SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS)
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June 19, 2021 - On this date I received this copy of a picture of the Hopewell Meeting House. I had been working with Greg Hinshaw, currently the Presiding Clerk of the Indiana Yearly Meeting of Friends.
We have for years been trying to find a picture of the Hopewell Meeting House. This picture is from the collection of Dr. Daniel Hinshaw, retired from the faculty of the Medical School of the University of Michigan. He is a great great-grandson of Talbot Ware,
who was the last clerk (or correspondent) of Hopewell Monthly Meeting of Friends. On June 18th, Greg Hinshaw had lunch with Dr. Daniel Hinshaw and his wife Dr. Jane Hinshaw, among the items they brought was this picture! I want to Thank Dr. Daniel
and Dr. Jane Hinshaw for allowing it to be shared and Greg Hinshaw for thinking of me when he got the copy of it.
QUAKER - a member of the Religious Society of Friends, a Christian sect founded by George Fox about 1650, whose central belief is the doctrine of the Inner Light. Quakers reject sacraments, ritual, and formal ministry, hold meetings at which any member may speak, and have promoted many causes for social reform
In Jennings County, Indiana
From Local Sources
As part of the Indiana Bicentennial Celebration I worked on compiling information on local families who were either practicing Quakers of who had Quaker roots. Sheila Kell
North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 9, 1911
A TALK ON QAKERISM
By Fred C Lockwood - at the time he wrote this he was editor of the North Vernon Plain Dealer.
A church once having 250 worshipers and to have dwindled down to half a dozen, is a fact only too true regarding the Hopewell Friends meeting house in Campbell township, near Butlerville, Indiana unclassified as to architecture, exempt from any paint, situated in the quietude of an agricultural district, forsaken and forlorn, with no sound to disturb the stillness, save from the elements or the cry of a hoot owl.
The antiquated hat and gray garb of the Quakers are not seen in this county any more and it is not dangerous to become involved in religious controversy, as of yore. In religious matters, like nearly everything else, the great mass of humanity prefer being entertained and the discipline of the faith of Fox to a certain extent has become extinct, especially in this community.
As early as the year 1851 people of the Friends faith came to Jennings county and settled in this neighborhood, or rather two miles east of the site of the original church. Conspicuous among these were the Armstrongs, Copes, Burdges, Holes, Milhous, Stanleys, Wares, Waltons, Malmsberrys and Engles, who were practically all from Columbiana county, Ohio. The first church erected, known as Sycamore Valley, was finally merged into Grove church. As more people arrived they began to settle further away from the church, hence the Friends built the present edifice nearer the settlement, known as Hopewell Friends church.
Quakerism was first established in this county by the Burdge families, and the first meeting saw its birth at the home of Lewis Burdge. In 1867 the present structure was constructed by Benjamin Walton at a cost of something like $1,200.00 and the money was obtained by subscription.
The first minister was Elizabeth Milhous, while Thomas Armstrong, Lewis Hadley, Nathan Armstrong, et al, acted in the same capacity.
George Fox, who founded Quakerism, deemed it advisable to have monthly meetings as well as quarterly meetings and adhering to this rule as promulgated by their leader, the Friends at Hopewell assembled for these advents and kept a complete record of church affairs, committees were formed to care for the sick, to ascertain that biblical literature was in all homes, and during the war they had a committee who cared for negroes.
Not until 1861 was the first monthly meetings of this society held in Jennings county. In September of '61 Edmund Albertson, Henry Wilson, James L. Thompson, Richard R. Fox, Martha Wilson, Rachel Stiles and Eliza Jane Lindley were present and organized the first monthly meeting. Prior to this date the Friends sent a delegation to Bartholomew county, near Elizabethtown Ind. Where matters relative to this church were discussed and this event was known as the Sandcreek monthly meeting.
When one wished to become a member of the Quaker denomination, he or she sent their names to the monthly meeting and the overseer investigated the applicant's moral standing and made their report accordingly. If satisfactory they could identify themselves with the church.
The present church edifice faces the Butlerville pike and is still in a goodly state of preservation, despite the four decades and over it has been in existence. It is a one story building with plain windows and doors. There is little that is distinctive about the church, but the people who once frequented the place look upon it with reverence and pride. The seats are straight back facing the rostrum, of very simple workmanship, perhaps they antedate the building itself, having been brought over from the old church. Two antiquated stoves of iron heated the room. A partition, attached to which are two large doors make two rooms in the church. One was used for regular church services while the other served as a sort of consultation room for the men. When matters of interest came up the men repaired to this room, while the women retained their seats in the main church room. After a conclusion had been reached they reported to the fair sex the contents of their proceedings, who at their option approved or disapproved of the men's views. Thus we see the separation of the sexes according to the olden custom.
On passing along the road, at the first glance one would take this building for a dwelling house, because a porch is attached to the rear, for all the world makes it look thus. Once an old time stone stood near the church, which was used as a horse block, a reminder of the days of long ago when people rode to services horseback. Just across the way is a plot of ground that to passersby is a mute evidence of what has become of many of the worshipers-it is the cemetery, where repose many of the dead, who in life were staunch supporters of the Quaker faith.
The old church is sacred to many and though no religious service of the Quaker variety has been held there in several years the meeting house is being kept in repair through generosity on the part of the community. The building with all its surroundings is picturesquely located, being modest to the fullest extent, like all such suburban churches of the Friends, exempt from ostentation like the members who were thus in speech and dress.
In conclusion, the faith of the Friends may be summed up thus:
"They believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, and in the Holy Spirit and that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one in the eternal God head."
On August 10th, my wife and I took quarters on a B. & O. train which put us into St. Louis on the following morning, from there we journeyed to St. Paul, Minn., via. The Rock Island where we boarded the Oriental Limited on the Great Northern, which road we continued to ride over to Portland, Oregon, we made our first stop over at Bainville, Montana, and took a side trip of 98 miles to Scobey, Montana, then by buggy over the prairie to the Richardson settlement, a distance of 25 miles from the Canada line, where we stopped for two weeks, visiting Sam Richardson and family, Neill Richardson and family, Grace Richardson and John McCall. Continuing our journey over the Great Northern, we stuck our head from the car window and looked out on the town of Chinook in Montana, as we had been instructed to do by your Butlerville correspondent, who had taught in the public schools there for two years. After crossing the Rockies at the National Glacier Park, we took our next stop at Spokane but saw no old acquaintances at that point, continuing our journey the next day through the Wenatchee fruit country and crossing the Cascade Mountains, which certainly was a fine sight. We reached Everett at sundown, where we first smelled salt water. We made a brief stop at Settle and then on to Portland, Oregon, where we stopped a couple of days with a relative. While there we also found our old friend Chalmers McNeelon, who seemed glad to show us a good time. From Portland we rode over the Southern Pacific to New Orleans, except our side trip to San Diego over the Sante Fe. Our next stop was at Los Molinos in Northern California. We visited Mrs. Agnes Boyd and her son-in-law, David Jones and family from there. In company with Mrs. Boyd, we visited the big show in San Francisco which was very interesting as well as other sights in and about the city. We then went to Los Angeles and were entertained by the following Hoosiers: J. F. Stanley and family, Mrs. Josie Burdge, Mrs. Margaret Phillips, Wm. Andrews and family, George Andrews and family, Emmer Malmsberry and family, Miss Grace Swarthout, Mrs. Lizzie Malmsberry. At Whittier we stopped with Frank Milhous, who had just realized $4,000. For his work on a thirteen year old orange orchard of three acres, we also stopped with Elizabeth Milhous, who is well preserved and active for one of her years, nearly ninety. Jesse Milhouse, Chas. Milhous and family, Talbot Ware and family, Myrd Ware, Emmor Ware, Mrs. Hanna Milhous Beeson, Ben Hobson, Thomas Armstrong and wife, Adella Armstrong Allen, Lewis Burdge and ??, Bracken Burdge, Beula Burdge Williams, Will Burdge, James Bewley and family, George M. Gilbert and family, Auenetta Gilbert, Mrs. Alice Armstrong McMillan, Mrs. Mattie Ware and family and Earl McGuire, also Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis of Tipton County, who were also touring. Mrs. Jarvis was formerly Miss Cora Sprague of Bigger Township. At Brea we met Melvin Sprague and wife, Frank Hambleton and family and S. C. Hambleton and family. At Yorba Linda, we visited with Walter Milhous and family, Mrs. Guthery, Mrs. Edith Burdge Barton and family. Ebon Ryan and family, Eldo West and family, Willets VanCleave and wife, Jesse Lubel, Nick Taylor, Pharis Thompson, and two daughters of Frank Milhous, Lizzie and Jennie with their families. At Orange we met Taylor Johnson and wife and our nephew, Byron Stanley. At Long Beach we met Arthur, Wilfred and Frank Bewley, at Colton we met our old friend, Matt Ahrmann and family, Matt is proprietor of a successful news stand, and at San Bernardino we visited Grover Hants and wife also Scott Hants and family, Harry Hants, James Smart and family and Miss Lizzie Bachelor Meskeit and husband. Many of the persons visited seem to be doing well, and are satisfied with their home and boosters for the homes of their adoption.
Let me add right here that what we need here in Jennings County is more boosters and fewer knockers. Our County is well worth boosting, let's get the habit. On our way from Los Angeles to San Diego, we met Will Nauer and family and Miss Kate Wenzel of Vernon. On October 4th we left Southern California, only stopping once, at New Orleans over night. From New Orleans we came over the L. & Louisville, arriving back safely in Butlerville October 9th.
On our trip we passed through eighteen States and saw some part of each in day light. Was also in Canada and Old Mexico, was riding on the cars about 300 hours or nearly two weeks. Traveled by rail 7503 miles, in buggy about 215 miles, by automobile about 630 miles besides many miles by electric and street cars of which we have no account.
I had no reason from the time I left Jennings County until getting back, to doubt but what our county will average with any other and that deserving people can live here as well as any where.
I see that one month has quickly sped away, since we received thy very welcome letter which was enjoyed by - not only our own family but several other old friends and relatives who had a chance to hear it. And now as thee spoke of being anxious to hear from thy and friends and relatives who are here in Whittier. I will do what I can to inform thee of their doings, although, I am kept at home so much I don't get very much of the outside world excepting as it comes through others. This has been a busy fall with me with looking after my daily cares in addition the sorting of our walnut crop, which though not so large, yet it adds quite a little. Talbot is quite feeble not able to do much, and is so nearly blind he can not see to do many things so it is quite a trial to him to have to sit around with nothing to do, can't see to read but very little and that deprives him of a great deal of satisfaction which he might otherwise have, and takes some of my time to read to him, which is better than nothing, but not like doing it himself. Myra is stenographer and bookkeeper for the Whittier Heights Cemetery County board at home, goes back and forth on Jitney, which pass here every half hour each way making it very convenient to get to town. The fare for round trip is ten cents or by getting a monthly ticket book it is five cents, I think. Bracken still lives in his little two room house here in our yard and looks after our watering and etc. and takes care of the church a few hundred yards away. He is inclined to have some catarrh in his head, but otherwise enjoys pretty good health. He and Edna did the gathering in of the walnuts. Talbot hulled them and I did the sorting so there was work for all. They were the poorest we ever sent to market on account of the hot winds we had in June which did much damage not only to the walnuts, but to the oranges and lemons as well, but they were higher in price than common so we realized about as much for them. Our average about ten dollars a sack.
Emmor and Lucile are still living in town. He is in the Post Office, and while he enjoys the country for a home. Lewis and family are in Whittier, children in High School and College. Lewis working on a ranch near there so all are very busy. Alice and family at Long Beach, went there over a year ago for her health, and while she is very much better the doctors think she must stay a while longer, so they just rent their property in Whittier and take rooms there. They were up last week on Thanksgiving and we had a nice visit together Howard and Edith Barton and family live at Yorba Linda on a ranch, he works a good deal at the carpenter trade, and I think they are doing very well. Their oldest son Clyde is married and lives in Riverside County. The second son was drafted but so far has not had to go on account of having had asthma. This awful war is taking so many of our young men. Albert's boys still in Texas, Willie visits us nearly every summer, is still conductor on the same road he began on so many years ago. He owns two ranches at Yorba Linda. He is getting exceedingly tired of railroading, wants to quit as soon as possible. Hiram is still in Georgia and very comfortably fixed on a little fruit farm. May the youngest daughter, lives near them, the boys all in Ohio and Oruanna, somewhere in California. All married. Philena Hadley lives in Whitter. Has two little Mexican children raising. Cyrus and Mary Mattie and husband all live at Pasadena, and Oliver at Riverside Philena and C., and Mary have joined the Nazarene Church, Mattie and husband have gone to Christian Science Church, and Ollie to the Methodist,not a friend left among them. Frank Milhous and Allie still at their old home near Whittier, with only one child, their youngest girl with them. The rest are scattered about at Lindsay, Yorba Linda and just recently Edith went to Honolulu and married a man who used to be here. He is now in the Pathological Institute there. His name is Timberlake. E. P. Milhous, grandmother as she is called by nearly all, is now ninety years old, and though quite hard of hearing and feeble, still seems bright and mostly , still seems bright and mostly attends meeting and Sabbath school . She lives to herself, of her own choice, up stairs in Lewis Hadley's house and appreciates the blessing of having her children all so near. Only a few steps to Mattie's or Jessie's about a mile Charlies and three miles to Frank's. But in these days of autos two or three miies distance don't seem to amount to much. Jesse's children both live in Yorba Linda. Martin Burdg in Texas and living with third or fourth wife, since Annie's death. I think the Armstrong family are scattered Sarah still at her old home in Whittier, Adella and husband in the house with her, Anna and family live near by. Elmer and Elwood in Oregon. One of Elmer's daughters has charge of some Mission work up in the mountains there in Oregon, seems quite a successful worker. John is living in Inyo County, I think on a ranch. Alice McMillan is nicely fixed in her little home in Whittier, with Sarah Lindley with her as company. I called on them yesterday and told them I was going to write to thee, and they wanted to be remembered to you, and said to give their best wishes and that they were getting along nicely. . I also called on Anzonetta Gilbert, she seemed very glad to hear from you and wanted to be remembered to you. She lives in a very nice little bungalow that George (Dillie) had built several years ago, she is nicely fixed the children keeping her. George and wife live at Lindsay, about one hundred miles away but come down quite frequently, can come in less than a day by auto. Mary and her two younger children live only two or three blocks from their mother. James (Bewley) is working with a railroad bridge crew, somewhere in Arizona. Huldah, their daughter lives, between here and Los Angeles on a ranch and Anna and her children live at Long Beach. I forgot what she is doing, she and her husband separated sometime ago. Anna Bewley is quite feeble almost helpless with rheumatism has made her home at Long Beach, until recently, she went to stay awhile at least, with Lester and Belle Neill at Denair. Arthur, Will and Wilfred all at Long Beach, Frank at Los Angeles and Tom on a ranch a few miles west of here. Tom's oldest girl is working as a stenographer in the office where Myra is, not for the same man, but his brother. Myra thinks she is a nice girl. Elmer and Lillie Allen live in Whittier, I don't know what he is doing just now. He seems to change his occupation quite often so I don't keep posted. They have one son who joined the arny to go to France, and their only daughter, Isabell is in the Mission field at Honduras, Central America. I have read two letters from her she seems to feel that she is where the Lord wants her, and there surely is an open door there for Missionary work. Sammie Hambleton lives at Brea about nine or ten miles east of us, we see some of them once in a long time. They look and seem just like they used to. Laura at home with them yet. Frank married one of Mel Sprague's daughters and is settled near his father's and I believe is running a dairy, and we hear there is some prospect of Charlie and Grace Swarthout being married. Linnie Hole's daughter, she is a nurse and has been in Los Angeles sometime. Lizzie (Hole) Saunders is also in Los Angeles, but I don't know what she is doing. Lizzie Malmsberry is also there, has kept a rooming house until lately, but I do not know what she is doing now. Emmor Malmsberry and Evelyn are on a little ranch not far from Los Angeles, look and act just as natural as can be. He had a stroke of paralysis some time ago, which deprived him entirely of the use of his left side and the doctors said nothing could be done for him, and a minister, Wallace Gill of our church went to see him and Emmor told him there was no chance unless the Lord would heal him, so the minister said, well they would just ask Him right then to do so. And he made a powerful prayer and Evelyn followed, after which with a few words of encouragement the minister left, and in about fifteen minutes, Emmor got up and walked about, and continued to improve until he has done as hard work as he has since coming to California and looks as well as he ever did. Lewis I. Hadley has very poor health, heart trouble, poor circulation and had to give up his work in Idaho about a year ago. So now is at home on his ranch here near us. He still preaches once in a while in the surrounding churches, or some Mission, but does not do regular work. Thee might be interested in knowing that our nearest neighbor, Fred Wood is a son of Mary Hambleton Wood, the first person ever married at the old Grove Meeting back in Indiana, and his wife was a Chambers, a niece of Ann Hole's of Butler Switch neighborhood. (Grayford) They are fine people and splendid church workers and always dependable. We have a nice Meeting here with about one hundred and fifty members I think, and seems to be increasing in interest and activity since our new pastor's came, the first of July. They are Sanford and Blanchford Pickering. They are surely doing a good work, especially among the young people in the Christian Endeavor. We are looking for Morton Hall back in California to spend the winter. His son Clarence and family and Lillie and her family came some weeks ago. I have not seen any of them yet. I have only just met Griffith and Cora, but hear they are well satisfied, with their new home. Well I believe I don't think of any others to speak of and I expect thee is tired of reading by this time, and trying to fill in, correct mistakes and etc., I can't seem to write as easy and well as I once could, and make so many mistakes I find it much more of a task. I was very interested in every thing three spoke of in thy letter, and my heart goes out in sympathy, for Calvin in his affliction and loneliness and I hope Lydia has fully regained her health ere this. I was really much surprised to hear that Dave Shreve was still living. He seemed so old and wrinkled when I saw him last which was a good many years ago and then to think of Jennie Cook, just a little girl as I remember her could be a grandmother. Why, how old must Dave be, but mabe he was not as old as he looked. I was also interested in hearing from Mattie's children and grand children. I always enjoy thy letters and will be glad to hear again any time. Thy Cousin
S. B. Ware
Yours truly,
S. C. Hambleton
North Vernon Plain Dealer - January 7, 1869
NEW MUSIC-A son of tender years is announced in the family of Mr. A. G. and Mrs. Belle Burdge.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 1, 1870 The spring term of the Hopewell Graded School, will commence March 28th and continue 12 weeks, under the care of T. Armstrong as Principal.
This is one of the best schools in the County situated in the midst of a highly moral and religious neighborhood.
For particulars, rate of tuition etc., address the Principal at Butlerville.
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North Vernon Weekly Sun - October 19, 1872
Elizabethtown Items
Mr. Moses Lewis and Zelthia Newsome were married on the "Quaker plan," at the Friends church near here, on Thursday last.
Butlerville Items
The general meeting held at the Friends' meeting house, closed last Monday morning after a very interesting meeting. The society here received (during their meeting,) efficient assistance from different sections of this State and Ohio.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - April 6, 1876
Republican Nominating Committee for Geneva Township
K. Brown, Dr. Batman, J. Crippen, Dr. Houston, Geo. McKeehan, Jasper Burdge, J. R. Thompson, Maxa Moncrief, J. L. Bain, Walter Brooks.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 9, 1876
From Butlerville - March 8th, 1876
The series of meetings here conducted by the Y.M.C.A. closed on last Sunday evening. The number of conversions reported was fifty-two. At the close of the meeting an opportunity was given to allow the converts to designate what church they wished to unite with, which resulted in twenty additions to the Baptist church, and ten to the M.E. church. There were also several conversions among the young members of the Friends church, but we are not informed how many.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 23, 1876
Butlerville Column
Died-On Tuesday night, March 12th,1876, at the residence of Lewis Burdg, of this township, Mr. Arthur Hadley, of pneumonia; aged about sixteen years. His remains were taken to the residence of his parents, in Morgan county, Ind. for interment. Z
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 30, 1876
From Butlerville - March 28, 1876
The Y.M.C.A., of this place met again on last Tuesday evening and completed their organization. The officers are as follows: J. W. Pell, President, Moses Ferris, Vice President, Ed. Barnum, Secretary; Townsend Cope, Treasurer. Standing committees are as follows: Devotional Committee-Samuel Murphy, N. Armstrong, and J.T. Oneal; Visiting committee-Hiram Burdge, John Greer, and Obed Woolman; Committee on Missionary Work-Moses Ferris, Alfred Owens and Lewis J. Hadley; Educational Committee - Jas. Craig, Joshua Armstrong and H. G. Nelson. The boys are now conducting a revival meeting at a school house near where J. V. Milhouse resides, and are meeting with good success.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - May 4, 1876
Butlerville Column
DIED-At his reisdence here, Mr. Wm. Burdge, of paralysis.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - July 6, 1876
E. D. Burdge has been appointed Superintendent of the Machinery of the Cincinnati Southern road. A just promotion.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - July 12, 1877
Butlerville Items - July 10, 1877
Butlerville people picnicked in Engle's grove, near the Friends church, on the 4th.
An infant child of Amos Walton, of Seymour was buried at the Friends Church near here on Monday evening. Its illness was of short duration. The disease was cholera infantum.
Thomas Armstrong preached at the Friends Church on Sunday. He is visiting his sister, Mrs. Milhous, who is seriously ill with pulmonary disease. Z.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - July 26, 1876
Butlerville Items - July 24th, 1876
Died, on Thursday, July 19th, Mrs. Emily Milhous, wife of Frank Milhous. Funeral at the Friends Church (Hopewell) Friday at 3 o'clock. Her disease was consumption.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - August 16, 1877
Butlerville Items - August 14, 1877
Mr. Lewis Burdge died at his residence near here on last Sunday night (Aug. 12) of typhoid fever, and was buried at the Friends church, Hopewell, this morning.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - August 23, 1877
Butlerville Items
Butlerville, Aug. 21st
Died, on Monday morning, Aug. 20, Mrs. Elmira Burdge, wife of Hiram Burdge; funeral to-day, at Friend's church. Her disease was consumption and was very lingering, and her suffering extremely severe. Some little time before her death she weighed only 50 pounds. Z
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - December 27, 1877
Butlerville Items
December 25th, 1877
Married: On Thursday evening, December 20th, 1877, at the residence of the brides' mother, by Rev. J. W. Mendal, Mr. Dennis Hadley to Miss Hannah Burdge. All of this township.
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Butlerville Items - January 10, 1878
Butlerville - January 8th, 1878
Died-Mrs. Sidney Cook, wife of Geo. W. Cook, Esq., of this place, died yesterday morning, Jan. 7th, 1878, after a very short illness. Her disease was inflammation of the bowels. She was an exemplary member of the Friends church, and noted for her many kind acts towards those with whom she associated. She will be mourned by a large circle of relatives and friends.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - February 14, 1878
Butlerville Items - January 10, 1878
It was the Rev. Ellwood Scott and Helen Balkwell who conducted the meeting at the Friends church, and not Mr. Hayworth as we stated in our items of last week . Our attention has been called to this error by one who felt interested in the matter, and we gladly make the correction. Z.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - October 24, 1878
Vernon Items
Albert Burdge and family were at Azalia last week.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - November 7, 1878
Mr. Albert Burdge has removed into the house lately occupied by Mr. Connelly.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - November 14, 1878
Mr. Lewis Burdge, the Azalia saw mill man, spent last Saturday night with his brother, Albert Burdge.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - April 24, 1879
Butlerville Items
April 22d, 1879
The Friends held Quarterly meeting at their church last Saturday and Sunday.
Married, Wednesday, April 16th, 1879, at the Friends church, Mr. Frank Milhouse to Miss Almira P. Burdge, all of this county. Z.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - May 8, 1879
May 6, 1879
Also, on May 4th, Mr. George Shreve, of pneumonia, aged 82 yrs. Funeral at the Friends' church yesterday. Thus another aged couple passed away near together. His wife was buried just two weeks previously. They were highly respected people and their loss is mourned by a large circle of friends and relatives.
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North Vernon Sun - July 3, 1879
"Uncle Jesse Peel, as he is familiarly known by his neighbors, died at his residence one and a half miles south of Azalia, one day last week at the age of 74 years. He came to this neighborhood in which he settled at early day, from North Carolina and was one of the founders of the Society of Friends church and seminary located in Sandcreek township two miles north of Azalia. He was a man of considerable means, and generous to a fault, but had many peculiar characteristics.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - August 8, 1879
There will come up before the next court, a case perhaps the most peculiar of any ever tried in this county. Recently Hudson Burge, a resident farmer of Campbell township living near the Friends' church, filed affidavits against Talbot Ware, Hiram Burdge and Thomas Moore, prominent members of the Society of Friends, commonly called Quakers, charging them with assault and battery upon the person of one Rebecca Stanley, also a Friend. We learn that the assault and battery consists in the efforts of the last named, who in the Society are called caretakers, to restrain Rebecca from making certain violent demonstrations during time of religious service. Some years ago she with a number of others became singularly influenced under the preachings of a revivalist, Amos Kenworthy, who visited this county and since that time has been very outspoken on religious occasions, speaking loudly and sometimes very long. This became tiresome and unpleasant to a majority of the members and she was besought to restrain herself, but she would not, and it appears became more violent, claiming to have the Divine command for so doing. For several years the Society bore the annoyance and finally expelled the sister of many words. Still she kept on in the same way as before the expulsion from the Society, and officers were appointed to prevent her entering the church. For two years they have thus guarded themselves from her visits, and yet at times she would interrupt the services. In keeping Mrs. Stanley away from their services, the "caretakers" have been very gentle with her and used as little force as possible. The gentlemen named were some days since arrested and put under bond for appearance. They are well-to-do farmers, and none are more highly respected in the neighborhood or elsewhere. We have known of the trouble between the church and Mrs. Stanley for some time, and considered the parties fully able to settle it without making a newspaper sensation of it, though our neighbor over the way has rung all the changes for three or four years past, and now it has been brought into the courts where it has no business, by one who is said to be not friendly to the Society at large, or to the so-called injured woman. The court will surely hold that religious society has a very proper right to keep from its house of worship any disturbing element and indeed we sometimes hear of cases, where the arraigned parties are the disturbers. We have no intimate acquaintance with any of the parties, but we know the Friends of Butlerville church are not given to violent abuse of anybody.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - December 16, 1880
Butlerville
Married, Dec. 10, 1880, at the Hopewell (Friends) church, Mr. Talbot Ware and Miss Samantha Burdg. All of this township.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - April 21, 1881
Butlerville
Hiram Burdge and lady are made happy - it's a boy.
Written April 19th.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - September 15, 1881
Vernon
Al Burdge has the smallest horse and buggy we have ever seen. It is "Cute."
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - May 5, 1881
Butlerville
Emor and Delsa Malmsberry were here last week, being called home by the illness of their father. They returned to Iowa yesterday and took their sister, Miss Adelia, with them.
Died, On April 27th, 1881, at his residence near this place, Mr. Benjamin Malmsberry, of pneumonia. May 2d, 1881
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - December 29, 1881
On the evening of December 22d, a very pleasant company assembled at the residence of W. H. and Phebe R. Gibson, Butlerville, to witness the marriage of A. B. Malmsberry, with their adopted daughter, Miss Lizzie M. Gibson. The ceremony was performed by Rev. W. S. Bacon, of Cincinnati. The happy couple will soon start for Marshalltown, Iowa, which is to be their future home.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - August 10, 1882
Butlerville
Your compositor caused us to say that Hiram Burdge and Mr. Crew expect to make their future homes in Ohio, which is a mistake. Mr. Crew expects to go to Ohio but Mr. Burdge does not.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 15, 1883
Mr. Frank Newsom, of Azalia, who about seven weeks ago was accidentally shot in the hand, and account of which appeared in the Herald at that time, died Wednesday having bled to death by the sloughing of an artery. His age was 42 years. He was a widower, and leaves five daughters, the oldest being but 14 years of age. The funeral took place from the Friends church - Columbus Herald.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - April 5, 1883
BUTLERVILLE
Mr. H. Burdge is trying for a porter or brakeman on passenger trains on the O. & M. R.R.., Miss Oriana Burdge and Miss Jennie Cook are attending the Normal at Vernon. Mrs. Unity Woolman and family moved to Cadilac, Mich., this week.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - May 7, 1884
Butlerville Items
Mrs. Cope, wife of T. Cope. She died on Wednesday, April 30th, of consumption, after a long illness. She was a member of the Friends' Church and has for many years led a consistent Christian life-always ready to work for the Master both in public and by visiting those who were sick or needy; her light was always brightly burning and was a guide to the pathway for others. She has gone to her rest, yet she liveth in the memory of those who knew her.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 25, 1885
We learn that Mr. Martin Burdge, near Butlerville, who is convalescent from measles, has now the mumps. His friends who are interested in the fine stock in his stable, are informed that he has engaged the services of an expert horseman to clerk for him during his sickness.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - April 15, 1885
DIED
MALMSBERRY - On Friday, April 10th, 1885, of paralysis, at Waterloo, Nebraska, Adella Malmsberry, twin sister of Adelza Malmsberry of this place, aged ___ years.
The remains were brought to this place Sunday and on Monday taken to Hopewell church, near Butlerville, for interment.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - December 8, 1886
Butlerville Items
Reverend Reece is holding a protracted meeting at the Hopewell (Friends) church.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - May 4, 1887
Mrs. Mary A. Smith, formerly Mrs. John S. Burdge, and a long time resident of this county, died at her home at Grove City, Ills., on Friday, April 29th, 1887, in her 76th year. Her daughters, Mrs. A. S. Conner, of Chattanooga, Tenn., and her son Mr. Hudson Burdge, of Butlerville, were in attendance at her death-bed.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 7, 1888
Butlerville Items
Oliver Burdg expects to move to Texas soon.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - October 9, 1889
Hege Letter
Gertie Burdge returned to her home at Butlerville Saturday morning after a pleasant week's visit with Mattie Vantresse.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - April 23, 1890
Obituary
DIED- At her residence 1 ½ miles south of Butlerville, April 4th, 1890, Mrs. Jane M. Burdg. She was born at Damascus, Mahoning Co., Ohio, in April 1824; married Oliver Burdg April 29th 1846, and they moved to Indiana in June, 1852. She was the mother of four children, two of whom survive her - Martin Burdg, of Potsboro, Texas, and Mrs. Frank Milhous, of Butlerville, Ind. She was a member of the Friends' church from birth, and was always present at religious services when her health would permit. She was a true Christian in word and deed and her faith never wavered during the days, weeks and months of her sickness, but served as a support in the time of great suffering. Her example was always good. She was kind and loving to all and will be sadly missed by her many friends and relatives. It is in the lives of such that we find proof of the value of Christianity and of the goodness of God.
Her friends and neighbors were welcomed to her home with a kindly greeting and the poor and needy found in her a friend. She was loved by all who knew her, and although she is now hidden from our sight she will live in our memory.
At the close of the day her work being finished she bade farewell to earth and earthly things to begin the new day in her heavenly home. Her aged companion, daughter and other relatives and friends were by her bedside and saw her pass sweetly away, saw her leave the body of clay which had for so long been racked with pain and realized that she was "Asleep in Jesus."
Mingled with the sorrow of parting be the feeling of gladness for the blessed assurance that her reward is complete. Knowing the intense suffering which she has undergone and the many trials of life we can not wish her back, but can only say, dear wife, loving mother, kind friend, farewell. A. FRIEND.
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April 19, 1893 - Banner Plain Dealer
Butlerville Column
Rob't Whinnery, long a resident of this community, and member of the Friend's church, died on the 14th at the home of his son Sam, in Cincinnati.
The funeral of Rob't. Whinnery and Joshua Milhous took p;ace at Hopewell yesterday afternoon at the same time. Both were brother members of the same church. Rev. Lewis I. Hadley conducted the services.
Joshua Milhous died at his residence on the 15th of pneumonia. He has lived in this county for nearly thirty years. Ever an earnest member in the Friend's church, he was a true worshiper of his creator, a loving father of a large family, and friend to all his acquaintances. His wife and five children survive him. He was about 73 years of age.
May 3, 1893 - Banner Plain Dealer
OBITUARY
Joshua Milhous was born in Belmont county, Ohio, December 31, 1820
Born of parents belonging to the Society of Frinds he early acquired the elements of good character. Raised under the influence of sound Quakerism the principles of truth and morality were inculated in his thought and action,which served as a safeguard in his youth a guide through middle life, and a shining light in his old age.
In the year 1847 he was married to Elizabeth Griffith, of Pennsylvania. His wife, fully worthy of her husband, was his helpmate, his counselor and loving nurse until death. With content for the present and hope for the future the young couple started on the journey of life together near the birthplace of Joshua. In 1854 they moved to their homestead east of the Rush Branch church, where, with the exception of siix years, they ever after lived.
About five years after settling here Joshua began the culture of small fruit trees. His reputation in this line broadened until the management of J. V. Milhous & Son, became well known throught this section of the State. His straightforward business methods made his dealings with men pleasant and profitable. His moral integrity was well known and gained for him that high esteem which only honest effort and rightfuol purpose can obtain. Of an energetic and progressive nature, in both moral and material progress, he made himself one of the foremost in general improvement. He felt conscious of something better in life than mere existance and conducted his life accordingly. He was a sincere Christian and was ever attentive to his religious duties. His strict adherence to the faith of his sect made him a leading member in his church.
Joshua was the father of eight children, five of whom are still living. They and his faithful wife knew best how to appreciate him in the home circle. An attentive husband and father, he was the head of a christian home which abounded in mutual affection and happiness. In later life, since his children left the parental roof, his greatest joy was the family reunions or "home comings." His conversation during his last hours concerning that better home led his wife to say that she would soon follow him, and he said he "would watch for her; and 'ere long the children and he would watch for them; and later on the grandchildren and he would watch for them; and it won't be long until we have another 'home coming' in that better land." Such anticipations and hope for the future are joy and comfort; with such confidence and expectations of fellowship with God we can but say that death is sweet.
During the greater part of his life he enjoyed comparatively good health. About two years ago he was seriously ill with la grippe and since that time had not been very strong; yet only a few days prior to his death he was unusually active, when he was seized with a severe attack of pneumonia which, from the first was alarming. Our friend, conscious that medical treatment would be of no avail, was ever cheerful when he knew that death was near. His example as a christian character was kind, devoted and true, ever mindful of his duty to God, himself and fellow man. In his death the church loses an active member, the community a sincere friend, and his family a loving husband and father.
Butlerville, April 25th L.J.N.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - October 26, 1905
Butlerville
Quarterly meeting was held at the Friends church Saturday and Sunday.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 2, 1905
A. B. Malmsberry Dead
The news of the death of Adelza Malmsberry was received here Wednesday and was heard with deepest regret. He was taken sick on the road while on his run on the B. & O.S-W., and taken through here on a cot to his home in St. Louis. His wife, who was visiting at Greencastle, was sent for and came here and took the train for home Saturday night. His death occurred early Wednesday morning and was due to grip. Mr. Malmsbetty and his family lived here for many years and were known and esteemed by everyone. They moved from here to St. Louis several years ago for the convenience of Mr. Malmsberry, who for many years was a baggage-man on the B. & O. S.W. He possessed many noble qualities that won friends for him wherever he was known. His remains will be brought here Friday on the early train arriving here thirty after five o'clock in the morning and taken to the Christian church. The funeral services will be held there at ten o'clock under the auspices of the I.O.O.F Interment will take place in the City cemetery.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - November 2, 1905
Mrs. Lizzie Malmsberry and daughter, Nina, of St. Louis, were here this week. Mrs. Malmsberry sold her farm at Butlerville and was here making out the necessary papers.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - May 17, 1923 pg. 6
Word has been received here by friends of the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Milhous formerly a resident of Butlerville at the home of her son C. W. Milhous at East Whittier, California, May 3rd. following a brief illness with complications. Mrs. Milhous is well known by residents of this county as during her active life she preached in the Friends Church south of town and was beloved as a woman of strong Christian character. She was over 96 years of age at the time of her death. She was the mother of two sons and two daughters. Funeral services were conducted from the Friends Church in East Whittier, California on May 5th.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - August 23, 1906
Beulah Burdge, formerly of this place, and Joseph Williams were united in married at the home of her grandfather, Talbot Ware, Wednesday and left shortly on a wedding tour. We wish them much joy.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - September 2, 1909
Our old friend, Thos. Woolman, who resides near the Hopewell Friends church, and who was recently stricken with paralysis, is, we are pleased to say, improving.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 31, 1910
Thomas Woolman, of near the Friends' church, about six miles east of this city, died Tuesday night from the effects of paralysis, after a protracted illness covering a period of several months. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in Co. K, 148th Indiana Volunteers, Funeral services will be held at Butlerville at 10 a.m. Friday.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - April 2, 1908
Butlerville Several attended the Friends church last Sunday morning and evening. Bro. Lewis Stout preached two fine sermons; it was Bro. Barker's last Sunday with the church.
North Vernon Banner Plain Dealer November 30, 1905
Obituary
Unity F. Woolman was born Feb. 234d, 1825, died Nov. 19th 1905, age 80 years, 8 months, 26 days. She was born in Columbiana county, Ohio. At 20 years of age she was married to Samuel Woolman; of this union there were born eight children, six of whom survive her, two daughters and four sons; her husband, one son and one daughter preceded her to the world beyond. She came to this State with her husband and family in the year 1865 and endured many hardships and privations, such as the early settlers had to contend with. But the hardest of all her trials was when her husband dropped dead at the plow of heart disease, leaving her a widow at the age of 42, with this large family to raise and educate. She fought her battles bravely and well and took the Lord as her friend and guide. She was a woman of very strong mind, far above the average even up to her last sickness. She was a member of the Friends church until some years after coming to Indiana. Then she joined the Baptist church at Butlerville of which she had ever since been a member. She was a good and loving mother, much devoted to her children. A kind neighbor, lending a helping hand whenever she could. But her life is too well known to need comment. She leaves beside her children a host of relatives and friends who will sadly miss her. May we all live so that we may meet her in that "Better world where justice and love shall reign and all hearts laden with anguish shall rest forever more."
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - August 25, 1904
Hopewell
Rev. George Moore, of Paola, delivered a temperance lecture at the Friends church Tuesday night.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - January 12, 1922
JENNINGS COUNTY PEOPLE IN CALIFORNIA
A copy of the December number of the "Pacific Friend" a publication published at Whittier, California, has reached this office and from it we take the following article.
In memory of the days that used to be, nearly one hundred-fifty former residents and their friends of Butlerville, Jennings County, Indiana, gathered in the social hall of the Friends Church to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner and afternoon of fellowship.
Friendships of yester-years were renewed by the relating of many an anecdote with settings in the good old Hoosier state where the majority of those present spent their childhood days and where many passed a greater portion of their allotted four score and ten.
A glance at the register shows that fully a dozen of them have passed the age of sixty-five. Snowy heads with the findlier faces were everywhere. Four generations of the famous Milhous family were included in the roll call. "Grandmother" Milhous who is still hale and hearty at the age of ninety-four and one-half was seated near the fireplace while about her were children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were her sons, Charles wife and children; Jesse Milhouse and wife; Martha Ware and family; Almira P. Milhous and children.
There were also at least three generations of the Burdg families, Samantha B. Ware, Bracken, Lewis, Alice B. Peele, Edith Barton and Philena B. Hadley; Mattie B Lindley of the older set, with their respective children; also the Murphys by Isaac B. his daughter, Mary Hall and son, Richard Walton Hall; the Stanleys by Eli and wife, his son and his daughter Doris; the Armstrongs by Alice McMillan, Eliza A Cox and son Greeman, Adela and Anna Allen and Harold Sanders, wife and sons; the Andrews by Allie S Andrews, George E, wife and daughter; the Johnsons by Taylor and family the Cobbs by Tacy Murphy and Emma C Massey and daughter; Jos Hole and wife of Pennsylvania, with his brother Walter and family and the Holes family; Emmor Malmsberry, and family; Oliver Brougher, wife and family; Enoch Miles and wife; Willis VanCleave and wife George D. Gilbert and wife.
The Bewleys by James and family Arthur, wife and family, Thomas and family; Frank wife and son; Mrs. Geraldine B. Hatfield of Greensburg; and Mrs. Elmer J Allen and family. Jeff Burdge and family; Alfred and Jessie Henderson Appting and son. So we might go on, all glad to be numbered among the company so happily brought together. At one o'clock a good Indiana Thanksgiving dinner was served. Our much loved Eliza A Cox voiced our gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the blessings so bountifully bestowed in these past years, for the blessings of the day and our dependence on Him for future care and strength to live for Him.
Beautiful autumn leaves decorated the tables where which were gathered from his Butlerville nursery 23 years ago. Following the treats of the dining hall the company moved into the reception room where a short but splendid program was given by Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Milhous and daughter Miss Esther of this city played a beautiful piano trio. Mr. Milhous then sang "Friends of Yesterday" accompanied by his daughter; Miss Esther. Both numbers were generously applauded.
Guests were present from all over the Southland and from at least two other states, namely Colorado and Michigan.
A brief business meeting was held during the afternoon at which time it was unanimously voted to make the gathering an annual event. To that end Walter Hole of LaHabra, was elected chairman and Mrs. E. ? Allen of Whittier, secretary for the first year.
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Butlerville Items
Butlerville, Oct. 20
On last Wednesday we went to see the wedding. Being a little late we found the house full, especially the "women's end:" the "mens end" not so much crowded.
After a few minutes waiting, in marched the bride and groom, accompanied by their attendants, four in number; then silence, followed by two prayers and two sermons, when it was announced that "perhaps it was about time for the young folks, to proceed with the marriage ceremony," at which the bride and groom with their attendants arose to their feet. The groom, taking the right hand of the bride repeated the following ceremony, "Friends: In the presence of the Lord and before this assembly, I take Mary J. Burdge to be my wedded wife, promising with divine assistance to be unto her a faithful loving husband until death shall separate us." Then, in like manner the bride repeated the same, substituting his name (Cyrus Trueblood) for hers and the words husband for wife and wife for husband; they then signed the marriage certificate, which was then read by T. Armstrong.
The above ceremony is almost identical with that prepared and recommended by George Fox, the founder of Quakerism.
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From History of Campbell Township By J. C. Cope From The Plain Dealer Newspaper - October 6, 1916
About 1854 a Quaker congregation was organized and met in a school house which was located on the north west corner of the forty acres on which Mark Tyler lived until recently. Samuel Stanley sat head of the meeting, and I am witness to the fact that he could adjourn service exactly ten minutes after twelve, though he sat with his back to the clock which I was facing. This congregation later would build Grove meeting house a quarter of a mile south of the school house. This church dissapeared many years ago, but the cemetery which was near it remains.
John Blankenship had a saw mill on the South Fork near the south west corner of the township, operated by water power. Later he sold the mill to Lindsay Stanley. I think it is now the property of John A. Wilson. The mill was operated by the son, James Blankenship, a very fleshy, good natured fellow. The capacity was 250 feet of lumber in a day. It had a sash saw which moved very slowly. Corn was also ground, one-tenth being taken as toll.
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North Vernon Banner Plain Dealer - November 23, 1905
Mrs. Woolman, who was nearly ninety years of age, died and was buried near the Quaker church Tuesday. C. C. Jordan had charge of the funeral.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - April 22, 1915
OBITUARY
Mrs Elizabeth Smith, daughter of William and Athalina Vandoren, was born June 10th, 1832, in Warren County, Ohio. She departed this life on the morning of March 19, 1915, at the ripe age of almost eighty-three years. She was married to George Shumaker, both of them united with the Friends Church at Beach Grove, in Clinton County, Ohio. In 1884, she was married to J. B. Smith, of Rutland, County, Vermont, and in the same year they moved to North Vernon, Indiana, where her home has since been. He preceded her to the better land, July 11, 1911. She leaves five sons, Amos, Raymond, Emmerson, Elmer and Edward; two sisters, one brother, a number of grandchildren and three great grand-children. Her remains were taken to Clarksville,Ohio, for burial.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 8, 1916
FROM CALIFORNIA
"Grandmother" Elizabeth Milhous on last Sunday afternoon formed the center of an interesting gathering numbering nearly fifty at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Eldo West, at Yorba Linda. A feast was spread on long tables on the spacious veranda of the West home, where the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren now resident in Southern California with Mrs. Milhous were seated. After the dinner hour numerous photographs were taken of the groups, and the afternoon very pleasantly passed with musical numbers, both vocal and instrumental by various members of this talented family. All of the children of Mrs. Milhous were present excepting one, Mrs. Louis I. Hadley of Manta, Idaho. They were Frank Milhous and wife of Whittier; Jesse Milhous, Mrs Mattie Ware and Charles W. Milhous of this place. The grand-children and great-children were Misses Olive Milhous, Eloise and Wilma Ware, Emmor Ware and wife of Whittier; William Milhous, Walter Milhous and family of Yorba Linda; C. E. Sutton and family of LaHabra, John Mitchell and family of South Whittier; Harold Beeson, wife and son of East Whittier, Frank Nixon and family, and Russell Harrison, wife and son, of Yorba Linda; Theodore Seulke and family of La Habra; and Prof. Grifith Milhous of Plainfield, Ind. Other guests were Miss Laura McClure, Earl McGuire and Mary Calloway. - California Exchange.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - February 7, 1923
FAIRMONT
Miss Estal Jeffries received word last week of the engagement of her friend Miss Jessamyn West to Max Mcpherson, of California, she is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eldo R. West formerly of this community but who have resided in California for several years.
North Vernon Plain Dealer - May 5, 1910
Talbert (Talbot) Ware has sold his farm to Eli Stanley. Mr. Ware will move to California just as soon as he can complete arrangements. We regret losing Mr. Ware and family; they were among our best citizens.
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North Vernon Sun - Saturday, December 25, 1965
Editor
Sun-Plain Dealer
North Vernon, Indiana
Dear Sir:
This letter is to your reporter who writes of the cemeteries in Jennings county.
I am clerk of Sand Creek Quarterly Meeting, Bartholomew county (Quaker) Friends Meeting. We have two cemeteries in Jennings county of which is our responsibility. One Hopewell, south of Butlerville, and the other one which is now the Edward Gault farm southeast of Butlerville.
Would you tell me or get the following information? Who owned the farm and gave the land for this cemetery; also, was there a meeting house there? The land deed would probably tell. Our Church Minutes do not record anything of this cemetery.
Sixteen members of our meeting made a pilgrimage to these two cemeteries last fall. I found it is older than Hopewell and also that Elizabeth and Joshua Milhous have two sons buried in this old cemetery.
Any other information would be appreciated.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Jack Anderson
Route 1
Elizabethtown, Ind.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - September 29, 1910
A LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA
Fullerton, California, Randolph district, Sept. 15, 1910.
Weather warm and pleasant.
Fullerton is situated about 25 miles southeast of Los Angeles on the Santa Fe railroad. Population about 4000, has several large stores, several fine buildings erected this year. Also has five citrus fruit and vegetable packing houses, all busy during their season. Several hundred car loads of oranges, lemons and vegetables are shipped annually from this one point. Orange county, our county, is considered the banner county of southern California. 3000 acres were planted to celery in this county this year. Several thousand lemon and orange trees also planted.
English walnuts are ripening; a good crop and good price 12 ½ cents to 15cents per pound.
The Pacific Electric R. R. is now running their cars over the new extension through the valley. (LaHabra) crossing the Santa Fe railroad at Yorba, about 5 miles east of Randolph. The Electric road has just completed a $5000 building at Randolph station; it is a fine building.
School began last Monday in the seven-thousand dollar, four room school building that was built this summer.
Several new old well derricks are being erected on the foot hills north of town. Three new well were brought in recently with a good flow of oil.
Frank Hambleton is stepping high, it's a boy. Frank and baby are doing nicely.
The steam shovel is still at work widening the out west of the depot; will be about two-hundred feet wide when completed.
Charlie Hambleton is clerking at Glaizer's store at LaHabra.
The East Whittier Water Co., has about completed a 3,500,000 gallon reservoir to supply the town of Randolph with water.
A. P. E.railroad conductor told me that Randolph was the finest location on the road this side of Los Angeles. It has a fine view of the LaHabra valley, foot hills and mountains.
Miss Hattie Weeks, sister of the late Harvey R. Weeks, is an active, chippery old lady, she is in LAHabra.
The "Old Jennings county" folks living here, the Milhouses, Burdges, Armstrongs, Bewleys, Hadleys and several others were all enjoying good health when last heard from.
Talbot Ware, late of near Butlerville, Ind., bought three acres of English walnuts four miles east of Whittier, built a nice little cottage, and are well pleased with their new home.
Eldo West, another Old Jennings county man, with wife and family, called on the writed recently. Mrs. West is a daughter of Jesse G. Milhous, of Jennings county. She does not look like the same person that landed here one year ago; she says she weighs 140 pounds.
The end of this valley is building up and improving very fast. A Mr. Maple planted 17 acres last year with lemon trees, built a small California bungalow, recently sold the place for $20,000.
Mr. Hall, near by, sold 10 acres orange orchard, no buildings, for $13,000.
The Maple Bros. bought 80 acres unimproved orange land, no trees on it, for $30,000.
The Union Oil Co., is building four large oil tanks near here. There will be seven in the group. This pumping station is a fine building of brick, and is said to have the second largest gasoline engine in the state.
At Anaheim, about 3 miles south of Fullerton, will soon build a large factory for the manufacture of sugar from beets.
At Santa Ana, our county seat, last year, a large $1,000,000 factory was built. They cut about 700 tons of beets per day.
You may know Fullerton is quite a business place when the railroad does about $75,000 business per month.
Probably this is enough items for this time; will call again. X. Y. Z.
This "Randolf District" was merged into the town of Brea in California. This is an example of why people moved out west when they read in the paper someone promoting their area.
The antiquated hat and gray garb of the Quakers are not seen in this county any more and it is not dangerous to become involved in religious controversy, as of yore. In religious matters, like nearly everything else, the great mass of humanity prefer being entertained and the discipline of the faith of Fox to a certain extent has become extinct, especially in this community.
As early as the year 1851 people of the Friends faith came to Jennings county and settled in this neighborhood, or rather two miles east of the site of the original church. Conspicuous among these were the Armstrongs, Copes, Burdges, Holes, Milhous, Stanleys, Wares, Waltons, Malmsberrys and Engles, who were practically all from Columbiana county, Ohio. The first church erected, known as Sycamore Valley, was finally merged into Grove church. As more people arrived they began to settle further away from the church, hence the Friends built the present edifice nearer the settlement, known as Hopewell Friends church.
Quakerism was first established in this county by the Burdge families, and the first meeting saw its birth at the home of Lewis Burdge. In 1867 the present structure was constructed by Benjamin Walton at a cost of something like $1,200.00 and the money was obtained by subscription.
The first minister was Elizabeth Milhous, while Thomas Armstrong, Lewis Hadley, Nathan Armstrong, et al, acted in the same capacity.
George Fox, who founded Quakerism, deemed it advisable to have monthly meetings as well as quarterly meetings and adhering to this rule as promulgated by their leader, the Friends at Hopewell assembled for these advents and kept a complete record of church affairs, committees were formed to care for the sick, to ascertain that biblical literature was in all homes, and during the war they had a committee who cared for negroes.
Not until 1861 was the first monthly meetings of this society held in Jennings county. In September of '61 Edmund Albertson, Henry Wilson, James L. Thompson, Richard R. Fox, Martha Wilson, Rachel Stiles and Eliza Jane Lindley were present and organized the first monthly meeting. Prior to this date the Friends sent a delegation to Bartholomew county, near Elizabethtown Ind. Where matters relative to this church were discussed and this event was known as the Sandcreek monthly meeting.
When one wished to become a member of the Quaker denomination, he or she sent their names to the monthly meeting and the overseer investigated the applicant's moral standing and made their report accordingly. If satisfactory they could identify themselves with the church.
The present church edifice faces the Butlerville pike and is still in a goodly state of preservation, despite the four decades and over it has been in existence. It is a one story building with plain windows and doors. There is little that is distinctive about the church, but the people who once frequented the place look upon it with reverence and pride. The seats are straight back facing the rostrum, of very simple workmanship, perhaps they antedate the building itself, having been brought over from the old church. Two antiquated stoves of iron heated the room. A partition, attached to which are two large doors make two rooms in the church. One was used for regular church services while the other served as a sort of consultation room for the men. When matters of interest came up the men repaired to this room, while the women retained their seats in the main church room. After a conclusion had been reached they reported to the fair sex the contents of their proceedings, who at their option approved or disapproved of the men's views. Thus we see the separation of the sexes according to the olden custom.
On passing along the road, at the first glance one would take this building for a dwelling house, because a porch is attached to the rear, for all the world makes it look thus. Once an old time stone stood near the church, which was used as a horse block, a reminder of the days of long ago when people rode to services horseback. Just across the way is a plot of ground that to passersby is a mute evidence of what has become of many of the worshipers-it is the cemetery, where repose many of the dead, who in life were staunch supporters of the Quaker faith.
The old church is sacred to many and though no religious service of the Quaker variety has been held there in several years the meeting house is being kept in repair through generosity on the part of the community. The building with all its surroundings is picturesquely located, being modest to the fullest extent, like all such suburban churches of the Friends, exempt from ostentation like the members who were thus in speech and dress.
In conclusion, the faith of the Friends may be summed up thus:
"They believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, and in the Holy Spirit and that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one in the eternal God head."
LETTERS
North Vernon Plain Dealer and Republican - October 21, 1915, Page 7
LETTER FROM J. W. SILVER
Not all people mentioned in this letter were Quakers but do have Jennings County Roots
I notice from our Butlerville correspondent in your last week's issue that I am billed for a brief account of our trip through the west, and I can but give it very briefly.On August 10th, my wife and I took quarters on a B. & O. train which put us into St. Louis on the following morning, from there we journeyed to St. Paul, Minn., via. The Rock Island where we boarded the Oriental Limited on the Great Northern, which road we continued to ride over to Portland, Oregon, we made our first stop over at Bainville, Montana, and took a side trip of 98 miles to Scobey, Montana, then by buggy over the prairie to the Richardson settlement, a distance of 25 miles from the Canada line, where we stopped for two weeks, visiting Sam Richardson and family, Neill Richardson and family, Grace Richardson and John McCall. Continuing our journey over the Great Northern, we stuck our head from the car window and looked out on the town of Chinook in Montana, as we had been instructed to do by your Butlerville correspondent, who had taught in the public schools there for two years. After crossing the Rockies at the National Glacier Park, we took our next stop at Spokane but saw no old acquaintances at that point, continuing our journey the next day through the Wenatchee fruit country and crossing the Cascade Mountains, which certainly was a fine sight. We reached Everett at sundown, where we first smelled salt water. We made a brief stop at Settle and then on to Portland, Oregon, where we stopped a couple of days with a relative. While there we also found our old friend Chalmers McNeelon, who seemed glad to show us a good time. From Portland we rode over the Southern Pacific to New Orleans, except our side trip to San Diego over the Sante Fe. Our next stop was at Los Molinos in Northern California. We visited Mrs. Agnes Boyd and her son-in-law, David Jones and family from there. In company with Mrs. Boyd, we visited the big show in San Francisco which was very interesting as well as other sights in and about the city. We then went to Los Angeles and were entertained by the following Hoosiers: J. F. Stanley and family, Mrs. Josie Burdge, Mrs. Margaret Phillips, Wm. Andrews and family, George Andrews and family, Emmer Malmsberry and family, Miss Grace Swarthout, Mrs. Lizzie Malmsberry. At Whittier we stopped with Frank Milhous, who had just realized $4,000. For his work on a thirteen year old orange orchard of three acres, we also stopped with Elizabeth Milhous, who is well preserved and active for one of her years, nearly ninety. Jesse Milhouse, Chas. Milhous and family, Talbot Ware and family, Myrd Ware, Emmor Ware, Mrs. Hanna Milhous Beeson, Ben Hobson, Thomas Armstrong and wife, Adella Armstrong Allen, Lewis Burdge and ??, Bracken Burdge, Beula Burdge Williams, Will Burdge, James Bewley and family, George M. Gilbert and family, Auenetta Gilbert, Mrs. Alice Armstrong McMillan, Mrs. Mattie Ware and family and Earl McGuire, also Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis of Tipton County, who were also touring. Mrs. Jarvis was formerly Miss Cora Sprague of Bigger Township. At Brea we met Melvin Sprague and wife, Frank Hambleton and family and S. C. Hambleton and family. At Yorba Linda, we visited with Walter Milhous and family, Mrs. Guthery, Mrs. Edith Burdge Barton and family. Ebon Ryan and family, Eldo West and family, Willets VanCleave and wife, Jesse Lubel, Nick Taylor, Pharis Thompson, and two daughters of Frank Milhous, Lizzie and Jennie with their families. At Orange we met Taylor Johnson and wife and our nephew, Byron Stanley. At Long Beach we met Arthur, Wilfred and Frank Bewley, at Colton we met our old friend, Matt Ahrmann and family, Matt is proprietor of a successful news stand, and at San Bernardino we visited Grover Hants and wife also Scott Hants and family, Harry Hants, James Smart and family and Miss Lizzie Bachelor Meskeit and husband. Many of the persons visited seem to be doing well, and are satisfied with their home and boosters for the homes of their adoption.
Let me add right here that what we need here in Jennings County is more boosters and fewer knockers. Our County is well worth boosting, let's get the habit. On our way from Los Angeles to San Diego, we met Will Nauer and family and Miss Kate Wenzel of Vernon. On October 4th we left Southern California, only stopping once, at New Orleans over night. From New Orleans we came over the L. & Louisville, arriving back safely in Butlerville October 9th.
On our trip we passed through eighteen States and saw some part of each in day light. Was also in Canada and Old Mexico, was riding on the cars about 300 hours or nearly two weeks. Traveled by rail 7503 miles, in buggy about 215 miles, by automobile about 630 miles besides many miles by electric and street cars of which we have no account.
I had no reason from the time I left Jennings County until getting back, to doubt but what our county will average with any other and that deserving people can live here as well as any where.
North Vernon Plain Dealer - December 27th, 1917
This letter written by Samantha (Burdge) Ware
Dear Cousin:I see that one month has quickly sped away, since we received thy very welcome letter which was enjoyed by - not only our own family but several other old friends and relatives who had a chance to hear it. And now as thee spoke of being anxious to hear from thy and friends and relatives who are here in Whittier. I will do what I can to inform thee of their doings, although, I am kept at home so much I don't get very much of the outside world excepting as it comes through others. This has been a busy fall with me with looking after my daily cares in addition the sorting of our walnut crop, which though not so large, yet it adds quite a little. Talbot is quite feeble not able to do much, and is so nearly blind he can not see to do many things so it is quite a trial to him to have to sit around with nothing to do, can't see to read but very little and that deprives him of a great deal of satisfaction which he might otherwise have, and takes some of my time to read to him, which is better than nothing, but not like doing it himself. Myra is stenographer and bookkeeper for the Whittier Heights Cemetery County board at home, goes back and forth on Jitney, which pass here every half hour each way making it very convenient to get to town. The fare for round trip is ten cents or by getting a monthly ticket book it is five cents, I think. Bracken still lives in his little two room house here in our yard and looks after our watering and etc. and takes care of the church a few hundred yards away. He is inclined to have some catarrh in his head, but otherwise enjoys pretty good health. He and Edna did the gathering in of the walnuts. Talbot hulled them and I did the sorting so there was work for all. They were the poorest we ever sent to market on account of the hot winds we had in June which did much damage not only to the walnuts, but to the oranges and lemons as well, but they were higher in price than common so we realized about as much for them. Our average about ten dollars a sack.
Emmor and Lucile are still living in town. He is in the Post Office, and while he enjoys the country for a home. Lewis and family are in Whittier, children in High School and College. Lewis working on a ranch near there so all are very busy. Alice and family at Long Beach, went there over a year ago for her health, and while she is very much better the doctors think she must stay a while longer, so they just rent their property in Whittier and take rooms there. They were up last week on Thanksgiving and we had a nice visit together Howard and Edith Barton and family live at Yorba Linda on a ranch, he works a good deal at the carpenter trade, and I think they are doing very well. Their oldest son Clyde is married and lives in Riverside County. The second son was drafted but so far has not had to go on account of having had asthma. This awful war is taking so many of our young men. Albert's boys still in Texas, Willie visits us nearly every summer, is still conductor on the same road he began on so many years ago. He owns two ranches at Yorba Linda. He is getting exceedingly tired of railroading, wants to quit as soon as possible. Hiram is still in Georgia and very comfortably fixed on a little fruit farm. May the youngest daughter, lives near them, the boys all in Ohio and Oruanna, somewhere in California. All married. Philena Hadley lives in Whitter. Has two little Mexican children raising. Cyrus and Mary Mattie and husband all live at Pasadena, and Oliver at Riverside Philena and C., and Mary have joined the Nazarene Church, Mattie and husband have gone to Christian Science Church, and Ollie to the Methodist,not a friend left among them. Frank Milhous and Allie still at their old home near Whittier, with only one child, their youngest girl with them. The rest are scattered about at Lindsay, Yorba Linda and just recently Edith went to Honolulu and married a man who used to be here. He is now in the Pathological Institute there. His name is Timberlake. E. P. Milhous, grandmother as she is called by nearly all, is now ninety years old, and though quite hard of hearing and feeble, still seems bright and mostly , still seems bright and mostly attends meeting and Sabbath school . She lives to herself, of her own choice, up stairs in Lewis Hadley's house and appreciates the blessing of having her children all so near. Only a few steps to Mattie's or Jessie's about a mile Charlies and three miles to Frank's. But in these days of autos two or three miies distance don't seem to amount to much. Jesse's children both live in Yorba Linda. Martin Burdg in Texas and living with third or fourth wife, since Annie's death. I think the Armstrong family are scattered Sarah still at her old home in Whittier, Adella and husband in the house with her, Anna and family live near by. Elmer and Elwood in Oregon. One of Elmer's daughters has charge of some Mission work up in the mountains there in Oregon, seems quite a successful worker. John is living in Inyo County, I think on a ranch. Alice McMillan is nicely fixed in her little home in Whittier, with Sarah Lindley with her as company. I called on them yesterday and told them I was going to write to thee, and they wanted to be remembered to you, and said to give their best wishes and that they were getting along nicely. . I also called on Anzonetta Gilbert, she seemed very glad to hear from you and wanted to be remembered to you. She lives in a very nice little bungalow that George (Dillie) had built several years ago, she is nicely fixed the children keeping her. George and wife live at Lindsay, about one hundred miles away but come down quite frequently, can come in less than a day by auto. Mary and her two younger children live only two or three blocks from their mother. James (Bewley) is working with a railroad bridge crew, somewhere in Arizona. Huldah, their daughter lives, between here and Los Angeles on a ranch and Anna and her children live at Long Beach. I forgot what she is doing, she and her husband separated sometime ago. Anna Bewley is quite feeble almost helpless with rheumatism has made her home at Long Beach, until recently, she went to stay awhile at least, with Lester and Belle Neill at Denair. Arthur, Will and Wilfred all at Long Beach, Frank at Los Angeles and Tom on a ranch a few miles west of here. Tom's oldest girl is working as a stenographer in the office where Myra is, not for the same man, but his brother. Myra thinks she is a nice girl. Elmer and Lillie Allen live in Whittier, I don't know what he is doing just now. He seems to change his occupation quite often so I don't keep posted. They have one son who joined the arny to go to France, and their only daughter, Isabell is in the Mission field at Honduras, Central America. I have read two letters from her she seems to feel that she is where the Lord wants her, and there surely is an open door there for Missionary work. Sammie Hambleton lives at Brea about nine or ten miles east of us, we see some of them once in a long time. They look and seem just like they used to. Laura at home with them yet. Frank married one of Mel Sprague's daughters and is settled near his father's and I believe is running a dairy, and we hear there is some prospect of Charlie and Grace Swarthout being married. Linnie Hole's daughter, she is a nurse and has been in Los Angeles sometime. Lizzie (Hole) Saunders is also in Los Angeles, but I don't know what she is doing. Lizzie Malmsberry is also there, has kept a rooming house until lately, but I do not know what she is doing now. Emmor Malmsberry and Evelyn are on a little ranch not far from Los Angeles, look and act just as natural as can be. He had a stroke of paralysis some time ago, which deprived him entirely of the use of his left side and the doctors said nothing could be done for him, and a minister, Wallace Gill of our church went to see him and Emmor told him there was no chance unless the Lord would heal him, so the minister said, well they would just ask Him right then to do so. And he made a powerful prayer and Evelyn followed, after which with a few words of encouragement the minister left, and in about fifteen minutes, Emmor got up and walked about, and continued to improve until he has done as hard work as he has since coming to California and looks as well as he ever did. Lewis I. Hadley has very poor health, heart trouble, poor circulation and had to give up his work in Idaho about a year ago. So now is at home on his ranch here near us. He still preaches once in a while in the surrounding churches, or some Mission, but does not do regular work. Thee might be interested in knowing that our nearest neighbor, Fred Wood is a son of Mary Hambleton Wood, the first person ever married at the old Grove Meeting back in Indiana, and his wife was a Chambers, a niece of Ann Hole's of Butler Switch neighborhood. (Grayford) They are fine people and splendid church workers and always dependable. We have a nice Meeting here with about one hundred and fifty members I think, and seems to be increasing in interest and activity since our new pastor's came, the first of July. They are Sanford and Blanchford Pickering. They are surely doing a good work, especially among the young people in the Christian Endeavor. We are looking for Morton Hall back in California to spend the winter. His son Clarence and family and Lillie and her family came some weeks ago. I have not seen any of them yet. I have only just met Griffith and Cora, but hear they are well satisfied, with their new home. Well I believe I don't think of any others to speak of and I expect thee is tired of reading by this time, and trying to fill in, correct mistakes and etc., I can't seem to write as easy and well as I once could, and make so many mistakes I find it much more of a task. I was very interested in every thing three spoke of in thy letter, and my heart goes out in sympathy, for Calvin in his affliction and loneliness and I hope Lydia has fully regained her health ere this. I was really much surprised to hear that Dave Shreve was still living. He seemed so old and wrinkled when I saw him last which was a good many years ago and then to think of Jennie Cook, just a little girl as I remember her could be a grandmother. Why, how old must Dave be, but mabe he was not as old as he looked. I was also interested in hearing from Mattie's children and grand children. I always enjoy thy letters and will be glad to hear again any time. Thy Cousin
S. B. Ware
North Vernon Plain Dealer - December 5, 1917
Portion of a letter to the Plain Dealer
On July 4th, we attended the Jennings County Old Citizens Picnic at Whittier. This association is of former citizens of Old Jennings. There are quite a number of the younger ones who were children when they left Jennings County, that have grown up and married and
over one hundred are members. Here I met Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Armstrong and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Milhous, Cyrus Trublood and wife, Talbot Ware and family, J. G. Milhous and wife, Eldo West and family, Mr. and Mrs. James Bewley, Mrs. Angionette Gilbert,
Mrs. Anna R. Bewley and son, Wilford, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Johnson and children, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Andrews, Isaac Murphy, wife and daughter, Mrs. Nancy Cobb, Lewis Burdg and family, Ben Hobson and family, Mrs. Erwood, formerly of North Vernon, Miss Westover, formerly of North Vernon,
Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Hole, Philena Hadly (nee Burdg), Mrs. Adelza Malmsberry (nee Lizzie Gibson), Enos Malmsberry and wife, Mrs. Wilbur Ward, Mrs. Alice Peele (nee Burdg) and several young people whose names I do not remember. We had a day's enjoyment talking over old times and partaking
of a free for all dinner.Yours truly,
S. C. Hambleton
QUAKER NOTES & OBITUARIES
North Vernon Plain Dealer - January 7, 1869
NEW MUSIC-A son of tender years is announced in the family of Mr. A. G. and Mrs. Belle Burdge.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 1, 1870 The spring term of the Hopewell Graded School, will commence March 28th and continue 12 weeks, under the care of T. Armstrong as Principal.
This is one of the best schools in the County situated in the midst of a highly moral and religious neighborhood.
For particulars, rate of tuition etc., address the Principal at Butlerville.
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North Vernon Weekly Sun - October 19, 1872
Elizabethtown Items
Mr. Moses Lewis and Zelthia Newsome were married on the "Quaker plan," at the Friends church near here, on Thursday last.
Butlerville Items
The general meeting held at the Friends' meeting house, closed last Monday morning after a very interesting meeting. The society here received (during their meeting,) efficient assistance from different sections of this State and Ohio.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - April 6, 1876
Republican Nominating Committee for Geneva Township
K. Brown, Dr. Batman, J. Crippen, Dr. Houston, Geo. McKeehan, Jasper Burdge, J. R. Thompson, Maxa Moncrief, J. L. Bain, Walter Brooks.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 9, 1876
From Butlerville - March 8th, 1876
The series of meetings here conducted by the Y.M.C.A. closed on last Sunday evening. The number of conversions reported was fifty-two. At the close of the meeting an opportunity was given to allow the converts to designate what church they wished to unite with, which resulted in twenty additions to the Baptist church, and ten to the M.E. church. There were also several conversions among the young members of the Friends church, but we are not informed how many.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 23, 1876
Butlerville Column
Died-On Tuesday night, March 12th,1876, at the residence of Lewis Burdg, of this township, Mr. Arthur Hadley, of pneumonia; aged about sixteen years. His remains were taken to the residence of his parents, in Morgan county, Ind. for interment. Z
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 30, 1876
From Butlerville - March 28, 1876
The Y.M.C.A., of this place met again on last Tuesday evening and completed their organization. The officers are as follows: J. W. Pell, President, Moses Ferris, Vice President, Ed. Barnum, Secretary; Townsend Cope, Treasurer. Standing committees are as follows: Devotional Committee-Samuel Murphy, N. Armstrong, and J.T. Oneal; Visiting committee-Hiram Burdge, John Greer, and Obed Woolman; Committee on Missionary Work-Moses Ferris, Alfred Owens and Lewis J. Hadley; Educational Committee - Jas. Craig, Joshua Armstrong and H. G. Nelson. The boys are now conducting a revival meeting at a school house near where J. V. Milhouse resides, and are meeting with good success.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - May 4, 1876
Butlerville Column
DIED-At his reisdence here, Mr. Wm. Burdge, of paralysis.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - July 6, 1876
E. D. Burdge has been appointed Superintendent of the Machinery of the Cincinnati Southern road. A just promotion.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - July 12, 1877
Butlerville Items - July 10, 1877
Butlerville people picnicked in Engle's grove, near the Friends church, on the 4th.
An infant child of Amos Walton, of Seymour was buried at the Friends Church near here on Monday evening. Its illness was of short duration. The disease was cholera infantum.
Thomas Armstrong preached at the Friends Church on Sunday. He is visiting his sister, Mrs. Milhous, who is seriously ill with pulmonary disease. Z.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - July 26, 1876
Butlerville Items - July 24th, 1876
Died, on Thursday, July 19th, Mrs. Emily Milhous, wife of Frank Milhous. Funeral at the Friends Church (Hopewell) Friday at 3 o'clock. Her disease was consumption.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - August 16, 1877
Butlerville Items - August 14, 1877
Mr. Lewis Burdge died at his residence near here on last Sunday night (Aug. 12) of typhoid fever, and was buried at the Friends church, Hopewell, this morning.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - August 23, 1877
Butlerville Items
Butlerville, Aug. 21st
Died, on Monday morning, Aug. 20, Mrs. Elmira Burdge, wife of Hiram Burdge; funeral to-day, at Friend's church. Her disease was consumption and was very lingering, and her suffering extremely severe. Some little time before her death she weighed only 50 pounds. Z
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - December 27, 1877
Butlerville Items
December 25th, 1877
Married: On Thursday evening, December 20th, 1877, at the residence of the brides' mother, by Rev. J. W. Mendal, Mr. Dennis Hadley to Miss Hannah Burdge. All of this township.
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Butlerville Items - January 10, 1878
Butlerville - January 8th, 1878
Died-Mrs. Sidney Cook, wife of Geo. W. Cook, Esq., of this place, died yesterday morning, Jan. 7th, 1878, after a very short illness. Her disease was inflammation of the bowels. She was an exemplary member of the Friends church, and noted for her many kind acts towards those with whom she associated. She will be mourned by a large circle of relatives and friends.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - February 14, 1878
Butlerville Items - January 10, 1878
It was the Rev. Ellwood Scott and Helen Balkwell who conducted the meeting at the Friends church, and not Mr. Hayworth as we stated in our items of last week . Our attention has been called to this error by one who felt interested in the matter, and we gladly make the correction. Z.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - October 24, 1878
Vernon Items
Albert Burdge and family were at Azalia last week.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - November 7, 1878
Mr. Albert Burdge has removed into the house lately occupied by Mr. Connelly.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - November 14, 1878
Mr. Lewis Burdge, the Azalia saw mill man, spent last Saturday night with his brother, Albert Burdge.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - April 24, 1879
Butlerville Items
April 22d, 1879
The Friends held Quarterly meeting at their church last Saturday and Sunday.
Married, Wednesday, April 16th, 1879, at the Friends church, Mr. Frank Milhouse to Miss Almira P. Burdge, all of this county. Z.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - May 8, 1879
May 6, 1879
Also, on May 4th, Mr. George Shreve, of pneumonia, aged 82 yrs. Funeral at the Friends' church yesterday. Thus another aged couple passed away near together. His wife was buried just two weeks previously. They were highly respected people and their loss is mourned by a large circle of friends and relatives.
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North Vernon Sun - July 3, 1879
"Uncle Jesse Peel, as he is familiarly known by his neighbors, died at his residence one and a half miles south of Azalia, one day last week at the age of 74 years. He came to this neighborhood in which he settled at early day, from North Carolina and was one of the founders of the Society of Friends church and seminary located in Sandcreek township two miles north of Azalia. He was a man of considerable means, and generous to a fault, but had many peculiar characteristics.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - August 8, 1879
There will come up before the next court, a case perhaps the most peculiar of any ever tried in this county. Recently Hudson Burge, a resident farmer of Campbell township living near the Friends' church, filed affidavits against Talbot Ware, Hiram Burdge and Thomas Moore, prominent members of the Society of Friends, commonly called Quakers, charging them with assault and battery upon the person of one Rebecca Stanley, also a Friend. We learn that the assault and battery consists in the efforts of the last named, who in the Society are called caretakers, to restrain Rebecca from making certain violent demonstrations during time of religious service. Some years ago she with a number of others became singularly influenced under the preachings of a revivalist, Amos Kenworthy, who visited this county and since that time has been very outspoken on religious occasions, speaking loudly and sometimes very long. This became tiresome and unpleasant to a majority of the members and she was besought to restrain herself, but she would not, and it appears became more violent, claiming to have the Divine command for so doing. For several years the Society bore the annoyance and finally expelled the sister of many words. Still she kept on in the same way as before the expulsion from the Society, and officers were appointed to prevent her entering the church. For two years they have thus guarded themselves from her visits, and yet at times she would interrupt the services. In keeping Mrs. Stanley away from their services, the "caretakers" have been very gentle with her and used as little force as possible. The gentlemen named were some days since arrested and put under bond for appearance. They are well-to-do farmers, and none are more highly respected in the neighborhood or elsewhere. We have known of the trouble between the church and Mrs. Stanley for some time, and considered the parties fully able to settle it without making a newspaper sensation of it, though our neighbor over the way has rung all the changes for three or four years past, and now it has been brought into the courts where it has no business, by one who is said to be not friendly to the Society at large, or to the so-called injured woman. The court will surely hold that religious society has a very proper right to keep from its house of worship any disturbing element and indeed we sometimes hear of cases, where the arraigned parties are the disturbers. We have no intimate acquaintance with any of the parties, but we know the Friends of Butlerville church are not given to violent abuse of anybody.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - December 16, 1880
Butlerville
Married, Dec. 10, 1880, at the Hopewell (Friends) church, Mr. Talbot Ware and Miss Samantha Burdg. All of this township.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - April 21, 1881
Butlerville
Hiram Burdge and lady are made happy - it's a boy.
Written April 19th.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - September 15, 1881
Vernon
Al Burdge has the smallest horse and buggy we have ever seen. It is "Cute."
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - May 5, 1881
Butlerville
Emor and Delsa Malmsberry were here last week, being called home by the illness of their father. They returned to Iowa yesterday and took their sister, Miss Adelia, with them.
Died, On April 27th, 1881, at his residence near this place, Mr. Benjamin Malmsberry, of pneumonia. May 2d, 1881
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - December 29, 1881
On the evening of December 22d, a very pleasant company assembled at the residence of W. H. and Phebe R. Gibson, Butlerville, to witness the marriage of A. B. Malmsberry, with their adopted daughter, Miss Lizzie M. Gibson. The ceremony was performed by Rev. W. S. Bacon, of Cincinnati. The happy couple will soon start for Marshalltown, Iowa, which is to be their future home.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - August 10, 1882
Butlerville
Your compositor caused us to say that Hiram Burdge and Mr. Crew expect to make their future homes in Ohio, which is a mistake. Mr. Crew expects to go to Ohio but Mr. Burdge does not.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 15, 1883
Mr. Frank Newsom, of Azalia, who about seven weeks ago was accidentally shot in the hand, and account of which appeared in the Herald at that time, died Wednesday having bled to death by the sloughing of an artery. His age was 42 years. He was a widower, and leaves five daughters, the oldest being but 14 years of age. The funeral took place from the Friends church - Columbus Herald.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - April 5, 1883
BUTLERVILLE
Mr. H. Burdge is trying for a porter or brakeman on passenger trains on the O. & M. R.R.., Miss Oriana Burdge and Miss Jennie Cook are attending the Normal at Vernon. Mrs. Unity Woolman and family moved to Cadilac, Mich., this week.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - May 7, 1884
Butlerville Items
Mrs. Cope, wife of T. Cope. She died on Wednesday, April 30th, of consumption, after a long illness. She was a member of the Friends' Church and has for many years led a consistent Christian life-always ready to work for the Master both in public and by visiting those who were sick or needy; her light was always brightly burning and was a guide to the pathway for others. She has gone to her rest, yet she liveth in the memory of those who knew her.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 25, 1885
We learn that Mr. Martin Burdge, near Butlerville, who is convalescent from measles, has now the mumps. His friends who are interested in the fine stock in his stable, are informed that he has engaged the services of an expert horseman to clerk for him during his sickness.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - April 15, 1885
DIED
MALMSBERRY - On Friday, April 10th, 1885, of paralysis, at Waterloo, Nebraska, Adella Malmsberry, twin sister of Adelza Malmsberry of this place, aged ___ years.
The remains were brought to this place Sunday and on Monday taken to Hopewell church, near Butlerville, for interment.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - December 8, 1886
Butlerville Items
Reverend Reece is holding a protracted meeting at the Hopewell (Friends) church.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - May 4, 1887
Mrs. Mary A. Smith, formerly Mrs. John S. Burdge, and a long time resident of this county, died at her home at Grove City, Ills., on Friday, April 29th, 1887, in her 76th year. Her daughters, Mrs. A. S. Conner, of Chattanooga, Tenn., and her son Mr. Hudson Burdge, of Butlerville, were in attendance at her death-bed.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 7, 1888
Butlerville Items
Oliver Burdg expects to move to Texas soon.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - October 9, 1889
Hege Letter
Gertie Burdge returned to her home at Butlerville Saturday morning after a pleasant week's visit with Mattie Vantresse.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - April 23, 1890
Obituary
DIED- At her residence 1 ½ miles south of Butlerville, April 4th, 1890, Mrs. Jane M. Burdg. She was born at Damascus, Mahoning Co., Ohio, in April 1824; married Oliver Burdg April 29th 1846, and they moved to Indiana in June, 1852. She was the mother of four children, two of whom survive her - Martin Burdg, of Potsboro, Texas, and Mrs. Frank Milhous, of Butlerville, Ind. She was a member of the Friends' church from birth, and was always present at religious services when her health would permit. She was a true Christian in word and deed and her faith never wavered during the days, weeks and months of her sickness, but served as a support in the time of great suffering. Her example was always good. She was kind and loving to all and will be sadly missed by her many friends and relatives. It is in the lives of such that we find proof of the value of Christianity and of the goodness of God.
Her friends and neighbors were welcomed to her home with a kindly greeting and the poor and needy found in her a friend. She was loved by all who knew her, and although she is now hidden from our sight she will live in our memory.
At the close of the day her work being finished she bade farewell to earth and earthly things to begin the new day in her heavenly home. Her aged companion, daughter and other relatives and friends were by her bedside and saw her pass sweetly away, saw her leave the body of clay which had for so long been racked with pain and realized that she was "Asleep in Jesus."
Mingled with the sorrow of parting be the feeling of gladness for the blessed assurance that her reward is complete. Knowing the intense suffering which she has undergone and the many trials of life we can not wish her back, but can only say, dear wife, loving mother, kind friend, farewell. A. FRIEND.
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April 19, 1893 - Banner Plain Dealer
Butlerville Column
Rob't Whinnery, long a resident of this community, and member of the Friend's church, died on the 14th at the home of his son Sam, in Cincinnati.
The funeral of Rob't. Whinnery and Joshua Milhous took p;ace at Hopewell yesterday afternoon at the same time. Both were brother members of the same church. Rev. Lewis I. Hadley conducted the services.
Joshua Milhous died at his residence on the 15th of pneumonia. He has lived in this county for nearly thirty years. Ever an earnest member in the Friend's church, he was a true worshiper of his creator, a loving father of a large family, and friend to all his acquaintances. His wife and five children survive him. He was about 73 years of age.
May 3, 1893 - Banner Plain Dealer
OBITUARY
Joshua Milhous was born in Belmont county, Ohio, December 31, 1820
Born of parents belonging to the Society of Frinds he early acquired the elements of good character. Raised under the influence of sound Quakerism the principles of truth and morality were inculated in his thought and action,which served as a safeguard in his youth a guide through middle life, and a shining light in his old age.
In the year 1847 he was married to Elizabeth Griffith, of Pennsylvania. His wife, fully worthy of her husband, was his helpmate, his counselor and loving nurse until death. With content for the present and hope for the future the young couple started on the journey of life together near the birthplace of Joshua. In 1854 they moved to their homestead east of the Rush Branch church, where, with the exception of siix years, they ever after lived.
About five years after settling here Joshua began the culture of small fruit trees. His reputation in this line broadened until the management of J. V. Milhous & Son, became well known throught this section of the State. His straightforward business methods made his dealings with men pleasant and profitable. His moral integrity was well known and gained for him that high esteem which only honest effort and rightfuol purpose can obtain. Of an energetic and progressive nature, in both moral and material progress, he made himself one of the foremost in general improvement. He felt conscious of something better in life than mere existance and conducted his life accordingly. He was a sincere Christian and was ever attentive to his religious duties. His strict adherence to the faith of his sect made him a leading member in his church.
Joshua was the father of eight children, five of whom are still living. They and his faithful wife knew best how to appreciate him in the home circle. An attentive husband and father, he was the head of a christian home which abounded in mutual affection and happiness. In later life, since his children left the parental roof, his greatest joy was the family reunions or "home comings." His conversation during his last hours concerning that better home led his wife to say that she would soon follow him, and he said he "would watch for her; and 'ere long the children and he would watch for them; and later on the grandchildren and he would watch for them; and it won't be long until we have another 'home coming' in that better land." Such anticipations and hope for the future are joy and comfort; with such confidence and expectations of fellowship with God we can but say that death is sweet.
During the greater part of his life he enjoyed comparatively good health. About two years ago he was seriously ill with la grippe and since that time had not been very strong; yet only a few days prior to his death he was unusually active, when he was seized with a severe attack of pneumonia which, from the first was alarming. Our friend, conscious that medical treatment would be of no avail, was ever cheerful when he knew that death was near. His example as a christian character was kind, devoted and true, ever mindful of his duty to God, himself and fellow man. In his death the church loses an active member, the community a sincere friend, and his family a loving husband and father.
Butlerville, April 25th L.J.N.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - October 26, 1905
Butlerville
Quarterly meeting was held at the Friends church Saturday and Sunday.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 2, 1905
A. B. Malmsberry Dead
The news of the death of Adelza Malmsberry was received here Wednesday and was heard with deepest regret. He was taken sick on the road while on his run on the B. & O.S-W., and taken through here on a cot to his home in St. Louis. His wife, who was visiting at Greencastle, was sent for and came here and took the train for home Saturday night. His death occurred early Wednesday morning and was due to grip. Mr. Malmsbetty and his family lived here for many years and were known and esteemed by everyone. They moved from here to St. Louis several years ago for the convenience of Mr. Malmsberry, who for many years was a baggage-man on the B. & O. S.W. He possessed many noble qualities that won friends for him wherever he was known. His remains will be brought here Friday on the early train arriving here thirty after five o'clock in the morning and taken to the Christian church. The funeral services will be held there at ten o'clock under the auspices of the I.O.O.F Interment will take place in the City cemetery.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - November 2, 1905
Mrs. Lizzie Malmsberry and daughter, Nina, of St. Louis, were here this week. Mrs. Malmsberry sold her farm at Butlerville and was here making out the necessary papers.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - May 17, 1923 pg. 6
Word has been received here by friends of the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Milhous formerly a resident of Butlerville at the home of her son C. W. Milhous at East Whittier, California, May 3rd. following a brief illness with complications. Mrs. Milhous is well known by residents of this county as during her active life she preached in the Friends Church south of town and was beloved as a woman of strong Christian character. She was over 96 years of age at the time of her death. She was the mother of two sons and two daughters. Funeral services were conducted from the Friends Church in East Whittier, California on May 5th.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - August 23, 1906
Beulah Burdge, formerly of this place, and Joseph Williams were united in married at the home of her grandfather, Talbot Ware, Wednesday and left shortly on a wedding tour. We wish them much joy.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - September 2, 1909
Our old friend, Thos. Woolman, who resides near the Hopewell Friends church, and who was recently stricken with paralysis, is, we are pleased to say, improving.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 31, 1910
Thomas Woolman, of near the Friends' church, about six miles east of this city, died Tuesday night from the effects of paralysis, after a protracted illness covering a period of several months. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in Co. K, 148th Indiana Volunteers, Funeral services will be held at Butlerville at 10 a.m. Friday.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - April 2, 1908
Butlerville Several attended the Friends church last Sunday morning and evening. Bro. Lewis Stout preached two fine sermons; it was Bro. Barker's last Sunday with the church.
North Vernon Banner Plain Dealer November 30, 1905
Obituary
Unity F. Woolman was born Feb. 234d, 1825, died Nov. 19th 1905, age 80 years, 8 months, 26 days. She was born in Columbiana county, Ohio. At 20 years of age she was married to Samuel Woolman; of this union there were born eight children, six of whom survive her, two daughters and four sons; her husband, one son and one daughter preceded her to the world beyond. She came to this State with her husband and family in the year 1865 and endured many hardships and privations, such as the early settlers had to contend with. But the hardest of all her trials was when her husband dropped dead at the plow of heart disease, leaving her a widow at the age of 42, with this large family to raise and educate. She fought her battles bravely and well and took the Lord as her friend and guide. She was a woman of very strong mind, far above the average even up to her last sickness. She was a member of the Friends church until some years after coming to Indiana. Then she joined the Baptist church at Butlerville of which she had ever since been a member. She was a good and loving mother, much devoted to her children. A kind neighbor, lending a helping hand whenever she could. But her life is too well known to need comment. She leaves beside her children a host of relatives and friends who will sadly miss her. May we all live so that we may meet her in that "Better world where justice and love shall reign and all hearts laden with anguish shall rest forever more."
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - August 25, 1904
Hopewell
Rev. George Moore, of Paola, delivered a temperance lecture at the Friends church Tuesday night.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - January 12, 1922
JENNINGS COUNTY PEOPLE IN CALIFORNIA
A copy of the December number of the "Pacific Friend" a publication published at Whittier, California, has reached this office and from it we take the following article.
In memory of the days that used to be, nearly one hundred-fifty former residents and their friends of Butlerville, Jennings County, Indiana, gathered in the social hall of the Friends Church to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner and afternoon of fellowship.
Friendships of yester-years were renewed by the relating of many an anecdote with settings in the good old Hoosier state where the majority of those present spent their childhood days and where many passed a greater portion of their allotted four score and ten.
A glance at the register shows that fully a dozen of them have passed the age of sixty-five. Snowy heads with the findlier faces were everywhere. Four generations of the famous Milhous family were included in the roll call. "Grandmother" Milhous who is still hale and hearty at the age of ninety-four and one-half was seated near the fireplace while about her were children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were her sons, Charles wife and children; Jesse Milhouse and wife; Martha Ware and family; Almira P. Milhous and children.
There were also at least three generations of the Burdg families, Samantha B. Ware, Bracken, Lewis, Alice B. Peele, Edith Barton and Philena B. Hadley; Mattie B Lindley of the older set, with their respective children; also the Murphys by Isaac B. his daughter, Mary Hall and son, Richard Walton Hall; the Stanleys by Eli and wife, his son and his daughter Doris; the Armstrongs by Alice McMillan, Eliza A Cox and son Greeman, Adela and Anna Allen and Harold Sanders, wife and sons; the Andrews by Allie S Andrews, George E, wife and daughter; the Johnsons by Taylor and family the Cobbs by Tacy Murphy and Emma C Massey and daughter; Jos Hole and wife of Pennsylvania, with his brother Walter and family and the Holes family; Emmor Malmsberry, and family; Oliver Brougher, wife and family; Enoch Miles and wife; Willis VanCleave and wife George D. Gilbert and wife.
The Bewleys by James and family Arthur, wife and family, Thomas and family; Frank wife and son; Mrs. Geraldine B. Hatfield of Greensburg; and Mrs. Elmer J Allen and family. Jeff Burdge and family; Alfred and Jessie Henderson Appting and son. So we might go on, all glad to be numbered among the company so happily brought together. At one o'clock a good Indiana Thanksgiving dinner was served. Our much loved Eliza A Cox voiced our gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the blessings so bountifully bestowed in these past years, for the blessings of the day and our dependence on Him for future care and strength to live for Him.
Beautiful autumn leaves decorated the tables where which were gathered from his Butlerville nursery 23 years ago. Following the treats of the dining hall the company moved into the reception room where a short but splendid program was given by Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Milhous and daughter Miss Esther of this city played a beautiful piano trio. Mr. Milhous then sang "Friends of Yesterday" accompanied by his daughter; Miss Esther. Both numbers were generously applauded.
Guests were present from all over the Southland and from at least two other states, namely Colorado and Michigan.
A brief business meeting was held during the afternoon at which time it was unanimously voted to make the gathering an annual event. To that end Walter Hole of LaHabra, was elected chairman and Mrs. E. ? Allen of Whittier, secretary for the first year.
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Butlerville Items
Butlerville, Oct. 20
On last Wednesday we went to see the wedding. Being a little late we found the house full, especially the "women's end:" the "mens end" not so much crowded.
After a few minutes waiting, in marched the bride and groom, accompanied by their attendants, four in number; then silence, followed by two prayers and two sermons, when it was announced that "perhaps it was about time for the young folks, to proceed with the marriage ceremony," at which the bride and groom with their attendants arose to their feet. The groom, taking the right hand of the bride repeated the following ceremony, "Friends: In the presence of the Lord and before this assembly, I take Mary J. Burdge to be my wedded wife, promising with divine assistance to be unto her a faithful loving husband until death shall separate us." Then, in like manner the bride repeated the same, substituting his name (Cyrus Trueblood) for hers and the words husband for wife and wife for husband; they then signed the marriage certificate, which was then read by T. Armstrong.
The above ceremony is almost identical with that prepared and recommended by George Fox, the founder of Quakerism.
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From History of Campbell Township By J. C. Cope From The Plain Dealer Newspaper - October 6, 1916
About 1854 a Quaker congregation was organized and met in a school house which was located on the north west corner of the forty acres on which Mark Tyler lived until recently. Samuel Stanley sat head of the meeting, and I am witness to the fact that he could adjourn service exactly ten minutes after twelve, though he sat with his back to the clock which I was facing. This congregation later would build Grove meeting house a quarter of a mile south of the school house. This church dissapeared many years ago, but the cemetery which was near it remains.
John Blankenship had a saw mill on the South Fork near the south west corner of the township, operated by water power. Later he sold the mill to Lindsay Stanley. I think it is now the property of John A. Wilson. The mill was operated by the son, James Blankenship, a very fleshy, good natured fellow. The capacity was 250 feet of lumber in a day. It had a sash saw which moved very slowly. Corn was also ground, one-tenth being taken as toll.
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North Vernon Banner Plain Dealer - November 23, 1905
Mrs. Woolman, who was nearly ninety years of age, died and was buried near the Quaker church Tuesday. C. C. Jordan had charge of the funeral.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - April 22, 1915
OBITUARY
Mrs Elizabeth Smith, daughter of William and Athalina Vandoren, was born June 10th, 1832, in Warren County, Ohio. She departed this life on the morning of March 19, 1915, at the ripe age of almost eighty-three years. She was married to George Shumaker, both of them united with the Friends Church at Beach Grove, in Clinton County, Ohio. In 1884, she was married to J. B. Smith, of Rutland, County, Vermont, and in the same year they moved to North Vernon, Indiana, where her home has since been. He preceded her to the better land, July 11, 1911. She leaves five sons, Amos, Raymond, Emmerson, Elmer and Edward; two sisters, one brother, a number of grandchildren and three great grand-children. Her remains were taken to Clarksville,Ohio, for burial.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - March 8, 1916
FROM CALIFORNIA
"Grandmother" Elizabeth Milhous on last Sunday afternoon formed the center of an interesting gathering numbering nearly fifty at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Eldo West, at Yorba Linda. A feast was spread on long tables on the spacious veranda of the West home, where the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren now resident in Southern California with Mrs. Milhous were seated. After the dinner hour numerous photographs were taken of the groups, and the afternoon very pleasantly passed with musical numbers, both vocal and instrumental by various members of this talented family. All of the children of Mrs. Milhous were present excepting one, Mrs. Louis I. Hadley of Manta, Idaho. They were Frank Milhous and wife of Whittier; Jesse Milhous, Mrs Mattie Ware and Charles W. Milhous of this place. The grand-children and great-children were Misses Olive Milhous, Eloise and Wilma Ware, Emmor Ware and wife of Whittier; William Milhous, Walter Milhous and family of Yorba Linda; C. E. Sutton and family of LaHabra, John Mitchell and family of South Whittier; Harold Beeson, wife and son of East Whittier, Frank Nixon and family, and Russell Harrison, wife and son, of Yorba Linda; Theodore Seulke and family of La Habra; and Prof. Grifith Milhous of Plainfield, Ind. Other guests were Miss Laura McClure, Earl McGuire and Mary Calloway. - California Exchange.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - February 7, 1923
FAIRMONT
Miss Estal Jeffries received word last week of the engagement of her friend Miss Jessamyn West to Max Mcpherson, of California, she is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eldo R. West formerly of this community but who have resided in California for several years.
North Vernon Plain Dealer - May 5, 1910
Talbert (Talbot) Ware has sold his farm to Eli Stanley. Mr. Ware will move to California just as soon as he can complete arrangements. We regret losing Mr. Ware and family; they were among our best citizens.
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North Vernon Sun - Saturday, December 25, 1965
Editor
Sun-Plain Dealer
North Vernon, Indiana
Dear Sir:
This letter is to your reporter who writes of the cemeteries in Jennings county.
I am clerk of Sand Creek Quarterly Meeting, Bartholomew county (Quaker) Friends Meeting. We have two cemeteries in Jennings county of which is our responsibility. One Hopewell, south of Butlerville, and the other one which is now the Edward Gault farm southeast of Butlerville.
Would you tell me or get the following information? Who owned the farm and gave the land for this cemetery; also, was there a meeting house there? The land deed would probably tell. Our Church Minutes do not record anything of this cemetery.
Sixteen members of our meeting made a pilgrimage to these two cemeteries last fall. I found it is older than Hopewell and also that Elizabeth and Joshua Milhous have two sons buried in this old cemetery.
Any other information would be appreciated.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Jack Anderson
Route 1
Elizabethtown, Ind.
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North Vernon Plain Dealer - September 29, 1910
A LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA
Fullerton, California, Randolph district, Sept. 15, 1910.
Weather warm and pleasant.
Fullerton is situated about 25 miles southeast of Los Angeles on the Santa Fe railroad. Population about 4000, has several large stores, several fine buildings erected this year. Also has five citrus fruit and vegetable packing houses, all busy during their season. Several hundred car loads of oranges, lemons and vegetables are shipped annually from this one point. Orange county, our county, is considered the banner county of southern California. 3000 acres were planted to celery in this county this year. Several thousand lemon and orange trees also planted.
English walnuts are ripening; a good crop and good price 12 ½ cents to 15cents per pound.
The Pacific Electric R. R. is now running their cars over the new extension through the valley. (LaHabra) crossing the Santa Fe railroad at Yorba, about 5 miles east of Randolph. The Electric road has just completed a $5000 building at Randolph station; it is a fine building.
School began last Monday in the seven-thousand dollar, four room school building that was built this summer.
Several new old well derricks are being erected on the foot hills north of town. Three new well were brought in recently with a good flow of oil.
Frank Hambleton is stepping high, it's a boy. Frank and baby are doing nicely.
The steam shovel is still at work widening the out west of the depot; will be about two-hundred feet wide when completed.
Charlie Hambleton is clerking at Glaizer's store at LaHabra.
The East Whittier Water Co., has about completed a 3,500,000 gallon reservoir to supply the town of Randolph with water.
A. P. E.railroad conductor told me that Randolph was the finest location on the road this side of Los Angeles. It has a fine view of the LaHabra valley, foot hills and mountains.
Miss Hattie Weeks, sister of the late Harvey R. Weeks, is an active, chippery old lady, she is in LAHabra.
The "Old Jennings county" folks living here, the Milhouses, Burdges, Armstrongs, Bewleys, Hadleys and several others were all enjoying good health when last heard from.
Talbot Ware, late of near Butlerville, Ind., bought three acres of English walnuts four miles east of Whittier, built a nice little cottage, and are well pleased with their new home.
Eldo West, another Old Jennings county man, with wife and family, called on the writed recently. Mrs. West is a daughter of Jesse G. Milhous, of Jennings county. She does not look like the same person that landed here one year ago; she says she weighs 140 pounds.
The end of this valley is building up and improving very fast. A Mr. Maple planted 17 acres last year with lemon trees, built a small California bungalow, recently sold the place for $20,000.
Mr. Hall, near by, sold 10 acres orange orchard, no buildings, for $13,000.
The Maple Bros. bought 80 acres unimproved orange land, no trees on it, for $30,000.
The Union Oil Co., is building four large oil tanks near here. There will be seven in the group. This pumping station is a fine building of brick, and is said to have the second largest gasoline engine in the state.
At Anaheim, about 3 miles south of Fullerton, will soon build a large factory for the manufacture of sugar from beets.
At Santa Ana, our county seat, last year, a large $1,000,000 factory was built. They cut about 700 tons of beets per day.
You may know Fullerton is quite a business place when the railroad does about $75,000 business per month.
Probably this is enough items for this time; will call again. X. Y. Z.
This "Randolf District" was merged into the town of Brea in California. This is an example of why people moved out west when they read in the paper someone promoting their area.
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