Jefferson Township

Jefferson Township

Jefferson Township lies on the west line of the county, and north of the central part. It is bounded on the north by Dalton and a part of Perry townships; on the east, by Perry, Clay and Harrison; south, by Harrison and Jackson, and west by Henry County. It is six miles east and west, and five miles north and south less two sections on the south tier in the southeast corner of the township. This gives it twentyeight square miles of land, or in acres, 17,920. Of this number of acres 17,162.78 is found on the assessment roll without counting Hagerstowti, and is assessed as follows: Eeal estate, 1882, $658,995; personal property, $264,623, a total of $923,578. Hagerstown, realty, $133,990; Hagerstown, personal, $85,720; total valuation of township, $1,143,288. The township poll number," 198 ; Hagerstown poll number, 164; total vote, 362.

The township was organized in March, 1834, and the voting precinct was located at Hagerstown. It is a good agricultural township, well watered, and in the valleys of the streams coursing through its territory can be found a superior quality of arable land, in fact unsurpassed anywhere. The West Branch of the Whitewater nearly divides it in two equal parts, running as it does nearly through the center of the township from north to south. On the east is Martindale's Creek, flowing in a southerly course, and on the west Nettle Creek, coming into the township near the northwest corner and flowing in a southwesterly course, empties into the "West Branch. Below this are two other small streams flowing into the West Branch. Thus it may be said to be well watered, and a fine stock-raising section.

Its Settlement

The years in which most of the early settlers made their settlements, is not remembered, says " Young's History," by any of the oldest inhabitants. As the sales of the lands west of the Twelve Mile Purchase did not commence until 1822, it is presumed that most of the early settlements were made in the eastern part of the township, many of them soon after the peace of 1814-'15. Some, however, settled on the west side of the line of the Purchase several years before the lands were offered for sale. Samuel Baldridge, from Kentucky, unmarried, settled, in January, 1814, three miles east of Hagerstown, and was one of the earliest settlers in Jefferson Township. Jonathan Platts, from New Jersey, settled early one and one-half miles southeast of town. He was an early Justice of the Peace, and at several sessions President of the Board of Justices, which, from 1824 to 1828, was substituted for the three county commissioners; and from 1829, for several years, a county commissioner. Philip Baltimore settled early one tnile east of the town. Isaac Pierce, from Tennessee, settled one and one-half miles northeast from Hagerstown.

David and Aaron Miller, brothers, settled three and onehalf miles southeast of Hagerstown, on Martindale's Creek, and removed afterward from the county. Both were German Baptist preachers. George Castator was an early settler, a cabinet-maker. Benjamin Parsons, from New Jersey, settled about 1813, two miles east of town, and died in 1864. Five of his children - Sarah, wife of Frederick Jenks; Amos, who married Jane Matchett; Martha, wife of Samuel Newcomb; and Harriet, wife of John Tliornburg - reside in the township. John Miller, and afterward his brothers Jacob and

Samuel, settled two miles southeast of town. Jacob had served in the war of 1812, and was under General Hnll at the surrender at Detroit. Among others who settled southeast of the town, were Daniel Petty, who, about the year 1832, settled on land bought of Aaron Miller.

Joseph Bowen, a native of Delaware, from Lebanon, Ohio, in 1822 settled one and a half miles eastof town; wasaMethodist Treacher; died in 1863; land now owned by Rebecca E Bowen, a granddaughter. Wm. Brown settled early east ot

Amono- the other early settlers in and around Hagerstown were: skmuel Reprogle, Isaac Stonebraker, David Burkett, Jacob Crull, John Crull, Henry Crull, Isaac Pierce Jos. Manifold, Hugh Allen, Abraham Reprogle, David Hardman, a German Baptist preacher, Geo. Stonebraker, Wm. Brumback, Samuel Pollard, Hugh Murphy and Isaac McLanahan

Benj. Parson, spoken of above, was the only man who had a grindstone in the whole settlement, and he was visited daily, not only by his neighbors but by the Indians, to sharpen their knives and hatchets or tomahawks.

There was also Samuel Taylor, a Baptist preacher, Jesse Thornburg,Jno. Caster and Philip Baltimore, all who came prior to 1820, being in the older settled portions of the town-

In the southwest part of the township the following named persons were early settlers : Adam Stonbraker, one mile south of town; Wm. Murray, who built a carding-machine and a saw-mill, and afterward a woolen factory. A saw-miU is still there, the property owned by his heirs. Wm. Felton, a native of Pennsylvania, from Ohio, about the year 1821 near town; built a saw-mill and a corn-cracker^ He^died there at a great age. His wife also died there. Moses Miller settled nel the Jackson line. Abel Johnson and Jacob northwest section of the township quite a settlement was iunned between 1820 and 1830-sturdy farmers who culti vated their farms and became worthy citizens of the countv Among these were: John Small, from J^^orth Carolina-" Jonas Harris, EnosBojd, Abraham Teeter, Jacob Heaston' all came in 1823, or prior to that time. '

Zachariah Albaugh, a native of Maryland, from Ohio, in 1826, settled in the northwest part of the township, where he died March 6, 1871, aged seventy-six. He had been a G r man Llaptjst minister since 1836.

John Street settled two and a half miles northwest of town Wm. McLucas, one and a l>alf miles north from town- Mar' tm Keever, land now owned by his heirs. John Lewis" settled two mdes north ; Absalom Cornelius, from VirginTa Joseph StoTer entered the lands now owned by Samuel a Newcorab and David Brown; Daniel Wagner, Tar and northwest of town. John Eitter, from Ohio settled "1^0! m. es east of Hagerstown. Peter Hardman from OWo settled m the township; and David Wagner fro n Ol ' ' settled one mile north of Hagerstown ^ ' °'"°'

Slillespie bought the woolen factory previously owned by Sdmund Taylor, and converted it into a flouring mill. Its capacity is about 150 barrels per day. An oil-mill and a -^lover-huller, and later a saw-mill, were built by Abraham reeter, just above town, on West River. In 1864 the propsrtv was purchased by R. & F. G. Newcomb, who rebuilt the mill in 1867. A saw-mill was built at an early day, by Frederic and Peter Waltz, near the line of the township. Mark E Reeves afterward built on this power a grist-mill. Samuel Burkett built in 1870, in town, a steam saw-mill. A sawmill was built two miles above town, on or near the site of Teeter's grist-mill, by John Small.

The first temperance society in the township, and one o± the earliest in the county, was formed about the year 1831, in a locr school-house on the farm of Jonathan Shaw, now owned by Eli Petty Among its members were Samuel Taylor, a BaT3tist minister; Joseph Bowen, a Methodist minister; Jonathan Platts, Jonathan Shaw, Isaac Pierce, Thomas Pierce Andrew Pierce, Sarah Cheesman, Joel, Jeremiah, and William Bowen. Sarah and David Platts.

The first Sabbath-school in the township was taught m the same school-house. It was formed and conducted by Joseph Bowen, Jonathan Platts, Jonathan Shaw, Elizabeth Pierce

Bapm Churok, church -'"-'^^ ^r-^;^^^ half miles east of Hagerrtown, was founded m 1817 by the ea iest settlers, and continues to exert a wide-spread mfluen e for good in the township. In 1855 the society had grown to the number of forty members, and it was atone time tie wesrtnommatiouin the township, at that time under the by Revs. Jas. McDowell arid Jas. Martindale, the latter since 1867. The pastor between 1820 and 1830 was the Rev. , Samuel Taylor. Their first place of worship was a log cabin \ followed by two frame churches, the latter still in use. They have no Sunday-school. Membership, thirty-one.

Olive Bmnch M. E. ChuvGh. - This church was organized in 1825 at the house of Samuel Pollard, and was continued there most of the time until a frame church building was erected in 1836, about two and one-half miles northeast of Hao-erstown. Unfortunately this church was burned by an incendiary fire in 1837. The following year the present brick edifice was erected. The first Methodist preacher in the township was Russell Bigelow,who is remembered as early as 1822. Then there were the Revs. John Strange, Jas. Havens, George Gatch, John C. Smith, Joseph Tarkington, Allen Wiley, and Robert Burns, who also preached in early days. The Rev. R. Bigelow preached in the house of Joseph Bowen. The original members were : Jonathan Shaw and a part of his family, Jos. Bowen and family, John Conway and family, Jas. Hartup and family, Joseph Manifold, and Isaac Pierce and family. At one time there were eighty-five members, with Wm. C. Bowen as Class-leader. Its present membership is thirty. Joel Bowen was the first Class-leader. In 1842 the church split owing to conflicting opinions on the slavery question. About one-half left and formed a Wesleyan society headed by Jonathan Shaw and others. Nathan D. Shackleford is the present pastor and the church though not numerous is united and strong.

Jacob nirich, in the year 1830, laid ofi" a few lots, and called it Elizabethtown. It did not flourish. Greenbury Savoy passed over the ground a short time before, and some years later, 1839, returned to make it his home. The only evidence of a town was a small store on the roadside near where the Teeter Mill now stands, and on the old road from Richmond to New Castle.

On March 8, 1832, Jacob Ulrich and Jonas Harris, whose land joined, laid out the town and had it platted, the survey being recorded Nov. 15, 1832.

On Oct. 15, 1838, Messrs. J. Ulrich, Henry Herman and George Gillespie & Co. platted an addition to the town. In 1839 it boasted of three stores, James Reeves, now of Richmond, being the proprietor of one of them ; two blacksmith shops, the first one started being owned by David Stonebraker, and the other by Peter Cable; one shoemaker shop, one saddle and harness shop, one tin shop, an hotel or tavern, and about fifteen families.

The original plat lies in the center of the present town, and was composed of four blocks and two one-half blocks. Besides the addition of Oct. 15, 1838, the following additions have been added to the original plats.

It remained thus until Sept. 2, 1875, when Canaday and others also platted additions to the town, all of which composes the present area of Hagerstown.

The first wagon-maker was David Weaver, and he jnade a good, substantia] article. Jos. Arment was the first cabinetmaker; also James Walker in the same line, a few years later.

The first physicians were: Thomas J. Buchanan and G. G. Winchell, partners, the latter residing in Hagerstown; Buchanan, a few miles distant in Henry County. In 1835 Dr. B. removed to town in the place of Dr. Winchell, who had left, and in 1840 returnedjand practiced there for several years. Dr. Augustus Weaver came about 1837; John Clymer, 1840; Calvin West, 1842 or 1843, and died here; Dr. Spencer, 1847; Dr. Widiken, 1850.

The first store was kept by Levi Antrim, about 1820, in a hewed-log house, yet standing, near Newcomb's grist-mill. An early store is said to have been kept by David Hardman, and another below town, by Hastings. Wm. Baker bought out Antrim in 1831. James Gray came about 1833; Joseph Hawkins soon after. Mark E. and James E. Reeves, in 1836, bouo-lit out Hawkins, and James took charge of the store; sold his interest to Mark in 1840, when Mark came. Among the large number who followed were A. B. Knode, Wm. Lewis, Gillespie & Co., Wm. Arnold, Christopher Tajior.

Hagerstown is located at the northern terminus of the Whitewater Canal, on the Whitewater Yalley Raih-oad and the Richmond & Chicago Division of the Pittsburg, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railway, sixteen miles from Richmond.

In the year 1874 tlie town had one Christian, one Methodist, one Presbyterian and a German Baptist church, and the Hagerstown Academy. There were also four dry-goods stores, three drug stores, one hardware, one stove, one tinware, and six grocery stores, one planing-mill, one machine shop and a barrel factory. There were also one Odd Fellows' Lodge, one Encampment, and one Masonic Lodge.

The mercantile interests were represented as follows: Dry goods - Beck & Stonebraker, Stonebraker & Brumback, Nehemiah Cheesman, D. P. Slifer. Druggists - Walker & Dilling. Allen & Co., Walter Rogers. Hardware - H. Shiveley & Co. Stoves and tinware - E. Brown. Grocers - Wm. Dolley, Wilson Thornburg, H. D. Root, H. Lontz, John Lontz, Hannibal Matthews.

Business Interests Of 1884

They have two hotels, the Newcomb House and the Hinman House, one graded school, one bank, four churches, one Masonic lodge, one Odd Fellows lodge, one G. A. R. post, two livery stables, five dry-goods stores, seven groceries, three hardware stores, three drug stores, four b*oot and shoe stores, with the usual complement of other industries; one carriage manufactory, employing six hands; one newspaper, the jE^xponent/ one grist-mill, both by steam and water-power. This mill was first erected by Edmund Taylor as a woolen-mill in the year 1847, and was, in 1850, converted into a flouring mill bj Geo. Gillespie. It is now owned by Zacbariah Teeter, having the past year been thoroughly remodeled and is now considered one of the best mills in Eastern Indiana. The first house erected in Hagerstown was put up by Jesse and Henry Harris, sons of Jonas. David Piatt came next. The farmers and others who settled around there were from the vicinity of Hagerstown, Md., and they gave this name to .the village wben platting. The postoffice is an old one, havinobeen established in 1828 and was called Nettle Creek postoffice, and was kept in the little log store mentioned in another place as the incipient village. The office now is of some importance. Tiie amount of stamps, postal cards, etc., sold from July 1, 1882, to July 1, 1883, amounted to $1,512.31:. The office has been a money-order office since 1869, and Mr. A. 0. Walker, the present Postmaster, has held a continuous term for fifteen years, having taken the office in 1869.

M. E. Church. - This church wats established in 1840, and the members in the following year erected a small frame church which is now owned and used by the Disciples. The founders of the church were Rev. John Sullivan, then preaching on the Centreville circuit, and the members, Willis P. Davis and wife, Greenbury Savoy and wife, Mary Wynn, Dr. Manlove, L. Reed and wife, who lived in town, and Isaac Peirce and wife, and Thos. Livingston and wife, who lived near by in the country. Within about one j ear after, Elijah Van Sandt, Silas Ruggles, Bezaleel Taylor, James Linn, Joseph Manifold, Thomas Test and their wives joined. In 1877 they erected their handsome brick church about two squares south of the old one, which was on Perry street, and at this time have eighty-five members, and a Sabbath-school, kept up the year round, and the church and school are in a flourishing condition. Of their preachers whose names are remembered were: John Kiger, John Sullivan, M. Miller, Caldwell Robbins,

Presbyterian Church. - This church was formed Nov. 20, 1852, by the Rev. R. M. Overstreet, and Revs. Robt. Irwin and R. B. Abbott, pastors of Union and Hopewell churches, a committee appointed by the Presbytery of Muncie to assist in its organization. The first members were: Parker Jewett and wife, Wm. M. Dolley and wife, David Robertson and wife, F. K. Jenks and wife, Washington Robertson and wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Hughes, Mrs, Samuel Elliott, Mrs. James Buchanan, Mrs. Geo. Knode, Betsy Sennington, Michael Roney and Maria Henry. John Shearer and David Robertson were chosen Elders; Parker Jewett and Washington Robertson, Deacons. Their first minister was R. M. Overstreet, for two years. He was followed by the Rev. Mr. Laird, and he by the Rev. Mr. Montfort. The first church building was of brick, erected in 1854:, the building committee being Rev. R. M. Overstreet, Samuel Elliott, Parker Jewett and F. K. Jenks. The lot was donated by Geo. Gillespie, but was traded for a half lot on which the church was erected, being considered more convenient. In December, 1855, Michael Roney and F. K. Jenks were elected Deacons. The following ministers ha?e been connected with the church as pastors, viz.: R. B. Abbott, William Armstrong, William H. llolliday, H. K. Kennigh, H. M. Shockley, George Long, John H. Aughey, S. S. Potter and J. M. Lawbach. The present pastor is the Rev. S. F. Beach, and the membership is thirty-one. They have a successfal Sabbath-school in connection with the church.

The Christian Church was organized in April, 1867, and its first record shows twenty- four members as taking part in its formation. The ministers officiating were: William T. Washington and James T. Lynn. Of the members who joined at the time were: William Stonebraker, James Mc- Neill, James W. Strode, Charles Earl and their wives, the wife of Daniel W. Mason, the wife and daughter of Jacob Bowman, James Stonebraker, Jane Beck. They worshiped in Melodeon Hall until 1869, when they built their present substantial brick church, on the corner of Washington and South Market streets, at a cost of some $12,000.

The membership at this time is ninetj-six, and the Rev. William T. Warbington continued as pastor until September, 1883. The Sabbath-school is conducted the year round, and prajer-meetings once a week. The church has existed since 1825, in the Stonebraker settlement, south of town. Samuel Boyd, a Revolutionary soldier, was their iirst preacher, and next, Elijah Martindale.

The Disciples Church was organized in December, 1877, by Brother B. M. Blount. Fifteen members joined, three only of whom were male persons, these being: Dr. C. M. Blount, Watkins Williams and Elisha Brown. They at Iirst purchased the old M. E. church property before spoken of. The church may be said to be yet in its infancy. A Sunday-school is kept up with an average attendance of sixty scholars. Preaching is regularly held once a month by the Rev. W. F. Ackerson, of Muncie. They have service each Sunday morning, and the Sunday-school in the afternoon. They have had regular preaching since its organization, excepting the years 1881 and 1882.

" The German Baptist church (known also as Dunkers and Tunkers) was organized about the year 1824, its members residing in the townships of Jefferson and Jackson, and in adjacent townships in Henry County. Among its early members were: David and Aaron Miller, Benjaraan Bowman, John Ritter, Jonas Hoover, Samuel Filer, David Hardman, Benjamin Hardman, John XJlrich, Jacob Caylor, Henry Crull, and Samuel Cripe. Meetings were first held at private houses, in groves, barns, etc., until their meeting-house was built, one and one-half miles southwest of Hagerstown, about the year 1843. Their first preachers were: David and Aaron Miller, and Benjamin Bowman, the first ordained Elder, succeeded by John Bowman, David Hardman, Zachariah Albaugh, Daniel Bowman, Jacob Bowman, John Holler, David Bowman, Lewis Kinsey, William Lindley, Daniel Smith. All but Holler, Kinsey, David Bowman, and Smith became Elders. Early Deacons were : Jacob Caylor, Benjamia Hardman, John Hardman, John Ulrich. This church has, for the accommoiation of its members, three other meetinghouses: One, six miles northwest of Hagerstown, in Henry County; one, five miles southwest, also in Henry County; and another, four miles northwest, in Jeiferson Township. The members attending worship in these different houses constitute but one church. Preachers are elected by the members of the church, male and female. Elders are chosen from the preachers, who, after sufficient trial, have given evidence of faithfulness and ability. The office of elder is the highest in the church. Deacons are chosen in the same manner as elders."

Heneosh Adelphon Lodge, No. 25, /. 0.0. F., was instituted at Hagerstown, Jan. 20, 1846. Its charter members were: Robert Gordon, Benj. Lippencott, Christopher Taylor, Jr., Philo Johnson and A. Cunningham. The lodge erected a fine hall in 1881, the equal of any building in the town. It is three stories high, of brick, 41x90 feet in size, with a height of fifty-three feet. The hall occupies the third story, and is splendidly finished and furnished, including a fine organ. The membership is fifty, and meetings are held once a week. The present offitiers are: H. C. Knode, N. G.; Rudolph Quickie, V. G.; Frank Baldridge, Secretary; J. Bell, Rec. Sec, and Knode Porter, P. G.

Biographical

Ithamar Bowman was born in Henry County, Ind., a son of David and Ruth Bowman. He was married Sept. 10, 1876, to Susannah Hardman, daughter of Gabriel and Anna Hardman. They have two children, a son and a daughter - Carrie, aged three years, and Clinton D., aged one year. Mr. Bowman resides on a portion of his father-in-law's farm,. He and his wife are highly esteemed by a large circle of acquaintances.

John Bowman was born in Henry County, Ind., Aug. 2, 1841. In 1855 he came with his parents to Wayne County, where his father purchased a farm in Harrison Township. In 1858 he purchased 160 acres in Jefferson Township, near Hagerstown. In 1860 Mr. Bowman began teaching school, and taught during the winter months until 1874, devoting the summer seasons to the farm. In 1874 he bought forty acres of his father's farm. That same year he was elected Trustee of Jefferson Township, and re-elected in 1876 and 1878. In 1879 he purchased a home in Hagerstown, where he now resides. He also bought a stock of groceries. His business qualifications were soon recognized by the people of the town and he soon gained for himself an important place in the commercial interests of Hagerstown. In 1880 he sold his stock of groceries to Mr. Puffenberger, having been elected Cashier of the Commercial Bank of Hagerstown, a position he still holds. The same year he was elected County Commissioner, and re-elected in 1882. Mr. Bowman was married

Sept. 11, 1862, to Martha A. Mason, a native of Jefferson Township. They have one son, Edward E., born Aug. 30, 1863. He is now running a grocery store purchased by his father Jan. 1, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are members of the Christian church. In politics he is a Republican, and is one of the party's most earnest supporters. He is a man of pleasant address and unassuming manners, and merits the confidence and esteem he inspires where known.

David Brown was born in Washington County, Md., Nov. 11, 1814. He was married Jan. 15, 1837, to Ann Maria Knode, a native of Washington Countjs Md., born May 11, 1815. They have had a family often children, but five now living. Samuel Harrison was born Jan. 22, 1840; married Margaret Fonts, and lives on a farm in Dalton Township, Wayne County. They have two children - Oscar A., aged nineteen, and Alma, aged fourteen; Thomas Theodore was born Jan 20, 1845, married Martha Houser and lives in Clinton, Mo.; Ann Amelia, born Sept. 18, 1846, is the wife of W. G. Burns and resides at home, Mr. Burns managing the farm. They have one daughter, Ellen Adelaide. Oliver Denton, born April 16, 1850, married Amanda R. Groves in January, 1871. She died Jan. 20, 1873, and in the fall of 1878, he married Minnie Horning. He resides in Clinton, Mo. He has two sons - Harrison Y., aged twelve, and Clarence E., aged three years. Georgie Ella was born Sept. 27, 1853, and is the wife of Adam Rowe, of Jefferson Township. Mr. Brown removed to Wayne County, Ind., in 1851, and for seven years rented a farm of 160 acres of A. B. Knode. In 1858 he bought 136 acres where he now resides, two miles north of Hagerstown, on the West River pike. Politically Mr. Brown is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the German Baptist church.

H. J. Day^ son of Thomas L. and Elza Jane (Truitt) Day, was born in Hillsboro, Ohio, Nov. 14, 1850. His parents subFequently removed to New York City, and, when he was six years old, to Washington C. H., Fayette Co., Ohio, where his father was eng^iged in the grocery business, and where he learned the trade of a printer in the office of the Ohio State Register. About 1871 they removed to Ross County, near

Chillicothe, where his father bought a farm, which he sold in 1876, and removed to Hagerstown, Ind.,and H. J. bought a o-rocery store and the Hagerstown Exponent. He was married Aug. 6, 18T7, to Rebecca Castator, daughter of Elijah and Amelia Castator, early settlers of Wayne County. Mr. Castator was for many years an undertaker and cabinet maker of Hagerstown, but has been living a retired life the past two years. He is now seventy-two years old. Mr. Day's mother died at Greenfield, Highland Co., Ohio, in 1874. S. P. Gibson was born in Jeiferson Township, Wayne Co., Ind., Sept. 13, 1828, a son of Samuel and Ann (Pollard) Gibson. His grandfather, John Gibson, came to the county in 1815, and entered 160 acres of land in Jefferson Township. Mr. Gibson has a tine farm of 100 acres. He was married Nov. 16, 1851, to Rebecca, daughter of John and Malinda (Brooks) McLucas, a native of Jefferson Township. They have had five children - John S., the eldest, was married to Mary Whitesel of Perry Township, and in 1877 removed to Kansas, where he died in 1879, leaving a wife and two children; Louisa E. is the wife of Isaac Hays of Jefferson Township; James M. married Julia Cromer, and is a farmer of Jefferson Township; Dora B. is the wife of Oscar Barr, a furniture dealer of Hagerstown; William W. is unmarried and lives in Kansas. Politically, Mr. Gibson is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal

Isaac A. Peirce, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Greene County, Tenn., April 17,1820, a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Henderson) Peirce, natives of Virginia. His parents came to Wayne County, Ind., in October, 1821. He remained with them till his marriage, May 20, 1844, to Fanny Pollard, a native of Wayne County, and a daughter of Samuel and Ruth Pollard, who removed from Kentucky to Wayne Countv in 1818. Mr. and Mrs. Peirce have had a family of five children. George M. enlisted in 1864 in the One Hundred and Forty -fourth Indiana Infantry, and from the effects of exposure of camp life, having contracted the measles, and an injury received from an insane companion falling upon him from an upper berth, died two years after his return home. Allen W. and Timothy are both single and at home. Stephen is married and lives in Garnett, Kan. Frank K. married and lives on a farm near home. Mr. and Mrs. Peirce are members of the Methodist church. He is a member of Hencosis Adelphon Lodge, No. 25, I. O. O. F., and Lodge No. 49, F. & A. M. He is an uncompromising temperance man, having been amemberof every organization in the interest of temperance since he became a man. His whole soul is in the work, and he never fears to advocate the principles of Prohibition. He has a fine farm of 368 acres near Hagerstown, and is highly respected by all who know him.

Eli Petty was born in Winchester, Randolph Co., Ind., Nov. 23, 1827, and came with his parents to Wayne County in 1831. He was married Oct. 23, 1850, to Elizabeth Thornburgh. To them were born eight children, seven now living- - Florence, the eldest, wheti six years of age, fell from a chair into an open fire-place and was so badly burned that she onlj lived fourteen hours; Delphina is the wife of Minus Fox a. farmer of Jefferson Township; Rebecca N. married Charles- Rudy, of Indianapolis; Frances married H. C. Knode, of Hagerstown; Lawrence Z. is a grocer of Hagerstown in company with his father and John Starr, the firm being Starr & Co. Margaret, Minnie B. and Victoria, reside with their parents. Mr. Petty owns a fine farm of 560 acres in Jefferson Township. He lived on a farm twenty-eight years and then moved to Hagerstown. He is a man of sterling integrity, a Republican in politics and an earnest supporter of the party. He is a member of no church, but is a liberal supporter of any means by which mankind may be bettered and the standard of morality elevated. Mrs. Petty is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Oliver B. Stout is one of the substantial farmers of Wayne County, owning 295 acres of as good land as can be found in the county, acquired by energy and industry, stimulated by the assistance of a most estimable wife. His father was a native of New Jersey and his mother of Virginia. He was married Mar^h 8, 1816, to Jennie Guliek, daughter of Henry and Mary A. Galick, of Hamilton County, Ohio.

They have a family of seven children - Elbert M., Milton J,, Charles E., Catharine, Maud, William and Minnie. Catharine is the wife of Allen W. Jameson, a carriage-maker of Hagerstown. Milton married Elizabeth Howard, of Preble County, Ohio, and lives on and farms a portion of his father's land.

John R. Thomhurgh was born Nov. 5, 1824, within a few rods of where he now resides in Jefferson Township. He is the second son of Jesse and Margaret (Warren) Thornburgh. His grandfather, Walter Thornburgb, came from East Tennessee to Wayne County in an early day and entered a thousand acres of land . His grandfather, James Warren, was an early settler of Economy, Perry Township, Wayne County. His parents were married about 1820 and had a family of ten children. John H. was reared on the farm which he now owns. He was married June 1, 1845, to Harriet Parsons, daughter of Benjamin and Martha (Garrison) Parsons, who came to this county from New Jersey about 1814. They have a family of seven children - -William W. married Rachel Conway, and lives in Clay Township; Nelson B. married Elizabeth Dolly, who lived but a short time after their marriage, and he subsequently married Mollie 'Wilson, and resides in Jefferson Township; Martha is the wife of J. A. Locke, of Dalton Township; Alice resides at home; Hattie is the wife of Bennett Weaver, of Hagerstown; Noble A. married Clara Lamb and resides in Clay Township; May is the wife of Monroe Sherry, of Jefferson Township. In 1878 Mr. Thornburgh was nominated by the Pepublican party to represent Wayne County in the Legislature, his competitor for nomination being Bronson A. Harris, of Clay Township, one of Wayne County's most substantial men. He was elected to the position over Isaac A. Peirce, of Jefferson, Greenback, and a Mr. Beeson, of Washington Township, Democrat. He served with great credit to himself and the satisfaction of his constituents. Mr. Thornburgh has 273 acres of fine land in Jefferson Township and 106 acres in Clay Township. He is a public-spirited man and has the esteem and respect of all who know him. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church.

Alexander C. Walker was born Oct. 30, 1840, in Ripley County, Ind., a son of James H. Walker, M. D. He early learned the cooper's trade and worked at it until seventeen years of age. He then worked at farming until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. He enlisted at the nrst call for three months' men but his company was not called out. July 6, 1861, he enlisted for three years in Company B, Nineteenth Indiana Infantry. He participated in many severe battles, among them Rappahanocks Station, White Sulphur Springs, Gainesville, Second Bull Run, Fredricksburg, Gettysburg, and the defense of Washington, D. C, July, 1864. At Gainesville, Aug. 28, 1862, he was wounded in the face and left on the field for dead. In December, 1863, he was transferred to the First Regiment Veteran Reserves and was placed on duty at the War and Treasury Department. After his return home he read medicine three years. He has been Postmaster of Hagerstown since April, 1869. He has been agent for the American Express Company, and has served as Corporation Clerk, Treasurer and Assessor several terms each. He was married March 1, 1866, to Miss Mollie Bowers. They have three children - Terry Sheridan, Florence lona and Earl Washington.

Source changes here: from Memoirs of Wayne County and the City of Richmond Indiana, by Hon. Henry Clay Fox, published 1912; 160 words in this source stream.

Jefferson Township

Jefferson Township

Jefferson township lies on the west line of the county and was formed in March, 1834, from the townships of Jackson on the south and Perry on the north. Some of the best lands in the county lie in this township, the west branch of the White Water nearly dividing it in equal parts.

One of the earliest settlers was Samuel Baldridge, from Kentucky, who came to the township in 1814. Jonathan Platts, from New Jersey, early settled here also. Among other early settlers were David and Aaron Miller, Benjamin Parsons, Joseph Bowen, Samuel Reprogle, Isaac Stonebreaker, David Burkett, Jacob, John and Henry Crull, Hugh Allen, William Felton, Samuel Gibson, and John McCullough.

The first grist mill was built on Nettle creek by Daniel Burkett. Hagerstown was first laid off in 1830 and was called Elizabethtown. In 1832 it was replatted and renamed Hagerstown. The Dunkard or German Baptist church was organized about 1824 and still maintains a large congregation.