Clinton Township

Clinton Township

Major Chunn, an officer in the regular array, came here from Terre Haute some time previous to 1820, and was an efficient soldier in driving away the Indians; was also a participant in the battle of Tippecanoe. He was a justice of the peace here for many years. His son Thomas is still a resident of this township.

Henry and Eli Shew, natives of Xorth Carolina, were boys when they became residents of Clinton Township. The former was born in 1815 and came in 1825, and the latter, born in 1819, was brought here in 1823.

Captain AVilliam Swan was born in Pennsylvania in 1802, settled in Clinton Township in 1823, was a member of the first jury in tlie county, followed the river, making over sixty trips to New Orleans on both rafts and flats, was a Universalist in his religious belief, and a Freemason, and died January 29, 1887, at Clinton.

Washington Potter, still living, was about eight years old when, in 1823, he was brought to this township. He is a native of Ohio, and a carpenter by trade.

1819, died February 24, 1883, and was buried in Clinton Cemetery. He was a respectable, well known physician, of many years' standing in his native county.

This year also came James Clark, Sr., from Ohio, where he was born in 1798, became a farmer a mile and a half west of Clinton, and is now deceased.

Samuel Davidson, also deceased, was born in Ohio in 1817, and settled in this township in 1830. Martin M. Davidson, born in Ohio in 1829, was brought here in 1832, lived here many years, and is now a resident of Terre Haute.

Benjamin K. Whitcomb, born in Vermont in 1798, and his cousin and business partner, John Whitcomb, came in 1828, .settling in the village of Clinton, where they were among the first merchants, pork packers, etc. John died August 29, 1830, aged forty-one years. Benjamin H. died April 23, 18G1, and his wife, Anna S., died May 21, 1800, at the age of fifty-five and a half years. John R. Whitcoinb, another merchant, born in Ohio in 1804, first settled in Edgar County, Illinois, in 1832, and in the village of Clinton in 1834. He died in March, 1873, leaving a widow (third wife), who is living a half mile west of town. His first wife, Eunice, died May 15, 1832, aged only twentythree years.

Scott Malone, who married Miss Sarah, one of the twin daughters of John Vannest, came from Ohio, and resided here until his death a few years ago.

Simeon Taylor, horn in Indiana in 1818, settled in this county in 1831, and died a few years ago. His brother, John F., born in Ohio, in 1816, came in 1833, and is yet living.

In 1832 there settled in Clinton Township, Thomas G. Wilson, born in Yirginiain 1804; William J. Noblitt, born in Tennessee in 1825, and still living here; Benjamin Harrison, born in Virginia in 1805, was justice of the peace many years, and is still living: his M'ife died this year (1887); their son Robert, born in the " Old Dominion" in 1831, is still a resident of this township.

Huram B. Cole, John Ferral and John Marks were early merchants of Clinton. The latter went South. Ferral- died February 25, 1832, at the age of thirty-six years.

In 1836 came William Payton and Philo Harkness, who are still living here. Payton was born in Kentucky in 1814, and Harkness in New York in 181G.

located in Clinton Township in 1837. lie was a man of liberal views, a good citizen and a kind neighbor. He died February 10, 1880, after a long period of illness. II i.-^ widow died in January, 1881, an exempl:;iv member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

D. F. Fawcett came from Virginia in 1833, settling near Goshen, Vigo County, and then, in 1837, in this county, near the southwest corner. He died in 1845, in Jasper County. Illinois. Mrs. Fawcett died in 1837, in this township.

Many others we could mention who came in pioneer times, resided liere many years, becoming prominent citizens, and died in honored old age, or are still living.

Miscellaneous Items

The opening of the iron mines and building of the " Indiana Furnace," in section 27, township 14, range 10, Clinton Township, commenced in 1837. In 1839 the furnace was in full blast. Stephen P. Uncles was the chief owner and superintendent. Associated with him were Hugh Stuart and Chester Clark, the firm name being. Uncles & Co. Years later, the lands and works passed into the hands of Stuart & Sprague, and still later to E. M. Bruce & Co., the Co. being David Sinton.

In 1859, George B. Sparks, now a resident of Clinton, bought a controlling interest, and under the firm name of G. B. Sparks (N: Co., the business was continued until 1864. Captain John Lindsey, who still resides near the site of the old Furnace, was many yeais its superintendent. He relates that of the hundreds of men employed then, all but one, a pattern-maker, voted regularly the Democratic ticket, and jokingly says, no others could get eniploymeat. The company's office and large general supply store, and a score or two of cabins of more or less pretensions, made quite a village. Castings of nearly all kinds, largely stoves, were turned out. Pig iron in large quantities were also produced.

The works were among tlie early enterprises of the Wabash Valley, and distributed a large amount of money among the early settlers as well as furnishing employment to all comers - of the right political ftvith (according to Captain Lindsey)! The 1,700 acres of land connected with the plant is now owned by George B. Sparks, and devoted to agricultural purposes, and all that remains to indicate the site of the old " Indiana Furnace" is here and there debris of rotting and rusting machinery, and one or two log cabins.

The " Norton Creek Coal Mines " are located on the line between Clinton and Helt townships, on section 5 of Clinton Township, and section 32 of Helt Township. Their development commenced in December, 1884. F. A. Bowen was the proprietor, and Charles P. Walker, of Clinton, the superintendent and manager. In the spring of 1885, under the general laws of Wisconsin the " Norton Creek Coal Mining Company," was organized, with a paid up capital of $40,000, with its general office at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. II. M. Benjamin, of that city, is the president of the company, and Charles P. Walker, of Clinton, superintendent and treasurer, and general agent for Indiana. Connected with the property are 255 acres of land. The mines are about two and one-half miles west of the " Eastern Illinois Railroad," and connected by a spur track. The company also own the old " Briar Hill " mines, on section 'J, Clinton Township, but they are not now operated.

located the company's large mercantile establishment and local office, which, with twentyseven tenement houses, constitutes quite a village, called "Geneva," named in honor of a daughter of Superintendent Walker. The sales of coal in 1886 reached $160,000, and and the mei'cantile establishment $42,000. Near the mines are several tenement houses, and at the Briar Hill mines eleven houses. All are occupied by employes of the company. The business is increasing, owing to the excellent quality of coal produced. Commencing with the winter of 1887-'88 an average working force of 300 men are employed.

One of the chief business interests of Clinton Township is the immense stock farm of Claude Mathews at Hazel Bluff, on Brouilet's Creek, some three miles from Clinton.

It is said that in early day crime became so prevalent in the southern part of Vermillion County that a vigilance committee was organized, wjio executed a lynching or two and thus effectually checked the evil.

Some years ago the Indianapolis & St. Louis Bail road Company talked some of running a track through this portion of the county', but no subscriptions were taken. When the Cleveland & St. Louis railroad was projected via Clinton, a little effort was made for it, but nothing accomplished. Now the Anderson, Lebanon & Paris Kailroad is proposed, by way of Clinton, and A. V. Brown is the leading citizen of the place working for it, in conjunction with Eockville. Sections of this line, in other counties, are already bnilt and used.

Sims is a United Brethreti minister residing also on this creek. Betliel United Brethren Cluircli is located five miles southwest of Clinton, and the "Union Class," of the same church, worsliip at a point six and a half miles southwest of Clinton.

The Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church is located about five miles west of Clinton, where Lewis Walraven is class-leader; and Trinity Church, nearly south of Clinton, is a place wliere a prosperous class worships, of whom John Ryan, Harrison Cole and William 'Wright are official members. These two classes are in the Clinton Circuit, of which Kev. J. B. Combs is preacher in charge, with residence at the parsonage in Clinton. This is in the Greencastle District, Northwest Indiana Conference, of which Rev. A. A. (lee is presiding elder. Clinton Circuit, including the town, had 300 members lastyear.

Clinton

The town of Clinton was laid out in 1824, liy William Harris, a resident of Martin County, Indiana, who was a Government surveyor, and named the place in honor of DeWitt Clinton, of New York.

Up to the time the railroad was assured, about 1868, the growth of Clinton was slow, hut during all that long ante-railroad period it was nevertheless the entrepot for an agricultural district around it fifty miles or more in diameter. Across the Wabash the peoi:)le traded mostly at Terre Haute, only fifteen miles distant from Clinton, and always an absorbing factor in the country trade.

The first mercantile establisiiment opened at this point was by John and Benjamin R. Whitcomb, who kept a general store. Other early business men of Clinton were John Payton, John R. Whitcomb, Huram B. Cole, Jolm Ferrel, and John Marks. Later, were James McCnliocli, Ctis il. Conkoy. Jones &

Chestnut, from Paris, Illinois, Leander Munsell, from the same place, Alanson Baldwin, of Baldwinsville, Illinois, O. & D. Bailey, of Bloomfield, Illinois, who were extensive pork-packers at this point. This was for a long period a prominent shipping point for pork.

Many of the buildings occupied by the above parties are still standing, on the bank of the river near tlie wagon bridge, where tiie old boat landing was, as monumental 2'elies of the steamboat period. How many scenes of the past, and associations concerning the characteristics of the early business men of Clinton, does their venerable presence still suggest!

Clinton is now, and has long been, the largest town in Vermillion County; but what its population is we cannot ascertain. It is variously estimated at 1,200 to 1,800. The town is beautifully located, streets running " square with the world," and withal it is a pleasant place in every respect.

It was first incorporated about 1848 or 1849, by a special act of the Legislature, which empowered the trustees to prohibit the sale of intoxicants. In later years, about 1879, the town was re-incorporated, under the general law. It is divided into five wards, from each of which one trustee is elected biennially. The general officers are elected annually, - the president being elected by tlie board, and the other officers by the people directly.

Here, as elsewhere, have been the usual contests with the liquor traffic. The most remarkable movement in modern times was the "woman's crusade" of 187'^'76. In 1874 a band of praying women laid siege to a saloon day and night, being on duty in divisions and by turns. The proprietor surrendered. In April, 1875, a company of forty hidies, headed by Mrs. Maloneand Mrs. Kibby, marched in double file to the saloon owned by Tice & Mechler, to hold an interview with the proprietors; but on arrival found the fbrt evacuated and the doors wide open. The ladies guarded the place until evening and then retired. The next night one of the proprietors was arrested, and while he was in custody the citizens gathered at the point of contest and demolished everything that contained intoxicating liquor. Tlie proprietor sued fifteen of the citizens for $5,000 damages, but the case was compromised or dismissed. Otlier events of this crusade occurred, but of minor importance.

"While on the subject of municipal government, we may notice that under corporate management the streets have been graded and macadamized, nuisances generally kept in abeyance, and a satisfactory government generally administered.

Dr. Joseph Hopkins, from Ohio, was the first physician to locate in Clinton, in 1830 or previously. He was an acceptable practitioner. Died out West, leaving a wife and two daualiters.

Dr. I. S. Palmer, a well educated graduate of a medical college at Philadelphia, settled in Clinton during its pioneer period, accumulated some property, but finally became intemperate and lost it, althongh he was a gentleman of a shrewd intellect. He finally lost his life in a horrible manner, althoiigh not drunk at the time. Visiting & patient across the "Wabash one day about fifteen years ago, he noticed on his return many squirrels in the woods. On arriving home he took his gun, and started out to indulge in the sports of the chase. "While crossing the river on the ice, he broke through, but held himself from being drawn under by clinging to the edge of tlie ice; and there he lield fast until parties had arrived from points a mile or more distant for his rescue. But his strength gave out and he went nnder, never more to be seen; his body was never recovered. Charles Knowles nearly lost his life in his efforts to save him.

Dr. "William Kile, from Ohio, was a man of great energy and industry, and with an extended practice he accumulated a handsome amount of property. This lie finally sold and went to Paris, Illinois, where he engaged in mercantile business, and also ftirming and handling live-stock, for a number of years, and ultimately banking. In visiting patients on the other side of the Wabash he would sometimes swim his horse across the river on his return, rather than to come a few miles out of his way to the wagon bridge. One tinie he was violently attacked with small- ])ox, when scarcely any one expected he could survive; but his "vitativeness" was so large that, as he was being taken out into the country for treatment, passing a store, he called out to the proprietor, "Save me that largest pair of boots, v.'ill yon V He had

Dr. Rollin Whitcomb, a botanic physician from New York, came in 1841, and, after practicing here a number of years, moved away, and returned again and remained until his deatli.

Dr. I. B. Hedges was a boy when his parents brought him here from New York in 1824:. Commencing practice about 1845, he ])roved to be a successful physician as well as business man. On dying here three or four years ago, he left considerable property to his family, lie was a man of high standing.

Dr. P. R. Owen came to Clinton about 1854, from New GoshcL, Indiana, but was a native of Ohio. At the beginning of the war lie enlisted in the army, was elected Captain of Company I, Fourteenth Indiana Infantry, promoted Major and then Lieutenant Colonel of his regiment; came home and jH-acticed his profession until 1871, when he died, leaving a widow and several children. He was also an excellent Methodist preacher. The Grand Army post at Clinton is named in his honor.

Dr. William Reeder practiced medicine at Clinton for a period before the war, in which he enlisted and held some ofhce. About 1874 he moved to Texas, where he is now following his profession.

Dr. J. C. Crozier ai-rived here also some time before the war, entered the army as a Surgeon, continued in the service until the ;dose, then practiced here a number of years, and finally went to Washington, D. C, where he has for a number of years been engaged I in the pension department. |

"Judge" John Porter, who lived in the country in this township, followed the law to some e.xtent, was a man of considerable literary attainments, a member of the Legislature, etc. He died some time before the war period.

Henry D. Washburn was born in Yermont, in March, 1832; came to this county about 1S50; taught school three or four years - principally in Helt Township and some at Newport; studied law while teaching, with Thomas C. W. Sale at Newport; admitted to the bar in 1853, and opened office at Newport; was in partnership with M. P. Lowry for a time; elected auditor of the county in 1854, serving one term; entered the army as Captain of Company C, Eighteenth Indiana Infantry, promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, and then Colonel, and Brevetted General and then Major General, serving in the army about four years, first in Missouri, next in the Army of the Potomac, and then in Georgia; but in 1864, before the termination of the war, was elected, while a resident of

Clinton, to the lower house of Congress, against Daniel W. Voorhees, serving from March, 1865, to March, 1869, having been re-elected; was appointed in the latter year by President Grant to the office of Surveyor- General for the Territory of Montana; and while holding this office he died, in January, 1871, at Clinton, leaving a wife and two children. Commanding a company of fifty men, he made the first thorough exploration of tlie Yellowstone Valley, in 1870, in whichjourney the exposure brought on the illness which proved fatal. In his religion he was a Methodist, in his social relations a Knight Templar, and in his politics a Republican, and a good campaignist for his party. Mrs. Washburn now resides in Greencastle, this State. Dr. A. A. Washburn, her son, is practicing medicine at Atwood, Illinois; and her daughter is the wife of Professor J. B. De Motte, of De Pauw University, at Greencastle.

M. B. Davis, a native of this county, and a graduate of Asbury University at Greencastle, was admitted to the bar in 1881, commenced practice while a very young man, and was in partnership for a short time with 11. H. Conley, of Newport, and in 1885 left for Beatrice, Nebraska, where he is now practicing law and has an interest in the Beatrice liejniblican.

short distance west of the present Argus office, and was Republican in politics. F. L. Whedon, from Ohio, edited the paper for a short time. After a time Baker sold his interest to his partner, and Mr. Blackledge conducted the paper alone until the first week of November, 1876, when he sold to Lyman E. Knapp. In June, 1877, he sold to R. S. Knapp, but King Alcohol foreclosed a mortgage on the institution and killed it. It raised its fainting form at Perrysville, as the Perrysville Exponent, gasped a few months, and breathed its last. In 1877 H. A. White, a lawyer of Clinton, bought the office material, returned with it to Clinton, and started the Western Indianian, in the building now occupied by Harry Dudley as a meat market. Subsequently it was removed to the room now occupied by the Argus. By this time the organ was "National" in its politics.

White sold out to T. A. Kibby, H. S. Evans and John McMahon. The last mentioned soon left, and Evans became editor and publisher, Kibby remaining as a silent partner. Then Evans left, and Mr. Kibby, in September, 1879, leased the off.ce to L. O. Bishop and Mont. L. Casey. In June, 1880, this firm bought the Clinton .Herald, to which the Western Indianian had been changed by Mr. Evans, and published it until July 1, 1882, when Mr. Bishop sold to Casey. August 31, Mr. Bishop started the Saturday Argots. In twelve or fifteen montlis the Herald suspended. Shortly afterward Alexander Myers tried his hand at the business of journalism, by starting the Tomahawh and Scalping-Knife, which he immediately changed to the Democrat: died in six weeks. In June, 1884, Mr. Casey came out with the Clinton Siftlngs, which sifted occasionally and irregularly along for about three years, when it entirely sifted out.

During the summer of 1887 Mont. L. Casey started " Caser/s Si/tings," as an organ laboring for the "elevation of morals and horse-thieves," and as tlie only " religious " paper iu the county and the "best advertising medium on earth," published every Friday evening, " the Lord permitting," and on Saturday morning " any %vay."

It seems that the ^4/yHS-eyed journal has come to stay, having a clear tield and running steadily. It is a " free, untrammeled newspaper for the people," handicapped by no idiosyncrasy. In connection with the paper, Mr. Bishop has also a good job office.

Lucius 0. Bishop was born iu Clinton, a son of Francis M. and Melinda (Anderson) Bishop, April 17, 1859. Approaching the years of manhood he began the study of law in the office of Henry A. White, in his native town, but, before completing his course, he, in partnership with Mont. L. Casey, leased the printing office of the Clinton Herald, in 1879, since which time he lias been engaged as a journalist and job printer, as above related. He is a rising young man, and being endowed with energy and mental activity, he is destined to make a mark in this world of life. lie is a member of the order of Odd Fellows, and takes an active interest in the literary societies and other local enterprises of the community.

Late Enteepeises

The Clinton Building and Loan Association was organized in March, 1882, and is still alive. William L. Morey is president, and J. W. Robb, secretary.

The Clinton Natural Gas Company was organized in the spring of 1887, witli a capital stock of $2,000 to $1,000. C. Mathews, President; John Whitcomb, Vice-President; W. H. Hamilton, Secretary; N. C. Anderson, Treasiirer. The other directors ai"e J. J. Higgins, Decatur Downing, J. E. Knowles, C.

B. Knowles and W. A. Hays. The material for the derrick, etc., is now (June) on the ground, and the company intend to commence drilling within a few days, in the western portion of the town.

Educational

The first school-house in Clinton Township, as elsewliere described, was a log structure of the most primitive kind, located at tlie Davidson hill, a mile west of town, when the only school books were the English Reader, AVebster's Elementary Spelling Book and tlie New Testament, and sometimes a copy of Daboll's Aritlimetic. Since then a remarkable growth of the present free-school system has taken place. In the meantime, according to the character of the respective periods, two or three attempts have been made toward the establishment of special or select schools of an advanced order. For example, just previous to tlie war, Myrain G. Towsley's Military Institute and the Farmers' College, which went down on account of the war coming on. Part of the building, a large frame, was afterward converted into an opera house, and the wings into dwelling-houses.

The present fine school building, of six rooms, v/as erected in 1881, at a cost of about $8,000, including seating, furnishing and the ground. The enrollment last year was 368. The school is divided into ten or twelve grades, and prepares its graduates for admis-

Freemasonry was organized in Clinton previous to D. A. Eanger's arrival here in 1843, but interest in it declined and the charter was surrendered.

Jerusalem Lodge, No. 9D, F. cfi A. M., received its charter May 29, 1850, and has ever since then been kept alive. The charter members were - Sylvester Redlield, Worshipful Master, who afterward moved to Nebraska, John N. Perkins, Hiram Barnes, John li. Whitcomb, Benjamin E. Whitcorab, William S. Price, James Gazsoway, James McCuUoch, Nathan Sidwell, J. J. Moore and William Barrick. The present membership is fiftysix, with these officers: James Robert, Worshipful Master; Eobert B. Bailey, Senior Warden; Jasj)er Frisk, Junior Warden; N. C. Anderson, Treasurer; D. A. Eanger, Secretary; II. I). Dudley, Senior Deacon; John Ilorney, Junior Deacon; and William Hughes, Tyler.

Ainant Lodge, No. 35G, I. 0. 0. F., was instituted November 16, 1870, with about twelve members, who have increased to about seventy-five. The present officers are - A. V. McWethy, Noble Grand; J. II. Black, Vice Grand; Frank Swinehart, Eecordiug Secretary; W. H. Hill, Permanent Secretary; John II. Birt, Treasurer. The past grands number twenty-three. The lodge has an unusually nice room for their meetings.

Vermillion Lodge, No. 182, Degree of Rebekah, was organized July 9, 1877. It has at present about forty active members. The officers are - Mrs. Anna Davis, Noble Grand; Miss Ella Bishop, Vice-Grand; Mrs. Katie McWethy, Treasurer; Lillie Birt, Recording Secretary; Miss Lulu Allen, Permanent Secretary.

F. E. Owen Post, No. 3^9, G. A. R., was instituted April 15, 1884. (See a j)recedinf,r page for a sketch of Dr. Owen). The Post was organized X)j Captain li. B. Sears, of Newport, mustering officer, with about twenty-five or tliirty members. They now number fifty-four, and are in prospei'ous condition. Officers - L. H. Beckman, Post Commander; Cornelius Quick, Senior Vice Commander; T. B. Wells, Junior Vice Commander; S. Weatherwax, Adjutant; J. II. Wilson, Quartermaster; William Kelp, Chaplain; D. A. Ranger, Quartermaster Sergeant; Enoch Whitted, Sergeant.-

Cotmcil No. 3, Sovereigns of Indiistni. was organized May 5, 1874, with twenty-five members. James A. Greenwalt was elected President; David McBeth, Vice-President; J. C. Campbell, Secretary; T. Victor, Treasurer; S. B. Blackledge, Lecturer; J. C. Hall. Steward; D. Moore, Inside Guard.

The A. O. IT. W. organized here eight or ten years ago; soon had thirty or forty members, but in about a year they practically disbanded. Perry Jones, superintendent of a coal mine in tiie vicitiity at the time, Avas master workman of the lodge. He moved away some years ago. Probably he constituted the soul of the lodge, and \vlien he went away the body died.

Some eight years ago an orchestra was organized in Clinton, which is still efficient, and more recently a cornet band, led by White and Wells.

Methodism. - Itinerant Methodist ministers of pioneer times were especially marked fur their energy and daring in threading the wild woods and prairies in search of the isolated settler, for the purpose of preaching to liiin the gospel and of organizing "classes" (church congregations) as soon as he could iind three or four residents who were zealous enough to meet, coming from far and from near. The first Methodist class in Yermillion Connty was organized some time previous to 1830, at the house of John Tannest, the first settler of the county, comprising besides Mr. Vaniiest himself, also his brother, and George Eush, James, Amos and Joseph Reeder, the Brannons, etc. The minister, who walked his rounds, preached here every four weeks. Revs. Smith and McGinnis are remembered as being among the early Methodist preachers in this section.

Not having space to detail the particulars of Methodist history from that time to the present, we are obliged to leap in our imagination over half a century, to the present period.

At the present time the Clinton society comprises ninety-four members. Class-leader, L. II. Beckman. Stewards, James M. Hayes and Robert Allen. The flourishing Sundayschool is superintended by John Whitcomb and L. IT. Beckman. Pastor, Rev. J. B. Combs, now in his second year here, and occupying the parsonage, a neat residence in a retired place. This circuit is in the Greencastle District, Northwest Indiana Conference. Rev. A. A. Gee, of Greencastle, is the presiding elder.

As to a house of worship, the Methodists jiassed from the log-cabin residence and f-chool-house to a frame church, erected mainly by the Presbyterians in 1831; and next into a frame, 38 x 60 feet, built about 1852, at a cost of about $1,400, which is now used as a dwelling; and finally, in 1883, they reared their present massive and imposing brick edifice, 40 x 80 feet in ground area, at a cost of §6,500.

The African Methodist Episcopal Churdt of Clinton, was organized in 1876, by Kev. W. S. Langford, of Rockville, at the time, who was also pastor for a while. The class, led by George Harris, started out with only six members, but now numbers about twenty, with Mrs. Lida Brown as class-leader. Stewards, "William Bowen, John Cooper, Elbert Brown, John Bowen and John Walker. Sunday-school, of about fifteen pupils generally, is superintended by James Bowen. The pastor is Rev. W. R. Hutchison, now a resident of Lost Creek, Yigo County; this is his third year. The church building, 26 x 80 feet in dimensions, was erected in 1881, at a cost of $250, and is free from debt. It is located in the central part of town.

The Presbyterian Church at Clinton was also organized in pioneer times, being the first to erect a house of worship in the county, in 1831, with the aid of the Methodists. Ennning down somewhat in the course of years, they were re-organized about 1850, by Rev. John Gerrish, of Ilelt Township, who died in the spring of 1887, in Kansas. There are now fifty-five members. The ruling elders are E. V. lirown and David McBeth. They maintain a Sunday-school the year round, with an average attendance of ninety pupils, superintended by D. C. Johnson. The present pastor is Rev. L. G. Hay, D. D., of Terre Haute, who has been serving as " stated supply " since the first of February 1887. Former pastors (or supplies) have been, so far as can be conveniently remembered, Revs. James Boggs, in 1855; John A. Tiffner, of Bono, two or three years;

John Hawks, of Eockville, two or three years; Thomas Griffith, of Montezuma, three or four years, and L. H. Davidson, who resided here at the time, two years. The first church bnikling was converted into a barn, and is still used as such. The present house of worship was erected about 1852, is a frame 40x70 feet in dimensions, and located centrally, on the school-house lot.

Early Settlers

'HE following list of early settlers of Kelt Township, altliougli apparently systematic, can not be supposed to be complete or free fruiii error, but it is as accurate, we trust, as such data can generally be made. The years indicated at the head of the respective paragraphs are the years in which those mentioned came liere as settlers, except where otherwise specified.

1817-'18. - In the winter of 1817-'18 came Obadiah Swayze, who occupied as a "squatter" one of the three cabins just built by the Helts, spoken of in the next paragraph. He, however, remained as a permanent citizen. His remains now lie buried in Helt's Prairie Cemetery, with his wife, two sons and a daughter. He has a grandson, "Wesley "Wright, living in Kansas City.

in the war of 1812 under General Harrison, and died March 25, 1879, a good man and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. George, John and Michael Helt - all now deceased. C. B., Thomas, Hiram, E. B. and F. M. Helt were all born here in pioneer times. Augustus Ford, from Ohio, long since deceased. His son John, born in Ohio in 1809, came with him, and died May 6, 1882, an exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal church, after having lived upon the farm first occupied lor half a century. Mr. Rodney, from Maine. John Skidmore, who died at the age of eighty years. Hon. "V\'illiam Skidmore, who was born February 19, 1819, died several years ago. George Skidmore was born in 1824, and Josiah Skidmore in 1831. Samuel Eush, father of James, who was born in Ohio in 1817. This year, or soon afterward, C. C. Hiddle (or John Hiddle, according to one authority), and John Martin came and built the first cabins on Hiddle's Prairie.

1819 - Samuel Ryerson, who died January 31, 1862, at Clinton. His wife, Phebe, died in the fall of 1874, at the age seventy-nine years. She wa* a remarkable woman. At tlie age of twelve years she had never heard one pray. At that time she attended a Methodist meeting, where the expected preacher did not arrive, and the class-leader sang and prayed, which was tlie means of her conviction and conversion, and she remained a zealous member of tlie church all her life. She and her husband formed the first Methodist class on Helt's Prairie, consisting of eight persons, soon after their settlement here. A short time before her death she willed §1,500 to the Missionary Society, $500 to Asbury University, $200 to the educational fund of

Source changes here: from History of Parke and Vermillion Counties, Indiana : with Historical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, by B.F. Bowen & Co, published 1913; 3,293 words in this source stream.

Clinton Township

LliiUon, named in honor of an earl)- go\ernor of New York, DeVVitt Clinton, was laid out, probably, b}' William Hams, a resident of Martin county, Indiana, m 1824. Aiartin was a government surveyor. But the record of town and village plats at Newport shows that Clinton was platted and recorded by Lewis P. Rodgers, on January 8, 1829 - probably a corrected and legal platting recorded of the original town. It is .-situated {^the original plat) in section 15, township 15, range 9 west.

.Vt first the growth of the town was very slow, indeed at the opening of the Civil war it only contained about two hundred and fifty inhabitants, but in 1868, when a railroad was an assured fact, it took on new life and vigor. But before railroad days it was the center of an agricultural district around it for a radius of fifty miles or more, .\cross the \\'aliash the people traded mostly at Terre Haute, fifteen miles distant from Clinton and always an absorbing factor in the country trade. Clinton stands on a level plateau of land extending from the western bank of the Wabash back nearly a mik to the hills, in which the great coal deposits are. which have for years been successfully worked. The population of Clinton, according to the 1910 United States census, was 6,289, '^"f according to the iqij cit}- director}-, carefulh' compiled, the city now has a population of 8.379. Aside from the miningelement, the population is largely .\merican. The commercial interests may he listed as between the extensi^'e coal n-iining industry and the agricultural trade, with a considerable amount of money also put into circulation by reason of the vast brick and tile indu.stries of the community, the paving brick alone being a large industry. But be\-ond question, the citv thrives largelv on its mining interests which are increasing yearly.

The transportation facilities are provided largely through the Chicago iS: Eastern Illinois Railroad and the Terre Haute, Indianapolis & Eastern Traction Company.

Parke And Vermillion Counties, Indiana The Beginnings

The first mercantile establishment in Clinton was opened b\- John and Benjamin R. Whitcomb, who kept a small general store. Other early business men were John Payton, John R. Whitcomb, H. B. Cole, John Ferrel and John Marks. Later business men were James McCulloch, Otis M. Conkey, Jones & Chestnut, from Paris, Illinois. Leander ^lunsel, from the same place. Alanson Baldwin, of Raldw ins\'ille, Illinois, who were extensi\'e ])ork packers at Clintnn. This cit\- was fnr manv vcars a noted pork market and shipping- ])oint for jincked pork.

A [any of the Iniildings occupied b\- these pioneers were .still standing in the nineties, on the bank of the ri\-er. near the railroad bridge, where the old boat landing was, as monumental relics of that long-ago steamboat period. The scenes of the past e\-er and anon rise in the vision and memory of the older citizens of Clinton, who seem again to hear the shrill whistle of the steamer and the wharf-talk of river boatmen and roustabouts, as the>- loaded and unloaded the great cargoes of merchandise to and from the boats boimd nortli and south from this landing place.

The population had not reached one thousand eight hundred in 1890, but modern development, the growing industries, and general trend of the times of peace and real prosperity, will not long permit a city located as is Clinton to stand still, hence its present size and business enterprise.

.\t the close of the Ci\il war there w as a complete change in commercial and industrial life. It can only be compared in physical nature to an upheaval that obliterates old paths, landmarks and structures. Prior to the Civil war Clinton and the surrounding country had many industries. It was the era of the small industry under individuaL control. Such towns as Perrysville. Eugene. Mecca. Clinton and many others were centers of this kind of industry. In Clinton we had a wagon factory conducted by B. F. Morey, father of \A'. L. Morey. In that shop wagons were made complete, from end-gate to the tongue. And they were good wagons, too. Thev were like Holmes' wonderful "One-Hoss Shav," "that ran a hundred vears to a dav.'"

They were like the cliaracters of the men who built them - strong, close built and enduring. In connection with this wagon factory was the blacksmith shop, where the iron work was made, the paint shop where they were painted.

Today these wagon factories have all been brushed away by the big factories, owned and controlled by corporations backed by millions of dollars. We had a tan vard at the foot of Crompton hill, where an old man, named John Crompton, tanned hides and prepared them for the boot and shoe factory, conducted bv John E. Ryan, on South Main street. Between these two, we used to get boots and shoes made, pretty high priced 'tis true, but built like the garments of the children of Israel for wear.

There was Harry Redding's famous copper shop, where barrels and casks were made. There were the great pork-packing industries. There was Robert Chambers' cabinet shop, where furniture was made. There was Greenwat's blacksmith shop, where horseshoes were made, and Wiley's place, where cradles, bedsteads and coffins were made to order. There was the Mallory mill, where cane was ground and the juice was converted into sorghum molasses, which our mothers used in making ginger cake about three inches thick, as l)ig as the o\'en would take in, and which was comparable only to the food of the gods. .\nd there were sa;w-mills and shinglemills and grist-mills all o\er this country. At Mecca, a woolen-mill used up the raw wool that was raised on the backs of sheep that roamed the hills of Parke and Vermillion counties. It was a Mecca indeed, for to it the mothers for miles around made their annual pilgrimages every fall, to lay in a supply of good woolen clothes for use in the family during the following winter. The motive power of this woolen-mill was water that had been accumulated by placing a dam across the Big Raccoon. Perrysville was a thriving, humming town and easily the best town in this county, doing an immense business in manufacturing and merchandising.

West of Clinton was the Indiana Iron Furnace, which employed a host of men, scattered a large pay-roll throughout the township, and >vhich used up the iron ore found everywhere in the beds of the creeks. In fact, the people were so self-deijendent that they could practicallv get along for long periods without any outside aid. .\nd yet all these industries were paralyzed and forever silenced by the after-results of the war. The fires died out of the smelting furnace, the lioats crime no more for their usual cargoes.

At this time I\lain street was only a second-rate affair. .\11 the business was (lone ;dong First street. The river bank was built up almost solidly in wood yards, coal yards, grain elevators, great warehouses, pork-packing iiouses, Stores, etc. It was ri\-er commerce. I ha\ e seldom exer gone over into Illinois that I do not meet some old farmer who, half a century ago, brought his grain and pork to Clinton to be shipped off south in payment for the product of sla\'e labor. There was no outlet for all this surplus product. There was no place to ship it and no way of getting it on to the markets of the world. And the industries, in and about Clinton, wilted at the blast of war as a sensitive plant will wilt in the hand. The men left the furnace to go to the front. .Mthougb thev were all Democrats. the\- were all loyal to their country. The fires went out, never to light the midnight skies again. And toda}- the place is almost a tradition. The ilouring mill of William Hedges closed down, to never again turn a wheel and was later taken down, brought to town and rebuilt and burned in March. 1891. The pork-packing houses all closed dovn, never to re-open. The coal and wood yards and river traffic all fell into decay. The grain traffic alone held on until in the seventies, when the railroad came to its relief. Boys used to climb up into the warehouses and o\'er the huge timbers to chase the bats and owls out from their hiding places. ( The above picture of Clinton and neighborhood was luiblished in the Arciiis by L. O. Bishop and is doubtless true to life fortx- and fifty vears ago.)

Industries Of Clinton, I912

Among the leading industries of the cit_v of Clinton may be here cited the Clinton Pax'ing Brick Company, which was established in 1S93, ^^'th a capital of fifty thousand dollars: M. L. Alorey, president: H. C. Dies, treasurer; J. W". Robb, secretary and manager: B. H. ^forgan and M. C. Wright, directors. The first output of this extensive plant was in August, 1893, the capacity being forty thousand brick per day. The specialty is paving brick of a very superior quality. The company own sixty-five acres of land, and tlnis produce their own raw material. They employ about sixty-five workmen, and run the }-ear round. The output is nearly all sold in the great Middle West. The clay tliis company owns will furnish all that is needed for many years to come. It is one of the most extensi\-e plants in this section of Indiana, and is the largest of any, save that at Veedersburg alone, which is the greatest in Indiana.

This has come to be almost a clay and cement age, and as timber becomes scarcer, the construction of almost all kinds of structures will be accomplished by the use of brick and cement materials. For street paA'ing there is nothing now known so excellent as the proper grades of paving brick, and in this Clinton excels. For this reason the city is indeed fortunate

Other .industries inchule the nxerall and skirt faetury, in the south part of the citv, which emjilovs ahout .--e\enty-tive persons, mostly women; the Clinton Canning Factory, which institution puts up large quantities of vegetables: the ice comjianv, making artificial ice of a splendid quality; the machine sho,- nf Tdays & Balmer and that of R. P. Shattuk ; the hard.-wood saw niilN. located in the central eastern portion of the city, near the Wabash river front, the property of Butcher & Cooper.

The milling interests are well represented by the Clinton Milling Companv, whose large plant is situated in the heart of the city, near the river front, where a fine grade of flour, meal, graham and feed is produced.

The Postoffice

Clinton has the most important postal business of an\- postoffice within the count}-. It is the only second-class office and is now looking forward with great anticipation to the time when it will become a free delivery office, the population of the city long since having passed the limit for such a change. There are four rural routes extending out from this office to the outlying country, and the parcel post is now installed and in active operation. Again, it is promised that the coming session of Congress will appro])riate for a postoffice building not less than sixty-five thousand dollars.

There being a very large foreign element in and near the city, this has long been a good paying money order center, esiiecially in foreign orders. The postal savings rlepartment of the office was established in October. 191 1, and on December 13, 191J, the books showed an amount of $14,604 on deposit. The other business of the office, aside from money orders, amounted to $11,795, in the last fiscal year.

Municipal History

Clinton was incorporated about 1S48-49. by special act of the Legislature, which empowered the trustees to prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors. In about 1879 the place was incorporated under the general laws of the state, and was di\-idcd into five wards, from each of which there was elected one trustee, the term of office Ijeing for two years. The president was elected bv the board and the members by the people. The records of the place ha\e not been preserved complete, but such as have been kept intact show that the officers between 1880 and 1887 were as follows: Presidents - Xeil J. AIcDougall, 1880-84: Decatur Downing. 1883: AA'. L. Morey, 1886-87. Clerks - D. C. Johnson. 1880: L. O. Bishop. 1881 : Decatur Down-

The fire department consists of a \olunteer company of aljout twenty men. with a chief and a driver of the city team: the former is now Carl Balmer and the latter (the onl\- salaried man) is T. B, Hupp. The company is said to be one of the most efficient in all Indiana. The city owns a fine fire-fi.tjhting ajiparatus.

The board of education at present (1912) is: President. Dr. D. C. Schaff: secretary, Harmon K. Morgan: treasurer, Frank Slater: superintendent of schools. Prof. E. E. Oberholtzer.

The city has a fine public library, the gift of Andrew Carnegie, which building was completed in 1909. at a co.st of thirteen thousand dollars. This librar}- is held jointly l)y the city and Clinton township and a tax is le\ied for the purchase of books annuallw The jiresent board consists of : l^'esident, H. ^L Ferguson: secretary. J. \\". Strain: H. T. Harger. Roy Slater. Valzah Reeder, H. S. Pinson, Mrs. F. L. Swinehart. Miss Callie MclMechen, Miss Bessie Vandyne. The librarian is Miss Faye Tillotson. The shelves of this new library are not well supplied with standard books, not even many of the state and United States government reports, but as time goes on doubtless the board will see to it that such works are added to the library, which now is really largely of interest to the school children and readers of fiction and the standard papers and periodicals. About $1,800 is raised annually by taxation for the purchase of books. The coming vear it is expected the levy will furnish $2,800 for the extension of the library book stock. In December, 191 2. there were 3,263 books on the shelves. The librai'v was established in 1908 under the act of 1901-03.

The Water Works And Light Plant

Up to about IQ04 Clinton had no system of water works, Imt in that year the present system was installed. Wells were sunk to the gravel, in pure, living water, in the vicinity of the plant, which is near the heart of the business portion of the city and near the bank of the Wabash river. Bonds were floated in order to secure means with which to build the works, the cost to date being about $73,520. The plant was ]nit in in 1910 under the direction of Superintendent W. M. Hamilton, who is still in charge. The total number of miles of water mains in the city now is thirteen. The plant was greatly enlarged in 1910 and is now supposed to be sufficient for a city of twenty-five thousand population. The quality of water is second to none in the state. There are now thirteen wells, ranging in depth from sixty to seventy-five feet, going fifty feet below the waters of the \\'abash river, terminating in white gravel and sand, making a fine natural filter. The daily capacity of this system is two and one-quarter million gallons. There are now ninety-two fire plugs or street hydrants, anfl in December, iqij, there were nine hundred customers. A\'ater is sold both by meter and flat rate, .the rates ranging from fifteen to thirt}" cents per thousand cubic feet. Three huge pumps are installed at the plant, but usualh- one is sufficient. In case of fire, another is set in motion and a pressure of one hundred pounds per square inch is realized in the business portion of the city. One of the mains extends about one mile oiit from the pumping plant. The present officers of the water works are the water committee of the city, with William Hamilton as superintendent, with Leslie Galloway and Jesse C. Patch as engineers, one for day and one for night.

Electric Lighting Plant

While not a part of the municipal ini])ro\enients, the electric lighting system in Clinton is here given. It is a prixate cor]:)oration, which organized and commenced operations in the summer of 189 1, the turning on of the current being on July ist of that year, and on the Fourth of July it was a feature of the city's Independence day celebration. It is known as (he Clinton Electric Light and Power Company. Its first directors were J. E. Knowles. Daniel McBeth, B. H. Morgan, W. L. Morey. H. Bonner. J. W. Robb, secretary and manager, who has served in this capacity since then with a few years interim, and constantly since 1905. .\t fir.st simply an arc system was installed, but in 1892 the incandescent system was put in operation. The plant is located on \'ine street, near the water works plant of the city, close to the railroa<l and river front. They now furnish power to al! the factories and mills in the city, save two newspapers, even furnishini^- the power for the roller mills and refrigerating plant. It is all home capital and is a financial success. The plant has three immense Corliss engines and three dynamos, though l)ut one usually is employed, the others Iseing for emergencv and power extension when needed. The present president of the company is David :\IcBeth: vice-president, ^ilark Xebeker, and }. \\'. Robb is secretary and manager; the other director is B. H. Morgan.

Items Of Interest

_\mong the experiences of the people of Clinton, in years gone by, the following mav be of interest to the present-day and future generations :

Here, as elsewhere in Indiana, the liquor question has ever been a thorn in the side of respectable citizens. Here has been fought many a hard contest between temperance and anti-temperance people. The saloon is still here and \\ill likely exist until some state or national law wipes the business from the face of the commonwealth. One of the most remarkable movements along this line, in modern da_\'s. was the "AVoman's Crusade" of 1874- 76. In 1874 a band of praying women laid siege tO' a saloon, day and night, being on duty in divisions, by turns. The proprietor finally surrendered. In .\pril, 1875, a company of ladies, headed Ijy ?\lrs. ^lalone and Mrs. Kibby, marched in double file to the saloon owned by Tice & Melcher. to hold an interx'iew with the proprietors : but on arrival found the fort e\acuated and the doors wide open. The ladies guarded the place until evening and then retired. The next night one of the proprietors was arrested, and while he was in custody the citizens gathered at the point of contest and demolished everything that contained intoxicating liquors. The proprietor then sued fifteen of the citizens for $5,000 damages, but the case vas comjiromised or dismissed. Other events of this crusade occurred, but of minor importance.

There are now numerous saloons doing business under a license system, while the work of the temperance press and pulpit, of temperance societies, including the Christian Temjierance L'nions, goes braxely on, with the hope of making public opinion in the state and county strong enough in the near future to fore\er do a\va\- with drinkin"- vjlaces in the citv.

Natural Gas

What was st\-led the Clinton Natural Gas Conipan_\- was organized in the spring- of 1887, with a capital of from two to four thousand dollars. The jircsident was C. Mathews ; secretary, W. H. Hamilton ; treasurer, N. C. Anderson. The other directors were J. J. Higgins, Decatur Downing, J. E. Knowles, C. B. Knowles, and W. A. Hays. Drilling followed, but the word failure was finally stamped on their laudable efforts.