Boone County History

[Excerpt from: "Early Life and Times in Boone County, Indiana," pp 7-12]

Early Life and Times
in
Boone County, Indiana

Boone County - Past and Present

Boone County occupies a central position in the great State of Indiana. It is bounded on the north by Clinton County, on the east by Hamilton, on the west by Montgomery and on the south by Marion and Hendricks Counties. It is twenty-four miles from east to west and seventeen and a half miles from north to south. It contains about 268,000 acres, two-thirds of which is in cultivation. Its central position, excellent soil, water power, and other advantages, natural and improved, ranks it among the first counties of the state. It is now nearly sixty-five years since Boone County was settled by the white man. It is true a remnant of the Miami Indians occupied the northwest corner of the county by stipulation from the government till 1828. Here they had lived, hunted and traded for sixty years previous, but about the year 1834 their fires went out and their songs were heard no more. They left traces, however, that to-day are visible, i.e., the graves of their fathers and children. This reserve or territory embraced all of Sugarcreek Township, two-thirds of Washington, nearly one-half of Jefferson and five sections of Center Township, in all about fifty-two thousand acres. Let us go back sixty-five years and take a glance at the surroundings. What do we find? An unbroken wilderness, no roads, no mills, deep-tangled brush and vines, and a good portion of the land covered with water. To this gloomy-looking place a few hardy pioneers came in 1823 or 1824. They came principally from Kentucky, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Among the first settlers were the following: Patrick H. Sullivan, Jacob and John Sheets, David Hoover, A. H. Longly, Benj. Dunn, Austin Davenport, the Harmons, Smiths, Dyes, Dobsons, Bishops, Rays, Emmerts, Duzans, Buntons, McCanns, Evans, Doyles, Turners, Richardsons, Parrs, Thornberrvs, Becks, Slocums, McCoys, Benj. Cox, Hiram McQuidy, G. W, Gibson, Isaac Gibson, Wm. Zion, John Busby, the Bowens, Brentons, Wylies, Samples, Caldwells, Shelleys, Stephen Neal, Lanes, Neeses, Wests, Robinsons, Lowes, Shaws, Carrs, Slaybacks, Samuel Peney, George and Henry Lucas, David Ray, Laughners, Isenhours, Kootzs, John Higgins, Burnhams, Stephen Titus, Newton Cassady, Rutledges, McDonalds, Jas. Downing, Wm West, John Good, Fleming Dickerson, Jacob Dinsmore, Edward Woolen, Edwards, Leaps, Eli Smith, B. B. Smith, Nathaniel Scott, Hollingsworths, Doolys, Shoemakers, Dulins, Washington Hutton, Klinglers, Daniel and H. G Larimore, Abner Knotts, John M. Burns, Jos. Hocker, Jacob Angle, S. S. Strong, Daniel A. Caldwell, Wm. Smith, Wm. Hill, Michael D. Campbell, Jas. A. Thompson, Wm. Young; Claybourne Young, Clayburn Cain, John V. Young, Wm. Farlow, Airharts, John Porter, W. H. Coombs, John McLean, Jas. Davis, John Crisman, J. T. Hurt, Headys, Wm. Walters, Isaah Miller, S. P. Dewees, Resin Garrett, Robt. Stephenson, William and Henry I. Bennett, Hiram J. Roberts, Perkinses, Jas. Chitwood, Jas. S. Dale, Noah Chitwood, Jas. Edwards, Geo. Walters, J. B. Fear, Geo. H. Johnson, W. H. Crose, Jos and Geo. Keeth, Chamberses, Solomon Warren, Samuel Reese, David Crose, Samuel Long, John Goldsbury, John Graham, Robt. Hamil, Jas. Thornbury, Lewis Harris, Ed. Jackson, Jacob Johns, John Wright, John Baird, Jas. Moore, Robt. Bell, Oliver Cravens, Jos. Bishop, Elias Bishop, Wm. Bishop, Wm. Powell, Jerry Washburn, Wm. and Jas. Ross, Peterses, Richard Hull, Noah Burkett, Daniel Lewis, John Sargent, Aaron Phipps, Francis Kincaid, Wm. Kincaid, Jas. Irwin, Jes. Davis, McCords, Robt. Thomas, Jas. McCoy, Jacob Tipton, Jonathan H. Rose, Jas. McLaughlin, Jacob Kernodle, Levi Lane, W. E. Lane, Dr. Simpson, Jesse Davenport, Thos. Blake, John Wolfe, George and John Stephenson, Andrew Harvey, Jesse Essex, George Shirts, the Sedgwicks, Wesley Smith, John Imbler, Leilden Denny, Solomon Buck, Thomas Brown, the Kise family, Washington W. Phillips, Aldridges, Elisha Jackson, Wm. Kenworthy, Benj. Sweeny, Jas. Van Eaton, Archibald Scott, Moffats, Adrian Ball, John Miller, Wm. Payriel, Robert Clark, Robert Morrison, Wm. Turner, Samuel Brenton, Joshua Burnham, Elish Riley, Geo. Osborn, J. G. Pierce, Silas Kenworthy, John Pauly, Phillip Lucas, Schoolers, Utterbacks, John Peters, Wm. Staton, J. A. Rudasills, Bohannans, Penningtons, Slagals, G. W. Lumpkins, Jesse Turner, Alexander Fortner, Swopes, Anderson Trotter, Jacob Stoneking, Utters, Jesse Jackson, Geo. Farlow, Matthew Harris, Geo. W. Scott, John Shelburn, Jas; G. Stype, Wm. Nicely, John C. Hill, Wm. and Jas. Marsh, the Peters family, and Hiram Cragen.

The following are the names of the twelve men who composed the first grand jury in the county: Cornelius Westfall, David McCoy, Francis Howard, A. H. Phillips, James Williams, Lewis Dewees, Joshua Foster, John Horrell, Andrew Houston, Martin Lewis, James Blue, Jacob Sheets, E. P. Shannon, Frederick Lowe and John Long.

The county at one time was considered low and level, and in one sense of the word it was true. Yet while it is low and level it is no less the dividing summit of White River and the Wabash. The water flows almost in every direction in Boone County, and it is said the highest point between the lakes and the Ohio River is between Lebanon and Whitestown near Holmes Station. Be this as it may, the county is far from being a low, wet country. Since the water has been confined to deeper channels and numerous ditches, the land as a rule is dry and can be cultivated. Before going farther we perhaps ought to say something that almost every person already knows, viz: that our county was named in honor of Daniel Boone, the noted Kentucky hunter. It was organized in 1830, when there were only 622 citizens in the county. Lebanon was chosen as the name of the county seat. The principal streams in the county are Sugar Creek, Eel River, Big and Little Eagle Creeks, Prairie Creek, Brown's Wonder, Mud Creek, Raccoon. Fishback, Mounts Run, and Spring branch. Nearly if not all at one time afforded propelling power for mills, machinery, etc. Since the introduction of steam they are no longer used for that purpose. The Michigan road, which was laid out in 1830, passes through the entire county, entering it at the southeast corner at section one, three- fourths of a mile south of Eagle Village, running slightly to the west of north through the towns of Eagle Village, Clarkstown, Northfield and Slabtown leaving the county in Marion Township at section eighteen, near the northwest corner of the township. The Indianapolis, Cincinnati & Lafayette Railroad enters the county at the southeast corner south of Zionsville, passing in a northwest direction through the towns of Zionsville, Whitestown, Holmes Station, Lebanon, Hazlerigg Station, and Thorntown, leaving the county northwest of the last named place some two miles. Number of miles in the county, twenty-eight. The Indiana, Bloomington & Western Railroad passes through the southwest corner of the county. It enters Jackson Township at section eleven a short distance southeast of Jamestown. Running a little north of west a distance of three and a half miles it leaves the county at section thirty-one where it enters Montgomery County. The Anderson, Lebanon & St. Louis Railroad now the Midland, passes through the county from east to west. It enters the county in Union Township at section thirty six, passing through the towns of Rosston, Lebanon and Advance, leaving the county at section thirty, in Jackson Township. The road is now only finished as far as Lebanon. The last spike was driven eleven miles east of Lebanon, January 22, 1887. From Lebanon west the road runs in a southwestern direction. The distance through the county is nineteen miles. The Indianapolis and Lafayette State road passes through the county in a northwest direction, entering the county on the south line near Royalton at section seven, passing through Royalton, Lebanon and Thorntown and leaving the county northwest of Thorntown some three miles. The Noblesville and Strawtown road passes through the county from east to west, entering it in Marion Township at section thirty-six, passing through the towns of Elizaville and Thorntown, a distance of twenty-four miles. The principal road running through the center of the county and running east and west enters the county in Union Township on the east at section sixteen, passing through the towns of Lebanon and Dover, leaving the county at section thirty-one, three miles west of the latter place, where it enters Montgomery County.

Having given a short geographical description of the county, noting the principle streams, roads, etc., we will now introduce some statistics showing the marvelous growth from a population of 622 persons in 1830. The population in 1840 was 8,121. In 185O the population was 11,631. In 1860, 16,733. In 1870 the population was 22,693. In 1880 it was 31,778. The taxable property in 1886 was thirteen million dollars. The real value can not be less than twenty-five million dollars. The number of voters in 1886 was 6,760. The number of school children in 1885 was 9,788. Value of school property in 1885 was $158,180.50. Number of school teachers, 165. Number of school houses, 135. Number of bushels of wheat raised in 188O was 838,311. Number of bushels of corn, 1,303,228. Number of bushels of oats, 87,350. Number of mules in 1880 was 499. Number of horses, 6,317. Value of fruit for the year 188O: apples, 238,872 bushels; peaches, 2,371 bushels. Number of pounds of wool for the year 1879 was 48,466; number of pounds of honey, 14,087; number of pounds of butter, 335,142. Number of acres in clover for the year 1880, 7,292; number of acres of blue grass in 1880, 27,971; number of tons of hay in 1870 was 11,905; number of bushels of barley in 1880, 3,792; number of bushels of Irish potatoes in 1880, 76,027; number of pounds of tobacco in 1880, 2,263. Number of churches in 1883 was 62; number of church organizations, 65; number of members, 4,104. Value of church property in 1883 was $43,850. Number of school children in 1870 was 8,205; number in 1880, 9,358; number in 1885, 9,788. Number of voters in 1880, 6,362. The population of the county at this writing (1887) is estimated at 33,800. Number of pensioners, 236. The foregoing statistics are given in a general way to show the growth of the county for the past sixty years. They must appear satisfactory to the thinking mind. The growth of the towns have been in the same ratio with that of the county. Especially do we point with pride to our county seat. From a little muddy village we have arrived to a city of no mean proportions. Under the head of'' Sketches of Towns" we will dwell more at length. As we intend this as only a general survey of the county we have also given in township sketches some facts and statistics of considerable length, which will account for this seeming short article.

Source Citation: Boone County History [database online] Boone County INGenWeb. 2006. <http://www.rootsweb.com/~inboone> Original data: Harden & Spahr. "Early Life and Times in Boone County, Indiana." Lebanon, Indiana. May,1887.