhood and youth on the homestead of his father
in Sugar Creek township. Here he received his early education and later
taught school for three years, having received his first certificate to teach from
Capt. Reuben A. Riley, who was the father of James W'hitcomb Riley,
Indiana's honored poet. James C. Hawk was married in 1847 at the age of
twenty-three 3'ears to Mary Jane McNamee, who was born near I ronton, Ohio.
September 16, 1826, and who was the daughter of David and Catherine
(Townsend) McNamee. They came to Hancock county from Ohio in 1834
and settled in Sugar Creek township, seven miles cast of Greenfield, where
they lived and died. Mary Jane McXamee was one of two children, the other
a brother, Benjamin.
James C. Hawk, after his marriage, bought forty acres on the east of
the home place whch had on it a log house that had l^en built by his brother.
Here he took u]) his residence, lie later bought forty acres more one-half
mile south. Then after his father's death he bought the old lionie place which
gave him one hundred and twentv acres. In 1854 he built a iV.nne house, then
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO29
in 1876 he Iniilt a lar.ej'e frame house of inipnsiii!^ appearance cnntainino; seven
rooms at a cost of twenty-four hundred dollars. It was here lie s])ent the
remainder of his life, dying' on June lo, k)04, at tlie ag;e of nearly ninety-one
years. His wife, Mary Jane, preceded him by nine years, she died on March
28, 1895. They were the parents of the following cliildren: ]_)avid I'"., who is
the subject of this sketch: .Annie Ehzabeth, Henry L., Benjamin, who died at
the age of eight years: Catherine X.. l''ldoro George O.. and Charles H.. all
living e.xcept Benjanu'n.
David F. Hawk was born on the old home place in the log house where his
father first began housekeeping. Here he spent his childhood and youth and
attended the "Swamp" school. It was a log school house and was also used
by the Methodists for their church and Sunday school. It was here that James
C. Hawk taught school in his early days and Ua\id F. Hawk's father was
his first teacher. After finishing school David !•". Hawk helped his father on
the farm until he was twenty-one years of age and then he taught schiwl for
two years and studied law for a few months and then entered the dry goods
business with Presley Ciuynian at Greenfield. A year later he sold out and
returned to the home farm and the next winter taught school. On May 23,
1877, he was married to Eliza J. Strubb, who was Ijorn in Marion county, near
Cumberland, October 31, 1856. She was the daughter of Herman H. and
Caroline (Reissner) Strubbe. both natives of Germany. Herman H. Strubbe
was born in Hanover, Germany, November 8. 1821, and immigrated to Pitts-
burgh, where he remained for a few years and where he was married on May
6, 185 1, to Caroline Reissner. She was lx)m on February 5. 1823, in Ger-
many. Herman H. Strubbe was a cabinet-maker by trade but was employed
as a bookkeeper in Pitt.sburgh and in Marion county he followed saw-milling
and farming until his death, which occurred on August 2, 1888. His wife
had died on October 17, 1877. They were the ])arents of eight children, four
of whom died in infancy: David G., Ivli/.a J.. Carrie R. and Emma H., are
living.
David I-. Hawk, after his marriage, bought forty acres from Benjamin
Hudson, adjoining the home place, and then farmed with his father for several
years. Eight years after his marriage he bought sixty acres one-half mile
north of New Palestine in Sugar Creek township and from time to time he
added to this farm until at the present time he has over two hundred acres,
practicallv all in one body. His farm is improved with a good eight-room resi-
dence and a fine barn and (jther buildings in keei)ing with the surroundings.
He is the father of the following children: Dr. Edgar .\., resides at Ffnly.
Indiana; Mary C, at home; James H., Chester L.. Mable J., wife of Ernest
1030 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
r. KotlIi)\v.ski : David !•".. who died ;it the age nf eleven years. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Hawk are nieml^ers of the Methodist Episcopal churcli. Mr. Hawk is
also a member of New Palestine Lodge X.o. 404. Free and Accepted Masons.
In this order he has filled all the chairs. He is a member of the chapter. Royal
Arcli Masons, in Greenfield. He is a Republican in politics and one of Han-
cock county's and Sugar Creek township's most substantial citizens.
ELMER E. MACE, M. D.
Elmer E. Mace was born near Lexington in Scott county. Indiana, a son
of Lambert E. and Eliza ( Reid) Mace. Lambert E. Mace was born in Scott
county on June 10, 1843, and died on December iQ. 1913, at the age of
seventy years. He was a son of Albert G. and Roxanna Mace. Albert G.
Mace was born in Pennsylvania and was of English descent, his father lieing"
a native of England, who came to America prior to the Revolution and set-
tled in Penns\lvania. Allx-rt G. Mace was one of the pioneer settlers of
Scott count)-. He was a farmer, who lived to the ripe old age of eighty-two,
and si)ent most of his life in Scott county. He was a prosperous farmer and
at his death owned about four hundred acres of land.
Lambert E. Mace, who was the father of the subject of this sketch, was
born on the old homestead and spent his youtii there, receiving his education
in the common schools of Scott county. He was married to Eliza Reid, w!io
was also born in Scott county on Aug^ist 20, 1844. She was the ilaug;hter
of Thomas Reid, the latter and his wife being- natives of Scott county and
pioneer citizens. Thomas Reid in the early days operated one of the first
water ^grist-mills on Hog Creek. Eliza Reid was one of five children, of
whom she was the fourth in point oi years. She had three Ijrothers and one
sister. Lambert E. Mace was one of four children, one chdd. a girl, dying
at the age of twelve years and the surviving children were Lambert E., who is
the father of the subject of this sketch : Cyrus and Oliver. The last two are
still living. Lambert E. Mace, after his marriage, took up his residence on
a farm adjoining the old homestead, where he li\'ed for the remainder of his
life, dying on December 20, 1913. In addition to his farming interests, he
was a manufacturer of drain tile. He was an unusually successful fanner and
busines.-^ man and despite some business reverses, owned at his death two
hundred and twentv acres of land. He was a member of the Christian church
and hib wife is likewise a member of the same church. His father was the
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO3I
main support of the church at Lexingfton. Lambert E. Mace was a RepubH-
can in politics, Init in his later years voted the Prohibition ticket. • His wife
is still living and resides with her daughter at Scottsburg. They were the
parents of seven children: Eva, who is the wife of William Best, of Santa
Barbara. California; Roxanna, who resides in Los Angeles, California; Law-
son N., who is an attorney at Scottsburg; Elmer E., ; Walter, who resides east
of Scottsburg; Martha, who is the wife of Roland H. Weir, of Scottsburg,
and Lola, who is connected with the Battle Creek sanitorium.
Elmer E. Mace was born on the old homestead of his father in Scott
county. He spent his childhood and \outh here and attended school in the
old Erog Pond school house and later the high school at Lexington, antl on
graduating from the latter he entered Hano\er College, where he took a
two-year classical course. In 1898 he entered the Indiana Medical College,
now the medical department of Indiana University, from which he graduated
in the class of 1902. As a result of a competiti\'e examination he was a])-
pointed interne at St. Vincent's hospital in Indianapolis, which position he
held iron: May I, 1902, to May i, 1903. He then served at the central hos-
pital for the insane, where he had charge of a department. All through his
training, starting under the able Doctor Marsee, local surgeon of the Big
Eour Railroad, and afterwards under Doctor Eord, chief surgeon of the Big
Eour Railroad, he was during his student career associated with two of In-
diana's best surgeons. Afterwards he enjoyed splendid opportunities in
hospital and clinical work. .After leaving the central insane hospital, he was
physician in charge and assistant superintendent of the Marion county hos-
jiital for msane at Julietta. for the ensuing year. He then entered the general
practice of medicine at New Palestine. This was in 1905 and for the last
ten years he has enjoyed a large and increasing practice. In this time he has
Ijecome thoroughly identified with the community and its interests.
On May 3, 1908, Elmer E. Mace was married to Grace Huntington, who
was born in Hancock county, north of Cumberland. She was a daughter of
Milton S. and Hester (Kitley) Huntington, both of Hancock county. Grace
w^as one of three children, (Jiie of whom died in infancy. The surviving are:
Grace and Milton S., who is a veterinary surgeon at New Palestine. To
Elmer E. Mace and wife one child was Iwrn, Helen, on Xovember i. 1910.
Doctor Mace is a member of the Christian church and his wife is a mem-
ber 01 the Baptist church. Doctor Mace is a member of Xew Palestine Lodge
No. 404, Eree and Accepted Masons; New Palestine Lodge, Knights ''>i
Pythias: New Palestine Lo<lge No. 844. Independent Order of Odd l-~ellows:
New Palestine Camp No. 6922, Modern Woodmen of America. He is also
1032 HANCOCK COL'XTY, IXDIAXA.
a meinljer of the Hancock Medical Society and of the Indiana State INIedical
Association. He is a Republican in politics and is a member of the town
board. As a physician Doctor Mace is extremely popular and progressive and
as a citizen his character and reputation are above reproach.
CH.VKLKS LOL'IS JACOB HEKKLICH.
Charles L. J. Herrlich was born at Indianapolis, Indiana. July 12. 1S84,
the son of Max and Mary ( Bechert ) Herrlich. Max Herrhch was born in
Saxony, (jermany, October 3, 1B57, the son of Ferdinand and Johanna
(Teufel) Herrlich, who were also natives of Germany. By occupation l^'erdi-
nand Herrlich was a weaver and dyer, learninfj both trades in his native
country and following the same for some years after conimg to .\merica,
which was in 1865. He worked for some time in Phi]adel])hia and later
moved to Indianapolis, where he resided until his death, which occurred on
December 20, 1881. His wife, Johanna (Teufel)' Herrlich, died on January
21, 1891. They were the parents of ten children, of whom four grew to
maturity, Herrman, Emil. Emma and Max.
Max Herrlich was a small l»y when he came to this courUrv willi his
l)arents and .settled in Philadeliihia. There he learned painting, pa])erhanging.
decorating and frescoing, and worked in that line for some time after the
family moved to Indianapolis. Later he engaged in business for himself in
Indianapolis, but sold out in 1X85 and came to Xew Palestine. In 1886 Mr.
Herrlich |)urchased the business c)f two undertaking estal)lishments in Xew
I-'alestine, combined them and enlarged the slock and added fine funeral
('f|uipment. Max Herrlich .soon became known as an able and reliable man
Ml his line of business and his patronage steadily increased, his skill as an
embalmer and his tact as a funeral director enabling him to secure the business
of a large territory in Hancock and adjoining counties. His cnergv, industry
and integrity of purpose made him one of the best-kn(j\vn men in Hancock
county, and he was always interested in the welfare of the community. In
1902 Mr. Herrlich furnished the capital for the Xew Palestine waterworks
system and he aided many other public enterprises.
On September 9, 1877, Max Herrlich was uiiit(.<l in marriage to Mary
Bechert, daughter of John Bechert, formerly a prominent business man of
Indianapolis. To this union were born seven children, Emma, Lulu, Charles,
Anna, Nellie, Julia and Luciel. Lulu is the wife of Frank H. Rafferty, of
BIOGRAPHICAL.
1033
Xew Palestine, ami they liad three eliil<h-en, Maxiiic. who (hed in intaney:
Lillian and Lenore. Anna is the wit'e nf Shiiiey llendi-yx and resides in In-
dianapolis. Max Herrlieh died on .\])ril _>;. K^ofj. lie was a stanch sn|)pt.rter
of the Democratic party and a meniher of the (iennan luanselical church.
Charles L. J. Herrlieh was only ten months old when with his parents
he came to Xew Palestine. He spent his childhood and vonth here and
attended the common .schools and high .school, graduating with the cia.ss of
1903 from the Xew Palestine high school. .\s an evidence of good scholar-
ship it might he noted that owing to illness he was prevented from taking the
final examination in the grammar school and a vote of the class was taken
exempting him from taking the examination, which shows a high degree of
proficiency in his studies. As a lioy he heli)ed his father in his undertaking
establishment. a.s.sisting in the many and v.aried tasks which fell to his lot. .\t
twelve years of age he liegan driving the hear.se for his father and from that
time on he assumed an increasing .share of the re.sponsihilitv. in Mav. 1908,
lie took a course at the Barnes Training School at Indianapolis, .\fter com-
pleting this course he resumed his work at Xew i^alestine. In Mav, 1909,
he took a course in the .\skin Training School of luflianapolis aiifl on the
completion of which he took the state hoard examination, which he pas.sed
successfully. After he received his state license he again resumed his i)ro-
fession as a funeral director.
On May 16, 1900. Charles I,. J. Herrlieh was married to Bessie Mav
Breedlove. who was horn in Moral lownshi]i, Shelhy county, October J3,
1S85, and who was the daughter of Jasper .\lonzo and .Xancv ( Creed ) Breed-
love. Jasper Breedlo\e was liorn in Shelhv county, where he resided until
T900, when he moved to Indianapolis, where he now resides. His wife was
also born in Shelliy countv and still sur\ives. They were the parents of
eight children, of whom the wife of the subject of this sketch is next to the
eldest.
The business of Mr. Herrlieh is now' conducted under the firm name of
Max Herrlieh & Son funeral directors, hut tlu'rle-- 1.. !. Ilci'ilirh is ablv
assisted In- lii.s sister. I'jnma Herrlieh. also a meniher of the firm,
like the subject of this sketch, since childhood, has grown up in the
profession of her her father, starting to assist him at the early age of
thirteen years. .\t the age of sixteen, in Xovember, iS()3, she took a course
in embalming under the ausjiices of the Massachusetts School of I'jnbalming
held in Indianapolis, .\fter completing this course she again took her i)lace
with her father. Later, in March, 1900. she took another course with the
Massachusetts College of Embalming and then took the state board examiu-
I034 HANCOCK COUNTY^ INDIANA.
ation in July, 1901, which she successfully passed, and she was the first female
emljahner in the state. Her practical experience under the able instruction
of her father makes her wnrk a valualilc adjunct to the success of the business.
Charles L. J. Hcrrlicli. since assuming the direction of his father's busi-
ness has almost com])letely remodeled their establishment. Among many up-
to-date features is a modern office and a chapel which will seat a hundred and
twenty-five people, also a well arranged garage and carriage repository.
Among a few of the special features that might be mentioned is his automo-
bile equipment. He has recently added a magnificent hearse, ambulance and
casket wagon, each built to order on his own specifications and are among
the finest in the state. He carries a complete line of caskets, ranging from
the lowest in price to the most costly, in lead-coated steel, copper and brass,
as well as a complete line of vaults. He also carries a complete stock of
wearing apparel for burial purposes. The firm is composed of ]\Irs. Max
Herrlich, Emma Herrlich and Charles L. J. Herrlich.
Charles L. J. Herrlich is a Democrat in politics. He is a member of the
German Evangelical church and his wife is a member of the Friends chiuxh.
He has been at different times presiding commiteeman for his party. He is
a JNIason, memlaer of Lodge Xo. 404 at Xew Palestine; a member of the
Knights of Pythias, Improved Order of Red Men and Modern Woodmen of
America ; and he has held the highest chairs in all of these lodges e.xcept in
the Masonic lodge. He is a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, past
sachem of the Red Men, past venerable consul of the Abadern Woodmen of
America and a junior deacon in the Masonic body. Mr. Herrlich is also a
director of the New Palestine Telephone Company and was formerly presi-
dent and director of the New Palestine Cemetery Association. He is one of
New Palestine's most prominent and progressive citizens.
MATTHE\\' T. WILLETT.
Matthew T. \Villett was born in Hancock county, Indiana, on Decem-
ber 5, 1859. He was a son of Matthew T., Sr., and Elizalieth Willett.
Matthew T. Willett. Sr., was Ixim in Maysville, Kentucky, on Septemljer 16,
1820. He was educated in Hancock county, having come to Indiana as a boy
when the family took up farming. Matthew T. Willett. Sr.'s, father died
when Matdiew T. was only nine years old, leaving the family responsibility
on the shoulders of young JMatthew T., Sr. He fanned the greater part of
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO35
his life, retiring- in his later years and leaving the care f)f the farm to his
children. He married Elizabeth A\'illett, who was a distant cousin. She.
also, was Ijurn in Maysville, Kentucky, in Xovetnber, 1823. and accompanied
her father and mother, in 1829, to Indiana. They made a visit to Kentucky
when she was nine years old. They came on horseback and brought with
them a bandana handkerchief in which was wrapped their wealth in gold,
tied to the saddle-bags and tiuis conveyed to their new home in Indiana. The
wilderness condition of what is now Hancock countv is shown in a couple of
instances related l)y the mother of the subject of this sketch: Upon returning
home one afternoon she saw and captured a young fawn and taking it home
made a household pet of it. On another occasion while she was out she saw
a large bear which she took to be a dog and which her father later killed upon
hearing of the incident. Elizabeth Wilklt died in January 29. 1896.
Matthew T., Sr., and Elizabeth W'illett were the parents of the following
children: C. J., who is a resident of Indianapolis; Mrs. Lida Carter, who is
a resident of Greenfield: Marion F.. who is a farmer in Hancock county:
Matthew T.. who is the subject of this sketch, and Henry Clay and Josephine
Boyd, who are both deceased.
Matthew T. Willett. the subject of this sketch, was educated in Hancock
county and in the Greenfield schools. Later he tof)k up farming, in which
lie was engaged until August 25. 1907, at which time he came to Greenfield
and engaged in the undertaking business with Oak Morrison as partner. He
remained in this business for two and one-half years, at which time he sold
out his interest to his partner and purchased a grocery store and on May 25.
1911. he entered the grocery business, in which he was successful from the
start. He was secretary and director of the first gas company organized in
Hancock county, outside of Greenfield, and saw to the management of the
first gas-well sunk in Hancock county outside of cities. In commenting on
the early condition of the Indiana roads, Mr. W'illett stated thai his family
li\ed about four miles from town and despite the fact that four horses were
used to iiaul a wagon, it took all day to get six bushels of grain to the mill
and have it ground and return home with the flour. This trip lay over what
is nov.- known as the Koblesville road, one of the best pikes in the state.
Matthew T. Willett was married to Rosa L. Gant. who was born in Han-
cock county on No\ember 3. 1861. She was the daughter of Frank and
Lucina E. (Judkins) Gant. both early residents of Hancock county. Mrs.
Gant died when Mrs. W'illett was only two years old. She was the only child.
Mrs. W'illett received her education in the (ireenfield schools. Mr. and Mrs.
W illett were the parents of the following children : Earl, who is a fanner
1036 HANCOCK COUNTY. INDIANA.
near Mt. Comlnrt; Mrs. Mabel Foster, of Greenfield: Mrs. Xellie Shelhv.
wlio resides in Indianapolis: Guy, who was horn in December 27, iHSo. and
who died on Xovember 4. 1885, and Clarence, who was liorn <^n April 30,
1885, and who died on January 5, 1916.
Mr. W'illett has Ijeen a member and steward of the Sugar Creek Meth-
odist Episcopal church for eighteen years. He has also been tnistee of that
church since 1892. He was also superintendent of the Sunda\- school there
for a number of years. He is a Mason. He has been through the chairs of
the Knights of Pythias. He holds the rank of captain on the staff of Colonel
Shellhouse in the Knights of Pythias lodge and has been a trustee of that
lodge for six years. .Mr. Willetl is a Republican in politics.
JOHX I". KIRKHOFF.
J<ihn !•". Kirkhoff, one of the ])rominent and successful farmers of Han-
cock county, was born in Xew Palestine on March 29. 1834, and \^•as the son of
Anthony and Annie M. ( Fink) Kirkhoff, the former of whom was a native
of Germany, where he was born in 1812 and died in Xew Palestine in 1882.
.Anthony Kirkhoff came to America at the age of twenty-one and for a time
worked at railroad construction betweeii Baltimore and Washington. Here
he earned enough money to bring him on further west. In 1833 he came to
Vincennes. where he worked at his trade as a tailor for a year, after which
he came to Xew Palestmc, where he established a tailoring business, in which
he continued the greater part of his life. His savings in the Inisiness was in-
vested in land and he bought and sold many tracts, owning at the time of his
death one hundred and sixty acres on which the south part of Xew Palestine
is now situated. He also owned eighty acres one mile east of the town and
eighty acres located in Sugar Creek and Brandywine townships.
In 1840 Anthony Kirkhoff was married to Annie Fink, who was born in
Germany on Xovember 11, 1824, and died at Xew Palestine on Se])tember
4, 1892. She was the daughter of Henr\- Fink and wife, lioth of whom were
natives of Germany. They came to .America in 1834 on a sailing vessel and
after landing at Baltimore they came to Hancock county in a one-horse wagon.
They first located one mile east of Xew Palestine, where they converted a
log stable into a house, where they resided for some time. Mr. l'"ink later
entered one hundred and sixty acres of land three miles west of Xew Palestine,
where he erected a one-room log cabin and a stable. Here the family experi-
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO37
enced all tlie hanlsliips of pioneer life. 'I'lieir nearest market was seven miles
awav, where they walked and traded I)utter and eggs for groceries and other
Imuseliold necessities. Indianapolis was then a struggling town of three or
four thousand. .\t the age of fourteen, .\nna h'ink went to work in Indian-
apclis, having walked the entire distance of thirteen miles through the dense
woods. She was one of five children, all of whom were required to assist in
the su])porl of the family. .\t the age of si.xteen she was married tcj .Anthony
Kirkhoff. after which they began housekeeping in Xew Palestine, where they
resided the remainder of their lives. To this union were born the following
children: Mary, Henry, Charles. Christian, .Anna, deceased; John F., Ma-
tilda and three who died in infanc\'. .\11 are now deceased except John F.
The mother, .\nnie Kirkhoff, died on Se])tember 4. 1892. Anthony Kirk-
hoff and wife were active members of the German Methodist church. Mr
Kirkhoff acting for many years as one of the trustees of the society.
John F. Kirkhoff was Ixirn in the house just two doors east of where
he now resides. His present residence was built by his father and has the
distinction of lieing on his farm and yet in the center of the town. Here he
owns one Innidred acres of land, but for the past ten years has l)een living a
retired life.
.At the age of twent\-one years, John b". Kirkhoff was united in marriage
on November i8, 1875. t" Jane F'. \'an Sickle, a native of Marion county,
h;r\ ing been liorn in 1S53 and was the daughter of John C. and Caroline Van
Sickle, both of whom were natives of Marion county. .After his marriage.
Ah". Kirkhoff and wife took up their residence one mile east of Xew Pales-
tine, on eighty acres of his father's farm. Here they li\ed until the death of
Mrs. Kirkhoff on Max \(\ iSSi. To Mr. rmd Mrs. Kirkhoff were Ixirn one
child. Xellie (i.. who died after her marriage to (Jeorge Ruschaupt. of Shelby
countv. .Mr. Kirkhoff, after the deadi of his wife, returned to the old home-
stead of his jiarents, where he has since li\ed. b'nr fdur years he clerked in
the .'■tore of Van Sickle & Xichols and then f(n- four years he was manager
of a creamerv, after which he was in charge of his mother's farm. On No-
vember 24. i8<)2. Mr. Kirkhoff was married to Malinda .\. W'essling, who
was born in Marion county on September 15, 1866, being the daughter of
Henry and Catherine (Meier) Wessling. the former of whom was a native
of Cermanv and the latter of (lermnn descent. Mr. anil Afrs. Wessling were
the parents of the following children : .Malinda, Louis, deceased : Mary, Katie,
deceased, and .\lbert.
[ohn 1'. and .Mahnda A. Kirklmff were the parents of two children:
Ruth and lienrv. both of whom are at home. Mrs. Kirkhoff died on Xo-
1038 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
veml)er ;•;, 1908. Mr. Kirklioff and his wife were active members of the
Evangelical church, of the Synod of Xorth America. Mr. Kirkhoff was for a
numher of years the secretary' of the board of trustees of the society.
Politically, Mr. Kirkhoff is a Republican, ai.id has ser\ed as townsliip
as.sessor for five years: trustee of New Palestme for nine years and clerk of
the tov.n for four years, all of which positions he filled with honor to him-
self and the communitv.
\V. H. TREXTLEMAN.
W. H. 'i'rentleman, of New Palestine, Indiana, was born on Xovemher
I, 1856. in Indianapoli.s, Indiana. He was a son of Henry and Sojihia (Pope)
Trentleman. Henry Trentleman was born in 1826 in Germany. He came to
.■\merica in 1844, at the age of eighteen years and located at Indianapolis.
He worked during the summer at brick-moulding and in the winter he worked
at the Ferguson slaughter house. In later years he became a well digger and
in his declining years he followed various occupations. As a boy he had learned
the tailor's trade, but he did not work at this after he came to America. A
few years after he came to Indianapnlis he married Sophia Pope. She was
also born in Germany. She was the daughter of Christian Pope, who was
born in German}-, as was also his wife. The\- immigrated to America when
Sophia was but a small child. Mrs. Trentleman lived only a few years after
her marriage and died in the spring of 1862. when W. H. Trentleman. sub-
ject of this sketch, was but six years of age. Henry and Sophia Trentleman
were the parents of the following children: William H., Mary, who is the
wife of ].. B. Sage, of Indianapolis, and a baby who died in infancy. About
two years after the death of his first wife, Henry Trentleman was married
to Christina Heisler, also a native of Germany. She was the daughter of
Jacoi) Heisler, of Indianapolis. 'i"o this second marriage were horn the fol-
lowing children: Emma, Ella and Christina, who are all living.
\\'. H. Trentleman spent his childhood in Indiana])olis and after liis
mother's death he went to live with his uncle, Fred Rosener. At the age of
thirteen he began to shift for himself antl for a few years he worked on the
farm, in Sugar Creek township. Then, at the age of twenty-one. he took up
the trade of a blacksmith in the shops of .\. G. Smith, at Xew Palestine, and
here he worked for six vears. l~or a lime following this he worked in various
shops in Indianapolis and other towns. In 1882. with John Huber, he Ixiught
out the sho]) of his former employer, A. G. Smith, and in partnership they
BIOGRAPHICAL.
1039
conducted the business for five years. At the end of five years .Mr. I renlle-
man took up the work of liousc paintius: ^"'1 for two years followed this
trade, lie then again went into \hv hlacksinithingf business and worked in
the shop of Faut Brothers, in New I'alestine. He held tliis position for twelve
years In 1899 he .started a shop of his own, which he operated for fifteen
years until March, i()i4. when lie boug-lit the general blacksmith and repair
shops of Charles II. l-^aut, which business he is still conducting. This is the
largest shop and building in New Palestine. In additi(>n to the shop there
is an implement room, paint shop, printing otitice and postoffice in the same
iiuilding. ;\Ir. Trentieman operates his machinery bv power and does a
genera! blacksmithing and repair business.
At the age of twenty-eight, on November (>. \Hi<^. W . 11. Trentieman
was married to Christina IMickle. She was liorn in New Palestine on No-
vember 7. 1^58. She was the daughter of Heniy and .\deline Mickle. who
were both natives of Germany. Slie was one of eight children, onlv tiu'ee
of whom .survive: Mary, Henry and Christina. On March 12. 1908, Mrs.
Trentieman died.
Mr. Trentieman is a memlier of the Methodist Episcopal church .ind is
a steward of this church. He is also a memlicr of the New Palestine Lodge,
Knights of Pythias. He is a Democrat in politics and was for four years a
member of the town board. He is one of New Palestine's best known and
best respected citizens. He has been a resident of the county for practically
all of fifty-three years and an immediate resident of New Palestine for over
thirty years. He is a citizen of strong and sterling character and has num-
bers <:>f friends.
W. C. VAN LANINGHAM.
W. C. Van Laningham was born in Broad Ripple. Indiana, Febniary 24,
i860, the son of Cicero and Elizal>eth ( Mock) Van Laningham. Cicero \'an
Laningham was bom near Indianapolis in 1837 and was twice married, the
subject of this sketch being a son by the first wife. Elizabeth ( Mock) Van
Laningham was born near Gennantown. Indiana. Cicero Van Laningham
was the son of Sylvester Van Laningham. who was lx)rn in Kentuckv, and
who married Catherine Nutt. They were the parents of the following chil-
dren: David. Cicero, William and Martin. Sylvester Van Laningham was
a farmer of Marion county, Indiana, and owned a tract of one hundred and
sixty acres. He was a member of the Christian church and was a man who
I040 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
was umisiially interested in local affairs. Cicero Van Laningham was a farmer
in Marion cunnty until he went into tlie mercantile business and conducted a
general store, which he later sold, and went into the lumber business in both
Fortville and Xoblesville. He died in 1899. He belonged to the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and was a Mason. He was always interested in local
affairs. He was the father of the following children: W. C. who is the
subject of this sketch, and Dora, now deceased, who married A]l)ert McBride.
of Xoblesville. Indiana. The second wife of Cicero \'an Laningham was
Harriet Tritlipo. who is now deceased. There were no children born to this
union. Elizabeth (Mock) \'an Laningham. the mother of the subject of this
sketch, died in 1864.
W. C. Van Laningham was educated in the common schools. He was
married on March 4, 1884, to Alice Cory, who is the daughter of Jackson and
Sarah Cory, of Marion county. To this union the following children were
boni ; Alonzo. now at Terre Haute, and who married Cozie Cleorge : Lola,
Cora L., of Fortville. Indiana, who married Kenneth Waite, and who is the
nicther of one child. Keith; Forest and Quitman. The second wife of the
subject of tliis sketch was Mary Wiseman. Xo children were born to this
marriage She belongs to the Christian church. W. C. Van Laningham is
a Mason and a meml)er of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has
been in the lumber liusiness at Fortville. Indiana, since 1893. He was elected
to the office of township trustee, and took his office on January i, 19 15.
HORACE E. WILSON.
Horace V.. Wilson, clerk of the Hancock circuit court, and one of the
best-known men in Hancock county, was born in Greenfield and has lived
there practicallv all his life. He was horn on January 14, 1876, son of James
\\'. and Martha W. (Johnson) Wilson, the former a native of Indiana and
the latter of Kentucky.
lames W . Wilson was born on a pioneer farm near Cireensburg. m De-
catur county, this state. October 19, 1846. and was but a boy when his father.
Henrv B. W'il.son. moved with his family to Hancock county and settled on a
farm in Green township, where lie made his home until he resigned from the
active labors of the farm and moved to Greenfield, where he died on July 28.
191 3. he then being past eighty-nine years of age. his birth having occurred on
June 13, 1824. Henrv B. Wilson was an active member of the Bradley
HORACE E. WILSON
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO4I
Metiiodist lipiscopal church and was a member of the official hoard (jf the
same, lie was a Mason and took an active interest in Masonic affairs. James
\\'. W ilson was reared on tlie home farm in (ireen township and when a
young: man took emplo\'ment in Xew Brothers" store at Greenfield, later going
into C. M. Jackson's store and thence to the J. Ward Walker Coni];anv store,
where he remained the rest of his life, his death occurring on October 25,
1 89 1, at the age of forty-six years. lie was a Democrat and had .served as
justice of tlie peace. He was a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the
Bradley Methodist Episcopal church. His widow is still livmg at (Irecnfield.
Martha W. Johnson was bom in Boone county. Kentucky. .March 12. 1850.
and was luu a child when her ])arents came to Indiana and located in Han-
cock county, settling on a farm in Green townshi]). later mox'ing to Green-
field, where siie was living- at the lime of her marriage to Mr. Wilson on
October ij, 1870. 'I'o that union four children were born, the eldest of whom
died in infancy, the others being Edwin P.. manager of the J. \\"ard Walker
Company store at Greenfield: Horace E.. tlie subject of this biographical
sketch, and Gilbert K., of Oak I'ark. Illinois.
Horace E. \\ ilson was reared in (Jreenfield and received his education
in the city's schools, after which he became employed in the blacksmith sh<ip
of Everson & Copper and for five or si.x years was engaged there. He then
became a clerk in the J. Wajd Walker Company store and was thus engaged
in that establishment for five years, at the end of which time he went to
Chicago, where for more than a year he was employed as shipping clerk for
the Clifford & Mabe Company. In 190J he returned to Greenfield and for
four \ears thereafter was em])li)yed with tlie (ireen field Xovelly Works
Com])any, after which he returned to his former place in the Walker store
and was there until he entered upon the duties of the office of county clerk
on Januarv i, T915, having been elected to that office on the Democratic
ticket the previous Xovember. by one of the largest pluralities ever returned
for a candidate on that ticket in an election in this county, receiving nearly
twice as many votes as both the other candidates for the office.
On October 20, 1907. Horace V.. Wilson was united in marriage to Mar-
garet C. Tobin. a clerk in the J. Ward Walker Company store at Greenfield,
who was born in Hamilton county, this state. December i. 1874. daughter of
Patrick and Margaret (Breen) Tobin. both natives of Ireland, who came to
this countrv in the days of their youlli and Liter uki ai !)a}ton. Ohio, where
they were married and where they made their home for some time, later
coming to Indiana and settling on a fami in Hamilton county, where they
are still living. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Bradley Methodist Episcopal
(66)
I042 HANCOCK COUNTY^ INDIANA.
church and takes an earnest part in the \'arious social and cultural activities
of his home town. Mrs. Wilson is a member of St. Michael's Catliolic
church. Mr. Wilson is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar, as well
as noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine,
and for years has served as secretary of the Greenfield lodge of Masons and
of the chapter of that order. He is also a member of the local lodge of the
Knights of Pythias, of the Improved Order of Red Men and of the Hay-
makers and takes a warm interest in the affairs of all these organizations.
ALBERT H. GEISEL.
Albert H. Geisel was liorn in Julietta, Marion county. Indiana, on October
4, 1871, the son of Conrad and Katherine (Weber) Geisel. Conrad Geisel
was bom in Hesse, Darmstadt, in April. 1841, and died on December 29. 1900.
He was a son of Conrad Geisel, Sr., who was also born in Hesse, Darmstadt,
and who immigrated with his family to America in 1841 on a sailing vessel.
He landed at Baltimore and came by rail and canal and the Ohio river to
Pittsburgh and from there on the Ohio river to Cincinnati and from Cincinnati
he came b}- wagon to Hancock county.
Conrad Geisel, entered a forty-acre tract of land two and one-lialf miles
southwest of New Palestine. For this land he paid one dollar and twenty-five
cents per acre. On this tract he built a four-room log house and cleared a
portion of the ground and began his life work in a vast wilderness. He passed
through and endured all the hardships of a pioneer life. It is related that
when the old Jefferson, Madison & Indianapolis railroad was being built he
walked to near Indianapolis on every Monday morning and worked all week
on the construction of this railroad and returned on Saturday night to his
farm. This work continued for four months and at the expiration of this
time he was defrauded out of the wages due him. He continued to live on
his homestead and gradually cleared up his land and brouglit it under cultiva-
tion and it was here that he spent his declining years with the exception of the
last two which were spent with his eldest son on the adjoining farm.
Conrad Geisel, Jr., who was the fatlier of the subject of this sketch, was
one of eight children, five boys and three girls. He was only eight months
old when his parents brought him to America. He spent his childhood on the
homestead of his father and here grew to manhood. At the age of twenty-one
years he went to Indianapolis and learned the trade of blacksmith. About
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO43
this time he was married to Catherine Weber, who was born in Germany, in
1848. Her ])arents were from Hesse. Darmstach. Germany, and came to
.•\mcrica in 1850 and settled in Sugar Creek township. Hancock county. Here
they bought a tract of eighty acres just south of the old Geisel farm on which
they remained until the death of Mr. Weber, which occurred about 1855.
Mr. Weber's widow remained on the place a few years and then lived with
her children. She died at the home of her daughter, Emma Cliurch. at Wav-
erly, Illinois. After his marriage. Conrad Geisel, Jr.. moved onto the old
Delaney farm where he lived for two years. He then moved to the old King
farm and after a year's stay there he went back to Indianapolis where he
followed his trade for a number of years. Then he went to Pleasant View and
remained four years and from there to Julietta where he conducted a black-
smith shop for several years and afterward moved back to the liome farm and
finall}- l)uilt a sliop at New Palestine wliere for the ne.xt tliirty years he con-
ducted his blacksmith business. In December, 1910, he died. His wife still
survives and resides at the old family residence in New Palestine. The
following children were born to them : Anna, deceased ; Bertha, John, who is
deceased ; Albert H.. wlio is the subject of this sketch, and Luther C, of North
Yakima, ^^'ashing■ton.
Albert H. Geisel, the subject of this sketch, was born in Julietta and when
seven years of age came to New Palestine with his parents. Here he attended
the ])uhh'c scliools and after finisliiiig school he took a position at the Spot
Cash store in Greenfield where lie remained for eight months. His next posi-
tion was with the John Stepliens Dry Goods Company of Indianapolis, where
he remained for one year. He then came to New Palestine and engaged in
the implement business. He remained in this business for two years and
then liought the remaining stock of tlie Short & Ashcraft Store and then
conducted a general mercantile business. He remained at that location for
five vears and then remodeled the shop of his father and moved his stock
of goods to its present location in 1898 and has remained there since that time.
Mr. Geisel was married at the age of twenty-two to Anna Kissel, who was born
in Hancock county. Sugar Creek township, in February, 1876. She was the
daughter of Peter and Malinda Kissel, the former now residing at Louisville,
Kentucky. The latter died when Anna was but six years of age.
Albert H. tjeisel conducts an ui)-to-date store and handles general mer-
chandise and in addition does an extensive coal business. Mr. Geisel is a
member of tlie Methodist church and his wife is also a member of this church.
He is a mcmljer of the following lodges : New Palestine Lodge No. 404, Free
and Accepted Masons; New Palestine Lodge No. 215, Knights of Pythias;
I044 HANCOCK COl"XTY, INDIANA.
New Palestine Lodge of Red Men : Xew Palestine Lodge of Modern \\ cjod-
men of America ; New Palestine Lotlge No. 844. Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. Mr. Geisel has been practically a life-long resident of Hancock
county. He is a Democrat in politics and is one of New Palestine's leading
merchants and citizens. He is a man of strong character and a reputation
of merit. He i-^ tlie fatlier of one cliild, \\"ilhelmina, wiio is at home.
JOHN HUBER.
John Huber was bom in Berkshire. Massaciinsetts, February g. i86r. the
son of John and .-\gatha ( Herb) Huber. John Huber. Sr.. was liorn in Witten-
berg, Germany, in 1825, and died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1874. at
the age of forty-nine years. John Huljer, Sr., spent his early life in Germany
and there received his education. He was married while yet in Germany to
Agatha Herb, who was also born in Wittenberg in 1832. She preceded her
husband in death by only one week, having died in 1874 at the age of forty-two.
They were the parents of five children, the eldest of whom, Mary, was born
in Germany and is now the wife of Adam ilahley. of Shelby county. The
other children were: John. Jr., the subject of this sketch; Balbina. who is now
deceased and who was the wife of Fred Miller, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania:
Ellen, who is now deceased and who was the wife of Christian Anner, of Buf-
falo, New York, and Josephine, who is now Mother Superior of the Franciscan
Sisters of Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania.
Jolni Pluber, after the dealli of his parents, moved to Shelby county,
Indiana, to the home of his eldest sister, Mrs. Adam Mahley. He recei\ed his
early education in the public schools at LaSalle and Rock Island, Illinois, and
at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. On moving to Shelby county he made his home
with his sister and brother-in-law, for whom he \Vorked until he was eighteen
years of age. He then started out for himself. His first work was on a
farm and for this work he received fifty cents a day. He continued to follow
farm work for a year or two until on February 7. 1881, he entered the employ
of Conrad Geisel and learned the trade of blacksmithing. In this connecti<m
he remained until Sei)tember, 1883. He then bought the shop of A. G. Smith
and started in business for himself. He has conducted this business success-
fully for thirty-three years. In 1883 he moved his shop to its present location.
He did an extensive business in agricultural implements for twenty years.
John TTultcr was married on October 4, 1885, lo Nanr\ Gates, who was
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO45
born on December g. 1862, in Su.s^ar Creek township, Hancock county. She
was the daug^hter of Henry and Nancy ( Ball) (kites. Henr>- (lates was born
on April 15. 1824. in Pennsylvania and died at (Ireen field. Indiana, on March
4, 1909, at the age of eighty-five years. He was brought to Rush county as a
child and was married to Nancy Ball on October 22, 1846. She was Iwrn in
Rush county, Indiana, and after their marriage moved to Hancock county.
They settled a mile and a half east of New Palestine and on December 14,
1862. Mrs. Gates died. At this time some friends of Henry Gates. Anthony
Kirkhoff and wife, who had just lost an infant, took Nancy to raise. This
association soon ripened into a labor of love and from that time until her
marriage she remained with Mr. and Mrs. Kirkhoff. To this first marriage
of Henry Gates were born the following children : Mary Jane, Nettie, Hen-
rietta and Nancy, who is the wife of the subject of this sketch. Henrj- Gates,
who was born in Pennsylvania, was the .son of John Gates, who was also born
in Pennsylvania, in 1793. John Gates served in the War of 1812 and he was
the son of John Gates. Sr., who was liorn in Germany and who served in the
Revolutionary \\'ar. John Gales. Jr., after the ^\'ar of 1812 moved to the
Shenandoah valley of Virginia and fmm there to Chillicothe. Ohio, where he
was married. Henry Gates was born in Chillicothe. Ohio, April 14, 1824. In
eighteen months he was brought to Rush county, Indiana. There Henry
Gates grew to manhood. .Vfter his first wife's death he was married a few
years later, on March i, 1865. to Mary Ann Lewis and to this union was born
one child who died in infancy. Henry Gates was pre-enn'nently a farmer by
occupation although he was a successful merchant and miller. He built the
first grist-mill to be erected at New Palestine, this was in 1851. He was one
of the charter members of the Methodist Episcopal church at New Palestine
and took part in the incorporation of the town of New Palestine. He was a
man of high ideals and was an extremely useful citizen.
John Hul>er, after his marriage, took uji his residence at New Palestine
and in January, 1896, he began the construction of a modern twelve-room
residence which is beautifully situated on Mill street, just east of the crist-mill
and here he, with his family, has resided for the past twenty year>.
Mr. Hul)er is a member f)f the Methodist Episcopal church and his wife
is also a member of this church. He is a member of New Palestine Lodge No.
404. Free and Accepted Masons. He is a Deinocrat in politics and was presi-
dent of the town board of New I'alestine for nine years and he has been secre-
tarv of the New Palestine Telephone Company for five years. He has been
a resident of Hancock county for over thirty-six years. He is a well known
and highlv respected citizen, a man of big ideals and of sterling integrity. He
1046 HANCOCK COrXTV, INDIANA.
is the father of the following children: Anna A., who was born on Sej^tember
15, 18S6, is the wife of Dr. E. .\. Hawk, of Reedville. Indiana, and they have
one child, James Huber; Carl E.. who was Iwrn on March 4, 1893. and Henry
G., who was born on April 28. 1S99.
EDU'ARD FIXK.
Edw-ard I'ink, a native of Sugar Creek township and one of the promi-
nent and successful business men of Hancock county, was born on September
18, i860, being the son of Henry and Louisa (Miller) Fink. Henry Fink,
the son of Andrew Fink and wife, was born in Germany on April 3. 1822, and
died at Irvington in 1892. Andrew Fink, a native of Germany, was a farmer
in his native country and came to America in 1834 on a sailing vessel, the
trip requiring over six weeks. He landed in Xew York and came by team
and wagon to Indiana, settling in Sugar Creek township. Here he entered
one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government, at one dollar and
twenty-five cents per acre. His farm was three miles west of Xew Palestine
and liere lie Ijuilt a log cabin. The farm was one of virgin timi)er and re-
quired much labor to clear and make ready for crops. He and his family
experienced all the hardships incident to the life of the early settler in a new
country. By hard work and strict economy he succeeded in clearing his
farm and making it one of the Ijest farms in the community. He later added
twenty acres to his original one hundred ant! sixty. It was here that .\ndrcw
Fink cind his wife lived the rest of their lives. They were tlie parents of six
children, one boy and five girls.
1 leniy Fink came with his parents to the home fami when a lad of thir-
teen years and here he grew to manhood and engaged in fanning. At the
age of twenty-si.K he was married to Louisa Miller, who was born on X"o-
vember 5. 1820, and died at Irvington on June 11, 1891. Mrs. Fink was the
daughter of Christian Miller and wife, who came to America in 1836. They
settled in the western part of Sugar Creek township, where they entered land.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller were the parents of seven children, two sons and five
daughters.
After his marriage, Henry Fink resided on the old homestead during
his active life, and retired to Irvington in 1885, where he died some years
later. Besides the home farm, Mr. Fink owned farms in other parts of the
county and state, having at one time one thousand and seventy-three acres.
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO47
He was a most successful fanner and business man. Tn earlv life he engag-ed
in the overland freight business, driving six horses fnmi Indianapolis to Cin-
cinnati. Hem-}' Fink and wife were the parents of five sons and two daugh-
ters: Mary, deceased; Andrew, Ciiarles, Henry, Christian, Edward and
Annie, all of whom grew to maturity.
Edward Fink was Ijorn on tlie old homestead of his grandfather and.
father, the farm never Ijeing in any utiier name since entered from the govern-
ment. He recei\ed bis education in tiie old Swamp school house, after which
he assisted his father on the home farm until he was married on February
18, 1885, to Emma Miller. Mrs. Fink was born in Marion county on Sep-
tember 19, 1865. and is the daughter of Christian and Mary (Meier) Miller,
both of whom were natives of Germany. The parents came to the United
States in 1865 and settled in Warren township, Marion county. Thev re-
mained on the fann until 1888, at which time thev removed to Terre Haute,
where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of the
followmg children : Christian, Mary, Christina, Henry. Andrew, Emma and
Charles.
S'lon after his marriage Edward Fink took charge of tiie iiome farm and
has always lived tliere. In addition to the home place, Mr. Fink owns forty
acres near Philadelphia, Hancock county, as well as town property in Irving-
ton, yir. Fink was one of the organizers of the Xew Palestine Bank, serving
as vice-president, president and in igii was elected to the positit)n of cashier,
which ht now holds.
Mr. and Mrs. Fink are the parents of one child: Marie, who is at home.
The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Fink is an
active member of the Free and Accepted Masons at Xew Palestine.
SAMUEL E. W.VLLACE.
Samuel E. Wallace, widely known throughout Hancock county, Indiana,
as a school teacher of long standing, was born on the farm where he now
lives in Buck Creek township, on Februaiy i, 1868, a son of Robert M. and
Margaret ( Collins) Wallace. Robert M. W'allace was l)orn in Abbeyville
district. South Carolina, on December 9. i8ji. a son of John and Ellen
Elizaljeth (McCullough) Wallace, both of whom were bom in Ireland. John
Wallace came to America as a young man and settled in South Carolina,
where lie met and married Ellen Elizabeth McCullough. born in Ireland, of
1048 HANCOCK COLXTV, INDIANA.
Scotch-Iri.-~h parentage, and whi) was brought to this country as a girl bv her
parents. John Wallace was a blacksmith by trade, to which occupation he
devoted his attention throughout the active years of his life. In 183 1 he
brought his family to Indiana, making the trip overland by wagon, and
locating first in Fayette county. Howexer. they remained there but a short
time when they moved to Hancock county and bought a farm of eighty acres
in Buck Creek township, lieing the east half of the northwest quarter of sec-
tion 20. On that land he erected a large double log house and a large log barn
and engaged in his trade of blacksmith. It was on that farm that he passed
tiie remainder of his life, and there, too, his wife died. He was a faithful
member of the Presbyterian church and a Democrat of the old school. John
Wallace and wife were the parents of seven children, namely: John, Robert
M., James, Enoch, Elizabeth, Nellie and Samuel, all deceased some years
since.
Robert M. Wallace was ten years of age when his ])arents came to In-
vliana and he spent the remainder of his youth in this county, with the most
meager opportunities for receiving an education. However, through his own
ambition and efforts he came to be a very well read man, being especially
proficient in mathematics, his knowledge in this line being ver}- largely ac-
(|uired during spare time while at his work in a wagon shop, he having as a
young man mastered the trade of wagon-maker under Harris Philpot.
Robert AI. Wallace married Margaret Collins, who was also born in
South Carolina, December 18, 1831, a daughter of John and Mary (Searight)
Collins, both of whom were of Scotch-Irish descent. There were two children
!)orn to this union, l-'ranklin and Margaret. John Collins married a second
lime, his second wife being Clarissa Evans, also bom in South Carolina, but
who came here directly from Tennessee. To this second union were born six
children: IMartin ^'. B., Elizabeth, James E., Erskine, Christopher C. and
Nancy, all of win mi still live witli the exception of Elizabeth and Erskine.
Shortly after his marriage, Robert M. Wallace ga\-e up his wagon business
and engaged in fanning on his f.ither's old farm, which he purchased from
the other heirs. Not long afterward he sold that place and bought eighty acres
in the northeast quarter of section 24. of Buck Creek township. He also bought
sold and repurchased eighty acres of the southeast quarter of section 2t,.
whicli is the land on which Samuel E. Wallace now resides. Roljert M.
Wallace also owned at one time the west half nf the northwest quarter of
^ection 24. He was a man who led an active life and was a strong partisan
of the Democratic party. However, he was never a seeker after office and
declined the office of township trustee. He was Buck Creek township's first
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO49
postmaster, the pusioftke he\v.g established at his hinne. and he gave it the
name of Alt. Comfort. Robert M. Wallace departed this life on August 19,
188 1, and was survived a number of years l)v his widow, who died on Sep-
tember 28. 1902, at the age of seventy-three vears.
Samuel E. W'allace is one of a family of seven children, namely : An-
geline, who died at the age of twenty-three: Theodore, who died when twenty-
one; John F.. Ellen E., wife of Charles O. Plessingcr, with whom Samuel E.
now resides ; Mary, wife of \\'illiam Girt ; Samuel E. and George P. Samuel
E. Wallace has passed his entire life on the one farm and as a boy attended
his first school in old No. 4 school house, the teacher at that time l>eing
\\'i!liam H. Wright. After finishing the common schools he attended the
Danville Normal School and later took some special instruction at the Bryant
& Stratton Business College in Indianapolis. He also studied telegraphy, but
never worked at it. In 1886 he took his first .school, district No. 7, of Buck
Creek township, and during the past thirty years he has taught every school
in this township with the exception of one. For the past six years he has been
teaching the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades of the Mt. Comfort
central school and during the years of his school work has made friends of
his pupils, who are now men and women and scattered far and wide. As a
young man, Samuel Wallace gave some attention to farming, but since taking
up teaching as a vocation, his work in that line has not been given much time,
although he is the owner of seventy-six acres of some of Buck Creek town-
ship's very l)est land. Mr. Wallace gives his political support to the Demo-
cratic part) and in e\ery way stands high in the estimation of his large circle
of friends. As a man of influence for good in al! lines he rank> with the best
of Hancock countv's citizens.
C. E. McCORD, M. D.
C. E. McCord was bom in Hamilton county, Indiana, January 30, 1870,
the son of Richard and Eliza J. ( Kinnaman ) McCord. Richard McCord was
born in McCordsvilie, Indiana, in 1839. He was the son of Jacob McCord.
who was a farmer and owned one hundred and sixty acres in Hancock county.
He was the father of the following children : Richard, who was the father of
the snl)ject of this sketch: Isaac, Anna, Rachel and Mary (twins), Laura.
Adeline and James \\'. The father of Jacob McCord was Richard McCord.
who was a farmer in Clermont count\'. Ohio, and he was the S(^n of Elias Mc-
lOSO HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Cord. Elias McCord was a native of Virginia, and his father came from
Scotland. Elias McCord married Elizabeth Hollingsworth. He fought in
the Revolutionary War, and he carried a saber mark on his arm. He moved
to Clermont county, Ohio, where he died in i8o,^.
Richard McCord, the father of the subject of this sketch, was educated in
the common schools, and taught school for twenty years in Hancock and Ham-
ilton counties, Indiana. He afterward bought a fine farm of one hundred
acres, which he farmed until the time of his death, which occurred on January
7, 1894. He was a member of the United Brethren church. His wife now
lives on the home place in Hamilton county. They were the parents of the
following children : Thomas, now deceased, who lived in Hamilton county,
and wlio married Clementine Humifies; A. E., who lives in Hamilton county,
and who married Nellie Wyant; Delia, who is deceased; C. E., who is the
subject of this sketch; Nettie B.. who is deceased; Anna, who is deceased;
William, who is deceased, and Rosa.
C. E. McCord, who is the subject of this sketcii, attended the Indiana
Medical College at Indianapolis, from which he was graduated in 1895. He
is a member of both the county and state medical societies. He was married on
January 15, 1896, to Nettie Cropper, who was born in Marion county, Indiana,
and is a daughter of Solomon and Racliael Cropper. Doctor McCord Ijegan
the practice of medicine in 1896 in Fortville, Indiana. The town of ^IcCords-
ville, Indiana, is named after the McCord family.
JEFFERSON C. BRUNSON.
Jefferson C. Brunson, of Fortville, Indiana, was born in Marion county,
Indiana, on August 20, 187 1. He is the son of Lonzo and Malinda (DeFord)
Brunson. Lonzo Brunson was born in ]\Iarion county, Indiana, and was the
son of Robert Brunson, who was a farmer in Marion county. Robert Brun-
son was the fatlier of the following children: Lonzo, tiie father of J. C. Brun-
son, the subject of this sketch; Sophronice, and Caroline. Malinda (DeFord)
Brunson was the daughter of George D. DeFord, a farmer of Marion county.
Mr. DeFord was one of the well known farmers of his day and was a great
church man.
Lonzo Bnmson received his education in the common schools. He was a
farmer of Marion county and owned a tract of one hundred and sixty acres
of land. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO5I
was drafted for service in the Civil War, but sent a substitute. He was the
father of the following- children: Ella. Ida. Harmon, Jefferson C, Lillie and
George. He died in 1886. His wife is still living in Marion county, Indiana.
Jefferson C. Brunson was educated in the common schools of this county
and was married on November 14. 1899, to Grace Johnson, a native of Marion
county, who was the daughter of George and Nancy Johnson, who were farm-
ers in Marion county. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
The children of Jefferson C. and Grace (Johnson) Brunson are: Fay and
Caroline. Mr. Brunson farmed until 1904, when he moved to Fortville,
Indiana, and went into the livery business, which he continued until 1913. when
he went into the garage business. He is the agent for tlie Ford and Stude-
baker machines. He is a man of excellent business qualities, and has a finely
equipped garage. He is the owner of property in Fortville and his wife is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Indepen-
dent Order of Odd Fellows, and also the Red Men of America.
OR\'ILLE L. MORROW.
Orville L. Morrow was born in Jay county, Indiana, in 1871. He is a
son of S. P. and Elizabeth A. (Grisell) Morrow, both natives of Columbiana
county, Ohio. The paternal grandfather was Eli Morrow, who followed the
vocation of a fanner in Columbiana county, Ohio, tlie county in which he
was torn. On the maternal side, Orville L. Morrow is a descendant of
Quakers, his mother being the daughter of Milo and MarA- A. (Johnson)
Grisell, of Preble county, Ohio. Her father was a farmer and a carpenter,
and also engaged in teaching school in the early times. For seventeen years
he served as a township trustee in Jay county, Indiana, having come to this
state in 1850. In common with all who adhered to the Quaker faith, Mr.
Grisel! was conscientiously opposed to slavery, and he was ready at all times
to declare the faith that was in him. Living at a time when the obnoxious
fugitive sla\e law was in force, and when those aiding runaway slaves were
liable to a se\ere penalty under that law, Mr. Grisell was one of those who
dared to assume the risk in the interest of the bondmen seeking tiie liberty
to which he was entitled, by "the laws of nature and nature's God." He was
a member of the anti-slavery league, an organization effected for the purpose
of aiding slaves to escape, and his house in Jay county was on the route usually
traveled b\' the iiniawav slaves between Richmond and Ft. Wavne. It was
1052 HANCOCK COUNTY, IXDIAXA.
known as the "underground railroad/' and Mr. Grisell's house was one of
the stations on that route.
S. P. Morrow, father of Or\ ille L., was educated in the common schools
and has always been a farmer. His wife is still living and still adheres to the
Quaker faith of her ancestors. He served three years and three months in
the Amiy of the West during the Civil War.
Orville L. Morrow was educated in the common schools of Jay county,
continuing his studies through the high school, from which he graduated. In
1899 he entered the State Xormal School at Terre Haute and spent three years
in that institution, and then attended the Indiana University for one year.
Having thus thoroughly prepared himself he engaged in teaching and fol-
lowed this vocation for fourteen years in Jay and Hancock counties. He was
principal of the school at McCordsville for three years and at Fortville for
three years. He then ga\e up the business of teaching and organized the
Citizens' State Bank at Fortville in 1906 and was cashier of this institution.
This bank became a national bank in 1908 and Mr. Morrow continued as its
casliier.
]\Ir. Morrow was married, in 1895. to Miss Elizabeth Stansbery. of Jay
county. Tliey have an adopted daughter, Margaret Ann. He is a member
of the Free and .Accepted Masons and of the Knights of Pythias. He has been
superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday school in l-'ortville for
nine vears.
R. A. ALBEA.
R. A. Albea was born on July 27, 1850. He is a son of William and
Elizabeth (Hayse) Albea. \\'illiam Albea was born on April 11. 1828. and
died on May 14, 1871. He was the son of Zachariah Albea. who was Ixirn
on December 6, 1794. in Maryland, and who later moved to North Carolina,
where he lived on a farm for the remainder of his life. He died on June 22.
i860.
William Albea was twice married, his first wife, who was tlie mother of
the subject of this sketch, was Mary Elizabeth Hayse, who was born on Jan-
uary 13, 1831, and who died on July 23, 1863. She was a daughter of
Charles and Martha (Rutledge) Hayse, who were farmers in Iredell county.
North Carolina. \\'illiam All>ea lived his entire life in North Carolina. He
was a slave-owner and owned a tract of four hundred acres of land. At the
time of the Civil \\'a.r lie was a soldier in the Southern armv. To his first
BIOGRAPHICAL. ' ]0
.I.I
marriage were born the following ehiidren : Josejili \\'.. \vhi» was l)orn on
June <). t84(). and wlio died on June jt,. 1849: R. A., the suliject of this sketch,
ulio was horn nn July 2j. 1S30: Marv J.. October 20, 1852; Martha E., Au-
gust 3. 1855; Charles '/... Xovemher 18. 1857; James L., Xovember 30. 1859,
and William H., March 4, 1862. All of these latter are living and R. A., who is
the subject of this sketch, came first to this state and county on February 2,
1870. and tlicn the other brothers and a sister followed in the years to come.
After the death of Mary Elizaljeth ( Ha\se) Albea in 1863. ^^ iHiam Albea
married Jane W'est, who was born on December 24, 1843. and who died on
June 16, 1883. To this union were born the following children : A. C, who
was bom on December 5. 1864; Thomas M.. October 2, 1866. and John W.,
October 2, 1870.
R. A. Albea lives in Green township on a farm of fifty-twi) acres, which
he owns and farms himself. He does general farming. He has a 1915 model
Ford car. Fie married on March 8. 1874, Mary E. \\'ilson, who was the
daughter of James and June Wilson. Mr. .\lbea lias not been blessed with
any children. He raised a nephew, C. H. Albea, taking him when two days
old. who is now twenty-one \ears old. He also partly raised two other boys.
QUIXXY A. WRIGHT.
Ouincy A. W'rigiit. one of the prominent and influential residents of Han-
cock county, was born in Tippecanoe county in 1861, the son of Lewis and
Lovina (Whelchel) Wright.
Lewis Wright was a native of \'irginia. where his parents lived the
greater part of tiieir lives and died there. Lewis received his education in the
public schools of his native state. After locating in Tippecanoe county Mr.
\\'right engaged in farming and was thus engaged (hn-ing his active life. He
died in Tippecanoe county. Mrs. Wright was a native of Hamilton county,
having removed to Tippecanoe county in early life. Mr. and Mrs. Wright
were the parents of six sons and two daughters. They were active and influ-
ential members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Quincy Wright received his education in the common schools of Tippe-
canoe county. After completing his education he engager! in farming and
stock raising. He later engaged in the butcher liusiness for three years, after
which he became interested in a harvester company and was <in the road for
many years. In 1893 he located in Fortville where he has since made his
I054 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
home. Mr. Wright's wise judgment and ])opularity is evidenced by the fact
that he was for four years township trustee and served with satisfaction to all.
He later became interested in tlie real estate business in which work he was
successful. In 1913 he was appointed postmaster of his home town, which
position he still holds.
In 1887, Ouincy A. \\'right was united in marriage to Josie B. Watts, of
Madison county. They are the parents of three children : Floyd, Fred and
Chloe. Quincy A. Wright is a Free and Accepted Mason, a member of the
Knights of Pythias, Red Men, Pythian Sisters and the Eastern Star. Mrs.
Wright is also a member of the last two mentioned orders.
WILLIAM A. SCOTT.
William A. Scott was born on January i, 1856. He was married on
March 4, 1881, to Rachel Kitchell, who was the daughter of Squire and Xancy
(Carlson) Kitchell, of Shelby county. Squire Kitchell came overland from
Maryland to Shelby county, and was one of the early settlers of the county.
Squire and Nancy Kitchell were the parents of the following children : Rachel,
John, Percy, Calvin, Henry, Lizzie and Rebecca. Rachel Kitchell was born
and raised in Shelby county. She received her education there and was mar-
ried there. Her father and mother were both members of the Methodist
Episcopal church. William A. and Rachel (Kitchell) Scott are the parents
of the following children : Grace, who was born on August 26, 1882, wiio
married William Valentine and they have the following children, Thelma,
Donald, Zola and Wilmena : Nellie, December 11, 1883, who married William
Brandenburg and they have one cliild. Lavon ; Maggie, August 30. 1885, and
who died at the age of four years; Wilbur, February 28, 1889, who married
Pearl Barrett and they have one child, Olive; Myrtle, September 16. 1894,
who married Luther Jacobi, and Harry, February 10, 1899.
William A. Scott was educated in the common schools. He remained at
home with his parents until his marriage. He then rented land in the neigh-
borhood until in 1900 he bought a tract of forty acres of land. In 1906 he
bought another tract and he now owns one hundred and nine acres of fine-
farming land, which he has brought to a high state of improvement.
Mr. Scott is a Democrat in politics. He has always been an active politi-
cal worker as well as a progressive worker for community interests. He led
a losing fight to have the township schools centralized. He served as precinct
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO55
committeeman of his party from 1908 to 1914. He is a strmie;- supporter of the
Christian church at Sugar Creek, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias
Lodge at Fountaintown. Mr. Scott has served as township trustee.
LARK IX W. CROUCH.
Larkiii W. Crouch was born in Washington county. Tennessee. March
6, 1843, 3"<i died on March 31. 1916. He was the son of James M. and
Susanna (Bowman) Crouch, tlie father a native of Virginia and the mother
of Washington count}-. Tennessee. Joiin and Sarali Crouch were the grand-
parents of Larkiii W. Crouch on the paternal side. They were Virginians,
lived on a farm, and were members of the Christian church.
On the maternal side, the grandparents were Joseph and FJizabeth Bow-
man, both of whom were born in Virginia and died in Tennessee. Joseph
Bowman was a farmer and was the owner of thirty-one slaves, whom he set
free at tiie time of his death. Tlie nialcrnal grandparents were Dunkards.
Tames M. Crouch, father of the late Larkin W. Crouch, was born in Washing-
ton county, Tennessee, and lived in that county all his life, following the oc-
cupation of a farmer. He had a fam.ily of thirteen children. The family were
members of the Christian churcli.
Larkin \V. Crouch was educated in tlie schools of his neighborhood, in
Tennessee, and became a contractor and builder, and continued in that line
of business after coming to Fortville. Indiana, in October, 1864. He was
actively engaged in this business for a period of fifty-two years. In 1870 he
started a lumber yard and planing-mill in Fortville, and continued this busi-
ness, in connection with his contracting business, until 1880, when he disposed
of the planing-mill and afterwards devoted his time exclusively to contracting
and building-.
Mr. Crouch became a member of the Christian church, at Boors Creek
church, in Tennessee, in 1859. When he came to Fortville there was but one
other ])erson in the place who was a member of that denomination. A few
additions were made to this number in a short time, and with these Mr.
Crouch organized a congregation and began the work of building a church,
in 1 87 1. There were twenty-three charter members of this organization, fif-
teen men and eight women, and four states were represented in this mem-
brship, namely : Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana. His passing re-
moves the last survivor of the charter memljers. The congregation was or-
1056 HANCOCK COrXTY, IXDIANA.
ganized, August 6, 1871 ; the house of worship was completed and rledicated,
June 2, 1872. ]Mr. Crouch served as elder in this church for a ])eriod of
thirty- four years, and was active in the Sunday school work, as superintendent,
assistant superintendent and teacher, for forty-three years.
Politically. Mr. Crouch was aHiliated with the Democratic party. He
was frequently elected to office and filled even- official position in the town.
He was married, in 1867, to Maria Cavender, of Dayton, Ohio, who died in
1872, leaving one son, Albert, who died in i87i.' Mr. Crouch's second mar-
riage was in 1873. to Sallie J. White, of Victor. Iowa. To this union four
children were born : Edwin L.. James P., Martha May and Bessie (deceased).
The .--econd wife dieil on Xovenil:)er 8, 1892. and Mr. Crouch married for his
third wife. May E. Hyatt, in 1901. She was born in Westfield, but was living
at the time of her marriage in Indianapolis, and had been a school teacher for
twenty-two years.
Mr. Crouch was a charter member of the Knights of Honor anti was
formerly a member of the b'ree and Accepted }tlasons. He took an active in-
terest in politics and was an active worker in the temperance cause.
STEW ART SLOCUM, M. D.
Stewart Slocum was torn on September 13, 1869, the son of Eli and
Carmelia M. (Odell) Slocum. Eli Slocum was torn in ]\Iarch. 1834, and
died in 1879. He was tlie son of I^iiilip Slocum. who was born in New York
stale and li\ed there as a fanner all his life. Philip Slocum was a soldier in
the \\ar of 18 12. His children were Mary. Susan and Eli. Eli Slocum was
educated in the common schools of New York, where he lived on a farm the
most of his life. The latter part of his life was spent in Kansas and he died
there in 1879. He was the father of the following children: Philip J., who
married Leonore B. Friend and who was a teacher, and Stewart, who is the
subject of this sketch. Carmelia M. (Odell) Slocum was born in 1830, and
was the daughter of Allen 0<lell. a farmer in New York state, and also a
soldier in the War of 1812. She died in ujco. at the age of seventy years.
Stewart Slocum was educated in the common schools and later graduated
from the Louis\ille ( Kentucky ) College of Pharmacy, and the Central
College of Phvsicians and Surgeons at Indianai>olis. He graduated from
the latter in 1900 and liegan the practice <if medicine in iMirtville in 1903. On
lune 17. i8()(x he was married to Eva Grace Jarrett. who was born in this
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO57
county in Green luunsliin. and w ho was the dau^iiter of Aliitjail ( Walker)
Jarrett. To this union was born one child. Ralph Harrison, on June 30,
1903. Doctor SltH-um is a thirty-second degree Mason, and is ;i member of
of Murat Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine:
and he also belongs to the lnde])endent Order of Odd h'ellows. and to the
Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the cnuntv and state medical societies
and the American Medical Association, and a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. He is president of the Fortville Telephone Companv, and
is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Fortville.
ANTON H. RABE.
Numbered among those who have prospered along the various lines of
agriculture is Anton H. Rabe, who as a foresighted. enterprising and pro-
gressive citizen of Hancock county, Indiana, has reached a position of the
highest order in the affairs of the cnmnnuu'ty in which he lives, i lis life has
been guided by the highest princii)les and his influence has been {XJtent in con-
nection with community development. He has identified himself not only
with agricultural affairs but also with civic interests and has left a definite
impression upon the life of the locality in which he resides. Anton H. Rabe
is a native of Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, Indiana, having been
born in this section of the state on October 19. 1877. His parents were Anton
R. and Anna Marie (Kuner) Rabe, the former of whom was born in Indian-
apolis, November 22, 1841, and the latter of whom, a native of Germany, was
born on May 22, 1851. The mother of the sul)ject of this sketch left her native
land at the age of nineteen and came to Marion county, Indiana, where she
lived with an uncle, Henry Yeager, until the time of her marriage to Mr. Rabe.
Anton F. Rabe, the father of the .subject of this sketch, lived in Indian-
apolis until he was three years old when he moved w'ith his father to the old
Rabe homestead in Sugar Creek township, Hancock county. His education
was received in the district schools of the section of the state just mentioned.
Shortly after he reached the age of manhood the Civil War broke out and
Anton Rabe offered his services to save the Union. He enlisted on .\ugusi
16, 1 861, and served to the very end of the war, being discharged on June 7.
1865. During this time he was a member of Company D, Seventy-ninth Regi-
ment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. As a soldier Mr. Rabe received some of
the most interesting as well as dangerous exi)eriences of his life. He was at
Lookout mountain. Stone's river and at other important battles. He was with
(67)
1058 HANCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
Shennan on his march to the sea l)ut before arriving- at tlie destination was
changed to another line of senice. As a corporal he was mustered out at
Nashville, Tennessee, and returned to the homestead of his father, where lie
began once more the routine of farm life. After his marriage, which was
solemnized in 1872, Mr. Rabe moved to a fami consisting of eighty acres of
land seven and one-iialf miles southwest of Greenfield, Indiana, which he had
purchased. The farm was fnily in ilie first stage of cultivation and part of the
land had never been drained. A log cabin occupied a ])rominent place within
its boundaries and only added to its primeval appearance. Mr. Rabe began
at once the task of clearing the land and changing the farm into a desirable
tract for the raising of grain. After he had the land in a high state of im-
provement he purchased forty acres adjoining and this place at the time of
his death, which occurred on June 4. 1914, was one of the finest farms in
Hancock county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Anton F. Rabe the following children were bom : Anton
H., Mrs. Anne Klieman. Mrs. Mary Kepper. Mrs. Louise W'ooten. Bertha,
who resides on the home place : one son, August, also lives at home. Anton
F. Ralje was survived 1)y the immediate members of his family, a brother,
Charles, and by two sisters, Mrs. Louise Maddo.x and Mrs. Christine Raus-
cJTiupt.who were bnrn in Hancock county, and who are now residing in Texas.
The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was also named Anton Rabe.
The grandmother died in Kansas where she had gone with Charles Rabe.
Anton F. Rabe was prominent in the affairs of the German Lutheran church of
which the Rev. J. H. Kuntz was pastor. His wife, who was reared as a
Catholic in Germany, became a member of the (jerman Evangelic.il church of
Xew Palestine, in this county.
The early education received by Anton H. Ralje was obtained in the Sugar
Creek township schools and after completing the course given he began to
assist his father with the work on the farm. After his marriage, which occur-
red in 190c, he movetl east of his original home where he continues to reside
at the present time. The farm is in an excellent stage of cultivation and is
one of the best improved in the township. Aside from his interests in grain
raising Mr. Rabe gives much attention to the raising of high grade stock and
ships on an average of seventy-five head of bogs a year. The subject of
this sketch also takes great pride in improving the farm residence which is a
twelve-room structure of brick of imposing appearance. The stock barn and
smaller buildings on the place represent the most modern ideas in farm improve-
ment and stand as models of the advancement being made at the present
time in agricultural conveniences.
BIOGRAIMIICAI..
1059
On December 24. lyoo. the nianiafve of Anton 11. Kabc tu Stella Collier,
the daughter of (ieor<je ami Amanda ( .McBaine) Collier, resi<lents of Brandy-
wine townshii). took jjlace. Mrs. Rabe, who was born on September ig, 1878,
is a member of a large family inckuling the following children: Mrs. Flora
Bridgewater. Alfred, M. A., Dunham and Mrs. Elizabelli Moore and Dolly
Collier, both of whom arc deceased. To ]\Ir. and Mrs. Rabe has been l)orn
one cliild. George A. Rabe, a student in high school at Greenfield.
.Vnton H. Rabe has always manifested a true interest in political affairs
and in working for the betterment of conditions in the community in which
he lives, has given his political support to the principles of the Democratic
party. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Greenfield.
He is a man of fine attainments, of broad and positive views and his person-
ality is of the type which wins the greatest admiration from those 'A-ith whom
he comes in contact.
WILLIAM A. JONES.
\\ illiam A Jones, the son of James '['. and Elizabeth (Gum) Jones, was
born in ]\Iadison county, November 18. 1859. The parents wc^e natives of
\'irginia and migrated to Madison county in an earlv dav.
James T. Jones was the son of James and I'ernina (Jordan ) Jones, both
of whom were natives of \'irginia. The parents mo\ed to Madison county
about 183 1, at a time when the son James, was but two years of age. Here
Mr. Jones entered land and built a home for himself and family. He died in
the county some years later. James T. Jones received his education in the
public schools of ^ladison county. After completing his education he engaged
in farming and followed that occupation until his death, October 19, 1904.
Elizabeth Jones died nn April 16, 1878.
James T. and Elizabeth Jones were the parents of nine clnldren, three sons,
William A.. Charles and Tliomas J., now living, the six daughters having
died. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Jones married Martha Elsbury,
and to this union three children were born : Jesse. James Edward and Effay.
Mr. Jones and family were members of the Methodist Episcoi)al church. He
was an acti\c Democrat and was for a time assessor of his township.
William A. Jones received his education in the common schools of Ma<li-
son county. After leaving school he became a farmer in his home county,
where he remained until 1896, at which time he purchased his present farm
in Green township, consisting of one hundred and twenty acre<. He also
IC60 HANCOCK COrXTY, INDIANA.
owns -eighty acres in Aladison county. It has Ijeen by his own ett-^rts that
he has succeeded, for he received no assistance at all from his parents. He
began life in a humble way. l)ut by constant application and hard work he has
made a success of life. His farm is well improved and under a high state of
cultivation. He aims to keep it one of the best in the community. T!ie farm
buildings have all been remodeled and modernized.
On September 8, 1886, A\'illiam A. Jones was united in marriage to Mag-
gie L. Hiday. of Green township, Madison county. To this union the follow-
ing children have been born: James \\'., Samuel A., Chester S., Lottie Blanche
(deceased), Alice Marie (deceased), and Warren. James W. married Pearl
Smith and they hve in Madison county and have one boy named Earl. Chester
S. married Bernice Pritchett and thev live in Madison county.
Mr. Jones has devoted his life to his work as a farmer and stock raiser.
He has never aspired to office, yet he is interested in assisting the l>est men
to office. Mrs. Maggie (Hiday) Jones died on October 14, 1914. and was
interred in Mendon cemeterv.
Ta:^ies a. \'ax duyx.
James .\. \"an Duyn, a well-known farmer of Brown township, Hancock
county. Indiana, and trustee of Brown township, is a native of Madison county,
this state. Ijorn on August 7. 1877. a son of Philip and Mary (Shelly) Van
Duyn.
Philip \'an Duyn is also a native of Madison county and first saw the
liglit of day on Ajjril 26, 1856. He received his education in the schools of
his native couutv and was early trained to farm work. In 1878 he moved to
a farm in Hancock county, where for several years he was known as one of
the more successful fanners and stock raisers of his section. He has now
retired from the active affairs of life and makes his home with his son, Emery,
near Willow Branch, this county. Philip Yim Duyn is a stanch advocate of
tlie ])rinciples of the Democratic party, although at no time an aspirant to
public office, and his religious membersliip is held with the United Brethren
cliurch. Mary Shelly was also a native of iladison county, where she passed
her girlhood and received her education. Her parents were sturdy farmers
of that county and among its early residents. Philip and Mary (Shelly) Van
Duyn were the parents of five children, the eldest being James, the immediate
subject of this sketch; Ella is the wife of .-\lvin Chapman, of Greenfield;
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO61
Emery farms near Willow Branch : drover lias been teacher of the school at
Brown's Chapel for the past seven years, and Alston lives in Rush county,
where he is engaged in farming. Mrs. Mary Van Duyn (Icp.irtcd this life on
April 21, 1915.
James A. Van Duyn was a babe of but one year when brought to Han-
cock county by his parents. Here he grew to manhood, attending the War-
rington schools when a boy. On the family homestead he early was taught
the secrets of successful husbandry and to that vocation turned when he started
out in life for himself. He farmed until 1909, when he engaged in the gen-
eral mercantile business at Willow Branch, giving his attention to that ven-
ture for the following six years. Late in 19 15 he moved back to his farm
home near \\'arrington. where he is engaged in general farming and stock
raising.
James A. \'an Duyn was married on November 25, 1897. to IMartha
Price, born in Hancock county on April 27, 1877, « daughter of Samuel and
Elizabeth Price. Martha Price was also reared on a farm and was educated
in the schools of Breckinridge. Five children compose the family of James
A. \"an Duyn and wife, Uva, Lawrence. Forest, Opal and Paul. The first
named has attended the Wilkinson Jiigh school, which Lawrence is now at-
tending, and the three last named are in the grades as yet. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Van Duyn are devout meml^ers of Zion's Chapel, Methodist Episcopal
church, and are actively interested in the affairs of that society. Politically.
James A. \'an Du\n is a strong adherent of the Democratic party and in the
fall of 1914 he was elected trustee of lirown township. Mr. Van Duyn is
regarded as one of the progressive and representative citizens of his township.
FRED V. HARDIX.
Fred V. Hardin, son of Charles V. and Susan (Z^Iarsh) Hardin, was born
in Fortville, Lidiana, February 14, 1876. His father was a native of Penn-
sylvania, his mother of Indiana. Fred X. Hardin was educated in the public
schools at Fortville and for fifteen years was employed in the general mer-
chandise store of A. J. Wetsel, in Fortville. In 1908 he engaged in the grocery
business on his own account, and is still in that business. He was married in
1897 to Grace E. Bills, of Fortville : they have two Iwys, Philip, X. and Richard
V. Thev are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Hardin's
fraternal affiliations are with the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of
I062 HANCOCK COLXTV. INDIANA.
Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd P'ellows and the Modern Woodmen
of America. His poHtical affiliation is with the Repubhcan party. He served
four years as clerk and treasurer of the town board, and is now on tlie fourth
year of his term as president of tlie board.
Fred V. Hardin is of Scotch-Irish lineage. On the paternal side iiis great-
grandfather was Isaiah Hardin, who was of Irish descent and was a resident
for many years in Delaware. He died in Philadelphia, June 30. iSji, in the
fifty-fourth year of his age. He became the father of eleven children as fol-
low: William, Susannah, Thomas, Isaiah, Philip. Mary A., Elizabeth, Mar-
garet. Catherine, John and Jacob.
Philip Hardin, the fifth son of Isaiah, and the grandfather of Fred V.,
was born in Delaware, but removed with his parents to Philadelphia when but
a small boy. He. was engaged in the tobacco business in Philadelphia for sev-
eral yeais, associated in tliat business with liis lirother, William. In 1839 he
removed to Huntsville, Indiana, making the journey by wagon which required
six weeks of tedious travel. He bought a farm of eighty acres, l<x-ated near
Alfont, but only resided on the farm for one year when lie returned to Hunts-
ville where he learned the wagon-making trade. He afterward established
a wagon and blacksmith shop, associated with his brother, John, and carried
on that business for many years. He died on February 5, 1878. He was an
active member of the Baptist church. His widow survived him for several
years; she died in April, 1887, at the home of her daughter, Margaret, in
Pendleton, Indiana. His wife's maiden name was Mary Freeborn, who was
born on April 22. 1808, the daughter of Robert and Mary (Ingham) I-'reebom.
The other children in the family of Robert and Mary Freeborn were: Eliza-
beth, Catherine, Margaret, Mary L. and Charles V., all born in Philadelphia :
John, \\'illiam and Evel\n were born in Huntsville.
Robert Freeborn, father of Mrs. Hardin, was of Scotch ancestry. He
was a seafaring man. being captain of a vessel, and followed this vocation for
the most of his active years, .\fter the death of his wife he made his home
with his daugiiter, Elizabeth, in Piiiladel])hia.
Charles V. Hardin, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Phil-
adeipliia, Pennsylvania, September 26, 1838. He was the fifth in the family
of Philip and Mary (Freeborn) Hardin. In 1840. when about eighteen
months old, he came with his parents to Indiana, and was rearetl and educated
in Huntsville. On August 12, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company G,
Twelfth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. This company was organized
by Capt. James Huston. The regiment was commanded by Col. William H.
Link, who died from wounds received in the battle of Richmond, Kentuckv, and
BIOGRAPIHCAL. I063
was succeeded in command of the regiment by TJeut.-Col. Ri;ul)eii Williams,
who commanded the re.a^iment during^ the remainder of its service and was
breveted brigadier-general at the close of the war. Charles \". Hardin ser\ed
until the close of the war and was mustered out with his regiment at Wash-
ington, D. C, June 8, 1865. He participated in the battle of Richmond, Ken-
tucky, August 30, 1862, in which the regiment suffered severe loss in killed
and wounded, and most of the regiment were taken prisoners, Mr. Hardin
being among the number. After lieing exchanged the regiment was sent t't
Grant's army, operating in Mississippi, and it became a part of the Fifteenth
Army Corps, commanded by Gen. Jului A. Lugan. L'lider tiiis command Mr.
Hardin participated with his regiment in the battles of V'icksburg and Jack-
son, Mississippi ; and then joined Sherman's army and participated in the bat-
tles of Missionary Ridge, Resca, Dallas, Xew Hope church. Kenesaw Moun-
tain, Xickajack creek, the several battles around .Atlanta, the battle of Jones-
boro, the march to the sea. the l)attle at Sa\annali, Georgia; the battles of Gris-
woldville and Columbia, South Carolina: and Raleigh and Bentonville, North
Carolina. He then participated with his regiment in the Grand Review in
Washington, at the close of the war, and was soon afterward discliarged.
Mr. Hardin was a blacksmith by trade and worked at this trade prior to
enlisting in tiie army. On his return from the army he set up a shop at Alfont
where he worked at his trade until 1874, when he changed his location and
business to Fortville. In 1891 he was ai)pointed postmaster at Fortville. under
the administration of President Harrison, and held the office for four years,
after wliich lie resumed his work in the hlacksnu'th shop for four years, when
another change occurred and Mr. Hardin was re-appointed postmaster under
the administration of President McKinley. and continued in office until the ad-
ministration i)f I'resident Tafi. Since then he has not been activel\- engaged
in Ixisiness.
Charles V. Hardin has been a Republican from the time of the organiza-
tion of the partv. He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has voted
for all the Republican candidates for president since that time. He is a mem-
ber of Sol. D. Kempton Post Xo. 228, Grand Army of the Rc])ublic. and has
held all the offices of the ix>st. including three years as pijst commander. For
the past several years he has been adjutant of the post. He is a memljer of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; has passed through all the chairs of
the lodge, and has represented the local organization in the grand lodge of the
state. He is a charter member of the local lodge of the Imjiroved Order of
Red Men. has been sachem and has represented the lodge in tiie granrl council
of the order in the state.
1064 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Charles V. Hardin was married on January 19. i860, to Cyntliia S.
Marsh, a native of Madison covmty, Indiana, a daughter of David and Sarah
Jane (Jordan) Marsh, he a native of Ohio and .'^he of \"irginia. Tiiey were
among the early settlers of Madison county, Indiana, coming to that county
with their parents at an early day in the history of the county. There were
seven children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Hardin, namely : \\'illiam D.,
Maude F., who married E. N. Gray ; Jesse L.. Neva K.. Fred V., Len and
John M. Mr. and Mrs. Hardin are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church.
GUS E. STUART.
Gus E. Stuart, one of the prominent and successful editors and pub-
lishers in Hancock county, was horn at Fortville, March 19, 1867, the son of
Dr. and Mrs. John G. Stuart, the former of whom was for many years a
prominent physician in the community, and died on October 7, 1898.
Gus E. Stuart was educated in the pulilic schools of Fortville. After
completing his education he liecanie an employee of Greene & Williams on
the Forfz'illc Journal , wliich paper was established in 1883. He continued
there for two years and ilien Ijecame a journeyman printer, working at
various places throughout the country. In February, 1886, he and his brother.
Dr. Arthur A. Stuart, established the Fortville Sun, which they published
until July, 1887, when they sold the plant to Simmons Brothers.
After the sale of tlie paper Mr. Stuart again became a journeyman
and worked at various places until 1895, when he established a branch office
at Fortville for the Kahn Tailoring Company, of Indianapolis. He conducted
a successful business until 1909, at which time he bought the field of the
Fortville Tribune and the plant of tlie Su)i. The latter paper he had estab-
lished and then sold.
Mr. Stuart has increased tlie plant and has placed modem equipment,
with which he is able to do all modern and up-to-date printing. Besides:
doing good job work he has succeeded in building up the circulation of the
l^aper to over one thousand regular subscribers.
In 1894 Gus E. Stuart was united in marriage to Rosetta Olvey, of
Sheridan, Hamilton county. To this union one child has been bom, Elsie D.
Fraternally. ^Ir. Stuart is a member of tiie Knights of Pythias, having lieen
a member since 1895. He is a past chancellor of the order. Mr. Stuart is
also a member of the Improved Order of Red Men. Politically, Mr. Stuart
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO65
has been a Republican tbe greater [avi of bis bfe and took an active interest
in tlie political campaigns. Mr. Stuart's paternal grandfather was Isaac
Stuart, while his maternal grandtatber was Jacob Tague.
JESSE P. COOK.
Jesse P. Cook was a son of William and Sarah ( Cass) Cook, who form-
erly lived on a farm in Vernon township, two and one-half miles southeast of
Fortville. Here Jesse P. Cook was born on August 13, 1853. His paternal
grandparents were Jesse and Nancy (Peyton) Cook, who came to Hancock
county in the early history of the county. Their educational advantages
were limited to one day in school in North Carolina, of which state they were
both natives. Jesse, the grandsire, however, had some ability as a singer and
taught a singing school in his North Carolina neighborhood. He also ac-
quired a sufficient education to qualify him for justice of tlie peace and served
in that capacity in Vernon township, Hancock county. Indiana. He followed
the vocation of farming during his active years. James Cass, grandfather of
Jesse P. Cook, on the maternal side, also came to Hancock county from
North Carolina, and settled nortii of Milner"s Corner in the early day. He
was engaged in farming.
William Cook, the father of our sul)ject. was educated in the common
schools and his life vocation was that of a farmer. He had a farm of one
hundred and twenty acres in X'ernon township, Hancock county, on which he
was living at the time of his death, at the age of fifty-five. His widow is
still living and retains ownership in this farm, but resides in Fortville. Three
sons and three daughters are living: one daughter is dead.
Jesse P. Cook was educated in the public schools of V^ernon township,
Hancock county, and worked on his father's farm during the years of his
minority. Later he bought a farm of two hundred acres near his father's
farm, in Vernon township, which he still owns and operates through renters.
In 1890, he and his brother, James M. Cook, together with J. H. Haskell,
formed a partnership and engaged in the hardware business in Fortville,
under the firm name of Haskell & Cook Brothers. J. H. Haskell, the senior
member of the firm, died in 1907. when the other partners assumed his in-
terest in the store and continued the business under the firm name of Cook
Brothers. When Cook Brothers became sole proprietors of this store, the
goods carried in stock invoiced only about two thousand dollars: they now
I066 HANCOCK COUNTY. IXDIAXA.
earn- a stock of about fourteen thousand dollars and are doing an extensive
business in all lines of the hardware and building material trade.
The year after Cook Brothers Ijecame sole proprietors of this store, they
suffered the loss of the building and contents by fire, but they immediately
rebuilt a larger and more modern structure — the one the finn at present oc-
cupies. They also own the State Bank building in Fortville. and were mainly
instnnnental in the organization and establishment of this bank. When the
])anic of 1893 affected the business of this bank, as it did many others in the
state, the Cook Brothers took charge of the bank and enabled the institution
to pull safely through the financial difficulties. This institution is now called
the Fortville State Bank, and Jesse P. Cook is on.e of the principal stock-
holders and vice-president of the bank. In addition to their other business
interests. Cook Brothers were extensively engaged, from 1886 to 1906, in the
buying and shipment of live stock from this point, yiv. Cook also owns the
garage building and was one of the original stockholders of the Fortville
canning factory, and still holds an interest in this establishment.
Jesse P. Cook was married. October, 1876, to Klnora Rains, who died
in 1900. He married again, in 1902, to Elnora Bills, and to this union the
following children were bom: Sarah, Jesse \\'., Daymon and Chester. Mr.
Cook is a member of the Christian church.
MARSH.MX NICHOLAS HITTLF.
Marshall Nicholas Kittle, one of the prominent and successful citizens
of Hancock county, was born on July 21. 1863. in Jackson township, the son
of William H. H. Hittle and Ann (Smith) liittle.
William H. H. liittle was born in Rush county and was the son of Nich-
olas and Susan (Morgan) Hittle. The name is of German origin and was
originally spelled Huttle. William H. H. Hittle grew to manhood in Rush
county and while yet a young man be and his father came to the ed.ge of
Jackson township to work on a "deadening" and while hc-re he met .\nn
Sinith. whom he married two years later. After marriage he and his wife
lived in Jackson township until his health failed and they removed to the farm
of his father, where he died on February 18, 1868.
Ann (Smith) Hittle was born on the Smith homestead in Jackson town-
ship on ]\larch 10, 1840. being the daughter of Samuel and Parthena ( Roland)
Smith, the former of whom was a native of the state of New York and the
latter was born in Rhode Island about 1806. Samuel Smith and wife were
BIOGRAPHICAL. I067
pioneers of Rush county. Aliout llie year 1833 tliey put all their helonginqs
on a sled and started for Jackson township, where Mr. Smith entered land on
the north edge of the townsliip. .\t that time the territt)ry was one vast w il-
derness and not a stick of timlier had been cut from his claim. Here he cleared
a space and Iniilt a rude log cabin and began the dexelopmcnt of the farm
that has been the home of some of the family since that time. Never has the
farm been in other tiian the Smith name. Mr. Smith increased his holdings
until he owned three hundred and twenty acres. .\nn Smith was the seventh
of ten children and always liv^d at home until her marriage to William H. H.
Hittle.
To William H. H. Hittle and wife were bom tw(5 children: Marshall
Xichol-'.s and F.dwin Owen, who died ;it the age of ten months. Some years
after the death of William H. H. Hittle, Airs Hittle was married to Ximrod
Lacy, a native of West Virginia, and the son of Adam and .Sarah Lacy. Mr.
Lacy came to Hancock county about i860 and engaged in farming in Jacks^r.
township. It was here that Ann Lacy died on March 15, 19 u.
While Marshall Nicholas Hittle was a boy he spent a part of his life in
West Virginia, >et the greater part of it was spent in Jackson township, at-
tending district school and at Spiceland Academy. In 1886 he went to Kan-
sas and engaged in farming for two years in Pratt county and was then six
years in the city of Pratt. He later came back to Indiana and taught school
and engaged in farming- for a number of years. His home farm, where he
now lives, is on section 5, Jackson township. Mr. Hittle was nominated by the
Republican party and elected in Novemljer. 19 14, as trustee of his town-
ship, he being the only Republican trustee elected in the county at that time.
In 1887 Marshall Nicholas Hittle was united in marriage to Anna Reece,
a native of Hancock county and a daughter of Charles and Martha (Harvey)
.Reece. Charles Reece w as born near Cleveland, the son of John and (luliaelma
( Dennis)' Reece. John Reece came from North Carolina and was a ]iioneer
settler near Cleveland. The Dennis family came from near Strauglm.
Charles Reece fanned in Jackson township until 1885 and then went to Kan-
sas, where he died in 1889. His wife, Martha Reece. was born near Moores-
\ille. Morgan county, and was the daughter of David Harvey, whose wife
was a Hadley. The Hadleys were Quakers from North Carolina. David
Harvev entered his land fnmi the govermnent in Morgan couiUy. ("liarles
Reece met Martha Harve\- while they were attending school. She is still
living in Kansas. Charles Reece and wife were the parents of nine children,
all but one are ii\ing. three are living in Indiana. biU Mrs. Hittle is the iinl\
one living in Hancock countv.
I068 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Mr. and Mrs. Hittle have one son and one daughter: Horace E., wlw,
on March 22, 1916, married Adehne Class, of Jennings county. Indiana, and
they hve on the Hittle farm, and Ethel R. Horace is a graduate of the high
school at Wilkinson and Ethel is in the junior year of the same school.
Mr. Hittle is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He and
his family are members of the Nameless Creek Christian church and Mr.
Hittle has been the superintendent of the Sunday school for many years.
WILLIS LEARY.
Willis Leary was born on February 15, 1846, in Mohawk, Hancock
county, Indiana. His father wa.s Thomas J. Leary. Thomas J. Leary was
born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, and was married twice. His first wife
was Rebecca Price, who was born in Maryland and who was the daughter of
Willis E. Price, who later moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. The children by tliis
wife were : John, Parry, Willis and Jane. The second wife was Marjorie
Johnson, of Wayne county, Indiana, who was the daughter of Peter Johnson,
who was born in South Carolina. The children by his second wife were:
Sarah, Thomas B., James and Louisa D., who is deceased. John Leary, the
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Maryland and after his
marriage moved to Franklin county, Indiana, where he purchased a farm of
one hundred and sixty acres in Blooming Grove township. Thomas J. Leary,
the father of the subject of this sketch, was a man who took great interest in
politics. He made many trips to Cincinnati after he located near Greenfield,
Indiana, and he drove large herds of stock to market. He died on March 5,
1889. and his second wife died on Septeml)er 17, 1907.
Willis Leary was educated in the common schools and went to school in
;in old log school house and sat on split benches with peg legs. He was a
farmer all his life. He was twice married, and his second wife was Polly
Chanler, who was the daughter of Daniel Chanler, a general carpenter. She
was the widow of T. T. Barrett. The first wife of Willis Leary was Mar-
garet A. Ready, who was the daughter of Jeremiah Ready, a blacksmith of
this county. Jeremiah Ready was for two years a soldier in the Civil War.
Mr. Lear)- had one child by his first wife, Oliver, who married \'iola Curry,
had one child, whose name was Avery, Mr. Leary is a member of the Masonic
lodge. Mrs. Polly (Chanler) Lean- had one child by her first husband,
Vernon Barrett, who died at the age of seven years. Mrs. Lear>-'s first bus-
BIOGRAPHICAL. I069
lip.nd was a well-known fanner and slock Iniycr. Both of Mrs. Leary's par-
ents are dead. Her fatlier, Daniel Chanler. was a carpenter of Owen county,
Kentucky, where he died and his wife died there also. Mrs. Leary had three
brothers and four sisters, of whom fi\-e are now livins;.
HENRY ORTEL.
Henry Ortel, one of the leading agriculturists and representative citizens
of this county, was born on April 15, 185 1, in Sugar Creek township. Han-
cock county, Indiana, and is the son of Frederick and Louisa (Deerburg)
Ortel, both natives of Germany. Frederick Ortel was born in 1809 and was
the son of Charles Ortel, also a native of Germany. His marriage to Louisa
Deerburg was solemnized in his native land and the two immigrated to Amer-
ica after the birth of their second born. Christian. That was in 1843. The
voyage required seven weeks and was spent aboard a sailing vessel from which
they disembarked at New York. The journey to this county was made by
boat to Cincinnati, Ohio, and thence by wagon overland to their destination.
Forty acres of virgin soil was purchased, under the homestead law, in the east
half of the northeast quarter of section 18, in Sugar Grove township, and here
they established a permanent home. Tlie first buildings were of logs which
were later replaced by buildings also of logs but Iiewn. After many years of
hardshijj as a pioneer. Frederick Ortel died in 1891 at the ad\anced age of
eighty-two years. His wife sunived him about ten years, dying in 1901.
They were the parents of ten children whose names follow : Christian, who
served in Company D, of the Seventy-ninth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, and lost his life in the battle of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Louisa,
Frederick, deceased: Henry. Cliristina, deceased; Anton, CIums F. William,
August, Benjamin and Charles. Tlie parents of these children were members
of the German Lutheran church, and in politics the father was a stanch
Democrat.
Henry Ortel was reared and educated in Sugar Creek township, Hancock
county, Indiana, his first teacher being Rev. J. G. Kunz, of the Gennan school.
He assisted his father with tlie work on the home place until twenty-one years
of age, and for the following ten years l)ecame an assistant on the neighbor-
ing farms. On April 16. 1882. Henry Ortel and Christina A. M. Breir were
united in marriage and to them have been born these children : Louis, married
Marv Schweir and they are the parents of one child, Olga; Edward, John.
lO/O HANCOCK COUXTV. IXDIAXA.
George and Julius. Another child, tlieir first born, died at birth. Christina
A. M. (Breir) Ortel was a native of Sugar Creek township, Hancock county,
Indiana, and a daughter of William and Christina (Rosener) Breir, who were
the parents of ten children : William, Charles. Christina, deceased ; Dena,
deceased ; Henry, deceased : Henry. Mary, Emma, Annie and Benjamin.
Christina A. ^L (Breir) Ortel was born on January 27, i860, and after many
years of loving and faithful service passed away on August 11, 1915. She
was a member of the German Lutheran church, as was also her husband who
has served twice as church trustee.
Subsequent to his marriage Henry Ortel rented land and thus continued
for sixteen years, since when he has farmed for himself. In the fall of 1897
he purchased ninety acres of land in the northwest quarter of section 17, known
as the old McNamee homestead, for which he paid the sum of $66.66 per acre.
Two years later he added twenty-six acres on the south, for which he paid the
sum of $50 per acre. This place has been the permanent home of the family
and is improved with fine buildings and a beautiful grove. One hundred and
thirteen acres have been added to the previous purchase of one hundred and
sixteen acres, and for this last property, which lies in the north half, of section
7, and was known as the Knoop farm, he paid $135 per acre. The principal
profits are procured from the raising of grain and hogs, although about ten
head of cattle and four head of horses are continually kept on the place. In
his political relations. Henry Ortel is a stanch member of the Democratic party
and shows great interest in all elections.
TOHX BURKHART.
John Burkhart, a native of Marion county. Indiana, was born near the
city of Indianapolis, October 14, 1864, the son of John and Josephine (Bar-
nard) Burkhart. John Burkhart, the father of John Burkhart, Jr.. was born
in Davidson county. Xorth Carolina, in 1833, and dictl in iQof) <>n the home
farm of the subject of this sketcii. He was the son of Jolm Burkhart, the first,
who was a nati\e of Germany, wliere he spent his young manhood on a farm.
He later learned the cooper's trade, at which he worked for some years. He
came to America with a party of young friends, on a sailing vessel, the trip
requiring six weeks. He landed in Xew York and located in Pennsylvania,
near riiiladehiliia. He remained there for some years and was married, after
which he removed to Davidson county, Xorth Carolina, where he engaged in
BIOGRAPHICAL. lOJI
farming and was most succcssfnl. He owned over fonr hundred acres of
land which was well developed and improved. There he died in 1847.
It was on the old homestead in North Carolina that John i'.urkhart. the
second, was born and grew to manhood. At the age of twenty-one he and a
party of five friends came to Indiana in the spring of 1854. Here he worked
on the farm of Reuben Barnard, in Sugar Creek township, for a year or so.
Here he was married to Charlotte Josephine Barnard, the daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Reuben Barnard, .\fter his marriage he rented a farm in Marion county
where he remained for two years, after which he removed to Butler county,
Ohio, where he remained for five years, after which he ramc hack to Indiana,
locating in Shelby county and bought a farm in Mt)ral township. This he
made his home until 1905, at which time ^Irs. Burkhart died. .\ short time
later he made a trip to North Carolina and on his return to Indiana he made his
home with his son, John Burkhart, in Sugar Creek township. He lived here
but a few months when he died at the home of his son. To John Burkhart
and wife were born seven children, five boys and two girls: John, the subject
of this sketch ; Charles. L'nice, deceased, the wife of C. E. Crum ; .\drin, Ernest,
Edna, wife of J. E. Barcus. of Indiana])olis, and Jessie.
John Burkhart was two years of age when his parents went to Butler
county. Ohio, and at the age of seven years moved with his parents to Moral
township. Shelby county, where he grew to young manhood. There he
attended the home schools and later the Danville Normal after which he taught
school in His home townshi]j for eight months. After completing his term of
school he engaged in farming on a rented farm in the township. He contin-
ued to farm in the neighborhood for some five years.
On March 16, 1S98, John Burkhart was married to Maggie B. Muman,
who w-as born in Sugar Creek townshi]) on January 11, 1881. She was the
daughter of George and Matilda (Hutchinson) Murnan, both of whom were
pioneers in the locality. Her grandfather, Jacob Murnan, entered the land
on which is now situated the Crown Point cemetery and of which John Burk-
hart is at present the secretary. George Murnan was a prosperous farmer and
died near where he was born in the township. His fleath occurred in 1905,
his wife surviving him four years.
George and ^latilda Murnan were the parents of eight children, only four
of whom lived to the age of maturity: Amanda, deceased, the wife of E. O.
Brandenburg; Jane, the wife of J. C. Brandenburg: Maggie B., the wife of
John Burkhart, and MoUie, the wife of Fritz Rogers.
After his marriage, John Burkhart farmed in Shelby county for three
years after which he located in Sugar Creek township and two years later
I072 IIAXCOCK COfXTV, IXDIAXA.
bought one hundred and fifteen acres of land, known as the Kaspari farm.
Five years later he bought forty acres of the Murnan homestead adjoining the
land belonging to Mrs. Burkhart. Mr. and Mr.s. Burkhart now own two hun-
dred and forty acres of well improved and well cultivated land. John Burk-
hart and wife are the parents of two children : Matilda Josephine, who was
born on March 25, 1899. and John Barnard Burkhart, born on July 19, 191 5.
John Burkhart owes much of his prosperity to his success in the raising
of corn and hogs. He usually cultivates sixty to seventy acres of corn on the
home place, which yields on the average fifty bushels to the acre. He also
raises about fifty acres of small grain. He generally markets one hundred and
fifty head of hogs and ten head of cattle each year, he also has on hand about
twenty head of fine Herefords and twehe head of Belgian draft horses. Ijesides
many good sheep.
Mr. Burkhart attends the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a
supporter, and to which his wife and daugliter l)elong. Mr. Burkhart is a
member of the Free and Accepted Masons. Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
Knights of Pythias, Red Men and the Modern Woodmen of America. He
is a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias and a past sachem of the Red
Men. Politically, Mr. Burkhart is a Democrat and served as trustee of his
township from 1908 to 1914. He is well known and highly respected, being
a man of high ideals and excellent judgment.
DAVID H. BAITY.
David H. Baity was born in North Carolina, in 1842. the-son of Isom and
Nancy (Ploman) Baity, who were both of the North Carolina state. His
paternal grandparents were David and Nancy Baity, who were also natives of
North Carolina and lived on a farm. His maternal grandparents, Plomans,
were also North Carolinians ; these ancestors all lived and died in that state.
Isom Baity was reared on a farm in North Carolina and obtained such edu-
cation as was afforded by the schools of his neighborhood. He had a family
of thirteen children. Of these there were three of his sons in the Confed-
erate amiy and one in the Union army, during the Civil War. Those in the
Confederate army were William D.. Henr\- W. and Alexander. David H
was in the Union army. All lived through the war and for some years after.
Henry H. left the Confederate service and came through the lines and got to
Greenfield, wliere he lived until his death. Alexander was for eighteen
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO73
montlis a prisoner in I'oiiil Lookout and lie was fnrnislieil money and pro-
visions by the family of David H. Baity, his brother, on the I'nion side.
David H. Baity was reared and educated in Xnrth Carolina and li\ed on a
farm until he was eighteen years of age. Then he came to Hancock counrv,
Indiana, to live with an uncle who had come to this state some years previous.
After coming here David H. Baity attended school for some time. In l"el)-
ruary, 1865, he enlisted as a .soldier in the One Hundred and i'"orty-seventh
Regiment, Indiana \'olunteer Infantry, under the last call for volunteers in
the Civil \\'ar. He served in Comjiany 1'". of that regiment, until the close of
the war, about seven nmnths, and was mustered out at Harper's h'errv, Vir-
ginia. .\fter his discharge from the army he came to Hancock county and
engaged in the business of farming. He bought a small farm in Green town-
ship and increased his land possessions from time to time until he accumulated
a large body of land, comprising two hundred and twent\-nine acres. Part of
this land was government land originally entered Ijy his uncle. Mr. Baity has
built a good comfortable residence, erected barns and farm buildings and has
his farm well improved. He is engaged in general farming and is making
a success at it.
David H. Baity was married in 1870, to Rachel L. \\'ilson, of Green
township. One child of this union, Charles C, died at the age of three years.
Orville E., the only living child, is employed in the '"Xew York" store, at
Indianapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Baity are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. Mr. Baity is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and also
a member of Post No. 228, Grand Army of the Republic, at Fortsville.
W. F. THOMAS.
William F. Thomas, son of D. J. and Mary Jane ( Paxton) Thomas, was
born in HanciKk county, Indiana, in 1861. His father was a native of Xortli
Carolina and came with his parents to Indiana in early life. The grandfather
located with his family in Vernon township, Hancock county, where he entered
forty acres of land, and soon after entered another eighty, and engaged in
farming. Here they had their home, and here the elder Thomas and his
wife both died.
D. J. Thomas lived and labored on tiiis farm in his early years, and did
his full share of the arduous work of clearing the land of the heavy growth
of timber and getting the land in condition for cultivation. His education was
(68)
I074 HANCOCK COUNTY. INDIANA.
limited, not only because of tiie limited school advantagfes of those early times
but chiefly because of the necessity of work on the farm. He lived on the
farm his entire life, except about two years when he was a resident of Fortville.
He had at one time two hundred acres of land, one hundred and twenty acres
of this was the original entry made by his father. His wife was a Dunkard
and they had eight children.
William F. Thomas was educated in the schools of N'ernon township and
has always followed the vocation of a farmer. He owns forty acres on which
he built his residence and other buildings, and farms this and another forty
acres which he rents from his mother. He was married in February, 1886,
to Callie Sewell. To this union the following children were born : Avery C,
Millie Elsie. Bertha Bell. Rov Albert. Carl and Ora B.
CHARLES H. ROESEXER.
Cliarles H. Roesener. a life-long resident of Sugar Creek township, born
about two and one-half miles west of Xew Palestine, March 15. 1851, is a
son of \\'illiam L. and Christina (Brademeier) Roesener. \\'illiam L. Roes-
ener was bom in Frilee. Germany, March 12. 1S13. and died at his home in
Sugar Creek township, April 2. 1888. at the age of seventy-five years. His
bovhood davs were spent nn a farm and as liis father died when he was a small
boy he grew to manhood under the watchful care of a wise mother. When
twenty-four years of a.ge lie was united in marriage with Christina Brade-
meier, a native of that same place, born on April 3, 181 7. Immediately after
their marriage, in 1837, they started for America, the voyage consuming six
weeks. They landed at Baltimore, journeyed overland to the Ohio river,
thence by boat to Cincinnati and from there overland to Hancock county, wliere
others of their locality had preceded them.
After reaching Hancock county, \Villiam L. Roesener bought eighty acres
of land from Louis Richman, who a short time previous had entered it from
the government. This land was tlie west half of the northeast quarter of
section 18, Sugar Creek township, and was practically all virgin timber. Two
or three acres only had been cleared and a small cabin and barn erected. In
this crude little home the ambitious young couple started housekeeping and
during the years which followed, passed tlirough all the hardships and priva-
tions common to the lot of pioneers in a new land. William L. Roesener
succeeded in clearing sixty acres of his land and erected a comfortable three-
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO75
room frame house as well as good barns and other buildings and had his land
partially drained. .At tlie time of his death he owned one hundred and twentv
acres in all, forty acres 1)cing in liic nortliwcst (|uarter of section cS. Ik-
departed this life on April 2, 1888. following his wife, who passed away on
February 12, 1887. Both William L. Roesener and wife were faithful mem-
bers of the German Lutheran church and after becoming a citizen of this
country he became an earnest advocate of tlie principles of tiie Democratic
party. They were the parents of the following children: William. Christina,
Louisa, Christian, Mary, Charles Henry. Anton, Frederick and Emina.
Charles Henry Roesener was born on the old farm, where he spent his
youth, and attended the German school and the old McNamee district school,
after which he assisted his father with the work of the home farm. On
November 14, 1875, when twenty-four years of age, he was united in mar-
riage with Mary Kuntz. who was born on .April 27. 1853. a daughter of the
Rev. J. G. and Helen (Aldman) Kuntz. Mary lived but six years after her
marriage, passing away in August of 1881. She had borne four children:
William, George, Emma and Henr\- \\'., tlie two first named jwssing awav in
infancy. Two years after her death, on Septemlaer 13, 1883. Mr. {•Roesener
was married to Mary Roesener, who was born in Sugar Creek township on
October 1. 1859, a daughter of .Anton and Fngel (Ostermeier) Roesener. both
of whom were born in Germany, the former in April, x^si-j, and the latter,
July 20, 1834. Anton Roesener died on October 13, 1859. and his widow
married Anton Roesener, now deceased, wiiile she still resides in Sugar Creek
township. By her first marriage, Mrs. Roesener became the mother of two
children, Anton and Mary, the latter now Mrs. C. H. Roesener, wife of the
immediate subject of this sketch. By her second marriage there were six
children : Christina, who died in infancy ; Charlie, Louisa, Annie. Emma and
Bertha, who passed away in childhood, while the others still survive.
For thirteen years after his marriage Charles H. Roesener rented the old
home place and after his father's death, he purchased the interests of the other
heirs. The place has been greatly improved untler his management, barns and
out-buildings have been erected and tlie house remodeled to a comfortable
seven-room residence. Mr. Roesener divides his attention between general
farming and the raising of live stock, being uniformly successful in both under-
takings. He feeds on an average of forty hogs for the market per year, favor-
ing the Poland China breed. He keeps from eight to ten cows, mostly Jer-
sevs. and eight head of good grade Norman horses. By his second marriage
Mr. Roesener has four children: Mamie, wife of William Roesener and the
mother of three children ; Arthur, Earl and Wilma, Lisetta, the second daugh-
10/6 HANCOCK COUXTV, IXDIAXA.
ter, resides in California; Edward married Hilda Markwortli and lias one
child, Frederick, while Anton died when three months of age.
Mr. Roesener and his family are meniljers of the German Lutheran church
and in politics he is a Democrat. He is one of the life-long residents of Sugar
Creek township who is held in the highest esteem by friends and neighbors.
AXTOX \V. SPILKER.
Among the successful and well-known citizens of Sugar Creek township
Hancock county, Indiana, none are more respected than Anton W. Spilker,
who is a life-long resident of this locality. His birth occurred on April 9,
1852, in Sugar Creek township, of this county, and he is the son of Christian
and Sophia (Steinmeier) Spilker. Christian Spilker was born in 1812, in
Germany, and immigrated to America when a young man, his marriage being
solemnized in Sugar Creek township, of this county. The parents of Sophia
Steinmeier were also pioneers of tliis locality. After his marriage, Christian
Spilker purchased one hundred and twenty-nine and one-half acres of land,
under the homestead law, located in the north half of section 7, in Sugar
Creek township, and here established a home in which his death occurred. He
built the original house of logs but later erected a three-room frame residence.
His wife preceded him in death about seventeen years, her death liaving oc-
curred in 1872. To them were born these children : Henry, who died in 1912 :
Christian. Charles ( deceased) : .\nton August, and two others who died in
infancy.
Anton \\'. Spilker was born on the family homestead where his boyhood
days were spent, receiving his education in the German school under the
instruction of the Rev. J- G. Kunz. Subsequent to his student days he assisted
his father with the work on tlie home place, which service fostered the desire
to follow agricultural pursuits on an independent basis. On November 2~.
1880, Anton Spilker and Ellen Rosener, daughter of Charles and Ellen Rose-
ner, were united in marriage and to them were born the children whose names
follow: Emma, wife of William Rodivald and the mother of one child, IMary;
Charles, who married Elizabetii Rader, now deceased, and is the father of one
child. Charles; Fredrick, who married and has one chilil, \'irgie Waxwell;
William became the husband of Lulu Schildmeier, and they are the parents
of one child, Anton Fredrick; Mary, .\lbert, John, who married IMalinda
Cook ; Nettie, Lula, who died at the age of eleven years ; Walter and Lewis.
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO77
Ellen (Rosener) Spilkcr was born on October 4, 1857, on the Rosener home-
stead, one and one-half miles southwest of the town of New Palestine, Indiana.
Her parents were natives of Germany and pioneers of Sugar Creek township,
Hancock county, Indiana. The father is still living but lier mother passed
away in h''ebruary. i()oo. They were the parents of the children whose names
follow: Christina, Ellen, Charles, Mary, Louisa, Henr}-, and two children
who died in early childhood. Ellen. Charles, Mary and Henry are the only
surviving children.
For twenty years after marriage Anton Spilker and his wife continued to
reside on the old home place, eventually taking possession of the Rosener
homestead which they had purchased prior to 1900. In addition to the farms
which he owns in Sugar Creek townsliip, of this county, Anton Spilker also
possesses fifty acres in Decatur township, Marion county, Indiana, making his
total holdings two hundred and si.xty-eight acres. This property is largely
devoted to diversified farming and to the raising of horses, cattle and hogs.
His agricultural interests have been augmented by the operation of a thresh-
ing machine which he has controlled for nearly fifteen years. Politically, he
is a stanch advocate of Democratic principles and always votes that ticket.
In religious matters he is a member of the German Lutheran church, which
denomination he earnestly supports.
WILLIAM G. SPILKER.
\\'illiam G. Spilker is one of tlie progressive young agriculturists of this
locality, and is well-known throughout Sugar Creek township. Hancock
county, Indiana. His birth occurred on July 8, 1885, on the farm which he
now owns, and he is the son of Anton and Ellen (Rosener) Spilker. who are
both natives of Sugar Creek township, in tliis county.
William G. Spilker spent his early childhood with his maternal grand-
parents, resuming his abode under the parental roof after he liad reached the
age of eleven vears. Until twenty years of age he continued to reside with
his parents on the old home place, wliich is located one and one-half miles
south of the town of Philadelphia, Indiana. Here he attended district school
No. 2, his first teacher being Miss Everson. He also attended the German
school for a period of tliree years, later returning to the school in Greenfield,
Indiana. After the completion of his education he assisted his father with
the work on the home place until twenty years of age. at which time he removed
1078 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
to Jennings county, Indiana, wliere he was employeil by Walter Scliildmeier
for two years. The two years following he spent in Ashton, South Dakota,
and the ne.xl winter in Seattle, \\'ashin.gton, subsequently residing in Cali-
fornia and Colorado for two years, after which lie returned to his home and
operated the place for one year.
On November 26, 1913, William G. Spilker and Lidu M. Schildmeier,
daughter of Anton F. and Catherine (Weber) Schildmeier, were united in
marriage and to tiiem has lieen born one child, Anton Fredrick, whose birth
occurred on February 2, 1915. Lulu (Schildmeier) Spilker is a native of
Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, Indiana, and was born on August
25, 1886. She is one of four children born to her parents, two of whom died
in infancy. \\'alter is the otlier surviving child. By a second marriage Anton
F. Schildmeier had a daughter, Marie. Almost immediately following his
marriage, William G. Spilker took up his residence on the old home place
where he has since continued to live. This place contains one hundred and
twent\--eight acres of well impr()\ed land and is devoted to the raising of gen-
eral crops, as well as to the raising of Percheron draft horses, cattle and hogs.
William G. Spilker is a member of the German Lutheran church, wliile
his wife is an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church of New Pales-
tine, Indiana. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat and is active in all local
elections.
CLARENCE R. STRICKLAND, M. D.
Dr. Clarence R. Strickland, one of the best-known and most successful
young jjhysicians in Indianapolis, is a native son of Hancock countv, having
been born in the city of (jreenfield, this county, May 18, 1882, son of Hamlyn
L. and Clara (New) Strickland, prominent residents of that city, the latter
of whom is still living there and the former of whom died in the spring of
1905.
Hamlyn L. Strickland was born in the old town of Centerville, in Wayne
county, Indiana, June 20, 1856, .son of Richard and Ann (Hamlyn) Strick-
land, the former of whom was a printer by trade, editor oi a newspaper at
Centerville and the publisher of various lodge papers. Hamlyn L. Strickland
was trained in mercantile pursuits and in the late seventies came to Hancock
county, settling at Greenfield, where he opened a grocery store which he con-
ducted for some years, later becoming buyer for a grocery firm in Indianapo-
lis and was thus engaged at the time of iiis death on Marcli 28, 1905, he then
BIOGRAIMIICAL. 10/9
beinji forty-nine years of age. Mr. Strickland was a man of wide interests
in this county and a figure of considerable force in the comnninity. Besides
his extensive business interests in Greenfield he was the owner of a fine farm
in Blue River township, this county, .and was quite well-to-do. He was a
public-spirited citizen and during his residence in Greenfield was one of that
city's most energetic and consistent "boosters." He was a Repulilican and
took an active interest in political affairs, hut never was an aspirant for
pul)Iic office.
On February i, 1880, Hamlyn L. Strickland was united in marriage to
Clara E. New, who was born in Blue River township, this county. December
3, 1859, daughter of William and Margaret (Sample) New, the former a
native of Indiana and the latter of Virginia. William New was born in the
town of Raleigh in liie neighboring county of Rush, but most of his life was
spent in Hancock county. He was a man of large interests, farmer, miller
and stockman and for years was regarded as one of the leading citizens of this
county. He was a Democrat and for many years served as a member of the
board of county commissioners and in other ways contributed of his energies
to tlie public welfare. He and his wife were members of the Christian I'nion
cluucli, the churcli building having been erected on their farm in Blue River
township. The last twenty-five years of William New's life were .spent in
Greenfield, where he was active in the general affairs of that city. He and
his wife were the parents of thirteen children. Andrew, James, John. Mary,
Cinderella, Albert, Clara. Julia. .Vsa, Matilda, Laura, Thomas and one who
died in infancy.
To Hamlyn L. and Clara E. (New) Strickland three sons were born.
Clarence R.. the subject of this biographical .sketch : Arthur E.. a coal dealer
with offices in the Traction Terminal building at Indianapolis and Russell
Hamyln, of Greenfield, who is engaged in the manufacture of "Rusco." a
substitute for coffee. These three brothers are all college graduates and Rus-
sell H. Strickland is the president of the Hancock County Alumni Association
of Indiana Uni\ersity. Mrs. Strickland still makes her home in Greenfield
and is interested in all community good works. She is an earnest worker in
the Bradley Methodist Episcopal church and is a past officer of several of the
guilds of that churcli. She is a charter member of the locally influential
Hesperian Club, has been president and vice-president of that club and one of
its most active workers. She also is a member of the Order of the Eastern
Star, in the affairs of which for years she has taken a warm interest.
Clarence R. Strickland was reared in Greenfield and received his ele-
mentary education in the public schools of that city. Following his gradua-
I080 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
tion from the high school he entered Butler College, but after three months
of attendance there transferred his attendance to DePauw University. After
three years of schooling there he became an accountant in the state school
for the blind at Indianapolis and was ihus engaged for something more tlian
two years, at the end of which time he entered Indiana University, from which
he was graduated in 1910 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and Doctor
of Medicine. Upon receiving his diploma Doctor Strickland was appointed
an interne in the Methodist hospital at Indianapolis, where he remained a
year. He then took a post-graduate course in tlie Medico-Chirurgical College
and the University of Pennsylvania, after whicli for six months he was
engaged as resident physician at the famous French Lick Springs hotel. He
then returned to Indianapolis, opened an office for the practice of his pro-
fession in that city and has ever since been very successfully engaged in prac-
tice there. Doctor Strickland has an admirably equipped office in the Hume-
Mansur building in Ohio street, one of his most recent equipments being a
bacteriological laboratory, tlie third such laboratory in the state of Indiana, for
the propagation of bacteria in the preparation of anti-toxic serums. Doctor
Strickland is a member of the Indiana State Medical Association and of the
American Medical Association rmd in the affairs of these two bodies takes
an active interest. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and takes a
warm interest in the affairs of that organization. As a member of the faculty
of the medical department of the University of Indiana, Doctor Strickland
is a valuable member of th^ staffs of the various hospitals in Indianapolis and
occupies a high place in the esteem of the medical profession in that city.
J.VMES B. ELLIXGWOOD, M. D.
James B. Ellingwood was born in Vernon township, two miles west of
Fortville, September 29, 1881, a son of Oliver and Adeline (Morgan) Elling-
wood, the former of whom was born at tlie old home place in X'ernon town-
ship, Hancock county, and the latter in Fall Creek township, Hamilton county.
Indiana. The paternal grandfather was Joshua Ellingwood. The maternal
grandparents were James and Sarah (Manship) Morgan, both natives of
North Carolina. They came to Indiana in 1828 and located on a tract of
government land in Fall Creek township, Hamilton county. There tiiey
established a liome and remained the rest of their days. James Morgan was
an old-line Democrat and very active in the affairs of his party; he was also
a prominent Baptist.
^r^CM.^.
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO81
The father of James Morgan, and great-grandfather nn tlie maternal
side, was Ehas Morgan: liis wife's maiden name was Elizal)eth Stafford,
both natives of Raleigh. North Carolina. They came to Indiana in i8j8.
and located on government land near Olio, Fall Creek township, Hamilton
county. He was a soldier in the Re\-iilutionary War, and also in tiic War
of 1812; served in Marion's cuniniand in the south during the Re\c>luti(in.
He was an old-line Democrat before and after coming to Indiana, a firm
believer in the political faith of his ancestors. The parents of Sarah { Man-
ship) Morgan were also natives (jf North Carolina, and came to Indiana in
1829, entering a tract of land adjoining that of the Morgans. Her father
was also a soldier in the Revolutionar\- War.
Samuel Dilley. a soldier of the War of 1S12. and the father of the pa-
ternal grandmother, came from Ohio in 1830. and settled on a farm near
Charlottesville, Indiana. He was wounded in action and was a cripple for
life. The farm is now owned by his daughter. The grandmother of James
B. Ellingwood was working at the present site of Fortville when the town
was laid out by Cephus Fort. Her mother was a Fort.
Oliver Ellingwood, father of the subject of this sketch, was educated
in the pul)lic schools and followed the occupation of farming. Until 1905
he lii-ed on the home place, a farm of eighty acres. Then he bought a farm
of eighty acres north of Fortville, in Madison county, where he now lives.
His wife died in August, 1914. Mr. Ellingwood uses modern methods in
farming and makes a specialty of corn growing, in which he is an expert.
His children are : James B., Sarah and Ernest, who is a teacher in Vernon
township, Hancock county. IMr. Ellingwood is a member of the Christian
church, as were his people before iiim.
James B. Ellingwood was educated in the public schools and in the high
school of Fortville, from which he graduated in 1901. He attended the Tri-
State Normal School for two years. He then entered the Physio-Medical
College, at Indianapolis, and completed the course of study and graduated
from that institution in 1907. Prior to that he had been engaged in teach-
ing in Fall Creek township and other places for two years or more. After
completing his medical course he was associated in the practice with physi-
cians in Indianapolis for about three years, then came to Fortville and has
since continued in the practice here.
On June 25. 1904, fames B. Ellingwood was married to Louisa Gold-
smith, of Fortville, a daughter of Cicero and Sarah Goldsmith, pioneer set-
tlers of Fall Creek township, Hamilton county. The children of this union
are: Ellen, Clarice, Mvra and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Ellingwood are mem-
I082 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
bers of the Christian church. His fraternal affiliations are with the Free and
Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights
of Pythias. He is a member of the National Physio-Medical Association, and
also a member of the local board of pension examiners. In 1916 Doctor
EllingAvood was a candidate for count)' commissioner on the Democratic
ticket.
W ILLIAM H. WARRUM.
William II. W'arruni was born in Green township, Hancock county, July
16, 1840, a son of James and Sarah ( Xew) \\'arrum. both born in Wayne
county, Indiana. James W'arrum's birthplace was in a blockhouse in use by
the citizens of Wayne county during the War of 1812. The paternal grand-
parents of \\'illiam H. ^^'arrum were Harmon and Sarah (Butler) Warrum,
both natives of Kentucky. They came to Indiana in 181 1 and settled in
Wayne county on one hundred and sixty acres of government land. Mr.
Warrum built a home here, cleared and improved the land and continued to
live here until the death o\ his wife. Some time afterward he sold his land
and was again married, and later moved to Hancock county, wliere he bought
a farm of two hundred and forty acres. On it he built the first frame house
in Hancock county, located on Blue river, near Wolf's mill. Later he sold
this land and bought two liundred and thirty acres in Green township. This
land he afterward gave to his sons and bouglit annther eighty acres in Center
township, near Greenfield, where he spent the remainder of his days. The
maiden name of his second wife was Marion ]ileek. Harmun \\arrum was
a soldier in the War of 1812.
The maternal grandparents were Daniel and Susan (King) Xew. both
born in Pennsylvania. In 1813 they removed to Fayette county. Indiana,
where they located on one hundred and sixty acres of government land. They
remained there until about 1820, when they removed to \\'ayne county.
Indiana, remaining there until aljout 1830, when they removed to Blue River
township, Hancock county, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land.
After the death of his wife Mr. X'ew removed to Iowa and bought a farm about
twelve miles west of Des Moines, and engaged in farming. He was again
married; Rebecca Ring was the maiden name of his second wife. Both died
at their home in Iowa.
James ^^'arrum, a brother of the paternal grandfather of William H.
Warrum, took a boat load of mules from ^^'ayne county, Indiana, to Xew
BIOGRAPHICAL. I083
Orleans in 1813. to sell to Southern planters. He went from there to South
America, but was never heard from after leaving Xew Orleans and notliinii is
known as to the success of his hazardous undertaking,
James Warrum came to Hancock county with his parents when he was
young. He was a farmer all his life. He had a farm of one hundred and
twenty acres in Green township, Hancock county, and died at his home on this
farm. He was a straightforward, honest, industrious man. and had the
respect of the community in which he spent his entire life. His children were :
William H., Elizabeth, Harmon, Amanda. Mary, Louisa, James, Daniel Jack-
son, Eliza and Serilda, who died at the age of twelve years.
William H. Warrum was educated in the public schools of Green and
Center townships. He taught school for two years. 1862-63. ^t the Michigan
scliool house in Green township. Tlie remainder of his active life has been
spent on the farm. In 1S93 he turned liis attention especially to dealing in
fine breeds of horses, making a specialty of stallions, draft and race horses.
In connection -with this business he carried on farming on his farms in Green
and Blue River townships, where he lived for about thirty years. In the
spring of 191 5 he retired from active business and is now living in Eden,
Hancock county.
On March 9, 1861, William H. Warrum was married to Martha Fry,
of Center township, Hancock county, a daughter of John Fry, one of the
old citizens of that township. The children of this marriage are: Barry W.,
John, Viola and James. Mr. and Mrs. Warrum were both members of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Warrum died on September 9, 1909. Mr.
Warrum's fraternal affiliation is with tlie Free and Accepted Masons. Politi-
cally, he is a Democrat, and was for fifteen years assessor of Green township,
Hancock countv.
FREDERICK H. HARMEXIXG.
Frederick H. Harmening. a native of Germany, was lx)rn on December
12, 1873, the son of Frederick Louis and Philabena Elnora (Schwartz) Har-
inening. Frederick Louis Harmening was born on Xovember 8, 1835, in Ger-
many, and died in Sugar Creek township. June 27,. 1907. He was the son
of Louis and Christina Harmening, both of whom lived and died in Germany.
Louis Harmening and wife were the parents of three children: Frederick
Louis, Christian and Christena. Frederick Louis was the only one of tlie
familv that came to America.
1084 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Frederick Louis Harmening spent his early life in his native country
where he was engaged in farming. There he was married to Philabena E.
Schwartz, who was born on October 31. 1842, and died on May i. 1904, in
Sugar Creek township. She was one of three children, two girls and one boy.
The brother met his death in an accident with a team of horses.
Mr. Harmening spent several years fishing on the Holland coast, where he
was successful, but believing in the opportunities of the United States he and
his family came to America in July of 1880. After landing in New York
they came directly to Indianapolis where the father was engaged for a time in
a planing-mill. He later moved to Julietta where he was employed by the
Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad Company. He remained there for
six years at which time he bought twelve acres in Sugar Creek township. He
made this his home until his death on June 23, 1907, his wife had died on
May I, 1904.
To Frederick Louis Harmening and wife were born the following cliil-
dren : Frederick H., Christian, Christina, Mary and Henry. Mary died in
infancy while Christian died in early childhood ; Christina is the wife of
Samuel E. Arthur.
Frederick H. Harmening at the age of seven years came with his parents
to the United States. He attended his first school in Germany, the remainder
of his education being received in Inchanapolis and in the schools of Hancock
county. As soon as he was old enough he was engaged by the farmers in the
neighborhood. He later was engaged in threshing for twelve years. On
December 14, 1902, he was married to Minnie Mary Roesener, who was born
on August 20, 1884. in Sugar Creek townsliip. She is the daughter of Chris-
tian F. L. and Ida Elnora Sopliia (Miller) Roesener. Her father is a native
of Sugar Creek township where he was born on April 24, 1847, being the son
of Christian and Sophia (Harmening) Roesener, both of whom were born
in Germany where they were married. Shortly after their marriage Christian
and Sophia Roesener came to America and settled in Sugar Creek township
where they were among the earliest settlers. Here they entered land and
made this their home for some years, after which they moved to near Irvington,
where they spent the remainder of their lives.
To Christian and Sophia Roesener were born the following children :
Christina, Christian F. L., Henry, Herman, Louisa (deceased), Sophia, Fred-
erick and William. The last two died in early childhood. Christian F. L.
Roesener spent his childhood on the farm. When his parents moved to
Irvington he accompanied them and at their deatli he returned to Sugar Creek
township where he was married to Ida Elnora Sophia Miller, who was born in
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO85
Indiana])c)lis. March 9. 1851, the daug-liter of Carl and Marj' (Roesener)
Miller, botli of whom were born in Germany. Carl and Mary Miller, after
coming to America, settled in Sugar Creek township. They entered land
and were among the early settlers, and liere they made their home the remain-
der of their lives. They were the parents of the following children: Ida
Elnora Sophia, Malinda, Mary, Matilda and Frederick. The family are all
dead with the exception of Matilda.
After the marriage of Christian F. L. Roesener he Ixjught the farm where
Frederick H. Harmening now lives and it is here tliat Mr. Roesener has made
his home since the death of his wife on July 15, 1900. To this union were
born the following children : Amelia, who died at the age of four years; Carl,
whose death occurred at the age of seven months; Julius, who died at the age
of two years, and Minnie Mar>', the wife of Frederick H. Harmening.
Since the marriage of Frederick H. Harmening he and his wife have lived
on the home farm of Mr. Roesener. In 1903 he bought thirty- four acres in
section 19, and in 191 1 he and his wife bought the home place of thirty-seven
acres. Here he does general farming and stock raising. He raises and fat-
tens about thirty hogs each year, besides his cattle and horses.
To Mr. and Mrs. Harmening have been born the following children : Carl
Frederick, born on Xovember 11. 1903; Irma Ida Christena, born on June i,
1905; Earl Jacob Samuel, born on September 13, 1907, and Margaret Mary,
born on November 30, 191 1. Mr. and Mrs. Harmening are members of the
German Lutheran church, being active in the church work. They have been
highly respected citizens of the township and county for nearly thirty years.
JUDGE EDWARD WEBSTER FELT.
The Hon. Edward Webster Felt, judge of the Indiana api:)ellate court,
former judge of the Hancock circuit court and for years one of Greenfield's
leading attornevs, is a \'irginian. having been born in Alleghany county, in
the Old Dominion state, Xovember 7, 1859, son of Sylvester W. and Rebecca
Jane (Latshaw) Felt, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter
of Pennsylvania.
Svlvester W. Felt was born in the town of Keene, New Hampshire. In
his earlv manhood he was engaged in railroad contracting and while thus
engaged was stationed for a time in Virginia, "where he married Rebecca J.
Latshaw, who was born in Pennsylvania, but who had been reared from girl-
I086 HANCOCK COLNTV, IXDIAXA.
hood in Alleghany county, Virginia. In i860 Sylvester W. Felt and his fam-
ily moved from Virginia to Indiana, settling in Wayne county, where for
about five years Mr. Felt was engaged in farming. He then moved with his
family over into Hancock county, locating on a farm in Center township,
where he remained until 1887, in which year he retired from tlie farm and
moved to Greenfield, where his last days were spent, his death occurring on
September 11, 1893. His widow is still living in that city and is hale and
hearty despite the fact that she is now eighty-five years of age. Sj'lvester
W. Felt was a man of wide information and ever kept abreast of the times.
He was a Democrat and during his residence in this county took an active
part in political affairs. For some years he served as assessor of Center town-
ship and in other ways did his part in the public service. He and his wife
were earnest members of the Missionary Baptist church and ever took an
interest in local good works. They were the parents of six children, namely:
Mary H., widow of James S. Clift, a farmer of Brandyvvine township, this
county ; Edward \\'. the subject of this biographical sketch ; Frank V., of
Greenfield, a well-known farmer of this county; Cora V., wife of Joseph M.
Fisk, a Center township farmer: John H., an architect, of Kansas City, Mis-
souri, and Minnie, who died when eight years old.
Edward W. Felt was but a babe in arms when his parents came to Indiana
from Virginia and he was about six years old when they came to Hancock
county and settled on a farm in Center township. He thus was reared in this
county and has taken an active part in its affairs since the days of his early
manhood. He received his elementary education in the district school in the
neigliborhood of his home and early began leaching school. He later entered
the Central Normal School at Danville, this state, from which lie was grad-
uated in 1884. Another member of that class was Samuel M. Ralston, who
also engaged in the practice of the law and l:>etween whom and Judge Felt
there has existed the firmest friendship ever since their school days. When
Samuel M. Ralston was inaugurated governor of Indiana in 191 3 it was Iiis
old classmate. Judge Felt, of the appellate court, who administered to him his
oath of office. Following his graduation from tlie normal school Mr.
Felt was engaged as a teacher in the city schools. The next year he married
and in pursuance of a design entertained since his boyhood, entered seriously
upon the study of law in the office of James A. New at Greenfield. Two
years later, in 1887, he was admitted to practice and at the same time was
admitted to partnership with Mr. New. In January, 1889. Mr. Felt opened
an office of his own at the corner of Slate and Main streets, later moving to
the Dudding & Moore block and thence to the L. C. Thayer building. I'^or six
BIOGKAl'llR Al.. 1087
years from the latter part of 1889 he was in partnership in the practice of civil
law witli the late lion. U. S. JacKson. In i8()0 he was elected prosecuting-
attorney for the eighteenth judicial circuit and was re-elected in 1892, serving
four years in that office. In 1896 he was appointed county attorney and
served in that office for three years. In the campaign of 1900 he was made
the nominee of the Democrats of Hancock county for the office of judge of the
circuit court and was elected to that office, in wliich he served for six years,
thereafter declining a renomination. Without having made a canvass for
the nomination, Judge Felt was nominated by the Indiana Democratic state
convention in 1906 for the office of judge of the appellate court from his
district. The Democrats were unsuccessful that year, and in 1910 Judge Felt
again received the unanimous nomination of his party for the same office and
was elected. In 1914 he was elected to the appellate bench and entered u])on
his second term of four years on January i. 1915.
On April 17. 1885, Edward W. Felt was united in marriage to Martha
L. Thomas, who was born near Willow Branch, this county, daughter of
Alfred and Mary J. (Earl) Thomas, the former a native of Kentucky and tiie
latter of Ohio, but both earlv settlers of this count}-, and to this union five
children have been born, three of whom survive, Mable ;\I.. a graduate of
Butler College; Elsie l-i.. now a student at Butler, and Truman T., a student in
the Indianapolis high school. Judge and Mrs. l-'elt are members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church and are earnestly concerned in the various beneficences
of the same. For ten years, from 1899 to 1909, Judge Felt was president of
the Hancock County Sunday School Association and from 1902 to 1910 was
president of the Indiana State Sunday School Association. Since taking up
his residence in Indianapolis, Judge Felt has continued to manifest his warm
interest in church and Sunday school work and is now the president of the
Methodist Union, an organization representing all the Methodist churches in
Indianapolis, the design of which is to secure greater efficiency in the local
work of Methodism in that city. Judge Felt is a thirty-second tlegree Mason
and takes much interest in Masonic affairs. He was worshipful master of
Hancock Lodge No. loi, and is now a member of Irvington Lodge No. 666,
Free and Accepted Masons: high priest of Greenfield Chapter, Royal Arch
Masons; worthy patron of the Order of the Eastern Star at that place; a mem-
ber of the Greenfield Commandery. Knights Templar; a member of tlie
Indianapolis Consistory, Accepted Scottish Rite, and a noble of Murat Temple.
Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Indianapolis.
He also is a member of the Greenfield lodge of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, past chancellor of the lodge of the Knights «jf Pythias at that place.
IC88 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
and a member of tlie lodge uf the Inipii)\ed Order <if Red ]\Ieii al the same
place. Jtidge Felt for years has occupied a high position in the councils of
the Democratic party in Indiana and iiis voice has been heard on the hustings in
every campaign since 1886. In the years 1894-98 he was chairman of the
Hancock county Democratic central committee and has ever been a whole-
hearted exponent of the historic principles of his party.
LE\'I D. OLVEY.
One of tlie earlier families of Hancock county, noted for their public
spirit and splendid achiexement, is the Ohev family. The late Levi D.
Olvey, who was so conspicuously identified witli the l)est interests of Han-
cock county, was a memljer of this family. The history of this county would
be incomplete if mention were not made of tlie life of Levi D. Olvey, whose
life was a succession of splendid endeavor and notable achievement. Levi D.
Olvey was a native of Hancock county, born in Green townsliip, .\ugust 20,
1840, the son of Enoch and Martha (Denny) Olvey, lioth of wliom were
natives of North Carolina.
Enoch Olvey came to Hancock county at a xer)' early day and located
in tlie same section, part of wliich forms the home of the late Levi D. Olvey.
Enoch Olvey was a self-made made. In spite of the lack of brilliant education,
he forged ahead with an indomitable spirit and made a splendid success. He
was a devout and charitable man. Enoch Olvey was assisted by a splendid
helpmate, he having married Martha Denny, daughter of James and Fannie
Denny, before coming to Hancock county. On his arrival in Hancock county
he first entered land in Vernon township, which be later sold and bought the
farm which his father-in-law bad entered in Green township. This fami is
now part of the fami owned by Mrs. Levi D. Olvey. Enoch Olvey improved
his place in many ways. He built a substantial house and erected other
buildings as they became necessaiy. He was known as a substantial citizen
in all respects. A child born to Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Olvey was the first
person to be buried in the cemetery on the farm, which has since become a
public burial ground. Enoch Olvey and wife were members of the "Hard-
shell" Baptist church durin,g tlieir lifetime, in which they took much interest.
To them were born the following children, Diana. Jane, Elizabeth, Ransome.
who served in the Civil War; Noah, Nancy, Sarah Ann, Levi D., Lavinna.
Jasper and four others who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Olvey
LEVI D. OLVEY
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO89
passed the remainder <>f tlieir lives in Hancock counly, and they estaiilished
n name for q-,,,,,! citizenship, and were of tlie hest type of pioneers.
Le\ i 1). ( )Ivey was a man of tireless energy wiio lived constantly with a
purpose. His early training- was that of tiie averaoe farmer's son. He re-
ceived his education in the schools of his day and made the most of his limited
schooling. After leaving school lie ajiplied himself to the duties of the farm.
About the time of reaching his manhood, tlie Civil War had engulfed the
nation and young Levi Olvey enlisted for service in Company B. Twelfth Regi-
ment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, ?nd gave two years to the defense of his
country. .\t tiie end of his military service he returned home somewhat
broken in health. He went West about the time the Union Pacific railroad
was being started and was present when tlie golden .spike was driven that
celebrated the building of the first transcontinental railroad. He secured a
contract t^ furnish cross-ties for this railroad and helped materially in its
construction. While in the West he suffered many hardships, at one time
being almost frozen to death. He pitched his camp on the plains in the dead
of winter and the cold was so terrific his feet were frozen. His condition
was so bad the doctors wanted to amputate his legs, but he refused and e\enf-
ually recovered. He finally returned to Indiana, first buying a farm in Boone
county, and later returning to Hancock county, where he applied himself to
farming, gradually increasing his acreage until he had more than five hun-
dred and twenty acres. He was a good manager and mude a success of his
business of farming.
On Xovember 24, 1872, Levi D. Olvey was married to E]izal;elii Cauld-
well, wlio was born in Vernon township, Jruiuary 8, 1844, a daughter of
William and Sarah (Crim) Cauldwell. who were natives of Virginia. The
Cauldwells were of good sturdy old Virginia stock. David and Hannah
(Henton) Cauldwell, the grandparents, were among the earliest settlers in
\'ernnn township, coming from V'irginia during the early settlement nf this
state. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Levi D. Olvey were John and
Elizabeth (Copp) Crim, who were also from V'irginia, coming to Wayne
county, where they engaged in farming, and where they lived until their
deatli. William Cauldwell and wife lived in \'ernon township, where he had
entered one huntlred and sixty acres of land on coming from \'irginia. He
made his home in \'ernon township until his death. He and his wife were
devout and earnest members of the Episcopal chinch.
The late Levi D. Olvey was noted for his great fund of human sympathy
a.nd his great charity. Thirty-one years before his death he b.ecame a member
of the I'riends church. He gave the ground on which the church was built
(69)
&'
lOQO IIAXCOCK COUXTV, INDIANA.
and donated money for the erection of tlie building. He tool< pride in tiiis
church and in tlie cemetery, which he also donated. He devoted his own
tiiTie and money to nuike them attractive and in the cemetery many of his
friends were buried. It was his constant care to see that their last resting-
place was kept beautiful. In [Xjlitics, he was a life-long Democrat. Mr.
Oivey was called away to his eternal rest on the 22nd of Xovemljer. iqiT,,
survived by his faithful and loving wife and a daughter, Mrs, Fannie L.
Andis. Hancock county has had many noble sons, of none of whom she
should lie more proud than the late Levi D. Olvey.
Fannie L. Olvey was bom on November 13, 1878, and was married on
August 31. 1899, to George M. Andis. George M. Andis was Ijorn in John-
son county, Indiana, June 9, 1871, the son of Isaac and Mary (Myers)
Andis. Mr. and Mrs. Andis live with iVIrs. Olvey and Mr. Andis is manager
of the farm.
SAMUEL ALFORD.
Samuel Alford was born within half a mile of the place where he now
lives, in Green township. Hancock county, Indiana, January' 6. 1837. He is
a son of John L. and Eliza (Brawley) Alford. his father a native of West
Virginia and his mother of Darke county. Ohio. The paternal grandfather
was a farmer and lived and died in West Virginia. The maternal grandfather
was John Brawley, he and his wife both lived and died in Darke county. Ohio.
John L. Alford was educated in West Virginia, where he spent the years
of early manhood. About 1830, before his marriage, he came to Indiana and
located in Green township. Hancock county, where he entered a tract of one
hundred and sixty acres of government land, all of which was timber land
witli no cabin or house of any kind, anfl without any improvements. He built
a small log cabin in which he and his young wife began housekeeping. He
tlien began the arduous work of clearing his land and putting it in shape for
cultivation, adding to his cultivated fields from year to year until he had a
large acreage yielding bountiful crops. In the meantime he built a comfort-
able house for a residence and erected other necessary farm buildings. He
also added other acres to his land possessions from time to time until he had
accumulated a fami of more than three hundred acres. Here he remained
until his death : the death of his wife occurred about twenty years prior to
his own.
John L. Alford was the first justice of the peace in Green township.
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO9I
ri)!itic:!ll\ . he was nn ardent adxocate uf tlie ])iiiici])les i>t the old \\ hisf ])aily
in the days when that party was a militant organization in national politics.
When tlie W hi^ part\' was dissoKed he Ijecame identified with the Repuhli-
can party, and voted for all the candidates of that party for President, from
John C. Fremont, until the time of his death. He was the father of eleven
children. He and his family were menihers of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Samuel Alford received his education in tlie schools of Cireen township,
and spent his boyhood years working' on his father's farm. On attainingf his
majority he engaged in farming for himself, starting life in a log cabin. He
has at present ninety-four acres on whicii lie built a home, farm buildings, and
made all the other improvements. Mr. Alford was married in September,
1855, to Mary M. Fuqua, who was born in Kentucky and came to Indiana
with her parents. Perrv and .\merica (Taylor) Fuqua. They first located
in Putnam county. Indiana, and afterward came to Hancock county. Mrs.
Alford died in July, 1891. leaving the following living children: Marion B.,
Sheldon A., Cora B. and Cordelia; her other children. I^-ifayette. John L.,
William P.. Thomas M. and Eliza, are deceased.
Samuel Alford's second wife was Sarah A. Jackson, to whom he was
married on March 30, 1893. ^'""^ ^^'^^ ^"'" '" Madi.son county, Indiana, the
daughter of Andrew and Kechura (Bolden) Jackson, he a native of Indiana,
she of North Carolina. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Sarah A. (Jack-
son) Alford were Levi and Elizabeth (Harden) Jackson, of Kentucky, who
were among the pioneer settlers of Madison county. Indiana. Her maternal
grand])arents came from North Carolina and located in Hancock county in
the early times. Mrs. Alford's children by a former marriage were : Jennie,
Leonard, Cora and Agnes. Mr. and Mrs. Alford are members of the Meth-
ist Episcopal church.
CHARLES TITUS, M. D.
Dr. Charles Titus, of \\'ilkinson, one of the best-known and most success-
ful ph\sicians in Hancock county, is a native Hoosier, born in Madison county,
this state, February 14, 1870, youngest of the fourteen children born to
Samuel and Eliza (Seward) Titus, the former a native of the state of New
Jersey and the latter of Ohio, who settled in Indiana in the early forties and
spent the rest of their lives in this state.
Samuel Titus was bom in the town of Salem, New Jersey, in 1816 and
when fifteen years old went to Cincinnati, where he was engaged in the manu-
1092 HANCOCK COLXTY, INDIANA.
facture of brick until his marria^s^e. when about twenty-five years old. after
which, in 1841. he and his wife came to Indiana and established their home on
a farm near Markleville. in Madison county, becoming substantial and influ-
ential residents of the community in which they settled. Mrs. Titus, who
was born in Mt. Pleasant, a suburb of Cincinnati, in 1820, died in January,
1 87 1, and Samuel Titus survived her more than fifteen years, his death occur-
ring on June 9. 1886. They were earnest members of the Baptist church and
their children were reared in that faith. Samuel Titus was a progressive and
energetic farmer and left an estate valued, at the time of his death, at about
sixty thousand dollars, which today is worth three times that amount.
Charles Titus was but an infant when his mother died and was sixteen
years old when his father died. He was reared on the home farm and his
elementary schooling was obtained in the schools of Markle\i!!e. He then
entered Spiceland Academy, from which he was graduated in 1891, after
which he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. R. D. Hanna at
Warrington, this county. Thus equipped by preparatory study he entered
Bellevue Medical College at Xew York City and was graduated from that
institution in 1894. Upon receiving his degree Doctor Titus returned home
and in that same year was admitted to partnership with Doctor Hanna, his old
preceptor, at \\'arrington. This mutually agreeable partnership continued
until the death of Doctor Hanna two years later, in 1896, after which Doctor
Titus continued practice alone in Warrington until 1914, a period of about
twenty-two years, after which he moved to the neighboring village of Wilkin-
son, in order to enjoy the better facilities of waterworks and electric lights,
and has been practicing there ever since. Doctor Titus keeps fully abreast
of the latest advances in his profession and in 1902 took a post-graduate course
at the Post-Graduate Medical College at Chicago. Doctor Titus is a Demo-
crat, but has never taken an active part in political affairs. He and his wife
are members of the Baptist church and take a warm interest in local good
works.
Mrs. Titus, who is a most competent and valuable helpmate for the Doc-
tor, was Matilda Trees before her marriage and was born in the village of
Warrington, this county, July 28, 1877. daughter of William and Margaret
(McMahan) Trees, the former of whom was bom in this county and the latter
in the state of Xew York and both of whom are .still living. Mrs. Titus
received her schooling in Warrington and early evinced an unusual aptitude
for music. She was given a musical education in one of the leading conserva-
tories of music at Chicago and upon her return to Warrington began teaching
music and was thus engaged at the time of her marriage to Doctor Titus in
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO93
1914. Doctor Titus is a thirty-secoiul-degree Mason, a meniber of the Indian-
apolis Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and a Knight Templar, a
member of the commandery at Greenfield and Murat Temple. Ancient Arabic
Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the
Knights of Pythias and of the Odd Fellows and in the affairs of all these
organizations takes a warm interest.
GEORGE SPENCER WILSON.
George Spencer Wilson, superintendent of the Indiana state institute
for the education of the blind at Indianapolis, was born at Greenfield, this
county, September lo, 1858, son of John and Martha (Milton) Wilson, the
former a native of Ireland, of Scottish descent, and the latter of Indiana, of
Virginia colonial descent, for many years prominent and well-known residents
of Greenfield.
John Wilson was born in Moneymore, County Londonderry, in the north
of Ireland, April 11, 181 1, and attended school in the city of Londonderry for
a number of years. His parents were well-to-do residents of that city. He
was educated at Oxford L'niversity with a view to entering holy orders, his
great ambition having l)een to becume a minister of tlie Church of England,
with missionarv powers in behalf of tlie masses of British India, .\fter his
ordination he was detailed to a mission in India, luil his voice failing at that
time he was compelled to abandon his great ideal. In 1843 he came to the
United States and presently came to Indiana, locating in Greenfield, where he
spent the remainder of his life, one of the most highly esteemed residents of
that city. He became a naturalizetl citizen in i860.
Not long after coming to this state John Wilson married Martha Milton,
who was liorn in. Kentucky, July 26, 1825, and migrated to Rush ccninty,
Indiana, with her parents. She died at Greenfield in the fall of 1895. Mr.
Wilson survived his wife less than one year, his death occurring on April 8,
1896. He was accompanied to the United States by one of his brothers, whose
son, George B. Wilson, is now owner of the old homestead of President
Buchanan at Wheatland. Pennsylvania, the same furnishings that were used
there during the President's life time still being retained by the jiresent
occupant.
George S. Wilson was reared in Greenfield, llic city uf liis birtli, and
received his elementary education in the public schools of that city. He tiien
I094 HANCOCK COfXTV, INDIANA.
took a special course at Indiana University, after whicli he entered the ranks
of Hancock county's public school teachers. After teaching in district schools
for se\eral terms lie was appointed principal of the schools of Cleveland, this
county, and a year later was appointed principal of the schools at Cliarlottes-
ville. Two years later he was appointed principal of the schools at Fortville
and a year later became principal of the Greenfield high school, a position he
held for six years, at the end' of which time he was appointed superintendent
of the Greenfield public schools, continuing in that responsible position for
seven years, or until his appointment in 1898 to the position of superintendent
of the state school for the l)lind at Indianapolis, which highly important posi-
tion he ever since has held, during wliich time lie has become one of the best-
known educators of the blind in the United States.
In association with Thomas S. McAloney, superintendent of the Western
Pennsylvania institution for tlie blind, and H. Randolph Latimer, executive
secretary and head teacher of the Maryland school for the blind at Baltimore,
Superintendent Wilson is now engaged on the great and important task of
preparing a uniform system of type for the use of the blind, a new raised-
letter system that will affect every blind person who reads punctographic type.
This commission on uniform type for the blind was appointed in the summer of
1915 at a joint meeting of the American Association of Workers for tlie Blind
and the American Association of Instructors of the Blind. The work of
the commission consists of going over investigations and recommendations
already made by a committee of ten blind persons, who, after several years
of painstaking labor, originated a tentative uniform system of writing and
printing. Just how long the commission of three will be at work on the
project is not known. It will probaljly be a matter of years. But it is
expected in the end to be one of the greatest benefits possible for blind people
all over the world.
On February 11, 1893, George S. Wilson was united in marriage to Daisy
D. Steele, who was born in tliis county, daughter of Hans and Eliza A. (Jack-
son) Steele, the forjner of whom died in 1876, and the latter of whom, one of
the old residents of Hancock county, is still living at Greenfield, and to this
union four children have been born, namely: Miriam, a senior at Butler Col-
lege; lone, also a student at Butler; George, a student of the Indianapolis
grade schools, and Helen Louise, also in school. Mr. and Mrs. ^\'ilson are
members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Wilson is a Republican and a
member of the Columbia Club at Indianapolis. He retains liis membership
in the Temple Club at Greenfield and is a Mason and a member of the Knights
of Pythias, in the affairs of which organizations he takes a warm interest.
BIOGRAPHICAL. IO95
ROBERT F. WILSOX.
Robert F. Wilson was born in a log house thai stood in the same place
that liis present summer kitchen is iDcated. This log lumse was not a pre-
tentious structure, as compared witli the average farm residence of the pres-
ent time, but this was the kind of a house in wiiicli tlie ])ioneer settlers lived
and began the work of clearing the forests. In this kind of a house they
reared their families, usually large families, and trained their children to
habits of industry and self-dependence. Under sucli conditions and such
environments, Robert F. Wilson began his life, in 1S44. He spent Iiis boy-
hood days on the home farm, doing his share of a boy's work and, as he grew
older, made a "full hand" on his father's farm. After attaining his majority
he bought a farm of eighty acres, which he still owns, and on which he has
continued to make his home. He put up all the present Ijuildings on the
place and has all the needed improvements on the farm. He is engaged in
general farming, raising tlie varied crops for which liis farm is well adapted.
Robert F. Wilson has been twice married. His first marriage was to
Dorcas Walker, in 1870. There were no children by this marriage. His
second wife's maiden name was Luella Sullivan, who was ijorn in North
Carolina, to whom he was married in 1893. To this union the following chil-
dren were born: Euphemia, born in 1894: Marion, bom in 1896. Both of
these are at liome.
The paternal grandparents were RoI)ert and Sarah (Friend) Wilson, of
Xorth Carolina. They came to Indiana and were among the first settlers in
Green township, Hancock county. They located on forty acres of land near
that on which Robert F. Wilson now lives. They established a home here
and here they spent tlie rest of their days. The maternal grandparents were
Hugh and Sarah Bolden, also of Xorth Carolina. They also were among the
early pioneers of Indiana, settling on White Water River, in Hancock county,
and engaged in farming for several years. In later life they moved to town
and retired from active work.
Tlie parents of Robert F. Wilson were Samuel and Elizabeth (Bolden)
Wilson, both natives of North Carolina. Both came to Indiana with their
parents when they were young. Samuel Wilson had no education and grew
to manhood's estate without being able to read or write. After he was mar-
ried he was taught these accomplishments by his wife. He began farming
on forty acres of land which he entered from the government, the same tract
of land on which Robert F. Wilson now lives. He built a rough log cabin
which was without a door or chimney when he and his wife moved in and
1096 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
began housekeeping. Later he traded a horse for another forty acres across
the road, and some time later bought sixty acres west of tliis. Mr. Wilson
continued to live here until his death, which occurred about twenty-five years
before the death of his wife. Airs. Wilson insisted on living in the old log
house after her husband's death, and there she continued to live the remainder
of her days. The children of this family were : Frances. John, w ho died
young; Robert F., James, Noah, \A'illiam J. and Isabel.
DAVID OREX RECORD.
David Oren Record was born in Hancock county, near Eden, Indiana, on
January 9, 1877. He was the son of David and Alary (Jackson) Record, who
were the parents of eight children, only two of whom are living, David Oren,
who is the subject of this sketch, and Charles C, who is working with his
brother in the hardware business.
David Record, Sr., was born in Hancock county on February 18, 1833,
where he lived until his death in 1899. He had to walk a great distance to
the common schools where he received a fair education. He was engaged all
his life in general farm work. He was a Democrat in politics. He was mar-
ried to Mary Jackson, in Hancock county. She was born in Hancock county
on April 9, 1838, and was educated in the district .schools of that county. She
is still living with her sons in Willow Branch, Indiana. She is a member of
the United Brethren church.
David Oren Record, the subject of this sketch, secured his early education
in the district schools of Hancock county and later took up general farming
in which occupation he remained until in 1900. At that time he went into
the livery business in which he was very successful. In connection with this
livery business, Mr. Record entered into the general merchandise business with
Mr. Welborn at Willow Brancli. Tliis proved to be a successful partnership
which lasted for over three years, at tlie end of wliich time Mr. Record took
over the hardware and implement department. In this he has specialized and
has been very successful. He has the only hardware store in Willow Branch.
David Oren Record married Lora E. Bridges, who was born near War-
rington, Indiana, on Januarj- 27, 1880. She was the daughter of Franklin
M. and Hannah (Beaver) Bridges, who are the parents of five children and
who are still living on the same farm near Warrington, Indiana. To David
Oren and Lora E. (Bridges) Record were born the following children: Ruth,
BIOGRAPHICAL.
1097
who is eleven years old; Xaomi. who is seven years old, and l-"ern. who is five
years old. Mr. Record is a Democrat in politics and is a member of the
Knights of Pythias lodge, and has passed through the different chairs in that
lodge. Both he and his wife arc mcmhers of tlic Christian cluuch at Name-
less Creek.
JOHN CLAY WOOD.
John Clay Wood, a well-known and enterprising general insurance agent
at Wilkinson, this county, is a native son of Hancock county and has lived
here all his life. He was born in the city of Greenfield on October 30, 1873,
son of William Spencer and Martha Ann (Garriott) Wood, the former a
Virginian and the latter a native of this county, prominent and influential
residents of that city.
William Spencer Wood was born in Randoljjh county, Virginia (now
Barbour county, West Virginia), September 26, 1838, and was reared on a
farm in that county, remaining there until he came witii liis parents and their
eight other children to Indiana in i860, the family arriving in Hancock
county on September 30 of that year. On April 7, 1864, William S. Wood
was united in marriage to Martha Ann Garriott, of Warrington, this county,
who was born in that neighborhood. May 13, 1844. eldest daughter of the
Hon. William Lair Garriot, and a year later engaged in the grocery business
at Greenfield, where he was thus engaged until 1868, in which year he formed
a partnership with IMatthew L. Paulas in the general hardware and agricul-
tural implement business. Presently he bougiit his jiartner's interest in that
business and conducted the same alone until he sold it on July 13, 1874. On
January 4, 1875, he became one of the incorporators of the Citizens Bank of
Greenfield and was elected vice-president and a member of tiie board of
directors of the same. A\'illiam S. Wood died on Sejjtember 30, 1875. He
and his wife were the parents of four children, namely : John Clay, Olive
Frances, Sarah and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Martha Aim Wood was
married a second time and in the early eighties she moved with her family to
a farm near Cleveland, where she died on October 25, 1884. To her second
union was born one child, a daughter, who is now Mrs. Frank Gibbs, of
Greenfield.
William S. Wood was reared a member of the Misionary Baptist ciiurch,
but later became a member of the Christian church, with which his wife was
affiliated. He w-as a Mason and an Odd Fellow and was one of the ch.irtcr
IO()8 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
members of Eureka Lodge No. 20, Knights of Pythias, at Greenfield, instituted
in 1872, and was tlie first chancellor commander of tlie lodge. In 1874 he was
elected grand vice chancellor of the grand lodge of Indiana. Knights of Pyth-
ias, and took a very active part in Pythian affairs.
John C. Wood was nine years old when his mother and step-father moved
from Greenfield to the farm near Cleveland and he remained there until after
his mother's death. He lived in various counties of Indiana until lie entered
the employ of the S. R. Wells Window Glass Company, with which he
remained until 1901, in which year he became one of the number of employees
of that firm that organized the Co-operative Glass Company of Wilkinson
and established a glass factory on a site furnished by the town of Wilkinson,
the town also providing free gas for the enterprise, and he has lived there ever
since. In igo2 Mr. Wood engaged in the general insurance business at \\'il-
kinson and has ever since been very successfully engaged in that business,
writing practically all the insurance taken in that town. He is an independent
voter in local elections, but on national issues votes with the Prohibition party.
He and his wife are members of the Christian church and take an active inter-
est in the various l^eneficences of the same, as well as in all local good works.
Mrs. Wood, who before lier marriage was Addie Pearl Kitley, was born
on a farm in Marion county, this state, February 26, 1878, daughter and only
child of John and Sarah A. (Willett) Kitley. the latter of whom was born
in Hancock county on August 20, 1844, and to this union four children have
been born, ^^'illis Xile. (ilenn Hearst, Charles .\. and Martha Pearl. Mr.
Wood is a past officer of the Amalgamated Window Glass Workers and is a
member of the Masonic lodge, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the
Knights and Ladies of Honor, the Improved Order of Red Men and of the
Modern Woodmen of America, in the affairs of all of which organizations he
takes a warm interest.
BENJAMIN PICKERING CATT.
Benjamin Pickering Catt, a well-known and up-to-date farmer of Blue
River township, this county, is a native Hoosier, born in the neighboring
county of Rush, September 12. 1846, son of Solomon and Cerena (Pickering)
Catt, who became early residents of the Hopewell neighborhood in this county
and there spent their last days.
Solomon Catt, the son of one of the earliest settlers fn Hancock county,
was born on a pioneer farm near the present site of Cleveland, in this county,
BIOGRAPHICAL. lOyg
in 1818. He was reared tliere, but later went o\er into Rush county, where
for some years he was engaged in the cooperage business. There lie married
Cerena Pickering, who was born in Ohio and whose parents had settled in
Rush county at an early date. As a cooper Solomon Catt accumulated eight
hundred dollars and in 1854 came with his family over into Hancock county
and paid that sum for eighty acres of land in the Hopewell settlement, giving a
shot-gun for "boot." There he erected a hewed-log house and established
his home, he and his wife spending the rest of their lives in this county. In
addition to the labors of clearing and improving his farm, Solomon Catt con-
tinued for some time after settling here to ply his trade as a cooper and manv
barrels were turned out of the shop he set up on his place. He increased his
land holdings and presently became the owner of one hundred and twenty
acres surrounding his home. He and his wife were earnest members of the
Friends church and aided in the organization of the ciiurch in the vicinity of
their home, Mr. Catt shaving the boards that entered into the construction of
the first edifice erected Ijy that meeting. He also was one of the first officers
of the meeting and in all ways did well liis ])art in the formative period of the
now well-established community. Originally a ^^'hig, he became a Republi-
can upon the formation of that party and ever remained stanchly loyal to the
principles of his party. Solomon Catt lived to a good old age, his death occur-
ring in August, 1901. His widow survived him for thirteen years, her death
occurring in 1914, she then being eighty-eight years of age. Tliey were the
parents of eight children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the seventh
in order of birth, the others being as follow: Rebecca Ann, who died about
thirty years ago ; Lucinda, who married Joseph L. Binford and died about
1908; Eli O., who lives in tliis county: Harvey, who lives in Rush county:
Mark A., living in North Dakota : Riley A., a resident of this comity, and
Nathan, who went to the front as a soldier of the I'nion during the Civil
War, enlisting when he was sixteen years of age, and died of typhoid fever
at Murfreeslxiro while in the service.
Benjamin P. Catt's early youtii was spent at Knightstown. where his
father conducted a cooper shop, and there he received his first schooling in a
log school house which stoixl where the ]iresent central school building at
Knightstown stands. He was eight years old when his parents came over
into Hancock county and his schooling here was continued in the school estab-
lished at Hopewell by his mother's brother, William Pickering. He was an
active assistant in the work of developing the home farm and grew up strong,
active and vigorous. Benjamin Pickering Catt went west and was away from
tiie old home for twentv-five vears, at the end of which time he returned and
IIOO HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
bought twenty-five acres of land, where he now lives, paying for the same one
thousand dollars. He later added an adjoining tract of fifteen acres and to
that, presently, another tract of forty-four acres. For the last four-acre
tract he added to his place he paid the sum of eight hundred and twenty-five
dollars. Mr. Catt is a progressive and up-to-date farmer and his place is
admirably improved. He has a modern nine-room house, piped for gas;
cement walks about the place ; a wind-mill and farm buildings in keeping, and
his farm is under excellent cultivation.
Mr. Catt is a birthright member of the Friends church and has always con-
tributed to the support of the same. He is a Republican and has always sup-
ported that party. During the ascendancy of the Populist party he was
appointed a delegate to the Omaha convention of that party which gave \\"ill-
iam J. Bryan the nomination for President, but he declined to accept the honor.
JOHN F. JOHNSON.
John F. Johnson, for years one of the leading merciiants of Fortville, this
county, president of the First National Bank of that city, for twelve years or
more a member of the local school board and in all ways interested in the
promotion of the best interests of liis home town, is a native of Ohio, but has
been a resident of Fortville ever since beginning his business career and lias
long Ijeen thoroughly identified with the business interests of that thriving
little city and with those of central Indiana in general. He was bom on a
fann in Van Wert cnunty. Ohid, June 2R. 1873. ^''^ father, Wilson Johnson,
was born in Salisbury, North Carolina, and his mother, Calinda J. ( Mills)
Johnson, in \'an Wert county. Ohio.
Wilson Johnson was but a boy when his parents moved from North
Carolina to Van Wert county, Ohio, and there he grew to manhood on a
farm. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted for service in Company G.
Fiftieth Regiment. Ohio \^olunteer Infantry, and served with that command
until mustered out at the close of the war. After his marriage he lived on a
farm in \'an Wert county for some years and then moved to W'illshire, in that
same county, where for some years he conducted a dry .goods store. He later
engaged in the mill and elevator business. He died in May. 1879. His wife
died in March, 1913. They were the parents of two scuis, John F. and Walter
P. Johnson, the latter married Lulu B. P)ean and lives in Adams county,
this state.
BIOGRAPHICAL. IIOI
John F. Johnson was reared in liis native county in Ohio and received
his elementary education in the public schools of W'illsliire. supplementing the
same by a course in the Scliool of Pharmacy at Ada. Ohio, from which he was
graduated in 1894. In i8()7 Ik- came to Hancock county and located at Fort-
ville, where he opened a drug store, and has ever since been engaged in the
drug business in that city, long having been regarded as one of the leading
merchants of that place. Mr. Johnson has given close attention to the general
business conditions of his home town ever since locating there and since the
year 191 1 has been president of the First National Bank of Fortville.
On October 20, 1897, John F. Johnson was united in marriage to Ada
R. Bobilya, daughter of George L. Bobilya and wife, of Willshire, Ohio, and
to this union four children were l)orn. Valeria M., Bessie G., Velma Jane and
Margaret Irene. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church and take a proper interest in the various beneficences of the same,
as well as in local good works generally, ever earnest promoters of all move-
ments designed to advance tlie welfare of the community at large. Mr. John-
son is a Mason and an Odd Fellow and takes a warm interest in the affairs
of these two popular organizations.
MACK ^^^\RRUM.
Mack Warruni, sheriff of Hancock county, is a native son of this county
and a member of one of the first families to settle in this section of the state.
He was born on a farm in Jackson township, December 7. 1870, son of Noble
and Maria n\'ood) Warruni. ihe former a native of Indiana and the latter
of Virginia.
Noble W'arrum was born on a pioneer farm near tlie then village of Rich-
mond, in A\'ayne county, this state, on July 8, i8r8, and was but a lad when
his parents came over into Hancock county, where his father entered for set-
tlement the first bit of "Congress land" ever homesteaded in this county and
established liis liome in the then wilderness of Jackson township. Grandfather
Harmon Warruni was an energetic pioneer and prospered in his land ventures,
as did his son. Noble, the latter eventually becoming the owner of thirteen
hundred acres of land in this county. Harmon \\'arrum entered claim to the
last bit of government land open in Hancock county. Noble Warrum main-
tained his home in Jackson township until his retirement from the active duties
of the farm, wlien he moved to Greenfield, where he spent his last days, his
II02 HANCOCK COUNTY^ IXDIAXA.
death occurring on February 9, 1899. Noble W'arrum was thrice married,
his first wife, who was Rosanna WilHams, daughter of Richard \\'ilhams. and
whom he married on February 16, 1842, dying on August 27, 1862, leaving
one son, Richard, who is living in Greenfield. On April 18, 1863, he married,
secondly, Maria A. Wood, who was born in Virginia, daughter of W'yttee
Wood, and who died on December 2"], 1873, leaving three sons and one daugh-
ter, Noble, Henr\-. Mack and Roseann, the latter of whom, born in 1868, died
at the age of nineteen years. On December 19, 1877, the senior Noble \\^ar-
rum married Mary Jane Cory, daughter of Adam Cory, of Madison county,
this state, who died in 1903 without issue. The sons of Noble and Maria
(Wood) Warrum have all done well and Iiave made their mark in public life.
The junior Noble \\'arrum, born in 1865, is now postmaster of Salt Lake City,
Utah. Henry Warrum. born in 1867, is one of the best-known lawyers in
Indianapolis and Mack is sheriff of Hancock county. Their father was a
Democrat of the true Jefferson-Jackson school and they were reared in that
political faith. Even before he was "of age" the elder Noble Warrum was
appointed, in 1839, assessor of Hancock county and had to wait until he had
attained his majority before he could enter upon the duties of the office. Four
years later he was elected to succeed himself as assessor and during his long
incumbency in that office did a good work in this county. In i860 he was
elected to represent his district in the lower house of the Indiana General
Assembly and was afterward thrice re-elected to a seat in tlie House, his long
legislative service pro\'ing of great value to his constituents and to tlie state at
large. In 1856 he became a Mason and ever thereafter took a warm interest
in Masonic affairs. He was a Universalist in his religious faith.
Mack Warrum grew up on the old home in Jackson township, receiving
his early education in the district school in the neighborhood of his home, sup-
plementing the same by a course'in the Greenfield liigli school, after which he
went West to "grow up with the countr}-" and traveled for a year, gaining a
rather comprehensive acquaintance with the Western conditions. He then
returned home and in 1889, he tlien being nineteen years of age, enlisted in tlie
United States regidar army, in which he served for three years, seeing service
first at Columbus, Ohio, and tlicn witli Battery I. i-"iftli Artillery, at Alcatraz,
near San Francisco. Upon the termination of his term of service in Sep-
tember, 1891, he returned home and for some time was variously engaged,
including a few years spent as a "lumber jack" in the Micliigan woods. In
1897 Mr. Warrum was united in marriage in Greenfield to Annie Farrell, who
was born in New York City on March 13, 1880. and who had accompanied
her father, William Farrell, to Greenfield when he arrived there to take
BIOGRAPHICAL. I IO3
charge of the work of coiislructing the court house. The next year tlie Span-
ish-American War broke out and Mack Warrum enlisted for service in Com-
pany F, One Hundred and Fifty-eightli Regiment, Indiana Vokmteer Infantry,
with which he served, as a part of the Second I'rigade, until the regiment was
mustered out at Indianapolis on November 4, following. I'pon the conclusion
of his military service Mr. \\';irruni moved onto a farm lie liad meantime
acquired in Blue River township, this county, where he lived until 1909, in
which year he bought another place over in Sugar Creek township, to which
he moved, and there he remained until the time of his election to the office of
sheriff of Hancock county in 1912, when he moved to Greenfield and occupied
the sheriff's residence. Sheriff Warrum was re-elected in 1914 and is now-
serving his second term. Sheriff Warrum is a Democrat and is a member of
the Elks, the Eagles, the Red Men and the Haymakers. He and his wife are
attendants at tlie Cliristian churcli.
CHARLES L. TINDALL.
Charles L. Tindall is of Scotch-Knglisii' descent. The very early history
of the family has never Ijeen traced. Mr. Tindall's great-grandfather, George
Tindall, was a soldier in tlie War of 181 2. His grandfather. John W. Tindall,
was a native of Ohio and moved to Wayne county, Indiana, about 1821. John
T. Tindall, his father, was born on February 5, 1844, in Wayne county,
Indiana. His mother, Mary E. Tindall, was a daughter of Johnson and Eliza-
beth Evans, was born on July 22, 1853, in Marshall county, Indiana. John T.
Tindall and Mary- E. Evans were married on December 29, 1870. at Plymouth.
Indiana, and established their home at Greenfield in January, 1871. They
are the parents of six children, four daughters and two sons. Charles L.
Tindall is the oldest son. He was born at Greenfield, July 21, 1877, and has
lived all his life in his native city. He was educated in the public schools of
Greenfield, and graduated from tlie Cireenfield high school in June, 1894. For
a period of five years thereafter he found emi)loyment at the foundr\- of the
Home Stove Company, at Greenfield, learning the trade of stove mounting.
In July, 1899, he began reading law in the office of Edward W. Felt. After
three or four months he entered the law office of Marsh & Cook, where he
remained as a student until the fall of 1901. He was admitted to the bar.
April 23, 1900. upon motion of William Ward Cook. In the fall of 1901 he
entered the senior class of the law department of the Lniversity of Indianapolis,
II04 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANxV.
graduating on Mav 23, 1902. He opened a law office in Greenfield in June,
following, and has since tliat time been engaged in the practice of his profes-
sion. During the past five or six years he has been engaged in the practice
with his brother, George Tindall. under tlie firm name of Tindall & Tindall.
In 1904 he became the Democratic candidate for prosecuting attorney of the
eighteenth judicial circuit, and was elected, receiving a greater majority than
anv other candidate on the ticket. He was re-elected in 1906, and served until
January i, 1909. As prosecutor, he was fearless and aggressive, and at the
close of his service in this office his reputation as a trial lawyer was estab-
lished. In the constellation of trial lawyers of the Hancock bar, his star has
taken its place with those of Walpole, Gooding, Offutt and Cook. He is
resourceful and industrious, and as a master of trial tactics, piobably has few
superiors in tlie state. From 1910-14 he served as city attorney of the city of
Greenfield, and in August. 1915. was elected a member of the Greenfield
school board.
Charles L. Tindall was married on October 23, 1907, to Goldendean Fin-
ley, of Greenfield. His home has been blessed with two children: Charles
George, age six years, and Evelyn, age five years. Fraternally, Mr. Tindall is
affiliated with the Masons, Odd Fellows, Red Men and Knights of Pythias.
He is a memljer of the Presbvterian church.
I HOX. WILLIAM R. HOUGH.
No biographical histoiy of Hancock county would be complete without
fitting reference to the life and the services of the Hon. William R. Hough,
a venerable and highly respected citizen of Greenfield, and who for many
years was regarded as a leader of the bar of the Hancock circuit court, a
former state senator and ever foremost in ])romi iting the best interests of the
community of wliich he has l)een a very \ital factor since the year 1S36. a
period of six decades, during whicli time lie lias been a witness to, and an
active participant in. tlie wonderful development that has marked tliis region
within tlie past generation or more.
William R. Hough was l)orn in Wayne county. Indiana. October 9.
1833, .son of Alfred and Anna 1 Marine) Hough, and was reared in Elkhart
county, this state, to which place his i)arents had moved when he was a child.
He received an excellent education in his youth and his attention early was
attracted to the legal profession. After having taught school two winters
)\^m--^
BIOGRAPHICAL.
I 105
in Lagrange county, ni pursnance of his design In lake up liu- praclice of law.
he entererl tlie office of Caj)!. Rculien A. Kiley, at Greenfield, in \H^(). he
then being in the Iwcnty-third year of his age. and under t'.ial careful pre-
ceptorshi]) was presently competent to take the recjuired e.xamination for ad-
mission to the bar. In 185S and 1.S59 he acted as school examiner, iiaving
been appointed to that office for each of said years by the bo.ird of commis-
sioners of this county. Upon being admitted to practice he continued his
residence in (ireenfield and very soon was recognized as a forceful figure
at the bar of this cuTuit. In iS()o Mr. Ilough was elected district attorney
for the district comprising Hancock, .Madison, Henry, Rush and r>ecalur
counties, and for the term of two years jn-osecuted the ])leas of the state to
the satisfaction of all law abiding citizens. In 1872 be was elected, as the
nominee of the Republicans of the senatorial district then comjxjsed of Han-
cock and Henry counties, to a seat in the ui)j)er bouse of the Indiana General
Assembly. While sitting in the senate Mr. Hough ])erf(nined an admnable
ser\"ice. not only in behalf of bis district, but for the state at large, and was
regarded as one of the leaders in that body. .Mr. Hough was an able lawyer
and during the long period of his practice at (Ireenfield was \er\- successful.
In 1888 he admitted to partnershi]) with bim his s^n. William A. Hough,
who was admitted to the bar in that year, and a few years later, having ac-
cjuired an ample competencx', he retired from the general practice of the law.
but contiinied as local counsel for the I'eimsyhania Railway Companv, a
position which be has held since September, 1876. Since that time he has
been living quietly retired at his pleasam home in Greenfiekl, where for many
years he and bis wife enjoyed countless cvitlences of the higli regard in which
they were held throughout the entire comnnmity. Mrs. Hough died <jn June
26, 1900.
Mrs. Hough, who before her marriage was Matilda C. McDowell, was
born near Edinburgh, Scotland, coming to America with her widowed mother
and famih- when she was a young girl. To her um'on with Mr. Hough three
children were born. William .\., a prominent attorney of Greenfield, a bio-
graphical sketch of whom is presented elsewhere in this volume; Clarence .\..
of Chicago, and Marv Mabel, who died at the age of .■^even years. Mr. and
Mrs. Hough were for many years, as since her death he has l)een, earnest in
all good works hereabout and have done much to promote the better interests
of their home commumty. Though not actively affiliated with any of the
organized church bodies, .\lr. Hough ever has been a liberal contributor to
church and other local beneficences and has done much to help elevate
the social and cultmal life of the commtmity. Mr. Hough has been an active
(70)
II06 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
member of the Republican party from tlie time of its organization, tlis
religious opinions more nearly accord with doctrines of the Unitarian church
than any other. He is a member of the ]\Iasonic fraternity and was for many
rears in affiliation with the Odd Fellows.
MATTHEW L. FRANK.
Matthew L. Frank, son of Matthew S. and Nancy (Loy) Frank, was
born in Mercer county. Ohio, April i, 1842: his father was born in New York,
his mother in Ohio. The maternal grandfather was Cieorge Loy, who was a
farmer in Ohio and died at his home near Sunbury, in this state. Matthew
S. Frank came to Ohio with -his mother and located near Sunbury. There he
married and located on a tract of government land in Mercer county and
engaged in farming, being one of the pioneer settlers of that county. A con-
siderable part of the land on whicli he settled was lieavily timbered and required
mucli labor to clear and put in shape for cultivation. He was a very success-
ful farmer and accumulated a large body of land during his life. He was the
owner of one entire section, six hundred and forty acres, and one hundred and
twenty acres in anotlier section. Mr. Loy died at his home at this place; his
wife died some years later at the home of her son. the subject of this sketch,
at the age of eight\-five years. He and his family were members of tlie
Methodist Episcopal churcii. He had a family of eight children, four of whom
grew to maturity, namely : Elizabeth, Nancy, George and Matthew L.
Matthew L. Frank was educated in Mercer county, Ohio, in the days of
the log school house. During his school days he worked on his father's farm,
and afterward engaged in farming on his own account on a farm of one hun-
dred and sixty acres which he purchased in Mercer county. In 1870 be sold
that place and came to Indiana, and bought a farm of one hundred and fifty-
seven acres in Green township. Hancock county. He afterward bought addi-
tional laufl and now owns two hundred and sixty acres. He put up a good
house and other buildings and has continued to live here ever since. He is
now practicallv retired from active farm work but continues to have general
management of his farm. He was married on April 12, 1863, to Matilda
Johnston, daughter of James Johnston and wife, both of whom were born in
Ireland. The children of this marria,ge are: Johnston H., whose biographical
sketch appears in another place in this volume, and Laura Bell Keller. Mr.
Frank is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
BIOGRAPHICAL. IIO7
James Johnston, father of Airs. .Matthew L. I'Vank, was a son of James
and Lutitia (Brownlee) Johnson, natives of Ireland. His father and
mother never left their native country. James Johnston was reared and edu-
cated in Ireland, working on a farm until he grew to manhood's years. He
continued to live in Ireland several years after his marriage. He came to
America in 1851, bringing his wMfe and a family of eight children. He first
located near Piqua, Ohio, and engaged in farming. There his wife died, and
soon after he removed to Mercer county, Ohio, where he had a farm of one
hundred and sixty acres. He continued to make that place his home until his
death. He had a brother, Matthew, who preceded him to America, bringing
with him his wife and five children. They also located at Piqua and all died
there. The Johnsons were Episcopalians, except Mrs. Frruik. who is a mem-
ber of the United Brethren church.
GEORGE ^^^ bratten.
George \V. Bratten was born on April 1 1, 1850, in Ripley county, Indiana.
He is the son of William D. Bratten and Martha (Rounds) Bratten. William
U. Bratten was born near Baltimore, Maryland. He was a farmer and moved
to Ripley county when a small child. He was the owner of a tract of land.
He was a member of the Baptist church. He was twice married. His first
wife, who w-as the mother of the subject of this sketch, was Martha Rounds,
who was a daughter of Joshua Rounds. He also moved to Ripley county and
was a landowner. He was a member of the Baptist church. William Bratten,
the father of William D. Bratten, was born in Maryland and after his marriage
he moved his family to Ripley county, Indiana. He was the owner of about
three hundred acres of land, and was a member of the Baptist church. The
children of William D. Bratten and his first wife are as follow- : Julia, who is
deceased :Joshua. lives in Harrisonville, Missouri ; Martha, who is deceased ;
Rosella, who is deceased; George W., the subject of this sketch, and Elizabeth,
who is deceased. William D. Bratten married Mary Bielby, a widow, whose
maiden name was Dixon, for his second wife, and the children by the second
wife are as follow: Sarah, William, Orange and Geneva, who is deceased.
William D. Bratten was a member of the Milan Lodge No. 41, Free and
Accepted Masons. He died about 1878.
George W. Bratten was educated in the common schools in Ripley county.
He was married in Marion county and lived there until about 1890, when he
1 lo8 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
moved to Buck Creek township. Hancock county, where he bought a tract of
forty acres of land whicli he soltl in 1906. He now owns a tract of eighty
acres in Vernon township, Hancock county, and does general farming. He is
a member of the Christian churcli at Oaklandon. He is also a member of Oak-
landon Lodge No. 140. Free and .Accepted Masons. He was married on
December 26, 1879, to Mary J. Lingle. who was lx)rn in Ripley county, Xovem-
ber 23, 1857, and who is the daughter of John and Mary A. (Williamson)
Lingle. John A. Lingle was a merchant at I'ierceville, Indiana. Their chil-
dren were Sarah, :NLircellus. Mary -A.. Jeptha and John. The grandfather of
the wife of the subject of this sketch was Lawrence Lingle, who moved from
South Carolina to Indiana. He was a farmer and a member of the Presby-
terian church. He married Elizabetli Mock. Tlie dnUhen of George \V.
Bratten are William D.. Theodosa, Fred W. and Guy G.
OTTO SCHRAMM.
Otto Schramm, one of the liest-known citizens of Sugar Creek township,
Hancock county, Indiana, resides on his e.xcellent farm in that township which
has the distinction of having always been the property of the Schramm family.
It was pre-empted from the government ])y his grandfather. Jacob Schramm,
the original deed ct)nveying to him being signed by President .Andrew Jack-
son. This land, which was tlien a complete wilderness, has through the years
been brought up to a high state of cultivation and the primitive cabin home has
given place to a modern nine-room residence. This residence was erected in
later )ears In- the original owner, but lias been modernized by the present repre-
sentative of the family.
Otto Schramm first saw the light of day on this old homestead, which is
about four miles northwest of New Palestine, on May 28, 1878, son of Gustav
and Nannie ( Rosener) Schramm, fnistav Schramm was born on the same
place, October 6, 1838, and died at Cumberland, March 18, 191 2, at the age of
seventv-four vears. His wife, Nannie Rosener, was born on January 21, 1846,
and died on June 30, 1907. when si.\ty-one years old. Gustav Schramm was
a son of Jacob and Johanna ( Yunghans) Scliramm. both of whom were Unn
in Germany, where they married, and immigrated to this country about 1832.
Otto Schramm passed his boyhood and youth on the old liomestead. pur-
suing his studies at the German school and after completing his studies at tliat
institution, he graduated in the common schools. He remained at liome, assist-
BIOGRAPHICAL. IIO9
ing his father and did not marry until thirty years of a,e:e. On June 21, 1908,
he was united in matrimony with Amalia Markworth, horn at Wyandotte,
Micliigan, near Detroit, December 6, 1884, a daughter of Godfrey and Marie
(Brinkmeir) Markwortli. Godfrey Markw<irtli is a native of Perry county,
Missouri, wliile his wife was born in Germany, and hntli now make their home
with Mr. Schramm. After marriage Otto Schramm 1)rought his bride to tlie
old homestead and there tliey have continued to reside. P'our children have
been born to them: Armin, lx)rn on May 2. 1909; Esther, July 26. 1910;
Norma. January 24, 1913, and Gustav, February 11, 1914.
Mr. Schramm carries on general farming along methods most approved
by scientific investigation and attributes his success in his business to tiie fact
that he keeps the fertility of his land up to the liighest standard by feeding all
the grain produced on the place and selling the live stock. He averages aliout
thirteen head of dairy cattle, some of which are high grade Polled Durhams.
keeps six to eight head of good grade Percheron draft horses and feeds
annually for the market about si.xty hogs. By balancing his grain production
and live stock in the manner descrilied. he keeps his land in excellent condition
and liis yield per acre of corn and otlier grain runs a little higher than the
average.
Mr. Schramm and his family are members of the German Lutheran
church, which society he has served as treasurer and trustee. Politically, he
gives his support to the Republican jiarty, but is really independent in his
inclinations. He takes more than a passive interest in pul)lic affairs and has
served as secretary-treasurer of the German Mutual l-'ire Insurance Company.
In all things he is highly progressive and respected by all who have the pleas-
ure of his acquaintance.
WILLI. \.M THOMAS COOPER.
\\'illiam Thomas Cooper was born in Green township, Hancock county.
January 15, 1867. He is a son of William and Miami (Cass) Cooper, both
natives of Xorth Carolina. His patemal grandparents were N'ercent and
.\lmira Cooper, the grandfather a native of North Carolina, the grandmother
of Ohio Thev came to Indiana at an early day and were among the early
settlers of Hancock county. The elder Cooper entered government land in
Green township, all of which was timber land without improvements of any
kind. He built a cabin and l;egan life in Indiana in the woods. He cleared
the land of the hea\ v growth of timber, built a comfortable house in which
mo HANCOCK COUXTY, INDIANA.
to live and put ii]) all the otlier buildings on this fann. He added other acres
to his real estate holdings from year to year and at the time of !iis death he
was the owner of a bodv of land comprising three hundred and fifty acres.
The maternal grandparents were also among the early settlers of Green town-
ship. Hancock county.
William Cooper was educatetl in tlie schools of Hancock county and his
life \ocation was that of a farmer. He was the owner of a farm of one hun-
dred and thirty-six acres, forty of which was a part of the old home place
owned by his father. He served as a soldier during the Civil War in an In-
diana regiment. He had a family of six children.
William T. Cooper was educated in the public schools of Green township, .
Hancock county, and worked on his father's fann in his early years. Later
he began farming on his own account and has followed that business all his life-
He now owns a farm of eighty acres on which he lives in a comfortable home.
He was married in 1904 to Mrs. Martha L. (Hunt) Shipley, and to this
union one daughter, Mary Lucile, was born. Mrs. Cooper's first husband
was Willard Shipley ; Salina was the one daughter by this marriage. Mr.
Cooper's only fraternal afiiliation is with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows.
BEN JAM IX G. FAUT.
Benjamin G. Faut, farmer, living near Finley. Hancock county. Indiana,
was born in the town of New Palestine, February 14, 1867, son of Ernest
W. and Mary (Manche) Faut, the latter a native of Hancock county.
Ernest W. Faut was born in Bremen. Germany, March 30. 1833, and
was one of a large family of children. He received a good common school
education in his native city and while still a youth mastered the blacksmith
trade. In the year 1852 or 1853, when seventeen or eighteen years old, he
came to America with a second cousin. They were on the water nine weeks
and landed in New Orleans, from which point they came up the Mississippi
river by boat to St. Louis, where young Faut followed his trade for about two
years He then came to Hancock county, still relying on his trade as a means
of livelihood and when twenty-five years of age was united in marriage with
Mary Manche. They took up their residence in New Palestine, where he
conducted a blacksmith shop for the next twelve years. In the meantime he
purchased a tract of twenty acres about one-half mile north of New Palestine
and eighty acres in another piece a short distance east of the town. These he
BIOGRAPHICAL. Ill I
later sold and in 1872 tought his farm of one hundred and sixty acres about
a mile east of New Palestine, where he took up the vocation of farmings and
passed his remaining- days. About one-third of the land was cleared when he
bought it and there was a log cabin and stable. He energetically set about
clearing the balance of his land and draining it and in 1876 erected a large
and commodious residence of nine rooms, tlie brick for which he Inirned him-
self the previous summer. He also built large barns and other outbuildings
in keeping with the general character of the place. He purchased land from
time to time until at his death he owned I^etween nine hundred and one thou-
sand acres and was considered one of the most successful farmers of the
county. His death occurred on September 17, 1908, at tlie age of seventy-
three, his wife having- preceded him into the Great Beyond some four years,
in December of 1904. Both were devout members of the German Methodist
Episcopal church of New Palestine, and from the time he became a citizen
of this community he gaxe his political support to the Democratic party.
Ernest \V. Faut and wife were the parents of si.^ children, as follow: William,
who died at the age of three years; Fannie E., wife of Chris Schilling; Ben-
janiin G., the immediate subject of this sketch : Julia L., wife of Edward
Rauschaupt; Anna Belle, who died wlien twelve years of age, and Walter,
residing near New Palestine.
Benjamin G. Faut spent his earliest years in New Palestine and was four
years of age when his parents moved to the farm, where he grew to manhood.
He received his education in old No. 6 school, known as the "Gates" school
and his first teacher was Vinnie Gates. He was early taught by his father to
help with the work of the farm and from the time his studies were completed
until twenty-four years of age, he was his father's assistant. On November
22, 1891, he was united in marriage with Jennie N. Richman, born in Sugar
Creek township on the old Richman place in January of 1874. a daughter of
Anton F. and Mary (Meier) Riclinian, hi»th from early pioneer families of
this section. There were six children in the Riciiman family, but three of
whom survive: Charles, Flora, wife of William Lantz. and Jennie N.
.\b(.ut five years after marriage, Benjamin G. Faut bougiit eighty acres,
part of the old Brandenburg homestead, for fifty-five dollars per acre, and
his next purchase was with his father, being tlie Grove Service farm of eighty-
seven and one-half acres in Brandywine township, for which a price of forty
dollars per acre was paid. His next purchase was a tract of forty acres from
the Knierihm heirs, for which he paid one hundred and eighteen dollars per
acre. He next bouglit the old Freeman place of one hundred and forty-five
acres, in 191 1, paying one hundred and ten dollars per acre. These various
I I 12 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
tracts, with the one hundred and eighty acres inherited from liis father's estate,
make Mr. Faut's holdings total five luindred and forty-five acres and he has
under his personal management all but aljout two hundred acres. The home
place has a beautiful and modern residence of ten rooms surrounded by an
attractive lawn and trees. There is also a substantial barn, forty by sixty,
good double corn-cril) and granary, buggy shed and garage, all ni i>erfect
keeping with the surroundings. Mr. l-'aut divides his attention between gen-
eral farming and the raising of live stock, and is uniformly successful with
his crops. He feeds on an average of one hundred and twenty-five hogs for
the market annually, favoring the Duroc-Jersey breed. He has on an average
of from twenty-five to thirty head of cattle with twenty head of good grade
Percheron horses, including colts.
There are four children in the F"aut family: Mabel, wife of John Faut,
residing in Sugar Creek township; Ezra. Hazel and Flora, all single and at
home with the parents. Both Mr. and Mrs. Faut are members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church at New Palestine, of which society he serves as trvistee,
secretary and treasurer. He is also vice-president and director of the New
P'alestine Bank and is connected with other business interests. Politically,
he gives his support to the Democratic party and is well and favorably known
as one of the more substantial citizens of the township. He enjoys the con-
fidence and respect of all who know him.
DANIEL M. COLLI NGWOOD.
Daniel M. Collingwood was born in Decatur county, Indiana, in 1868.
He received his education in the public schools of Rush county and soon after
completing his education entered the saw-mill business witli his father. He
has devoted his life to the operation of mills and the lumber business. He
was for a short time interested in the operation of a threshing machine.
When but a lad, Mr. Collingwood came with his parents to Hancock
county where they were engaged in the mill and lumber business. For one
year he operated a mill at Willow Branch and previous to that time he had
been interested in mills throughout the county.
In 191 5 Collingwood Brothers engaged in the elevator business at W'illow
Branch in addition to their other interests. They bought the elevator from
a Mr. Kinder, the former owner. Mr. Collingwood resides in Indianapolis,
where he has lived for the past seven years.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1113
On January 4, 1894, Daniel M. Collingwood was united in marriage to
Ruby McDougal, of Knightstovvn. Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Collingwood are
active members of the Third Christian church, of Indianapolis.
HARRY L. FLETCHER.
Harry L. Fletcher, trustee of Blue River township, this county, one of
the best-known farmers of that part of the county and who for thirteeen years
was engaged in the teaching profession, is a native of Kentucky, having been
bom in Harrison county, that state. Februarv i, 1866, son of Benjamin F.
and Louisa ( Farmer) Metcher, both natives of the Blue Grass state, the
former of whom, born in 1812, died in 1S78 and the latter. lx)rn in 1819, died
in 1894.
Benjamin Fletcher was born and reared on a Kentuckv farm and when
a young man came to Indiana, settling in Rush county, where he married a
Miss Dickey, a native of this state, and established his home in Rush county.
To that union six children were born, Ritliert. Marion, .\nna, Vashti, Dora
and Caroline. The mother of these children died and Mr. P'letcher returned
to Kentuck}-. where, in 1856. he married Louisa Farmer and settled in Har-
rison county, that state. To that union fixe children were born, those besides
the subject of this sketch being Oliver, Jefferson, John and .\rthur. the latter
two of whom are now deceased. When the Civil War broke out Benjamin
Fletcher enlisted for service in the Confederate army and was with (ien. John
Morgan and was captured in Kentucky. Mr, bletcher was sent to the L'nion
military prison at Rock Island and was confined there two years. .At the
close of the war he returned home and resumed his fanning operations and
was thus engaged the rest of his life.
Harry L. Fletcher was reared on the home farm in Harrison county,
receiving his elementary education in the district school in the neighljorhood
of his home, which he supplemented by two years of attendance at a private
school, after which he entered the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio. He then
entered upon his career as a teacher and was thus engaged for thirteen years.
After his graduation he went West and was for two years engaged as a teacher
in Colorado. He then returned to Kentucky and was engaged as a teacher at
Claysville in that state for nine years, at the end of which time he transferred
his services to a real-estate firm in Te.xas. with which he was engaged for
two years, later coming to Indiana and locating in Rush county, where he
I I 14 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
taught school for two years, or until in ]\Iarch. 1912, when he came to Han-
cock county and bought the eiglity-acre farm on which he is now living in
Blue River township and where he and his family are very pleasantly and
comfortably situated. 'Sir. Fletcher is a Democrat and at the last election was
elected to the office of township trustee, in which capacity he is now serving
the interests of tlie people of Blue River township, enjoying the distinction of
being the second Democratic trustee ever elected in that township.
In 1892 Harry L. Fletcher was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary E.
Florea, who was born in Rush county, this state, daughter of John and Isa-
bella Dearinger, and who was the mother of one child, a son. Olina. by her
first marriage. To tliis union three children have been born, Inez, born in
1903; John, 1905, and Lucia, 1908, who are in attendance at the consolidated
school at Westland. Mr. Fletcher is a member of the Missionary Baptist
church and Mrs. Fletcher is a member of the Old School Baptist church, both
taking an active part in the various social and cultural activities of their com-
munity. Mr. Fletcher is one of the charter members of the lodge of the Im-
proved Order of Red Men at Homer, in Rush county, and takes a warm in-
terest in the affairs of that organization.
WILLIA^I A. WOOD.
William A. Wood, former clerk of Hancock county, a well-known re-
tired farmer of Brandywine township, who for many years was one of the most
popular and successful school teachers in t!iis county and who now, in tlie
genial "sunset time" of his life, stil! comforted by the constant companion-
ship of his good wife, ever a competent and valuable helpmeet in all his un-
dertakings, enjoying the ample rewards of a life well spent in earnest en-
deavor, is a Virginian Ijy birth, but a most loyal Hoosier by adoption and
has been a resident of this count}' since the days of his young manliood. He
was bom in Cabell county, Virginia, a section of the Old Dominion now-
comprised in West \'irginia. September 3, 184 1, son of the Rev. Wythael A.
and Elizabeth (Moore) \\'ood, both natives of that state, the fomier bom
of Scotch-Irish descent in Fluvanma county. April 7. 1802, and the latter
of English parentage, March 10, 181..1, who later became prominent and in-
fluential residents of Hancock county, where their last days were spent.
Of the manv who have figured in the common life of Brandywine and
Sugar Creek townships and contril)uted to the general good of tiiat section of
BIOGRAPHICAL. III5
the county during the past thirty years, there probably is not another whose
name is more closely linked with the moral and educational progress of that
community than is that of William .\. Wood. The fortunes and the mis-
fortunes of the Civil W'ar period were largely responsible for the transplanting
of the Wood family' from the hills which their ancestors loved back in Vir-
ginia, to a free and loyal state, where the crack of the slave-driver's whip was
unheard. The Rev. Wythael A. Wood loved justice, freedom and liberty and
was foresighted enough to forsee his loved state overrun and made desolate
bv the victorious armies of the North. In the early sixties, when he and his
brother, Milton, were conscripted to serve in the Confederate army, he recog-
nized that the time for action had arrived and, sacrificing what was left of
home and beliingings in the seceding" state, hastened with his family to Ohio,
and tlien in the autumn of 1862, to Indiana and established a pennanent
home in this county. Though a man of limited schooling, the Rev. Wythael
A. Wood was a great student and a man of recognized ability, an able logician,
of marked likes and dislikes, true to convictions and strong in argument up-
holding the same. A preacher in the Missionary Baptist church until his
declining health compelled a cessation of his activities in that direction, he
exerted a marked influence upon the life of his community. His wife was
a quiet and unassuming woman, though possessed of a strong and compre-
hensive mind, and was a home lover in all that that phrase can imply. They
were the parents of seven children, those besides the subject of this bio-
graphical review being as follow : Mary F., who married Samuel Tully and
died at her home in Marion, this state, several years ago; Jane E., who mar-
ried William Barnett and died in West Virginia; Mariah, the youngest daugh-
ter, a girl of extraordinary mind, a successful teacher at the age of sixteen,
who married Noble ^^'arrum, but gave up a life of usefulness at the age of
forty-two years, leaving three sons — Noble, Jr., who is now the postmaster
at Salt Lake City, Utah; Hem7, a well-known attorney-at-law, of Indian-
apolis, and I\Iack, the present sheriff of Hancock county — Milton C. a pros-
perous retired farmer of this county, now living at Greenfield; John H., a
fruit and grain grower, of California, and Mahlon, who departed this life at
the age of twelve years.
William .\. Wood's vouth was spent in the hills of native Virginia and
there, in a primitive log school house, he received the rudiments of the broad
learning that later was to make him a distinct figure in the educational
life of this county. An instinctive student, encouraged from earliest youth by
his broad-minded parents, he pursued his studies, practically unaided by any
organized system, and in the autumn of 1863, in Indiana, he began teaching
IIl6 HANCOCK COUNTY^ INDIANA.
school, a calling wliich he pursued until the spring of 1898. many years after
taking up his residence in Hancock county, when he "went into politics" and
for thirteen years remained retired from the teaching profession: to be called
back to his favorite occupation or profession, which he served, at an increased
salary, for two years, at the end of which time he permanently retired from
his long service as a teacher, which to him ever was a labor of love, for hi?
heart was in the work. It is believed tiiat ^Ir. Wood enjoys the honor of
being able to greet more persons in this county who at one time or another
v.ere pupils in his school than any other teacher who ever worked in the
schools of Hancock county. It was in the fall of 1868 that he was given
charge of the schools at New Palestine, and he taught in that town, with
review terms, select schools and the like, twenty-three terms. He also worked
one year in a normal school at Soutliport, in the neighboring county of
Marion, and for one year conducted a normal school, in ass<xiation with
Professor Sims, in tiie West building at (ireenfield. Mr. Wood declares tliat
he has loved teaching abo\e any of his other occupations and admits that one
of the most flattering experiences of iiis life was wiien. after spending one
year on the farm, he was called back to his old school at New Palestine at an
incrtase<l salar}-.
During his long senice as a teacher, Mr. Wood was not unmindful of
the -substantial things of life and was meantime pursuing his agricultural
labors \ery successfully. He also was giving much attention to tiie political
affairs of the county and in addition to his long service as clerk of the Han-
cock circuit court, served three successi\'e tenns as assessor of Sugar Creek
township. Mr. \\'ood"s pul)lic life, while clerk of the court, was, like his
private life, abo\e criticism, and there are many who still declare that the
people of Hancock count\- were fortunate in their selection of him to that
responsible office at that time. In 19 10 Mr. Wood Ijuilt a nice cottage on his
estate in Brandywine township and tliere, surrountled by nature and in the
full enjoyment of all the comforts of a happy home, he and his good wife are
spending their declining years in perfect contentment. Xo family in that
township has ever stood more firmly committed to all measures looking to
the general welfare of the community than theirs aud they have often l)een
called in council in matters affecting the welfare of school and church, the
private affairs of the people and the affairs of the community at large.
It was back in the early seventies that William .\. Wood, to use his
own phrase, "made the hit of his life," when lie chose the hand and won the
Iieart of Mary .\nderson, a most estimal)le young woman, then living in Xew
I'alestine, Indiana, who has ever since shared his fortunes and who has
BIOGRAPHICAL. Ill/
proved a most competent and valuable helpmeet in all his undertakings. Mary
E. Anderson was horn in the city of Cincinnati, December 28, 1852, daughter
of H. P. and Sarah A. Anderson, who moved to this countv in the sixties;
consequently her youthful schooling was an admixture of the "I'.uckeye" and
the "Hoosier" methods. She became a school teacher in this county and was
teaching the primary .school at Xew Palestine when her acquaintance with
Mr. '\\'ood liegan. To Mr. and Mrs. Wood five children have been bom.
namely: Charles H.. traveling .salesman, who has a nice and commodious
home and one son. who is in commercial school; Harry, who is successfully
cidtivating his fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres; Moses C. who
spent more than sixteen years in the countv clerk's office, twelve years as
deput\- in that office and four years as clerk, to which office he was elected,
and uho now is profitably engaged in farming, in which undertaking he is
ably assisted by his wife, who was Effie Jeffries and to whom one son has
l>een born; Xellie. who married John A. Cotte\-, a farmer, and has two
childien, Harold and Geneva, who are now in high school: and Mabel, a
graduate r.f the (ireenfield high schunl. formerly dei)ut\- countv clerk, who
married -\ 1". Moulden and has four children, Josejjh, Wallace, Mary .Alice
and .Sue. Mr. and Mrs. \\'ood are adherents of the Missionary P»aptist church
and Mr. Wood is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
BEX STRICKLAND.
Probably no one connected with the printing and publish.ing business in
Greenfield during the last score of years has been more w idely known than
]>en Strickland, for many \ears a resident of this city, but who is now as-
sistant clerk to the Indiana state printing board and to the state Ixjard of elec-
tion commissioners, whose otffces are in the state house at Indianai)olis. Mr.
Strickland was born at Centerville. Wayne county, Indiana, on October 17,
i85(). and is the son of Richard J. and .\nn E. ( Hamlyn) Strickland. Richard
J. Strickland was a well-known newspaper man, publishing the Chronicle at
Center\ille for a number of years, but in 1873 he moved to Greenfield and es-
tablished the Jeffersoniaii. In his father's office at Centerville, and, later, in
the office of the Jcffcrsouiati. Ben Strickland devoted himself to the "art
presen-ative," and then, desiring to see the country, he started out as a journey-
man printer, traveling west as far as Denver and as far south as Xew Orleans.
In 1883 he returned to Greenfield and about two years later went to Xew
IIlX HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Albany, where he remained for ten years. In 1895 he returned to his old home
town of Centerville and published a special souvenir historical edition, called
The Old Settler, relating to the pioneers of Wayne county. Later, he moved
to Greenfield and opened a job-printing shop in the Randall block. Subse-
(juently he Ijought the Greenfield Globe (weekly) and after conducting that
paper alone for a year, sold a half interest in it to N. R. Spencer, in partner-
ship with wliom he later bought the Greenfield Evening Star (daily). A
third interest in the business was subsequently sold to E. E. Davis. They
published these papers for several years, after which the plant was moved to
Cumberland, Marion county. Mr. Strickland remained in Cumberland for
some time, but in 1910 was appointed assistant clerk of the state printing
board, the duties of this ofifice carrying the same relation to the state board of
election commissioners, and in which position he is still serving. Politically,
he is a Democrat and has always taken an active interest in political affairs.
On March 25, 1884, Ben Strickland was united in marriage to Alice
Hancock, who was born in Floyd county, this state, member of one of the old
families of that county. To this union two children w-ere bom. Jennie, the
wife of Charles Eakin, who is engaged in the printing business at Louisville,
Kentucky, and William B., who is engaged in the insurance liusiness at New
Albany, Indiana. The mother of these children died when they were still
quite small and, on March 4, 1896, Mr. Strickland was married to Eunice
Lineback, of Greenfield. To this union have been born five children, Hester,
Grace, Caleb. Morgan and Ellabelie. Mr. Strickland is a member of the
Greenfield lodge of the Improved Order of Red Men and of the International
Typographical Union. He and his family are very comfortably situated in
Irvington, the beautiful eastern suburb of Indianapolis.
HENRY OSTERMEYER.
Henry Ostermeyer. one of the substantial citizens of Sugar Creek town-
ship. Hancock county, Indiana, and owner of two hundred and seventy-five
acres of land in said township, first saw the light of day at the home of his
father, alxjut one-half miles west of New Palestine, January 24. 1855, son
of Charles and Catherine (Stumpf) Ostermeyer.
Charles Ostermeyer was born in Germany in 1826 and while still a
vouth. mastered the secrets of the tailor's trade. When sixteen years of age,
in company with his parents, three brothers and two sisters, he set out for
BIOGRAPHICAL. II 19
America. They were seven weeks in inakinj;' the xoyage, and laiuhnitj at the
port of New York, came directlv to huhana. 'J'hey first settled in Marion
county, near Five Points, where the elder Ostemieyer purchased eighty acres
of land, where he passed the remainder of his life. Charles Ostermeyer
found employment in Indianapolis at his trade soon after reaching this state
and when twenty-four years of age ,was married to Catherine Stumpf, also
a native of Germany, whose people had come to this country ahout the same
time the Ostenneyers did and located where the immediate suhject of this
sketch now lives.
After marriage, Charles Ostermeyer gave up his trade and located on
the old Stumpf home, west of New Palestine. His wife inherited a portion
of this farm of eight\- acres and Charles Ostermeyer purchased the balance
from the other heirs. The land at that time was not xery valuable, there
w-ere only fifteen acres under the plow, virgin forest still covered the greater
portion and also most of the land was under water the greater portion of the
year. Charles Ostermeyer cleared all but ten acres, drained the land and
thus rescued from the grip of the wilderness some exceedingly fertile land.
He later purchased seventy-eight acres in Buck Creek township. His death
occurred at his hoine in Sugar Creek townshij) on .\ugust 15, 1887, when
in the sixty-fourth }-ear of his age, and his wife sur\i\ed him only a year.
Henrv Ostenneyer is one of a family of five, namely: Charlie, Henry
Conrad, Kate and Annie, the latter being the only one deceased. Henry was
born on the old family homestead, where he passed his Iwyhood, attending
the German school of the Old Hickory church and later for a short time,
the public schools of New Palestine. He remained at home as his father's
assistant until twenty-eight years of age, at which time he was married and
in company with his brother, rented the old home and other land. Upon the
death of his parents, Henry purchased the interests of the other heirs, paying
seventv dollars per acre, there being seventy-five acres in that tract, which is
one of the handsomest hoines in the county. He also owns one hundred and
six acres in section 36, of Sugar Creek township, sixty-five acres in section
31 and another tract of twenty-eight and one-half acres in the same section.
Together with his son Henry, Mr. Ostermeyer manages his entire holdings.
They plant a considerable acreage to corn and small grains, and feed on an
average of fiftv head of Poland China hogs per annum. They have fifteen
head of cattle, mostly Shorthorn, and eight head of high grade Norman
horses for use in the work of the farm. Mr. Ostermeyer has been one of the
county's most successful threshermen for thirty years.
Henrs- Ostermever has been twice married. His first wife, Emma
1 120 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Murnr.ii, d.iiij.'jl'ter of Michael Alurnan, died ten years after marriage. lea\ing
four children: Carrie, wife of Guy Scotten; Emma, wife of George Oster-
meyer; Henry, who married Mary Smith, and one child who died in infancy.
Mr. Ostermeyer's second wife was Mrs. L. O. (Ross) Russell, who had
une child. Morton Russell, by her first luarriage. there being no issue to her
second union.
«
Both Mr. and Mrs. Ostermeyer are devout members of the Methodist
Episco])al church and in politics he gives his support to the Democratic party.
He served as district supervisor for about twelve years and in other ways has
given evidence of his interest in community affairs. He ranks with the fore-
most citizens of his township in all that makes for manhood at its highest
and best. Mr. and Mrs. Ostermeyer give of their earthly possession to the
support of the church and other benevolent societies. They have adopted a
little girl, I'ern .Armour Ostermexcr. now fourteen years old, taking her into
their home on the death of her mother.
CLAUDE P.\ULLUS WILSOX. D. V. S.
Dr. Claude Paullus Wilson, a well-known veterinary surgeon at Green-
field, this county, and who is identified with several important interests in
and about that city, is a native of Ohio, born in Preble county, that state,
October 24, 1868, son of Gilbert and Sarah (Danner) Wilson, the former of
Irish parentage and the latter of Dutch desceiU, lx)th also b(jrn in Preble
county. Gilbert Wilson was reared a farmer and farmed in his native county
unlil 1875. After the death of his wife in September, 1875. be moved to
Indiana, settling in Hendricks county. To this union were born two sons.
William D., who died on July 9. 1913. in Greenfield, Indiana, while home on
a \isit. having been engaged in the real-estate business in Spokane. Wash-
ington, several vears before his deaili. and the subject of this sketch. Gilbert
Wilson married a second time and he and his wife are now living at Browns-
burg, this state.
Claude P. Wilson was not unite seven years old when his mother died
and he was taken in charge by his aunt. Mrs. Mary Paullus, wife of Capt.
M. L. Paullus, of Greenfield, who reared him. Prom chiklhood he was greatly
interested in horses and upon completing his schooling in the Greenfield
schools Ijegan to travel with race horses about the central circuit. Incidentally
he learned tb.e harness-making trade and was thus engaged until he was
BIOGRAPHICAL. I 12 1
twenty-throe yeai's nld. when lie entered the Iniliana])iihs \'eteiinai"v College. '
trnm which he was gTaduated in i8g5. He o])ened an office in (ifeenfield
for practice, but in 1896 went to Pendleton, where he practiced for ten nmnths.
at the end of which time he return.ed to fireenfield and ever since lias made
his home there and has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profes-
sion. Doctor Wilson also is engaged in the liveiy lousiness, in connect inn with
witich he operates- a delivery system in the city of (Ireenfield. lie rdso for
some time operated a harness shop, having bought out the manufactiuer from
whom he learned the trade as a lioy. He is likewise connected with the Ham-
ilton (/heniical C'nnipany. located at X(ililes\-ille, and is vice-])resident and
general manager of the Hancock hertilizer Coin])an\-. which has a reduction
plant at (jreenfield. Doctor W'dson is a Democrat .and takes an earnest in-
terest in political affairs, hut has never been an asjjirant U>v public office.
On November 8, 1893, Dr. Claude I*. Wilson was united in marriage to
Clara Gephart, who was born at (Greenfield in 1871, daughter of .Andrew and
Emaline ( Slifer) Gephart, natives of this county, tlie former of wiiom was a
well known wagon-maker at Greenfield. ;ind to this union two children have
been l>orn. Marv and Lucile, the latter of whom died when three years old.
Doctor and Mrs. \Vilson are members of the ^lethodist Episcopal church. The
Doctor is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Im-
proved Order of Red Men and lakes a warm interest in the affairs of these
orders.
OBED J. COFFIN.
i3bed J. Coffin, a well-known and ])rogressive farmer of Blue River town-
ship, this county, former trustee of that township and for nineteen years one
of the best-known and most popular school teachers in that part of the county,
is a native son of Hancock count\- and has lived here all his life. He was
born on a fann in Blue River township, just south of the site of his present
home, September 16, 1869. son of .\mmiel and Mary j. ( Xew) Coffin, prom-
inent members of the Quaker community thereabout, who are still living on
the old home place established bv Animiel Coffin"s father, Elihu Coffin, in
1856.
Ammiel Coffin was Ixirn on June 12, 1843, near the village of Manilla,
in Rush county, this state, and was about thirteen years of age when his par-
ents moved to this countv and settled in the Quaker settlement in Blue River
township, both being earnest members of the Friends church. There w^ere
(71)
I 122 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
nine children in the familj- of EHhu Coltin, five sons and four daughters,
Ezekiel, Aniniiel, Henry, F"rancis, Leander. Irene, Xorsica, Phoebe and Lu-
zena, all whom are still living save Henry, Leander and Irene. Ammiel Coffin
grew to manhood on the Iiome farm and did well his part in assisting to de-
velop the same from its primitive state to a well-cultivated tract. On June
30, 1867, he married Mary J. New, who was born on November 17, 1837,
daughter of James P. and Sarah (Sample) New, who were the parents of
nine children, seven of whom grew to maturity, John, George, ^lary J., Sarah
Ellen, Cyntha, America and Florence, all of whom are still living save John.
After his marriage Ammiel Coffin established her home in Blue River town-
ship and has lived there ever since. He has a well-kept place of eighty-eight
acres and a very comfortable home, he and iiis family being quite well situ-
ated. He and his wife are life-long members of the Friends church and helped
in the work of dedicating the church in their neighborhood fifty years ago.
Mr. Coffin is a Republican and has always been a vigorous supporter of the
principles of his party. To him and his wife were born but two children, the
subject of this sketch having a younger 'sister, Icydore, who married Elwood
Jessup and also lives in Blue River township.
Obed J. Coffin received his elementary education in the Jessup district
school, his first teacher being Elmira Farron and his last, Mattie Clark, both
of whom are still li\ing. He is an apt student and earlv sectn^ed a license to
teach school. While engaged in teaching he extended his educational ad-
vantages by attendance at the State Normal School at Terre Haute, the Cen-
tral Normal at Danville, in which latter he took the commercial and teachers'
courses, there receiving his diploma, and at Spiceland. For nineteen years
Mr. Coffin was engaged in teaching in his home township, but his work was
not confined to any one school therein. It was his custom to ride to and from
his schools on horseback and he estimates that he has thus traveled something
like four thousand miles horseback. Mr. Coffin is a Republican and in 1908
was elected trustee of Blue River township, serving in that capacity for si.x
years, during which time one of his notable official works was the consum-
mation of the system of consolidated school in his jurisdiction. In the mean-
time he continued his farming operations and has developed and is the owner
of a fine farm in his home township, not far from his father's place.
It was on January 6. 1891, that Obed J. Coffin was united in marriage
to Clara C. Wiggins, who was bom in Center township, this county, daughter
of Lawson and Margaret (Coble) Wiggins, and to that union two children
were born, daughters both, I^lorence M., born on June 29, 1904, and Ruth,
September 6, 1906, both of whom now are in school. The mother of these
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1 1 23
children died <in Fel)ruary 25, 1912. She was a mein])ei- of the l'"riends cliurch,
as is ;\Ir. Coffin, and was devoted to good works in iier neighborhood. Mr.
Coffin is a York Ivite Mason, a member of the bhie lodge at Greenfield, and
is a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine, a member of
Murat Temple, Indianapolis. He also is a inember of the Greenfield lodge
of the Knights of Pythias and in the affairs of all of these organizations takes
a warm interest.
WALTER H. W'ELBORN.
One of the best-known citizens of Brown township, Hancock county, In-
diana, is Walter H. Welborn, the genial merchant and postmaster of Willow
Branch. Walter Welboni is well-known throughout Hancock county and in
addition to his business connections mentioned above, is also the secretary of
the \\'illow Branch Independent Telephone Company. A progressive and up-
right man, he is held in high esteem by a large number of personal and busi-
ness acquaintances.
Walter H. Welborn was born in the township where he now resides on
July I I, 1877. a son of Alonzo Welborn, who was born in Henn,- county, this
state, January 10, 1850. Alonzo Welborn was reared and educated in Henry
and Hancock counties where for many years he has engaged in farming. Alonzo
Welborn married Muierva E. Trees, who was born in the town of Warring-
ton, this countv. April 29, 1855. She was educated in the schools of her native
town and died at an early age, January 8, 1882, leaving Walter H., the im-
mediate subject of this sketch, her only child.
Walter H. Welborn first attended the schools of Warrington and later
the district schools of Brown and Jackson townships. He fitted homself for
teaching, being thus engaged for eight years, and teaching at Warrington,
Wilkinson and Willow Branch, as well as two district schools. In 1903 he
quit teaching and became a rural mail carrier, carrying out of Wilkinson, and
to tliis occupation he gave the five following years. In 1908 or 1909, he
moved to Willow Branch and forming a partnership with Oren Record, en-
tered into a general store business. This partner.ship continued until the fall
of 191 1, when the fimi dissolved, Mr. Record taking over the hardware part
of the business and Mr. Welboni continuing in the general mercantile line.
Besides his store, he runs two merchandise wagons in the vicinity of Willow
Branch. He is genial and sincere in his manner and as a merchant is ad-
mirably equipped by nature to succeed. On March 27, 1911, Mr. Welborn
I I 24 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
was appointed postmaster at Willow Branch, ha^int^ passed the ci\il service
examination previously.
Walter H. \\'elborn was married on December 31. 1899, to Maud
Stickler, liorn in Brown townsliip. Hancuck county, on July 28. 1882, the
only child of Sanford and Josepiiine ( Record) Stickler, farmers of this county.
The mother died when Maud, was a ciiild of about one year. Mr. and Mrs.
Welborn have two children. Lundy E. is attending the Wilkinson high school
and Vivian is in school at W^illow Branch. Mr. Welborn and family are mem-
bers of the Christian church at \\'ilkins()u, of which he is a deacon and other-
wise an acti\e member. Politically. Ik- chooses to vote independently, but on
national issues, leans most strongly toward the Republican platform. Mr.
Welborn is a high type of citizen, faithful to all the issues of life, and emi-
nently deserving of the esteem in which he is universally held.
CHARLES PRESCHER.
Charles Prescher was born at Xeudorf, by Borkendorf, near Xeisse,
Silesia, Germany, April 22, 1854. He is a son of Charles and Zosepha ( KnofeH
Prescher, who were both natives of that same place in Gemiany. The former
died in Germany in 1864 and the latter came to America in 1883 and spent
Jier last years with her son, Paul, at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she died
in 191 1, at the advanced age of ninety years. She was born in 182 1.
Charles Prescher, Sr., was a blacksmith by trade. He was but forty-
seven years old when he died. He was born in 1817. He was the father of
ten children, four boys and six girls : Anna, Frank, Matilda. Zosepha, Mary,
Charles, who was the subject of this sketch; Francesca, Martha, Andrew and
Paul. Of the above named, Frank, Matilda and Zosepha remained in Ger-
many and Matilda is now deceased. The others came to America at different
times. Charles, who is the sul)ject of this .sketch, was the first to come and
the others followed. All are living except Mary.
Charles Prescher spent his childhood and youth in Germany. There he
received his common .school education and there he worked as a little boy in
his father's blacksmith shop. He later learned the trade of a pump-maker.
He remained in Germany until he was twenty-six years of age and in May,
1880. he came to America on the steamer "Egj-pt," landing in New York on
May 23, of that year. For alxjut nine weeks he worked as a gardener in
Xew York City. He then came west to Indianapolis, where he worked for
BIOGRAPHICAL. I I 25
Charles !Mayer & Company for nine montlis. About this time he was mar-
ried to Theresa (iruner, wlio was horn at Kaindorf, near his hirthjilace in
German}'. December 29, 1857. S!ie was the daughter of Ignatz Gruner and
wife. She came to America in 1883 and located in Indianapolis. After their
marriage Mr. Prescher worked for Andrew Schildmeier for the next three
years.
In August, 1886. Mr. Prescher bought a fifty-acre tract of land of
Thomas Eaton, two miles southwest of New Palestine, l-'or this land he paid
thirty-two dollars an acre. At that time there were no improvements on the
land and it was nearly all covered with timber. Mr. Prescher built a two-
room frame house and a log stable and then proceeded to clear the land and
till it, and to gradually improve it. In 1908 he bought another tract of forty
acres adjoming his home place on the west. For this he paid a hundred
dollars an acre. He now has ninety acres in all. In 1907 he remodeled and
enlarged his house, making a beautiful eight-room residence. His other im-
provements consisted of a bj^rn and other smaller buildings in keeping with
the surroundings. He cultivates about fifty acres of corn and about twenty
acres of small grain. He usually feeds about thirty head of hogs. He at-
tributes his profits to corn and bogs and dairy and poultiy products. He is
the father of the following children ; Henry, who married Cordia Vest and
who has two children; Charlie, who married Anna Richman and who resides
near Indianapolis; Valeska. Minnie and Anna, who are single. Mr. and
Mrs. Prescher both belong to the Evangelical Zicn church of New Palestine.
Mr. Prescher is a Democrat in politics. On November 24. 191 5. Mr. Prescher
and family moved to 344 South Emerson a\enue. Indianapolis, where he has
built a modern, seven-room residence. He now rents his farm.
ORLEN E. THOMAS.
Orlen F. Thomas was born on .\])ril 25. 1882, a son of Andrew C. and
Caroline ( Reese) Thomas. Andrew C. Thomas was born on September 2-j.
i8-)6 and died on Julv 4. 1900. He was the son of Hiram T. and Elizabeth
Thomas. Hiram Thomas came to this county and entered land from the
governmeni. He walked from Hancock county to Indianapolis and entered
his tract of land. The land was covered with timber and was not well drained.
On this he built a log cabin and barn and cleared a part of it. Caroline
Reese, the daughter of Elisha and Eliza Reese, was bom on June 28, 1850,
1 126 HANCOCK COUNTY^ INDIANA.
and came to Hancock countv in i860 when she was ten years old. Slie came
with her grandmother. Reljecca Hiblien. and hved tor a while with an uncle.
John Thompson, in Brand\wine township. She was nip.rried to Anih'ew C.
Thomas in 1873 ^"^ ^^ this union were born three children : Clarence. George
and Orlen.
Andrew C. Thomas received his early education at the Thomas school
liouse. He worked and made money enough to purchase a tract of land and
he cleared most of this land and drained it and put it in a high state of
cultivation. He built a house and barn and other buildings. At the time
of his death lie was one of the most successful farmers in this part of the
countv. He was a member of the Christian church and so was his w-ife. He
was one of the best supporters of the church. He was a Democrat in politics.
Orlen F. Thomas was married on October 16, 1907, to Ethel Gertrude
Boring, who was born in Shelby county on October i. 1885, and who was
the daughter of Franklin Pierce and Elizabeth Ann Noe Boring. He was
born in Shelby county on September 12, 1852, and she was born in Rush
county, Julv 22, 1S54. He was a farmer and had a hundred and forty acres
of land, well improved. On this lie liad a good barn and house. He had a
well planted orchard. He died on July 30, 1914, at the age of sixty-one years.
He w-as a Democrat in politics and lx)th he and his wife were members of
the Methodist Episcopal church. He belonged to the Knights of Pythias
and the Red Men"s lodge. His active life was spent in Shelby county, but
his last years he spent in Hancock county. His wife is still living. They
were the parents of the following children: Vernie C. Mrs. Alma E. Karr,
Elmer, Leslie, Ethel G., who is the wife of the subject of this sketch, and
Earl E.
Orlen F. Thomas received his early education in Brandywine township
in the common schools. He lived with liis father until his fatlier's death
and then afterward lived on the old homestead of sixty-three acres. He has
improved the place and has built new buildings. He is a progressive farmer.
He is the father of the following children : Frances Laverne, born on Januar}-
26, 1909, and Earl Cleo. who was born on May 21, 1913.
Orlen F. Thomas is a member of the Qiristian church and his wife is
a meml^er of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a meml>er of the Knights
of Pythias and Red Men's lodge. He is a Democrat in politics and has al-
ways taken an active interest in the success of his party. At present, he is
township trustee, having been elected at the last election. He is one of Han-
cock ctnmtv's best citizens and a young man whose honesty and integrity is
beyond question.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 112/
George B. Thomas, who is the eldest hrother of the subject of this
sketch, was h)m on May 31, 1879. He hves in Hazeldell. Tlhnois. He is
a practicing ])hysician. He received his early edncatinn in the common
schools of Brandywine township and later went to the State Normal at Terre
Haute and the University of Valparaiso, at Valparaiso. He taught school
in Brandywine township and at New Palestine for a number of years and
afterward spent two years in the government service, working among the
Indians in Oklahoma and in North and South Dakota. He was general over-
seer of the different reservations of which he had charge. He was in this
service two years and after liis time was up he went to Bennett Medical
College in Chicago for four years. .After his graduation he received an in-
ternship in St. John's Hospital and after this he went to Illinois and has
been engaged in the practice of his profession. He graduated from medical
school in 1914 and located in Hazeldel! in Januan', 1915. For a young
man without friends he has built up a large jjractice. It is his intention to
come to Indiana later and begin practice if he does not enter the Indian
service.
JOHNSTON HENRY FRANK.
The subject of this sketch was born in Mercer county, Ohio, March 11,
1866, a son of :\Iatthew L. and ]\Iatilda (Johnston) Frank. Matthew L.
Frank was born in the same county in Ohio, and his biographical sketch will
be found in another place in this volume. Matilda Johnston, who became his
wife, was a native of Ireland. Tlie paternal grandparents were Matthew S.
and Nancy (Loy) Frank.
Johnston H. Frank was only four years old when he came with his par-
ents to Green township, Hancock county. His boyhood days were spent on
the farm and his education was received by attending the public schools of
his neighborhood. When he reached manhood's estate he settled on die farm
adjoining the home place where he has continued to reside. He is now the
owner of two hundred and eighty acres of fine land, eighty acres of which he
cleared of timber. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and
his farm is provided with excellent barns and farm buildings which he erected,
and all the appointments necessary for modern, up-to-date farming and stock-
raising.
On December 6, 1888, Johnston H. Frank was married to Nora A. Moore,
daughter of Sidnev and Nancy Moore, of Green township. The children born
I 128 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
to this union are: Xancy 'SI.. Raymond T., Matthew S., Xaoina, Ruth. Ralph,
Charlotte and Earl. Mr. and Mrs. Frank are members of the Eden Methodi.st
Episcopal church. Mr. Frank is a member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows.
FRANCIS G. BANKER.
Francis G. Banker. f(jrmerlv a well-known capitalist of Greenfield and
for years one of this city's most active and progressive business men. is a
native son of Indiana, having been born at Brazil, this state, November
15, 1862, son of Amos and Francis N. (Eubanks) Banker, both natives of
Darke county, Ohio, where they were married.
Amos Banker was a merchant in Ohio, later coming to Indiana. After
a sometime residence at Brazil, he moved to Winchester, this state, where he
died in 1864, leaving two small sons, Kansas, now living at Knightstown,
Indiana, and Francis G., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Banker married
Stephen W. Deibert, of Shelby county, this state, and to tiiat union five chil-
dren were born, of whom two sur\'ive, Erie, of Butte. Montana, and Wallace,
of Greenfield. Mrs. Deibert died at Morristown, in Shelby county, in 1901,
at the age of sixty-seven years.
Francis G. Banker was reared at Morristown and there under the direc-
tion of his stepfather learned the trade of brick-maker. In 1882 he and
Mr. Deibert formed a partnershi]) in the brick-making business and began
operating a plant at Morristown. In 1884 they moved the plant to Green-
field .and the next year Mr. Banker became the sole owner of the same. His
business continued to grow from the very start and in 1890 he moved his plant
to a site in West Tague street, where he had more room for expansion. Five
years later he was compelled to seek an even larger field for expansion and
moved to an eligible site in West Greenfield, wliere he operated one of the
largest and best-equipped brick manufacturing plants in central Indiana, and
during which time he not only supplied the larger part of the local demand,
l)ut made heavy shipments to all parts of Indiana, Oliio and Illinois. Mr.
Banker's l)usiness interests were not confined wholly to his brick factory. He
became heavily interested in the gas business and was a stockholder in the old
Indianapolis & Eastern Railway Company, having been one of the promoters
of that road and president of the company whicli constructed it in 1890-1891.
In 1907 he organized the Brooklyn Brick Company, at Brooklyn, this state,
and erected one of the most complete brick factories in the state at that place.
FRANCIS G. HAXKfcJR
BIOGRAPHICAL. II29
the procltict of which, on account of the superior qualitv of the clay hereahout,
nnmetliately met a larg;e demand, which is increasing- each year. To tlie
management of tliis plant he now devotes the major part of his time. Mr.
Banker is a Repuhlican and for four years, 1892-Q6, served as councilman
from the .second ward in the (ireenfield city council. He also for some time
served as a member of the city school board.
On September 22, 1882, at Shelbyville, this state, Francis G. Banker
was united in marriage to Laura Griffey, who was born in that city, and to
that union five children were born, of whom but one now survives, Harry C.
Banker, of Greenfield. Mr. Banker married, secondly, at Indianapolis, July
15, 1907, Anna C. Clyman, who was born in Kentucky and who came to
Indiana in 1904. Mv. and Mrs. Banker are members of the Methodist church.
They now reside at No. 471 r East Washington street, Indianapolis.
SCOTT BR.\NDENBURGH.
W'intield Scott Brandenlmrgh was born in ^iloral townshi]). Shelby
county. September 18, 1880. He is the son of James Henry and Fidelia
( Rawlings) Brandenburgh. James Henry Brandenburgh was born on the
old Brandenburgh homestead, one and one-half miles southeast of New
Palestine, in 1852, and died in February, 1884. He was the son of James
Oliver and Marie (Snodgrass) Brandenburgh. and further details of the
life of the former are set out in the Ijiographical sketch of F.lwood O. Bran-
denburg, presented on another page of this volume.
Fidelia Rawlings was born in Sugar Creek township. May 17. 1856.
She was the daughter of Stephen and Sarah A. (Cones) Rawlings, who
were of the oldest pioneer families in Sugar Creek township, Hancock county,
and Moral township, Shelby county. Stephen Rawlings was the son of
Sanuicl Rawlings and wife, who entered one hundred and si.xty acres of
land in Moral township. Shelby county, four and one-half miles south of
New Palestine. Winfield Scott Brandenburgh moved with his parents from
Shelby county when he was two years old to a fann one and one-fourth
miles southeast of New Palestine. It was there his father died, after which
his mother and two children returned to her father's home. .\ few months
later she took charge of a toll house on the old Brookville road, just wesr of
New Palestine. In 1885 she was married to Fred Schilling, of Sugar Creek
township, who was a native of Germany. After her marriage they took
up their residence on a fami two miles east of New Palestine and one year
1 130 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
later moved to a farm two and one-fourth miles northeast of X'ew Palestine.
Two years later they moved to Van Buren township, Shelby county, where
they resided four years and then returned to Hancock county, and settled
on a farm about three and one-half miles northeast of New Palestine. Three
years later they moved back to the old place, two miles east of Xew Palestine,
where they resided fi,>r the next eighteen years and finally settled again on the
old home place, two and one-fourth miles northeast of New Palestine.
Winfield Scott Brandenburgh spent his early childhood and youth in
Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, and Van Buren township, Shelby
county. He attended the old No. 6 school house and his first teacher was
Jcjhn (iar\er. After finishing the common schools he started to learn the
m.illing trade, but received an injur\' to his back, which necessitated his giving
up the work. After his milling experience he engaged in farming for the
next four years. Then with Jesse Armiger he engaged in the baker}- and
confectionery business at New Palestine. A year or two later he sold out
to his brother, who in the meantime had taken the place of Mr. Armiger.
He then went to Indianapolis, where he took a position with the Indianapolis
Street Railway Company. A short time later he was taken ill. A few months
later he was associated with Mr. Garver in the bakery business and he then
took a position as clerk with Kitley & Geisel. For the next few months he
worked for an Indianapolis grocery company and shortly after this he was
again incapacitated liy ill health. This lasted for about two years. After
his recover}' he engaged in the tailoring, pressing and cleaning business at
New Palestine, which he has conducted since the spring of 1909. He also
served as deputy postmaster at New Palestine.
On October 5, 1910. Winfield Scott Brandenburgh was married to
Nannie Blaine Ingram, who was born in Pendleton county. Kentucky, Octo-
ber 30, 1886, the daughter of Perry J. and Maria (Browning) Ingram. They
came to Conners\ille when Nannie was fifteen years of age, where she re-
sided, with the exception of a short time, until their death. Mr. Branden-
burgh is the father of two children: Electra, born on .April 9. 1904, and
lona Alae, born .\pril 14. 1911. Mr. Brandenlmrgh is a member and trustee
of the Christian church and his wife is also a member of this church. He is
a member of the Knights of Pythias. London Lodge No. 466. He is a Dem-
ocrat in politics and was elected in November. 1914, to the office of trustee
of Sugar Creek township after a very spirited campaign. He enjoys the re-
spect of his fellow citizens. He is not only one of the chief officers of the
township, but as a man and citizen his character and reputation are above
question.
BIOGRAPHICAL. II3I
JOHN U. BlXl'ORD.
In the ineniorial annals of Hancock county few names stand out witli
greater distinctness than that of the late John H. Binford, educator, lawyer,
historian and financier, who for years occupied a position of prominence and
influence in the social, cultural and commercial circles of this community. A
native of this county, he spent the most of his life here and was ever devoted
to the promotion of the hest interests of the community to which he was so
fondly attached. In 1882 Mr. Binford compiled and published a history of
Hancock county, which still stands an enduring monument to his memory —
an invaluable contribution to local letters. Into that notable labor of love
Mr. Binford poured the ripest fruits of his rich and varied experience and
in tlius preserving the results of his long and painstaking research into the
musty records of the past performed a most notable service in behalf of the
people of this county. Covering tiie period from the first settlement of
Hancock county in 1818 to the year 1882, Mr. Binford"s history was a com-
plete, accurate and concise record of the chief events which had marked the
progress of civilization hereabout from wilderness days and it stands today
as an authoritative work along that Hne. It was a large undertaking success-
fully carried out and those books today are cherished and highly prized by
all who are fortunate enough to have a copy of the same in their libraries.
John H. Binford was liorn on a pioneer farm in Blue River township,
this county, April 13, 1844, son of Robert and Martha (Hill) Binford. the
former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Indiana. Robert Binford
was born in Northampton county. North Carolina. July 2. 18 13, and was
thirteen years old w-hen he came with his parents to Indiana, the family
settling in Blue River township, this county, and there he grew to manhood,
doing well his part in the work of developing the pioneer home farm. He
married Martha Hill, who li\ed over in the neighboring county of Rush,
where she was born, daughter of John Hill, a pioneer citizen of that county.
and where she lived until her marriage. After his marriage Robert Binford
established his home on a fann in Blue River township, this county, and
there he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring on February 2, 1884,
he then being seventy-one years of age. His wife also was past seventy years
of age at the time of her deatli. ,
Reared on the home farm in Blue River township. John H. Binford
received his elementary education in the early district schools of that neigh-
borhood, supplementing the same by a course of one year in Earlham College,
at Richmond, which he entered in 1862, at the age of eighteen. He then
1 132 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
began his long and useful career as a teacher, his first school being the Hope-
well school, in his home township, receiving seventy-five dollars for the three-
.months' term. He continued teaching and attending school for a few years
and then entered the National Normal School at Lebanon. Ohio, from which
he presently was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science. His health
becoming impaired about that time, Mr. Binford sought relief in the South
and there was engaged as principal of the graded schools of Little Rock.
Arkansas. During his service there Mr. Binford did much toward the eleva-
tion of educational standards in that state and was chiefly instrumental in
the organization of the first county teachers' association in that state and in
founding the Arkansas State Teachers' Association. He also was twice
elected delegate to the conventions of the National Education Association,
the meetings of which on those occasions were held at Trenton, New Jersey,
and Ithaca, New York. Upon his return to Indiana Mr. Binford was given'
charge of the schools at Newport and soon thereafter was appointed super-
intendent of schools for Hancock county. During that incumbency of two
years he was appointed, in 1874, assistant attorney-general in and for Han-
cock county. It was during that time that he organized and conducted Han-
cock county's first nomial school. In 1875 ^^ ^^'^^ appointed deputy county
treasurer for the townships of Blue River, Brandywine, Center and the city
of Greenfield and in that same year was elected principal of the Greenfield
public schools, a position he held for two years, during which time he insti-
tuted many valuable reforms in the local school system and ga\e an imj^etus
to the work of the schools which is felt to this day.
In the meantime Mr. Binford's natural inclinations had long been turn-
ing him in the direction of the law and he had been sedulously reading law
in his home. In 1877 he quit the school room and gave himself up to the
pursuit of the law as a profession. Entering the law office of New & Barrett
at Greenfield he made rapid advancement under that able jireceptorshii) and
was soon admitted to the bar. Not long thereafter he was appointed head
of the law department of the Montgomery County Normal College and was
there engaged in teaching law for one year, at the end of which time he re-
turned to Greenfield and opened an office for the practice of his profession
and thus continued in active practice the rest of his life. In addition to his
legal practice Mr. Binford also became extensively engaged in the brokerage
and banking business and was very successful in that line, becoming one of
the wealthiest and most influential financiers in this county. For years Mr.
Binford had been interested in historical research work along local lines and
had been painstakingly compiling the data on which was based his notable
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1 133
"History of Hancock County." publislied in i<S(Sj. In nianv otlier wavs Mr.
Binford made iiis presence felt in good ways hereabout and there was a
general feeling of real less in this community wlicn !ic died on April jo, ioi_'.
John H. Binford was twice married, his first marriage taking place in
Wayne county, this state, on June 26. 1873, when he married Lucv Cogges-
hall, who was born in that county on May 2, i(S5_'. and who died in Sep-
tember, 1889. To that union six children were born, namely : Gertrude,
born on April 9, 1874, now deceased : Edgar A., November 26, 1873, deceased :
Robert J., March 31. 1879, a lieutenant of infantry in the United States
army; Paul F., Decemlier 31, 1880, a well-known lawyer of Greenfield;
Frank L.. May it. 1886, of Indianapolis, and Florence. January 4. 1889, who
married David C. McCutcheon and is living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
On March 25, 1891, John H. Binford married, secondly, at Fort Wayne,
Indiana, Florence Clark, who was born in that city on December 29, 1854,
daughter of John H. and Marian (Shi]:py )' Clark. To JiMui PI. and Florence
(Clark) Binford two children were born, John Clark and Morton C.
WOOD L. WALKER.
W^ood L. Walker, general manager of the department store of the J. \\''ard
W'alker Company, at Greenfield, this county, and for years recognized as one
of the leading business men of that city, is a native son of (Greenfield and has
lived in that city all his life. He was born in July, 1864, son of J. Ward and
Mary J. (Todd) Walker, long prominent residents of Greenfield, the fomier
for years and until the time of his death, early in 1915, having l)een regarded
as a leader in the commercial life of Hancock county.
J. Ward Walker was born in the town of Pendleton, Madison county,
Indiana, March 11, 1836, son of John Wood Walker and wife, the former a
merchant of that place. John Wood W^alker was a Virginian who came to
Indiana in 1833 and settled in Madison county, where for a time he engaged
in farming. From 1846 to 1852 he operated a blacksmith shop and in 1853
opened a general store at Pendleton, remaining in business there until 1838,
in which year he moved his stock to Greenfield, and was thus engaged in busi-
ness there the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1883 : and thus was founded
the present prosperous business conducted by the J. Ward Walker Company.
Up to 1864 the store was conducted under the firm name of G. H. and J. Ward
Walker: from 1864 to 1868 it was J. Waril Walker & Company, and from the
1134 HANCOCK COUNTY. INDIANA.
latter year to 1871, Walker & Edwards, Dr. O. M. Edwards having been
admitted to partnership. In 1871 J. Ward Walker helped to organize the
Greenfield Banking Company, Nelson Bradley, president : J. Ward Walker,
cashier, and M. Chandler, assistant cashier. Mr. Walker remained in the bank
until 1876, in which year he started a men's furnishing and clothing store at
Greenfield, imder the firm name of J. Ward Walker & Company, his sister,
Sarah M. Walker, being associated with him in the business. In 1882 the store
was moved to the Randall block, moving thence in 1892 to the Dudding &
Moore block, and thence, in September, 1896, to the Masonic Temple, where
it ever since has been located. On March 28, 1906, the company was reor-
ganized and the firm name was changed to the J. Ward Walker Company,
J. Ward Walker, president ; Sarah M. Walker, vice-president, and Wood L.
Walker, secretary-treasurer. After the death of the elder Walker early in 191 5
Charles H. Cook was elected president of the company; Edwin P. Wilson, vice-
president, and Wood L. W'alker was retained in his position as secretary-treas-
urer and general manager, the latter now being the only sui^viving member of
the old firm of J. Ward Walker & Company.
The late J. \\'ard Walker was diligent in his own business, and was
ever mindful of his duty as a good citizen to the common good and in many
ways was active in promoting the best interests of his home town, so that his
death, on February 22, 19 15, was regarded as a loss to the whole community
and was sincerely mourned. His wife had preceded him to the grave some
years, her death having occurred on June 9, 1902. It was in Madison county,
in the days of his young manhood, that J. Ward Walker was united in mar-
riage to Mary J. Todd, who was born in Chester count}', Pennsylvania, daugh-
ter of the Rev. Miles and Judith (Zeublin) Todd, both natives of that same
county, the former of Scottish descent and the latter of Swiss descent, who
came to Indiana in 1852 and settled at Pendleton, Madison county, where Mr.
Todd became a merchant and where he and liis wife spent tlie remainder of
their lives, his death occurring on July 14. 1902, he then being ninety-two years
of age. Mrs. Todd died in 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Walker were active members
of the Bradley Methodist Episcopal church and were earnest promoters of all
good works hereabout. Air. Walker was a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight
Templar, a member of the blue lodge, the chapter and the commandery at
Greenfield and was also a member of the Greenfield council. Royal and Select
Masters. He and his wife were the parents of six children, of whom five grew
to maturity, as follow: Luella, who died unmarried at the a.ge of twenty-two;
.\rthur R., who married Caroline Bacon and had seven children : AUie E.. who
married W. W. Cook, a Greenfield attomev, and has three children ; Wood L.,
BIOGRAPHICAL. IT 35
the subject of this biographical sketch, and Xannif B., who married Edward P.
Wilson, vice-president of the J. Ward Walker Company, of Greenfield, a bio-
graphical sketch of whom is presented elsewhere in this volume.
Wood L. Walker was reared in Greenfield and received his education in
the public schools of that city. Upon leaving the high school he entered the
drug store of E. B. Grose, and was there engaged from 1884 to 1887, in which
latter year he took liis place in liis father's store, and has ever since been con-
nected with that establishment, having gone througli all stages of development
in the conduct of the business from bookkeeper, which was his first work in the
store, to his present position of secretary-treasurer and general manager of the
J. Ward Walker Company. Mr. Walker gives his undivided attention to the
affairs of the store and is widely known in commercial circles throughout this
part of the state.
On October 2, 1889, Wood L. Walker was united in marriage to Nellie
Whitsell, who was born at Tipton, Iowa, and to this unicm four children have
been born, Marthena, John Wood. Joseph W. and one who died in infancy. Mr.
and Mrs. Walker are members of the Bradley Methodist Episcopal church and
take an earnest part in various social and cultural activities of their home town.
Mr. Walker is a Republican and gives his tlioughtful attention to local political
affairs, but has never been an as])irant for public office. He is a Royal Arch
Mason and a Knight Templar, a member of the blue lodge, the chapter and the
commandery at Greenfield and of the council of Royal and Select Masters at
McCordsville. He is warmly interested in Masonic affairs and has "crossed
the sands" to the "oasis" of Indianapolis, being an enthusiastic member of
Murat temple. Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in
that citv.
LOUIS KNOOP.
Louis Knoop, a well-known and industrious farmer of Brandywine town-
ship, this county, is a native son of Hancock county and has lived here all his
life. He was born on a farm in Sugar Creek township. May 5, 1872, son of
William and Louisa (Roesner) Knoop. both natives of this county, of German
parentage, who were the parents of five children, the subject of this sketch
having two brothers, John and William, living in Sugar Creek township, and
two sisters, Mary, who married Charles Sim<jn, and Louisa, who is still living
at the old home with her widowed mother, the father, an honored veteran of
the Civil War, having died in the spring of 1878 from the effects of wounds.
1136 HANCOCK COUNTV, INDIAXA.
hardships and exposure incurred during his service in the army, his death occur-
ring vviien he was thirty-six years old. He was an earnest memher of the
German Lutheran church, as is his widow, and their children were rearel in
that faith.
Louis Knoop was reared on the home farm in Sugar Creek township and
obtained his schooling in both the parochial and public schools. He remained at
home, assisting in the labors of the farm, until his marriage, after which he
rented the place on which he is now living, a well-kept and profitably cultivated
farm of one hundred and twenty-eight acres in Brandywine township, where
he is engaged in general farming and. to a limited extent, stock raising. He
has taken a warm interest in the upkeep of the farm and the place is in an excel-
lent condition. He is the owner of an automobile and his farming operations
are carried on in accordance with modern methods. Mr. Knoop is a Democrat,
and gives close attention to political affairs, but has never been an asjiirant for
public office.
Louis Knoop married Cora Andis, who was born in this county, daugh-
ter of Morgan and Amanda (Racey) Andis, the former of whom also was
born in this county. May 29, 1841, and the latter, near Harper's Ferry, Vir-
ginia, in 1855. Mrs. Andis died in 1900. She was the mother of five children,
Mrs. Knoop having three brothers, James, William and Harry, and a sister,
Margaret, who married Harry Oslermeyer. William Andis is living in Custer
county, Colorado. Mrs. Knoop is an earnest member of the German Lutheran
church in Sugar Creek township and Mr. Knoop is a liberal contributor to the
same, both taking a warm interest in neighborhood good works.
EUGENE E. DAVIS.
Eugene E. Davis, of Greenfield, was born at Ft. Scott, Bourbon county,
Kansas, on January 12, 1867, and is the son of Dr. Benjamin L. and Albina C.
(Wilson) Davis. Benjamin L. Davis, who was the son of James and Huldah
(Swett) Davis, was born at Strong, Franklin county. Maine, on February 3,
1840, and was of Welsh-English stock. He was a graduate of Waterville (now
Colby) College and, later, of Hahnemann Medical College, New York City.
He entered upon the practice of medicine at Ft. Scott, Kansas, but in 1873 lo-
cated in Petrolia, Pennsylvania, then the center of the great oil field, where he
resided until 1889, when he removed to Pittslnirgh. and there was actively
engaged in the practice of his profession up to tlie time of his death, which
BIOGRAPHICAL. I 1 _^7
occurred on May 13, 1907. He was a Mason and a nieml)er of the Methodist
Episcopal cinuch. He was very active in church matters, serving as trustee
and chorister for many years. His wife. Alhina (Wilson) Davis, was Ixirn
near Solon, Somerset county, Maine, on Ma\- 4, 1840, the daughter of Daniel
and Mary (Goodrich) Wilson. On tlie i)aternal side siie traced an unbroken
line of descent from Benjamin \\'ilson, wlio emigrated from I'aisley, Scot-
land, to Prince Edward Island, and ihence tu Massacliusetts, wliere he landed
in 1650. From there lie went to Maine, where, during subsequent years, mem-
bers of the family became prominent in the political and religious life of the
state. To Benjamin and .^Ibina Davis were born two children, Eugene E.
and Mary Gertrude, of Hutler, Pennsylvania, the widow of H. W. Daugherty
and the mother of four sons.
Eugene E. Davis received liis education in the public scliools of Butler
county, Pennsylvania, where tiie family had located in 1873. His first employ-
ment was as a messenger for the Western Union Telegraph Company at
Petrolia for a few months, quitting that job to enter the office of the Petrolia
Record, where he learned the printing trade. In 1887 he went to Pittsburgh
and entered the job printing establishment of Stevenson & Foster, wdiere he
remained until 1S9J. when he went to Logansport, Indiana, and entered the
employ of Wilson, Humphreys & Company, at that time one of the largest
printing houses in the state. In 1902 Mr. Davis entered the employ of B. F.
Bowen, publisher of state and county histories, at Logansport, in the capacity
of editor. In 1904 the business was moved to Indianapolis, and, later the same
year, to Greenfield. Two years later Mr. Davis severed his relations with Mr.
Bowen and became a stockholder and secretary-treasurer of the Greenfield
Printing and Publishing Company, witii wiiich he was identified until 1909,
when the plant was sold and he again joined B. F. Bowen, at Indianapolis, as
editor of histories. In 1913 B. F. Bowen & Company was incorporated, Mr.
Davis becoming a stockholder and secretary-treasurer. He is still identified
with this company and is also president of the Federal Publishing Company,
which is issuing the present history of Hancock county. He resides in Green-
field, his business headquarters being in the Occidental Iniilding. Indianapolis.
Mr. Davis is a Republican in politics, though he was recently aligned with
the Progressive movement. Fraternally, he is a niemlier of Hancock Lodge
No. loi. Free and Accepted Masons; Greenfield Chapter Xo. 96, Royal Arch
Masons: Logansixjrt Council No. 11. Royal and Select Masters; Greenfield
Commandery No. 39, Knights Templar, of whicli lie was recorder for ten
years ; Indianapolis Consistory, Scottish Rite ; Murat Temple, Nobles of the
Mystic Shrine, and tlic Modern Woodmen of .America. Religiinislv. he has
(72)
I 138 HANCOCK COUNTV, INDIANA.
long been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, being- now a trustee of
the church at Greenfield. He has been cliorister of this church for eleven years
and is a teacher in the Sunday school.
On December 25. 1890, Air. Davis was married to Mary Elizabeth Kim-
mel, of Butler, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Thompson and Elizabeth Kmi-
mel. Mrs. Davis died on October 28, 1902. and on May 4, 1904, Mr. Davis
married Iza G. Runnings, who was born on August 2, 1871, at Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, the daughter of March and Victoria (Vandergrift) Hunnings.
To this union were born two children, Alice Gertrude, born on September 16,
1905, and March Benjamin, born on November 28, 1907, but who died seven
days later. Mrs. Davis is active in local church and club work, being a member
of the Methodist Episcopal churcli and of the Ladies' Home Reading Club.
WILLIAM HENRY KELLER.
William Henry Keller, the son of David and Cynthia (Ellis) Keller, was
born on the farm in Green township, this county, where he now resides, in
1856. His parents were natives of Greenbrier county, \\^est Virginia.
Philip Keller and wife, the parents of David, were natives of West Vir-
ginia and came to Madison county, Indiana, at a very early day. Here Mr.
Keller engaged in farming and became the possessor of eight hundred acres of
land. He and Mrs. Keller made this their home, and here they lived and died.
The parents of Mrs. Keller were also natives of West Virginia, where they
spent their lives.
David Keller received his education in the schools of West Virginia,
where he grew to manhood and engaged in farming. He was married in his
native state and was the father of two children before he came to the new loca-
tion in the western state. Some time before his father decided to come to
Indiana, David left his Virginia home and settled in Green township, where
he pre-empted sixty acres, where the son, William, now lives. The country
was a dense forest, and the land taken by Mr. Keller was a virgin woods. He
cleared a small tract and erected a cabin, which was the first home of the family
in the new location. In time a new frame house was built near the location of
the old one. The farm was improved and developed. Before the death of
himself and wife he had accumulated over eight hundred acres, all of which he
gave to his seven children before his deatli. with the exception of some one hun-
dred and sixtv acres.
BIOGKAI'lIICAL. 1 \ y)
William Henry Keller rcceixcfl his education in the schools of Hancock-
county. Soon after completing- his education he enp^aged in farming and has
made that his life work. He is engaged in general farming on his four hun-
dred and twenty acres of land. The farm is well improved, the present modern
and convenient buildings having been erected b\- Mr. Keller within recent
years.
William H. Keller was united in marriage to Rena Johnson and to this
union tlie following children have been born : Arnold, James, Carrie, Clar-
ence and Cora. Mr. Keller and his family are memljers of the United Brethren
church.
CHARLES E. PAULEY.
Among the numerous Hancock county "l)()\s" wlio have sought wider
fields for the exercise of their talents and have done well in whatever enter-
jirises they have engaged in elsewhere, few liave retained a livelier interest in
the scenes of their boyhood or have retained more of the abiding friendships
jof their youth hereabout than has Charles E. Pauley, now of Indianapolis, who
has l<^ng been recognized as one of the most successful and distinctive figures
in printing circles in Indiana. Mr. Pauley had the foresight to recognize the
need of developing a new and distinctive branch of the printing trades in this
state and tiie forethought to become a pioneer in that development. As pio-
neers deserve to do, he has succeeded in the undertaking upon which he entered
ten years ago and now enjoys the distinction of being the sole owner of the
largest custom linotype plant in Indiana, his busy battery of machines supply-
ing' the needs of the trade in all parts of the state.
Charles E. Pauley was born at Greenfield, this county, January 15, 1868,
son and only child of Joseph H. and Elizabeth (Morris) Pauley, both natives
of this county, the latter of whom died when her son was little more than a
year old. Joseph H. Pauley was a member of one of the old families of Han-
cock county and was reared in the Eden neighborhood, where he learned the
carpenter trade and later became a building contractor, remaining thus engaged
throughout the active years of his life, all of which was spent here save the last
year, which was spent in the home of his son in Indianapolis, his death occur-
ring there when he was past sixty-five years of age. He was a Republican,
ever taking an earnest interest in the political affairs of his home county, and
was a member of the Greenfield lodge of the Knights of Pythias, in the affairs
of which he took a warm interest.
II40 HANCOCK COLXTY. INDIANA.
Even from the days of his boyhood the jjrint shop possessed a fascination
for Charles E. Pauley, and upon completing his schooling in the graded schools
of Greenfield he entered upon his career as a printer. He learned his trade in
the offices of the Jeffersoniaii and the Democrat at Greenfield and in ]88S,
he then being about twenty years of age. went to Indianapolis, where for three
years he was engaged as a compositor on the old Sentinel. When the linotype,
that wonderful machine which revolutionized the process of typesetting, began
to be introduced into the print shops of Indianapolis, Mr. Pauley became
greatly interested in the same and lost little time in learning to operate the
machine, presently becoming regarded as one of the best machinist-operators
in the capital city. In 1906 lie recognized tlie possibilities of the custom lino-
type business and bought a machine, whicli he installed in a small shop at 119
\\'est Maryland street, and there began to supply the needs of the trade. It
was not long until he realized that he was "filling a long-felt want." for he
found himself "swamped" with orders. He presently added a second machine
to his equipment and as his lousiness grew added still another, and moved to
more commodious quarters, and tlius continued to add to his equipment, his
business constantly growing as his reputation for faithful performance of
contracts extended throughout the state, until now he has ten machines, which
are kept going night and day. as well as an admirably equipped and capably
manned plant for general publication work, and lias become one of the sub-
stantial figures in the industrial and commercial life of the city.
On June 27, 1888, Charles E. Pauley was united in marriage to Gertrude
Chamberlain, who was bom in Greenfield, this county, in February, 1870,
daughter of Samuel and Mary Chamberlain, also natives of Greenfield, and
to this union four daughters have been born. Hazel, who married Von Glas-
cock and is living at Greenfield : Ethel, wlio married L. V. Meriman, of Indian-
apolis ; Mabel, wife of Frank Meredith, also of Indianapolis, and ]\Iaragret,
who is still in school.
BERRY WILLIS COOPER, M. D.
In placing the late Dr. Berry Willis Cooper in the front rank of the citi-
zens of his generation in Hancock county, justice is rendered a biographical
fact universally recognized in the locality honored by his citizenship. Though
a quiet and unassuming man. he contributed much to the civic and moral ad-
vancement of his community, while his admirable qualities of head and heart
won for him the esteem and confidence of tlie circles in which he moved.
BIOGRAPHICAL. II4I
Berry Willis Cooper was horn in Kentiuky in 1S28. tiie son of Elijah
Coo])er and Berilla ( Xoel) Coupcr. While he was (|nite younjj. the family
came lo Indiana, locating- first in Rush county, whence, a few years later,
they came to Hancock county. After completinnf his puhlic school education,
Berry W. Cooper studied medicine under the direction of Doctors Cook and
Jones. He commenced the practice of his profession at Xew Columbus
(Ovid), Indiana, about the year 1S54, but subsecpiently took a course in medi-
cine at the Rush Medical School, Chicago, under Doctor Brainard. and ^.i^rad-
uated with high honors. In 1858 Doctor Cooper located in (Ireenfield and
enjoyed a splendid practice until his death, which occurred in 1868. He is
buried in the Cooper cemetery. A polished gentleman and able physician,
there were embodied in him those trails of character which ever comman<l the
respect of a community and his death, at a com])arati\'elv earl\- age, was con-
sidered a distinct loss to Greenfield and Hancock county.
In 1857 Doctor Cooper was married to Alalissa Hoel and to tiiis union
were born the following children, all of whom were born in Greenfield, where
they still reside: Daniel B., born in 1858, who m;u"ricd Flora B. Marsh, daugh-
ter of Hon. Montgomery ]Marsh : George H.. who is mentioned elsewhere in
this work: William S., born in 1862. who married Minnie, the daughter of
Jerome Black, of Greenfield.
Malissa (Hoel) Cooper was born in Ohio in 1835 and was the daughter of
George \Y. and Catharine (Hojiper) Hoel. When the daughter was quite
young, the family mo\ed to .Adams township, Madison "county. Indiana, and
there Mr. Hoel took an active part in public affairs, serving as justice of the
peace for Adams township and two terijis as county commissioner of Madison
county. Malissa Hoel received a good public school education and, as stated
above, was married to Dr. Berry Willis Cooper in 1857. About ten years
later she became a widow and thereafter nobly devoted herself to the rearing
and educating of her three sons. She remained a resident of Greenfield up
to the time of her dcatli. which occurred on .April 24. 1913. at the age of sev-
enty-seven years, nine months and fifteen days.
In a brief summary of her life's activities, necessitated by the limitations
of this work, one catches but a brief glimpse of the place she filled and the
influence she had in the life of the community. Charital)le and kind, she never
lost an o])i)ortnnity to sav a helpfid word to all with whom she came in contact.
She lived a life of exalted purpose, the value of which cannot be estimated.
The following excerpts are taken from a memorial printed soon after her death
and reflect the large place she held in the minds of those who had known and
been associated with her. In the course of the funeral sermon. Rev. B. F.
I 142 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Dailey, who had known her intimately, said : "This larg^e gathering of friends
and the flowers which flooded the house where she went to sleep testify to
the love which all of us have for Mrs. Malissa Cooper. We have paused here
on the way to the silent city to bear testimony to her cliaracter. . . . This
sanctuary was to her the gate to heaven. Here came to her, from time to time,
the vision of heavenly things and the inspiration of the higher ideals of life.
. . . For forty-five years siie led a widowed life. Her husband, Dr. Berry
Willis Cooper, left her in the morning of life and now, full of years, she goes to
join him in that land where life is one perpetual youth. He left her with the
blessings of three little boys, Brainard. George and William, and to their bring-
ing up she devoted herself, soul and tody. Time has told how well she suc-
ceeded. . . . To this responsibility, which she fulfilled so well, there was
added another, of like kind, in the closing years of her life. Ten years ago
the hand of death smote the home of her youngest son and left four little chil-
dren without a mother. These became the object of her love and care to the
day of her death, and they will rise up to call her blessed.
"There was given to her also, in large measure, the gift of intelligence.
In her early life she was a teacher in the pubhc schools. She was a member
of the first reading circle at this place, and continued the work until the
course was completed.
"Her love of home and children and the welfare of others prompted her
to donate her old homestead as the site of our public library. Over the path
which led to her doorstep troop our hundreds of school children to quench
their thirst at the fountain of knowledge. She was heard to say that she
wanted only some small marker at her grave, for, pointing to the library site,
'There is my monument.' \\'ith her own hand she signed the deed which gave
the lot to the city, and there, witliin the entry of that beautiful building, a
grateful public has cut in marble the name of Malissa Cooper.
"Chief among her activities was her devotion to this church. She was
always ready with gifts and good words to help on the cause. She was faith-
ful in attendance at the services. She kept her place in that front pew imtil
she went to join the church above. Through all the cares and responsibilities
of life there shone the personality of her Christian womanhood."
Under the heading, "A Retrospect," one who stood close to her in the
family circle, wrote in part as follows : "In girlhood she was ambitious ; she
received something of an academic education in Rush county, Indiana, and
then, her parents having changed their residence to a newer part of the state
and in a country district, she taught her first school at tlie age of eighteen.
She was entiiusiastic in all that she did, and. finding that the boys could play
BIOGRAPHICAL. II 43
ball without her help and guidance, she conceived the idea of giving tc llie
girls some pleasing occupation, and, possessing some knowledge of embroidery
and fancy knitting, she taught them these arts in aridition to the other lessons —
this comes among tlie earliest records of manual training being tauglit in the
schools of Indiana. . . .
"Her religion was of the substantial kind ; she believed in and liked to
hear, 'I am the resurrection and the life,' her working hypothesis was drawn
from the text, 'I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith'."
Mrs. Cooper gave much encouragement and lielp to young people and in
addition to the education of her own children and grandchildren she helped
and aided seven others through the liigh school.
TYNER E. LO^VE, M. D.
Dr. T_\'ner E. Lowe, of Greenfield, one of tiie best-known physicians in
Hancock county, president of the school board of his home city', and other-,
wise actively identified with the social and cultural movements of that city, is
a native Hoosier and has lived in this state all his life, with the exception of
the time spent in medical college at St. Louis. He was liorn in Hamilton
county, Indiana, November 19, 1877, son of John and Elizabeth Jane Lowe,
the former of whom, also a native of Indiana, was born in Hamilton county
on May 24, 1842, and the latter, in Franklin county, Ohio, July 15, 185 1.
Doctor Lowe was well equipped by study for the practice of the pro-
fession to whicii he has brougiit honor during the years of his active practice
at Greenfield. Upon completing the course in the schools of his native county,
he taught school for six years and then entered tlie Homeopathic Medical
College at St. Louis, and was graduated with honors from that excellent insti-
tution in 1908, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Immediately follow-
ing his graduation Doctor Lowe opened an office for the practice of liis pro-
fession at Greenfield, and has ever since Ijeen located there, long having been
recognized as one of the leading physicians of that part of the state. Xot
only has Doctor Lowe given the most studious consideration to the exacting
duties of his profession, but he has given thoughtful attention to the social
and civic affairs of his home community and has done his part as a good citi-
zen in the promotion of all movements having to do with the advancement of
the best interests of the people of Greenfield and of Hancock county, his ser-
vices as president of the school board of Greenfield having proved of particular
I 144 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
value to tlie community at large. Doctor Lowe is a Democrat and ever since
locating at Greenfield has given close attention to local political affairs. He
is a member of tiie Indiana Institute of Homeopathy and of the American
Institute of Homeopathy and has for years taken an active interest in the de-
liberations of these todies. He also is a member of the local lodge of the
Knights of Pythias and of the Modern \\'oodmen of America, and in the
affairs of these latter organizations takes a warm interest.
On June 17. 1909, the year following the beginning of his practice in
Greenfield. Doctor Lowe was united in marriage to Maybelle Smith, who was
born in Jackson township, this county, daughter of Dr. H. B. Smith, and to
this union has been bom one .son, Benton Smith Lowe. Ixirn nn Julv 15, 1913.
yirs. Lowe is a member of the Metliodist Episcopal church and the doctor is a
member of the Primitive Baptist church, both taking a warm interest not only
in local church affairs, but in all proper social and cultural activities in their
home community, useful laborers in behalf of all measures designed to advance
the common welfare hereabout.
ERNEST R. SISSOX. M. D.
Doctor Sisson"s paternal ancestry is French. His motlier's people, who
came to Indiana from Virginia, were of English descent. His father's mother
was of Scotch-Irish e.xtraction. Xo record has been found showing when the
Sissons came to America, but the family is known to have located in the state
of Xew York at a very earl\- day. \\'\\.h the exception of the doctor's grand-
father, Nelson Sisson, who emigrated to Rusli county. Indiana, about eighty
years ago, and his descendants, the family still remains in the Empire state.
ilarquis LaFayette Sisson, the doctor's father, was born in Rush county, and
there he reared his family. He was a veteran of the Civil War and was twice
elected county commissioner of Rush county, being Uiimiiiated on liotli occa-
sions by acclamation.
Ernest R. Sisson, the son of Marquis LaFayette Sisson ant! Xancy
(Harold) Sisson, was born in Rush cour,ty on December 7, 1869. He is the
eldest of a family of four boys. He was educated in the common schools of
his native county. Later he attended Spiceland Academy, graduating in 1891.
He also attended several tenns at Graham's College at Rushville, a school or-
ganized and e(|uipped by Mr. Graham, who has since served several years as
superintendent nf tlie Soldiers' ruid Sailors' Orphans' Home at Knightstown,
BIOGRAPHICAL. I '45 '
Ind. From 1891 to 1894 Mr. .Sis.son tauglit in the cdiiimnn schools of Rush
county. In 1895 lie entered the medical dei)artnient of the I'niversity of Indi-
ana, gradttating in 1898. During his senior year he also served as an
interne at Bobb's Dispensary at Indianapolis. In the fall of i8g8, after grad-
uating from the medical college, he opened his office at Maxwell. Ind. In
1907 he came to Greenfield and has since that time been engaged in the prac-
tice here. Doctor Sisson has been very successful in his profession. His suc-
cess has given him a practice that is all but loo large for one man to care for.
His professional ability is generally recognized in the county, and as a ])rac-
titioner he is easily the peer of any of his brethren.
While a student at Spiceland Academy Doctor Sisson became acquainted
with Mattie M. Wilson, to whum he was married on March 1. 1894. Two
children were born to them: A son, who died in infancy, and a daughter,
Marion, who was married on May 6, 1916, to K. Ma.\ Peyton, of Danville,
Ind. Airs. Mattie Sisson died on January 21. 1909. The daughter. Marion,
who was then of high school age, entered the girls' school at St. Mary's of
the Woods, from which she was graduated. Doctor Sisson was married,
secondly, to Enna F. Mead, November 23. 1909. One child has l^een born to
them, who died in infancy.
Fraternallv, the doctor is a member of the Masonic order, including the
chapter and council. He is also affiliated with the Redmen, Royal .\rcanum
and Moose, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Before his
practice became so extensive, he took an interest in Sunday schools, and for
several years, while a student, he taught a young men's Bible class at Roberts
Park church, at Indianapolis. The doctor appreciates a joke or a clean story,
and his fund of them seems to Ije inexhaustible.
GEORGE H. MERLAU.
George H. Mcrlau, a farmer of Buck Creek township, Hancock county,
Indiana, also having a reputation as one of the best contracting bricklayers
throughout this and adjoining states, was born in Sugar Creek township, this
county, on June 17, 1871, being a son of Conrad and Elizal>eth (Meier)
Merlau.
Conrad Merlau was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, on January 6,
1836, and came to this country with his parents when a youth. The family set-
tled in this countv a short distance west of Xew Palestine, and there Cuinul
I 146 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Merlau lived until the time of his marriage, when twenty-one j-ears old, to
Elizabeth Meier, born in Sugar Creek township, on the old ^leier homestead,
in 1848, a daughter of Anton and Elizabeth Meier. After marriage, Conrad
Merlau went to the northeast part of Sugar creek township, where he farmed
for a few years. He later sold that farm and bought one hundred and sixty
acres in the northeast quarter of section 32, of Buck Creek township. There were
about sixty acres of this farm under the plow and an old frame house and barn
by way of improvements, and so energetically has Conrad Merlau worked and
so well has he managed, that his entire farm is today under cultivation and
there is a fine nine-room residence of brick and other excellent buildings in
keeping with the surroundings. Conrad Merlau had the misfortune to lose his
wife, who passed away in the spring of 1902. She was the mother of eleven
children, eight of whom survive, namely : Anna, William, George, Rosie,
Fred, Julia, Emma and Edna. Conrad Merlau is a Democrat in politics, and
both he and his wife were from their childhood members of the German
Lutheran church.
George H. Merlau was an infant of six months when his parents moved
to Buck Creek township, and on the farm there his childhood and youth were
spent. He attended the old Brown school and after finishing the course there
studied for a time at an Indianapolis business college. At the age of fifteen he
went into the store of his brother-in-law, John Woty, at Arcadia, where he
remained for two years, and later took up the trade of bricklaying, to which he
has ever since given his best efforts. On April 29, 1902, at the age of thirty-
one, George Merlau was united in marriage with Mary Buchfink, bom in Buck
Creek township, tliis county, on April 9, 1881. She is a daughter of John
and Elizabeth (Kissel) Buchfink, the former of wliom is one of the oldest pio-
neers of Buck Creek township.
After marriage, George H. Merlau located in Indianapolis, where he lived
for several years, gradually advancing in his trade until his reputation became
far more than local. He has handled contracts in thirteen different states, and
before receiving an injury a few years ago did a large contracting business all
over the state of Indiana. He is a member of the International Bricklayers'
Union No. 3, of Indianapolis, which body he has served as financial secretary,
recording secretary and various other offices and committees. In February,
1910. George Merlau returned to Hancock county, taking up his residence on
the old home place, where he has since resided, and has had the entire manage-
ment of the same for the past five years. However, the greater part of his
time is still devoted to his chosen vocation of contracting and bricklaying.
Mr. and Mrs. George Merlau have a family of four children, namely:
BIOGRAPHICAL. I I J. 7
Florence, Ruby, Helen and Charles, and both are members of the German
Lutheran church, while in politics he gives his support to the Democratic party.
George Merlau is one of the best known sons of Hancock county, a man who
stands high in the estimation of friends and acquaintances.
JOHN P. BARDOXXER
John P. Bardonner was born one mile south of Cicero. Hamilton county,
Indiana. June 24, 1858. He is a stin of Henry and ^lary (Merlau) Bardonner.
Henry Bardonner was born in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1838 and died in
Hamilton county, one mile south of Cicero, in 1908. at the age of seventy years.
He was a son of Henry and Emma (Gates) Bardonner. both of whom were
born in Hesse-Dannstadt. Germany, where Henry Bardonner spent his early
life and where he learned the cooper's trade. There he was married and three
years after liis marriage his first child was born. He then came to America
with his family and settled first in Wayne county, Indiana, where for a few-
years he worked at the cooper's trade and then in 1842 he moved to Indiana-
polis, where he learned of tlie fine land in Hamilton county. He went to
Hamilton county, and entered two 80-acre tracts ot timber land one-lialf mile
northeast of Cicero. There he built a small house and a log barn and cleared
up about forty acres of land. He then continued to improve this place, building
a good frame house of four rooms and a good frame barn. Frame buildings
were a luxury in those days, and the fact of his liaving frame buildings is
accounted for by his being a good meciianic. Seven or eight years later a man
by tiie name of Sims offered to trade his seven eighty-acre tracts of timber for
his place and this trade was finely consummated. Mr. Bardonner made his
place so attractive tliat Mr. Sims thought he would rather have it than the
seven eightv-acre tracts of raw timber land. Years after Henry Bardonner's
death the heirs of Mr. Sims, realizing what a bad trade their father liad made,
tried by various means to recover what the elder Sims had lost.
Henr\- Bardonner, Sr., was a remarkable man, a good mechanic, and
verv industrious. In addition to his 560 acres in Hamilton county he bought
in later vears, 200 acres in Missouri. He established all his children on good
farms. In 1863 he retired and moved to Cicero, where his death occurred the
following winter. His wife survived him a good many years, dying in 1880.
They were the parents of the following children, one daughter and three sons,
namely : Becky, Henry, Jr., Peter and John, all deceased but the last named.
Henry Bardonner, Jr.. the father of the subject of this sketch, spent his
1 148 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
cliildhood and youth on the old homestead of his father in Hamilton county.
There he received his early education, worked as a boy in the saw-mill and
helped his father on the home farm until he was married at about the
age of nineteen years. He then settled on an eighty-acre tract of land which
he received from his father, erecting thereon a log house, which served him for
about eight years, and a log barn which sen-ed until 1874. He then built a
good frame house of five rooms which still stands. It was there he spent the re-
mainder of his life, his death occuring on December 23, 1908. His wife died
on JanuarA' 31, 1916, at Arcadia, Indiana. Like his fatlier, Henry Bardonner
was a splendid mechanic and his .son, John, has still several treasured mementoes
of his skill. He finally accumulated a tract of three hundred and sixty-nine
acres of Hamilton county land and in addition to this several thousand dollars.
On his farm lie had !)uilt a large barn forty by si.xty feet in 1874.
Mary Merlau, who was the mother of John P. Bardonner, was born in
German}- and \\'hen seven years of age came with her parents, Henry A. Merlau
and wife, to New Palestine. Ind.. wliere they settled and wliere she spent her
early childhood and remaining days until her marriage to the father of Mr.
Bardonner. Henry and Mar) (Merlau) Bardonner were the parents of the
following children: John P., wbo is the immediate subject of this review;
Anna, Henry, deceased ; Herman, deceased : Edward, George, Lizzie, Charles,
Emma and Louis, tlie last named Ijeing deceased.
John P. Bardonner was bom on the old jiomestead i>f his parents in Hamilton
county. There he received his earl)- education attending the old Br;)wn school
house. He remained at home helping his father on the old home farm until he
was nearly twenty-two years old. For two years, 1881: and 1883, he worked
in Hancock county and from 1884 to 1886 lie worked at the carjienter's trade.
In 1887 he was married to Emma Lantz. who was Ixirn in Sugar Creek town-
ship. Hancock county, in April, 1863, the daughter of George and Elizabeth
(Manche) Lantz. The former was a native of Germany, and the latter a
native of Hancock county. They were the parents of the following children :
iMollie. Emma, William. Nettie and Henry, all of wlioni arc living, and two
children who died in infancy.
After his marriage John P. Bardonner lived on his father's farm for five
years. He then moved to Sugar Creek township, Hancock county and settled
on a fami belonging to his wife's father. This was a tract of one liundrcd and
twenty acres, forty acres of which belonged to Mrs. Bardonner, and tlie re-
mainder she ultimately inherited. She also received a part of another hundred-
acre tract and purchased the remainder of it. Since that time Mr. Bardonner
BIOGKArillCAL. I 149
has purchased alioiit seventy-five acres, inakiiii^' a tmal of ahmil Iwn ImiKh'cd
and ninety-three acres of fine farming- land owned h}- himself and wife.
Mr. F'ardonner is farming about one hundred an ninety-three acres of this
land now and he usually cultivates about fifty to si.xty acres of corn and the
same amount of small grain. He usually keeps about sixty head of hogs and
from twenty to thirty head of cattle, some of which are full-blooded Shorthorns.
He keeps about ten head of horses and attributes most of his profits to hogs
and corn.
Mr. and Mrs. Bardonner are the parents of the following children : Nettie,
Lawrence, Marie and William. Nettie married Fred Rushhaupt and they liave
three children, Dorothy and Emily, twins, and Charles Frederick. Mr. Bardon-
ner is a Democrat in ijolitics, and has scrxed his township as supervisor for
several terms. He was also road superintendent. He has been president and
vice-president, as well as director of the New Palestine Telephone Company
for fifteen years, and is one of Sugar Creek tow nship's most substantial and pro-
gressive farmers.
WILLIA>[ T. GEISEL.
\\'illiam J. Geisel, to a short sketch of whose life the attention of the
reader is now directed, is well known as one of Hancock county's most success-
ful farmers and the owner of one of its most beautiful ami complete farm
homes. William J. Geisel has a wide acquaintance throughout this section and
is known as a man of high ideals and lilx-ral views, who stands for the highest
and best in all that relates to ])rivate and public life.
William J. Geisel was born on DavidscMi street, in Indianapolis, Indiana,
November 8. 1869, a son of Christian and Matilda ( Ruschaupt) Geisel. Chris-
tian Geisel was born in Hesse-Dermstadt, Germany. February 5, 1838, in the
village of Wollenroth, a son of Conrad Geisel. Conrad Geisel was born in
that same place about 1800. and there he grew to manhood and was married.
\\'hen a voung man he was a .shepherd and took care of his father's large and
valuable flock. While still a \oung man he and his wife, with their family of
four children, set sail for America. They crossed on one of the old slow-going
sailing vessels, the voyage requiring three months, and they finally landed at
the port of Baltimore. That was in 1840 and they immediately engaged a
team and wagon to transport them to their destination in Hancock county.
After several weeks of ardous traveling, they reached their journey's end. and
here Conrad Geisel bought forty acres about one and one-half miles west of
New Palestine. The farm at that time was jiractically virgin forest, there
being but three to five acres cleared and the only buildings a log cabin and a
I 150 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Stable. Conrad Geisel bravely set about making- a comfortable home in tlie
wilderness and later erected a hewed-log; house of four or five rooms, which is
standing today in an excellent state of preser\-ation. owing- to his skill as a
builder. Here Conrad Geisel lived the balance of iiis life, with the exception
of a short time spent at the home of his son, John, on an adjoining farm. Con-
rad Geisel died in 1884 at the age of about eighty-four years, having survived
his wife some ten or twelve years. Conrad Geisel and wife were the parents
of nine children, namely : Henry, Catherine, John, Christian, Elizabeth, Con-
rad, Mary, George and Henry.
Christian Geisel, father of William J., grew up cm the familv homestead
in Sugar Creek township, receiving such education as the schools of this sec-
tion at that time afforded, and at the age of eighteen started out in life for
himself. For a time he was employed at the Central Hospital for the Insane,
located at Indianapolis, and later learned the carpenter's trade, being employed
for many years in that capacity by Mr. Helwig, a contractor. He later was
employed by the old "Bee Line" Railroad, now a part of the New York Central
system, and in time became foreman of the car-building department. It was
while he was living in Indianapolis that William J. was born. In 1881 Chris-
tian Geisel moved to Sugar Creek township and took possession of the faiTn of
eighty acres which he owned there. This was situated about three miles north-
west of New Palestine, and some eighteen months later he moved to "Poplar
Grove Farm", containing one hundred and fifty-four acres and located in
Franklin township, Marion county. On that farm he made his home from
1883 to the spring of 1908, when lie retired fmm active labor and moved to
New Palestine, where he has since resided. Christian Geisel won a gratifying
degree of success in life, at one time owning one hundred acres of land
in Hamilton county, eighty in Hancock county and one hundred and fifty-four
in Marion county, besides city property in Indianapolis. Christian Geisel has
been a widower since the death of his wife, July 8, 1913. He is still a member
of Zion Evangelical Lutheran church, in Indianapolis, where both he and liis
wife attended for many years. In politics. Christian Geisel is a Democrat,
althougii devoting no especial attention to that question.
William J. Geisel is one of a family of three children and the youngest.
Edward resides in New Palestine and Amelia, deceased, was the wife of Ben
Scheldmier and the mother of four children. Matilda, Edward, Frederick Will-
iam and Benjamin. William J. Geisel received his earliest education in the
public schools of Indianapolis, his first teacher being a Miss Lloyd. When he
was eleven years of age his parents came to Sugar Creek township, and he then
attended the schools of New Palestine and Poplar Grove. After his school
BIOGRAPHICAL. I 1 5 I
days were over he became the assistant of his father in the farm work, remain-
ing under the parental roof until twenty-six years of age. He started out in life
for himself without any capital, but witli a large amount of ambition and energ}-.
He bought his first farm of sixt}-niiu' acres without having a cent of money
for it and by dint of liard work and excellent management he succeeded in
paying for this place. He farmed that for a numljer of years and also his
father's farm of one hundred and fifty-four acres. With the help of his father
he erected a beautiful home of thirteen rooms on his farm, the heavy timbers
for which he i)rocured from his own land. He also built two fine liarns, one
eighty by fifty-four feet and the other forty-eight by forty-two feet, at the
same time putting up other buildings in keeping with the style of residence
and barns. William J. continued to make his home on his farm until 1908,
having two years previous to that time sold his land to the Big Four Railroad
Company and continued thereon as a renter. His father, also, at the same
time, sold his farm of one hundred and fifty-four acres, and William J. Geisel,
in September, 1906. purchased a farm of two hundred and twenty-nine acres
in Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, where he has since made his home.
Since taking possession of his new farm, Mr. (ieisel has greatly improved the
place. The residence he has made into a beautiful and modern home of ten
rooms, has improved and enlarged the barn until it now has a floor space of
eighty by thirty-three feet with an "L" fifty-si.x by thirty-eight feet. He has a
combination corn crib and carriage house, a workshop sixty-five by twenty-
five feet and a splendid hog house with cement floor and a large corn crib
above. This hog barn is twent)-eight by forty-eight feet and is one of the
most complete and perfectly designed in the county. There are also other
buildingings in perfect keeping with the surroundings, ^\'illiam J. Geisel is
a strong advocate of diversified farming and usually puts fifty acres to corn,
averaging about fifty bushels to the acre, and puts in from sixty to seventy-
five acres to small grains. He has ready for the market on an average of sev-
enty-five hogs each year, favoring a pure strain of Poland Chinas, and feeds
out eight to ten head of cattle, keeping from twenty-five to thirty head on
hand. These are purebred Shorthorns and Durhams, while his horses, of which
he has ten to twelve head, are excellent Percheron draft horses. Mr. Geisel is
highly successful in his chosen line and attributes his success to careful man-
agement and untiring energy.
When twenty-seven years of age, William J. Geisel was married, in Indian-
aoplis, to Anna L. Neuerburg, born in that city, October i, 1876, a daughter
of Leonard and Christina (Deitz) Neuerburg. the former a native of Alsace-
Lorraine, and the latter bom in Marion county, this state, of German parent-
I 152 HANCOCK COUNTY. INDIANA.
age. To William J. Geisel and wife have been born four children, namely:
Robert William, born on April 21, 1898; Gertrude, July 11. 1903; Leonard
Christian, February 5, 1908, and Ruth, March 3, 1910. Mr. Geisel votes inde-
pendently, voting- always for tlic worthy candidate ratlier than supporting any
one party's ticket.
WILLIAM A. HUGHES.
\\'illiam A. Hughes, well-known attorney and financier, of Greenfield,
tiiis county, was born in Greenfield on April 19, 18^)9, son of John A. and Mar-
garet A. (Wray) Hughes, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of
Pennsylvania, who came to Indiana in the days of their youth, settling at
Greenfield, where they married.
Mr. Hughes was reared in Greenfield, the city of his birth, and uiwn com-
pleting the course in the city schools entered the Huglies Bank, then being con-
ducted in Greenfield by his fadier, and thoroughly familiarized himself with
that business. Though little more tlian a boy when liis father died, in 1885,
William A. Hughes continued to conduct the business, and was thus success-
fully engaged for a period of twenty-three years, at tiie end of which time, in
January, 1908, he liquidated the business and discontinued the bank. On March
I, following, Mr. Hughes took offices in the Ma.-;onic Temple, and has since
then been engaged in the general practice of law, witii i)articular reference to
probate business, and in the general loan and insurance business, and has been
very successful. Mr. Hughes is an active, progressive and enterprising citizen
and has done much to advance the general interests of his home city and county
at large. He is a Republican, thou.gli not much given to active participation in
political affairs, and his action while serving as acting mayor of Greenfield
some years ago, during which time, as jud.ge of the mayor's court, he effected
some very much-needed "house-cleaning" in the city, is not likely so<^>n to be
forgotten. For three years he was a member of tlie city school board, and
while thus connected introduced the study of chemistry, physics and German
into the high school and completed the organization of the city library, liuying
the first books for the library, an initial equipment of two thousand and five
hundred volumes. ]\Ir. Hughes is a charter member of the influential Temple
Club, of Greenfield, and of the state-w-ide Columbia Club, at Indianapolis. He
lives in his own home at No. 610 West Main street, in Greenfield.
On October 15. 1891, William A. Hughes was united in marriage to Xellie
H. Millikan, of Greenfield, who was born at Raleigh. Rusli county, this state,
BIOGRAPHICAL. I 1 53
November 17. 1868. daughter of Dr. Samuel K. and Isahelle (Hall) Millikan,
both natives of Rush county, l)ut for many years residents of ( ireenfield.
To William A. and Xellie H. (.Millikan) Hughes three daughters have
been bom, Lucy M., who married James L. Murray, a lawyer, of Indianapolis;
Mary Isabel, a student at I'.utier College, and Marjorie H., a graduate of tlie
Greenfield high school. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes are menil)ers of the Presbyterian
church, the congregation of which Mr. Hughes has served in every caajjcity
from that of janitor to moderator of the session, being at present treasurer of
tlie board of trustees, and both have ever taken a warm interest in the general
welfare of the city, being Iield in high esteem by their friends hereabout. Mr.
Hughes is a member of Hancock L(jdge Xo. 101. Free and Accepted ^Masons,
at Greenfield: Greenfield Chapter Xo. 96, Royal Arch Mas(5ns; McCordsville
Council X'o. 52, Royal and Select Masters; Greenfield Commandery Xo. 39.
Knights Templar: Indianapolis Consistoni- (thirty-second degree). Ancient
Accepted Scottish Rite Masons; Mnrat Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of
X^obles of the Mystic Shrine, at Indianapolis, and of the Order of the Eastern
Star at Greenfield ; with the latter Mrs. Hughes also is affiliated. ]\Ir. Hughes
is also a member of Eureka Lodge Xo. 20, Knights of Pythias, at Greenfield,
of which order he is a past representative, and is a member of Greenfield Lodge
X^o. 135. Inde])endcnt Order of Odd Fellows, in tlie affairs of all of which
organizations lie takes a warm interest.
CHRIS A. KLIEMAX.
Holding eminent prestige among the successful farmers of Hancock
county is Chris A. Klieman, who has played a prominent ])art in the advance-
ment of agriculture in the community in which he lives. A man of splendid
personal character and high business principles, he has won the confidence and
esteem of those witli whom lie lias come in contact and has made himself a
])o\ver for public good. Chris .\. Klieman was born on June 8, 1878, in the log
cabin built bv his father on the Hancock county farm. His parents, Herman
H. and Louise (W'ischler) Klieman, were both natives of Germany, who came
to this countrv in the early days of its history. The father, who \Vas born in
1838, followed tlie occupation of a tailor in his native land and upon arriving
in this countrv. where he settled first in Cincinnati. Ohio, continued to work
at this chosen line of business, .\fter working in Cincinnati for a .short time
he was attracted to the agricultural opportunities offered in the farming dis-
tricts of Indiana and moved to Cumberland, in this state, where he rented a
(73)
) i 54 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
farm one inile east (jf the town ju^t mentioned. Later he bought forty-four
acres in tlie same locality, which he sold for tlie purpose of settling on a larger
farm, consisting of seventy two acres, on Big Sugar creek. Hancock county.
On tliis farm Herman Klieman ex])ericnced all the hardships of pioneer
life. He began the task of clearing the land of tlie underljrush and limber, and
after a short time had forty-four acres in cultivation. He built a log cabin
and a larger barn, and followed the occupation of a farmer until his death,
which occurred in 1904. ]\lr. Klieman, aside from iiis immediate family, was
survived bv a l)rother. Henr_\". who died in KJ14. in iluck Creek township, near
Mt. Comfort: a sister, Mary, who is living in Cincinnati, and another sister,
Kate, who resides in Kansas. Mr. Klieman, during his residence in Hancock
countw toiik an active jiart in the affairs of the Democratic i)arl\'. In liis
religious views he gave support to the German Lutheran churcli and for many
years acted as deacon of the church in Sugar Creek township, of which his
wife was also a de\out memljer. j\lrs. Klieman came to this country from Ger-
man\- in Maw T84J, and li\ed in Kentucky l)efore the Ci\i] War. After the
outbreak of the war she moved to the North and settled near Rising Sun.
Lidiana, wliere her marriage later took jilace. The couple came to Hancock
county forty-eight years ago. Mrs. Klieman has one living brother, Philip,
and a half-brotiier. Frank, is deceased. Two sisters are also deceased, Mary
and Eigii. Mr. and Mrs. Klieman reared a family of the following children:
Henrv, folni, (ieorge, deceased; Mrs. Mary Cromie. who resides in Indianapo-
lis: Mrs. .\nn;i Knoop: Mrs. Donia Manchc': Minnie, deceased: Mrs. Louise
Robie: Chris A.. Charles, Ben, Fred and Tillie.
Chris A. Klieman received a common-school education in tlie schools of
Sugar Creek townsiiip, and after completing the course assisted liis father with
the work on the farm. After liis marriage he worked for nine years 1)\- tlie
month, and later rented the place he now occupies for a period of si.x years. At
the end of that time he bought the place, which consists of forty-five acres of
land. In 1914 Mr. Klieman bought fifty-two acres, which he has under an
excellent state of cultivation. The subject of tliis sketch devotes the greater
part of his time to stock raising and shijjs from fort\- to fifty liogs annually.
He takes pride in raising high-grade cattle and keeps for tlie lieaviest work on
the farm six head of fine horses. The life of the subject of this .sketch affords
a striking example of what a man w itii determination, energy and courage
may accomplish in his chosen field of endeavor when controlled by the high-
est principles of conduct.
In 1904. Chris A. Klieman was united in marriage to Anna Rohe. To
ibis union two sons ha\'e been born, Edward, who was born on September 2"^,
BIOGRAPUKAI,. I I 55
1904, and Haniiiiii, wlm \va> burn en June jS. 1914. A^iik- fnnn liis interests
as a farmer. Mr, Klicnian has alwaxs ])laye(l a prominent part in tlmse move-
ments which ha\e for llieir object the Ijetterment of the community in which
he lives. In poHtical affairs he gives firm support to the cause of the Demo-
cratic ])arty and in local elections works nnceasinj^ly for its cause. Mr. Klie-
man acts as director for the telephi.ine company, a position he has held for two
years. He is progressive in his lousiness activities and maintains a position
founded on honesty in business dealings and trust as a loyal citizen.
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