Fountain County IN Archives History - Books .....Historical Sketch Of Mill Creek 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, 10:12 pm Book Title: History Of Fountain County MILL CREEK TOWNSHIP. Mill Creek township contains forty-three square miles or sections, or 27,520 acres. The range line passing through its center locates it in Ranges 7 and 8 West, while the town lines place it in Town 18, except the north eight sections, which are in Town 19. The township is bounded on the north by Wabash and Van Buren, and on the east by Cain and Jackson townships, on the south by Parke county, and on the west by Fulton and Wabash townships. There are yet large tracts of it heavily timbered, it having been settled later than other townships; also large tracts were bought by speculators, and thus held from the market. The surface is generally level with occasional undulations, and the land is undergoing a rapid change as the strong arm of the woodsman and farmer wield the axe of destruction yet of life. In about 1826 the first entry was made. In that year John Gilmore and Franklin Deboard entered the E. 1/2 of S. E. 1/4 Sec. 36, T. 19, R. 8; yet it may be that in 1825 Jacob Iseley entered the W. 1/2 of N. W. 1/4 Sec. 29, T. 19, R. 7, and that Peter Youngblood entered land. October 12, 1826, Samuel Armstrong entered the E. 1/2 of S. E. 1/4 Sec. 28, T. 19, R. 7. October 17, 1827, Jacob Bonebrake entered the W. 1/2 of N. E. 1/4 Sec. 29, T. 19, R. 7, and November 12, same year, Isaac Kelsey entered the W. 1/2 of S. E. 1/4 Sec. 28, of the same town and range. In 1827 Casber Shewey entered the E. 1/2 of N.W. 1/4 Sec. 28, T. 19, R. 7. In 1829 a few entries were made. In Sec. 4, T. 18, R. 7, Milburn C. Williams entered E. 1/2 of N. E. 1/4, and Fielding Lacy entered the E. 1/2 of S.E. 1/4, Jacob Iseley entered E. 1/2 of N. W. 1/4 Sec. 5, John Lytle entered E. 1/2 of S. W. 1/4 Sec. 7. In 1829 Bennet Scribird entered the W. 1/2 of S.W. 1/4 Sec. 32, T. 19, R. 7, and Joseph Hawkins the E. 1/2 of S. W. 1/4 Sec. 33, of the same town and range. William Abernathey entered the E. 1/2 of N. E. 1/4 Sec. 15, T. 18, R. 8, and Hiram Norris entered the E. 1/2 of S. E. 1/4 Sec. 15, of the same town and range. In 1830 John Thompson entered the W. 1/2 of N. W. 1/4 Sec. 5, T. 18, E. 7; also Wm. H. Redenbaugh entered the N. 1/2 of S. W. 1/4 Sec. 17, T. 18, R. 7 W. In T. 19, R. 7 W., in the same year, Edward Furr entered W. 1/2 of N. E. 1/4 Sec. 28, and Robert Alexander the W. 1/2 of N. W. 1/4 Sec. 28, and Jesse Elston the E. 1/2 of S. W. 1/4 Sec. 28. In Sec. 29, same town and range, Robert Alexander entered the E. 1/2 of N. E. 1/4. In Sec. 31 Vincent Watson obtained a patent for the west fraction of seventy-one acres of the S. W. 1/4, and in Sec. 33 Robert Alexander for the N. W. 1/4 Sec. In T. 18, R. 8 W., James Wilkinson became owner by entry of the W. 1/2 of N. W. 1/4 Sec. 13; also Isaac Hobson entered the E. 1/2 of N. E. 1/4 Sec. 22, and W. 1/2 of N. W. 1/4 Sec. 23, and the W. 1/2 of S. E. 1.4 Sec. 23. Jesse Hobson entered the E. 1/2 of S. E. 1/4 Sec. 23, George Lindley the S. W. 1/4 Sec. 23, and Moses Boyd the W. 1/2 of N. E. 1/4, and E. 1/2 of N. W. 1/4 Sec. 23. In the same year David Newlin entered the W. 1/2 of N. W. 1/4 Sec. 24; Isaac Hobson also entered the E. 1/2 of N. E. 1/4 Sec. 26, and James S. Hawkins the E. 1/2 of N. E. 1/4 Sec. 27. These are a few pieces of the early entries. It is not to be supposed that all those who made these entries immediately settled. The actual settlement did not take place till later to any great extent. In 1830 Thomas Ratcliff settled in what was since called Mill Creek township. He entered 300 acres of land in the southern part of the township. John Elwell, with his wife Ann and family, in 1831, made his home here. He entered one-half section of land, on which he built a log cabin 18 x 40, double. There are eleven children in the family; hence the necessity of two rooms. In 1832 came Michael and Valentine Day, who also entered land and settled in the woods to hew from solid timber a farm. In 1834 George Norris penetrated for miles the Indiana forest, and halted a short distance northeast of where Harveysburg flourishes. May 3, 1836, George Redenbaugh halted and unloaded his goods under two oak trees, then driving some forks into the ground, and riving some clapboards and plank, he built a shed over his goods, and this served as a house till he had planted a crop on some land rented two miles from "home." After planting he chopped, planed and fitted with his axe the "lumber" till he owned a respectable house. He had entered 160 acres of land. George W. Sowers emigrated in 1837, and entered 720 acres. In 1839 Reuben Lindley, the oldest gentleman now living in the township, settled where he lives and began his improvements; so also Osborn Gillum, a young man then, chopped the first saplings from his farm. These pioneers, and many others, hailed mostly from Carolina. Some had stopped a few years in Orange and other counties of Indiana, and not a few in Ohio. They came in four-horse, two-horse, and even one-horse wagons, bringing their all, and with this little they began to open the way in the dense forest for future progress in all the industries and professions. Progress at first was slow, but as the army of hardy workers was reinforced the woody foe gave way till fields of golden grain told the change. L. B. Lindley, son of Reuben, resolved to be the founder of a "city," so he, about 1856, laid off sixteen lots for the town, leaving sixty feet streets. Mr. Lindley's first wife was the daughter of Harlan Harvey, now an aged and venerated citizen of the place, who suggested that the town should receive his name. Mr. Lindley acquiesced, and the town was called Harveysburg. The land on which it is built was entered by James P. Crawford, and is situated in the northwestern part of Sec. 26, T. 18, R. 8 W. Henry Lindley, a brother to L. B. Lindley, laid off eight lots, forming the northwest part of the town. Charles Markins also made an addition. There are sixty lots of the Lindley land, and twelve lots in Sec. 23. John and Charles Markins built the first store-house, partitioning a part of it for a dwelling. The store is now occupied by G. W. Hutts. The Markinses kept a general stock of goods. Charles Markins was killed in the civil war. His wife and mother died in Harveysburg, and his father died in Parke comity. L. B. Lindley built the next store-room, now occupied by T. J. Durman. Dr. McNutt built an office and room, in which he kept a stock of drugs. He was the early doctor of the town. John Maris and son built the next store, in which he kept a general stock of goods. Wm. Yount now occupies the room with hardware. John W. Spencer built a small dwelling and kept travelers, and soon erected the house known as the Spencer House, now owned by Dr. A. Surbaugh. Mr. Spencer was the first cabinet-maker in the town, and his business is continued by his son, C. M., who has largely increased his business, occupying two large buildings. Robert Briggs was the first blacksmith, Henry Lindley the first harness-maker, and Wesley Lindley and James Briggs did the carpentering. A post-office was early secured, and Dr. McNutt, John and Charles Markins, and Isaac Grimes were the early post-masters. The town is now the trading place for those living for miles around, and does an extensive business. Steam Corner is in the northeastern part of the township, but is scarcely a village yet. Joseph G. Lucas does a large trade in general merchandise. RELIGION. The United Brethren church seems to have been the pioneer church of Mill Creek township. Classes were organized in different parts of the township, meeting at the dwellings of the members and at log school-houses. A class was organized about 1834, by Rev. Cook, called the sample class. Another class was organized by Jacob Waymyer, at the Corey school-house; prominent among the members were John and Levina Mayhew, Levi and Jane Johnson, Jacob and Jerusha Teegarden, William and Christina Newnum, Amariah and Caroline Elwell. Joseph Sines was class-leader, and Jacob Teegarden steward. When the class became large it divided, part going to the Myers class and a part to the Harveysburg class. The Harveysburg class was organized prior to the civil war. Ira Maber and Jackson Griffith were the early preachers, who. probably organized the Harveysburg class. John P. Ephlin was the first local preacher, and has preached in nearly every school-house and dwelling in the township. They then, in connection with the Methodists, built a union church, and about 1872 built a church which they still occupy. It cost $1,900, and was dedicated by Bishop Edwards. Present membership about seventy; class-leader, J. P. Ephlin; steward, Joseph Marshall; preacher in charge, Wm. Tail; trustees, J. P. Ephlin, Andrew Marshall, James Ratcliff, Philip Weaver, and John Marshall. A class was organized at Abraham Myers' about 1837 by John Hoobler. This was on Scott's prairie. Here George Redenbaugh, David Simons, Jonathan Wolf, Wm. Myers, and others met for worship. In 1841 Wm. Myers settled on his present farm, and meetings were soon held at his home; also at George Redenbangh's and other private houses. This was known as the Myers class, and was organized by John Hoobler and John Dunham, a visitor here. James Griffith and Wm. Hoobler were early itinerants. About 1843 a log school-house was built, about 20x22, round logs, puncheon benches, etc. This was then used as a meeting-house. The church numbered at that time twelve or fifteen members. David Simons was class-leader and Wm. Myers steward; then Wm. Myers class-leader and David Simons steward. George Redenbaugh was also an early class-leader. In about ten years after, a new school-house was built, this time frame. Meetings were held here for a time. In 1871, feeling sufficiently strong, it was decided to build a house of worship. A contract was let to Wm. Ervin to build a house 31x40, for which he received $913. It was dedicated by Thomas M. Hamilton. Ira Mater was present. The membership at that time was about 100. The church prospered for four years, when, in February 1876, while a protracted meeting was just finished, and the people at dinner, a fire broke out in the church, entirely destroying it. Nothing daunted, the members went immediately to work, and the timbers were soon on the ground for a new and larger church. Meetings were held in the meantime at the New Light church near by. A contract was let to Murphey Lewis to erect an edifice 31x46, 15 feet to the eaves. This cost $1,852.12 1/2; is nicely furnished and well finished. It was dedicated the first Sunday in August 1876, by Elder Nye, assisted by Elder Warren, of the Christian church. The land on which the church is built was donated by Wm. Myers. Levi Redenbaugh is class-leader, Peter and Edward Newnum stewards, and Wm. Vail preacher. The trustees are Wm. Myers, Calvin Myers, Amariah Elwell, F. J. Redenbaugh, John M. Bailey, and Peter Newnum. The church is called Centennial, from the fact that the new church was built on the one hundredth anniversary of the denomination. The Christian church is represented by both the New Light and Disciples branches. The church of the Disciples was built in 1872, at a cost of about $3,000. This church is a branch from the old Scott's prairie organization, which was organized by Wm. P. Shockey, and which held its meetings in a school-house for many years. Preaching ceasing gave rise to a church in Mill Creek township. F. J. Glascock was the principal donor to the new church, giving the ground and $200. Others were James Booe, Thomas Glascock, V. P. Ludlow, L. D. Booe Sr., James Moffett and Elder Youngblood. The house was dedicated by W. R. Jewell, of Danville, assisted by Elder L. C. Warren, through whose influence it was built. The church has received as many as 300 members. Methodism in Mill Creek township is not as old as the other denominations. About 1852, at a school-house which stood on the present site of Steam Corner, a class was organized by William D. Parret and Rev. Jones. The members were Mr. and Mrs. William D. Parret, William and Mary Ball, Moses Bales and wife Julia. William D. Parret was class-leader. These people met for four or five years in the log school-house. They then held meetings in a frame house for many years. K. C. Workman and Rev. Brown were early missionaries. Not far from 1864 they built a small church. At that time they had about forty members. The church was dedicated by Rev. Webb. This body is now small. At Harveysburg a class was organized, which held its meetings in a room over Lindley's store, and there also they held Sunday-school. John W. Spencer was class-leader, and Dr. J. H. McNutt was local preacher and a pillar of the organization. Father Edwards was probably the first regular preacher. Alfred Cox was steward and sexton. Other members were Mrs. Cox, Henry Lindley and wife, and M. C. Lindley. A church was contemplated, and arrangements were made to build a union church, with a second story to be used as a Masonic hall. The Masons laid the corner-stone, but a disagreement arising, the Masonic fraternity withdrew, and a union church was built by the Methodists and United Brethren. Dr. McNutt donated the site, and the church was completed not far from 1860. It has decayed, and is now useless. The United Brethren people have built, and an effort is making to build a Methodist edifice under the leadership of Rev. Hargreaves, son of the noted pioneer Methodist minister of Indiana. Prominent among its abettors are Dr. A. Surbaugh, Moses Bales, and others. The education of Mill Creek township has kept pace with other progressive ideas, and in fact has been a motor in the progress of the township. Under the trusteeship of S. H. Elwell a good attendance is secured. 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/historic550gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 14.7 Kb