MOUNT PLEASANT is situated in the southwestern part of the county, Salem, the extreme southwest corner township, forming its southern boundary. On the north, it is bounded by Harrison; on the east, by Center; and on the west, by a portion of Madison county. It covers an area of seven miles of territory, extending from east to west, and five miles from north to south, amounting, in the aggregate, to 22,400 acres.
White River, the principal stream, enters the township at the eastern extremity of Section 13, and, flowing almost due west for a distance of a little more than two miles, changes its course to southwest, in which direction it continues until it finally leaves the township near the southwest corner.
Buck Creek enters at the southeast corner of the township flowing west and north, joins White River at Yorktown. This stream furnishes excellent water power, and, from early days, has been utilized for propelling milling machinery.
Mud Creek enters the northeast part of the township, and, flowing west and southwest, discharges into White River in the southern part of Section 30, while Pleasant Run, a small stream, touches the township on the north, and Bell Creek, which flows in from Salem, discharges into Buck Creek about half a mile north of the line dividing Mount Pleasant from Salem.
The surface presents a pleasing variety of features. Toward the north, it is generally level, and this condition has necessitated a large amount of artificial drainage, by means of which the low-lying lands have been redeemed, and their usefulness enhanced. In the vicinity of White River and Buck Creek, toward the central and southern portons of the township, this level upland is broken by pleasing undulations, which, in some instances, terminate in precipitous bluffs, beyond which stretch level plains of bottom land, unexcelled for fertility by any portion of the county.
The prevailing soil in the western and southern portions of the township is loam, intermixed with clay, while, between Mud Creek and White river, it is almost uniformly clay, with sandy loam in the bottoms.
Originally, a heavy growth of timber covered the surface of this township, among which the prevailing varieties were oak, walnut, poplar, ash, hickory, maple, beech, sycamore, etc.
EARLY SETTLEMENT The rich bottom lands of White River attracted the attention of land-seekers at an early day, and some of the first purchases recorded for this county at the Government land office were tracts lying in this township. The earliest record bears date September 16, 1820. The purchaser was Samuel Casman,* a half-breed, and the land whcih he entered was situated in Section 22, where Yorktown was subsequently laid out. His adoption of the white man's methods seems to have extended no farther than the purchase of his land in the usual manner, and the consumption of large quantities of whisky, of which he is said to have been inordinately fond. His first wife--a negro woman--bore him several children, and, while he still resided upon the land he owned, she died. He married again, and, after selling his land to Oliver H. Smith, removed to the Indian Reserve, In Howard or Miami County, Indiana, where he mingled with the tribes among whom his former associations had been. He wandered away from that resort after the death of his second wife, and was finally found dead in a hollow tree or log in Madison County.
*Casman is undoubtedly the proper orthography of this name, but he was more familiarly known to the settlers by the name of Cossum.
The next purchase of land in the township was made by David Hillis, October 24, 1822, in Section 30. Little is known of him, as he left the region a short time subsequently, with no record of his occupancy other than a small piece of cleared ground and the cabin in which his family had dwelt.
In 1823, the Vanmeters came and entered land---Joseph in Section 20, and William in Section 19. Joseph remained on his land for two or three years, at the end of which time he removed to Henry County, Indiana, remaining there until 1830. In that year, he returned with his family and began the cultivation of his farm, in which he was engaged until his death. His son, David, now residing in Salem Township; his daughter, Naomi, now residing in Illinois: and his stepdaughter, Mrs. David Kilgore, are the only survivors of his family. William entered his land in November, 1823, and was engaged in its cultivation during the remainder of his life. Both were recognized as good citizens, and stood highly in the community.
William Vanmeter was a man of prominence in the township and county. He was elected, first, to the office of Clerk of the Court, and subsequently to that of Probate Judge.
There was another Joseph Van Matre, who came to the township perhaps a little anterior to the one whose name has just been mentioned. He settled in Fayette County, Indiana, when fourteen years of age, and there married Nancy Dilts, coming with his young wife to Delaware County, Where he lived until his death, in March, 1879. He wife still survives.
Between 1823 and 1826, there were few, if any arrivals. In 1826, Joseph Landry came to the townwhip but did not purchase his land until six years later. The tract is situated in Section 20, where he still resides. Lawson Newland, Joseph Bell, William Hardwick, William and Timothy Stewart, Jonathan Bentley and his sons Joseph and Obediah, and John Davis, came during the years 1826 and 1827. Timothy Stewart entered land in Section 19, where he lived for a number of years. He then went to Illinois, but returned within a few months, and remained at his old home until death.
William Hardwick was a prominent man, and was highly repected. Jonathan Bentley was one of the "good and lawful men" who constituted the first grand jury of Delaware County, impaneled May 19, 1828; and the other settlers above enumerated were men of integrity and good habits, and carved enduring monuments to their memories from the forests in which they settled.
In 1828, John Jones came from Clinton County, Ohio. He was a young man, just entering upon the search for a fortune, which is one of the ruling ambitions of youth. He worked out by the day until he had accumulated sufficient money to purchase the farm upon which he now resides.
One of his experiences, soon after locating here, was to assist in the capture of a murderer by the same name as his own, who had fled hither from Bartholomew County, Indiana, where his crime was committed. The Sheriff of that county followed Jones to this point, and raised a posse to assist him in the capture of the criminal. There were over a dozen in number, and they filed off by twos, scouring the woods in separate directions, with the understanding that, upon hearing a gun-shot, they were all to repair to the place whence the sound proceeded.
Soon three of the party encountered Jones, armed with a gun and knife. As soon as he saw them, he leveled his gun, but his action was anticipated by one of the pursurers, who fired at him, but not with the intention of hitting him. Jones turned and ran, followed by the dog belonging to Mr. Neely, one of the pursurers. The signal brought the full company to the spot, the direction was closely followed, and Jones was found at bay in his brother's field, where he surrendered, after finding himself surrounded by the Sheriff's posse. He was taken to Bartholomew County, where he was executed, after a trial that was potponed from time to time until five or six years had elapsed.
This adventure was a point of interest, and was related for years afterward to the new settlers who came to live in the locality where it had transpired.
During the year 1829, settlements were made and lands were purchased by Timothy Jones, in Section 21; William Daughery, Sr., in the same section; Lewis Newland, in Section 29; and George Michael, in Section 31. William Daugherty, Sr., was a soldier in the Continental army during the war of the Revolution, and his son, William, the step-father of Hon. J. H. Koontz, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Daugherty, Sr., entered the land in the name of his grandson, Absalom, and his son William occupied it until Absalom attained his majority. Upon reaching that age, the latter gave his father a deed for forty acres of the tract. The grandfather died at the age of nine-two years, and was buried in the cemetery on the Timothy Jones farm. His son took a prominent part in the settlement of the township, and, although a man who was often engaged in personal encounters, was yet one who had many friends. Fighting was incident to the state of society at that time, and the man who could "hold his own" in a broil suffered none in the estimation of his neighbors.
John B. Brown was one of the settlers who came in 1829. He was a native of Kentucky, but was reared in Wayne County, Indiana, to which point he emigrated with his father at an early age. In 1830, he entered land in Section 25. He was a man of superior attainments, and was long identified with the early schools of the township. After his arrival, he married Elizabeth Tomlinson, who still survives, and now makes her home with Hon. J. H. Koontz.
Hon. David Kilgore was a man who rose from obscurity to a high position. In 1829, he came to the township with just enough money to purchase his land, and immediately began its improvement. To a limited education he added, by careful study, until he stood prominent among the able attorneys of the county. He was elected Judge of the Circuit Court, and the ability displayed by him in this capacity led to his election by the people of this district as their representative in the State Legislature. After serving with honor and credit in this position for several terms, he was elected to represent this district in the Congress of the United States.
When not engaged with public or professional duties, he pursued the vocation of farming, and invested his means in land until his possessions aggregated nearly a thousand acres.
July 14, 1831, He married Mary G. Vanmeter. The ceremony, which was probably the first of this nature in the township, was performed by William Jones, Esq., the first Justice of the Peace elected in the township. He was a novice as far as the marriage ceremony was concerned, and was only able to perform his part after a careful drill by the groom.
Judge Kilgore continued to be prominently identified with the interests of his township until his decease, in January 1879.
In regard to the date of arrival of later settlers, an accurate clue is furnished by the tract-book. In 1830, the following entries of land were made:
By James Tomlinson, in Section 25, and John B. Brown in the the same section.
1831--Purnell Tomlinson, in Section 25; Edward Aldridge, in the same section.
1832--John D. Jones, Section 6; Robert Gordon, Section 9; William Miller, Section 20; Charles Jones, Section 21; John B. Finley, Section 24.
1833--Andrew Cummings, Section 9; Washington Reed, Section 10; John Antrim, in the same section; Isaac Norris, Section 13; Thomas Hardwick, Section 20; John Beeth, Section 24; Keziah Keasbey, Section 25; Henry Evilsizer, Section 27; John Neely, Section 30.
1834--Thomas Palmer, Section 4; Thomas Draper; Section 5; Samuel McKinley, Section 10; Jefferson Reed, Section 10; James Gwenendyke and Aaron Adamson, Section 12; Township 20 north, Range 8 east, Peter Smelser, Section 17; William Templeton, Section 24; Morgan Van Matre, Section 30.
1835--Abner Ratcliff, Section 13; Township 20 north, Range 8 east; John Hayhurst, Section 1; Martin J. Williamson, Section 2; Andrew Danner, Section 3; John Danner, Section 4; William Reed, Section 4; Peter Shephard, Section 6; William McKinley, and Thomas M. Gordon Section 9; John Reed, Section 10; James Williamson, Section 11; John Howell, Section 11; William T. Scott, Section 14; Stephen Brewer, Section 17; Eden Antrim, Section 19; Samuel Parkison, Section 21; Abner McCarty, Section 22; Thomas Brumfield, Sr., Section 22; William Hardwick and Joseph Stewart, Section 28; Jacob Redington, Section 30.
1836--William Jones, Section 12, Township 20 north, Range 8 east; Fleming Reed, Section 24, Township 20 north, Range 8 east; John Walters, Section 25, Township 20 north, Range 8 east; John Van Buskirk, Section 2; Samuel Danner, Jr., Section 4; William Palmer, Section 4; Robert Antrim, Section 5; Israel H. Shephard, Section 5; Solomon and John McLaughlin, Section 6; Joel Clem, Section 7; Samuel Parker and Stephen Reed, Section 8; Christopher Wilson, Section 10; Benjamin Owen, Section 11, Samuel W. Harlan, Section 12; Zadock Stewart, Section 17.
1837--Belshazar Dragoo, Section 5; James Justice, Section 5; Isaac Darter, Section 7; Wesley Oliver, Section 8; Robert Watkins, Section 17; James H. Jones, Section 18.
By the 1837, all the Government land in the township had been purchased, and, although new setters continued to arrive every season, their advent was hailed with less interest than in earlier years, and a farther enumeration of names would be impossible, in the absence of records. By the year 1850, the population of the township had grown to 934 souls, according to the United States Census for that year, and, during the ten years following, there was an increase of 451, or a total population of 1,375. In 1870, there were in the township 1,841 native Americans, and 39 of foreign birth--in all, 1880 souls. The late census, complete June 1, 1880, shows the population of this township to be 1,986 at that time.
ORGANIZATIONS
As nearly as can be gleaned from private sources, in the absence of records bearing upon the subject, the date of the civil organization of this township is fixed at the year 1831. At that time, it embraced the present townships of Harrison and Salem, which were subsequently erected into separate jurisdictions. The first electon for officers within the territory then embraced by Mount Pleasant was held in the spring of 1831, at the house of Solomon Eisnagel, within the present bounds of Salem. This election followed closely upon the act creating a civil division of this territory, and its erection into a township, as was usual in such cases, and established, with tolerable accuracy, the date of organization by the County Commissioners. At this election, William Jones was chosen Justice of the Peace, in which capacity he served for a period of twenty years.
He came to the township, with his brother John, in 1828, and was prominently identified with its interests until his removal to Windfall, Ind., where he now resides. His successors in office have been Milton Vanmeter, Francis Clark, Thomas Stewart, Milton Hardwick and James D. Reynolds, the present incumbent.
Of the other officers elected at the organization of the towhnship, even the memory of old settlers fails to give an account; and of the original Board of Trustees, by whom the official business was conducted, there is not a vestige of documentary evidence remaining. The minutes of their meetings, if any were kept, have suffered a fate similar to that of much other valuable material whose worth was not recognized until too late to recall it from destruction.
Until 1854, as little is known of the proceedings of the Township Board as if they had been conducted with the utmost secrecy. The oldest volume now extant in the office of the present Trustee, Hon. J. H. Koontz, contains the minutes of the Trustees' meeting from 1854 until 1860, at which time the board of three Trustees, Clerk and Treasurer, ceased to exist, by virtue of the law as amended, and their duties were invested on one Trustee. The initial record in this volume is in the following words:
"Report of Trustees' proceedings in Mount Pleasant Township.--The Board of Trustees of Mount Pleasant Township held their first meeting in Yorktown, May, 1854. Trustees: Dr. John Horne, Judge Van Matre and James Reynolds; James Reynolds, Clerk; and Hamlet Rozelle, Treasurer.
"The board was organized by the election of William Van Matre as President, and a ballot was had for the different terms of office of members of the board. William Van Matre was chosen to serve one year, Dr. John Horne three years, and James Reynolds two years.
"The Treasurer filed his bond, which was accepted, afer which the board transacted the following business:
"Ordered, That an election be held the first Saturday in June, 1854, for the purpose of voting for a tax for the erection and repair of schoolhouses, the erection and repair of bridges, also for road purposes.* * * Upon motion, the board then adjourned."
The second meeting was devoted almost exclusively to the consideration of the public schools of the township, and a report received, showing the number of children of school age to be 412. At this meeting, the board ordered the payment of salaries to the following teachers: James M. Reynolds, District No. 1, $40; William H. Harrison, District No. 2, $40; Benjamin Curtis, District No. 4, $40; M. H. Van Matre, District No. 5, $40; G. W. Chambers, District No. 6, $40.
The remaining entries in this volume are similar to those quoted, containing nothing more interesting than records of settlements with the Supervisors of Roads, the payment of teachers' salaries, the location of new roads, etc.
During the existence of the old board, the record does not indicate the election of new members with minuteness, and they could not be obtained with sufficient accuracy to warrant the insertion of a list of township officials.
SCHOOLS.
During the summer of 1831, the first school in the township was taught in a deserted cabin on the Jonathan Bently farm. The teacher was the late Judge David Kilgore, and, like the majority of pioneer teachers, his salary was made up by contributions from private sources, and was not, perhaps, very large. During the nex year (1832), the first house was erected especially for school purposes. This was a hewed-log building, and was known as the "Reed Schoolhouse." It stood near the present site of "Liberty Schoolhouse," and its first teacher was a Mr. Sargent. About the year 1842, "Antioch Schoolhouse" was erected at Yorktown. Andrew Danner was the first teacher at "Antioch," and John B. Brown at Yorktown. The "McKinley" Schoolhouse, since known as "Nebo" Schoolhouse, was erected about the same time, and Milton Vallandigham was probably its first teacher. "Mount Pleasant" Schoolhouse was erected, near the present site of the "Lincoln" Schoolhouse. These were all of the pioneer style of architecture, and presented a striking contrast to the neat schoolhouse of to-day.
The revenue from the sale of public lands in the township was applied in payment of the school expenses about the year 1840, and partially relieved the strain upon private purses entailed by the "subscription" system, under which, until that time, the schools had been conducted; but this fund was seldom sufficient to pay the expenses of a full term, and, when it became exhausted, the deficiency was made up by private subscriptions, as was usual in other localities under similar circumstances.
The provisions of the public-school law of 1851-52 became operative in Mount Pleasant in 1854, when the Trustees received the proportion of the public fund allotted to the township, and the old buildings were converted into free schools. A revised and improved course of study, better teachers, and a consequent advance in the general intelligence of the community, were among the results following the adoption of the new system.
In 1853, an election was called by the Trustees to vote upon the question of levying a tax for school purposes. The measure was sustained by a small majority, and, a few days later, the requisite number of freeholders signed a petition praying the Trustees to call a second election to reconsider the former vote, and the result was reversed. Jacob H. Koontz and Alfred Kilgore were among the active workers in the cause of public education, and, seeing the result of the second vote, determined to have a schoolhouse in Yorktown, at all events,and started out with a subscription paper, soliciting funds with which to carry out their project. About $600 was thus secured, and the schoolhouse erected in 1854, on a lot set apart for that purpose by Oliver H. Smith, the founder of the town.
Subsequently, the law was so amended as to empower the Trustees to levy taxes for school purposes without submitting the question to the voters; and, after this amendment, the subscribers to this school were re-imbursed from the public treasury, with 6 per cent interest for the use of their money.
The building is frame, one story in height, containg two rooms. The building, with its furniture and appliances, is valued at $1,000. Since its erection, school has been conducted during six months of the year. While it has never been conducted as a graded school, it has a higher and lower department, which are supervised by a Principal and assistant. During the present term, the departments are under the care of Frank G. Jackson, Principal, and Miss Emma McClintock, Assistant. The following report by the Township Trustee shows the conditon of the schools for the year ending August 31, 1880:
Number of white pupils admitted within the year, 628; average attendance, 396; total number of districts in township, 9; length of term, 120 days; number of teachers employed, 10; average compensation of teachers, $2.25½ per day; estimated value of schoolhouses, $10,750; estimated value of apparatus, $585; value of schoolhouses erected during the year, $1,125.
Amount of revenue on hand September 1, 1879..........................................$1,633 47 ACCOUNT OF REVENUE FOR TUITION.
Amount of revenue received in February, 1880............................................ 1,137 01
Amount of revenue received in June, 1880................................................... 1,500 66
Miscellaneous receipts......................................................................................... 101 81
Total................................................................................................................$4,372 95
Amount expended since September 1, 1879.................................................. 2,695 00
Bal.........................................................................................................................$1,677 95
Amount of special school revenue on hand September 1, 1879...................$315 71
Amount of special school revenue received within the year........................1,941 99
Total...............................................................................................................$2,257 70
Amount of special school revenue expended since September 1, 1879...$2,176 95
Balance on hand......................................................................................................$80 75
The schoolhouses of the township are under the supervision of the following teachers:
Nebo Schoolhouse, District No. 1, James Montgomery; Antioch Schoolhouse, District No. 2, William J. Koontz; Lincoln Schoolhouse, District No. 3, A. H. Friedley; Sycamore Schoolhouse, District No. 4, John R. Tuttle; Walker's Schoolhouse, District No. 5, F. M. Jones; Liberty Schoolhouse, District No. 6, M. A. Lemmon; Center Schoolhouse, District No. 7, Edward Tuhey; Yorktown Schoolhouse, District No. 8, Frank G. Jackson, Emma McClintock; Kilgore's Schoolhouse, District No. 9, E. F. Aldredge.
CHURCHES.
At a very early day in the history of this settlement, religious meetings were held at various private houses in the township, and, at a later date, in the schoolhouses, by ministers who came to the settlement by chance. But it was years before the religious element began to assume form or organization. About the year 1835, John Longley, a pious storekeeper of Yorktown, gathered under his leadership a small band of the Christian, or Campbellite, denomination, who continued to hold meetings at private houses for a number of years. While under the leadership of Mr. Longley, the society prospered, and a great deal of interest was manifested by its members. After he left the town, however, the interest began to wane, and the society was disbanded within a few years, without having erected a church.
The Yorktown Methodist Episcopal Church.--About the year 1835, the first Methodist Episcopal class in the township was organized at Yorktown, and held meetings at the house of members of the class. About 1844, they erected a frame house upon on of the lots reserved for that purpose by Hon. O. H. Smith. They continued to worship in this building until it became unsafe, and, in 1874, completed the present house of worship. The society has been prosperous ever since its organization, and has a large and active membership. Rev. Milton Wayman is the present Pastor.
The Yorktown Presbyterian Church.--Rev. Robert D. Irwin, who may be called the pioneer minister of this denomination in Delaware County, held frequent meetings at Yorktown, but the society was not then organized. In the record of the First Presbyterian Church at Muncie, the following entry by Mr. Irwin appears: "September 22, 1844, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered in Yorktown, for the special accommodation of those members in that village and vicinity.
This was the first time our church held the communion season at that place, though I had preached there, and in the neighborhood frequently.
I preached often at the house of James Slack, who immigrated from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, whose wife was a member, and a woman of rare accomplishments."
The society grew and prospered for a number of years, but, by the year 1868, it had become weakened, if we may judge from a later entry in the volume previously referred to, which is in the following words:
"May 31, 1868, Rev. O. M. Todd administered the sacrament to the church at Yorktown. There were five members received on this occasion. The church had been almost extinct for several years."
Mount Pleasant Church.--This building, as will be seen by reference to the history of the schools, was erected in 1841. It was situated upon a lot donated by James M. Van Matre, with the understanding that it shoud be used as a church and schoolhouse. James Chambers, a minister of the Christian, or Campbellite, Church, frequently conducted religious services in this building, but no organization was formed by that denomination. About the year 1842, a Methodist Episcopal class was organized here, by Revs. Bradshaw and Webster, but this organization was disbanded a few years later. About 1844, Rev. Abner Perdieu, of the Methodist Protestant Church, organized a class of that denomination at this house, among the original members of which were Valentine Eltzroth and family, Matthias Pistser and family, Mary A. Van Matre and family, Absalom Van Matre and wife, Joseph Van Matre and wife, and others. About 1859 or 1860, this society removed to the schoolhouse then recently completed, where its meetings were held until 1871. In the fall of that year, they had completed a frame church, at a cost of $1,563, on land donated by P. A. Helvie. They now have a congregation of thirty or thirty-five members, under the pastoral care of Rev. Ezra Conn. The old "Mount Pleasant" Church and Schoolhouse served its purpose and went to decay; but the cemetery adjoing it is still used.
INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.
The occupation of tilling the soil has always been the leading industrial enterprise in this township, and this has been prosecuted with a vigor and energy that have won rich returns from the fertile soil.
During the early days, the milling enterprise was inaugurated and successfully carried on. In 1830, William Hardwick dug the race by which the water of Buck Creek is conducted to the Yingling Woolen Mill at Yorktown, upon which he erected a saw-mill about one hundred feet south of the present building. About two years later, he attached a run of buhrs for grinding corn, and continued to operate the mill until his decease, after which it passed to the hands of Amasa Makepeace, who finally sold it to Hon. Oliver H. Smith. Mr. Smith supplied it with a set of machinery for the manufacture of woolen goods, and employed men to operate it. He sold the mill to William Petty, from whom it passed to the hands of the present owners, A. and S. M. Yingling. The present building is frame, three stories and a basement. In 1868, the Messrs. Yingling adjusted a Leffell wheel in place of the Brooks wheel by which the machinery had formerly been operated, and, in 1871, remodeled the building, adding one story to its height. The weaving-room contains four looms, and is situated on the second floor. Below it are the fulling and finishing department, while above it are the picking, carding and spinning department. The articles here manufactured are jeans, flannels, blankets, yarns, cassimeres, satinet, etc., which are sold chiefly in the home market.
In addition to the woolen-mill, the same firm operated a planing and saw mill on the premises, sawing a daily average of 3,000 feet of timber into floorng, finishing lumber, etc.
The flouring-mill at Yorktown is the successor of the mill erected by Hon. Oliver H. Smith in 1838 or 1839. The old mill was situated about one hundred yards north of the present building, on Buck Creek, the same stream that furnished power to the present mill. Between 1840 and 1873, it was in the hands of various owners, among whom were M. C. Smith, son of the original proprietor, and Hon. J. H. Koontz. Mr. Koontz sold to Williamson and Edmonds, and subsequently Mr. Edmonds sold to his partner, J. H. Williamson, by whom the mill is now owned and operated.
In 1873, the old mill was destroyed by fire, and, about two years later, the present building was erected. This is a frame building, three stories and basement and has two Leffell wheels. It is conducted as a custom mill.
Along the line of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, there are two saw-mills in successful operation. The first is situated in the eastern part of the township, and is owned and operated by William Bloom. The second is situated three miles north of Yorktown, and is owned and operated by David Cammack.
The tannery at Yorktown was established by Mr. Ellis about the year 1836. For several years, it was operated by Ellis & Huntington, and by them sold to John Neely. From him it passed to the ownership of Levi Hall, H. Rozell, Robert Dusang and T. Allen, respectively. Jacob Erther was the next proprietor, and from him it passed to the hands of the present proprietor, Henry Overmire.
SOCIETIES
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Yorktown Lodge, No. 345, was organized under charter, and instituted April 21, 1870. The charter members were Conrad Dipple, D. M. Yingling, Henry Overmire, J. H. Williamson, Hezekiah Stout and Jacob Erther; and from among their number the following gentlemen were chosen to fill the offices of the lodge: Conrad Dipple, N. G.; Henry Overmire, V. G.; D. M. Yingling, Secretary; J. H. Williamson, Treasurer.
The office of N. G. has been occupied, at various times since the organization of the lodge, by the following gentlemen: Henry Overmire, D. M. Yingling, Jacob Erther, amuel Williamson, G. W. Parkison, David Campbell, Dr. John Horne, Samuel Parkison, Robert M. Snodgrass, Philip J. Hofherr, Simon S. Stewart, Isham Humphries, G. W. Spann, W. S. Brundage, Malachi Brindle, J. R. Applegate, J. D. Reynolds and David Shields.
The lodge is prosperous and in good financial condition. It has an active membership of forty-eight at the present time. Its officers for the present term are: E. F. Aldridge, N. G.; David Shields, V. G.; J. D. Reynolds, Secretary; G. W. Parkison, Treasurer.
Improved Order of Red Men, York Tribe, No. 63, was instituted at Yorktown February 20, 1880, with the following charter members: J. D. Reynolds, robert Acord, O. H. Smith, John Staggs, Charles Acord, W. N. Horne, t. A. Paterson, William Patterson, John F. Donovan, William A. Goings, David Kilgore, S. G. Curtis, Samuel E. Parkison, William Marker, William Hughes, Josepth Stewart, A. J. Davis, William Antrim, Adam De Reemer and A. F. Jones. the first officers were: J. D. Reynolds, Sachem; David Kilgore, Prophet; John Staggs, C. of R.; T. A. Paterson, K. of W.; O. H. Smith, Senior Sagamore.
The meetings of this tribe are held in the second story of Mrs. F. Cole's building at Yorktown, on Tuesday evening of each week. It has an active membership of thirty at this time. The present officers are: W. N. Horne, Sachem; J. D. Reynolds, Prophet; T. A. Patterson, C. of R.; A. J. Davis, K. of W.; S. E. Parkison, Senior Sagamore; W. M. Patterson, Junior Sagamore.
The Past Sachems of this tribe are David Kilgore, J. D. Reynolds, and O. H. Smith.
THE VILLAGE OF YORKTOWN.
This village is situated on the land entered by Samuel Casman, and subsequently purchased by Hon. Oliver H. Smith, by whom the village was platted. It was on the line of the canal which was projected from Indianapolis to Toledo, Ohio, but never completed. Its main throughfare was the old Indianapolis State road, which was extensively traveled by emigrants at an early day.
The first house in the village was erected in 1834 or 1835, by Joshua Turner. It was occupied as a residence, and was situated on the lot adjoining the present residence of Hon. J. H. Koontz. The second building wa erected on the lot now occupied by Mr. Koontz's office, and was used alternately as a residence, church and schoolhouse. The third was erected on the lot now occupied by the building known in the neighborhood as the "Old Blue Goose." In this building, John Longley kept the first stock of merchndise ever exposed for sale in the village or township. He continued in this business until his stock was exhausted, after which he removed to another locality.
The old frame building on the corner, at the western part of the town, was erected for a tavern, by Samuel Vanmeter and John and William Stewart. Perhaps the constantly passing trains of emigrants over the State road led the proprietors to anticipate a lucrative trade from this source; but if so, their expectations were not realized, as the emigrants usually made arrangements for camping out overnight, carrying their own provisions with them. So, as there was but a limited patronage for the tavern, it proved an unsuccessful enterprise, and, after frequent changes of ownership, was converted into a dwelling, but is now unoccupied.
Another old landmark, but recently removed, was an old-fashioned building which stood opposite the present residence of Obed Kilgore, west of Yorktown. In front of the house stood a post, from the arm of which was suspended a large ball, painted blue. This house was one well known to early travelers on the Indianapolis State Road, and its fame spread far and near. It was here that Joseph Van Matre entertained the weary traveler, and, from the unique sign that distinguished his house, it received the name of the "Blue Ball Tavern." The house was erected by Mr. Van Matre about the year 1830, and, during his life, he continued to act as host. After his death, his wife, "Aunt Tabby," performed the honors of the house, until she, too, passed from earth. The house, after her death, passed to other hands, and was used as a dwelling by different families. It was finally torn down in the summer of 1880.
EARLY MERCHANTS AND PHYSICIANS.
After the withdrawal of John Longley from the field of merchandise in Yorktown, Hon. O. H. Smith and T. J. Sample erected a frame house on Lot 27, the site formerly occupied by the Longley store. This building was erected in 1838 or 1839, and the firm transacted a very satis factory business. They ffinally sold out to William Crim,who conducted the business for several years, finally conveying his stock, good will, etc., to John and William Horne.
About the 1842, Matthew Brennen kept a store in a building next to the present store of Dr. G. W. Spann. He continued in business at this place until his decease, when he devised the store and stock to his nephews.
The first regular physician in Yorktown was Dr. John C. Helm, who settled here soon afer the village was platted. He erected the dwelling in which the late Dr. Horne resided until his decease. Dr. Horne purchased his practice, after he had conducted it successfully for a number of years. Dr. Helm then removed to Muncie, where he remained until death.
Dr. Godwin was one of the early physicians of Yorktown and practiced successfully until 1854 or 1855, when he sold to Dr. B. F. Hittle, and retired to his former home at Chesterfield, Ind., where he died.
The first mechanics in the village were Robert Pope and William Green, blacksmiths. The former had his shop at the east end of town, where Erther's shop is now situated, and Green's shop was in the southeast part of town, near the present site of the Presbyterian Church. Green worked at his trade in the village until death, while Pope removed to Howard County, Indiana, where he died.
William Jones, Esq., kept the first post office at his residence, one and a half miles west of Yorktown, before the village was platted. Subsequently, the office was removed to Yorktown, where it has ever since been kept.
While Yorktown has never been pretentious, it has kept pace with the march of improvement, and is a thrifty, substantial country town. Its stores are supplied with good stocks, and its merchants are men of enterprise. The stores devoted to the sale of dry goods and groceries are kept by J. H. Koontz, W. S. Brundage & Son, David Shields & Bro., and Thomas Allen, respectively. The grocery store is kept by W. G. Patterson. Mr. Patterson is also the village undertaker and furniture dealer, and Mr. W. S. Brundage is the Postmaster. W. N. Horne & Bro. and G. W. Spann keep the two drug stores of the village. Drs. G. W. Slack, D. M. Shively and W. N. Horne are the practicing physicians; Mrs. W. Williamson is the hostess of the village hotel; Miss Mary Rulon and Mrs. Lydia Hughes are the milliners and dressmakers; Jacob Erther, J. W. Overman and Charles Mathe are the village blacksmiths; James E. Cook, wagon-maker; Samuel Andrews and Henry Overmire, boot and shoe makers.