Jackson Township

Jackson Township

The topography of Jackson township is generally rolling. There are some bottom lands in the northwestern portion, which is traversed by Blue river. The Dutch creek and Bear creek valleys are both rich and very productive. In the southeastern portion of the township there are extensive sand banks. At one time they were worked extensively by W. C. DePauw, furnishing all the sand for his immense glass works at New Albany. The discovery of gas at Alexandria and the subsequent removal of the factories from New Albany was a death blow to the industry, and the banks were abandoned. With the falls of the Ohio harnessed and a railroad to tap the banks, the industry may be resumed at some future day.

There are a number of caves in the township, the Redfleld cave in the western jiart of the township, in section 7, being the largest. It has never been explored very far, owing to the immense volume of water that constantly flows from it. A cave on the farm of WilHam Marshall, two miles south of Martinsburg, connects Washington and Floyd counties by tunnel. It can be traversed its' entire length, which is about a quarter of a mile. There are other small caves in the township, and owing to the fact that there are numerous sink holes scattered everywhere, this township may awaken some time to find itself situated over one of the wonders of the world.

There are many fossil rocks found in dififerent parts of the township, but as Spurgeon Hill outclasses them so far, they are not noticed. Many flints, arrowheads and stone weapons have l>een found in different parts of the township, showing that it was inhabited by a prehistoric race.

Fruits of all kinds grow abundantly and there is scarcely any of the soil that will not produce nearly any kind of fruits or cereals if properly managed.

The township was originally covered with immense forest trees, which, if thev were standing today, would make an independent fortune for their owners. One by one the huge monarchs have fallen until the timber value of the lands is vcr\- small.

Early Settlement

An occasional mound of clay and stone, which may have served as a fireplace in a rude cabin oi some hunter or trapper, is the only indication of Jackson township being inhabited prior to 1807, excepting, of course, evidences of the mound builders, which are quite numerous.

In 1807 Henry Wyman, a hardy German, came with his family from North Carolina and settled in section 4, of what is now Jackson township. It was an ideal place for a settler, being near Blue river, at the mouth of Dutch creek. The land was rich, and fish and game abundant. No Indian savages were there to molest him ; and so, being pleased with his new-found home, Henry Wym.an lived and prospered. In the year following, 1808, Leonard Karnes, also a North Carolinian, came and settled in section 2, near the present town of Martinsburg. In the same year F.phraim Goss settled in section i; Charles and Samuel Busey in section 10; John Green in section 12, and Aaron Wilcox in section 14. Daniel Bush came about 1810 and settled in section 2. In 1814 John, Lewis, and James Martin, all brothers, came from Kentucky and settled in what is now the vicinitv of Martinsburg. Steven Elrod came about the same time and settled near Henry Wyman, in section 4.

Between 1814 and 1819, Robert .Strain settled on Blue ri\er in section 5; John Hiestand and Jacob L^rmy near M;irtinsburg in section i: Philip Stucker in section 15; Mr. Brown in section 6. and Daniel Grimes near Martinsburg in section 12. Probably several nthers unknown settled prior to 1820.

No forts were ever built by these early settlers, tor none were needed. The only dangers they encountered were from the wild animals, and these were of rare occurrence.

Bear and deer were frequently killed by the first settler-^. Down among the knobs they were most numerous. Wild turke\- were here as late as 1835. .\? Mrs. Leonard Carnes was returning home from a visit to a neighbor, in the spring of 181 1, she saw six bear cubs crossing her path only about a quarter of a mile from her house. The old ones were not in sight, so she gathered them uii in her apron and ran home as fast as she could, keeping strict watch to see that she was not jnirsued by the mother bear. The cubs were fed and kept till they were large enough to eat; one of them was made a pet till it was three years old. It was a playfellow for the children, but upon one occasion it became angr\- by rough usage and bit

As Joel Martin was going to school one morning, when he was about eight years of age, there came across a field four deer closely pursued by a pack of dogs. Three of the deer jumped the fence and got away, but the fourth failed to get over with the rest and was caught by the dogs and schoolboys. The teacher skinned it and that evening each scholar was given a piece of venison to carry home. In winter time turkey could nearly always be found in the corn fields where they would come for feed. Pheasants and quail were quite numerous also, but they were considered too small to waste ammunition on when there was better to be had without much effort.

Probably the most exciting event in the history of Jackson township was the Confederate raid. Gen. John Morgan and his men passed through the township on the Corydon and Salem road and caijiped in section 4. They did little damage, however, except the theft of -an occasional horse, and the raid of a wheat field. They were tired and were making their way toward Salem, where they expected better plunder.

Some of the braver citizens of the township went to PaJmyra expecting to stop the intrepid rebel at that place. It is a matter of history, however, that he did not stop, and it has always been supposed that when these brave citizens saw him coming they concluded he had the right of way. The passing of General Morgan through the township gave it a little military history, of which it may boast.

Church History

Probably the first church organization in the township was that of the United Brethren, though the exact date cannot be learned. It was prior to 1820, however, and Rev. John Hiestand, who came from Ohio and was a nei)hevv of Bishop Hiestand, one of the earliest bishops of this denomination, was the moving spirit in the organization. Meetings were held in the residences or barns of the few members until 1854, when a large brick structure was erected just outside the town of Martinsburg. The membership increased until it is now about sixty. In 1887 the brick building was torn down, and the present large frame structure erected on its site. This chiH-ch is in a sound condition and has a powerful influence for good in the community, having a membership at present of sixty-two.

The Christian church, or Cliurch of Christ, was organized here on the first Saturday of November, 1821, with eleven members. A log meeting house was soon afterward erected just outside the town of Martinsburg, near the present cemetery This was used a few years, and was succeeded by a frame structure near it. In 1872, the church having grown phenomenally, the old building was torn down and the present large structure erected, which has served as their meeting house continuously since. This church is in a flourishing condition and has at present about one hundred and fitty members.

On April 10, 1824, the Presbyterians organized a church at "P.ethlehem" in section 14. The First meetings were held at the residence of John Martin, but later on in the same year a log meeting house was erected, which stood until 1879, when it was torn down ami the ])resent frame structure erected. At one time this church was in a t1(iuri-hing condition, but ilur- ,ing the past twenty years nearly all of the members have either died or moved away, and meetings have been discontinued. Most of those who were left have now placed their memliership with the United Brethren at Martinsburg.

In 1870 the Methodists organized and built a church in section 2 known as "Wyman's Chaixrl.'" Like Bethlehem, it Hourished for a season and then died out. Meetings have lieen discontinued and the little chapel went into decay.

The Christians ha\-e another organized church at ".South Liberty" in section 8. It was organized in 1842, and its first meetings were held in the Harrison school house. The first church building was erected in 1843 or 1844, and was burned in 1889. It was rebuilt in 1800. and at present has about seventy members, making in all more than two hundred communicants of this denomination in this to\\nship.

In the extreme eastern end of the townshi|i the German Metlnidists ha\e a large cliurch building, erected in 1874 P.\- far the greater portion of the memliers are citizens of Clark county. The church liuilding is the largest an<l finest of any in the townshiji. There are about one hundred members and the church is very strong.

1812. It was a typical pioneer school house, made of logs and having a huge fireplace that nearly reached across one end of the building. The seats were made of split logs, and had no backs at all. John Martin was the first teacher and he taught regularly for many years. This rude school house was used until about 1835, after which the old log Baptist meeting house was used. This served until 1847, when a two-room brick building was erected just outside the town limits. In 1871 the present large two-story school building was erected and has been used continuously since.

In 1840 a log school house was built on the present site of South Liberty meeting house in the western end of the township, in section 8. It .was called the "Harrison" school house, because built during the Harrison presidential campaign. It was used only a short time. Since that time houses have been built in sections 3, 5, 15 and 17, range 4 east; and sections 6 and 7, range 5 east, making in all seven schools in the township, employing eight teachers. Very little effort has ever been made to establish a high school in the township, though it has been suggested several times.

Of the teachers employed since the organization of schools, perhaps the two best known and best liked - and, more's the pity, best hated - were John Martin, the first teacher, and Roland May, who taught alniost continuously from 1855 to 1885. Mr. Martin was a brother to Dr. Abner Martin, the founder of the town of Martinsburg, and was said to be an excellent teacher. More is known of Mr. May. He was a brother to the late Prof. James G. May, one of the state's most noted educators, and like him, was a born teacher. He was stern in the school room, yet he had the gentlest of natures, and if the students would strive at all they would escape his stern discipline. Other well-known teachers of the township have been: Enoch Martin, James Bishop, Martin Crim, Jesse Crim, Dandridge Overton, B. F. Overton. Gertrude May, W. A. Denny, .\. B. Frantz and Ada May.

Early Industries

Charles and Samuel Busey each had a distillery on Bear creek, in section 10. Isaac Wilco.K in section 14 and Joseph Bush in section i. There were several others built to distill apple and peach brandy. The only store outside the village of Martinsburg was owned by Washington Sterrit, in section i. .\aron Wilcox had a water mill on his farm in section 14 in operation ]oric)r to tSiq. John Smith also operated one at the .same time in section 4. ]n]m Martin built a grist-mill on Bear creek in section 9 or lo, probably about 1815. Fred Phillips owned a horse mill about two miles northeast of Martinsburg prior to 18 19. Abises Martin at a later date conducted one at Martinsburg. It was run until aliout 1836. John Loughmiller built a horse mill . outh of ^lartinslnirg in 1835. It was in section 14 and operated several years.

In 1820 Charles Wayman built a water grist-mill on Licking branch. The water was supplied from a large ca\e and it was i>erhaps the largest and best equipped mill of all the earlier efforts. Mr. Wayman soon afterward sold it t(j Sydney Redfield and it bas alwavs borne the name of the "Redfield" null. In 1853 Mr. Redlield it to Miltnn Martin and Henry Miller, Sr., who changed it to a steam mill and operated it until about 1S75, when it was permanently abandoned.

Cooper shops in those days were too numerous to mention. Excellent barrels were made, for which a good price was received. Modern machinery reduted the price of barrels to such a low figure, that all of the shops have long since ceased to exist. Probably the last to go \vas that run by Christopher Miller, one mile east of Martin>burg. It was in operation until about 1885. Jacob Bixler built a linseed oil mill at Martinsburg in 1835, which he operated by horse power, manufacturing about one barrel per week. A tan yard was started about the same time by a Mr. Snodgrass. It was situated on lot No. 50.

Emanuel Block was the first merchant in the townshi]i. Lie built a log cabin on the corner of lot No. 42, in the town oi Martinsburg. the same year the town was founded - 1818. It wa< a Aery small affair, but probably as large as the custom, which included scarcely more than a score of families scattered o\-er a large territory. The country, however, was now filling up fast and it was but a short time until Block had competition.

Lewis Garret opened a store just across Main street on lot Xo. 41,. about 1820. In 1825. John George .Alexander TTontz opened uji a general stock of goods on lot No. 30. Of the earlier merchants, his name is the most familiar to the present generation. Tie was known a< "Alecken Hnns" and was a ty|)ical i>ld pioneer Dutchman. "Dutch Creek" was probably named for him, tli.nigli oilier^ el.aim the first settler. 1 lenr\ Wvm.au. ga\e it its name. Hontz was a familiar chanictei-, however, in the historv of the town, and his expression "My wife she bees a hell of a set" has outlived him almost three ipiarters of a ci-ntury. M,in\- humorous sterrics are told of him and likely most of tbeni were true. Tie was a preacher as well as a merchant, and doubtless the abow expression w:i< onl\ his version of the wise

The above three merchants were the real pioneers in the profession. A long line of merchants followed them. In the two decades from 1830 to 1850 the following merchants did business in Martinsburg : Jacob Bixler, on lot 34; Air. Mills, on lot 59; Martin Foster, on lot 35; Lane & Martin, on lot 49; Joseph Loughmiller, on lot 43. From 1850 to 1870: Brewer & Cravens, on lot 49; Peter J. Martin, on lot 54: Silas Wyman, on lot 19; Lewis Wyman, on lot 25; Martin & Huff, on lot 43; William H. H. Phillips. on lot 54; William Rice, on lot 49. A few of these merchants did business a little later than 1870, but only a few years. From 1870 to the present time, with the exception of the above named and the present l>usiness men, only two merchants have done business here. They were G. M. D. Roberts on lot No. 54, and A. J. Brock on lot No. 49, in Martinsburg.

For many years William A. Ferguson conducted a wagon-maker's shop on lot No. 35. He was a fine workman and many old wagons of his manufacture may yet he seen, though he retired from business about 1886.

J. R. Martin, a son of the founder of the town, conducted a cabinetmaker's shop on lot No. 70, during the greater part of his life, and there is scarcely a family in the community which does not possess some nice old piece of furniture of his manufacture. Age compelled him to retire from active business in 1895. Since then, no shops of this character have been in general operation.

Martinsburg was founded by Dr. ,\bner Martin, September 18, 1818, and comprised originally eighty lots in section 12, of Jackson township. According to the records only two other towns in the county are older - Salem and Fredericksburg. In an issue of the Tocsin published at Salem August 18, 1818, there was an advertisement for the sale of lots in Martinsburg to be held October 15, 181 8, and in closing the notice this catchy doggerel appeared :

Jacob Rixler added thirty-two lots on the east side on September 22, 1837. Tliis is tile (inl\- addition e\cr made. Martinsburg is right in the heart of a line agricuUural regiim and all it lacks is a railroad to make it one of the thriving tiAvns of the cminty. As it is, a \-ery good business is done 1)\' the merchants and miller but it cannot imjirox-e without modern transportation.

( )ntside of Alartinsburg there is \ery little doing except what is done Iiy the tillers of the soil. John Coleman owns and conducts a blacksmith shop t\\o miles west of Martinsburg in section 10. Phillip Fisher conducts a small store two miles east of to\;-n i;: section 7, range 5 east. At the present time in the town of INlartinsburg there are four stores, a flour-mill, a blacksmith shop and a creamery. Iv 11. Martin has been in the mercantile business here for more than forty years. His eldest son, William .Martin, is manager of the business. The store is situated on lot Xo. 43. William Martin also manages the clothing estal)lishment of his brother, C. C. Martin, which is situated on lot No. 39.

C. E. Williams conducts a confectionery establishment on lot No. 47. lie aKo has a barber shop in connection. The blacksmith shop is owned bv John Karnes and is conducted by his son-in-law, A. M. Hiestand. The creamery is a growing industry here, and is a source of profit to the farmers. It is owned by T^. H. Ewing's Sons, of Louisville. Steve l*"lrod is the manager.

Albert Karnes owns and 0|)erates the large llouring, feed, saw and lil.uiing mill. The cai);uit\- of this mill is: hdour, per day, twenty-five b.irn'K; feed, two Inm-lre-l bushels; lumber, two thousand five hundred feet. This mill structure w;is erected in 1S40 by Wright & Walker. It has undergone m;m\ changes since, both in ownership and design. Dr. J. (/. Bright is a deiitist.