About four years ago Elder A.W. Bartlett, an Adventist minister, came to Rush County and began a series of lectures on the law and the fulfillment of prophecy at Goddard's two and one half miles east of Homer. He lectured there about a month and then removed his services to Arlington, where he remained about the same length of time. Those lectures succeeded in fixing the attention of a few to the claims of this order for the Decalogue and in securing the promise of some fifteen persons to keep the Sabbath as recognized in the law given to the Jews. About two years afterward, Elders Huffman and Godsmark pitched a tent at Homer, and lectured upon the same subjects for a period of ten weeks. They succeeded in effecting an organization of some seven souls and in having a house for worship built. They still hold seventh day meetings there, but have no regular preacher. They have made slow progress with their new doctrine and have not called out sufficiently strong element to impress the community with the plausibility of their teaching. It is not probable that they will gain any permanent position among the churches of the county since their doctrine antagonizes and revolutionizes all other religious orders. Besides what have been mentioned there are some two or three organizations that are apparently independent. In the southwest corner of Ripley Township is one of these, and it has received the name of “Fast Quakers” because it is composed of Quakers or Friends and Methodists. In the combination the distinctive plea of each is lost and the amalgamation completely destroys the identity of either. The usual quietness of the devotion of the Friend is wholly lost in the extreme emotional zeal of the Methodist. They have erected a very neat house about three and one-half miles southwest of Carthage, and hold occasional meetings there still. Several organizations of the various churches have been abandoned on account of having been unable to maintain themselves. Ripley Township had two of this kind, one a Christian and one a Baptist. The Baptist belonged to the colored people and was situated in what is known as the Beech. The Christian on the road leading from Carthage to Knightstown, about half way between the two places. This congregation had a passably good house, which when they disbanded was given to the colored Disciples of Carthage. They moved the building to Carthage and used it for church purposes until 1875, when they erected a new building, which they now use. The Baptists have two houses in the county not now much is use, and the prospect is that at no distant day they will be entirely vacated. One of these lies southwest of Rushville seven miles, and the other is situated in the western part of Noble Township. Besides these, I have no report of any other organization, either existing or abandoned, except the Moscow Methodist Episcopal Church, in which there is apparently no “lamp” burning at the present.

Colored Churches

The enjoyment of church privileges by the colored people of this city and county was first effected through the instrumentality of the Methodist Church. About 1871 or 72 a Rev. Mr. James came from Shelbyville occasionally and preached the word of God to the people of his race, and at length founded a church organization which, however, was not completed until the Rev. Daniel Tucker had replaced Mr. James. It is known as the Second Methodist Episcopal Church. For several years' meetings were held at houses of members, and at such public places as could be conveniently obtained for the purpose. The membership at first numbering only nine, increased so rapidly that the need of a church building began to be seriously felt. On August 2, 1877, the benevolent Mr. George C. Clark conveyed to the Trustees of the church, as a gift, a lot in the northeastern part of the city suitable for the erection of a church building. Many white citizens contributed small amounts and by means of festivals among the colored people a sufficient sum was raised to erect a substantial and commodious frame structure. Rev. Henry Moreland first preached in the new church and the present pastor is the Rev. Cary Nichols. The church has continued its growth, until now there are fifty-seven communicants. The only other church organization among the colored people is that known as the Second Baptist Church, which came into existence about four years since. Before a church was built Elder John Williams, of Indianapolis, preached in the courthouse and at the houses of church members. About two years ago means were raised by subscription and a neat frame church was instituted the membership has grown from seven to fourteen. The Rev. Frank P. Green, of Shelbyville, is at present the pastor in charge. These churches have planted the moral germ to which more than to any other influence Rush County is indebted for the high state of civilization she has attained. No county in the State can lay claim truthfully to a more universal church populace, nor deeper veneration of the citizens for religion and religious influences. In these pages the writer has endeavored to do the strictest justice to all, and has depended largely upon the reports furnished for the facts as set fourth in the foregoing history. This history, doubtless, would have been more interesting had it individualized the respective congregations, but there was a limit of both time and space, besides the work demanded a general and not a specific history. It would be a pleasing pastime, and also a most interesting work for the general public to have fully written up step by step, the facts and incidents pertaining to the church work of this county, from its beginning until now. Should any organization or rather order feel aggrieved or slighted by statements or omissions, I would beg that such be considered accidents and not intentional. There can be none prouder of the moral influences being exercised for the elevation of our citizenship than myself, and hence, I could not intentionally disparage any of them however strong I might differ from them as to their claims for truth as their basis. I believe that the general history herein contained is as nearly correct as it can be gotten, since the source whence we must draw information has not the reliability of well-kept records. In concluding, I can but express the hop that the church work may continue on to still greater accomplishments.

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History of Rush County Indiana 1888
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HON. EDWARD HENRY MCDANIEL BERRY was born in Marion County,Ky., September 30, 1823, was the son of Holesworth and Mary (Stevenson) Berry,and is of English descent.  His fatherwas also born in Marion County, Ky., December 10, 1794, and died in Rushville,November 13, 1871. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. The paternalgrandfather of Mr. Berry was Joel Berry, a native of Virginia. He was aRevolutionary soldier during the entire time of that conflict. He died in Ohioat nearly one hundred years of age. The mother of Mr. Berry was also born in Kentucky about 1 791, and died in Rush County in 1863. The Berry family came toIndiana in 1828, and settled in Fayette County, and in 1832, came to Rush County.  The Stevenson family removed from Maryland to Kentucky, andsettled in Kentucky just after the Revolutionary War. The subject of our sketchwas raised on a farm, and received his education at the district school. His first teacher was a lady by the name of Malinda Points. Mr. Berry attributed his education to the old pioneer teaching of Benjamin F. Reeve. At the age of seventeen years, Mr. Berry began teaching, and taught for ten years. He was recognized as one ofthe leading teachers of this part of Indiana in that day. Politically, Mr.Berry is an ardent Republican. In 1860, he was elected Senator of Indiana, and served four years. In 1864, he was elected Treasurer of Rush County, and re-elected in 1866. He was one of the best officials the county ever had, an honest and reliable one, and has been very successful as a politician. Mr.Berry was married in 1863, the bride being Miss Mary A. Conover, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1838, the daughter of Reading B. and Mary (Stook)Conover. To Mr. and Mr. Berry were born two children, viz.: Reading H., andWilliam B. The subject of our sketch was made a Mason in the Milroy Lodge in 1852, and for nine years was Master of the same lodge, he settled where he now lives in 1878, and owns 240 acres of well-improved land. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He has been a very successful man, and it has been through his own efforts.

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HON. FINLEY BIGGER, Ex-Register of the U. S. Treasury, lawyer and mathematician, of Rushville, was born near Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio, September 9, 1807. He is the son of Hon. John Bigger, a native of Maryland, and born in 1770, and in 1798, emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio, to what afterward became Warren County. There he soon after was elected to the first State Legislature. He served; it is believed, more sessions in the Ohio Legislature than any other man. His early education was neglected, but he was a great reader and thinker, having a strong, clear and discriminating mind. He never suffered himself to be influenced by passion or prejudice, and those who wished, to do right in difficult circumstances sought his advice and relied on his judgment with implicit confidence. Strongly attached to family and friends, inflexible in the discharge of his duty, ever ready to assist those who needed help, always more willing to forgive an injury than to resent it, he gained wide influence and was profoundly esteemed. For more than thirty years he was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. Tom Corwin was one of his most intimate friends, also Henry Clay. Gov. Corwin's mode of introducing him to distinguished gentlemen was, allow me to introduce my honored friend John Bigger one of nature's noblemen and an honest man. Hon.Finley Bigger was introduced by Elisha Whittlesey to Judge McLane as the son of John Bigger, of Warren County, Ohio, as honest a man as the Lord ever placed on earth. Finley Bigger had only limited school privileges, but he was reared under influences that stimulated intellectual growth. There in the almost unbroken forest, was a coterie of young men of brilliant talents, who with his father's distinguished guests, unconsciously aided in molding the mind of the unlettered boy. Years passed and he studied law under Gov. Corwin, was admitted to the Bar, and in 1834 or 1835, licensed to practice in the Supreme Court of Ohio. In 1836 (spring), he removed to Rushville, Ind., and commenced the successful practice of his profession. Except during a period of several years in which he resided in Washington, D. C., Rushville has ever since been his home. In 1853, Mr. Bigger was appointed Register of the United States Treasury, and discharged the duty of that responsible position until 1861. He found the archives of the office in a disordered condition; so much so, that it was difficult to find important papers on file, and months sometimes elapsed before a call from congress or heads of departments could be answered. He set proper forces to work to remedy this evil, and when a new file room was prepared, some hundreds of thousands of vouchers and other papers were so arranged that any of them could be found in less than fifteen minutes, and a call for information answered promptly. In 1874, Gov. Hendricks appointed him one of the Commissioners of the House of Refuge at Plainfield. Almost ever since he fixed his home in Rushville, Mr. Bigger has been, as he says, an amateur editor. He became well known from his numerous articles in home papers, which were often copied by, eastern papers. At an early age he evinced a natural taste for mathematics, and an aptness to solve difficult problems, that was a promise of future ability, which in later years have been more than fulfilled. As a lawyer, Mr. Bigger stood first among the first. He has a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of legal principles, and his pleadings are celebrated throughout eastern Indiana for their terseness and logical conclusions. As a writer on both political and social topics he has few equals. His style is concise, and exhibits great command of the English language. His sentences are often pointed with the keenest satire, and always linked together with perfect logic. Those who know him personally and through his writings, say his mind is one of comprehensiveness and power. He was very faithful to his clients and to friends, punctual in any agreement, and in all relations of life a true gentleman. Mr. Bigger married Miss Nancy Wilson, of Warren County, Ohio, March 6, 1827.

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JAMES W. BROWN, attorney at law, was born in Marion County, Indiana September 29, 1837. His parents were Thomas B. and Jane M. (Day) Brown, both of English descent, and natives of Mason County, Ky., and Clermont County, Ohio, respectively. His paternal grandparents were George and Maria (Lee) Brown, natives of Virginia, the latter a niece of the illustrious Richard Henry Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee, signers of the Declaration of Independence. From Virginia these grandparents emigrated to Mason County, Ky., and thence to Marion County, Indiana. In 1847, when but ten years of age, the subject of this sketch left the parental roof and, going forth to seek his fortune, went to Noblesville, Indiana where for a time he lived with an uncle. At the early age of fourteen years he became Deputy County Clerk of Hamilton County, and served as such for seven years. In 1863 he came to Rushville and here served eight years as Deputy Clerk of Rush County, when in 1870, his faithful services were rewarded by an election to be chief of the office in which he had so long served as a subordinate. At the end of his official term he commenced the practice of law with Mr. George C. Clark, continuing thereat, until September 1879, when again he became County Clerk by appointment, and by reason of a subsequent election remained in office until November 1884. Thus, it will be seen, twenty-four years of his life have been devoted to the public services. His entire attention is now given to the practice of his profession. He was married at Noblesville, Indiana. September 3, 1860, to Lucinda Francelia Plato, daughter of Steward and Eliza (Hall) Plato. Mrs. Brown was born in Rome, N. Y., and was reared at Utica, N. Y. Her paternal grandmother was a cousin of Millard Fillmore and Zachariah Taylor. Mr. Brown is the father of three children: Sarah H., Laura P., and Charles C., all of whom are living. He is a member of the F. & A. M. and I. 0. 0. F. lodges, and in politics a Republican, staunch and active. From 1882 to 1884, he was a member of the Republican state Central Committee as Chairman of the Sixth Congressional District Committee, and in April, 1884, presided over the convention that nominated Lion. Thomas M. Brown for Congress, and that to select delegates to the Chicago Republican Convention.

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Dewitt C. BUELL, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Rush County, Indiana, February 22, 1854. His father, Eli Buell, was born in New York, January 22, 1812, son of Isarel and Roxanna (Blair) Buell, natives respectively of Connecticut and New York, the  former born in 1771 and died in 1845, and the latter born in 1778 and died in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1831. Levi Buell was married in 1837 to Miss Mary Hoel. To this union were born four children, viz.:Caroline, Emaline, Dewitt C. and Ella. Mrs. Buell died August 26, 1885. He is a staunch Republican, and has resided in this county since 1839. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and for six years served as County Commissioner. Dewitt C. Buell, the immediate subject of this sketch, is the seventh in a  family of eight children, and his life has been that of a farmer and stock-raiser. He now owns 160 acres of valuable land, also the old Buell homestead. Mr. Buell was married October 29, 1879, to Miss Dora Wilkins,a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, born March 13, 1857. To this marriage are these children: Don C., born November 7, 1880, and Ida, born December 8, 1882. Mrs. Buell died in 1884, and in 1886, Mr. Buell was again married, the bride being Mrs. Eva Amos, whose maiden name was Wellman. Mr. Buell is a Republican and an honored citizen.

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History of Rush County Indiana 1888
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WILLIAM H. LEE, a worthy and esteemed citizen of Posey Township, was born in that Township July 8, 1835. He was the son of Elzy C. and Sarah Ann (Murphy) Lee, the former a native of Fishkill Island, of English descent, and the latter a native of New Jersey, of Irish descent. He was reared upon a farm, and in winter he attended the district school. In 1856, he entered an academy at Hartsville, Bartholomew County, and attended one term of five months. He then took up the avocation of a teacher, and this furnished his winter's employment for four consecutive years. In the fall of 1862, he entered the Union service in the Twenty-second Indiana Light Artillery, with which he served until the end of the war. He participated in the siege of Nashville and the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., and Franklin, Tenn., and siege of Atlanta; from the war he was married August 3, 1865, to Catharine S. Nelson, who was born in this county January 15, 1837, being the daughter of Christian and Felitia Ann (Cooper) Nelson, a more extended mention of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Immediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Lee went to Kokomo, this State, where for a short time Mr. Lee worked at the carpenter's trade. In March 1866, they removed to a farm in Tipton County, and in August 1867, they returned to this county and settled upon the farm they now occupy in Posey Township. Since then Mr. Lee has given his whole attention to farming and in this pursuit he has been liberally rewarded. He began with a farm of eighty acres, and since he has been enabled to add to this until now he owns 174 acres of excellent land, most of which is in a good state of cultivation. He and wife have had seven children as follows: Adenia, Arthur C., Fannie, Florence, Elzy F., William R., and Thomas R., all of whom are living except Elzy F., who died in childhood. Mrs. Lee is a member of the Christian Church. In politics, Mr. Lee is an ardent Republican. While not a political Prohibitionist, he is in favor of temperance and eschews the use of intoxicants in every form.

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History of Rush County Indiana 1888
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Robert Hutchinson, who occupies a prominent place among the successful farmers and stock-raisers of Rush County, was born in Franklin County, this State, May 30, 1844, being the son of Sandford and Mary (Charlton) Hutchinson, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter a native of Ohio. His father was the son of Carter Hutchinson, who was a Virginian by birth. His mother, who is still living and now resides in the State of Iowa, can trace her ancestry back to the crew of the Mayflower. When the subject of this sketch was ten years old, his parents removed to Butler County, Ohio, where his youth was spent upon a farm. At nineteen, or in December 1863, he entered the service of the Union Army in Company M, Ninth Indiana Cavalry, with which he served during the remainder of the war. He participated in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and several other less important engagements, in all of which he discharged his duties in a manner becoming a loyal soldier. On returning from the war he located in Posey Township, this county, where he has ever since pursued the avocation of a fanner and stock-raiser. His first marriage occurred August 20, 1868, when Miss Margaret E. Moore became his wife. She was born in Posey Township, April 15, 1851, being the daughter of Mordecai and Nancy (Gruwell) Moore. She died November 29, 1880, and on the 21st day of December 1882, Mr. Hutchinson and Miss Ridenbaugh were united in marriage. She was born in Rushville, October 8, 1857, being the daughter of John and Rachel (McMannis) Ridenbaugh, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter a native of this county. Mr. Hutchinson's first marriage resulted in the birth of three children, as follows: Elbert, born April 14, 1870, died October 4, 1882; Leona, born July 21, 1872, died October 8, 1872, and Elmer, born August 30, 1873. He and his present wife have one child, Essie, born July 26, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson are members of the Christian Church. The former is a member of the G. A. R. and I. 0. 0. F. lodges, and he is a firm supporter of the principles of the Democratic Party. His farm, which is admirably situated, consists of 160 acres of excellent land, nearly all of which is in a good state of cultivation. It is in other ways well improved and, with its splendid facilities, it is a most desirable location. As a tiller of the soil Mr. Hutchinson has been very successful. He began life a poor boy, but his industry and perseverance have placed him in comfortable circumstances and given him a rank among the well-to-do citizens. He is one of the influential and prosperous farmers of the township, and he and wife are among its best citizens. For the past two years, in addition to farming, Mr. Hutchinson has been engaged in the grain trade, which venture, like all others he has made, has been attended with success.

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History of Rush County Indiana 1888
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WILLIAM ENGLISH, a pioneer of Rush County, and an old and respected citizen of Arlington, was born in Harrison County, Ky., on the 25th day of December 1816. He was the son of Robert and Patsy (Kenning) English, both natives of Harrison County, Ky., the former of Scotch, and the latter of Irish descent. In 1823, when William was but seven years old, his parents came to this county and settled upon a tract of woods land about two miles southeast of the present site of Rushville. There our subject spent his early life assisting to clear and cultivate the farm. He continued upon the old homestead until in the year 1870, when he removed to the village of Arlington. Since then his attention has been given tothe management of his farm one mile and a half east of Arlington. He was married February 28, 1852, to Christiana J. Laughlin, who was born in Beaver County, Pa., November 19, 1821, and was the daughter of Wilson and Elizabeth(McCloud) Laughlin, the former a native of Beaver County, Pa., of Irishdescent, and the latter a native of Virginia, of Scotch descent. She came with her father and mother to Rush County when she was but four years old, and she has even since been a resident of the county. She is a niece of Dr. William B. Laughlin, one of the earliest settlers of Rushville, and is a cousin to Harmony Laughlin, now an old and honored resident of Rushville. Mr. and Mrs. English are the parents of one daughter: Laura E., who was born February 14, 1860, and who was married April 20, 1887, to Oscar M. Marshall, a native of this county, born July 9, 1859, and son of Benjamin Marshall. Our subject, his wife and daughter, are all members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, Mr. English is a Democrat. Besides his comfortable residence property he now occupies. He owns a farm of eighty acres.

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History of Rush County Indiana 1888
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Jacob F. DOWNEY, one of Rush County's most successful teachers, is a native of this county, having been born in Posey Township, December 15, 1859. He is the older of two Sons born to James H and Lucinda Downey, a history of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He was reared upon the farm and in winter attended the district school in which he received a good knowledge of the common branches. Later on he attended a Normal School at Carthage, during two sessions, and at nineteen years of age he took up the avocation of a teacher,teaching his first term where he had previously attended school. This has furnished his winter's employment now for the first eight years and some idea of his success may be had fromthe fact that all of his teaching has been in but two districts, having taughtthree terms in one and five in the other. He was united in marriage September 27, 1882, to Miss Mary I. Collins, daughter of William and Martha A. (Bentley)Collins. She was born in Posey Township, January 1 2, 1864.  They are the parents of one child: Clarence E., born August 19, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Downey are members of the Christian Church.  In politics the former is a Democrat. He owns an eighty-acre farm in Posey Township, most of which is in cultivation. He is an efficient and progressive teacher.

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