HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY
CHAPTER 6
LANCASTER
The town of Lancaster is situated in the northwest part of Northeast Township, on the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad. It was laid out in October, 1851, by David S. Lewis and Isaac Edwards on both sides of the railroad, and has a total of thirty-eight lots. North, High, Railroad and Water Streets run east and west, while Lost River, Walnut and Leavenworth Streets run north and south. It is on the northeast quarter of Section 26, Township 3 North, Range 1 east.
The first store here was kept and owned by the founders of the town, Messrs. Lewis & Edwards. This was about the time of completing the railroad. The building at that time answered the purpose for both store, railroad depot and warehouse. These men did a good trade for some time, and after changing hands several times the store was discontinued. About the same time the Postoffice was established there, with Spencer Smith as Postmaster. His successors have been but two - A. C. Dowd and the present incumbent, Henry Mahan. Soon after the railroad was built here, Frank Moore and Benjamin Turner formed a partnership and for a year or so did quite an extensive mercantile trade. Mr. J. G. Reed succeeded Moore & Turner, and in 1855 or 1856 sold out to Messrs. Lee & Hardman, who sold to A. C. Dowd, and he to Mr. Henry Monyhan, who is still there and pursuing a prosperous business, and is agent for the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad. In 1875 or 1876 Mr. J. G. Reed put in a stock of general merchandise at Lancaster and has continued there ever since. The first blacksmith was probably James Hostetler, but since his day several have been there. Mr. John H. Mathew is now engaged in that trade. A saw-mill was put up here about 1852, by Tegarden & Forester, and about five years later a grist-mill was added, and for about ten years did a considerable custom grinding, and then gradually died out.FRENCH LICK
The town of French Lick was laid on the second day of May, 1857, by William A. Bowles. It consisted of seventy-seven lots on Section 3, Township 1 north, Range 2 west. A "public ground or avenue" was donated "for school or township purposes, where suitable buildings shall be erected thereon by the public." On the authority of Dr. Ryan, it is said that a store was kept here as early as 1813, by Charles & Hungate, although it was probably but little more than a supply store for amunition and such necessaries as were kept in the neighborhood of early military stations of that day. Dr. Bowles was interested in the development of the place, and early became one of its merchants. About or prior to the time of laying out the town, a postoffice was established here, but after a few years it was discontinued until 1865, when Dr. Ryan re-established it there and was himself made Postmaster. This position be held for seventeen years, when H. E. Wells was appointed in his stead and occupies that office. The store that probably does more business than any other one in the county is now at this place, and is owned by Mr. H. E. Wells. He keeps a full assortment of general merchandise and has no opposition. This was the voting place for old Southwest Township, as it is also for French Lick.
NEW PROSPECT
New Prospect, also in French Lick Township, was laid out September 4, 1836, by Nathan Pinnick, on the east half of Section 27, Township 2 north, Range 2 west. It is situated at the junction of French Lick Creek and Lost River, and on the new Albany and Vincennes turnpike. The auction of lots occurred on the 5th of September, 1839. Lost River was at that time navigable for ordinary river craft to the mouth or Lick Creek, about one mile farther up the stream, and where there were two grist-mills in operation for several years, one of which is now known as the Grigsby Mill. A postoffice has long been established here, and the place was formerly a very good trading point. Lick Creek is another postoffice in the eastern part of the township, kept by Mr. George W. Campbell. He is also doing a thriving trade in dry goods and general merchandise.
CHAMBERSBURG
The land upon which this village stands, the southeast quarter of Section 15, Township 1 north, Range 1 east, was purchased from the Government by Samuel Chambers. September 13, 1821. Mr. Chambers had bought the southwest quarter of the same section. July 28, 1815. On the southwest part of the southeast quarter of the above section, Samuel Chambers, owner and proprietor, assisted by Thomas Newlin, County Surveyor, laid out a total of 207 lots in the month of September, 1840, and named the village thus founded in honor of himself - Chambersburg. Prior to that period it had had no particular name, though there had been a store and blacksmith-shop and possibly other business interests there for many years before. As early as 1822 Mr. Chambers erected a small log store building on the present site of the village, in which he placed about $600 worth of a general assortment of goods which he had bought at Louisville, Ky., the stock comprising, among other things, drygoods, groceries, hardware, notions, etc. He also opened a harness and saddlery shop, which he conducted in connection with his store, and also opened a tavern. He also engaged in business at the county seat, and thus had "several irons in the fire," not the least important being his occupation of the office of Representative and later of State Senator. Soon after this store was established Robert Paschal opened a blacksmithshop there. Here it was that many of the early settlers bought their plows, axes, etc., and obtained their repairs of farm implements. Late in the twenties James Woolly erected a building and began to manufacture wagons, which were ironed at the shop. A postoffice was secured about 1830, Samuel Chambers being the agent. The brick house of Mr. Chambers was built about this time. This was the village prior to 1840. As soon as the lots was laid out and offered for sale, and as soon as it became apparent that a village in earnest was to grow there, residents began to appear and industries spring into life. Col. John Murray opened a small store. The turnpike had been completed the year before, and extensive travel westward created the necessity of a village at that point. The tavern was crowded. Solomon Donner soon opened a blacksmith-shop. George Moore opened a carpenter-shop. John G. Cadle opened a general store. R. S. Dillinger commenced blacksmithing. Henry Stewart also began to sell goods. Dr. Green Hazlewood located in the village and is there yet, with a good practice, and the good will of all. Liness Campbell sold goods in the town for a time, as did also Daniel Dwyer, James Kirkwood, Moore & Pritchard, Nathan Hellowell, Lancaster Trublood, Wood and Ira Boyd during the last war. Thomas & Burgess and others. The present merchant is J. T. Wolf. W. G. & C. F. Chambers built a saw-mill in the town about 1857, but soon sold out to Montgomery & Chenoweth, who erected a grist-mill. After a few years this mill was conveyed farther down the creek. Daniel Dwyer was the Postmaster, in 1840, and Dr. James Kritzer was the first resident physician. The population has not exceeded 150.
MILLERSBURG
There is no regularly platted and laid out village within the present confines of Stampers Creek Township. Millersburg, situated a little north and east of the center of the township, has long been the headquarters for business. The first store was started here about the year 1833, by Greenup Miller, for whom the place has since been called. He remained in trade some three or four years. Since his time a man named Rogers, True & Moss, True & Duncan, then Duncan alone, Gilliland & Polson, Ulrich Sailer, and Polson & Pickens have succeeded each other in the order named; the last firm being the one at present engaged in the merchandise trade at this little place. They are doing a large trade, and in connection deal largely in produce of various kinds. Their stock is valued at about $2,000. Urich Sailer was a merchant here for over seventeen years. About the year 1840 William Mahan opened a store on the Mahan farm, about two miles west of Millersburg, which he continued about five years, with a good assortment of goods. He sold out to John Jackson, who, after remaining a while longer sold out, and the store at that place was discontinued. The only postoffice is at Millersburg, called Stampers Creek. It was established about the year 1851, with Seth M. Stone as Postmaster. His successors have been George C. Duncan, Nancy B. Duncan, Ulrich Sailer, and the present incumbent, Dr. James Baker. Until July 1, 1884, a mail was received twice a week from Paoli, but at that date a daily mail began, the route being from Campbellsburg, in Washington County, on the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad. In the year 1845, two men, Davis and Dillard began doing a blacksmith trade at this place, which was continued for some time, but since their day no one has attempted the business there.