Henry County, Indiana - Chapter 6: The Bar Op Henry County, 1884 (part 2 of 2)

If we were only able to give a correct history of all the Physio- Medical physicians we would gladly do so. We will make a brief mention of some of these. One Dr. Paxton practiced at Greensboro some forty years ago; after him a Dr. Harper; after he left there was a Dr. OoflSn, who did not live long after he commenced to practice at Greensboro. Dr. J. S. Byers, Noblesville, Ind., formerly practiced at Greensboro, and a part of the time while residing there he was in partnership with Dr. R. A.- Smith.

We will now briefly mention the Physio-Medical physicians who who are now practicing in this county: Drs. Jos. Weeks, J. W. Moore and C. B. Pendleton. Dr. J. W. Moore studied medicine under Dr. J. Needham, New Castle. After graduating he practiced most of the time in partnership with his preceptor, until the summer of 1880, when he removed to Mechanicsburg, to continue in the practice of medicine. Dr. D. H. Stafiord lives on his farm in Franklin Township; Dr. J. Needham, New Castle; Drs. R. A. and M. J. Smith, Greensboro; Dr. R. H. Homer, Knightstown - Dr. H. formerly practiced at Greensboro; Dr. J. A. Stafford, Millville; Dr. J. Wayman, New Castle; Dr. J. P. Julian, Maple Yalley; Dr. W. A. Bryson, Rogersville, and Dr. J. H. James, Middletown.

The Henry County Bible Society was probably organized as early as 1840. Its object was to put Bibles into the families of the poor. Hon. Jehu T. Elliott served as its President a number of years, and other prominent citizens were among its members. For some years it accomplished considerable good work, but latterly it has not been in active operation. An auxiliary branch has been established at Spiceland which is quite efficient. Diligent inquiry has failed to bring to light the early records of Henry County Society, hence this brief notice.

Fairs have been held at Hew Castle since about 1851. The name of the original organization was the Henry County Agricultural Society. This society having become involved, another organization styled the Henry County Joint Stock Agricultural Society was formed on the 12th of October, 1867. The shares, placed at $25 each, were quite largely taken up. The following officers were chosen: Thomas Wilhoit, President; Charles L. Hood, Vice-President; Elisha Clift, Secretary; Joshua Holland, Treasurer; Executive Committee, Pobert Cooper, John E. Millikan, Jonathan K. Bond, Levi Leaky and Andrew J. Holliday.

A committee was appointed by the society to confer with the owners of the grounds relative to a transfer of the grounds to the society. This committee reported that the grounds would be transferred on payment of their cost, interest and taxes up to Jan. 1, 1868, amounting to about $2,000. This was unanimously agreed to and the transfer was made.

For a time the Joint Stock Society appeared to be prosperous; but at length it, like its predecessor, succumbed to the inevitable. Its property, encumbered by debts amounting to $2,900, was sold off at sheriff's sale, passing into the hands of the present society, which has paid all obligations and is now out of debt.

The present association, styled the Henry County Agricultural Society, was formed Oct. 18, 1879. Thirty persons, each holding a share of $100, were the corporators, viz.: E. H. Peed, Lon Rodgers A. J. Chambers, W. W. Shelly, J. E. Peed, D. W. Kinsey, W. W. Cotteral, Samuel Arnold, J. P. Hicholson, Elisha Clift, T. B. Loer, J. C. Hudelson, C. C. Colburn, Thomas Mullen, Elias Hay, A. J. Berry, Merritt Hicholson, John Eea, H. L. Powell, Thomas B. Millikan, M. R. Millikan, E. M. Hixon, Francis Johnson, Waterman Clift, Jehu Stanley, W. F. Boor, D. G. Wilkinson, Joel Wilkinson, Alanson Wilkinson and David Millikan.

President, and was succeeded by E. H. Peed for one year. The officers for 1884 are: John P. Peed, President; Josiah P. P'icholson, Yice-President; W. W. Cotteral, Secretary; and D. W. Kinsey, Treasurer. The society seems to be established on a permanent basis and apparently there is no reason why it should not prosper. It owns fifteen acres of ground upon which there are fair improvements and a half mile track. Its annual exhibitions have been very successful.

Union Agricultural Association

The Union Agricultural Fair, for the counties of Henry, Hancock and Push, was established in 1851, with headquarters at Knightstown. Among the principal organizers were: S. W. Furgason, Solomon McCain and ISTathan H. Eallenger, of Henry County. Grounds were rented, buildings erected, and the first fair was held at Knightstown in 1852. Since that time a successful exhibition has been held annually. There was at first no regularly organized association. It was customary to elect a board of six directors, two from each county, the presidency being held successively by each county. A constitution was adopted in 1858. I. W. Stuart was then President, and Gordon Ballard, Secretary. The latter was re-elected each year until 1883, when he declined to serve longer.

In the beginning premiums were paid in silverware of a cheap order. The exhibitions were good from the first, and interest in them has increased year by year. On the 1st of April, 1883, the association was re-organized as the Union Agricultural Association. It is a joint stock company, in which shares are $10 each. Two hundred and seven shares have been taken. The officers of the society for 1883-'4 are: "W. L. Walker, of Push County, President; J. W. Walker, Hancock, Yice-President; J. S. Patterson, Henry, Treasurer; T. B. Deem, Henry, Secretary. Directors: Charles H. Fort, Samuel Hill, J. A. McDaniel, Hancock; Pobert Cooper, T. B. Wilkinson, T. C. Phelps, Henry; T. A. Jones, Jesse L. Phelps, George W. Hall, Push.

The Henry, Madison And Delaware Agricultural Society

The above society was organized in 1870, with a capital stock of $6,000. It at once purchased twenty acres of ground near Middletown, and has since made first-class improvements upon it. A good amphitheatre, vegetable and floral halls, 150 stalls for stock,

The first officers elected were: N. R. Elliott, President; Jackson Wisehart, Yice-President; W. J. Hillegoss, Secretary; D. J. Yount, Treasurer, and D. M. Strickler, Superintendent. N. R* Elliott served as President of the association twelve years, Thomas Wilhoit one year, and I. N. Chenoweth is elected for the present year. The present board of officers consists of I. N. Chenoweth, President; A. S. Miller, Treasurer; E. L. Elliott, Secretary, and John Davis, Superintendent.

Owing to losses by fire in 1880 and 1882, the society is in debt about $600. During its existence the association has always paid in full all premiums ofiered. The annual fairs have always been held during the month of August. They have been uniformly well attended and successful.