Grant County, Indiana - Chapter 15: By William Neal, 1886

Chapter 15: By William Neal

HE township of Van Buren, in Grant County, Ind., comprises all of Town 25, Range 9 east, and is bounded on the east by Wells County, on the north by Huntington County, on the west by Washington Township, and onthe south by the township of Monroe. Surface, Soil, etc. - This township was originally covered with a heavy forest of most kinds of timber that grow in this part of the State of Indiana. The general surface of Van Buren is possessed of more inequalities than most other parts situate in this part of the county, which, in the state of nature, appeared to be quite level, but as time advanced and the forest disappeared, and ponds and "sloughs" were drained out, the eye of the observer is struck with inequalities which were not seen in years gone by, nor even thought of by the early settlers.. The facilities for drainage are good, and ere long every pond will have disappeared, and the passer-by will behold, instead, fields of waving grain and gardens and orchards adorning the country, once a howling wilderness, where the prowling panther and sneaking wolf had undisputed sway.

Animals. - This part of the county of Grant originally had a full representation as regards animated nature. The black bear (wrsus Americana) was once a denizen of the forest of this region, and numerous are the stories told of the encounters of hunters with him while engaged in the chase of this animal. The gray wolf, with a few of the black species, was quite numerous and destructive to lambs, pigs, calves, sheep, etc., in the first settling. Wild cats were plenty; they were terrible when caught by a dog. Deer were plenty, and it was not uncommon for a hunter to kill four or five in a day.

some other localities. That known as McCowen's Prairie is largest (it is sometimes called Sweetsar's). It had at first near 200 acres of open prairie, covered with tall grass in summer, and in spring it was little else than a lake. Kirk's Prairie, just south of the Creviston Farm, is the source of Little Black Creek. It has been drained, and bids fair to become good farm land. A small prairie east of the Abe Endsley farm was another small body of water in spring, and in summer it suited the rattlesnakes to lie around and frighten those that came to get berries, flags, ete. A small prairie on Tony Korporal's land has disappeared and become a part of his farm. A prairie known as Tippy's had all the general features of those already described.

The Streams. - The drainage of this township is through its creeks and branches into the Salamonia River, except in the southwestern part through the north branch of Lugar's Creek, and thence to the Mississinewa.

Big Black Creek enters the township at the half-mile corner, on the east side of Section 36, and pursues a northwesterly course to & point near the center of Section 21; thence northeasterly, passing out of the township near the northeast corner of Section 12, having ten and eight-tenths miles within the township, with about thirtyfour feet of fall. This creek was at first very fine in its number of fish. Big Black has an extensive drainage, and has been cut-and recut till it is greatly improved. The cutting and clearing-out the upper part of this stream was one of the first undertakings of the kind in the county under a ditch law, having been surveyed in 1860, and was cut out during the war and surpassed the most sanguine expectations in the way of drainage.

Little Black Creek rises in the prairie south of the Creviston place, and has an easterly and southeasterly course of near seven miles by its meandering, with a fall of near forty feet; it enters " Big Black" on the Corey farm. Rood's Run is near four and threequarter miles long, with a fall of near forty-three feet. Baker's Ditch including Brushy Run is another important system of drainage, as also Honey Creek and the outlet of MeCowen's prairie. The Corey Ditch, the outlet of the Cover Pond, also Doyle's Ditch and several others as principal works of drainage, to say nothing of those of minor note. These give as complete a system of drainage as is to be found in any township.

The Big Oak. - A white oak stood on the lands of Stephens Corey. It was one of the great trees of North America of the Quercus Alba variety. It measured nine feet in diameter four feet from the ground, having a well-proportioned body and a regular and well-balanced top, measuring forty-five feet to the first limb from the ground. It stood in thé Indianapolis and Fort Wayne State Road ; the travel passed on each side, which probably caused its death, in 1839. It was cut down on Christmas day, 1850, in a "frolic" made for the occasion; it was perfectly sound.

Old Traces. - The Godfrey trace entered this township near the William M. Kirkpatrick farm, and passed near one-half mile south of Van Buren, and continued the same course passing through the lands owned by Michael Doyle, Sr., a little north of where his house now stands; thence passing on the ridge south of McCowen's prairie, and leaving the county. This was an Indian trace from the Godfrey reserve on the Salamonia to the Indians on the Mississinewa below Marion. ' The Lancaster trace went from where Jesse Lancaster settled in Section 7 in 1833, to a point in Wells County where he settled after leaving Grant County, passing nearly east and on the north side of McCowan's prairie. These traces and the Fort Wayne State Road were the only traveled routes in the township in 1839.

First Entries. - The first entries of land are found to be by Daniel L. Westcott October 28, 1835, in Section 1; William McCoy, in Section 1, November 21, 1836; Solomon Fry, in Section 1, September 6, 1836; James Kilgore, in Section 2, October 31, 1836; Jacob Crist, in Section 3, November 11, 1836; John Thomas, in Section 8, November 19, 1836; Ed B. Thomas, in Section 9, November 19, 1836; George Cailey, in Section 10, October 8, 1836; Stephens Corey, in Section 11, September 6, 1836; Michael Roush, in Section 11, September 8, 1836; Philip Shaffer, in Section 11, September 8, 1836; Calvin Rusell, in Section 12, September 19, 1836; John Matheny, in Section 12, September 6, 1836; Joseph Lindsey, in Section 14, October 14, 1836; John Boy, in Section 15, September 5, 1836 ; John Thomas, in Section 15, November 19, 1836; William M. Kirkpatrick, in Section 19, November 8, 1836; William Dillon, in Section 19, November 8, 1836; James Bay, in Section 20, September 5, 1836; Joseph Lugar, in Section 31, September 29, 1836; John Hamilton, in Section 31, September 16, 1836; Basil Foster, in Section 32, August 24, 1836; Dennis Springer, in Section 4, February 21, 1837;"Abe See, in Section 8, March 23, 1837.

First Settlers. - In 1833 Jesse Lancaster located on the northeast quarter of Section 7, a little south of the Lee schoolhouse, on the south side of the outlet of the prairie or Little Black Creek; he was the first white person that tried to live in the territory known as Van Buren Township; it was then an unbroken Wilderness, with plenty of Indians campedround about for hunting deer and bear. On one occasion the wolves chased his dogs into his cabin, snapping at them in the door as they ran in and went under the bed. Lancaster did not remain here very long but moved over into Wells County, and entered land and settled on it. Ezekiel Dix lived on this claim after Lancaster left.

John Gilbert settled on the Walter Madden place in 1836; he was afterward elected auditor of Grant County. Joseph Lindsey came in 1837 and settled on the Mills Whinnery farm, now owned by Elijah Creviston. Joseph Whinnery settled on the Saxon farm in 1837; he made himself noted by his verse-making; here is a specimen of his poetry:

Meditation Epitaph

MEDITATION. Days of my childhood, Where are they? Thou brimful eye, Withhold thy tear, For on Time's wing Ye have fled away And left me a wand'rer here. EPITAPH. This stone attests What few others can, That beneath this stone There lies an honest man.

Joseph Boxell came in June, 1837, and settled where he lives at present; he is a minister in the Methodist Protestant Church, and in the early days he gave the name to Van Buren Township. Adam Pulley, Sr., came in 1837 and settled on the well known farm in his name. William Boxell settled in 1838 on the farm near Vanburen schoolhouse. John Boxell, in 1838, settled the farm known as his, at the bend of Black Creek. Samuel Malcom came in 1839 and settled on the farm now owned by Joseph Lugar, in Section 30; his house stood on the summit, between the waters of the Mississinewa and Salamonia. Solomon Fry settled where Henry Creviston now lives in 1838. John Duckwall settled the farm where his two sons, Joseph and Burgoyne, now live, in 1838. Michael Roush came in 1837 and lived on the place entered by Philip Shaffer in Section 11. Henry Douglass came in 1837; James Douglass, his father, came in 1838; they both lived on the farm known as the Douglass farm, which is now owned by Joseph Lugar. John Huff and sons, Hiram and John, came in 1839. John Huff settled just north of Daniel Tinkle's, and the sons live on farms well known to the public. Philip Wineburner settled the William Hays farm in 1839. William Wineburner settled on the Isaac Anderson farm in 1839. Andrew Chidister was first settler on the Leas farm in 1836; he built the first brick house in the township. Frederick Light settled on the north part of the Elijah Creviston place in 1841. John Dugan settled where he now lives in the year 1839. William Long settled where Jacob Cochran now lives in 1840. Joseph Ludwick came in 1841 and settled on the Holmes farm. John Endsley came in 1840 and settled on the southwest quarter of Section 8; Abe See entered and first settled it. George W. Gardener, in 1841, settled the farm where his widow now lives. Samuel McCowen came as early as 1840, and settled on the east side of the prairie. William M. Kirkpatrick came in 1843 and settled the farm he now owns in Section 7. Daniel Creviston came in 1843 and settled where his widow now lives, in Section 7. George H. D. Rood came in 1843 and settled the farm on which the depot is located at Vanburen. Lot Green came from Fayette County, Ind., and settled where he now owns the farm in 1844; he is a minister in the Christian or Campbellite Church, and has served as justice of the peace. Joseph Campbell settled the Long farm in 1839; he sold to William Long, and first settled the Steinebruner farm in 1840. Deitrick Steinebruner came in 1846 and bought of Joseph Campbell. Hezekiah Zuck came in 1844 and settled on the farm well known as the Zuck place. Henry Shaneholser came in 1848; he still lives on this farm. Jonas Paxton settled where he lives in 1845. Lot Ray settled where Daniel Pulley lives.

Stephen Nicewanger settled in the fall of 1842 on the farm where his son William now lives. Lewis Landess came in 1841 and settled on the William Malcom farm, now owned by Dr. Lewis Corey; he then moved over to his present location in Section Le William Hays settled where he now lives in 1849; here at one time was located Greenbush postoffice. Elijah Lyon came in 1842 and settled in Section 26. Samuel Vannurden came in 1850. William Lamma and William M. Evans both settled in 1844, on the farm where Samuel Young lived till his death. Jacob Stroup, in 1840, settled on the farm owned by the late Alfred Wilson. Stroup was a "mity" hunter of all kinds of game - he had treed a wild cat in a brush heap. Joseph Whinnery, the poet, came along with a favorite dog that he said could kill the d - l, and wished Stroup to let the dog at it. One dash at the cat was enough, the "fur flew" and he was off like a shot with his "stub-tail" tucked, under. Samuel Doyle came July 8, 1840, and settled where hisson Michael now lives; at one time he served as one of the county commissioners. Michael Doyle came July 11, 1837, and settled where he now lives; he was a distinguished hunter, and now at eighty-three his mind is quick at recollection of the olden days of deer and bear and coon and turkey and fish; he has ever been kind and hospitable to all; he was a native of Guernsey County, Ohio. William Boller settled the farm where his heirs live in 1861. Joseph J. Pulley settled where he now lives in 1859. John Baker settled where he now lives, but Jacob Baker first built there. George W. Leverich settled where Kirkpatrick lives, west of M. Doyle's. Frank Thompson settled the Compton farm in 1846. Stephens Corey came June 31, 1839, and settled on the farm just north of where Corey's cemetery is located; he was one of the first justices in the township. , - In 1840 William Cloud settled the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 2, and Thomas Cloud settled the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 1 in 1841. Martin Coup settled the Moriarty farm. James Chidister settled where Stephen Leas lives in 1836. Philip Shaffer came in 1837. James Kilgore came in 1842 and settled on north half of Section 2. Robert Logan came in 1847. Henry Barnes came in 1852. Noah Cloud came in 1841. Harrison Long came in 1841. Alexander Dunwoody came in 1844. Ellis Long in 1840, Solomon Humbarger in 1850. Isaac, William and T. H. Farr are old settlers. Isaac Swisher came in 1840 and settled on the southwest quarter of Section 10; he was married in 1841.

Incidents. - A big black wolf kept prowling around in Van Buren Township in the early days, and Steve Studyvain came over from Monroe with a large trap, intending to "gather him in," but he eluded the trap Steve set for him and still went the rounds for lambs and pigs. At length Michael Doyle became tired of his tricks and borrowed Studyvain's trap, set it near the carcass of a steer near the Cover Pond. The animal's foot was caught and its efforts to escape were terrible, but it was shot by Elijah Lyon, who _ was present with a gun. Michael Doyle in the early days counted 100 turkeys in his green wheatfield, but his dog put them to flight ibefore he finished counting. He also killed a wolf in 1839 that weighed eighty-seven pounds.

In November and December, 1838, during the influx of population, fifteen persons lived for six weeks in a cabin 16x16 at Mike Doyle's; then E. E. Camblin, Sr., and family moved to their own cabin January 1, 1839. A bee tree on the land of Mike Doyle was climbed eighty-six feet by felling another tree against it. John Mays went up and lowered down what made twenty-one gallons of trained honey, besides a big lot that was carried away in the comb. An old-fashioned barn-raising came off at Andrew Chidister's; it was a double log barn with floor between pens built of hewed logs. Seven gallons of the " best rye" that could be had were " laid in" and the work of raising went on; there was enough of spirits it was suid for such an occasion, but the building was only partially completed the first day. They sang, danced and " frolicked" all night, and even the presence of a justice of the peace did not insure such order and quietness as some would desire. When daylight came they declared not another log would "go up" unless more whiskey was brought. Four gallons more were obtained and then it went up with a hurrah!

A big otter killing came off on January 31, 1867, on Little Black Creek, just above the point where the Ft. Wayne road crosses ; four large otters were killed on this occasion by Joseph, L. J., L. and Stevens Corey and Allen McKeever. Frank Leas and Dr. L. Corey bought all other interests in the pelts for $20 and sent them to New York and had two large sets of furs made from them for their wives.

Unele William Cloud and Aunt Betsy have lived together fortyfive years in this township and fifty-eight altogether. The next oldest couple is William M. Kirkpatrick and wife. The oldest lady in the township is Aunt Katy Boxell.

in 1879 aged eighty-seven. Smith Jeffries came here in 1850; he was in the war of 1812, served in Virginia and died in 1881, aged eighty-eight.

R. D. Fornshell came to this township in 1844; he was regarded as a leader in the Democratic party and for many years a school teacher, and for sixteen years he was elected justice of the peace, and then one vacancy occurred, when he was re-elected; he lives in Wells County now.

Matters of Note. - Old Indian camping grounds were situated where Godfrey's Trace crossed Black Creek near the southeast corner of J. F. Swan's land. One on the outlet of McCowen's prairie, at the Big Beaver Dam below Harry Smith's. A sugar camp on the land of Milton Camblin. This was a very noted campingplace.

i In some mounds on the land of David Heckard, bones, ashes, coal and burnt clay have been found. There are several mounds on the land of William Leverich, and two on the land of Samuel Roush, on the south side of the creek. The first saw-mill was built on Black Creek, in 1848 by G. H. D. Rood; Michael Roush owned it afterward and it ceased to run long since.

Van Buren. - Almost ever since G. H. D. Rood settled on the Brewer farm, in 1843, the public ear has heard of Rood's corner, Rood's schoolhouse and later on of Rood's cross roads, and at a still. later period was heard of Rood's town and "String town," and finally Van Buren, in 1880, when G. W. Champ laid out the first regular lots; but quite a number of buildings had been erected and considerable business had been transacted each year previous to this. The town has been enlarged by additions till at present the population is 256, and does a large business in timber, lumber and grain.

In 1858 John ©. Mason erected a saw-mill on the site occupied by 8. V. Shimp. A log church was erected in 1858 west of. the cross road; Silas Parks, pastor. G. H. D. Rood built the first house for selling goods on the northeast corner in 1868; he sold to G. W. Camblin. EK. Ford set up blacksmithing in 1868. The postoffice was established July 10, 1872, with mail once a week from Marion. The store of James & Barnes was set up in the spring of 1869; Paxton & Son bought them out and are still in business, A flouring-mill built in 1872 by Mills & Whisler has lately

Drs. L. and L. J. Corey came to town in 1877, and opened a drug store in 1878. §S. S. James has a hardware store. A general grocery store was started at the railroad station by Riley & Johnson in 1872. J. E. Riley is railroad agent, and L. A. Johnson is agent of the American ExpressCompany. A.J. Barnes, hardware, set up in 1885. Jacob Hedrick started a steam saw-mill and tile factory in 1878. Corey, Whitecotton & Co., tile factory, located in 1883. H. Zuck, blacksmith, came in 1878. I. J. Miller, blacksmith and wagon-maker, arrived in 1885. Dr. Conwell came here in 1882. Dr. G. A. Landess came here in 1883. Welcome Chapel was erected and dedicated in 1877. A church of the Disciples of Christ was dedicated in 1877. At both churches there is regular service and Sunday-school. The Toledo, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad was completed to this point in the fall of 1880. There are also two hotels, a butcher, a barber and ashoe-maker. John F. Swan and George Camblin are the notaries public.

Landesville was laid out April 27, 1882. William Landess has a general store. There is a barber shop, a saw-mill, and the usual showing at a railroad station; also a postofiice.

Items of Interest. - Samuel Malcom and Stephens Corey were first justices of the peace. R. H. Burk and Eleanor Camblin were married February 20, 1840. Isaac Anderson and Eliza Camblin were married August 13, 1841. David J. Camblin and Mary E. Duckwall were married December 13, 1842. Louis Landess and Phebe Whinnery were married April 18, 1847. Henry Douglass and Betsy Malcom were married December 1, 1842. In 1840, March 8, was the first burial in the Corey Cemetery. This was a child of Michael Roush, and John Matheny was the second, on March 22, 1841, that was buried here. A great deer hunter by the name of Roberts used to kill a great many deer, leaving the carcass in the woods and bringing the choice pieces to those with whom he boarded, and allowed his friends to regale themselves on the choicest morsels the chase could furnish. Enoch E. Camblin, Sr., died May 24, 1839, and was the first one buried in the Doyle Grave-yard.

by falling into a kettle of boiling potash. John Frazier was killed by the fall of a coon tree in 1843. Jennie Knox hung herself at Conwell's barn. George W. Gardener hung himself. Elias St. Clair was caught in machinery at a mill and was killed in 1877. William Barnes was killed by a runaway team in 1878. George Roush was killed by a saw-mill explosion in 1878. F. Ludwick was killed by being threwn on a circular saw in 1877. William Anderson was killed by the fall of a tree in 1845. John Matheny shot himself in the year 1841. John Dailey fell dead in 1886 in the streets of Van Buren.