City of Rushville

Doubtless the people of to day would like to know something of the founding of the present flourishing City of Rushville, sixty –five years ago. Located in the mist of an unbroken forest, it required brave hearts and industrious hands to undertake to build up a town. But the men were found able and willing to undertake it and succeed in spite of all difficulties in their way. Amaiah MORGAN, Jehu PERKINS, and John JULIAN, the first Commissioners of Rush County, met at the house of Jehu PERKINS on the 1st of April, 1822, organized as a Board, and at once entered on their multiform duties. At a called meeting held on the 17th of June 1822, they received and approved the report of the Commissioners, Train CALDWELL, Robert LUCE, Samuel JACK, and James DELANEY, who had been appointed to locate the county seat. The next day, the 18th, they appointed Conrad SAILORS agent to lay out the town, which was to consist of not less than 150, nor more than 200 lots, with a central square, of a size sufficient for the public buildings that would be required. Dr. W. B. LAUGHLIN had donated twenty-five acres, and Zachariah HODGES forty-five, to the county, to secure the location. Dr. W. B. Laughlin was a member of the Legislature when the county was set off, and had given it the name in honor of his preceptor, the illustrious Dr. Benjamin Rush, of Philadelphia. Actuated by the same tender remembrance, he named the town. The 29th day of July was appointed for the public sale of lots. A number of lots were sold on that day, and soon the crash of fallen trees was heard, and the smoke and flame of burning log heaps was seen, as the clearing went on. Then the building of cabins speedily followed, and Rushville was begun. Next the public square and the principle streets were cleared through ungraded and full of stumps. In 1822 a jail was built, and in 1823 a courthouse was contracted for. This was the old fashion, square two story, brick building, and though there was little architectural beauty to recommend it, it was a substantial structure, and answered every purpose until in 1848, when the present more convenient and commodious building was erected.

At the October Term of court, 1822, the price of tavern license was fixed at $10, and the number of beds that must be kept for the accommodations of travelers, and the number of stalls in the stable were definitely set forth. The proof of these things was a pre-requisite for the obtaining of the license. Richard Thornberry and Jehu Perkins were the first to avail them selves of this privilege of keeping a tavern. Modern fashion would call these hotels. It may be noticed that both of these were in the country. The very first house erected upon the ground now occupied by Rushville, was a large double cabin built by Dr. W.B. Laughlin, in December of 1820, near the river, back of where John Fouts now resides. This location was selected on account of its nearness to a fine spring that gushes from the riverbank. This was an unusually large double cabin, with a hall running through the middle. It was necessarily large to accommodate the doctor's family of three sons and ten daughters.

Among the first to build after the sale of the lots, may be mentioned Stephen Simms, who built near where Dr. John Moffett lives, Clum, a shoemaker, had his cabin where the Orphans' Home now is. Miner's cabin was just south of Caldwell's livery stable, John Alley's, where Hufford's is, William Hart's, immediately west of this, Robert Thompson's, where J.R. Carmichael's store stands, A. Lauman, in the same block, a little north of it, Dr. H.G. Sexton's where the Mauzy double store is, Job Pugh's double two story house, stood where the National Banck now stands, Joseph Nichol's, where James Pattison now lives, Charles Veeder's in the park, where three or four locust trees now grow, Charles Test, where Dr. W.H. Smith's house stands, this he occupied as an office and dwelling until he married, when he bought William Hart's property on the mill race east of John Carmichael's mill; here he built a two story log house, which still remains, though changes from its original appearance by weather boarding, etc. The first stock of goods was brought by a Mr. Patterson, from Pittsburgh, who sold them in a house where Dr. M. Sexton's block is, east of the Windsor Hotel. Reu Pugh opened a dry goods store on the National Bank lot, Deming brought a stock and sold them in a building where Rush County Bank now stands, he afterward built the brick, south of the court house, where he carried on the business for several years, Major Newell built a two story log house, and sold goods, where Dr. W.A. Pugh lives, then came W. McCleary & Co. west of court house. Thomas Wooster opened a dry goods store in 1828. He had previously kept a grocery. The very first tavern was one kept by William Hart, west of Hufford's house. He kept this house for perhaps two years, then sold out to Charles Test, and moved away. Lauman, in 1823, opened one west of the courthouse, and Job Pugh, one north of the courthouse. This he sold to his brother Reu Pugh, after he was elected Recorder, the latter enlarged and improved the house, and carried on the business most successfully for many years. Reu Pugh was a most energetic businessman. He kept a first rate tavern, a dry goods and grocery store, had an extensive tanyard and a shoemaker's shop, thus largely increasing the business of the town. Joseph Hamilton came to Rushville in 1830, and opened a dry goods and grocery store, in a room where Toolen's block now stands. He afterward moved it to the McPike corner and finally built a brick building, which is now a part of the Grand Hotel. Here, at the old white corner, as it was usually called, he was for many years, carried on successfully, a general mercantile business and also kept a hotel, which made glad the heart of the weary traveler. In later years George Hibben, Laren & Flinn, Hibben & Flinn, Maddux & Havens, Hibben & Mauzy, and William Mauzy & Co. were among the leading merchants of Rushville. Joseph Thrasher was one of the early blacksmiths. His shop stood where Reeve & Burt's store is. Jack Irvin had a tailor's shop where Mrs. Mason's millinery store stands. Henry Beckwith had a wagon maker's shop on the south side of the courthouse. Alexander Glon was a well-known shoemaker in early times. Thomas Pugh carried on the business of hatter, in a shop that stood where Gwin's livery stable now stands. Hiram Bell had a blacksmith's shop south of the courthouse.

The first postmaster in Rushville was Charles Veeder, in 1822. The first school taught in the township and county, was by Dr. W.B. Laughlin, in 1821.

Plats Of Rushville:

The original plat of Rushville contained 151 lots. As time rolled on and the population increased, it became necessary to enlarge the limits. The Laughlin addition was laid out and platted, November 17, 1836. It was immediately west of the original plat. This sufficed until September 17, 1847, when Bridges and Tingley recorded their addition situated west of the Laughlin addition along Buena Vista Avenue. In 1850, Smith and Carr platted their addition, lying west of Bridges and Tingley's, between the Indianapolis road and Ruth Street and north of the J.M. & I depot. This area was found to be insufficient for the increased and increasing population, and in April 1867, G.C. Clark, in response to the demand for more room, made his first addition, extending east of Main Street, between Elm and Lilac. Our High School is on Perkins between Lilac and Magnolia. These lots were taken up so rapidly that in May, 1868, he made his second addition, east of the first, and extending to Maple Street, and in May, 1869, he made his third from Maple to the point on which the second or colored Methodist Church stands. In February 1870, H.G. Sexton's first addition was made to the northwest part of town. In 1879, Lon Sexton made his addition between Main and Morgan streets. Theodore Jennings made an addition to the West and South part of town. H .G. Sexton's heirs made their second addition lying west of Jackson and north of West Fifth Street.

Besides the above important additions, there have been quite a number of smaller ones not necessary to be enumerated. These later additions have been rapidly taken up and improved by laboring men, through the benefit aid of the building associations. These associations are emphatically the friends of the poor man. Many a man now enjoys the blessings of a home that is in verity his own by their aid; without this organization he would be now a renter at the mercy of a landlord. The growth and development of Rushville has been steady and real, but scarcely keeping pace with the advance of the county in wealth and financial prosperity. Rushville has never been cursed by that unfounded and fictitious inflation of values, usually known as a boom, and which unscrupulous speculators, and tricksters for their own gain work up. About 1856, Col. Alfred Posey built, and for several years run a large distillery, in what is now Circleville. This afforded a good market for all surplus grain. But the farmers found that it was more profitable to feed their corn to their hogs than to sell it, so that the distillery could not get enough to make the manufacture of whisky very remunerative to the owner.

Mills

In 1840, Harvey W. Carr, Joseph Nichols, Joseph McPike and Dr. William Frame formed a company and built the steam mill to which was attached a saw mill. In the spring of 1845, John and Jesse Carmichael bought it. After running it some time, Jesse went out, and Lewis Maddux, James Hibben and John Carmichael became the owners. In a short time Hibben and Maddux sold their interest, and it has been ever since the property of John Carmichael. This mill was for many years the most popular mill in the county, and did an immense amount of work. In July of 1887, Mr. Carmichael put in the roller process works, so that he is now prepared to successfully compete with any mill in the county. In June 1857, T. & E. Moffett and John Winship built a large and very complete and well-equipped woolen mill, whose foundations stand on the riverbank south of the Presbyterian Church, it having been consumed by fire in 1887. This factory turned out first-class goods and gave employment to about twenty-five hands. In 1870, John Carmichael bought out the interests of Winship and Estell Moffett, it being the one-half interest of the concern; he paid for this $20,000. It was run a few years longer to the pecuniary loss of the proprietors. The City Mills were built by J.B. Fouch, in 1881, and are now doing a fine custom business under the present proprietor, T.W. Hilligoss. The latest devices in mill machinery are used in this mill.

Incorporation

It is not easy to fix definitely the date of incorporation of Rushville, as a town. Prior to the building of the present city hall, council meetings were held wherever convenient for the members, and the town records were not safely kept. For a time they were left in the office of a Justice of the Peace, on whose dockets were recorded fines and penalties against certain law-breakers. These individuals, thinking to destroy the judgments against them, broke into the Justice's office at night and carrying forth what books they could find, which unfortunately were the town records, built a fire in the streets and destroyed them. However, old citizens agree that the incorporation was effected prior to 1845, and it is generally believed that it was about 1842. The town Board held its last meeting September 6, 1883(the records are signed by J.H. Bebout, president, and H.P. McGuire, Clerk), and on the same day the first meeting of the City Council was held, when Mayor George H. Puntenney, Clerk Joseph A. Armstrong, Marshal Samuel G. Vance, Treasurer William E. Harmes, and Councilmen L. Link, A. Pavy, J.J. Fouts, J. Readle, Martin Bohannon and J.B. Reeve were duly installed. These gentlemen had been elected to the respective offices named, at a special election held on September 4, 1883. The Mayors of the city have been: George H. Puntenney from September 6, 1883, Wilson T. Jackson from May 9, 1884, H.G.L.S. Hilligoss from May7, 1886.

Press:

As the press is one of the educators of our country, and exerts a powerful influence in giving tone and character to society, mention of its history in this county is made. It is rather difficult to give the correct data, as the files of newspapers have not been preserved, and the historian must depend mainly on the personal recollections of old citizens.

The first paper ever published in Rush County was a unique sheet dubbed the Dog Fennel Gazette, about ten by twelve inches. Though small, it was spicy and rich, filled with the local news of the county, humor, drollery and keen sarcasm. Its sole editor and proprietor was William D.M. Wickman, an original genius of the first water. The press itself was decidedly pioneer; the bed of it was the top of a sycamore stump, and the lever a long pole inserted into a mortise in a tree standing by its side; on this he printed his Gazette and all the bills called for by the business of the county. This he used for some time, but finally made a great advance by constructing a press of heavy oak timbers. This he called "Wickman's Velocity Press", and did what was then considered good printing. The first number of the Dog Fennel Gazette was issued in the latter part of 1822 or early part of 1823. This paper for many years supplied the wants of the community, until Samuel Davis and Thomas Wallace, two young and practical printers from Cincinnati, started a more pretentious sheet, called the Rushville Herald.

Submitted by: Lora Addison Radiches
History of Rush County Indiana 1888
Brant & Fuller Chicago


Daniel T. Cater, of Center Township, was born in Fleming County, Kentucky; February 20, 1814, being the son of Henry and Mary (Green) Carter, the former of whom was born in Culpepper County, Virginia, in about 1776, and the latter was born in Virginia in about 1791. He was married in his native country to Miss Ellen B. Fitch, on the 30th day of November 1843. She was the daughter of Henry and Matilda Fitch, the former of whom was born in Kentucky, September 13, 1794, and died November 14, 1874; the latter was born in Kentucky, December 27, 1799, and died in August 1864. In 1845, Mr. Carter moved his family to Rushville, traveling by stage from Cincinnati, having but $5.00 in his possession. His first work was in the harvest field at 62 cents per day, and he afterward assisted in the erection of many buildings in Rushville. Latter on, he rented a farm, and by hard work saved $4,000 with which he purchased a farm in Union Township. He is now the owner of a splendid farm in Center Township, all of which is due to his personal economy and industry. He and wife have had seven children as follows: Mary I, born September 2, 1845, Robert B, born January 2, 1847, died October 28, 1869; Henry F, born March 28, 1849, James M, born November 2, 1851, Martha E, born January 14, 1854, Alvin, born September 17, 1860, and Charles M. born April 25, 1871. Mr. Carter's father was a soldier under General Anthony Wayne and died about 1860. His mother died about 1856. In politics he is a Republican. He is a self made man and a good citizen.

Submitted by: Lora Addison Radiches
History of Rush County Indiana 1888
Brant & Fuller Chicago


William L. King, farmer, and stock-raiser, was born in Manilla, this county, December 1, 1835, son of David and Matilda (Edwards) King. His father was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, about 1827, and died in this county in 1856. His mother was born in Guilford County, North Carolina, in 1828, and now resides in Manilla, this county. The father of our subject came to this county in 1851. Mr. King was reared on the farm and received a good common school education, and for some time was a student at the National Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio, and at Valparaiso Normal School, Valparaiso, Indiana. At nineteen years of age he began teaching school and continued this occupation for ten consecutive winters. In boyhood he served an apprenticeship at the harness maker's trade. In 1880, he engaged in the hotel and livery business, at Manila; this he continued until 1887, when he sold out his business interest and removed to his present place of residence in Rushville Township. He is a successful stockman and now owns Eastbrook, Hambletonian King, Napoleon and Clydemore; all these are good horses. Mr. King was united in marriage, May 6, 1885, to Miss Lizzie Hilligoss, a native of this county, born September 31, 1864, daughter of Perry and Mary Hilligoss. He is a Republican, a Knight Templar, and a member of Baldwin Commandry, at Shelbyville. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. King is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. King has made his own way in life and is highly respected.

Submitted by: Lora Addison Radiches
History of Rush County Indiana 1888
Brant & Fuller Chicago


Catharine Clark of Center Township, was born in Fayette County, Indiana; October 1, 1825, being the daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth (Roysdon) Wandel, who were natives of Seneca County, N.Y; and Ashe County, North Carolina; respectively, the former being born July 30, 1797, and the latter being born January 11, 1802. He died December 16, 1854, and she died September 20, 1849. Her paternal grandparents were George and Sarah Wandel, and her maternal grandparents were Nathan and Nancy Roysdon, who were natives of North Carolina. When she was nine years old her parents removed to Rush County, Indiana and settled upon the farm where Mrs. Clark now resides, her father having entered land from the government. She grew up to woman-hood, at the home of her parents, and was married to Wiley Clark, July 21, 1847. He was born in Wilkes county, North Carolina; December 25, 1820, being the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (McBride) Clark, where were natives of Maryland, and North Carolina respectively. His father was the son of John T. and Barbara Clark. Mr. Wiley Clark was a farmer by occupation, which pursuit he followed in Center Township, until the time of his death, which occurred January 24, 1880. He was a Democrat in politics and was a member of the Christian Church. Mrs. Clark's parents came to Wayne County, Indiana, in 1815, whence after a five-year residence they entered land in Center Township, where both spent the rest of their lives. Her grandparents, George and Sarah Wandel, settled in Franklin County, Indiana, the former was born in May 1770, and died February 11, 1817; the latter was born March 14, 1777, and died May 27, 1845. Mrs. Clark is the mother of seven children, only three of whom are living. Their names and ages are, Amanda F; born May 13, 1848, died May 30, 1883; Stephen A; born January 12, 1852; Albert N, born March 4, 1856, died April 27, 1857; John L, born July 20, 1860; George B, born June 25, 1864, and two sons that died in infancy unnamed. Mrs. Clark is a member of the Christian Church. She has a farm of eighty-three acres and a comfortable home, where she resides in a pleasant way. October 19, 1871 Amanda F was married to Samuel Cohee, and became the mother of three children: Bertie N; Wiley E; and Marple P; of whom only the oldest is living. Stephen A. was married October 26, 1871, to Orpha Bowen, by whom he has one child, Pearl I; born April 29, 1878; John L, was married September 13, 1883, to Mary C. Bitner, by whom he has two children: Alta Doy, born March 8, 1885, and Bertha E; born March 4, 1887. George B. was married September 16, 1886, to Ida J. Bitner, by whom he has one child: Emery L.

Submitted by: Lora Addison Radiches
History of Rush County Indiana 1888
Brant & Fuller Chicago


Martha A. Chandler, of Center Township, was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, October 12, 1835, being the daughter of Aaron and Ann Barnes, both of whom were also natives of Bourbon County, Kentucky. Her father was the son of Brinsley and Mary Barnes, and her mother as the daughter of John and Martha Laughlin. Before she was two years old her parents came to Rush county, Indiana, and settled in Noble Township, where she grew up to womanhood, and where on the 19th day of February, 1860, she was married to John G. Chandler. He was born in Harrison County, Kentucky, September 17, 1824, being the son of James and Elizabeth Chandler. He was married to Irene E. Welborn, in September 1855. She bore to him two children: Ilola May and Walter, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Irene Chandler died May 2, 1858. The subject of this sketch is the mother of three daughters: Carrie A, born February 2, 1861, married to Turner Hudelson in May 1885; Lizzie K; born June 12, 1862, married to Horace Atkins, in September 1880, and Mary M, born November 22, 1864, married to Arthur Hinshaw, April 7, 1887. The husband of Mrs. Chandler died November 26, 1871. She is a member of the Christian Church. She owns eighty acres of land nearly all in cultivation.

Submitted by: Lora Addison Radiches
History of Rush County Indiana 1888
Brant & Fuller Chicago


Cyrus Florea, who has resided in Center Township for the past fifty years, was born in Adams County, Ohio, June 20, 1819, being the son of Joshua and Mary Florea with whom he came to Rush County in 1837. The family settled in Center Township, where Cyrus continued with his parents until his marriage, which occurred January 13, 1842. The lady who became his wife was Almira Keever, who was born in Clark County, Ohio, August 18, 1822, being the daughter of Henry and Rhoda Keever, both of whom were natives of Ohio. She came with her parents to Rush County in 1830, and this has ever since been her home. Shortly after their marriage Mr. And Mrs. Florea settled upon the farm they now occupy, which has been their home ever since. The life occupation of Mr. Florea has been farming, and in this connection his efforts have been liberally rewarded. He at one time owned about 600 acres of land. This has been reduced by giving his children comfortable homes, but he is still the owner of a farm of 100 acres, which is in a good state of improvement and cultivation. He and wife are the parents of six children, two of whom are deceased. Those living are: Orange T, Mary J, Joshua E, and Florell A. Those deceased are: Sarah E, and Dale. Mrs. Florea is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Florea endorses the principals of the Union labor Party. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace four years. He is one of the well to do substantial men of his township.

Submitted by: Lora Addison Radiches
History of Rush County Indiana 1888
Brant & Fuller Chicago


Cyrus Mull, The great grandfather of Cyrus Mull was David Mull, a native of Germany, who came to America in 1740, and settled in Pennsylvania, where he married. About 1757, he moved to Loudoun County, Va., where he died. He had five children, George, the youngest, being grandfather of Cyrus. George was born in Loudoun County, Va., about 1772, and married there in 1783, Catherine Long, who was born in Lancaster County, Pa, about 1774. From this marriage there were born seven children: David, Anthony, John, Frederick, George, Elizabeth, and Jacob, all born in Loudoun County, Va., Jacob, the father of Cyrus, was born in 1803, and married in Ohio, Margaret Richinson, of Scotch descent, born in New Jersey. In 1814, George with his family, moved to Warren County, Ohio, where Catherine his wife died August 1823. In March, 1826, George with two of his sons, George and Jacob, moved to Rush County and settled in the forest, George in Rushville Township, and Jacob in East side of Walter Township. George, the father, died here in December 1827, and his remains were taken back to Warren County, Ohio, and sleep beside those of his wife. Frederick also came to Rush County, and settled near his brothers, and remained there until his death. Jacob Mull moved from his farm to Manilla, in 1838, where he lived until his death in 1861. Most of his time was engaged in carrying on a general store. Cyrus Mull was born march 19, 1829, in the eastern part of Walker Township, Rush County, and was the third of four children. Catherine was the wife of Dr. J.W.Trees, and is not living. George died at seven years of age. Mary Ann, now wife of Dr. J. J. Inlow. Cyrus after his father moved to Manilla, spent his time as other boys, attending school part of the time until about his eighteenth year; his father then bought a farm near by, and he managed than until he became twenty-one years old, when a partnership was formed, consisting of Jacob Mull, Cyrus Mull, and J. W. Trees, under the firm name of J. & C. Mull & Trees, for the purpose of caring on a General Store. It was then customary for many country stores to sell goods on credit from January 1, until Christmas, and then buy the farmers' hogs, drive them on foot to Cincinnati and sell them, and on return make general settlements of the year's business. In this line of business Cyrus acquired some knowledge of the traffic in live stock, and experience in business, and in after life for a time, devoted his entire attention to the live stock trade, and by prudence, carefulness and honesty, accumulated a large estate, made mostly between the years 1857, and 1883. He married September 17, 1857, Eleanor J. Kerrick, at Milroy, Indiana, daughter of Nimrod Kerrick, a Methodist Minister, a native of Loudoun County, Va., whose wife was Mary Masters, a native of Lancaster County, Pa., They resided on a farm adjoining Manilla, where he died of nervous brain exhaustion July 7, 1883, leaving his widow and six children surviving him, tow other children died in infancy. Those living are: Thomas K, born 1860, William C, born 1863, Frank A, born 1864, Leonidas H, born 1866, George F, born 1868, Jacob C, born 1878, and Mary M, born 1882. He was a leading citizen and probably the wealthiest man in the county at his death, was a Director of the Rushville National Bank, also one of the First National Bank of Shelbyville. He was a devoted husband. In all of his varied and extensive business operations, his whole life seemed centered around the family hearthstone, and he made it a happy and comfortable place for all who came there. No man in the county took greater pleasure in entertaining his friends at his fireside. His devotion to his wife and family was a marked feature of his life. Though not a member of any order, society or church, the principles of Christian morality seemed to govern him in every transaction of his life. The last few years of his life his time was given mostly to lending money and managing his farms and monetary affairs. Instead of collection his money by law, and enforcing his claim against debtors, through the Sheriff, he sought to aid by friendly advice and counsel lagging debtors, and would stand by and assist one he believed to be honest, to the last. He was never known to oppress one of his debtors so long as he found him honestly striving to meet his obligations. A better man for the community in which he lived, or more generally missed, is very rare.

Submitted by: Lora Addison Radiches
History of Rush County Indiana 1888
Brant & Fuller Chicago


Deb Murray