This township was formed in August, 1817, and comprises an area of
about 49 miles. It is 9 miles in length, north and south. Its average
breadth is less than 5 1/2 miles, being on the north line 3 1/2 miles,
and on the south about 6 3/4 miles. It is watered, principally, by
Noland's Fork and its branches. The main branch of the stream enters
the township near the north-east corner, and passes through it to the
south-west corner. It derives its name from Daniel Noland, the first
settler in its valley, about four miles south-west from Centerville, now
in the township of Washington.
Among the earliest settlers in the township were those who first
settled on this stream. They were the following: Isaac Julian, on the
land now owned by Oliver H. Brumfield, 1 1/2 miles south-west of
Centerville. Mr. Julian's cabin was, in the time of the Indian alarms,
altered to a block-house. In this house, which stood a little below
Ephraim Merritt's present residence, his first three children were
born. Nathan Overman settled near and west of town, the land now owned
by Wm. S. T. Morton. Henry Bryan, Wm. Hosier, Robert Culbertson,
Greenburg Cornelius, some of the Kings, and others also settled in this
valley.
Ascending the valley of the creek, on the west side from the south-west
corner of the township, were the following, not all of whom, however,
were among the earliest settlers in the township: David J. Woods, who
built a grist-mill and saw-mill. A saw-mill is still continued there
by Robert Delap. James __________, on the land now owned by S. Neff.
Thomas McCoy, from Kentucky, who had settled, with Holman and others,
in 1805, a few miles south of Richmond, and who removed in 1813, to
this township, where his sons John and Morgan now reside. Joseph W.
Jackson, now next north, was an early settler, and near there, Jacob
Hyers, who died in Madison county. Wm. Crawford, where now Richard G.
Charman lives. Crawford also manufactured whiskey on a small scale, and
was, probably, the first distiller in the county. Caleb Jackson,
where
his son Caleb B. Jackson now resides. Greenbury Cornelius, in 1811,
on
the land belonging to the present county asylum. Wm. Harvey, on the
quarter east of the above. John Harvey, from North Carolina, on land
now owned by the heirs of John P. Harvey. Robert Commons, from
Virginia, settled, in 1813 where he died December 19, 1837, aged 90
years; the place now owned by John Myers. James Townsend, from South
Carolina, on land now owned by Melinda King. Jospeh Holman, on the
land now owned by Wm. Q. Elliott. Axium Elliott, from North Carolina,
three miles north from Centerville; land now owned by Mark Elliott's
heirs. Robert Galbraith, where Joseph A. Commons resides, four miles
north from town. John Copeland, first, afterward Daniel King, from
Kentucky, about 1816, near where he now lives. His son Levi now lives
on the homestead. Robert Culbertson, from Kentucky, in 1815, on land
lately owned by Leonard Wolfert, now by Lorenzo D. King. He lives with
his son William, four miles north of Centerville. Edward Benbo, on
the
land now owned by the heirs of Jackson Culbertson. Walter Roberts,
from South Carolina, son of Thomas Roberts, an early settler near
Richmond, settled, in 1816, where he now lives. John Stigleman, where
his son Henry now resides. Joseph Overman, from North Carolina, about
1813, where he still resides, in the north-east part of the township.
Michael Harvey, from North Carolina, in the north-east part of the
township, where his sons reside. ________ Whitson, about 1812, where
his son John resides. John Elwood, from Delaware, where his son Levi
lately lived.
Descending on the east side of the stream, we mention Jacob Griffin,
from North Carolina, about 1813, who settled two miles north from town,
on land now owned by his son Joshua and Walter G. Stevens. John
Maxwell, from Tennessee, a blacksmith and farmer, about 1814, where his
son John M. lately resided; the land since sold to James Dunbar, from
Abington in 1844, who died in 1869, aged 48, and now owned by his
heirs. John King, from Kentucky, entered, about 1812, the land since
owned by his son Joseph, now by Joseph's heirs. Joseph Cook settled on
land now owned by James Russell. Jehu Wickersham, in 1816, on land
now
owned by Oliver T. Jones (not where O. T. J. resides). John Garrett,
where Joseph J. King resides. Wm. Hosier, from North Carolina, in
1811, on the quarter section now owned and occupied by David Commons,
and on which he lives. Robert Harvey, from Norht Carolina, on the
adjoing quarter north, also now owned by David Commons. Wm. Sumner,
from Virginia, near town, sold to John King, now owned by Jackson
King,
his youngest son. His other sons were James W. D., Wm. S., Joseph,
and
Presley. All settled in the township, west and north-west of the
town.
Wm. Sumner also owned the land on which Centerville stands. Israel
Elliott settled on the land lately owned by Norris Jones, near town.
James Junkins afterward Elisha King, on the land now owned by George
Houck. Robert Black, on land now owned by his widow and sons. Henry
Bryan, a native of Delaware, removed from Pennsylvania, in 1811, to the
farm on which he died, now owned by the heirs of Wm. Gentry, near the
south-west corner of the township. He was the first county surveyor.
In the south part of the township, Isaac Williams settled on land
afterward owned by Samuel McConnaha, now by Thomas mcConnaha, his son.
David Galbraith and his son John, where Jacob Wagoner lived; land now
owned by Joshua Eliason. Nathaniel Bell, from Kentucky, one mile south
of town, where Martin U. Eliason lives. Daniel Crow, a native of
North
Carolina, two miles south from town, where he still resides, his
youngest son, Jacob living with him. His other sons are, Stephen, in
Washington Township; Ashford and Jacob, on the homestead; Nelson, in
Boston township.
John Smith, son of John Smith, an early proprietor of Richmond, settled
one and a half miles south-east from town, on land afterward owned by
Paul Frazier, now by his heirs. Wm. Bundy settled where, at the age of
84 years, he still lives with his son-in-law, Amos Haines. Peter and
Zachary Dicks, from North Carolina, about 1812, three miles south-east
from town on land now owned by their heirs. Beale Butler, in the
south-east part of the township; the land now the property of Isam
Smelser and Stephen Farlow. Butler was a judge and a county
commissioner. John Jones, from Virginia, three miles south from town,
where he still lives, at the age of 82 years. He was several times
elected to the legislature, and is a highly respected citizen.
In the east part of the township, John C. Kibbey, from New Jersey,
settled at Salisbury, and owned considerable land there, a part of
which is now owned by John P. Voss. Jeremy Mansur, from Massachusetts,
settled at Salisbury. He was a blacksmith, and famed as an ax-maker;
was afterward a farmer. Parts of the farm are now owned by Joseph C.
Ratliff and Thomas Wyatt. Joseph Kem, early on section 15, the section
now owned by Joseph C. Ratliff, James Forkner, T. & J. Miller. Kem
resides in Richmond. Isaac miller settled on the east line of the
township, on lnads on and near which he and his sons, A. J. James A.,
L. D., David, and Oliver reside. Richard Pedrick, (probably not the
first,) where are now Thomas and J. Roberts. James E. Bryant, on land
early owned by Thomas Alred. Vinnedge Russell and Richard Pedrick, on
the section (10) on which John M. Eliason and others reside. Wm.
Culbertson, on land first improved by George Vinnedge. Thomas
Culbertson and Richard Cheeseman, early, where Presley, Caleb W., and
Lorenzo D. King reside, on and near Noland's Fork. Joseph Overman,
where he still lives, and his son Emsley. Wm. Thornburg, from
Virginia, in 1810, to Wayne, and thence in 1816 to Center, near the
north line, and near where his son Walter resides. He died near
Indianapolis in 1841, aged 64.
In the west part of the township, Jacob Brooks, a native of Virginia,
from Ohio in 1827, settled where he lately lived, on the township line;
now lives on section 22, north side of the National road. ___________
Conover, also on the west line; land now owned by Wm. Conover, first
settled by John Woodward. Charles Canaday, early, where David B.
Beeson resides. James Martin, from North Carolina, where his son James
B. resides. Samuel Parker, where Henry Gates resides. Jehu
Wickersham, (not the Jehu Wickersham before mentioned,) settled where
Eli Cook lives. Phillip Kitterman, (not the first settler,) where his
heirs reside. Ezekiel Commons, in 1813 or 1814, where James Black
resides. Daniel Stone, afterward James Neal, a farmer, blacksmith, and
innkeeper, on the land now owned by J. & C. Starr. John Hill, from
North Carolina, about 1814, on the land now owned by Wm. Norman's
heirs. peter Edwards, from North Carolina, on land now owned by Jesse
nd Stephen Horney. Francis Coffin, from North Carolina, on section 11,
the land now owned chiefly by Cyrus, Dorelis, and Hiram Huff. John
King, from Kentucky, settled, in 1828, where widow Sarah King lives.
He died in 1859, aged 75. Mark Elliott came from North Carolina, with
his father, Exum Elliott, and settled in the North-west part of the
township, near where he died in 1858, aged 44, on the place where his
widow lives. His son William, who married Rebecca, daughter of Joseph
Jackson, now lives near his mother. Sarah E., daughter of Mark
Elliott, married Marion J. Barr.
Benj. Maudlin, from North Carolina, in 1807, to Wayne township, and in
1813 to Center, two and a half miles north of Centerville; removed to
Michigan about 1835, where he died. His son John married Rebecca
Elliott, and lives three miles north-west from town. Mark, his son,
resides two miles north-west from town. John W. Tindale, from Ohio,
in
1840, settled in Green, and in 1854, where he now resides, in the
north
part of Center. Joseph Palmer, from Virginia, in 1829, settled south
of Centerville; his son Daniel now lives in Center, one and a half
miles west of Dover.
James Thompson, a native of New Jersey, removed from Ohio to the place
now occupied by his son-in-law, Wm. Frame. He died in 1869, aged 76
years. His son William lives on land adjoining on the west. Lewis
Forkner, from North Carolina, settled in Centerville in 1817, and died
in 1824. His son James is a merchant in Centerville.
The first saw-mill in the township was built by Asa Provo, about the
year 1817, on Noland's Fork, three miles north of Centerville.
Another, about a mile below, by John Copeland, about the same time.
Robert Harvey, another, on the same stream, one and a half miles north
-west from town, on the present site of the mills of David Commons.
Axum White built a saw-mill above Harvey's, afterward owned by Norris
Jones, since rebuilt by Daniel Shank; no mill is now running there.
Another was built by Nathan Overman, about 1827, one mile west of town;
and another below that, by Nathan Hollingsworth, where one is still
running. A steam saw-mill was built in 1868, in the east part of the
town, by Lyman & Haines.
The first grist-mill (corn-cracker) was built about 1816, by James
Crawford, one mile south-west of town. It was afterward owned by Jacob
Wolf, who run it ten or fifteen years, and sold it to Jacob Crull, Jun
.,
who rebuilt it, and sold it to Nathan Hollingsworth, who also
improved it, and run it about twenty years; and after passing through
the hands of several owners, it came into the possession of its present
proprietors, ______ Clark and John P. Smith. Robert Harvey built a
cheap mill near his saw-mill, sold it to David Commons, who built in
its place a first-class flouring-mill, which he thorougly repaired in
1869. David J. Woods built a grist-mill and a saw-mill in the south-
west corner of the township. A saw-mill is continued there by Robert
Delap. A steam flouring-mill was built about ten years ago by Wm.
Platt, and fell into the hands of Norris Jones, who sold it to John
Latshaw. It was afterward destroyed by fire. Another was built in its
place, but is not running at present.
A carding-machine was built by Nathan Overman, one mile west of
Centerville, believed to have been the only one ever in the township.
Among the early Blacksmiths ------- perhaps the first in the township
was John Maxwell, about two miles north of town. Jeremy Mansur, the
famed ax-maker, settled in Salisbury. There were a few of the old
settlers who were not supplied by him with that indispensable article,
of a superior quality.
A tannery, supposed to have been the first in the township, was
established by Robert Galbraith, three miles north from Centerville.
John Lewis built one in town about 1818.
Town of Centerville
This is the oldest town in the county of Wayne. The ground was a
donation from Israel Elliott and Ethan A. Stone, of Cincinnati. It was
laid out by the trustees, Isaac Julian, Joseph Holman, and Wm. Harvey.
The survey, made by Henry Bryan, is dated October 20, 1814, and
certified by the trustees, Jan 2, 1815. Additions were made to the
plat, as follows: By Joseph Evans, March 1818; by Lot Pugh, Micah T.
Williams, and Arthur Henrie, june 1, 1818; by Wm. Sumner, Jan 21, 1819;
by Wm. M. Doughty and Wm. Elliott, Dec. 14, 1830; by Israel Abrahams,
Dec., 1833. The cemetery was laid out by the trustees in may, 1849.
Certain lots were specially appropriated for the burial of colored
people.
The first Innkeeper in Centerville is said to have been Rachel Neal.
Other early keepers of public houses were Wm. Vaughan, Levi M. Jones,
and Samuel Hannah. The present one is T. L. Rowan, proprietor of the
American house. He is a son of Henry Rowan, who, since 1835, was most
of the time a resident of Centerville, until his death, in 1869.
The first Blacksmith in Centerville is supposed to have been Isaac
Forkner. Lewis Burk, now of Richmond, and Frederic Dillon, came soon
after.
Edward Benbo, Daniel Lantz, and Wm. Hill were early Wagon-makers. The
present is John Lantz. Carriage-maker, John Houck.
Jacob N. Booker was probably the first Hatter. George Troxell and Wm.
Widup also were early hatters. There was in those days in almost
every
hamlet a hatter, who supplied the inhabitants as generally with hats
of
his own manufacture as the cooper, or the wagon-maker, or the cabinet-
maker did with his fabrics. Few hats were seen in country stores except
such as had been taken of the village hatter in exchange for store
goods. Men's and boys' hats for common wear were made of wool. For
"Sunday wear," the wool bodies were covered with fur, and resembled
the
silk hats of the present time.
Martin Hornish and John Chapman were, perhaps, the first Shoemakers.
Those at present engaged in the making and sale of boots and shoes in
this town, are Alfred Lashly, Scott & Strayer, James Kirk.
The first Tailor was Charles F. Reed, and after him were John E.
Dunham, Matthew W. Jack, Wm. B. Hornish. Early Carpenters were Jesse
Willetts, Jacob Hornish. The first Merchant in Centerville who kept a
considerable stock and general assortment of goods, is said to have
been Samuel P. Booker. He had, however, been preceded by Lawrence H.
Brannon and Caleb Lewis, in partnership, with a small lot, to supply
the more pressing needs of the early inhabitants. Next to Booker was
James Blair, in 1823, and soon after, Israel Abrahams, from Washington
township, in which he had kept the first store, about three miles east
of Milton. Among those who came within a few years afterward were
Isaac Burbank, about 1824, Richard Cheeseman, Lot Bloomfield, Thomas
Commons, and Jesse Williams. The following named persons are known to
have traded here in the years mentioned, some of them, perhaps, earlier
as well as later: In 1838, Myers Seaton, Snyder & Adams, Jacob
Fisher,
A. W. Ray & Co. In 1839, Holman & Ray, hannah & Newman. In 1840, J.
&
H. Purviance & Co., Isaac Burbank. In 1841, Elmer & Forkner, Wm. B.
Hornish, Richard H. Swain. In 1844, Wm. Arnold. Present merchants:
Dry Goods-- Isaac Burbank, James Forkner, Wm. S. T. Morton, John B.
Vanaernam, Samuel C. Doughty. Grocers ---- Henry C. Leeson, C. Failor
& Co., Michael L. Hornish, __________ Bowers, Fletcher Medaris.
Druggists -------- Pritchett & Dickey, John E. pugh.
The first Physician residing in Centerville was David F. Sacket, from
Salisbury, where he had also served the county as recorder. Next came
Dr. ira Pier, after whom Drs. John C. Cruise, Wm. Pugh, Isaac V.
Dorsey, John Pritchett, and others. Present Physicians ---- John
pritchett, Wm. Dickey, Wm. F. King, Calvin Wood, John Cleveland.
The first lawyer is supposed to have been Bethuel Morris, from
Virginia, in 1818 or 1819. He removed to Indianapolis; was for many
years a circuit judge, and the president of a bank. He died there at
an advanced age.
James Rariden commenced practice in Centerville about the year 1820,
and continued it there about fifteen years. Cyrus Finch, from about
1824, and died there about 1828. Martin M. Ray came in 1827; was a
good lawyer, removed to Indianapolis, where he died. John S. Newman
commenced practice in 1828; removed to Indianapolis in 1860, where he
now resides. John B. Stitt practiced here several years, removed west,
and died about a year ago.
Charles H. Test came to Centerville in 1838; now resides at
Indianapolis. Jacob B. Julian Commenced in 1839. George W. Julian was
admitted in 1841. jesse P. Siddall commenced practice at Centerville
in 1842 or 1843, and was for many years a law partner of John S.
Newman. Michaiel Wilson commenced practice here in 1842. Thomas Means
in 1843. Present practicing lawyers --- Jacob B. Julian, Michael
Wilson, Wm. A. Peele, John F. Julian, Thomas J. Study, S. C. Whitesell,
John L. Rupe, Henry C. Fox, _______ Walker.
The First National Bank of Centerville was established in 1863. Its
stockholders were Jacob B. Julian, Oliver T. Jones, Joseph W. Jackson,
David Commons, Joshua Eliason, Jesse Cates, jeremiah W. Swafford, Wm.
Culbertson, Alexander Cheeseman, Jos. C. Ratliff, Philip Jenkins, James
Forkner, George W. Julian, and others. Oliver T. Jones was chosen
President; Benj. L. Martin, Cashier. The latter declined, and J. P.
Southard was elected. After a few months, Jacob B. Julian was elected
President, and Oliver T. Jones, Cashier. Since then no change has been
made in its officers. Its capital is $100,000.
The Machine Shop and Saw-mill in Centerville was built by Wharton
Lyman, Norris Jones, and others, about the year 185-. It is now owned
by _______ Fulghum.
The Engine House and Town Hall building was erected in 1858, by Norris
Jones, who also built the Odd Fellows' building the same year. perhaps
no man has done more to improve the place than Mr. Jones.
The history of Newspapers published at Centerville, as given in
preceding pages, was condensed from a sketch in the True Republican of
Nov. 12, 1863, and terminated with the discontinuance of the Wayne
County Chronicle in 1864, and the removal of the press and types to
cambridge. Since the sheets containing that history passed through the
press, the following supplement has been received, which is not
inappropriately inserted in this place:
In 1866, John and James Bromagem commenced The Union in Centerville,
and published it about one year. In 1869, charles W. Stevens
established The Republican, and continued its publication about six
months. And the first of July, 1871, R. J. Strickland revived the
Wayne County Chronicle, which is still published by him at Centerville.
The present Public School-house was built in pursuance of an act of the
legislature, which authorized the establishment of a County Seminary in
each county, the cost of the building to be paid from the fines
collected therein. In 1827 or 1828, the west wing was built; in 1841
or 1842, the east wing; and about the year 1851, the main building.
In
pursuance of a law under the new constitution, the county seminary
buildings throughout the state were sold, and the proceeds put into the
school fund. In 1853, the buildings were bought by the Methodists,
who
established a school under the name of Whitewater college, which was
kept up until 1870, when the building was sold to the school trustees,
and is now the public shcool-house. The present principal of the
school is Edgar A. Brown.
The first Religious Society in the township was that of the Friends,
who, in 1815, organized the West Grove meeting, about 3 miles north-
west from Centerville, and built a log meeting-house. The society, at
its organization, was composed of the families of Robert Commons, wm.
Hastings, James Townsend, Benj. Maudlin, Jacob Griffin, Wm. Harvey,
Axum Elliott, Obed Barnard, and perhaps Edward Benbo. It was named by
Robert Commons, West Grove, that being the name of the place where he
had resided in Pennsylvania. They met in the woods at the place
selected for the meeting-house. The following named persons were also
early members, some of them, perhaps, at the time of the organization:
Abraham and Joseph Cook, Jehu Wickersham, John Maxwell, John
Brumfield,
John Copeland, John Harvey, Robert Harvey, Charles Canaday, George
Russell, Nathan Overman. Among their early preachers were Jesse Bond,
Hannah Baldwin, and Daniel Williams, who is still living in Clay.
This
meeting has been continued until the present.
A Baptist Church is said to have been formed early about 3 miles north
of Centerville. Early members were Isaac Cotton, Samuel Taylor,
preachers; John Stigleman, Joshua Eliason, Richard Cheeseman, Isaac
Voorhees, and others. It long since ceased to exist.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Centerville was formed in 1822. In
the absence of early records of the society, recourse could be had only
to the memory of its early members, a few of who are still living.
Among the members who joined at or near the year of its organization,
were Israel Abrahams, Elisha King, Edward K. Hart, and their wives, Mrs
Hart, Samuel King, Margaret Ringo, John Scott and wife. Within a few
years after, Mrs. Therese Finch, alfred Carter and Ephraim J. Merritt
and their wives, Mary Merritt, mother of Ephraim, and Elizabeth Hart.
The first preachers are said to have been Russell Bigelow, George
Gatch, John Strange, and James Havens. Their first meetings were held
in the dwelling of the late Israel Abrahams, nearly opposite the Bank.
In 1828, they built a frame meeting-house north of the present jail.
Their brick house was built in 1842.
A Methodist Episcopal Church was formed some twenty-five or more years
ago, about 3 1/2 miles north of Centerville, at the present
Centerville
Crossing, on the railroad. The particulars of its history have not
been obtained. There is near it a camp ground, on which meetings have
been held for many successive years.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized in December, 1842,
Rev. Le Roy Woods present and officiating. Members uniting were John
B. Stitt, James Woods, Eliza A. Bolander, Sarah Garthwaite, James H.
and Susan Hudson, Henry Brown, A. F. Dunham, Francis Smith, E. C.
Seaton, Mary Stitt. A little later, Elizabeth Burbank, Margaret
Meredith, Wm. B. and Charlotte Hornish, David and Sarah Dinwiddie, Wm.
and Martha McCord, Adam and Eve Trumbull. For about a year the church
had only occasional service, which was held in the Methodist house. In
1849, their present house of worship as built, under the
superintendence of E. McCord, Wm. McCord, Adam Trumbull, David
Dinwiddie, Wm. Bolander, trustees. Le Roy Woods was their minister for
several years, and was succeeded by Elam McCord. Rev. Felix G. Black
became their minister in 1854; Charles Bond, March 1866; Henry D.
Onyett, the present pastor, April 1867. Present Elders ------ Wm.
McCord, Adam Trumbull, Norris Jones. A Sabbath-school is connected
with the church, superintended by the pastor.
The Christian Church was organized about the year 1832. A Baptist
church had existed as early, probably, as 1820 among whose members were
Jesse Thomas, Henry Shoemaker, and others, and had commenced the
building of a house of worship in the north part of the town. On the
organization of the Christian church, the Baptists gave up theirs, and
most of them joined the Christians, who proceeded to finish the house,
which they still occupy. Their minister at that time was Daniel
Winder. They have since then been served by ________ Van Buskirk,
Samuel K. Hoshour, and others. Among their early members were Joshua
Eliason, Jesse Thomas, Jehiel Lampson, Judith King, John Winder.
The Presbyterian Church of Centerville was organized April 14, 1866.
present, Rev. James A. McKee, moderator, and Rev. L. W. Chapman; A.
Samson, clerk. Members ----- John McFarland and Ann, his wife, Wharton
Lyman and Ann M., his wife, Caroline Dickey, Jane Rowan, Kate Johnson,
John M. Coyner, elder, and Mary W., his wife, Louisa A. Cunningham,
Jane Doughty, Samuel Wilson, and Mary, his wife, M. Wilson, Elizabeth
Young, Elizabeth Heuston. John McFarland and John M. Coyner were
chosen elders; Wharton Lyman, deacon. Services were on this occasion
held in Snider Hall.
In May of 1866, Rev. Faunt Le Roy Senour was called as pastor of the
church and a Sabbth-school was organized; John M. Coyner chosen
superintendent; ____ Coggshall, asistant superintendent; S. A. Wilson,
Secretary. In June, Snider Hall was rented for a place of worship for
one year. The trustees of the society were John McFarland, F. V.
Snider, Nimrod Johnson, Thomas Heuston, and the minister, who is a
trustee, ex-officio. In 1869, T. J. _____ , was elected in the place
of Judge Johnson, deceased. In 1868, their brick church edifice was
built. In October, 1867, Samuel potter and John Smith were chosen
elders. Mr. Senour, after a pastorate of two years, was succeeded by
Rev. S. S. Potter, for about two years; and in May, 1870, Rev. Eben
Muse, the present minister, commenced his labors.
Hosier Lodge, No. 23, I. O. O. F., was organized August 15, 1845. Its
charter members were Francis King, Daniel Lantz, Lazarus Noble, Israel
Hannah, Enoch P. Justice, Milton Hiatt, Jason Ham. Its present
officers are John Pritchett, N. G.; Henry D. Onyett, V. G.; Henry B.
Leeson, Rec. Sec.; Adam Trumbull, per. Sec.; Jonathan R. Whitacre,
Treas.
Hiram Lodge, No. 42, (Masonic,) was organized May, 1847. Its charter
members are not now known. Its officers were Francis King, W. M.;
Samuel Boyd, S. W.; Martin M. Ray, J. W.; John Pritchett, Sec.
This lodge was reorganized June 16, 1870, and is now Hiram Lodge, No.
417. its officers are Joseph C. Ratliff, W. M.; Wm. Dickey, S. W.;
Elihu M. Parker, J. W.; John Pritchett, Sec.; Wm. A. Chance, Treas.
Its charter members were Joseph C. Ratliff, Wm. Dickey, Elihu M.
Parker, Calvin J. Woods, Morgan McCoy, John F. Julian, John F. Kibbey,
John Pritchett.
History of Wayne County, Indiana
Andrew W. young
Pages 161-173
