Hancock County, Indiana - Chapter 20, 1882

once called Walpole, in honor of Thomas D. Walpole, but now Fortville, /. r.. Fort's Town, was laid out b}' Cephus Fort, on the 12th da}' of P'ebruar}-, 1849. ^^ '^^ located on the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis R. R., north by north-west of Greenfield thirteen miles. It is on the banks of Flat Fork, within a mile of the Madison and Hamilton county lines. It is pleasantly located, in a rich grain growing district. The original plat consisted of forty-one lots. The ffrst addition was made by Shull, on the 20th of February, 1855, and consisted of live lots, located on the north-east of the original plat. The second addition was laid out by Noel, on the i6th day of December, 1856, and consisted of fifteen lots and several large lots, located north-east of the old plat, betw^een the railroad and Staats street. The third addition was made b}' Vanvelzer, on the 17th of December, 1856, and consisted of tw'elve lots, located south-west of the old plat, and on the north side of the raih"oad. The fourth addition was hud out by James Merrill, the records fail to show when, and consisted of fourteen numbered lots, located southeast of the old town. The fifth addition was made by Garrison Asbury, on the 19th day of August, 1872, and consisted of nine lots, located on the south side of the railroad, south-west of the old plat. The sixth addition was laid out by Record & Voorhes, on the 17th of February, 1873, and consisted of twenty-six blocks, designated b}' the twenty-six letters of the English alphabet, containing 356 lots, located south of the railroad, and east of MerrilTs addition and the old plat. The land from which it was carved was entered by Alfred Shortridge, on the 5th of January, 1835, being the south-east quarter of section nine, township seventeen north, and range six east. Staats made, perhaps, the first addition to the town, on the north of the old plat, but as we fail to find the proper records of the same, we are unable to give further reliable information relative thereto. Crouch also made an addition of which there is no record.

Fortville is a thriving business point, convenient to Indianapolis, on the Bee Line ; is a good market, has a population of 500, with a grain elevator, mills, factories, merchants, grocers, druggists, physicians, mechanics, a two-story brick school-house, U. S. express and daily mail, and other conveniences seldom possessed by a town of its size.

Business cDid J^iisiiicss yT/r//. - The first business of this place was very limited, and of a simple nature, and consisted mainl}^ in bartering the few products of the pioneer frontier men for staple groceries and medicines, dry goods being mainly manufactured by themselves. Among those who first did business in this place were Perry Fort, Noel & Co., Joseph Chitvvood and the firm of Tague & Chandler. Thomas R. Noel, the first and present postmaster, has served almost continuously since the establishment of the office. Andrew Hagen was postmaster for a time, duriniT Buchanan's administration. Noel has also been a comparatively new and tiiri\ing little town on the C, C, C. and I. R. R., titteen miles north-west of Greentield, and about the same distance north-east of Indianapolis, is pleasantly located, and surrounded by rich, fertile soil, in the central western part of the township. It was laid out on the nth day of September, 1865, by James W. Negley, with thirty-five lots. The first addition was made by Hiday, on the nth day of February, 1869, and consisted of twenty-eight lots, located on the railroad, south-w'est of the original plat. The second addition was made by Bradley and McCord, on the 21st day of May, 1873, and consisted of thirty-nine lots, located south of the first plat. The third addition was made by Nelson Bradley, on the 31st day of August, 1873, and consisted of sixty-seven lots, located south of Bradley & McCord's addition. The fourth and last addition was made by McCord, on the 4th day of September, 1S73, with eight lots, located east of original plat. The cemeter\' at this place was laid out by the I. O. O. F., on the i6th day of March, 1871, with one hundred and five lots and streets and alleys.

McCordsville has a tvvo-stor}^ brick township school building, grain elevator, livery stable, saw-mill, merchants, physicians, carpenters, a butcher, and other conveniences essential to the prosperity of a village of this size, numbering about three hundred inhabitants. It has also a U. S. express and daily mail. The land out of which McCordsville was carved had been entered by John H. Robb, on the 25th day of October, 1835, being the north-east quarter of section twenty-six, in township six- teen north and range five east. Dr. J. W. Ilervey, now ot' Indianapolis, was the first resident ph^'sician. Among the first business men were William Emery, Nelson Bradley, and a Mr. Littleton. Others have done business in the place from time to time, but we must hasten on to give a a tiny burg on the C, C, C. and I. R. R., between Fortville and McCordsville, seventeen miles north-east of Indianapolis, was laid out on the 12th of December, 1851, by Ellen Wood, with thirty-two lots. It has had no additions. Among the first business men of this place were

John Bills, Azel Hooker, Garrison Asbury, William and Joseph Bills, Taylor & Lockhart, Martindale, Taylor & Brown, P. J. Brinegar and G, W. Shultz. This place once did some business, but since the completion of the railroad, and the development of McCordsville and Fortville, it has lost somewhat its pristine glory. There was once a railroad agency and warehouse here for several 3'ears, with Thomas Hawkins as agent. The warehouse was burned down, and the agency was discontinued. Its present merchant is David Brown. The sick and infirm are looked after by Dr. B. B. Witham. Its blacksmiths are J. W. Peik, John Olvey and G. L. Morrow. Postmaster, David Brown. Among those that have been in the government service at this point are J. C. Bills, Garrison Asbury and P. J. Brinegar. Woodbury has one church, a district school, one store, a blacksmith shop, post-office and railroad station, a central location, and plenty of room for future development.

was organized January 8, 1875, '^^ Fortville. The first officers of this Indian Tribe were J. H. Treher, sachem; Andrew Kappes, senior sachem ; G. H. Jackson, junior sachem ; C. Y. Hardin, chief of records, and Garrison Asburv, keeper of wampum. The lodge organized under favorable circumstances, with about twenty members, and is still on the war path and around the camp fires with increasing numbers. Its present officers are : C. V. Hardin, S. ; Thomas Toby, S. S. ; Nat. Lake, J. S. : Andrew Kappes, keeper of wampum. Total membership, twenty-eight. Concil meetings and camp fires kindled \\ ednesdav evening of each week.

There was for a number of years a temperance organization in Fortx'ille, in addition to a Good Templar lodge. In February or March, 1879. D. B. Ross, of Indianapolis, in connection with the Christian and M. E. churches, conducted a revival, during which six hundred persons signed the pledge. A branch of the National Christian Temperance Union was organized, with J. B. Anderson as president, S. H. McCarty vice-president, Irena Anderson secretary, Mrs. Dr. Stuart treasurer, and a board of five managers. A constitution was adopted, making the officers elective semi-annually. S. H. McCarty, J. B. Anderson and J. C. McCarty have been the presidents of the order. Meetings weekly or semi-monthl^r have been sustained continuouslv since the date of organization. The work has mainly been done b}- home talent, prominent among whom were Elder J. W. Ferrell, and Revs. J. S. McCarty and J. F. Rhoades. Other ministers and temperance lecturers have participated in the work. They have done good practical work, having succeeded in defeating applications for license till at this date there is not a licensed saloon in the place.

The Daughters of Rebecca, a branch of the Odd Fellows, composed of women, hold their meetings in the same room each Saturda}^ evening. Their lodge is known as Fortville Lodge, No. 80, and was chartered March 29, 1872. The first and present officers include some of the most noble women of Fortville.

was instituted in the upper room of the Tiiompson warehouse, November 17, 1869, with the following charter members : Green McCord, N. G. ; J. H. Thomas, V. G. ; Aaron Vail, sec'}', and William McCord, treasurer; C. W. Hervey, David Brown, P. A. Raber, J. Bills, J. H. Helms, John Dunham, J. W. Negley, Alfred Bills, Israel Fred, William Sapp and Sylvester Gaskins. The lodge continued to hold its meetings in the original room, until an increase of numbers made it necessary to obtain a new hall, whereupon the lodge purchased a convenient and commodious room, in a brick building owned b}' Caldwell & Steele. Here the order, pleasantly located, in a room well furnished, has grown financially and numerically, until it can boast of fortv-five active members, together with an orphan fund of nearly $400, and a general fund of ^2,400. The present officers are: A. J. Gale, N. G. ; Frank Klepfer, V. G. ; J. P. McCord, sec'3% and John W. McCord, treasurer. The oldest member of the lodge is William Morrison, who was initiated at Pendleton Lodfje, No. 88, on the 8th of May, 1854.

was organized under dispensation in 1852, and was granted a charter in 1853. The lodge held its meetings for a time in the second stor}- of Elias McCord's house. B. G. Ja}^ W. M. ; Dr. J. W. Hervey, S. W. ; Nelson Bradley, J. W. This lodge was removed to Oakland in 1853, and, retaining its old number, was known as Oakland Lodge, No. 140.

was fully organized under a charter granted May 25, 1875. Among the first officers were Thomas P. Hervev, W. M. ; Henry Crossley, S. W. ; Ebenezer Steele, J. W. The present officers are Henry Crossley, W. M. ; James H. Kimberiin, S. W. ; James H. Wright, J. W. ; Dudley Hervey, secretary ; Elias McCord, treasure ; Jesse H. Jackson, S. D. : Andrew J. Stanley, J. D. ; E. Chevis, t\'lor. To this lodge belong some of the sturdy men of McCordsville and vicinity. The lodge is not large, but prosperous. A chapter (No. 44) of the Masonic order was organized at McCordsville on the 23rd day of May, i860. A council was established under a dispensation granted on the 8th day of March, 1881. The Masonic order at McCordsville has a splendid room, well furnished, and the lodge is in a healthful, prosperous condition financially and otherwise.

The following named members had, for a year prior to the Fortville organization, constituted a class across the line in Hamilton county : Peter Staats and wife, Martin Shaffer and lady, Mathias Shaffer and wife, Hiram Rutherford and wife, R. C. Pitman and lady, Henry Humphreys, wife and mother, and Mrs, Stuart. They held their meetings during this time in private dwellings, barns, unoccupied houses, and on one occasion they had preaching in a saw^-mill. Rev. L. W. Munson observed that he had preached in the forests, fields, and out-of-the-wa}^ places, but never before in a saw-mill. The society becoming more numerous, in 1856 erected a frame church, large and substantial, which was dedicated by Rev. Thos. Bowman, D. D. Among the first ministers were Revs. M. Wyman, Eli, Rammel, James Black, J. S. McCarty, and L. W. Munson. The present minister is J. S. McCarty.

In connection with this church is established one of the best Sunday-schools in the count}'. Below is a summary report for the year 1878: Average attendance, one hundred and forty-seven ; smallest attendance, eight}' ; largest attendance, two hundred and twenty-four. There was donated b}' all of the classes for the year, J^i 21.51. Received from sale of journals, $7.22. The number of papers distributed during the year were : Everybody s Pa^cr, 1,200 copies; Sunday School Advocate, 2,400 copies; Good JVews, 1,200 copies; Picture JLesso)i Paper, 1,000 copies; Temperance Alliance, 1,200; Berean Lcsso)i Leaves, 1,400. We have sufficient evidence before us fully establishing the fact that this is one of the most live, progressive, well disciplined, liberal, truth-seeking, Biblesearching Sunday-schools which it is our privilege to notice in this historv. This school was organized in 1856. The first superintendent was Martin Shaffer, followed by William M. Baker, the present superintendent, who has held this position of trust and honor for more than twent}- three vears.

D. J. McMullen, who was followed by Revs. J. B. Crowley, Logan, Fabel, Victor, ct al. Among the first Catholics in the place were Patrick Kell}^ George Voucher, John Callahan, Charles Bird, Daniel Mack and Thomas Tobin. The congregation consists at this time of sixteen families. Services are held on the third Sunday of each month. The membership are in peace and harmony, and the organization is in a healthy condition, performing its prescribed functions with efficiency.

was organized in the year 1852, in a log school-house, in the south-east corner of the township. Among the first members were Alfred Denney and wife, George and Nancy Kingery, William Thomas and lady, Burto W. Jackson and helpmate. Among those who have pointed out the way of life and salvation in this corner of the moral vine3'ard are

E. Cavlor, D. Harmon, B. Bowman and George Hoover. The first communion was held at the private residence of Alfred Dennev, in the year 1854, conducted by E. Caylor and G. Studebaker. The organization has held its meet- .ngs for a number of years in the school-house on iVlfred Denney 's farm. The present membership is from fifty to sixty, including our old friend and Mexican veteran, Alfred Dennev.

was built in the year 1874, at a cost of $1,100, and dedicated b}' Samuel Lamb. The first trustees were Franklin Dunham, John Sample and John Hooker. Meetings were held prior to the building of the hovise, in a school-house, one mile north. The first members were tew but faithful, and the seciety has continued to grow to this date. The lirst minister was J. B. Carnes : present, Rev. Phillips. There has been, in connection with this society, an organized Sunday school for several years. John S. Sample is the present superintendent, and B. A. Brown, secretary.

at McCordsville, dates its history back to the year 1849, when a class was formed at the Robb school-house. Among the first members, were J. W. Hervey the Thompsons, Thomases, McCords, Littletons, Crumps ct al. ; and amon^j those who stood on the walls of Zion were Re\s. Mershon, J. W. Smith, Samuel Lamb, Thomas Stabler, White, Maxwell and C. P. Wright. The house now occupied was built in 1854, '^^ "^ ^^^"^ ^^ $i?300, and dedicated by N. H. Gillum, from whom it derived its name. The present minister is Rev. G. N. Phillips. Total membership, forty. Adjoining the church on the west is a cemetery, where slumber several of the faithful. The first interment was Oliver Robb, Sen., May 22, 1854. The Sunday school in connection with this church is officered b}' Oscar Bills, superintendent, and William E. Thompson, secretary.

A few of the members from the organizations on Lick Creek, near Alfont, and at the Carolina school-house, in Hamilton county, who w^ere living in or near Fort\ille, expressed a desire to effect a church organization in the town of Fortville. J. W. Ferrell, a student of Kentucky University, was called to hold a meeting, which began on Friday night, August 3, 1871. On Saturday', tlxC 4th. Elder N. A. Walker, of Indianapolis, came, and on Monday following, August 6, 1871, in a temple of God's own building, in the woods of Levi Thomas, while the winds were rustling the leaves above them, and the Holy Spirit stirred their hearts within them, a little band of t\vont\- three pledged themselves to God, the father, and Clirist, the mediator, and the " Book," as their only guide. The persons composing this first organization are as follows ; Mary A. Ellingwood, Elizabeth Ellingwood, Margaret Rash, Winnie Clark, Martha A. Scott, Susan Ferrell, Mary Iliday, Jane Bicknell, Simmie Harter, Martha Troy, Mary Edmonds, Mary A. Cavender, Jennie Ferrell, Jennie Scott, Mary A. Fort, L. W. Crouch, Geo. Scott, E. Ferrell, G. W. Ferrell, S. P. Setters, Jno. K. Rash, Andrew Ferrell and Benjamin Cavender. Andrew Ferrell was chosen elder, and George Scott and Benjamin Cavender deacons. The meeting continued thirteen da3-s, leaving the church fortvsix in membership. They decided to build a house at once, and by the aid of sister churches, the M. E. Church in Fortville, many kind friends, and great sacrifices on the part of the members, a neat house, costing $1,400, was built, and on the 3rd Sunday in June, 1872, was dedicated to the worship of God by Elder N. A. Walker, of Indianapolis. The house was built by L. W. Crouch, and he, with Jno. K. Rash and George Scott, were elected trustees. They called Elder J. W. Ferrell, formerl}^ of Kentucky, as their first pastor, who for seven years gave more or less of his time among them. The church at one time numbered nearly two hundred members, but death removals and other causes have reduced the number to less than fifty. Elder L. L. Dale and Elder Addison have served the church for indefinite periods, and Elders Walker, Canfield, Cutts and l^lount have labored some for them. The church has a Sunday school, but it has been greatly reduced. The death roll has been large, but we hope they answer to the roll call of the redeemed. The church at present has no pastor.

was organized in December, 1837, '^^ ^^^^ house of James Dennev, with thirteen constituent members. To aid in the organization were present members from the sister churches in Brandywine and Fall Creek. The first pastors of this society were Elders Thomas Jenkins and Morgan McC^iery. followed by J. F. Johnson and Thomas Martin. The present pastor is David Caudell, one of the oldest livingmembers, having joined the church in May, 1838. The rirst meetings of this body were held at private houses, then in a log church a little north of Fortville. In 1863, the society built a new frame at what is knoun as Cushman's X roads, south-east of Fortville, at a cost of $700. Total membership at this date, thirty-eight.

a native of Fayette county, Pennsyhania, came to Hancock counnty at the ver}- early date of 1822, being then a boy thirteen years of age, and is now consequently one of the oldest residents of the count}-. Mr. Wynn says at the time of his moving to the county the red men were thick, both the Miamies and Pottawattamies. The next year after Mr. W3'nn's settlement, the coin"t at Pendleton was organized for Madison covmt}', including also what is now Hancock count}', throughout which it had jurisdiction. The first fine w^as assessed by Judge Winsal against Dr. Hiday, he having committed an assault upon one John Rogers, in the court room at Pendleton, and upon being arraigned, plead guilty and was fined six and one-fourth cents. Mr. Wynn was present at the execution of the white men for the massacre of the seven Pottawattamies, on Lick Creek, March 4, 1824. The whites were greatlv alarmed over the outrage, and Henry Hiday w^as sent to Franklin county to get the rifle corps to protect the frontier. Mr. Wynn says he helped to cut the first wood used at Indianapolis to burn charcoal, for which he received twenty-five cents per day. That at^er people began raising wheat, it was a rule to cut three forty-rod throughs before breakfast. The wheat was threshed with a flail, and cleaned with a sheet. After the wheat was ground, it was run through a hand sieve. A little later a bolting apparatus was used, something similar to a grindstone. Mr.

W\nn helped to roll the logs for the clearing where Fortville now stands. The early settlers would plant corn in the middle of June, and in the fall kiln-dr}- it for bread. The first wheat marketed was hauled to Brookville, Franklin county, and sold for forty cents per bushel. It took from live to six days to make the round trip. Mr. Wynn is a consistent member of the Christian Church, an industrious, well-to-do farmer, and a good citizen.