Grant County, Indiana - By William Neal (2 of 2 so headed), 1886

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - SURFACE FEATURES - STREAMS - LAND ENTRIES AND SURVEYS - THE PIONEERS AND WHERE THEY LOCATED - TOWN OF SWEETSER - J ALAPA - RELIGIOUS - INCIDENTS - J OAQUIN MILLER.

north, Range 7 east, except that part of Sections 24 and 25 which lies east of the river. It is bounded on the east by Washington Township, on the north by Wabash County, on the west by Richland Township, on the south by Franklin.

Surface, Soil, etc. - Pleasant Township has much to speak of and many things of note to introduce to the reader, but we shall be content to bring forward a few of the more noted, and, therefore, the most interesting. There are more inequalities along the river in this township than in any other in the county; but while this is the case with the surface, it is not to be understood that the more elevated lands are poor; on the contrary we find many of the higher points equally fertile as the bottoms. It is not so much an elevation of land as the depression of the stream below the surface. A little below the range line between Ranges 7 and 8 on the river, we find the stream rock-bound on the south and west sides with perpendicular cliffs, while a little further on we have gently sloping land with considerable bottom next the stream; further on the stream is bound on the north side by almost perpendicular clay bluffs. Further on, at Sutton's Ford, the river is rock on the bottom with high sloping lands on either side, with the rocky mouth of Curtis Creek. Passing down we pass a great bottom on the south side with sloping, high land on the north side. Very soon we are at the battle ground on the north side with a low cliff next the river with bottom on the south. We pass the mill with dam on smooth rock, and see the deep ravine and the high bluff at the stone-quarry; we next see the Broad Ripple at the head of the fourteen acre island, and at the further end we stop and look at the saw-mill} then we pass on, without much to excite, to the county line.

Float Section No. 1, or the Broad Ripple Float. (As David Conner owned and laid the float, it has sometimes been called Conner's Float.) This tract of 640 acres was a reserved section or claim held by John D. Richardville at the time when the forty-mile reserve was sold to the United States. Richardville sold the claim to David Conner, and he laid it at the Broad Ripple, hence the name. This float contained two mill sites and some of the best land in the county, and included also the fourteen-acre island just below the Broad Ripple. Floats Nos. 2 and 3 were under precisely ths same regulation as the Broad Ripple section, only Richardville sold the claims to a gentleman by the name of Woods, and these lie partly in Grant and partly in Wabash County. They are designated as Floats 2 and 3, or Woods' Floats. A peculiar ridge of land on the west side of Pipe Creek extends for some distance east and west, where the Pleasant Chapel Pike now runs. Messrs. Beach and Burge with some others have their farms located here at present. It was originally called Meshingomesia's sugar camp, on account of the immense growth of sugar-trees, and he came here to make sugar. At Mr. Beech's a large spring bursts forth, and where it runs off there is a deposit of red earth, indicating the presence of iron. At some other points on this ridge are deposits of red earth, indicating that this spring, or some other of like kind, issued at these points at some period in the past. A pit of good gravel has been opened here as well as on the north side of the creek.

Streams. - Big Pipe Creek enters the township on the south in Section 22 and has a northerly and westerly course and leaves the township a little south of the northwest corner of Section 30. This stream is very crooked and sluggish, and more than a mile and a half of the section in this township stood on a level, holding water the whole season and bordered with buttonwood and fringed with the yellow pond lily, a repulsive place where frogs, turtles and a few pike held undisputed possession, and gnats and mosquitoes sang a requiem ; yet when this place was drained out there were creatures in human shape who took upon themselves to say it was no "advantage to the community." Cart Creek enters the township in Section 34, near the boundary line and has a general northwesterly course and leaves the township in Section 6, a short distance east of the northwest corner. This stream is of great consequence in drainage, and in Section 17 there is an outcrop of limestone and here at one time was a saw- mill erected, but has failed and gone the way of all the world. The best of farm lands lie along the waters of Cart Creek, so named after finding an old cart in the edge of the creek about where the Peru road crosses it in Wabash County, by the party surveying the Richmond and Logansport State road on their return trip.

Curtis Creek enters the township in Section 13 and flows down a deep ravine and enters the river just below Sutton's ford. This stream is quite romantic along its course, which is a deep gorge and worth going several miles to take a walk along the creek. A large quarry is at the mouth, or near the mouth, ina romantic spot.

Badger's Creek has its source in Section 36, and has a general northerly course and falls into the river a little below the Sutton Ford. It has a good fall and a saw-mill was once in operation near its mouth, but has long since failed to let a wheel turn.

Metocina or Jocina Creek enters the township near the northeast: corner of Section 12, and has a westerly and northwesterly course and falls into the river about eighty rods below the county line; a few rods below the mouth of this stream is shown the grave of Metocina, father of Mashingomesia. This stream has some of the finest farm lands along it course that can be found in any country. A rich loamy soil rests on gravel and sand, and when in a state of nature produced the black walnut, sugar, blue ash, pawpaw, leatherwood, wild cherry, etc. The drainage of the township is good naturally, and has been improved so that the soil is first-class. But few of these basin ponds ever existed in this township. There is one about Section 27 that is remarkable on account of its containing a large number of bowlders.

Where the mill is constructed above Broad Ripple there was originally quite a rapid in the river; it cannot now be seen for the dam, as the backwater covers it. A peculiar deposit of bowlders just below and at the north end of the dam and extending along down the stream and at some distance from the bank and in and near the traveled way cannot fail to attract the attention of the passer by as quite peculiar, and what induced this parcel to be dropped just here is a question that remains unanswered.

The Broad Ripple is a broad, shallow portion of the river, and is. situated nearly opposite the lower end of the line of bowlders spoken of, but there are not many bowlders in the ripple itself. The river is nearly three times as wide at the widest part as it is in its ordi-

The Big Island belongs with Float Section 1, and is about half a mile long and contains fourteen acres, but it does not divide the river into equal parts; that on the west or south is not above onethird of the east or north-part in width. It is covered with primeval forest and has no doubt been formed by an accumulation of drift and sediment lodging on the rock beneath. The lower end of the isle touches the eddy below, which is said to be rapidly filling up. The saw-mill at the lower end of the island is run by turning the water into the channel on the west side of the island. It is generally a very efficient mill and belongs to Stephen Snyder, who has owned it since 1856; it was built by Graybill.

Survey and First Entries. - The township of Pleasant lies on both sides of the old boundary line, and therefore consists of two distinct surveys made by the United States.

First Settlers. - David Conner came in 1825 and settled at a noted point on the Mississinewa where the land sloped gently down to the river from the south, with a towering bluff on the north covered with primeval forest, at the foot of which flowed the river curving around the situation with two islands inclosed in its rippling bosom; these two sisters are covered with original forest, lending beauty and pleasure to the eye. This, then, was the situation chosen by David Conner as an Indian trader, who had been engaged in a like occupation in Delaware County, on a place known as the William McCormick farm, a short distance below Wheeling. He did a large business here on the Mississinewa in the, way of buying furs, or whatever the Indians had to dispose of. Ge found an adventurer on Badger's Creek, one Goldsmith Gilbert, a trader of a like kind with himself, and whom he "bought out." (Gilbert was of Muncie.) } Conner built a mill at the site where the Layfayette barley-mill stands now, about the year 1830 or 1832, which was burnt down by incendiaries in December, 1836, but was rebuilt the next 'season, and all along had a most extensive custom, as mills were scarce and the country increasing rapidly in population. George Walker was found guilty of arson in burning the mill, and sentenced for six years at the May term, 1837; Samuel Bigger, judge; Samuel W. Parker, prosecutor; James Rariden for defense. In rebuilding the mill David Campbell was mill-wright, assisted by S. B. and 8, A. Campbell. David Conner died in 1844.

Zadok Prickett came in 1830 and settled on lands now the home of Mrs. Edward Fox; in 1838 he moved nearer Marion to lands that had been settled by one Lindsey. At the time Mr. Prickett came, and for some time after, it was very difficult to obtain meal or flour.at any mill in the county, for only two or three at most had been erected, and they of very small capacity, and with a population continually on the increase by immigration grain for supplies was not in the country, and quite a number have been without the means easily obtained, so starvation could be kept away from the door. The howling wolf prowled in every direction, and dared to ravage in any and every direction where anything could be obtained to satisfy his cravings. Salt cost $13 per barrel; postoffices were perhaps twenty miles off and postage 374 cents per letter.

Edward Fox came in March, 1835, and settled where his widow lives. William W. Stevens came in 1847 and settled on the farm now owned by William Stevens, his son. James Turner built a house just in the edge of the county about 1842; here about 1844 or 1845 Capt. Dixon, a brother of Meshingomesia, chased a Pottawatomie into his house, shooting at him as he entered (a boy being with him). The shot did not take effect but entered above the mantel. Dixon then drew a large knife and killed the '"Pottawat" at a blow; then the boy stabbed Dixon, killing him instantly. The boy made his escape.

Riley Marshall came down the river on a flat-boat from Deerfield, and settled on the northeast quarter of Section 25, and lived there about two years from the time of his arrival in 1829; then he | bought the Boots Mill, at Marion, and moved there about 1831. Martin Boots then came and lived on the same land, which has been known as the Boots farm, afterward a part of the Frazier farm, and now a part of the Philip Matter place. David See came about the year 1830 and settled the Hall farm just east of the boundary line. Abraham Hedrick came in 1833 and settled where he now lives. Jacob Flummer came in October, 1832, and settled on land owned by Oliver Mason. Joseph Henshaw came in October, 1832, and settled where William Wagoner lives; he was a bachelor. James Pricket came in September, 1832, and settled where the Jackson Hummel heirs live. Benjamin Prickett came in February, 1831, and settled on the Hiram K. Hendricks farm. Elmas Fleming also settled on a part of this farm in 1837; then he moved to the Zadok Prickett place. Robert Hurley came about 1831 and settled the Oliver Mason land. Edmund Housden came in 1831 and settled on land owned by Juliet A. Fox. John Fox came about 1840 and settled on lands now owned by Constantine Hummel. Joseph Hall came about 1833 and settled the Shadrach Lawson farm. James Stackhouse came in 1833 and settled the Null farm; various parties. have lived here; we name William Marshall in 1836, James Lewis, 1842, Dr. Miesse, Abraham Shank. Stephen Hall settled in March, 1840, on a part of the Dave See land.

Henry Hummel came May 7, 1831, and settled on the land known as the William Hummel farm, being the southeast quarter of Section 1. At that time game was very abundant, and snakes and creeping things and fowls of the air held undisputed control of the sphere in which they moved and had their being. The family made rests on which to sleep in the upper part of the cabin to avoid contact with the rattler or the racer. Miss Juliet A., now Mrs. Edward Fox, was death to the creeping things by which they were surrounded, and would sometimes go 'snake killing" to break the general monotony and to assist in subduing the earth, and has killed half a dozen black rattlers in going a short round among the things that were in those days, and has sometimes brought in as trophies a full half dozen of black rattlers strung on a stick. Atone time a large panther chased John Norman into the door-yard of Mr. Hummel one evening. Several times, and by different persons, this large animal of the cat kind was seen prowling about the small openings in the woods that were being made by the early settlers.

Joseph Crauens, Sr., came in 1836 and bought his land of James Stackhouse. L. D. Jacobs came in 1848 and built the mills near Jalapa about 1849; the saw-mill was erected first, and belongs now to J. L. Barley and Daniel Stevens; the grist-mill belongs to Nelson Conner, who came to Grant County in a very early day (1829) and settled first on what is now known as the Jones (Osborn) place in 1833, in Franklin Township, and after living in various localities in the county, is now the proprietor of the grist-mill above named.

John Dunn came in 1832, and settled where his widow lives now. He was a member of the State Legislature of the State of Indiana in 1842 and 1848, and was noted for his kindness to the poor, for in the days of early settling a scarcity of provisions and grain, as well as a scarcity of money was often felt. Mr. Dunn was an early settler, and therefore had raised grain in sufficient quantity to have some for the needy; and persons unacquainted with him would by perseverance gather up what money they could, making sure that. this would bring the necessary grain for bread; but on meeting Mr. Dunn he would tell them that his grain was to go to those who had no money, at the same time telling them where they could get corn for their money, and when his corn gave out he would furnish the money to those who had none to go and buy of those who sold for money.

Alfred Y. York came in October, 1846, and settled on the land he still owns. Jefferson Pugh settled where Elihu Bragg lives, in 1847. Benjamin Purdue settled, in 1847, where Monroe Pugh lives. John R. Lewis, a blacksmith, settled where he now lives in 1856. Joseph Winger settled on the John Spears farm in 1856. John P. Campbell, Sr' in 1847 bought a claim of Lyman Clark, and settled where Samuel Shook lives. Aaron C. Swayzee entered and made first improvements on the N. D. Holman farm, but never lived on the premises. Holman came to this county in 1840, but did not settle on this farm till 1847. David Bish settled the Emerick farm in 1834, and in 1854 he moved to the Pierce farm that Pierce bought of Martin Boots. William Prickett came in 1829, and settled on the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 23. Jeremiah Sutton came in 1827, and settled the William E. Hendrick's farm; he served as commissioner in the early days. Within the next two years came Platt and Jeptha Sutton. Platt settled further down the river than Jerry, and Jeptha a little northwest. Henry Bodkins lives where Jeptha did. These are the men after whom Sutton's ford was named. A splendid bridge spans ths river now and adds to the beauty of the scenery. William E. Hendricks (old Bill) settled on the Wagoner farm in 1835. Ephraim Badger came in 1830, and settled where Joseph Wolf now lives; here the first elections were held in the township. George F. Dunn came in 1832, but did not settle where he now lives till 1837. He served as judge of probate court three years, and as justice of the peace thirty-seven years. Jonathan Seegar came in 1834, and settled where his son Jasper lives now. Perry Sirk settled in 1853 where he now lives. Jesse Leazenbee came in 1844; settled where Whiteman owns. Benjamin Berry settled the Robert McClure farm, now Phillip Matter, about 1829. Shadrach Lawson came in 1832. John Cain settled in the township about the year 1832. Thomas Burson settled where Henry J. Davis, his son-in-law, now lives, in 1849. John Hubert settled on the Delphi road in 1849, where William White now owns. Peter Shelley settled where Mrs. Miller now lives. - northeast quarter, Section 31. Jonathan Berry settled in March, 1846, on the farm where his widow lives. Abraham Pixler in 1846 settled on lands where Samuel Bechtel owns, west half of the northeast quarter of Section 30. Mordecai Cross came from the Pence settlement in Richland Township, and settled the Goff farm in 1846. John Jaqua settled his farm in 1848, where he still lives. John Loring settled where Felix Blackman lives, in 1846. William Parks settled at the "Big Spring," on the Beach farm, in 1843. Beach still owns this farm. Tunis A. Shup in 1855 settled on 'the north part, and Robert Crane in 1853 on the south part' of the farm now owned by William Burge. William Hume and John Myres settled George Holman's farm in 1847. Thomas Prickett bought a claim of Dempsey Fields and settled where Lythe lives, in 1848, south half of the northwest quarter of Section 8. Ephraim Collins settled in 1843 where John Strawsburg now lives. Peter Bragg, about the year 1844, settled where Stephen Snyder lives. Henry Dawson settled where he lives now about the year 1847. Robert Mansfield came and took a claim on the Nathan Dawson farm in 1848, Charly Omack built the saw-mill on Cart Creek, west of the Streit farm, in 1851. About the year 1846 came John Spears, and settled where Joseph Winger lives. William Raypholtz settled where Nathan Overman lives, in 1847. Isaac Raypholtz settled in 1847 on the. southwest quarter. of Section 20. William Riley Webster in 1846 settled on the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 19. Charles Mansfield settled the A. Y. York farm in 1843, and James Mansfield the Beeson farm the same year (1843). Drury White settled on lands now owned by M. B. Connor in 1848.

The Rev. Charles Smith, about the year 1844, settled on the north part of the southwest quarter of Section 29. George Reubarger, about 1840, settled on the Harrison Hudson farm now owned by Joseph Neff; he soon sold this claim and moved over near the northwest corner of the float. Edward Renbarger, about the year 1840, settled the Philip Hudson farm (laid his claim) and soon sold out and settled, about 1842, where he still owns in Section 5. William Sinclair settled the Bloomer farm in 1844. John Shannon, in 1846, settled on the northeast quarter Section 5. William Fields, in 1846, settled on the southwest quarter Section 16. Platt Sutton, about 1844, settled where Evan Massey owns now (southeast quarter of Section 17). Joel Inks settled where he lives now in 1847. Jackson Fields had a claim there. Samuel Hacket and Blewford Prickett settled and entered the Conrad Wolf farm. Wolf settled there in 1854. Shadrach Lawson settled the Daniel Whiteneck place in 1847; he says he sat on the first jury in Wabash County that was ever impaneled in a regular way, about the year 1835., He further says he has climbed many a bee tree and coon tree by "boring up;' he could climb fifty feet in half an hour, by having "pins" made beforehand. Mr. Lawson had great experience in killing the yellow rattlesnake and catching the black and gray wolf. He and two others were on the lookout for " rattlers" among the rocks, and finding none at the foot of the rocks he told the men to wait and he would go to the top of the ledge, and horror! two piles nearly the size of wash tubs. He took astout pole and " lit in" on one pile, killing a few and tumbling the rest down for those below to finish. At another time he lassoed a big one and took it away captive; it "put in" an objection but had to follow the greater force. At another time a large one was almost instantly killed by the use of tobacco juice put down its throat.

The Town of Sweetser was laid out September 18, 1871, by Dr. L. Prater and others. Prater was the first settler. It is six miles west of Marion on the Chicago, St. Louis & Pittsburgh Railroad, and is doing a thriving business.

William H. Brown, general store; William A. Benner, general store; George Williamson, hardware and drugs; James Moore, saw-mill and manufacturing; William and Eli Ward, blacksmiths; John R. Lewis, blacksmith, William Wyland, wagon-maker; Robert Humes, grocer; Marion Williams, grocer; Hezekiah Loring, groceries and notions; Baum & Overman do a large business in grain; Thomas Prickett, dealer in grain; Hezekiah Loring, notary public; A. W. Friermood carries on a large business in tile-making ; William A. Benner, postmaster; Bragg & Acre, carpenters; Joseph Bragg, carpenter; William H. Sutton, beef shop; King & 3uroker, bed springs; J. P. Buroker, breeder of fancy poultry.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was erected in 1875. Present trustees, J. Thompson, Samuel Bechtel, William Conner and James Props; present pastor, - - - Howard; members, seventy-five.

Jalapa was laid out March 23, 1849, by Jacob Sprecher, who was the first settler. Jalapa is situated on the '" Broad Ripple Float." It has two churches and the following business by 8, M. Sherman & Co., general store; J. V. Conover, grocery and druggist; George O. Mark, blacksmith; Boswell Nichols, blacksmith; John McAtee, carpenter; John H. Waldren, carpenter; Silas G. More-

The Methodist Protestant Church was erected about 1866. Trustees, John W. Rogers, Frederick Strawsburg and Thomas Prickett; pastor, B. F. Perry; present trustees, John W. Rogers, C. L. Renbarger and Martin B. Conner; present pastor, Rev. David Boswell.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was erected at Jalapa in 1861. Trustees, William R. Webster, John Spears, Alfred Y. York, William Fields. Dedicatory services by Rev. L. W. Munson. Present trustees, John Neff, John Bloomer and Alfred Y. York; present pastor, Rev. J. W. Cain.

Churches. - Pleasant Chapel (Methodist Episcopal Church), in the southeastern part of the township, was built and dedicated in the year £866. Dedicatory services by L. W. Munson of the Wabash District. First trustees, John Kem, Edward Baldwin and William Holman; first pastor, Rev. Roberts; present trustees, Jasper N. Seegar, Joseph Kem, N. D. Holman, William Hendricks and William Holman; present pastor, J. W. Cain; membership, sixty.

Mount Olive (Methodist Protestant Church), in the southern part of the township, was built and dedicated in 1871. Dedicatory sermon by Hugh Fulton, of Somerset, in Wabash County. First trustees, John Cain, Sr., B. F. Bish, William Ward, J. M. Pugh, William Stevens, Stephen Beach and A. M. Cravens; first pastor, George W. Boxell; present trustees, William Ward, A. M. Cravens, Joseph Harrold, Joseph Middlesworth and Levi Cravens; present pastor, Charles Love; membership 150. Public preaching once every three weeks, with an average attendance of 200; Sabbathschool every Sunday with an attendance of eighty-five; prayer meeting each week, with an attendance of about eighty-five.

Cart Creek (Methodist Episcopal Church) was erected and dedicated in 1848-49. Dedicatory services conducted by Rey. L. W. Munson, who was first pastor of the church. The trustees were - Alfred Y. York, William Fields and William R. Webster. This church is not now in existence; the members attend church at Jalapa, where a good building was erected in 1861.

The Indian Village Church (Missionary Baptist) was erected in the year 1866, and dedicated in the same year by the Rey. James Babcock,, of Fulton County. Trustees, William Peconga, Robert

Peconga and A. Hale; first pastor, Rev. Price; present pastor, Rev. M. Smith; membership, 145. Public preaching twice each month; average attendance at public service, 150; prayer meeting once & week, with an attendance of about sixty; Sabbath-school regularly, with an attendance of thirty on the average; local minister, George W. Rawsom.

Incidents. - On Sunday, May 12, 1844, David Hamaker was drowned at the Boots Mill, owned at that time by Dalrymple; and a man by the name of Baker was drowned at the same place about 1838, by the wreck of a raft. O. V. Lemon assisted at the raising of Pleasant Chapel when the first building was erected, and he was a good hand at placing logs. The first schoolhouse was erected on the Grindle farm in 1832. The first election was held at the house of Badger, on the Grindle farm, in 1833. Jeremiah Sutton was the first justice of the peace. Betsy Prickett died in 1831, and is probably the first death. Moses Conner and Ann Sutton were married April 3, 1832, by William Prickett, justice of the peace. Daniel B. Miller and Mary Boots were married June 30, 1832, by Robert Burns, minister Methodist Episcopal Church. William Boots to Julia Hurley was an early marriage. Brownsville was laid out April 17, 1849, but failed to materialize. George F. Dunn and John Cain are the only two remaining settlers who have been here since the organization of the township. ;

During the settlement of the Miami Reservation came Hulings Miller, and took a claim or pre-emption on the northwest quarter of Section 21, about 1845-46, and made considerable improvement thereon, but did not become the owner thereof for some reason; he was the father of Joaquin Miller, who was a mere boy during his. father's residence in Grant County; his name in full is "Cincinnatus Heine Miller," and he says Marion is the first town he was ever in; he was born in Indiana, and went to Oregon with his father when he was thirteen years old; in the meantime he lived in Grant County, his father settling in the woods on Cart Creek. After he went to Oregon Joaquin became a miner and adventurer in California, served in Nicaragua, and lived among the Indians. In 1861 he began to edit a paper at Eugene City. He has been styled "The Poet of the Sierras." An extract from " Kit Carson's Ride'" 18 piven: