Coon - Christian - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

In pioneer days families in the eat kept traveling to the west and new land. Christian Coon operated a

general store in Ohio, decided to come to Indiana. The family moved to Coal Creek Township,

Montgomery County, Indiana in 1836. They were early settlers of a village, Pleasant Hill, so Christian

opened a general store there. He traveled to Philadelphia and nearby places to get his merchandise, by

walking and horseback the distant both ways. He did well in his business and in 1845, ran for General

Assembly as Representative from Indiana. He was a charter member of the Minute Men of Indiana. Later

he purchased land and became a farmer.

It is told the small village was situated on an elevation above the surround country and was give the name

of Pleasant Hill. To the south was the sharp line of the forest, which became known as “The

Timbers.” This heavy forest held all kinds of birds, from tiny ones to eagles, as well as all kinds of snakes

and animals. To the north was fertile prairie with small streams full of fish among the timber.

The village was built with streets that intersected or rather public roads, the side streets were unused and

unoccupied except for family gardens. The principle street ran east and west, was called High Street. It

was on the highest ground and ran on thru other villages indefinitely. The cross street ran north and south

for two blocks and was called Main Street, as every village had to have a Main Street. This road came

from the southeast to the village limits, made an angle to due west one block, then due north two blocks,

then took its course northwest. This became state road 55 in later years. At the cross of these great

thoroughfares was grouped the principle business houses.

On the northwest corner of Main and High Street, Christian Coon built his store in 1845. It was two stories

high, the first floor divided into north and south parts. The south was store and storage rooms; the north

was the dwelling. On May 31, 1845, George Christian Coon was born in the town of Pleasant Hill. In

September 1845, malaria struck the town and Christian died with his wife following in November. On

Christmas Day, 1845, his mothers sister, Catherine McClure, took George to her home to raise after

some contention with other relatives. Here he grew to be very prominent in the community, an inventor, a

nature lover, and traveled quite extensively. His aunt, Catherine McClure McKinney did a good job. The

house he was born in, is the Holmes Garage now.

His sister, Nancy Coon married William Wingate with a son John being born to this union; thus Christian

Coon and John Wingate were cousins. Later the village of Pleasant Hill was named Wingate in John’s

honor.

Christian Coon was a member of the Old School Baptist Church. When the Methodist Society of Pleasant

Hill erected a new church, he presented them the bell for the church spire, which rang out to worship until

1900 when a new church was built and a large bell put in its place. This new bell was donated in

Christian’s memory by George Christian Coon and John Wingate. The first bell was taken from the dust of

the town hall a few years ago by Mrs. Cora Herron and in cooperation of the town, was permanently

placed in front of the new town hall for all to see and treasure. The inscription on the bell reads:

“Presented to the MEC by C(hristian) Coon. Made by GW Coffin & Co. Buckeye Foundry, Cincinnati

1853.” He was buried in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery besides his wife. George Christian Coon died in

1910 and buried in New York State with his wife, having one child, Ida Mary born in New Jersey.

Note: George was a public speaker, when he was married July 4, 1843, he arranged a barbeque for 600

guests on the lot across the street from the house in which he was being married, now where the

Methodist Church stands, an ox roasted whole. Afterwards he made a patriotic speech which was printed

and still in pamphlet form.