Shelby County Indiana History & Genealogy, Historical Articles

Shelby County, Indiana
Historical Articles

Union Township

Township 13, 14 North - Range 7, 8 East

The Shelby Democrat
February 18, 1909
Page 5 Column 4
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LONESOME CORNER
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Andrew Kuhn lost a valuable colt last week.
Scott Fox spent Friday at St. Paul as the guest of friends.
G. M. Kuhn, an aged resident of this place, is recovering from a recent illness.
Ed Rapp and Albert Curson have gone to Louisville, Ky., for an indefinite stay.
Miss Della Theobald, os Smithland, was the guest of Miss Minnie Rapp last week.
Miss Effie Kuhn has recovered from an attack of the scarlet fever and is able to attend school again.
Justice James Moberly, who has been ill at the home of his sister, Mrs. Samuel Farthing, is improving.
It is reported that George Kuhn will engage in the hotel and restaurant business in Blue Ridge in the near future.
Chester Wheeler, a student at Indiana university, spent Saturday and Sunday with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tilson Wheeler.
Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Cowles, Mr. and Mary Harry Kuhn, and Miss Dora Debaun took dinner with Andrew Kuhn and family, Sunday.
Amos Vaught received a fall one morning while breaking stalks that confined him to his room for several days, but is reported better at this writing.
Miss Laura Kuhn entertained a number of her friends at a social euchre and music party; and a three-course luncheon was served. A very pleasant time was enjoyed by all present.
Mr. and Mrs. Ivy Spurlin entertained a number of friends and relatives at their home Saturday evening, the occasion being Miss Hazel's sixteenth birthday. The time was pleasantly spent in various games and guessing contests. Dainty refreshments were served and at a late hour all departed for homes, wiching Miss Hazel many happy returns.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville Daily Democrat
Thursday, September 14, 1905
Page 2
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UNION TOWNSHIP.
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          George Haehl is able to be out again.
          Michael Kney, Jr., is improving very slowly.
          Now as the fair is over let us think about Christmas.
          S. S. Gardner and P. C. Craige attended the State fair Wednesday.
          Lou Baker has rented a house in Rays Crossing and will move there shortly.
          Mr. and Mrs. Bert Callahan have moved on Mr. Leefers place north of Blue Ridge.
          Lou Mull and Dr. Barnum, of Manilla, have each purchased a new automobile.
          Jacob Neeb, Jr., has a very sore hand caused by running a large splinter into it.
          Misses Alma, Leona and Della Theobald spent Sunday with their grand-mother, Mrs. Anna Haehl.
          E. N. Marshall has secured his long expected coal which has been on the railroad track for two months.
          The Rays Crossing Drain Tile Co. are making arrangements to build a shed 100x30 feet, two stories high and with two kilns.
          Miss Flo Cotton will open her first school next Monday at No. 3.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming for Christal Callahan Culp*

The Shelbyville Democrat
June 15, 1904
Page 3 column 3
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TID-BITS OF NEWS
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From the Union Township Corres- pondent, Bright and Cherry.
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Central Union, June 13. -- Mrs. Louis Baker and Mrs. Laura Red visited Mrs. Catherine Bird Friday.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hawkins of Manilla passed Saturday and Sunday with the latter's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Hensley, of this place.
The prospects for corn in this place are very good. Most of the farmers are plowing their corn the second time. Wheat will be much better than was expected last spring, it will average more than a half a crop, from 10 to 20 bushels per acre.
The Rev. Mr. Pond preached two sermons at the Little Blue River Christian church. The services were well attended.
The funeral of Mrs. Alice Baker was largely attended.
Rev. James L. Brown, of Flat Rock, Ind., visited friends here last week.
Mr. and Mrs. John Emrich and two daughters, Annie and Clara, of Shelby township, visited Mrs. Catherine Bird and sons of Central Union Sunday.
Mrs. Catherine Bird and two sons, John and Orville, visited John Emrich and family west of Shelbyville Thursday.
Every one should subscribe for the Democrat now; it is better than it has ever been. All it needs now is a few good correspondents over Shelby county.
Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Cherry visited Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hawkins at Manilla Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Gunning and son Gilbert, three miles southwest of Shelbyville, visited Mr. Gunning's father W. O. Gunning, of this place Sunday.
Mrs. Emma Worland and her father, Jacob Theobald, visited Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Theobald and family Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Dawson Gunning passed the Sabbath with the latter's parents, Lon Edwards and family.
Roy Hensley, of near Arlington, who has been spending the week with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Hensley, returned home Sunday.
Jep Wicker and family passed Sunday with Will Brown and family.
Claud Talbert visited his sister, Mrs. Ida Brown Sunday.
Charles S. Brown and family spent Sunday with relatives near Morristown.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelby Republican
Friday, February 20, 1903
Page 6 Column 3
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          Clay Briley and George Barlow have rented Mike Fair's sugar camp and will soon be stirring off sugar tree "lasses."
The series of meetings which was being held at the Little Blue River Baptist church, also at the Blue River Christian church, closed Sunday night on account of bad weather.
The church trouble at the Blue River Christian church still continues. The matter was to have been settled by arbitration, and some of the leaders of the two factions met at the county seat last Saturday to further arrange to that end. However we are informed that nothing was accomplished in the way of a settlement.
The death angel, with his cold icy fingers, has stilled a human heart, and removed one from among us. Winfield Francis Wicker died February 12, 1903, and was buried February 13, 1903, at the Bennett grave yeard. A short service was held at the house of the deceased at 11 o'clock a.m. Friday, Rev. James L. Brown officiating. He was born March 6, 1849, and has always lived in Shelby county, where he has fought the battles of life with zealous energy and fond hopes of better days to come. But often beset with many disappointment, and when in the declining years of his life, with a physique that gave every promise of old age, to be stricken with that dreaded disease, cancer, was indeed a disappointment. Death to him, in his great suffering and pain, was a welcome voyage to the great beyond, where there is no death and where all is peace and happiness forever. He leaves a wife, five sons and a host of friends to mourn his loss.
X RAYS
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelby Republican
Friday, March 1, 1901
Page 6
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News from All Over the County.
From Our Special Correspondents.
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NORTH UNION.
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Union Township.
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          Mrs. Cora Parrish   is another victim of la grippe.
          Jacob Towne is becoming quite an accomplished violinist.
          M. H. Phares sold a fine heavy draft horse one day last week.
          Oliver Gunning recently tapped a large sugar camp. Good sugar weather this.
          Everything now seems to be on the move. Even the winds refuse to be still.
          Clay Briley has bought the C. S. Benifiel farm and will soon be at home there.
          Melvin Ash moved in the house owned by Mr. William Carney one day last week.
          Mr. C. S. Benifiel will move to his recently purchased farm about he first of March.
          R. J. Holbrook contemplates locating in Morristown. The date of his sale is not yet known.
          Protracted services at the Baptist church commenced Monday night, February 25th.
          The sale of Ed. Hester on Wednesday of last week was well attended and everything sold well.
          Mr. Lee Benifiel contemplates changing his present residence for one in the gas region near Pendleton.
          Inlow Bros. were in our midst last week buying stock and paying good, round prosperity prices, too.
          Mr. Orville Gordon, our insurance agent, will probably locate in Ray's Crossing and engage in the grain business.
          F. M. Benifiel has exchanged his vocation in life from a cattle dealer to that of a horse "swapper." Success to, Dora.
          Where could you find a surer sign of matrimony than a young man buying and fitting out a team all for himself. Lookout, Samuel.
          We would like to have those opposing Mrs. Nation and the work she is endeavoring to accomplish remember this is an age of heroes and that a spirit of resistance is abroad. The struggle against intemperance may be long and bloody, but there are those who will fearlessly breast the storm to avert the inevitable ruin which threaten those we love. The temperance cause is approved by heaven and cheered by its smiles. Let it persevere. The banner, "Freedom from Ruin," may yet be floating over us and be palsied by the hand that would dishonor it.
"WANETA"
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelby Republican
Shelbyville, Ind.
Friday, January 27, 1899
VOLUME XXXII. page 1
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CORRESPONDENCE
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Union Township.
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Walter Myer and wife were the guests of friends Monday.
Jefferson Sanders was the guest of Joseph Rice and family Sunday.
Katie Phares, who has been sick for some time, is improving slowly.
Joseph Zike, editor of the Morristown Sun, was among friends at this place Sunday.
George H. Meeks, a young limb of the law from Shelbyville, was with friends here Sunday.
Arthur Mays and W. C. Phares, of Haysville, are circulating among their many friends in this township.
William Kepple is completing his new saw mill shed. It adds greatly to the appearance of Ray's Crossing.
A. L. Rice has received an invitation form a magazine published in Athens, Texas, for a contribution to an early number.
Rumor has it that a mandolin club is going to be started at Possum Glory. Boys, you have the talent; use it to the best advantage.
Two of our teachers last Friday dismissed their schools and visited some of the other teachers in order to get some up-to-date methods.
Scott Town his purchased a fine Mexican pony. Scott says he wants a horse that can climb the Mt. to Pisgah four nights in every week.
Last Thursday, M. H. Brown fell off of a load of hay. He was seriously injured, but it is hoped that he will be up and about in a few days.
Carey C. Cotton is rejoicing over a little "new woman" that presented herself at his home last week, asking to stay with him. This request was readily granted.
Some gipsies [sic] made one of our school houses their abode Saturday and Sunday, and when they departed took along a number of pencil boxes and other effects belonging to the schools.
A feat was accomplished at the festival Friday night that has heretofore defied science --- that of scorching water, which injured its sale under the assumed name of oyster soup.
Austin Rice is the proud possessor of a bouncing boy that came to his home Saturday. No need for the administration to tender any office to Austin. He has more important business to look after
A movement toward spring work is being manifested among our farmers, some of whom are breaking ground, other preparing to open sugar camps, while the ladies, not to be outdone, are waiting for the faintest "cluck" in order to turn old "speck" into a self-acting incubator.
Sunday school was reorganized and officers elected at the Baptist church last Sunday evening. J. W. Meeks, superintendent; C. S. Benifiel, assistant superintendent, and Rosie Brown, secretary. Only three teachers being selected, the remainder will be selected next Sunday.
Another of our present generation offers to sell horse, buggy and throw in the girl for only one hundred and seventy-five dollars. He claims he is getting tired of busy life and wishes to retire from its active scenes. As an inducement for buyers he offers to let them on a two weeks trial.
On last Saturday a number of the friends and relatives gathered at the residence of our postmaster, James Thomas, where with well filled baskets and thankful hands the table was spread with the choicest luxuries of life. The dinner was served in honor of Mrs. Thomas, the postmaster's estimable wife. All present enjoyed themselves hugely and wished such occasions occurred more frequent.
Monday evening a crowd of young people collected at the home of A. T. Phares, of Possum Glory, where they enjoyed themselves as did "Solomon of old," not with their number of wives, but with the musical instruments of modern times. Ivan Baker and Melvin Ash were the ideal musicians of the company. Prof. Rice rendered "The pocket of the State" useless by giving "The old fashioned shivoree" and Renus Wicker gave the cake walk which was much appreciated.
It now transpires that Frank Benifiel, who was obliged to kill his dog on account of some depredations it had made on some sheep fold, delivered a funeral oration that was brimful of pathos. Frank, who by the way is a church member, would preach awhile and then "cuss" some by way of emphasis. We extend to this grief-stricken youth our sympathy. It seems he was born under an unlucky star and seems to be endowed with the unhappy faculty of not being able to keep from falling down while standing still.
A. L. Rice is in daily receipt of many letters concerning his work. The following is entirely too unique to not be appreciated by only one so we give it without the address: Dear Man --- I have just been spending a delightful evening with your verses and my cigarette (I smoke only one at a time) and I am seized with an insane desire to write to you. We are taught to see an author in his works. I have enjoyed the game vastly ever since. I see you --- big, strong, healthy, natural, a man who can swear musically, who is tender with little children, differential to old people and who was never known to "kiss and tell." Am I right? But do tell me, how do you keep your brain so red-hot all the time? Do you live on hot tomales, or is it something you drink? I would like to hear of a new drink, anyhow. I am tired of all I know. You arouse my dormant ambitions, I hope you will treat me right --- and several times, too. A kindred spirit, Dorthy E.
HEARTS IS TRUMPS.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelby Republican
Shelbyville, Ind., Thursday, January 5, 1888
VOLUME XXII. page 1
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NEWS NUGGETS
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PICKED UP IN VARIOUS FIELDS
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Local Gossip and Pleasant Views From all Over "Old Shelby."
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Result of One Week's Happenings Gathered for the Republican by Its Busy Correspondents.
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Union Township
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Theodore Benefiel will work for Alonzo Wilson next summer.
Justus Clapp attended the Rushville poultry show last week.
Bachelors look out for '88 or the maids will get in their "knittin'."
Billy Kebble burnt a kiln of tile last week. "The early bird gets the worm."
James K. Bowers shipped a fine pen Light Brahmas to Union county last week.
There was preaching at the Grange Mall [?] last Saturday and Sunday nights by Rev. Threldkill.
Misses Laura Wilson and Lizzie Watson handsomely entertained a party of youngsters last Wednesday evening.
Mr. John Mohr is hauling off his wheat. He struck a good market. Wheat in the county is a scarce article.
Mrs. John Oldfield, daughter of A.M. Gunning, died on Thursday night of consumption and was buried at the Bennett graveyard.
A great many of our farmers are preserving some of the cold for next summer, in other words, they are busily engaged in filling their ice-houses.
Misses Gottard and Derringer, from the land of "fast girls and pretty horses" are visiting Misses Laura Wilson and Lizzie Watson.
All the schools of this township except two, Nos. 5 and 6, gave vacation last week. It will be but a short space of time till the long vacation.
John H. Brown has had some fine cattle shipped to him from Kentucky. He intends to have the pure blood. His cattle barn is just completed for their reception.
The Moot Congress at No. 7 is an interesting affair and those who take part have lots of fun on the parlimentary points. There is a membership of thirty-three. Let everybody attend and participate.
The United Brethren are protracting a meeting at their church last week, and on Sunday evening they administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, after which they received the probationists into full membership.
The Sunday school at Little Blue presented to their superintendent, Miss Maggie Meiks, two handsome presents, one a bible and the other a photograph album. These presents speak of her success louder than words.
Union township is remarkable for its breeders of fine stock of every description consisting of horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, turkeys, chickens, geese, ducks and bees. Our people do not intend to be behind in improvement of stock.
G. G. Westerfield and his sister spent Christmas and a part of last week with relatives in Rush county. They report a good time. They do say that G. G. spent three evenings with a young lady and then asked her name of a neighbor.
Jap Carpenter moved into his new residence at precisely one second after midnight on January 1888. He has a fine dwelling house and will enjoy the rest of life we presume. Oliver Anderson will move into the house that Mr. Carpenter vacated.
IN PACE.

The Shelbyville Daily Democrat
Saturday, January 16, 1886
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STRINGTOWN.
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Special Correspondence of the Democrat.
         Gus Baker is unwell.
         Miss Belle Walton, of Shelbyville, was the guest of Mrs. Bushfield on Tuesday.
         It is rumored that a certain man in this locality os going into the "goose business."
         A. J. Walton is the "unspeakably" hapy father of a fine boy baby which made its appearance at his home a few days ago.
         A number of our young folds as-assembled[sic] at the residence of Peter Lackey Wednesday evening, where they were entertained by R. S. Walton, violinist.
U. Guess.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

From the Atlas of Shelby Co., Indiana, Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co, 1880, page 14.
Union Township is bounded on the north by Hanover Township on the east by Rush County, on the south by Liberty Township and on the west by Marion and Addison Townships. In extent, it is four miles from east to west, and seven from north to south. The first settlers were
William Cotton
Moses Coffin
Thomas Golding
Peter DeWitt
Matthew C. and Samuel Brown
John Derrickson
John Vance
Zacheus Bennett
William Nixon Bennett
James Robertson
Rezin Wheeler
Hiram A. Cotton
Thomas Moberly
David Gunning
John Glenn
Major Robert F. Farris
Isaac Farris
George Forsythe
Robert Brown
James B. Gunning
Henley B. Branson
Lewis Crim
John and Moses Linville
Paris and Joseph A. Talbert.
There are no towns in Union, but there is a post office at Wray's Crossing, on the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroad. There are seven schoolhouses, all in good repair, and two of them substantial brick structures. There are three churches dotted over different parts of the township, representing denominations. The Lutheran Church in the German settlement has an excellent edifice and a parsonage. Its Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Gustav Winter, is a fine scholar, an accomplished gentleman and a good preacher. Along the Little Blue River, the country is rolling, the other parts are level. The soil is superior. Much ditching and tilting has been done here.  There is a neighborhood inUnion Township which has long been known as the German settlement, and which has long been known as the German settlement, and which is one of the most properous parts of Indiana. Nearly all the lands that had been deemed choice and desirable had been entered by the American pioneers. Where the German settlement now is had been deemed unfit for cultivation, because so low and marshy. But in 1832, five German families ---
George Michael Becker
George Leiss [Zeisz -?plf]
John G. Keppel
George M. Keppel
George M. Haehl
John Jacob Haehl ---
came and entered two and on-fourth sections of this land. There were at that time only two American families in that vicinity -- Vance and Forsythe. Other German families soon followed, until it has grown to be a large and influential community. Among them are some veterans and patriarchs -- Peter Neeb is now eighty nine years of age, and George Michael Theobald eighty-four. All the farms in this neighborhood are in a high state of improvement. Valentine Friday, now of Shelbyville, came in 1833, and has a farm of 500 acres. MichaelTheobald, John Gegenheim [now Gahimer-pmf], Philip and George Haehl, Andrew, Michael, Daniel and Jacob Kuhn, John Hagen and Valentine Posz are among the leading men of this important settlement. Many of the foremost families of Shelbyville are connected with parties residing in this part of Union Township. On the edge bordering on Rush County is the home of Conrad and Barbara Haehl, who emigrated from the Rhinepfaltz, in Bavaria, in 1840, and whose children, John, Jacob, John Michael, Frederick Jacob and Catherine (wife of the popular druggist, John H. Leefers), are all well and favorably known throughout this part of the State. The German pioneers were people of extraordinary industry and perserverance. The first road to Shelbyville was made in 1838. Their trading in early days was in Cincinnati. It would take from eight to nine days to go and return. They then got 35 cents per bushel for wheat, 8 to 10 cents for corn, $1.25 per hundred weight for hogs and 75 cents a dozen for chickens. But, on the other hand, they paid as high as 25 to 30 cents per yard for calico. An interesting and genial old settler declares that they went with a wagon-load, but returned with a basketful. Many worthy men of Shelby County have hailed from Union Township, Zacheus Bennett was for many years a Justice of the Peace and a man universally respected. William Nixon Bennett, his son, was for years the Township Trustee, and one of nature's noblemen; James M. Baxter, filled the office of County Assessor; Thomas Cotton was Associate Judge; Joseph Cotton is an eminent minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church; James M. Smith and Matthew B. Farris became leading clergymen in the Baptist Church of Indiana; Thomas A. Cotton has been Justice of the Peace a number of years, and Thomas Moberly has held that office for twenty-eight years consecutively. ~ ~
From the Atlas of Shelby Co., Indiana, Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co, 1880, page 14.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming.

The Shelby Republican
Thursday, August 23, 1877
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From Union Twp.
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Corn is looking much better since the late rains. The crop will be fair.
The prospects for a singing school at Little Blue church is now promising.
The Little Blue River, Murphy temperance Society met according to previous announcement Aug. 14th and elected the following officers: President, J. R. Westerfield; Vice-Presidents, John H. Brown and Wm. R. Zike; Secretary, Robt. M. Linville, Treasurer, Cary Cotton. The membership is something over 60.
The Grange pic nic on the 17th, was a success. A large crowd in attendance.
The school meeting at No. 7 was one of much interest, ending in the election of Jas. B[?]. Brown as a teacher.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming.

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