Montgomery Township

Montgomery Township

a time antedating several years the organization of the county. Highty years ago it was but a lonely expanse, inhabited only by the aborigines, and the wild game of the forest, The white man came, and with him the thrift and civilization that soon transformed a wild waste into a habitable abode of man. The sturdy pioneers were few, but compose of that material which was able to endure every hardship, and to overcome the many obstacles that fell across their comparatively lonely path. It was no enviable task to clear the timber of the sturdy forest, or to undergo the labor, inconveniencies, and even dangers of the lot of the pioneer, and yet these hardy few never flinched nor became discouraged in the part they had to perform. Indeed, to talk with the few remnants of them to-day of ye olden time, the listener will naturally conclude that those were the happiest days of their lives. Many a time has the writer in his interviews with them, been urgently pressed to remain longer, as the recollections of the past had been so vividly brought to their mind again by talking of the times of Auld Lang Syne, that it was with seeming reluctance that the interview had to close. Blessings on the worthy gray hairs; in the unknown beyond they will certainly reap a fitting reward for the services they have rendered their race. This is the best and most finely improved of all the townships in the county; and here we find the model farms, the most beautiful farm residences, furnished with many of the conveniencies of modern life.

the eye of the husbandman in the summer. The pastures are dotted with blooded stock, and the large and commodious barns are tenanted by fine horses and comfortable and handsome carriages. Beneath surrounding sheds stand the latest and best improved machinery of all kinds necessary for the successful cultivation of the soil. As one drives along the well-kept roads, feelings of pleasure well up in his breast, as field after field of golden grain or green corn meets the eye upon all

| the wayside, indicating that the wives and daughters of _ the proprietors have time for the cultivation of the taste | as well as for labor.

This township was named in honor of the Montgomery family, who were pioneers and among the most cultivated and respected people of the county. This is the largest township in Gibson County, containing 58, 522?"/100 acres. The land and improvements, including Owensville, is valued at $1,297,560. Itliesin the southwestern

_ River and White River Township, east by Patoka, south _ by Johnson and Posey Counties, and west by Posey County and Wabash Township. _ upland and bottom, about two-thirds of the former to one-third of the latter. The soil is a rich calcaro-alluyial loam, producing from forty to sixty bushels of corn and from twenty to thirty-five bushels of wheat, proportioned to the care and energy of the farmer. The bottoms grow crops of corn ranging from 50 to 80 bushels watermelons, which are shipped to the markets of Chicago, Detroit, and even as far east as New York. There is yet standing considerable amount of valuable timber, such as walnut, poplar, oak, ash, etc., some of which are of enormous size. There are four or five large ponds

_ or lakes situated in the northwestern part of the Township near the Wabash River, into which they have an outlet. They contain an abundant supply of good fish. The principal streams are the Wabash River at the north, Indian Creek and its affluents in the east, Black River, Martin's Branch and Obion Oreek in the south and Maumee Creek and its tributaries in the western and central portion of the township. These streams drain the lands and furnish a good supply of water for stock but among the very first arrivals was Thomas Montgomery, the pioneer of that numerous family now in Gibson County. Thomas Montgomery was the youngest of seven sons born to Hugh Montgomery, in Virginia, all of whom served in the Revolutionary War. In 1793 he emigrated to Kentucky, settling near Mt. Sterling, in the county that was afterward called in honor of his cousin of the famous David Crocket. In 1805, he left Kentucky and emigrated to the Indiana Territory, settling in the wilderness on the banks of Black River, in the southeast quarter of Section 13, Township 3 South, Range 12 West, where he built a rude log cabin and made his permanent home. He was a man of great endurance, was six feet in height, a great hunter, and one well fitted to endure the trials and hardships incident to pioneer life. His children were five sons, Hugh, Joseph, Thomas, Isaac, Walter, and three daughters, Polly, Jennie and Patsey. Hugh died in Kentucky, while a boy. Joseph, Thomas, Isaac, Polly who married Smith Mounts, Jennie the wife of Capt. Jacob Warrick, and Patsey whose husband was Robert McGary, were all country. Walter married Nancy Roberts after coming to the county and settled on the old place with his father. A year or two later Samuel Montgomery, a brother of Thomas Montgomery, the pioneer, emigrated to Indiana with his family, consisting of his wife and nine children, and settled just south of his brother in the same section. His wife's name was Polly McFarland, whom he married in Kentucky. The names of their children were Polly Swope, James, Robert, Benjamin, John, Samuel, Rachel Mounts, Dorcas Stone and Katie Alcorn.

came to Gibson County. All of that name now living here are descendants of either Thomas or Samuel Montgomery. The latter died in 1815, and the former in 1818.

down the Ohio River, to Red Banks, now Henderson, Ky., where he settled, and soon afterward built a horse mill. He lived here and engaged in milling, farming and trading with the Indians, for several years. He had some difficulty with the "red skins," and one time, while he was out in a maple grove, making sugar, they came and burned his cabin and carried off everythins of value that suited their fancy. Becoming dissatisfied with his location, he crossed the river and came north into the Indiana Territory and made a settlement in the southeast quarter of Section 34, Town 3 South, Range'12 West. The date of his arrival is about the same as that of Thomas Montgomery, in 1805.

site of an old Indian village, and his cabin stood near a large perennial spring of pure cold water. About 1810, he built and operated a water-mill on Black River, a few hundred yards east of his cabin. He subsequently constructed a horse mill which was in operation as late as 1840. He planted an apple orchard on his place, which was in bearing as early as 1812 or'14. His family numbered five, three sons and two daughters, that grew up, viz: - Elisha, Mary, who married a Mr. Gates: Sarah, wife of Hulm Jones; Enoch and Isaac, and all reared families in this county. William B. Kimball, of Owensville, and Jesse Kimball, of Princeton, are sons of Klisha Kimball, who was born in 1796, at Red Banks, Ky. William Kimball, residing on the old place, is a son of Isaac Kimball. Gradfather Jesse Kimball died Noy. 18, 1857.

In 1806 Thomas Sharp, Luke and William Wilcy, settled a short distance south of Owensville. The Wileys afterward moved down into Posey County, and one of them was lost ina storm and froze to death. Thomas Sharp remained here until his death, which occurred about sixty years ago. John Sharp, aged family now living. Mathias and Smith Mounts came to this territory about the same time. Smith Mounts, located in Section 24, Tp. 3, R. 12, where he resided until He was with Gen. Wayne, in the Indian wars, and at Tippecanoe. He was a fine marksman, and spent much of his time in hunting, during the first years of his settlement here. Of his family of eleven children, Smith and Thomas A., both residents of this township, are the only ones living. Garrard Mounts was quite a prominent man in the county; was an officer of militia, and at ove time county commissioner: He died in 1882. None of Mathias' Mounts' children are living in the county.

No name is more familiar to the older citizens of the county than Captain Jacob Warrick. He was a son-inlaw of Thomas Montgomery, and came with his family in 1807, locating on the northwest quarter of Section He was a man of considerable wealth, and brought with him from Kentucky quite a number of fine cattle and horses, and also slaves. He made a good improvement, and was a conspicuous and notable character among the pioneers. He had acquired the reputation of a bold and sagacious Indian fighter, in Kentucky, and when the red-skins became troublesome in 1810-'11, the citizens chose him as their leader in making preparations for their defense. At the call for militia in 1811, he organized a company of rangers, and with Gen. Harrison, participated in the battle of Tippecanoe, where he was killed, while courageously leading his men into the very thickest of the fight. His body lies buried on that famous battle-ground. His family remained in the county, and his wife married again. The old school teacher and county surveyor, Major James Smith, came with or about the same time of Captain Warrick's arrival. He was a major in the Tippecanoe campaign. He lived about two and a half miles northeast of Owensville, and died about thirty years ago. Some of his descendants are living in the state. He possessed a good education, and was a valuble man in those early times. He followed teaching and surveying for many years.

John Benson, a Pennsylvanian, emigrated to Kentucky in 1788, where he married and came to Gibson County in 1807, settling in the northwest quarter ot Section 35, Township 2, Range 12. He made an improvement, and lived in the vicinity until 1820, when he moved to Illinois. In 1816 William Benson, then a single man, came here from Kentucky, iis native state, and purchased his brother John Benson's place. He was a wheel-wright and followed his trade together with farming. Of a family of eight children, six are now living, viz : - Martha, Ellen, Louisa, Sarah, Lemira, and Sylvester, born in this county in 1828, and resided on the old homestead. Sylvester isa member of the present board of county commissioners, and is one of the largest land owners in the county. Jesse and Asa Music, from Kentucky, brothers-in-law to John Benson, settled in the same neighborhood in 1808. John Benson and Jesse Music were in the Tippecanoe battle, where the latter was mortally wounded and died on the return trip to Vincennes. Elias, William, John and Jesse Barker, brothers, and James Stewart, a half brother, all natives of Kentucky, also arrived and located in the Montgomery settlement in 1807. 'They all had families but Jesse, when they came, and he married Elizabeth, daughter of William Key, an early settler about three miles north of Owensville, and made his farm just at the north edge of that village, where he died in 1863.

Thomas Waters was another sturdy pioneer of 1807. He was a Virginian, but was reared principally in North Carolina, where he married Polly Page, and made his home in Caswell County of that state. He was twice murried and had ten children born to him. His second wife was Maitha Southerlain.

Section 4, Township 3, Range 12, where he carved out a home and continued to reside until his death, about 1825. His children that came to the county with him were William W., James R., Thomas, who died young, Parthena, the wife of John Simpson, both deceased, Sarah and Nancy. William was married and had two children when he came to this county with his father. Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Drake, came afterward, and Polly with John Gooch, her husband, came in 1845. William W. Waters left a large posterity of his children. Rachel, widow of James Fraz'er, in Illinois, and Martha, widow of William Harmon, and William P., in this township, are all of the family now living. James 2. Waters reared three daughters and two sons viz : - William A., in his seventy-second year, residing on Section 3, Township 8, Range 12; Mary, widow of Samuel P. Welborn ; Sarah, widow of James Rosborough; John L., who died in Posey County ; Eliza A., married Joseph Roberts and died without issue. Jane R. Waters died about 1845.

George and Thomas Sharp, with families of partly grown children, came in 1808, and settled about two miles southwest of Owensville. George was the first clerk of the old Salem Baptist chureh. The children married and settled around them. His son William Sharp was captain of militia, deacon in the church and quite a prominent man in his time.

Robert McGary, grandfather of Hugh D. McGary, of McGary's Station, came to Indiana Territory and settled on Section 9, Township 3, Range 11, some time in the year 1809. He moved here with his family from Kentucky. He was of Scotch Irish ancestry. For several years he served as justice of the peace. He had a large family of children, most of them born in this township. Among them were Hugh, Harrison D., Daniel, William H. and Patsey, who became the wife of a Mr. Crow, connected with one of the old families of this county. The McGarys were among the more prominent of the early scttlers, and several of the sons of Robert McGary held different official positions, in both township and county during the early days.

John Roberts located abcut three iiles north of Owensvilie at a very early date. Charles Cross, an old Revolutionary soldier and backwoodsman, became a resident at a very early date, and afterward went to Vanderburgh County. Fielding, Zachariah and Oliver Lucas were also early arrivals. William Forbes, the Overtons and Vaughns also came early.

John Armstrong, a native of North Carolina, emigrated to Kentucky from where t» 1809 he came to the Indiana Territory and settled in this township. He had seven children. His son Wiles was fond of hunting He was at the battle of Tippecanoe, and afterward captain of militia. His brother Alsberry was also at Tippecanoe. Julia was the wife of Daniel Fisher, who lived in the southern pait of the township, and was killed at the battle of Tippecanoe. Kirby was the youngest and the only one of the children

Jesse Emerson, afterward associate judge, and a very prominent and influential man in the county, came here from Kentucky, in 1811, and settled on the road leading from Owensville to Princeton, in the northwest quarter of Section 28, Township 2, Range 11. He reared alarge family, of who.n Henry Emerson, at Haubstadt, is the only one living. Reuben Emerson, brother of the above, came to the county in 1813, and settled in what is now Johnson Township. Andrew Gudgel, the pioneer of that family in this county, settled in the timber, about two miles east of Owensville, in the early part of the year, 1811. He was three times married, and left a large posterity. James Knowles, a native of Delaware, emigrated from Georgia to Indiana, in December of the same year, and made his home on the southwest quarter of Section 28, Township 3, Range 12. He brought with him his wife and nine children, viz: Nathan, Ephnam, Eli, Asa, Prettyman, James, Edward, Jesse and Comfort, the wife of Joshua Wilson. The last four named sons, were married and had families. Their family, of itself, formed quite a little colony. Nathan and Asa are still living, the latter in Kansas. Nathan was born June 17, 1795, and is still living near where his father settled, and works on his place every day. Elisha Marvel, cousin of Prettyman Marvel, came with him and afterward settled the Samuel Redman place in Johnson Township. Samuel Barr, Joshua Nichols, Thomas Sharp, Thomas Stone and William Leach were also early settlers.

These pioneer settlers experienced a great many hardships in locating in a wilderness, far distant from civilization, surrounded by wild beasts, and the fiercer red man, and it was only the bravest and most stalwart that undertook the task. They lived mostly on the wild meats of the forest, cultivating at first only small patches of Indian corn, which was attended with rifle in hand. Old Red Banks or Henderson, Kentucky, was the nearest point at which they could get the corn of whom are yet living. Joseph Wasson, a native of Tennessee, came here from Kentucky about the same date. He wasa minister-of the Christian denomination, and the founder or the Wasson families now in Gibson County. James Fitzgerauld settled the present Sylvester Benson farm in 1812. Two of his daughters, Mrs. Hiram Baker, and Mrs. William Simpson, are liying in the township. James H. Higgins, a Kentuckian aud Methodist minister, located here at a very early day. Roland B. Richards, Alfred Richards, Samuel Blythe, Absalom Boren, the Simpsons and William Rutledge were also early settlers. Samuel Kirkpatrick, who is still living in Owensville, at the age of eighty-six years, came in 1821, and the first family of Maucks, in 1821.

The earliest milling was done by horse-mills. Jesse Kimball built one on his place as early as 1810. James Montgomery had a similar one in 1811. Thomas Johnson and Jacob Mowery also had mills of the same discription, Several of the farmers had stills and made John Hunter, who opened a shop on his place in 1808, was the first blacksmith. The earliest resident physicians were Drs. Charles Fullerton and Willis Smith. The first school that was taught in the township, was in 1808, by Joseph Dunlap, an eastern man. The school was held in a log cabin supply of salt, for which they paid $2.50 per bushel, and carried it home on horseback. There was always a fear of the savages, and the pioneer was always prepared for an attack. They were, however, very fortunate in not being disturbed.

gomery's place, south of Owensville, where the families gathered for protection, while nearly all the able-bodied men joined Gen. Harrison's army at Vincennes. The battle of Tippecanoe was fought November 7, 1811, peaceful pursuits. Companies of rangers were driled and kept in readiness for several years, but they were afterward troubled with the red man. After peace had been made, the country began to fill up very rapidly

In 1811, during the Indian | troubles a fort or stockade was built on Thomas Mont- | | ably prove interesting to note a few of the early town-

Jones, Sr., who located four*miles west of Owensville. He married Eleanor, daughter of Jacob Warrick, after he came to the county. He bad eleven children, nine

22, where the Antioch church now stands, in 18138. Robert Frazier, Major James Smith, Mr. Newman, William McCollum and John Simpson, were also among the early teachers. The first house built for school on the northwest quarter of Section 10, Township 12. George Sharp was first to teach in it. It was built by It was a two dollar per scholar subscription school.

The county was organized in 1813, and it will probship officers, as taken from the records. In 1818, John W. Maddox was appointed assessor for the township; Robert Anderson, supervisor of Saline Road from John Hunter's to Black River; William Stewart, conthe poor. Peter Jones was appointed supervisor of the road between Black River and the line of Warrick Greenberry Duncan, constable; Thomas Alcorn and James Montgomery, overseers of the poor; Jesse Embree, superintendent of an election to be held at the house of Walter Montgomery and Greenberry Dancan, constable. In 1815, Thomas Sharp and Reuben Alsop were appointed overseers of the poor. In 1816, Joseph Montgomery, Williasn McCormick and Thomas Alcorn were appointed road commissioners. Samuel C. Hiram was appointed tax lister; James Johnson, constable, and Jesse Emerson and James Smith, overseers of the poor. In 1818, Thomas Stone, James Montgomery and Thomas Alcorn were appointed commissioners to adjust accounts of overseers of the poor; Walter Montgomery and Reuben Alsop, overseers of the poor, and Joseph Montgomery, superintendent of schools. William Sharp was appointed constable; Philip Brisco, inspecior of elections; Samuel Montgomery, constable, and Roland B. Richards and Philip Brisco overseers of the poor, in 1819. In 1820 Reuben Alsop, constable; Philip Brisco, inspector of election; Samuel Montgomery, assessor; and Joseph Montgomery and Joseph Somers, overseers of the poor.

For a more complete account of the early settlers, their trials and hardships, their customs, habits and modes of living, we refer the reader to the chapter on Pioneers," and to other gerieral chapters in the front county seat, in the heart of one of the finest agricultural districts in the state. It was laid out on the northeast quarter of Section 12, Township 3, Range 12, by Philip Brisco, in February, 1817, the plat being recorded on the eighteenth of that month. The original town numbered fifty-two lots and five out lots, with streets sixty-

For a few years prior to the laying out of the town, Willis Alsop, who lived in a log house, kept for sale a small stock of goods, such as groceries, whiskey, dry goods, etc., and might properly be termed the first merchant, although his business was conducted on a very small scale. John McFadden built a log store-house on Main Street, half a block north of the square, a short time after the town was laid out, and opened a very good general stock of goods. He continued in business here for about ten years, when he moved to Missouri, where he was called from his house and shot.

The leading and most important business man in the early history of Owensville was John C. Warrick, son of Capt. Jacob Warrick, He began a general mercantile business here about 1820, which he carried on very extensively, buying and shipping immense quantities of pork, grain and produce. His store stood on the corner southeast of the public square. It was a frame building, one story high, part of which now forms a portion of Thomas Emerson's residence. Mr. Warrick was an energetic, careful business man, and acquired a large fortune. He erected a large wareliouse on the Wabash River, where his pork and grain was stored during the winter, and when navigation was opened in the spring, they were loaded on great flatboats, which had been constructed for that purpose, and floated down the rivers to New Orleans. He was the first postmaster, and owned and controlled the village and business for several years. About 1836 or 1838 he built a steam saw and flouring-mill. It had three run of buhrs, and was considered a large mill in that day. He also built several frame dwellings, and invited and encouraged other business men to locate in the town. He built the present Jaquess House, intending it for his residence, but died before it was completed. At his death in January, 1847, he was carrying on probably the heaviest mercantile business, and had the largest estate, of any man in the county. He had no children.

About 1845 and 1850 other merchants and business men began coming, and it began to assume the proportions of a town. There was a woolen mill in operation at one time, that did quite an extensive business.

On the morning of June 29, 1876, the whole solid front of store buildings, on the east side of the square, except the northeast corner brick, were swept away by fire, with a loss of about $40,000. They were all frame buildings, except the one above mentioned. Several fine two-story brick structures now stand in their place.

In 1820 there were not more than five or six houses in the place. Since then 1t has kept up a gradual increase in wealth and population, until it now contains over 700 inhabitants. There are a number of good stores, and the merchants are an energetic class, who are striving to build up theirtown. The streets in some places are well shaded andhave gool plank sidewalks. There are a number of fine brick and frame residences, and all speak well of the enterprise of her citizens.

The town contains five churches; the General Baptist and Regular Baptist are frame buildings, and the Cumberland Presbyterian and the Methodist are brick, all neat and well furnished houses of worship. The present two and a half story brick school-house was erected in 1876, at a cost of nearly $8,000. It has four rooms, two in each story. The school is graded and employs four teachers.

Sumner's Hatz occupies the second story of a commodious brick business house, and has a seating capacity of 350, with opera chairs in front and elevated seatsin the rear. The stage is 22x24 feet, with a full set of scenery.

Incorporation. - The town was incorporated under the general state laws relating to the incorporation of cities and towns, October 4, 1881. The first board of trustees were James Montgomery, Hiram Westfall and James A. Robinson; clerk, L. P. Hobgood; treasurer, J. F.

Bird; marshal, Augusta Kepley. The present board are James C. Pruitt, John F. Smith and John W. Steelman; clerk, R. P. McGinnis; treasurer, J. F. Bird; marshal, James Wilhite,

Socrrtres. - Stewart Lodge, No..197, I. O. O. F., was organized December 2, 1856. It has a membership of twenty-three, and is in good working and financial condition. Owensville Lodge, No. 364, F. and A. M., was chartered May 27, 1868, and has a membership of forty.

OwensvitLe Burmpine Loan Association was organized Feb. 24, 1884, with a capital stock of $50,000. It is in a good financial condition. L. P. Hopgood, president; H. L. Strickland, treasurer; John Williams, cashier.

Mitits. - Owensville Elevator Mill was erected in 1880, by Scott & Hudelson, and now owned and operated by L. C. Hudelson. It is a frame building, two and a half stories high. capacity of 400 bushels. Extra Family and New Pro cess are excellent brands of flour.

The Imperial Star Mill was built by John C. Warrick, over forty years ago, and was the first mill in the township. It has been owned and operated by several different parties. It now has four run of buhrs and is the property of John G. Tremor.

is located on the Mt, Vernon branch of the EH. & T. H. R. R., onthe southwest quarter of Section 10, Township 8, Range 11 West, on the farm of Hugh D. McGary. It is situated in the midst of a fine agricultural district. Mr. McGary is the agent of the railroad com pany and Adams Express Company. He opened a general store here in 1880, and his business has gradually increased. He buys and sells grain and general farm products. In 1880 a postoffice was established here with Mrs. Sarah C. McGary as postmaster.

Edd Harbor

is the name of a little settlement in the southwestern part of the township with a general store kept by T. B. Creek, physician, J. N. Neely, and blacksmith T. A. Johnson. There is a church, school-house and about half a dozen residences. :

The Benson family on the paternal side are of Irish ancestry. James Benson, the grandfather, emigrated from Ireland to America before the Revolutionary War, and was a soldier under Washington in that struggle. He settled in Pennsylvania, and 1787 went to Kentucky and stopped in Bourbon County, at Millers' Station, and there died. He married Mary Taylor, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1760, at Little York. She died in this county. There was a large family of children; none are now living. who was born at Miller's Station, Bourbon County, Ky., March 31, 17938. He was a wheelwright by trade. He was a soldier in the Indian wars in the Northwest, and was stationed at Detroit. 1816 and settled in Posey County and worked at his trade for a man by the name of William Davis. after he came up to Gibson County and purchased eighty acres of land on Section 36, Town 2, Range 12, West, which was entered by his brother John in 1815. In 1819 he married, and then commenced improving his land, still also working at his trade. He remained on the eighty acres spoken of until 1829, then moved to the south of Owensville on the road to Cynthiana and there lived until his death, which occurred son of Daniel and Rebecca Hulfish. The family is of German descent. In 1854 Daniel Hulfish left Philadelphia and came West to Marion County, Indiana, and and daughter of William and Jane (Thompson) Leach, The Leach's came from Kentucky to Indiana in 1813. Her marriage took place April 19, 1819, and she died Aug. 8, 1866. There were eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Benson. One of the sons was William C., who was a soldier in the One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and was killed at the battle of Kingston, N. C., March 10, 1865. Sylvester, the subject of this sketch, was born July 10, 1823, in Gibson County, Ind. He learned the trade of wheelwright with his father. He remained at home until the fall of 1845, when his father gave him eighty acres of land, seven acres of which was improved. From that small beginning he has added to until he is now one of the largest land holders in the county. On the 10th of July, 1867, he married Nancy Ann Ewing, who was born in Jasper, Dubois County, Ind. She is the daughter of Moses and Nancy (Stillwell) Ewing. Her father was a native of North Carolina, and her mother of Virginia. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Benson. Their names in the order of their births, are William C., James E., Benjamin F., John G., Lucella died in her third year, Luther, Margaret and Lilly Benson. Politically, Mr. Benson is a Republican. In 1876 he was elected one of the board of commissioners of the county, and re-elected in 1879, and 1882, fever. and remained there until 1857, when he bronght his family West to Evansville, and in 1858 came up to Owensville, where both of his parents yet reside. Mr, Hulfish is a shoemaker by trade, and has followed it the greater part of his life. Ewing D. had but a limited education in his youth. His attainments in that direction are more the result of extensive reading and selfculture than school training. He learned the trade of |

Villaye cho. His brother, Stephen, was then in partnership with him. They edited and published the paper jointly until May 1, 1881. Since that time Mr. E. D. Hulfish has been sole editor and proprietor. On the 80th of August, 1849, he married Miss Dora Sherrill, a native of Tennessee, anda daughter of Hiram Sherrill. She died June 9, 1877, leaving three children. But one is living, whose name is Stephen Hulfish. Politically, Mr. H. is a zealous and staunch Democrat, though his paper is neutral or independent in tone.

Feb. 7, 1840. The family is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. They settled in Kentucky, and some of them were the companions of Daniel Boone in the early history of that state.

soon after the early Indian wars. He was a colonel of a Kentucky regiment in that struggle. man, fearless of danger, and was renowned for his prowess and daring on the field of battle. first on a farm upon which Evansville now stands. He sold out to Evans, after whom the city was named. Robert, the brother of Hugh and grandfather of Hugh D. McGary, was born in Kentucky and came to the territory in 1809. He settled on Section 9, Township 8, Range 11 West, and there died between the years of 1840 and 1845. married Miss Davis in Kentucky. She died here also. Of the children of that union, was Harrison D. Mce- Gary. He was also born in Kentucky, and was a sol-

His first wife was Hettie Gudgel, who died without issue. He subsequently married Nancy Pritchett. She was the widow of Ebenezer Cooper, and was born in North Carolina. She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Ashby) Pritchett. Her parents came to Indiana in 1810. She died in August, 1878. Three children were born to her, whose names are Hugh D., member of Company A, Fifty-eighth Indiana Regiment, and was killed at the battle of Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862; Joseph K., the youngest of the family, is'a farmer and resident of this county. He was a private in Company EH, 42 Indiana Volunteers, and remained until the close of the war. He married Rebecca OC. Weed. ,

Springfield. While he was in Illinois the war broke out. He very promptly enlisted in Company D, of the Sixteenth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was organized at Quincy. The date of his enlistment was May 11, 1861. He remained in the service until the expiration of his term of enlistment and was mustered

He returned home to Gibson County and engaged in farming and has continued in that business to the present. After the railroad was built he commenced buying and shipping grain, in which business he also continues. On Sept. 26th, 1867, he married Sarah C. Weed, daughter of Z. M. and Keziah Weed. Mrs. McGary was born in Gibson County. Three children have been born

Both he and his wife are members of the General Baptist Church. Politically, he is a sound Republican and has always voted He is a member of Stephen

Source changes here: from History of Gibson County, Indiana : Her People, Industries and Institutions, with Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, by Stormont, Gil R, published 1914; 1,713 words in this source stream.

Montgomery Township

This township was named for the Montgomery family, who were pioneers of the locality and one of the most prominent families of the early days. The real history of the township begins before the organization of the county, when the settlers were just beginning to lead their wagon trains through the trackless wilderness and to find homes. Montgomery township was settled early by these heroic travelers. This township is the largest in the county and one of the largest and best in the state of Indiana. It lies in the southwestern part of the county, bounded on the north l)y White river township and the Wabash river, east by Patoka township, south by Johnson and Posey counties, and west by Posey county and Wabash township.

The soil of Montgomery township is about two-thirds up-land and onethird low-land, the richer soil being made of calcaro-alluvial loam, of high productive power. There are four or five small lakes located in the northwestern part of the township, emptying into the Wabash river. The principal streams besides the Wabash, are Indian creek, Black river, Martin's branch, Obion creek and Maumee creek.

E.-Xrly Settlement

The identitv of the first white settler in this township is not known for certain. Thomas Montgomery, however, was one of the earliest arrivals here, coming from Kentucky, building a cabin near Black river, and lodging his family therein. In the same year, 1805, Jesse Kimball also came up from Kentucky in search of new fields for his merchandising trade. He later owned a water mill in this township. In 1806 Thomas Sharp, William and Luke Wiley came to within a short distance of Owensville. Mathias and Smith Mounts came about this time, then Jacob Warrick, John Benson, Thomas Waters. George and Thomas Sharp, Robert McGary, John Roberts, John Armstrong of North Carolina, Jesse Emerson, Andrew Cudgel, James Knowles, Elisha Marvel, Samuel Barr. Thomas Sharp, Joshua Nichols, William Leach and Thomas Stone.

These pioneers cultivated Indian corn in small patches, relying at first mostly on the game of the surrounding forest. The red man was hostile and they were compelled to be ever on guard. Old Red Banks, of Henderson, Kentucky, was the nearest location of a grist-mill where they could get their corn ground, and their supply of salt came from the saline wells in southern Illinois, to which place a trip was usually made once each year, and they paid two dollars and five cents per bushel for the salt. In 1811, when the Indian trouble appeared at its worst, a stockade was built on Thomas Montgomery's place south of Owensville, and here the families gathered for protection. After the battle of Tippecanoe the soldiers returned and took up their various pursuits. About 18 12 other settlers began to pour into the township, among them being Charles Jones, Sr., James Fitzgerald, Roland B. Richards, Alfred Richards, Samuel Blythe, Absalom Boren, William Rutledge and the Simpsons. The first family of Maucks came in 182 1, and Samuel Kirkpatrick in 1 82 1 also.

Montgomery township milling was mostly done by horse mills. Jesse Kimball, James Montgomery, Thomas Johnson and Jacob Mowry were owners of some of these early mills. Distilling whiskey was another favorite occupation of the farmer. John Hunter was the first blacksmith ; the earliest resident physician was Charles Fullerton, and soon after came Willis Smith. The first school was taught by Joseph Dunlap in 1808. John Wasson, Robert Frazier, Major James Smith, William McCollum and John Simpson were others of the first pedagogues.

The town of Owensville is situated on the Mt. \'ernon branch of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, and is eleven miles southwest of the city of Princeton. The town was originally laid out by Philip Brisco, of Kentucky, and he named it after Thomas Owens of that state. Willis Alsop kept the first store in this town, keeping general goods, including whiskey.

On October 4, 1881, the town was incorporated and the first I)oard of trustees was composed of James Montgomery, Hiram Westfall and James .\. Robinson. L. P. Hobgood was the clerk and J. F. Bird the treasurer.

Before it be forever lost from the records of the county, let it be stated here that the beginning -and early development of Owensxille was aliout as follows: For a few years prior to the platting of the town. Willis Also]), who lived in a log house, kept for sale a small slock of gonds, such as groceries, whiskey, dry goods, etc.. and may well he known as the pioneer merchant, though indeed a small l:)usiness was transacted by him. John McFadden built a log store on Main street, a half block from the square to the north. There he put on sale a fairly good stock of general merchandise. He continued in trade ten years, then moved to Missouri, where he was called from his house and shot. The leading early business was transacted by John C. Warrick, son of Capt. Jacob C. Warrick. He began business as a merchant about 1820. He dealt on a large scale, buying much produce and shipped immense quantities of grain and other commodities. His store stood on the southeast corner of the public square. It was a one-story frame building. Warrick amassed a large fortune, as counted those days. He erected a large warehouse on the Wabash river, where his grain and pork was stored during the winter, and when navigation opened up in the springtime they were loaded on great flat-boats (such as Lincoln used to work on) and floated down the great rivers to the sea. He was also the first postmaster and held many large interests in Owensville. In 1838 he finished a steam saw-mill, to which was added a flouring-mill with three run of l)uhrs. He urged other business men to locate there and was a genuine hustler. At his death, in 1847, he was carrying on the largest business of any one man in Gibson county. He left no heirs.

Coming down to the morning of June 29, 1876, the whole solid Iront of store buildings on the east side of the square was swept away by fire, causing a loss of forty thousand dollars. The structures were all frame, save the one above named as being on the corner. Several fine brick buildings were later erected on lots where part of these buildings stood.

Thirteen hundred and fifty people now compose the town of Owensville, the third largest in the county. The town has had a rapid growth and ranks high among towns of similar size in this portion of the state. The officers at present are : Grant Teel, A, W. Thompson and F. A, Strehl, trustees; Charles N. Emerson, clerk: E. H. Summers, treasurer, and Sylvester Selby, marshal. A town hall was built in 1911 and cost three thousand four hundred and twenty-five dollars. There is at present about one thousand five hundred dollars in the city treasury.

\Vater is supplied the town by the Owensville Water, Light, Power and Heat Company. An ordinance was granted the National Company of South Bend on February 7, 1912, and on the 15th another ordinance was passed issuing bonds to the total of ten thousand dollars for the purpose of buying one hundred and ninety-seven shares of stock in this same company. The Owensville Light Company is a private concern, owned and operated by James A. Walker. This compan\- was installed in 1905 by an Evansville corporation, then became the firm of Smith & Walker, and now is owned exclusively by Walker. A Metallic Batten Company has just been organized in Owensville and is capitalized at ten thousand dollars.

The Iiusiness interests of 1913 are as follows: Drugs, H. L. Strickland; tailor, Fred Johnson; furniture, W. F. Short; jeweler, J. N. Hurst; blacksmith, F. M. Thompson; baker, N. O. Basford; insurance and real estate. Frank W. Boren; plumbing and heating, S. A. Parker; contractor, Rufus T. Murnahan ; poultry, Strupe & Fravel ; garage, John G. Embree ; meat market, Kight & Boren ; hardware. Marvel & Montgomery ; meats, Schmittler & Murphy; department store, Abe Massey; livery, John Montgomery; Thompson Hardware Company; wagons, J. W. Ray; lumber, Shepler & Grimwood; restaurant, S. J. Knowles; barber, H. R. Kennett; department store, George R. Welborn; groceries, Wetter & Harris, Arthur Emerson; hotels, Owensville Hotel, L. P. Hobgood, Central Hotel, Mrs. Delia Phillips; stock dealers, John Montgomery, Massey & Mauck. The physicians in Owensville are G. B. Beresford, J. N. Williams, K. S. Strickland, T. L. Lockhart, M. A. Montgomery, James R. Montgomery. J. D. Emerson. Otto Bixler, and Dr. Brumfield are the dentists. The town of Owensville has two papers, the Owensville Star-Echo, a weekly, and The Messenger, a religious paper.

The Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad through Owensville was built in 1879. The first train over this road was run in September, 1879, and was a combination passenger and freight, a passenger excursion, run free of charge to all Montgomery township rseidents who wished to go to Princeton. The line extends between Fort Branch and Mt. Vernon, and at present runs four trains a day.

Montgomery township is one of the finest in Indiana. There is very rich land for agriculture throughout, and the value is greatly enhanced by the long stretches of hard-packed rock roads, about thirty miles of macadam, which lead into Owensville.

The First National Bank of Owensville was organized on May 17, 1900, and chartered the same year. The first officers were : C. B. Smith, president; L. F. Weldon, vice-president; Alex. Emerson, cashier. The first and present capital stock is $25,000. The surplus now is $25,000 and the deposits $120,000. The present officers are the same as the first, with the exception of cashier, now Charles N. Emerson. The bank building was erected in 1900, and cost $4,000.

The Owensville Banking Company was organized on May 14, 1900, and chartered also in that year. The first officers were : R. P. McGinnis, president ; Grant Teel, cashier. The present officers are : George T. Keneipp, president ; John W. Emerson, vice-president ; Grant Teel, cashier. The first and present capital stock is $28,000; the surplus is $26,500, and the deposits $100,000. The bank building cost $3,500 and was erected in 1889.