BURNETTSVILLE PLATTED-- BEFORE THE TOWN WAS LAID OUT— FRANKLIN J. HERMAN— SHARON ABSORBED— [PRESENT VILLAGE]-- [STATE BANK OF BURNETTSVILLE]-- ELEVATOR AND POULTRY PACKING HOUSE— TOWN COMMISSIONED HIGH SCHOOL-- THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH— THE METHODISTS— THE BAPTIST CHURCH— THE OLD DUNKARDS-- TOWN OF REYNOLDS PLATTED-- PIONEER HOME AND SAWMILL— THE SILL ENTERPRISES— EARLY PROGRESS— FIRST RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS— MICHAEL VOGEL— ADOPTS TOWN GOVERNMENT— THE TOWN OF TODAY— BANK OF REYNOLDS-- THE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL— ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH— THE METHODIST CHURCH— LUTHERANS AND CHRISTIANS.
Burnettsville, the town, and Burnett's Creek, the postoffice, in Jackson Township, represent the oldest centers of population in the eastern part of White County. The postoffice was originally located at the pioneer settlement of Farmington. In 1854 the old Town of Burnettsville was platted, and in 1860 Sharon, about half a mile north, was laid out. Then in 1864 the postoffice of Burnett's Creek was moved to Sharon, and when the latter was absorbed by Burnettsville the postoffice went with it.
Franklin J. Herman platted Burnettsville on the 23rd of March, 1854, the townsite comprising 100 lots in the west half of the southwest quarter of section 25. Mrs. Prudence Dale, widow of William Dale, one of the first settlers in the township, made an addition of sixteen lots in September, 1855.
Before Burnettsville was platted quite a settlement had gathered on its site. About 1846 Thomas Riley built a log cabin within its limits, and about three years afterward David Stephens opened a saddler's shop, also on the future townsite. Later in that year William S. Davis put up the first frame structure, which he occupied both as a dwelling and a store. Thomas Wiley had a blacksmithy, and John W. Bolinger bought William Dobbins' wagon shop, built an addition to it and transformed all into a tavern, with cabinet shop attached.
Franklin J. Herman opened the second store on the site of Sharon in 1852, and, as stated, platted the Town of Burnettsville just south of it in 1854. He continued in business, with different partners, for many years thereafter, and was evidently prepared to take advantage of the growth of either place. In 1864, when the postoffice was transferred from Burnettsville to Sharon, he succeeded William S. Davis as postmaster.
On the 7th of December, 1880, William Irelan made an addition of sixteen lots to the Town of Sharon, and in October, 1897, James D. Brown added twenty lots to the site. Afterward Sharon was absorbed by Burnettsville, townsite, postoffice and all, and a regular incorporation was effected.
The present village is supported by a prosperous agricultural country, the residents of which, as well as the townsmen have banking accommodations through the State Bank of Burnettsville.
In August, 1902, that institution was started as a private bank by W. C. Thomas and J. C. Duffy, with a capital of $10,000. Mr. Duffy was the cashier. In July, 1907, the private organization was succeeded by the State Bank of Burnettsville, with a paid-up capital of $25,000 which was increased to $30,000 in 1912.
The first set of officers were: W. C. Thomas, president, E. B. Thomas, vice president, J. C. Duffy, cashier, and F. A. Duffy, assistant cashier. In July, 1913, J. C. Duffy was made president, F. A. Duffy became cashier, and W. C. Thomas vice president, while E. B. Thomas; retired from the latter office, although still remaining a stockholder. At the present time the State Bank of Burnettsville has a surplus of $8,500, and its deposits average $150,000.
Much of the grain of the surrounding country is handled by the Burnettsville Elevator Company, which was incorporated in June, 1911, with a capital of $14,000. Milt K. Reiff is president, Cloyd Loughry of Monticello, vice president, and James D. Brown, secretary and treasurer.
Another institution of Burnettsville worthy of mention among its business houses is the poultry packing plant of H. Beshoar, father of the editor of the News.
Being incorporated, Burnettsville has a Town Commissioned High School, with eight teachers. Fred R. Gorman is the superintendent. The handsome building now occupied was completed in 1903 at a cost of $10,000. About 250 pupils are enrolled, of whom seventy-five attend the high school department.
The first church organized at Burnettsville was the Christian, thirteen members of the Disciples of Christ meeting for that purpose in the fall of 1834, at the house of Alexander Scott, about a mile east of the present village. Mr. Scott and Reuben Wilson were chosen elders, the latter being in charge; William Hicks, deacon. The first church building was erected in 1853, and the one now occupied by the society in 1909. Rev. C. E. Wells is the pastor in charge.
The Methodists effected a regular organization at Farmington, or the old Town of Burnettsville, about 1843, under Rev. G. W. Stafford, with the following twenty-five members: John Herman and wife, Stephen McPherson and wife, Caleb Mahuren and wife, Larkin Herman and wife, John Shaw and wife, William Shaw, Eli Shaw, Catherine Davis, Isaac Mahuren, John E. Dale, Joshua Tam, Mitchell Tam, Catherine Dodge, Prudence Dale, Maria Davis, Mary Shaw, Martha Million, Margaret Dale, William Stewart and Sarah Stewart. The successive pastors have been, after Mr. Stafford: B. Webster, G. W. Warner, J. Hatfield, B. Williams, J. M. Rodgers, J. B. Ball, W. J. Coptner, D. Dunham, William Reeder, P. J. Beswick, W. Hancock, F. Cox, J. B. Mershan, W. Beckner, J. B. Adell, J. S. Budd, J. L. Boyd, C. W. Farr, H. C. Fraley, G. W. Warner, J. S. Budd, C. L. Smith, J. W. Pierce, L. T. Armstrong, W. H. Wood, S. Barcus, B. F. Nadell, F. Mason, J. E. Steel, J. W. Jackson, Jephtha Boicourt, R. H. Calvert, C. R. Ball, W. Hall, Z. Lambert, Jephtha Boicourt (second pastorate), William Davis, A. L. Miller, Jacob Rohm, R. W. Burton, J. N. Thompson, A. M. Bowen, C. C. Harold, J. H. Kenrich, C. H. Hickman, W. I. Boyd and C. O. Smock. Mr. Smock has also charge of the Lake Sicott [sic] (Cass County) Church. The two have a membership of over 220. In 1901, while Rev. J. N. Thompson was pastor, the church erected a new house of worship, which was remodeled in 1906.
The Burnettsville Baptist Church was organized April 4, 1843, and Rev. Elijah Barnes, who was also pastor of the Logansport and Crooked Creek organizations, assumed charge of the new society. Revs. J. E. Thomas and Waters assumed the pastorates previous to 1849, when Rev. M. A. Kerr, the first settled minister, came to the charge. Since then the pulpit has been served by I. N. Clark, William Hanawalt, George K. Busing, John Dunham, M. A. Kerr (second pastorate); J. G. Kerr (brother of the foregoing), who died in service; A. H. Dooley (whose pastorate extended from 1872 to 1880), P. Odell, A. H. Dooley (second pastorate), Ira Tedford, I. W. Bailey, C. J. Bunnell, T. F. Pierce, J. H. Pierce, I. C. Oberman, J. G. Brengle and Ohlie E. Miller. The edifice now occupied was dedicated in May, 1904. Mr. Miller has also in his charge what is known as Great Eastern Chapel, Carroll County, altogether 240 members.
The Old Dunkards have a church at Burnettsville, under the pastorate of Rev. G. B. Heeter. Reverend Mr. Heeter has been engaged in this charge for several years and has built up a society whose influence for good has been felt throughout the entire community.
Perhaps more than any other town in White County, Reynolds is the creation of the railroads which meet there, almost in the geographical center of the county—the old Louisville, Albany & Chicago, the north and south line, completed in 1854, and the Pittsburgh, Chicago & St. Louis, the east and west route, finished in 1859. The original plat was dated January 10, 1854, and was named in honor of Benjamin Reynolds, its acknowledged founder. The other proprietors were George S. Rose, Christian Cassell and William M. Kenton. The town was laid out on the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 34, township 27 north, range 4 west. Main, Sill, Kenton and Boone, north and south thoroughfares, are 66 feet wide, and First, Second, Third and Fourth, crossing them at right angles, are 60 feet in width.
At the time Reynolds was laid out, two buildings had been erected on its site, both in l852—a hotel by Benjamin Reynolds, and a dwelling by Abraham Timmons. In the year of its platting Messrs. Johnson and Cole built a steam sawmill, the first in the township, which was continued for a time, but it was before its time and reverses and the sheriff overtook the enterprise. The Reynolds Hotel, however, in extended form, endured for many years before it was revamped into a clubhouse.
M. M. Sill completed a store in the spring of 1855 and stocked it with $4,000 worth of groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes, etc. His was the most pretentious business enterprise yet launched, and it was turned over to David K. Ream in 1857. M. M. and R. W. S111 afterward built a warehouse, which became the first grist mill in the township, the machinery being run by steam. This also was a permanent industry.
In 1855, the year after Reynolds was created, Honey Creek Township was formed. The first election for township officers was held in the new town on the 7th of April, 1856. About this time a subscription schoolhouse was built, Benjamin Reynolds donating the ground and Nathaniel Bunnell giving $25 in cash toward its construction.
Altogether the prospects looked so bright that in January, 1855, Thomas Bunnell and William M. Kenton laid out the North addition to the original plat. It consisted of 141 lots, nearly as large as the first plat.
Soon after the railroad made Reynolds a station it built a large yard for the accommodation of shippers of stock, and for several years Reynolds was the principal point in the county for the shipment of horses, cattle, hogs and sheep. Attention of outsiders was drawn to the business and commercial activity of the town, a fair-sized grain warehouse was erected, and although the hard times of 1857 gave the place a temporary setback, it revived, especially when a second railroad furnished additional transportation in 1859. It is little wonder that it aspired to win the county seat from Monticello.
In response to the wishes of the citizens, the Masons formed a lodge at Reynolds in 1859, but about fifteen years later its charter was arrested. Although circuit preachers of Methodism had held occasional services at the home of Nathaniel Bunnell and at the Spencer house, and little churches were built near what is now known as Smithson, two miles south of Reynolds, it was not until 1868 that a substantial society was formed at the latter place.
As early as 1856 the Catholics had commenced to celebrate mass at the house of Michael Vogel, a German shoemaker who had settled at Reynolds the year before. Mr. Vogel passed the remainder of his nearly four-score years in the town of his adoption, where he died in 1913. He was a kind, substantial citizen, and left a widow to continue the good influences of the family in his home town, as well as a son, Bernard A. Vogel, a well known citizen of Monticello. The latter has served four years as county recorder, eight years as deputy clerk, six years as deputy auditor, and is now deputy state treasurer.
The second addition to the original town was made on the 4th of May, 1866, by Mrs. S. A. Vail, the so-called Vail's addition consisting of eighteen lots west of the North addition.
At the September term of the Commissioners' Court in 1875, Robert M. Delzell presented a petition signed by himself and fifty-three other residents of Reynolds, praying that body to issue an order authorizing its incorporation as a town. The board ordered an election to determine the question, on the 2nd of October, 1875, and a majority of the voters decided in favor of incorporation. At the first election the following officers were chosen: Trustees, Jacob Pfister, William Schweiule and Abram Van Voorst; marshal, Joshua Bunnell; assessor, Frederick Witenburg.
The incorporation was the signal for activity on the part of the real estate men, and three additions were laid out in 1876, by Abraham and Benjamin Reynolds, Abel J. Holtam and Joseph Holtam, respectively, and in 1877 Amanda and Abraham Van Voorst laid out Van Voorst's west addition.
Although Reynolds has not realized its largest ambitions, it is a thriving little place, backed by a productive country and good people. It is a banking center, has a substantial elevator; a well-stocked lumber yard, which also carries tile and coal; a cement block plant, and a number of solid business houses. As to meeting the higher wants of the community, it may be added that its school, churches and societies are firmly established for that purpose.
The Bank of Reynolds was organized April 27, 1897, as a private institution by John C. Vanatta, William D. Wagner and Fred Dahling. That management continued until its reorganization as a state bank in June, 1914. At that time John C. Vanatta became president, William P. Wagner, vice president, and Fred Dahling, cashier. Its capital was then increased to $25,000, and since it became a state bank its deposits have increased from $115,000 to $125,000.
The Honey Creek Township School at Reynolds is one of the finest buildings outside of Monticello. It was completed in October, 1914, at an approximate cost of $24,000, by the combined support of town and township. C. F. Heimlich and Levi Reynolds were the trustees during the period of its construction. The superintendent is F. E. Young, principal of the high school, J. J. Lavin, and the course of instruction embraces manual training, domestic science and agriculture. A good gymnasium is a strong feature of the school's appliances. Besides the superintendent and the principal there are five teachers to look after the mental and physical welfare of the 195 pupils who are enrolled. Of that number, forty-five are high school scholars.
The commencement of the religious history of Reynolds dates from the celebration of mass by the Catholics of the town and the neighborhood at the house of Michael Vogel, as noted. Rev. Joseph Stephan had charge of the little flock, from which has grown St. Joseph's Church, the only Catholic organization in White County. In 1866 a frame house of worship was erected with a seating capacity of 150, under the pastorate of Rev. J. A. Winter. In 1876 the growth of the charge made it necessary to erect a large brick structure with a seating capacity of 475, at a cost of $6,000. The brick parsonage was built in 1899, while Rev. John Kubacki was in charge, and in 1909 the school addition was made to the church. In 1912 St. Joseph's Church opened a new cemetery about two miles from town. The present membership of the parish under Rev. F. J. Koch numbers 370 souls. Following Rev. J. A. Winter, until June, 1908, when Father Koch was sent to the charge, Revs. John McMahon (first resident priest), Burns, A. King, A. Messmann, D. Meier, I. M. Wilkens, J. B. Schroeder, A. Beyer, P. Welling, F. Schaefer, M. Zumbuelte, J. Berg, George Schramm, J. Blum, J. Kubacki, George Horstmann and J. A. Seimetz were in charge of St. Joseph's Church.
In May, 1868, the Methodists purchased a lot from Joseph and Sarah Holtam, and the building which they still occupy was erected the same year, under the direction of Rev. Henry C. Fraley. Previous to 1893 and during the pastorate of Reverend Mr. Greenway, Reynolds was attached to the Wolcott circuit. Shortly after this, Reverend Mr. Wareing took charge of both Seafield and Reynolds for a short time. In 1896 the Reynolds circuit was organized and churches were built at Seafield and Honey Creek, the Reynolds church repaired, and a library purchased. In 1897 the (Union) church at West Point was repaired, but has since been destroyed by fire. About six years ago it was rebuilt and is now served by Rev. T. J. Reder, the Wolcott pastor. Services at Honey Creek were soon abandoned, and in 1912 the building was wrecked and the lumber used in the new parsonage at Reynolds, which was erected under Rev. J. S. Godwin. The church trustees constituted a building committee, as follows: A. E. Josserand, E. A. Bush, J. W. Gardner, J. E. Jameson, William F. Snyder and J. N. Bunnell.
The following pastors have served the charge since 1900: James T. Stafford was appointed in 1901, Israel Hatton in 1903, Etienne Kuonen in 1905, W. Scott Simonson in 1906, James A. Koontz in 1907, William George Pulliam in 1910, J. S. Godwin in 1911, and A. T. Mosier assumed charge in the autumn of 1913, with preaching places at Shafer, Reynolds and Seafield. The present membership of his charge is 140.
The Lutherans and Christians (Disciples of Christ) have also churches at Reynolds. The Christian meeting house was erected in 1897, and, besides a church, the Lutherans have a neat parochial schoolhouse, completed in 1910.
The Evangelical Lutheran St. James Church was organized on the third day of June, 1861. For a number of years the services were held in the homes of different members and later in the public schoolhouse. In the year 1866 the congregation erected its first house of worship. In 1879 the present church was built. In 1895 the building was thoroughly renovated. Two years later (1897), a pipe organ was installed. The congregation also maintains a parochial school. Professor Munzel has been the teacher since 1906. In the fall of 1910 the present modern school building was dedicated. Seventy pupils are enrolled at the present time.
The following pastors have served the congregation: Reverends Koenig and Schoeneberg from Lafayette and Reverend Jox from Logansport until 1866; Reverend Meissner, 1866-1874; Rev. H. Schlesselmann, 1875-1880; Rev. J. H. Bethke, 1880-1896; and Rev. J. H. Lindhorst, since 1896. The congregation at the present time numbers ninety-five voting members, that is male members of twenty-one years and mostly heads of families; communicant members over fourteen years number 275.