Fountain County IN Archives History - Books .....Historical Sketch Of Wabash Township 1881 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com September 27, 2007, 8:02 pm Book Title: History Of Fountain County WABASH TOWNSHIP. This township, at its organization, received its appellation from the river that laves its western border. For the origin of this name given in full, as gleaned from, different authorities in the Indian language, the writer refers the reader to pages 99, 100 and 101, etc., in part first of this book. Let not the reader, after noticing this, neglect a careful perusal of these pages, since the name "Wabash" occurs so frequently in both his writing and conversation. The name carries with it the history, in a large sense, of the people who at one time occupied, and owned by right of possession, these lands lying along the Wav-bash-kaw sepe, or White or Wabash River. The township already named has on its north the township of Troy, on the east the townships of Van Buren and Mill creek, and Fulton on, the south. Nowhere in Fountain county has the ail-powerful hand of nature manifested greater superiority over all other powers that be than in this particular section of the county. The "eternal hills," though worn by the elements for 10,000 years, yet stand as monuments, indicative of how long is "Time"! When we pause to consider that in the distant ages gone by this was a level tract submerged by ocean's deep; that it then became upheaved above sea's level, and grew green with verdure, blossomed with beauty, and became a great city of sylvan temples, whose walls pressed hard together, and around whose foundations lay a carpet of nature's own weaving; that in the lapse of years this beautiful city, "not built with hands," sunk to an ocean grave; that the waters dashed in their fury, and played in their glee above turret and spire, washing earth into every crevice, and covering this city entirely; that in the mutations of time that which was once so beautiful and grand was changed into the black, dirty beds of coal that are here found, sometimes even cropping from the hill-side, but buried, generally, deep in earth in veins reaching seven feet in thickness, we are certainly ready to admit that nature has not slighted Wabash township. Yet, with all its hills, it has many of the finest farms in the county. Coal creek, as it wanders through this piece of country, seeming to have almost forced its way through the hills that now hem it in on either side, proved the "Address of Welcome" to the early home-seeker, who heeded its voice and built his cabin and mill on its banks and in its valley. The first entry made in Wabash township was that of Daniel Richardson, July 12, 1822, calling for the N.E. fraction, 144 acres, of Sec. 3, T. 18 N., R. 9 W. But settlement did not correspond with entry, as the land was often purchased at land sales at the land office, sometimes even before being seen. Martin Harrold entered, on November 11, 1822, the E. 1/2 of N. W. 1/4 Sec. 23, T. 19 N., R. 8 W. William White secured by patent, November 12 of the same year, the W. 1/2 of the N.E. 1/4, also the E. 1/2 of the N.W. 1/4, Sec. 27. Mr. White was a captain in the war of 1812; called to Horseshoe Bend, on the Mississippi, by Gen. Jackson to fight the Indians. He was a Tennesseean, and was well prepared to fight hardships and circumstances in a new country. It is probable that he did not settle in Fountain county till 1823 or 1824. He built the first mill erected in the county on Coal creek. This mill did the sawing and grinding for many miles around. It passed from his hands to _______ Bishop, and from him to ______ Vandorn, and is now owned by Samuel Cade and known as the "Union Mills." Mr. Cade does an extensive business, but, of course, has greatly improved the mill. Capt. White was a highly respected citizen. His son, Anderson White, also lived many years in Fountain county, controlling the mill. Another son, William B., or "Bloomer White" as he was familiarly known, was one of the earliest county officers. In the month of November, 1822, William Cloud entered the E. 1/2 of the S.W. 1/4 Sec. 23; Thomas Patton, the S.E. 1/4 of Sec. 23; William Forbes obtained the W. 1/2 of the S.E. 1/4 Sec. 20; John Simpson, the E. 1/2 of the N.E. 1/4 Sec. 14; Jeremiah Hartman, the S.W. 1/4 of Sec. 14; Alexander Logan secured the E. 1/2 of the S.W. 1/4 Sec. 28; John Rusing, the W. 1/2 of the S.W. 1/4 Sec. 28; James Briggs, the E. 1/2 of the S.E. 1/4 Sec. 29, and John Nugent the W. 1/2 of the S.W. 1/4 Sec. 32. All the above being in T. 19 N., R. 8 W. The year of 1823 witnessed an increased sale of lands in this section, and some permanent settlements. The effacing hand of time and the imperfections of memories have buried many names in oblivion, who should receive honorable mention in the history of the settlement and development of this county. Many of them sleep in unknown graves, with not even a wooden slab to mark their resting place; then, occasionally, a hill or knoll is capped with a marble slab, perhaps three or four, which mark a pioneer hamlet of the dead. In this year, 1823, Archibald Johnson entered the E. 1/2 of the N.W. 1/4 of Sec. 17, but probably settled in the edge of Troy township; James Boyd entered the W. 1/2 of the S.W. 1/4 Sec. 17; B. Harp obtained the W. 1/2 of the N.E. 1/4 Sec. 18; Isaac Hibbs, the E. 1/2 of the N.E. 1/4 Sec. 19, also the W. 1/2 of the N. W. 1/4 and the E. 1/2 of the N.W. 1/4 Sec. 20. In this year also came B. W. Graham, whose sketch appears, and who has been one of the best farmers in the township. In this year also William Cade arrived, whose son, Samuel Cade, now owns the Union mills, and is one of the wealthiest men in the county. Jane Cade, daughter of William, was probably the first child born in Fountain county, her birth dating May 30, 1824. In 1823 Lewis Phebus entered the W. 1/2 of the S.W. 1/4 Sec. 20; Orsemus Greenley, the E. 1/2 of the N.W. 1/4 Sec. 23, and Henry Hedrick the W. 1/2 of the S.W. 1/4 Sec. 23; Clayburn Hawkins entered W. 1/2 of the S. E. 1/4 Sec. 27; John Gillam, the W. 1/4 of the N. W. 1/4 Sec. 29; Lambeth Heath, the W. 1/2 of the S.E. 1/4 Sec. 29; John Hibbs, the W. 1/2 of the S.W. 1/4 Sec. 29, also the E. 1/2 of the S. E. 1/4, Sec. 30; Abraham Fullenger obtained the E. 1/2 of the N. E. 1/4 Sec. 31, and James Cantwell, the E. 1/2 of the S. E. 1/4 Sec. 31; John Garred secured the N. 1/2, also the S. E. 1/4 and the E. 1/2 of the S. W. 1/4, Sec. 32; while Thomas Gillam became the possessor of the W. 1/2 of the N. W. 1/4 Sec. 33; all of T. 19 and R. 8. In T. 19 N., R. 9 W., a few entries were made in 1823. Joseph Hanna obtained the W. 1.2 of the S.E. 1/4 Sec. 13, also the W. 1/2 of the N. E. 1/4 Sec. 24; Alexander McCann, the S. W. 1/4 Sec. 24. Robert F. Nugent, the W. 1/2 of the N.W. 1/4 Sec 25, and the E. 1/2 of the N.E. 1/4 .Sec. 23; James Terguson, the S.E. 1/4 Sec. 25, and Arthur Patterson, 85 acres in Sec. 34. In 1823 Benjamin Beckelhymer, Thomas Isaac and James Terguson, in February made a tour of inspection, finding at that time but two permanent settlements in the county, but there may have been others. Forbes and Mendenhall seemed to them the possessors of immense areas. All entered land in Wabash township, Beckelheymer choosing the W. 1/2 of the S. E. 1/4 and the E. 1/2 of the S.W. 1/4 of Sec. 2, T. 18, E. 9. After entering their land all returned to Ohio on their horses. Isaac Ferguson returned in 1825. Mr. Beckelhymer, in September 1827, moved his family of wife, Eunice (Fitspatrick), and four children by his first wife, who died in 1823. His children were Peter, Isaiah, Levi and Enos. Prior to his second trip he had engaged a man to do some work on the place. He moved with an ox team. In a year or so, in partnership with Isaac Ferguson, he built a saw-mill on Coal creek, and afterward added a grist- mill. In about ten years Ferguson and Beckelhymer sold to Headley and Kiger. Buckelhymer bought a bottom farm in Wabash township, on which he died in 1844. He and his partner worked eighteen days in cutting the first road, a distance of about one and a half miles to the mill. Terguson was prominent in church affairs and township. In 1824 Washington Graham entered the W. 1/2 of the S. E. 1/4 and the E. 1/2 of the S. W. 1/4 Sec. 18, T. 19, R. 8 W., also Forgis Graham the West fraction, eighty-seven acres, in Sec. 18. John Simpson and Lambeth and Jeremiah Heath also secured more. The township rapidly assumed an appearance of industry. The axe became busy in felling the forest; the smoke curled to the clouds as pile after pile of logs was fired. Here and there grew small fields of corn amid the stumps; roads to and from the mills and places of trade became visible. The earliest settlers began to have and to spare. The "log-rolling" and the "raising" and the "shucking" no longer wanted for numbers. All was energy and industry, and mirth and happiness. Children grew to manhood's estate and in turn made their impress upon the face of nature, till to-day the township teams in wealth. The Yerkeses, the Bodines, Colemans, Robbs and others added their forces in an early day. The sale of the saw and grist mill to Headly and Kiger has already been mentioned. Mr. George Kiger came to Parke county in 1827, and in 1833 engaged in milling, as above noted. He continued interested in this mill till his death, in 1835. His son, John A. Kiger, then controlled the milling interest for some years till he sold to John Headley and moved to his present farm. Headly owned the mill till he sold in 1851 to Samuel I. Snoddy and John Hardisty, who, in 1854, sold to George Mosier. In 1855 Mr. Snoddy purchased it of Hosier. At that time it consisted of a saw-mill and one set of burrs for grinding corn. In 1869 Mr. Snoddy tore away all, discarded the saw apparatus, and erected a large flouring-mill with three runs of burrs. He has carried on an extensive grist trade, employing two hands in his mill. The immense coal beds of this vicinity, which had been mined by hand and the coal hauled to the canal for some years, began to attract the attention of Chicago rolling-mill firms and others, and shafts were sunk, giving employment to many men. Mr. Snoddy prophesied this to be a good point for trade in provisions and dry-goods. Hence, in 1874, he built a store-building near his mill, in which he put a general stock. He also became the post-master, a railroad: as an outlet for the coal having been built in 1872. Mr. Snoddy had added to his mill seat of twelve acres the 160 acres adjoining in 1863, so that he was sole proprietor of Snoddy's Mills, as the post-office is called. The single store proved insufficient for the demand for goods, so in 1877 he built a second business-room, divided his stock, keeping groceries in the one, and dry-goods, boots and shoes and clothing in the. other. Mr. Snoddy has also built several neat dwellings, ten in number; his own residence standing on a very high hill, makes him indeed the "overseer" of his village. All the interests of the place, the milling, dry-goods, grocery, lumber, grain, and stock, as well as post-office, are personally supervised by him. "String Town" is a mining place close to Snoddy's mill. It is a collection of cheap houses mostly erected by the coal companies to he used by the miners. It is of mushroom growth, and an immense business is done, especially in liquors, there being about seventeen saloons at this point. It is hoped that the better element will become stronger, and that at some time this intemperance will cease. There are about 600 men employed in the mines, and the demand for coal is far beyond the ability to supply on account of the scarcity of conveyance. There are religious organizations here, but mostly composed of foreigners engaged in mining. CHURCHES. Religious interests of Wabash township have always been looked. to. In the old days the school-house served also as "meeting-house." Those were times when the people were plain in manner and dress, and attended church perhaps more for the sake of real worship than for the display of fine clothes, as is the fashion with many of to-day. The women wore decent calico dresses; but we must remember that in that day calico was as high as 33 1/3 cents per yard. Their aprons were cheeked cotton, a cotton handkerchief for the neck, and a calico sun-bonnet. Men wore blue-jeans pants, a striped jeans vest, a brown or blue-jeans coat or hunting-shirt, and thus did the good folk dress for church, or even for a wedding. One old settler remarks that a very common mode for young people to travel to church, if they did not walk, was for the young man to mount his horse and take his "sweetheart" behind him. In this way the twain would ride five or six miles. "The hugging," he says, "was done by the maiden to her heart's content, but the youth was at a disadvantage as to such a pleasure." The "family horse," too, was in demand in those days, and it was not an uncommon occurrence to see half a dozen on one horse. As "Old Time" straightened out everything but men, and them humping, as church edifices began to build, so also did modes of travel succumb to the more modern vehicle, the carriage. Graham's (or Hibbs') chapel is a Methodist church, erected many years ago. It has undergone some changes in structure. The society has been at times strong, then again weak. Like the country around it, its nature is undulating. The Presbyterian church, known as the Second Presbyterian church, of Covington, or XVI, was removed in pieces from Covington about 1871, and reerected and rededicated in Wabash township. The most flourishing religious organization is that of "Mount Carmel Baptist church," situate in the N.W. corner of S.E. 1/4 Sec. 35, T. 19 N., R. 9 W. In the primitive days of the society meetings were held at Alexander White's dwelling, and then at a log school-house on White's farm. Mr. White made his home here in 1836. The Townsleys, Peter Fagins and wife, Peter Ferguson and wife, and others, were already here, and believers in the Baptist faith. Reuben Carman and David French occasionally preached for them. Organization was effected in 1843. The members were Alex. White and wife Hannah, Reuben Carman, Mary Davis, Cordillean White, Cordillean Townsley, Oliver S. Rardin, Elizabeth Coleman, Nancy Townsley, Lucinda Townsley, James and Thomas Townsley, Elija Thauraughman, and Aaron Thauraughman. A number of persons were received into the church by letter, and the society was increased and prosperous. James Townsley was elected clerk, which office he filled for many years. Reuben Carman was appointed to propose a suitable name for the church. He reported the two names, "Mount Carmel" and "Providence," the former of which was chosen. Rev. D. S. French was elected pastor, and acted in that capacity for many years. In 1844 this society was received into the Tippecanoe Baptist association. Alex. White in this year was ordained deacon by Rev. S. Carman and French. In 1845 building became a leading issue with the brethren, and Robert Dunham donated three-quarters of an acre of ground for church site. A committee, consisting of A. White, James Townsley, and Oliver Rardin, was appointed to construct or superintend the erection of a house of worship, 35x45 feet, to cost about $500. The contract was let to George Dunkerly, and Zach. Ferguson did the plastering. About 1846 meetings began to be held in the church, and the church prospered under the charge of Revs. French, E. S. Jones, Samuel Deweese, Wm. Cartwright, and others. To illustrate a particular custom of that day a note is found in the records of this church to the effect that "in 1854 a certain brother appeared before the church and confessed he had done wrong in having drank 'too much' liquor when carrying three half-gallons from Perrysville for his harvest hands." The wrong seems to have been wholly in drinking "too much." In 1865 Mr. White deeded one-fourth acre more to the church for burying purposes, and since has given one-fourth acre more. In October, 1876, the building was repaired. This church has given off four branch societies: Perrysville, Eugene, Mill creek, and the coal mines. During its existence more than 500 have been connected with it. It now numbers fifty-five. A. White, Philip Grubb and John Boyd are deacons, Albert H. White clerk, and C. B. Allen preacher in charge. The trustees are the deacons. Wabash township has many staunch men, whose sketches appear here. Additional Comments: HISTORY OF FOUNTAIN COUNTY, TOGETHER WITH HISTORIC NOTES ON THE WABASH VALLEY, GLEANED FROM EARLY AUTHORS, OLD MAPS AND MANUSCRIPTS PRIVATE AND OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE, AND OTHER AUTHENTIC, THOUGH, FOR THE MOST PART, OUT-OF-THE-WAY SOURCES. BY H. W. BECKWITH, OF THE DANVILLE BAR; CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETIES OF WISCONSIN AND CHICAGO. WITH MAP AND ILLUSTRATIONS. CHICAGO: H. H. HILL AND N. IDDINGS, PUBLISHERS. 1881. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/fountain/history/1881/historyo/historic549gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 17.3 Kb