History Of Van Buren Township Through 1882

Genealogy Searches

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Van Buren Township

This information is taken directly from Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana, F.A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1883, reproduced by Unigraphic, Inc., 1970.

If you become confused while reading this, remember that the book was written in 1883.

Note from the webmaster: This book was written with a curious mixture of full titles and abbreviations, use of numerals and use of written numbers (i.e., 31 vs thirty-one). This information is copied as it appears in the book, so please excuse the apparent inconsistencies.

The author wrote in very long paragraphs, and it is confusing to read. Therefore, many of the long paragraphs have been divided into shorter ones.

Some of the Earliest Settlers

{This information was taken from "The Progress of Pulaski County: Ten Decades of Development, Souvenir Program & History" 1939.}

The southeastern portion of the county was one of the first parts settled by white people, although there seems to be no record or recollection as to just who the first comers were in what is now Van Buren Township.

Who Was The First Settler?

A man, whose name is forgotten, established himself and family in the township either late in 1837 or early in 1838; but as he did not remain long, perhaps not more than a year or two, they who now are called the oldest settlers never saw him most likely, and possibly never heard his name. That such a man lived there for a short time is established by the evidence of early settlers in other portions of the county, who knew from observation of his having been there. Very likely the next settlers’ names appear below, though the order of the settlement cannot be stated.

Land Entries

The following men entered land in Van Buren Township during the year 1838, in the order here given, none earlier than August 20; Runion Compton, Section 2; John Fisher, Sections 3 and 7; Dudley Madden, Section 25; Joseph G. McNutt, Section 33; Nathaniel Benjamin, Section 34; John H. Thompson, Sections 34 and 35; Josiah Higginbotham, Sections 7 and 8.

The following additional persons entered land in 1839, in the order given: George S. Shull, Section 6; Peter Nichols, Section 6; Louisa Wood, Section 1; George Wood, Sections 8 and 8; Nathan Julian, Section 25; Samuel F. C. Fadden, Section 26; Thomas J. Falcom, Sections 4 and 6; John Hollenbeck, Section 25; Thomas Buck, Sections 28 and 32; James Pierce, Section 32; Henry Tomlinson, Section 28; Jacob Nichols, Section 7; and Henry Wirley, Section 27.

In 1840, the following additional persons entered land: Elijah Bolin, Section 9; Isaac Sanders, Section 6; Nathan H. Murphey, Section 2; Stephen Jones, Section 23; Joseph Oliver, Section 7; and Basil Meek, Section 23. The above were the only tracts of land entered in Van Buren Township prior to the 1st of January, 1841.

The First Election In The Township

Van Buren Township (with Indian Creek) remained attached to Beaver Township until March, 1842, at which time the County Commissioners ordered a separate organization, and named the township thus created “Van Buren” after an ex-President of the United States.

At the same time, an election was ordered held at the house of Daniel Hathaway, on the 6th of April, 1842, on which occasion the following men polled their votes: Thomas Buck, William Olin, Isaac Sanders, Stephen Jones, Charles Compton, John Buck, John W. Cooley, John Nickless, Runion Compton and Joseph T. Wallace; total, ten.

This was the first election held after the creation of the township, and through some unaccountable reason, the name of the man at whose house the election was held does not appear upon the official records. Perhaps he had gone to Logansport or to mill south of Monticello, forgetting or not caring about the allurements of official position. What a pity that many of our fellow-citizens to-day are not blessed with the same virtue! A man could go to mill in those days and be gone a week, and a trip to Logansport consumed at least two days, and very often three and four. The names of the officers who were elected on this occasion cannot be given.

Subsequent Elections

Notwithstanding that Van Buren was attached to Beaver, the citizens usually went to Winamac to vote prior to the organization of the township. The same strictures were not required then as now, possibly because in those days there was no danger of “repeating” or “tissue ballots.” There was no inclination then to violate the election laws.

At the August election in Winamac, 1840, the following citizens of Van Buren cast their votes: Isaac Sanders, Runion Compton, Peter Nickless, Charles Compton. Those who wished continued to volte thus until the organization of the township.

In addition to those whose names appear above as voting at the April election, 1842, the following voted at the August election, 1842: Daniel G. Hathaway (at whose house the elections continued to be held for several years), William Allen and Jacob Countryman.

At the October election, 1842, for Justice of the Peace, Daniel G. Hathaway received four votes, and John Nickless three; the seven voters being Jacob Countryman, J. T. Wallace, D. G. Hathaway, John Nickless, Thomas Buck, John Buck and Stephen Jones. Wallace was Inspector; Nickless and Countryman, Judges; Hathaway and Jones, Clerks.

In April, 1843, at D. G. Hathaway’s house, Runion Compton, William Allen, Stephen Jones, Thomas Buck, John Nickless, J. T. Wallace and William Compton voted as follows: Justice of the Peace, John Nickless, seven; Constable, Runion Compton, seven; Road Supervisor, Stephen Jones, seven; Overseers of the Poor, Runion Compton, six; Thomas Buck, six; Fence Viewers, Charles Compton, four; John Nickless, four; Inspector, J. T. Wallace, five. The officers of this election were Wallace, Inspector; R. Compton and Jones, Judges; Nickless and W. Compton, Clerks.

At the gubernational [sic] election, August, 1843, in additional to the above voters were Allen Murphy and G. W. Horine. Wallace, Inspector; Horine and R. Compton, Judges; Jones and Nickless, Clerks.

The April election, 1844, resulted as follows: Constable; Hugh Evans, 15; Stephen Jones 13. Overseers of the Poor, Runion Compton, 15; Thomas Buck, 2. Fence Viewers, Jesse Klinger, 14; William Compton, 14. Inspector, D. G. Hathaway, 8; Joseph T. Wallace, 8. The officers of election were: Wallace, Inspector; Horine and Nowlan, Judges; Hathaway and D. L. Moore, Clerks. The voters were John L. Moore, Thomas Buck, J. T. Wallace, John Nickless, G. W. Horine, R. R. Nowlan, R. Compton, Allen Murphey, David Jones, Stephen Jones and John W. Nowlan.

At the August election, 1844, the name of Anthony Fickle appears. Only six votes were polled.

At the November election, 1844, the names of Henry Wildermuth, Zachariah Tracy, W. R. Brown and Jacob Stralheim, appear, a total of twenty votes being polled. The Whig electors received eleven votes, and the Democratic, nine.

The names of James Moore and Ephraim B. Meer appear in April, 1845. Up to this time elections had been held at the house of D. G. Hathaway, but now they were changed to that of Richard R. Nowlan. In July, Aaron Tomlinson became Justice of the Peace.

In August, 1845, of the twenty –eight votes polled, the following new names appear: Robert Barger, E. R. Moore, Isaac H. Washburn and George Cook. The Whig ticket received fifteen votes, and the Democratic thirteen.

The name of Benjamin Vanmeter appears in April, 1846; and those of George W. Hollenbeck, John Hollenbeck, Philip Klinger, Joseph Klinger and John Klinger, Sr., appear in August. Thirty votes were cast at this election, eighteen for the Whig ticket.

Isaac W. Hunt, Nathaniel Routson and William Dye voted in April, 1847. Nineteen votes were polled. David Jones and Allen Murphey were elected Road Supervisors; Runion Compton and Thomas Buck, Fence Viewers; Nathaniel Routson, Constable; Benjamin C. Skillen, Inspector; John Nickless, Justice of the Peace. The names of John Knowles, James Ferguson, Mathias Turnpaugh and Jacob Graffis, appear in August. Twenty-four votes were polled.

In April, 1848, William Dye was elected Inspector; Nathaniel Routson and Benjamin Skillen, Road Supervisors; David Jones and Jacob Graffis, Fence Viewers; Andrew Wirick, Constable; Thomas Dempsey, Andrew Wirick and John Fultz, voted. In August, John Hodges, George Cook and Andrew Wirwahut, voted. At this election, the question of having free schools or not was voted upon, twenty-one being case for them, and none against.

In November, thirty-eight votes were polled, the following new names appearing: James Hayworth, Nathaniel Hayworth, Robert Barker, Levi Hartman, Wesley Jones, Edward Compton and George Hollenbeck.

In April, 1849, Philip Klinger became Constable; Thomas Klinger, Inspector; John Fultz and John Nickless, Road Supervisors; Jacob Graffis and Richard Nowlan, Fence Viewers. At this election, the question of granting license for the sale of spirituous liquor throughout the county was submitted to the voters, and in Van Buren four votes were cast for license, and three against it, the others, to the number of fourteen, not voting on the question. Asa Stewart, David Williamson, Jacob Wirick, Thomas Campbell and Richard W. Chenoworth, voted on this occasion.

The following new names appear in August, 1849: Tilman Davis, James T. Curbey and Stewart Brown, there being a total of forty-two votes cast. This question was voted upon: “Are you in favor of the Act of 1848-49 to increase and extend the benefits of common schools?” Thirty-one voted “aye” and seven “no.” It seems strange, to-day, that a single vote should have been cast against so important a measure.

Hunters

None of the earliest settlers of Van Buren Township were skillful hunters or trappers. The young men soon acquired a taste for the chase, and were often seen in the woods following deer, but the comparative number killed was few.

It is said that the Comptons were usually as well supplied with venison as any other family, and a story is related where some member of that family, after a prolonged tramp, having wounded a large buck, succeeded in reaching the animal, but was compelled to use his hunting knife to end its life.

It is also stated that some hunter from either White or Cass County, having wounded a large buck when an enormous pair of antlers, followed the bleeding animal into Van Buren Township, and finally succeeded in bringing it at bay. He fired again, and the buck fell upon the snow, and the hunter went forward, without reloading his rifle, to cut its throat. He had scarcely reached the animal, when it leaped to its feet, and with head lowered, charged furiously upon the settler, but the latter sprang nimbly behind a tree and began with all possible dispatch to load his rifle. He was interrupted several times by the angry charges of the buck, but at last succeeded in finishing it with a bullet through the head.

It is stated that as high as 100 deer were seen in one herd; but this was very unusual, and arose, no doubt, from the fact that the animals were migrating. They usually went around in small herds of from three to eight, and sometimes were quite tame. They often mingled with domestic cattle, and soon learned to love the sound of cow-bells. This was taken advantage of, as the hunter could arm himself with a rifle and a bell, go into the woods and conceal himself, ring the bell as it would ring on the neck of a cow, and almost invariably, if deer were within hearing distance, they would come near enough to be shot. Immediately after a fall of snow, the woods were generally full of hunters. At such times, the deer could be easily followed, the covering of snow deadened the sound of footsteps, and the person could be covered with a long outer garment of white to blend with the prevailing color, or absence of color, of the surrounding snow-clad scene.

On an occasion of this kind, one of the Comptons cautiously approached a small herd of deer that were ruminating under a clump of scrub oaks in an exposed position, and with good luck succeeded in killing one and mortally wounding another with one shot. The hides were worth in market about $1, and were very serviceable on the farms; could be used as clothing; to mend harness, or to make new sets of rough harness, and were useful in many ways. It was a common thing to see men clothed in buckskin.

“With the fleshy side out, and the woolly side in,
these are fine warm breeches, says Tom Bolin.”

Hardships

The early settlers of Van Buren went to Logansport for goods, and to south of Monticello to mill, and the trip sometimes consumed a week. Roads were bottomless, and afforded, to use a strong figure, an easy and direct means of communication with China.

There was no money, no market, nothing to sell, nothing to eat, nothing to wear, but little or no social gathering or intercourse, no schools, no churches, and no end to the inconveniences and discomforts.

Scores of families experienced the greatest difficulty in paying their taxes, though they did not amount to a tithe of what they are now. Those families which came into the backwoods with nothing were often compelled to return whence they came, or die of privation. To many, the prospect was indeed gloomy.

To be compelled to live upon the coarsest and scantiest food; to have but one suit of clothes, and that of the poorest and thinnest quality, and often in a condition of “looped and windowed raggedness” pitiful to behold; to be forced to work beyond the strength and endurance; to be racked with fever, ague, and other malarial disorders without any relief from experienced physicians; to be shut up on the farm with no holidays, or hours of social pleasure to counteract the wearing effect of constant toil; to be deprived of schools, churches, and all contact or knowledge of the outer world except an annual letter from some friend in the East, which cost 24 cents, or the statements of some new settler who had just come from that locality – all these were some of the obstacles to be met and overcome.

A few families were wise enough to come to the backwoods prepared, and passed the ordeal in comparative comfort; others were not, and suffered the penalty. The early settlers came in slowly.

Statistics

In 1840, there were in the township about fifteen families; in 1845, there were fully forty, and in 1850, not less than sixty.

The first frame houses were built in about 1843, the lumber coming from the Hoover Mill in Indian Creek Township.

Religious societies and schools sprang up about the year 1845, a fairly respectable market was afforded at Winamac at the same time, and after this the citizens saw much better times.

Detectives

The Star City Horse Thief Detective Association was organized in 1880, with the following first members, who filed articles of association in the Recorder’s office, at the county seat, according to law: V. S. Buston, Charles Ledgert, C. A. Compton, John Senn, Jr., Peter Skillen, E. P. Washburn, I. L. Washburn, James Billaker, Michael Ruff, M. L. Washburn, Levi Tomlinson, J. A. Humes, E. R. Brown, John L. Burton, James Osborn, William Korner, George Clause, John Buck and William F. Venard.

The formation of the association was due to the popular indignation over several aggravated cases of horse-stealing in the southeastern part of the county. The object is to unite means and efforts to run down and capture those rascals who, in new countries, are usually consigned to an ignominious death from a rope hung over the limb of a friendly tree.

Schools

When and where the first school was taught in Van Buren Township cannot be stated with certainty. It is likely that school was taught north of Star City in the Nichols neighborhood as early as 1842, and perhaps earlier.

The first house in that neighborhood was built of hickory poles, not far from 1847, and in its time did good service, both for education and religion. It was used until about the time of the last war, when a small frame structure took its place.

About seven years ago, the present large two-storied frame was erected a quarter of a mile north of Star City, at a cost of $2,600. The citizens living north of town agreed to assist in a substantial manner to build the house, in consideration of having it located on its present site, which was accordingly done.

Prof. Marshman was the first teacher in this house. Others have been C. C. Chancy, John Ward, Newton Hughes and J. W. Noland, the present able pedagogue. The enrollment last winter was 108 scholars.

Mr. Dye states that, in his recollection, the Burke Schoolhouse was the first one in the township – the first structure erected for a schoolhouse. It was built not far from 1847. Among those who sent children were William Burke, Levi Jones, Thomas Brown, John May, Daniel Kessler, and others.

Schools were taught very early in the northeastern corner, the exact date being not obtainable. The first house there was built not far from 1852, and after being used many years was moved some distance west, where it now stands.

In 1851 or 1852, the Dye Schoolhouse was built. Among the patrons were Robert Dempsey, William Dye. Stephen Jones, Wesley Jones, William Compton, George Hollenbeck, Benjamin Vanmeter, Thomas Hollenbeck, David Williams, Thomas Jones and others. A new frame house took the place of the old about twenty years ago.

A log schoolhouse was built on Section 29, not far from 1852, the patrons being Henry Wildermuth, Benjamin Skillen, Daniel Martz, Thomas Buck, John Buck, Elias P. Waterhouse, Jacob Fink, John Wildermuth, George Wildermuth, Richard Noland, Anthony Fickle, D. D. Thompson, George Shelhart and others. Simeon Bliss taught the first term of one month, and had a large attendance, receiving his pay by subscription. James Vickers was the second teacher, and R. Record the third. Other teachers were Jacob Albright, James Peppers, E. P. Potter and Miss Beckley.

The house was used until about 1859, when several schools taught in divers houses in Rosedale took its place and finally, in about 1862, the first schoolhouse in Rosedale was erected. More than eighty scholars have assembled in this small house to be “taught.” A larger schoolhouse is needed by all means.

The township is supplied with good schools.

Churches

The Presbyterian Church in the northeast corner was built about 1852, but several years before a class had been formed a few of the members living in southern Harrison Township. Among those prominently connected with the class were John Humes and family, James Vanmeter and family, Ephraim Smith and family, John Van Cleve and family, John Wirley and family, James Humes and family, Fred Huffman and family, Jacob Graffis, Mrs. Sarah Barnet and others.

The building is a frame structure, about 30x40 feet, and cost $800. Rev. Bell was one of the first ministers.

The class did good work until the last war, when trouble arose over political affairs, and the members disbanded and the church stood silent and deserted until purchased at auction by Mr. Enyart.

It is now used to hold funerals in, and is convenient, as it stands by a cemetery where sleep the departed of the neighborhood. A Sunday school was conducted a number of years, at the head of which were James Vanmeter and Daniel Smith. Revs. Robert Irvin and David Williamson served the class for a few years each.

The old Dye Schoolhouse was built as a combined church and school building, amid considerable opposition in the neighborhood.

The Brethren had formed a class in private houses in the vicinity several years before, and when the project of erecting the schoolhouse was on foot, they made extra offers of help, inconsideration of having the use of the house when not occupied for school purposes. The offer was at first rejected, but the Brethren eventually succeeded in having the property deeded jointly to the school district and the class.

Among the early prominent Brethren were Stephen Jones, Richard Anders, David Williamson, Thomas Jones, Wesley Jones and others. The class is doing well at present.

The Methodists had a class in the southern part of the township for many years, among the members being the families of Messrs Morehart, Furson and Liming. A Methodist Church was built in the southwestern part of Harrison Township, but in about 1856 was moved into northwestern Van Buren, where it stood for many years.

Among the early members farther north were Andrew Wirick, Elijah Oliver, John Benefiel, Hatterbaugh, Hacket, Conner and others. The old house was finally sold and moved down to Star City, where it did duty as a storeroom until it was destroyed by fire.

The new Methodist Episcopal Church in Star City was built in 1866-67, and cost about $2,600. Among other early members were George Kahler, Charles Compton, George Hilt, William Murphey, James Raver, John Wilson, J. G. Korner and Henry Taylor. Rev. Reuben Sanders was minister when the new church was built.

The Christians organized a class at Star City, and built a church in 1868, among the members being the families of Messrs. Kemp, Clark, Nichols, Singer, Lytle, Graffis, Heward, Ross, Van Winkle, Stewart, Baker, Truax and Barnet. The church cost about $2,600.

The Adventists started up in 1882, under the ministration of Elder Welch. Among the members are Daniel McCollister and wife, Nathan Glick, John Watts and wife, Mary Fisher, Mrs. Bruce Conrad, Mrs. Sanders, Mary McCollister and a few others. The class was organized by Rev. Arthur Bartlett, an able and excellent man.

Star City

For Star City history, follow this LINK.

Rosedale {Oak / Thornhope}

The present town of Rosedale was laid out as Parisville, in the month of October, 1853, by R. L. Parkhurst, County Surveyor. The surveyors of the (then) Chicago & Cincinnati Railroad, had just projected the road through the township, and the laying-out of the village was the result. The lots were laid out on the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 28.

{This paragraph was taken from "The Progress of Pulaski County: Ten Decades of Development, Souvenir Program & History" 1939.} The name of the town was later changed to Rosedale and still later to Thornhope, while the name Oak was given to the postoffice.

Some time before the town was platted, Aaron Tomlinson had lived in a log house on the present site of the village. The second house was built by Norman Scott, and was a frame structure. John Wolf moved into the Tomlinson house some twenty-six years ago.

Lewis Grant opened the first store soon after the town was laid out. Henry Conn succeeded him, and transformed the store into a saloon, which was well patronized, though finally it was destroyed by fire. Bernethy & Parcel began selling goods not far from 1858, continuing until some time during the war. Joseph Gifford opened an excellent store about twenty years ago. John Wildermuth was in at the close of the war, and was followed by Darius South, who is in business yet. William Osborn was in for quite a number of years, as was Henry Croft, George Buck and James and Thomas Jones have been in the mercantile business.

Among the physicians have been Shaw, Swan and Buck. The first Postmaster was Joseph Gifford. His successors have been Silas Buchanan, James Buck, John Wildermuth, Henry Croft, Michael Miller and Darius South.

William Osborn erected a steam saw-mill some six years ago, combining with it a set of buhrs to grind corn and wheat. Both departments of the mill are yet running. Michael Miller was the first blacksmith.

The population of the village is about sixty.