Madison County, Indiana - Chapter 70, 1897

Chapter 70

This township occupies the southwest corner of the county and has an area of twenty-four square miles. It is bounded on the north by Stony Creek township, on the east by Fall Creek township, on the south by Hancock county and on the west by Hamilton county. It was organized in 1820 and was among the first townships settled in the county. It is generally supposed to have derived its name from the abundant verdure of its forests, although there are many who are inclined to the opinion that it was named in honor of Nathaniel Greene of Revolutionary fame. There is no record or other reliable information e.xtant concerning the matter.

In 1821, or about one year after the first colony of pioneers settled along the banks of Fall creek in the township of that name, Jacob Hiday and family, consisting of his wife, four children and a grandson, emigrated from Ohio and settled within the limits of what is now Greene township. Mr. Hiday located on the south side of Lick creek where he erected a log cabin and began the work of clearing up a farm. This cabin was situated on what is known as the Thomas Hiday farm and was the first erected in the township.

Samuel Holliday was perhaps the next settler in the township. He came from Kentucky and located in the woods about a half-mile north of the present site of Alfont. .Shortly after coming to the county he was elected Associate Judge and was on the bench at the trial of Hudson, Sawyer and the Bridges for the murder of the Indians in Adams township, the particulars of which are given elsewhere in these pages. Judge Holliday was a gentleman of superior scholastic attainments and enjoyed the entire confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens. He had two sons, William A. and Joseph, both of whom were prominent in their day, the former as a Presbyterian minister and the latter as a soldier in the Me.xican war and later as a representative in the State legislature from Blackford county, Indiana. Judge Holliday subsequently removed to Hamilton county, where he died in 1835.

Among the prominent early pioneers of the township were Richard Kinnaman, George Keffer, Josiah Shaul, William and John Huston, Thomas Scott, Abraham Cottrell, Andrew Shanklin, John and Charles Doty, Peter Colerick, John Cottrell and Captain William Nicholson. The last-named gentleman raised a company of volunteers during the Mexican war, but the war closed before thej' could report for duty and the men were disbanded. Captain Nicholson also commanded a company of home guards during the war of the Rebellion and was among the first to tender his services to the State on the occasion of its invasion by the Rebel General, Morgan. Captain Nicholson erected a tannery in 1844, on what is known as the G. W. Davis farm, and was the first and only tanner in the township. William Alfont, Robert Fausset, Samuel Gibson, James Jones and Washington W. Pettigrew also settled in the township at an early day and took an active part in clearing away the wilderness. Many of the descendants of these first settlers reside in the township and are among its first and most respected citizens.

The First Orchard

The first orchard in the township was planted by Richard Kinnaman, in 1826, two years after John Rogers, John T. Gunn and others had set out orchards in Fall Creek township. The trees were purchased by Mr. Kinnaman, of William Williams, of Fall Creek township. This orchard was planted on the farm afterwards known as the Saul Shoul farm. Soon after, George KeflFer, Samuel Ilolliday, James Scott and Abram Cottrell set out orchards on their respective farms.

Richard Kinnaman also erected and operated the first distillery in the township. It was located in Section 21, near the mouth of Foster's Branch. Mr. Kinnaman did a lucrative business for several years when he disposed of the property and engaged in farming. This was the only distillery ever erected in the township, and was abandoned not long after Mr. Kinnaman retired from its management.

Church Societies

Immigration to the township was slow, but four years . after the first house was built within it borders, the religiously inclined deemed it advisable and proper to organize a church society. The Methodists being in a majoritj- took charge of the matter, and, accordingly, a society was organized in the fall of 1825. Meetings were held from time to time at the houses of the membership until 1848, when a place of worship was erected on the farm of Henry Manifold, which was given the name of "Mount Carmel Church." Among the first and most active members of the society were James D. Hardy, William McCarty, John Marsh and wife, and Samuel Gibson and wife.

In 11S41 another society was organized at the residence of Samuel Dobson by Rev. Donaldson. This society was composed of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Dobson, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Shanklin, Mr. and Mrs. Moses E. Kern, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Silver, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Goul, Mr. and Mrs. John Shaul, and Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Bolinger. The society continued to hold meetings at the house of Mr. Dobson up to 1852, when he and his family emigrated to Iowa, after \vhich the meetings were held at the house of Andrew Shanklin until 18(35. when a place of worship was built on the George A. Williamson farm. This church is known as the Pleasant Valley Methodist Episcopal church.

The German Baptists, or Dunkards, also have a church organization in the township and in 1872 erected a house of worship on the farm of David Richards generally known as the Beach Grove Church, although it is equally as well known as the Frey Church from the fact that Enoch Frey officiated for many years after the church was erected as assistant preacher. The church had a membership of seventy-five persons in 1880, but on account of deaths and removals the congregation at this time is not so large.

Burial Grounds

In 1857 William A. Williamson donated the land on which is situated Pleasant Valley Cemeter}'. The first interment in this burial ground was a young daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Ford, who died on the 80th of March, 1858.

Beach Grove Cemetery is situated on the two acres of ground purchased by the German Baptists of David Richards for a church site and burial ground. The first interment here was that of Washington Pettigrew in 1872. In 1862 James Jones donated for burial parposes the small tract of land known as Mount Carmel Cemetery. The first burial in this cemetery was that of George Clayton, a private soldier in the Second Indiana Cavalry, who died while at home on furlough. He was buried in July, 18(52, with military honors.

Public Schools

The first school house in Greene township was erected by subscription in 1829 on the farm or tract of land belonging to James Jones. The house was constructed of round logs or poles and was supplied with slab benches for seats. John Wilson was the first pedagogue to teach in this building - a three-months term in the winter of 182U. This school house was used until 1837 when the second building was erected on section twenty-five. This building was somewhat more pretentious than the first school house, being constructed of hewed logs. John Lewark taught the first school in this building in the winter of 1837, and was the second school teacher in the township. A neat frame building now occupies the site where the log structure stood.

At this time there are seven schoolhouses in the township, but one more than was required a quarter of a century ago. In 1874 six teachers were necessary to conduct the schools and at this time eight are required. In 1874 there were 328 children of legal school age in the township. This year ( 1896) the report of the County School Superintendent to the Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State shows that the total number of children of school age is 454, of which number 256 are males and 198 females, and all white.

Population

The population of the township in 1850 was 754 ; in 1860 it was 709 ; in 1870 it was 954 ; in 1880 it was 976 and in 1890 it was 1008. It will be observed from these figures that the growth of population in the to^vnship has not been so rapid as in other townsiiips in tiie county.

Other Statistics

The total amount of taxables in the township, including the corporation of Ingalls, for 1896, is li!619,730. The total acreage is 15,360, of which 14,915 acres are taxable. The total value of lands, according to the assessment of 1896, is $381,319; value of improvements, $62,670; value of personal property, $104,386.

present location. It derives its name from William Alfont, one of the early settlers of Greene township and for several years after the completion of the Bellefountaine Railroad considerable business in the way of buying and shipping grain, produce and other commodities was transacted here. Shortly after the completion of the railroad, however, the town of Fortville, two miles west of Alfont, sprang into prominence as a trading point and the latter place entered upon a decline from which it has never recovered. Lick creek runs near the town on the east and north and at an early day (1835) a saw mill was erected here by William Alfont, the water of the stream being utilized in running the mill. It was burned in 1847, but was soon after replaced by a steam mill which was successfully operated for many years.

Among the early inhabitants of the town were Nathaniel Blackburn, William Snodgrass, William Molden, C. P. Miller. Mr. Molden was the first merchant, railroad agent and postmaster. William Cottrell and John Ross were the first blacksmiths and a Mr. Lyman, the first shoemaker.

On the 5th of June, ISdH, the land upon which Ingalls is situated was platted by the Ingalls Land Company, of which J. H. Clark was President. The town is situated a half mile east of Alfont on the Big Four road, and was named in honor of the President of that road, M. E. Ingalls. Immediately after the town site had been platted Potter Bros, erected a large factory known as the Zinc Works. This factory employs a large number of hands. In 1895 Mr. Henry Wagner and others built a glass factory for the manufacture of bottles and glass jars, which also gives employment to a number of operatives. The Big Four Railway Company built a handsome depot soon after the town was laid out and several business houses were erected, giving the place a prosperous appearance. At the March term of the Commissioners' Court, 1896, a petition was presented to the Board asking that the town be incorporated. The petition was granted, and on the 7th of April, 1896, an election was held for the purpose of determining whether or not the place should become a corporation. Henry Swain, John Manifold and Silas Baker acted as inspectors at this election. The total number of votes cast was sixty-five, of which sixty-one were in favor of incorporation and four against the proposition. On the 1st of May tovi'n officers were elected as follows: Marshal, Chance Stewart; Clerk, J. H. Lail ; Treasurer, J. M. Manifold. Town Council - J. C. Manifold, George Laws and William Potter. School Board - J. S. Cummins, William Russell and John Hubbart.

Prominent Citizens

Among the prominent citizens of the township who have been honored by their fellow-citizens in the county with official positions are Samuel Holliday, Associate Judge from 1823 to 1831 ; Andrew Shanklin, Representative from 1851 to 1858; Samuel Shaul, County Commissioner from 1832 to 1834; Isaac W. Jones, County Commissioner, from 18f57 to 1869.

Killing Of Michael Lavin

Near the village of Alfont an accident occurred on the Bee Line Railroad in July, 1872, among the laborers on the section between that place and Fortville. They were returning from their day's work on three hand-cars, and when near the station the rear car ran against the one in front of it, producing a concussion sufficient to throw three of the men off the car. They fell upon the track and were run over by the rear car. A j'oung man of the name of Clayter had his foot badly crushed. The section boss was bruised in a bad manner, but nothing serious resulted. The third of the party, Mr. Lavin, suffered a compound fracture of the left thigh, with a laceration of the muscular parts, and also a small fracture of the right limb. The injured man was taken to Fortville and an engine immediately sent to Perfdleton for medical aid. Dr. Ward Cook hastened to the scene, and after an examination of Lavin it was decided that, in order to save his life, amputation of his left leg was necessary. After considerable time for meditation, Lavin agreed to undergo the operation, with the understanding that his brother should be present.

On the following Saturday his brother came, but refused to allow the operation to be performed. The Doctor then dressed the limb and he was taken to his home at Winchester, where he lingered for a few days and died from the effects of the wounds. There is but little doubt had Lavin undergone the operation of having his leg amputated that he would have ultimatelv recovered.

A Distressing Suicide

James Carson Davis, a young man about twenty years of age, a brother of Columbus Davis, witliwhom he Hved^ about seven and a half miles west of Pendleton, committed suicide on the 13th of Februar\^ 1873, the facts of which are about as follows : On the day previous to the occurrence Columbus Davis and his wife went away in the evening to stay all night with relatives, leaving in his house three children and Phillip Stanford, a school teacher, who was boarding there, and a Miss Main, a servant girl, who had care of the house in their absence. Young Davis also stayed with them. During the evening it was noticed that young Davis was in an irritable state of mind, but nothing was thought of it at the time. About 9 o'clock they retired for the night. Miss Main taking the children into an adjoining room, and Stanford going upstairs to his sleeping apartments, while Davis remained down stairs to fasten the doors. In a short time Davis went up stairs, got his revolver, and said to Stanford that he was going to shoot a dog. He returned to the sitting-room, and one of the children looking in saw him seated in the rocking chair, with his feet upon a stool and the pistol lying on his lap. The child told Miss Main what she had seen, who immediately started into the room and asked him to put away the weapon, as she was afraid of it. Before she scarcely had time to reach the door the report was heard, and she ran back.

Stanford came down stairs and found young Davis lying upon the floor in the agonies of death. The neighbors were called in and Columbus Davis was sent for. The Coroner of the county was notified and held an inquest, as provided by law. There was no cause known to any of the family w'hy he should have committed the rash act, other than some little financial troubles he had while in Kansas a short time previously. He stated on several occasions that he had borrowed $80 from his father, but had never been able to return it. His father had written him several letters about it, asking him to pay the money back. It seems that in brooding over the affair his mind became temporarily unbalanced, and in a fit of insanity he resorted to the desperate means of self-destruction to extricate him from his troubles.

Barn Burned

At 2 o'clock on the morning of March 12, 1895, Willard Smethers, a farmer residing five miles west of Pendleton on the Pendleton and Noblesville pike, was awakened by the noise of crackling flames. Looking out of his window he beheld his barn on fire. In the barn four horses were stabled and they all perished. The poor brutes had been suffocated even before Mr. Smethers knew of the fire, or before he could dress and get out to the building. A large quantity of hay and corn, a new buggy and all agricultural implements of value stored in the building were consumed. They were a complete loss; not a vestige of anything was left. The loss was in the neighborhood of $2,500, and no insurance. It fell particularly heavy on Mr. Smethers, who was a young farmer and just getting a start in business. There is little or no doubt but the fire was of incendiary origin. There was no possible chance of the blaze being kindled in any other manner than by an incendiary. No clue was ever obtained as to the identity of the perpetrator of this villainy.

An Unknown Killed

On the 6th day of July, 1896, an unknown man was run over and killed at Ingalls on the Big Four railroad. He was a man about twenty-five years old, and apparently of German birth. No clue was obtainable as to his identity, and after Coronor Sells 'held an inquest he was buried at the expense of the public, as an unknown.