Eugene Township

Eugene Township

south of Eugene, on the little prairie since known by his name. Judge J. M. Coleman came to the township a subsequent year, from Virginia, settling on section 16, 17 north, 9 west, and was long intimately associated with the Colletts. He had helped [to lay out the city of Indianapolis, and also the town of Terre Haute, where he also built the old coTirt-house. In this county he was one of the first grand jurors and associate judges. He afterward moved to Iowa City, where he built the State house, died and was buried.

This year came Major James Blair, who settled on the northeast quarter of section 16, 17 north, 9 west; and at his cabin on this place was held the first court in the county. Mr. Blair had been a sharp-shooter on Lake Erie, under Commodore Perry, in the war of 1812, when he was detailed to shoot at the Indians in the rigging of the British war vessels; but at the very first fire of Perry's artillery the Indians were so frightened that they hastily " scuttled " down into 'the hold, and there were no Indians for Mr. Blair to do his duty upon. As his vessel sailed past the British men-of-war, he could see the glittering tin canisters down through the muzzles of their guns. For his faithful services, Mr. Blair received a medal from the Government. On one occasion, after he became a resident of this county, he was a candidate for the Legislature, he attended a shooting-match, participated, and aimed so well that every naan present voted for him at the ensuing election! On still another occasion he played an amusing trick upon the simple-minded pioneers and Indians, in the settlement of a controversy between them. See section on Indians.

Blair married a daughter of Judge Coleman, resided for a time on Coleman's Prairie, and then moved up the river and founded Perrysville, which place he named in honor of his

Both Blair ,and Coleman had an intimate acquaintance with the Indians, and lived in friendship with them for a number of years. It frequently fell to theii- lot to act as peacemakers between the Indians and what were termed the "border ruffians," who were much the worse class of the two. These two pioneers always spoke in the highest terms of Se-Seep, the last chief who lived in the vicinity, who was said to be 110 years old when he was foully murdered by a renegade Indian of his own tribe. Like the fading autumn leaves, the aborigines of the forest died away. The guns and dogs of the white man frightened away the game from their hunting grounds, or destroyed it, and the virtue of a dire necessity called upon them to emigrate, to make room for the ax and plow, the cabin and the school-house, of the incoming white man.

1819. - John Groenendyke came from near Ovid, Cayuga County, New York, first to Terre Haute in 1818, and the next year to this county, settling on the Big Vermillion where Eugene now stands. He was the father of James - who built the " Big Vermillion," the first large grist-mill in the county already referred to - and Samuel, and the grandfather of Hon. John Groenendyke and his cousin Samuel, and also the grandfather of the present Colletts. The name was originally Van Groenendycke, which the express agent at Eugene, Samuel, has abbreviated still further to Grondyke - a word of two syllables, the first syllable being pronounced groan. The first family of this line came to America from Holland with the Knickerbockers in 1617, settling in New Amsterdam (New York).

years ago. Alexander Arrasraitli, born in Kentucky, in 1795, emigrated to Sullivan County, Indiana, in 1818, and in 1821 (or 1824 according to one authority) to this county. lie died at his residence two and a half miles south of Eugene, January 15, 1875, having been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for forty years. He was the father of Richard Arrasmith, born in Sullivan County in 1818, and of Thomas Arrasmith, a wagon-maker at Newport.

1822. - William Thompson, father of James, John and Andrew, and of Mrs. Jane Shelby, from Pennsylvania, settling near the big spring a mile south of Eugene, since known by his name. Their descendants have been economical, industrious and fortunate, accumulating a large amount ot property. This year also came Benjamin Shaw, from Vigo County, but originally from Kentucky, and settled near Eugene, and afterward on the Little Vermillion, about live miles west of Newport, where he died nearly half a century afterward. The widow, nee Elizabeth Elliott, who was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, October 21, 1802, survived until November 19, 1884, when she died in Terre Haute, a member of the Baptist church. After the death of her husband she moved to Eugene and lived there until 1879. They were the parents of ten children, three of whom survived their mother, namely, Mrs. Wilson Naylor, Mrs. John Groeneudyke and Robert E. Shaw, who was born here in 1829; they all reside in Terre Haute. Andrew Tipton, born in Kentucky in 1800, came here in 1822, and remained until his death, and J. W. Tipton, from Ohio, settled on the Wabash River. His daughter Polly married Mr. Johnson, and died April 2, 1876, in the eighty-second year of her age, a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

1824. - Jones Lindsey, born in Ohio in 1818, came here this year. The next year there arrived Oliver Lindsey, born in the same State in 1807. Both are still living in this county. Judge Rezin Shelby, who became very wealthy, died many years ago. His wife, nee Jane Thompson, who came twn years previously, was born in Pennsylvania in 1798, and died but a few years ago. Their son. Major David Shelby, died in the last war.

1826. - William Fultz, Sr., born in Pennsjdvania in 1805, with his wife Nancy, came to Eugene Township either this year or in 1828, locating on Sand Prairie. They had thirteen children, and are not now living. The parents of Joseph Holtz, who was born in Ohio in 1822, came to the coxmty this year. John Holtz, born in the same State the same year, settled here in 1834.

1827. - Samuel W. Malone, born in Ohio in 1810, came to Helt Township, this county, in 1824, and to Eugene in 1827, where he is still living, running a hotel. W. M. Newman, born in Virginia in 1811, still living here. Mariin Patrick came some time prior to 1827. Hiram Patrick, born here in 1829, is still here, and William Patrick, born in this county in 1831, lived here many years and went to Missouri. Thomas Patrick is yet another old resident. This year or previously came the father of John Ross, who was born in Ohio in 1829, and brought here the same year.

half years. Mrs. Jane Case, widow of Philo Case, was born in Pennsylvania in 1809, and died here long ago. Matthew Cole, born in Ohio in 1824, was brought to this county in 1828, as was also Jesse Smith, from Tennessee, the year of his birth. The latter died long ago. This year came also W. L. Naylor, and the next year Lewis T. Naylor, who is living here. Both were born in Ohio, W. L. in 1821, and Lewis T. in 1826. Benjamin Naylor, another old resident, was born also in 1826. Jacob lies, who died many years ago, was the father of James B., born in 1829, and Jacob H., born in 1833, both in this county.

1829. - John Hepburn, Sr., who was born in Virginia in 1800, died here about 1880. John Hepburn Jr., was born in this county in 1833. William Hepburn was born in Ohio in 1823, and was brought here in 1829. (The above name is pronounced heburn.) Enoch W. Lane, born in Ohio in 1798, died over thirty years ago.

1830. - John Sims, born in Virginia in 1808, lived a mile and a half south of Eugene a number of years ago. "Crate" Sims, his son, was born in Virginia the same year. Charles S. Little, from Virginia, located near Eugene in 1830, aad died in 1852, at the age of sixty-three years. His wife, whose maiden name was Kachel Moore, died, seven miles southwest of Newport, in 1881, aged eightyone years. (See sketcli of Eufus P. Little.)

Eev. Enoch Kinsbury came from Massachusetts to Eugene about the year 1830, and organized the Presbyterian church which still survives at that place. His wife Fanny G. taught school there for a time. Their eldest son, James G. Kingsbury, one of the editors and publishers of the Indiana Farmer at Indianapolis, was born at the residence of Dr. Asa E. Palmer two miles north of Eugene, in 1832. The same year the family removed to Danville. Illinois, where Mr. Kingsbury organized a church and preached for many years. He also acted as a home missionary, preaching in neighboring counties both in Indiana and Illinois, till the close of his life in 1868.

1832. - Philo and Milo Hosford, twins, born in New York in 1811. Milo died in January, 1880, a man having always been noted for equauimity,humility and trustworthiness. Was long in the employ of Samuel Grondyke. Joseph Wigley, this year or previously; now dead. William was born in this county this year. Either this year or next came Joseph and Sarah Moore, from Ohio; the latter is still residing here. She was born in Maryland in 1803.

1833. - Isaac A. Brown, Sr., born in Tennessee in 1816, settled "Brown Town," and is still living. Has weighed in his life-time over 300 pounds. W. F. Shelato, a resident, was born in this county in 1833.

1834. - John Eheuby, either this year or before, from Illinois, where he had settled in 1826. William , Eheuby was born in this county in 1834. J. W. Boyd, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1828, died a number of years ago.

1837. - The parents of Edward B. and Joseph Johnson; father died many years ago. Edward B. was born in Indiana in 1830, and Joseph in this county, in 1834. Goldman M. Hart, born in Tennessee in 1809, died in 1886; widow survives. James C.Tutt,born in Virginia in 1816, now living in the southern part of the county.

Gardner, from North ^Carolina, who settled Walnut Grove: Mr. Worth selected lands which have been held by his family to the fourth generation. Alexander Eichardson and wife Mahala at Eugene, he died in Indianapolis in 1864 (or '74), and she March 3, 1880, at the age of seventy years. She was born in Knox County, Kentucky, and was but eight years of age when her parents moved to this State, settling at Bloomington. Lewis HoUingsworth was born in this county in 1835. On Coleman's Prairie settled families by the name of Wilson, Dicken, Hopkins, etc John K. Porter, A. M., circuit judge for many years, and an advanced farmer between Eugene and Newport, was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, February 22, 1796, of an "old English" family; graduated at Union College, Schenectady, New York, in 1815, taking the first honors of his class; studied law, and in 1818 became a pa-tner of his preceptor; about 1820 he came to Paoli, Orange County, Indiana, wliere he was county clerk, postmaster and circuit judge. Wliile there he married Mary Worth. Keceiving from the Legislature the appointment as President Judge of Western Indiana, he moved to this county, settling in Eugene Township. His circuit extended from the Ohio River to Lake Michigan. His term expired in 1837. Here he was elected judge of tlie Court of Common Pleas for the counties of Parke and Vermillion, which office he held until his death, about 1850. He was a prominent statesman in early day, in laying the foundation of Indiana Jurisprudence. Was a close reader of Eastern agricultural papers, and also of the ancient classics, and foreign quarterly reviews and magazines. His conversational powers were accordingly very great, and his letters and contribiitions to the press were gems of eloquence. He was in corresjiondence, more or less, with such men as

General Harrison, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, etc., besides many Georgia " colonels." Prominent men of Indiana were often his guests. He was the leading spirit in all public mass meetings in his neighborhood assembled for deliberation on measures of public welfare. AVas president of the Logansport convention, which gave initial direction to the construction of the Wabash Valley Eailroad.

As an agriculturist he was scientific and in advance of all his neighbors, - so far indeed as often to excite their ridicule. He led in the rearing of fine-wooled sheep, and in the cultivation of Switzer lucerne, ruta-bagas, sugar beets, moris multicaulis, Baden coi-n and hemp. Although these rare things never were remunerative in cash, they paid well in pleasure.

Judge Porter's children were John AV., deceased, Isaac, Dewey and Abba. Jolin W. married Henrietta, daughter of Andrew Tipton, a neighbor, and their family consisted of two sons and four daughters. Tlie widow is still living, on the old homestead. Isaac is a successful business man of Danville, Illinois. Dewey is a farmer on the old homestead. Abba married Dr. Davidson, of California, who afterward returned to this coimty and died on his farm near the old homestead.

Miscellaneous Items

;^ugene Township, as will be seen from several pages of this work, is noted for antiquities. Besides those related in the introductory chapters of this history, we specify two or three more in this connection, for want of a better classification.

Early settlers near Eugene found an ax growing in the heart of an oak witli 125 rings of growth outside of it, thus indicating that the implement was left there as early as 1712, probably by a French missionary. While it is generally understood, and is generally true, that a ring of wood growth indicates a year's time, the question has recently been mooted by botanists whether it is always exactly true, as some of them seem to have evidence that there is variation both ways, - that it^, that some unfavorable seasons produce no distinct ring, while other and more favorable years sometimes produce two rings. Different kinds of trees, different stages of development and different situations also produce variatit)ns.

In zoology, the following incident illustrates a rare trait of aninral nature: One evening about sundown, in April, 18G8, as <'Eel" Vickers, who lived about four miles northwest of Eugene, was returning home from a house-raising, he was suddenly alarmed by the scream of a lynx, which he soon discovered was in pursuit of him. Being unarmed, he dared not give battle, and began to run homeward with all his might. Of course the beast could easily enough have overtaken Vickers at a bound or two, whenever it desired, but such is feline nature that it occasionally rested a moment and screamed most territically. When Vickers approached his house the animal jumped around in trout of him, to intercept his passage to the house; but at this critical moment the dogs arrived and chased it away. Its previoiis yelling had alarmed them and brought them out just in time, but with not a second to lose !

or three others, became very drunk. On their way home Barbour was murdered, in this township, and his body so concealed that it was not found until January 18 following, when a man named Smith was passing along the road and chanced to notice a dog at some distance, devouring a suspicious-looking mass! The victim was a man about twenty-four years of age. In his pockets were found several photographs, two or three letters, and a receijjt from the Coopers' Union, of Terre Haute, for quarterly dues as a member of that organization.

Eugene

As previously remarked, Eugene is another example of those niimerous towns that were killed by the railroad passing just at killing distance; but it is a beautiful place for a quiet residence. The present population is estimated at about 500. Two or three conspiciious features strike the stranger who visits the place. One is, a most magnificent row of sugar-maple shade trees for a distance of two squares on the west side of the main business street. Each tree, with a perfectly symmetrical head, covers an area of forty feet in diameter. In the western part of the village is the most beautiful, perfect, large white elm the writer ever saw.

The ground upon which Eugene is situated is just sandy enough to be good for gardening, and at the same time prevent being muddy in rainy seasons. Wells are sunk only eighteen or twenty feet to find the purest water, in a bed of gravel. Several large springs are in the vicinity. The river here, especially below the mill-dam, aft'ords the best fishing of all points probably within a radius of iifty miles or more. Fish weighing sixty pounds or more are sometimes caught, and German carp, one of the planted tish, weighing eight pounds, are occasionally captured.

Among the modern enterprises of Eugene is the organization of the Joint Stock Fair Association, who held their iirst fair last fall, beginning September 28, 1886. James Malone, President; H. D. Sprague, Vice-President; John S. Grondyke, Secretary; M. G. Ilosford, Assistant Secretary; II. O. Peters, Treasurer; J. E. Whij^ple, Assistant Treasurer; J. E. Bennett, Superintendent; G. L. Watson, Assistant Superintendent. Directors - -J. II. lies, Samuel Grondyke, N. Vl. Tutt, Eli ]\IcI)aniel, Dr. E. A. Flaugher, Fred Iliberly, William Collett, Henry Dicka- 5on, Milton Wi-ight, John Lane and James Arrasmith, - a formidable list of the best names in the northern part of the county. Their exhibition last fiill was greatly curtailed by rainy weather.

On the bank of the river here was erected Ijy James Groenendyke, some time previous to 1824, a water, saw and grist-mill, which, with its successors, has enjoyed the greatest notoriety of all in the county. While Mr. Coleman owned it many years ago, the dam was washed away, and the present mill, erected in 1885, is the third building on the site, two others having been burned down. It is a large roller mill, owned and managed l>y Samuel Bowers, recently from Danville, Illinois.