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Rush County, Indiana History <-> Genealogy - 1875 Map

RUSH COUNTY, Indiana

*First created in 1821, from the Delaware New Purchase.
*County seat: Rushville.
Located in southeast central Indiana.
*Cities, Towns & Communities include: Arlington, Boyd, Carthage, Circleville, Farmers, Farmington, Gings, Glenwood, Gowdy, Henderson, Homer, Manilla, Mauzy, Mays, Milroy, Moscow, New Salem, Occident, Raleigh, Richland, Rushville, Sexton and Williamstown.

The communities of Falmouth, Glenwood, and Orange are located on the RUSH and FAYETTE County line, and Williamstown is located on the RUSH and DECATUR County line.

Select this LINK to see GENERAL Rush County information and links.
Select from the TOWN list above to learn which township the community is located in, and view information and links specific to that area.
Select from the TOWNSHIPs Table below to view information and links specific to the township.
Please note:  Though the information on this web page is believed to be correct, the possibility of error remains.  Please notify the webmaster should an error be found.
 

Townships in Rush County 
(North = Top)
Ripley Township Center Township Washington Township
Posey Township Jackson Township Union Township
Walker Township Rushville Township Noble Township
Orange Township Anderson Township Richland Township
Surrounding Counties:
 NW = Hancock County, IN    N = Henry County, IN
W = Shelby County, IN    RUSH COUNTY     E = Fayette County, IN
                                         S = Decatur County, IN  SE = Franklin County, IN

RUSH COUNTY, INDIANA
Established in 1821, from the Delaware New Purchase; County seat is Rushville.
Dr. W. B. LAUGHLIN was a member of the Legislature when the county was set off, and had given it the name in honor of his preceptor, the illustrious Dr. Benjamin RUSH, of Philadelphia.
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Portions from History of Rush County, Chicago: Brant and Fuller, 1888.
Graciously transcribed, and donated to this site, by Lora <Lora1957@aol.com>.
+ Early Settlements + First Settlers + Organization and Early Court Cases +

+ Early Industries +
Early Settlements 

     The very first settlers were squatters.  Some of these after the land office in Brookville was opened purchased their homes and went to work to open up a farm, but the majority were hunters and trappers, whom a restless spirit of adventure ever kept on the frontiers; they were the avant conreurs of the white race; always in advance of emigration; as soon as the men who sought a permanent home settled near them, they pushed farther into the wilderness, where the ringing blows of the axe had not driven away the game.  This type of squatters were a peculiar people, brave, skilled in all the mysteries of woodcraft, wonderfully self reliant and cool, hospitable and generous, they were utterly uncultivated and rude; they despised the learning of the schools, and polished and refinement of society, deeming them frivolous and effeminate, unworthy the attention of the free rovers of the forest.


First Settlers 

     The Indians having ceded their title to the land, in the early part of 1819, and the most of them having left this part of the country, the squatters soon found their way into the abandoned hunting grounds, some for the sake of the abundant game, others with an eye to a future home, to be secured when the land was thrown into the market.  Of the latter class were several afterward well known in the early history of our county.  Henry SIDORUS was a squatter on land now owned by T. P. WHITE, on the south side of Flat Rock; it was where the Indiana trail leading from Connersville to the White River towns crossed that stream.  He settled there in 1819, he was a keen hunter and skillful trapper.  He built a house and stable, cleared some land, and had a wagon and horses.  After the sale of the land he entertained land viewers and movers, assisting them with his team when needed. In 1821, he sold his claim to Joseph SMITH for $100, with which he purchased eighty acres on the north side of Flat Rock, now a part of the farm of Mr. Jesse W. SMELSER.  After Indianapolis was laid out, he hauled the first dry goods from Cincinnati to that place, and also assisted in moving families and their household goods there.  In 1823, he sold his land to John SMELSER, for $300 and pushed out into what is now Champaign County, Illinois, and located in a beautiful grove, which bears his name, as does the Post Office and Railroad station now there.  His son William has his home there still.  Richard THORNBERRY settled on Flat Rock, some four miles below Rushville, at the mouth of Hurricane Creek in 1819.  He entered his land on the 2nd of October 1820.  He remained an honored citizen of Rush, leaving many descendants.  Isaac WILLIAMS squatted on the farm now owned by Andrew GUFFIN, a mile and a half north of New Salem, also in 1819; he entered his land in 1820.  Samuel GRUELL squatted on what is now Arnold’s Home farm, and his brother in law, Weir CASSADY, on the Joseph HINCHMAN farm.  This was in 1819.  GRUELL sold his claim to John ARNOLD for $50, in 1820, and then bought eighty acres where Matthias PARSON now lives; this he traded to John PARSON for a farm on Noland’s Fork of Whitewater.  Weir CASSADY also bought land in Rush, and was a citizen until his death.  He left numerous descendants.  His widow died at the house of her son in law, John OLIVER, in Rushville, within the last year.  John HALE was a squatter on the land
belonging to Thomas CASSADY.  He entered 160 acres of land and afterward sold it to Wilson
LAUGHLIN, which is now Judge W. A. CULLEN’S home farm.  He was a famous hunter, and as a slayer of deer there was but one in the county that could compete with him, and that was Ben
BURTON, another squatter and afterward a permanent settler.  Those early days were not without
exciting episodes, independent of the adventure and dangers of the forest.  John HALE had made
considerable improvements on the land he designed entering, and was making every effort to get
together a sufficient sum to make the purchase.  At this time, 1822, he ascertained that some parties
from Kentucky had taken the numbers of the land, and had started to Brookville to make the entry.  In this emergency he mounted his horse and galloped to Judge W.B. LAUGHLIN to ask for aid in his distress.  He started the case to the judge and he immediately furnished him with the necessary cash.   He then besought Harmony LAUGHLIN to take his money and his horse and endeavor to overtake and pass the other party, who had some hours the start, and get to the land office first and secure the land. Fortunately, for the party so deeply interested in the race, his horse had both speed and endurance and HALE had charges Harmony to beat them there if it killed his horse.  Inspired by this order and his natural energy, he dashed away through the dim pathway, at furious speed.  Night had overtaken the Kentuckians at Judge MOUNT’S at the point afterward known as Metamora.  Here they put up for the night, but Harmony made no halt but pushed on toward Brookville, where he arrived near morning and as soon as it was light, hunted up the land office officials and made entry, that secured to his friend HALE, the desired home.  Shortly after the business was completed the Kentuckians arrived and to their intense chagrin, found that they were too late, that the other party had traveled while they slept.



For further information, see also:  History of The City of Rushville, Indiana
Organization and Early Court Cases 

     The organization of Rush Circuit Court, took place on April 4, 1822, at the house of Stephen SIMS, just south of the City of Rushville.  William W. WICK, President Judge, and North PARKER and Elias POSTON, Associate Judges, presented their certificates of appointment and were all sworn into office.  Robert THOMPSON, as Clerk, and John HAYS, as Sheriff, also presented their certificates of appointment and took the legal oath.  A rudely constructed device capable of making some unintelligible impression on paper was presented by the Clerk, and adopted by the court as its seal.  Court then adjourned to meet at 2 o’clock P.M., at the house of Jehu PERKINS, about five miles southeast of Rushville; no reason is known why the court left the county seat to meet five miles away, the late George SEXTON, said it was because PERKINS kept a distillery there.  Court met at the appointed time, and Hiram M. CURRY was admitted to the Bar, and sworn as Prosecuting Attorney.  The Sheriff brought in a Grand Jury, consisting of William JUNKINS, Jesse PERKINS, Nate PERKINS, Christian CLYMER, John WALKER, Powell PRIEST, Garrett DURLIN, John LOWER, Jacob REED, John HALL, Richard HACKLEMAN, Benjamin Sailors, and Peter H. Patterson.  The Grand Jury was sworn and charged and reported no indictments, and were paid 75 cents each for their services.  The court then adjourned, to meet next term, at the house of John Lower.   At this first term of Court no business was transacted, the Rush Circuit Court in embryo had organized and lasted a
single day.  Of the Judges, Court Officers, and Grand Jury, of that term, not one is living,
sixty – five years after the adjournment.

      The October Term, 1822, convened on the fourth of that month at the house of John Lower, about three miles south, and a little west, of Rushville.  Lower kept a tavern, and his place was known far and near.  Judge Wick, failed to put in an appearance, and the Associate Judges convened the court.  John Hays, the Sheriff, did not appear.  His mind had become impaired, and while wandering about Hancock County he was arrested and put in the county jail, which he set on fire and perished in the flames.  Richard Hackleman, the Coroner, empanelled a Grand Jury, of which Edward J. Swanson, afterward conspicuous in the criminal annals of the county, was foreman.  At this term Martin A. Ray, Charles H. Test, Joseph A. Hopkins, James Noble, James Raridan, and Charles H. Veeder were admitted to the Bar.  The first case in court was that of
Thomas Colbert vs. Rachael Colbert, alias Rachael James, “on libel for divorce.”   James Noble appeared for plaintiff.  The defendant was defaulted, notice of the pendency of the action having been given by publication in the Brookville Enquirer.    The court fixed the tavern license at $10.00, and license was granted Jehu Perkins, and Richard Thornburgh.   The Grand Jury, at this tem returned several indictments, among them one against John Ray for hog marking.  The defendant was acquitted on the ground that the offense was committed before the organization of the county.  The court then adjourned to meet next term at the house of Robert Thompson, in Rushville.

     The April Term, 1823, met on the 24th of that month, at Robert Thompson’s house in Rushville, only the Associate Judges being present.  Nathaniel W. Marks, having been appointed Sheriff, entered upon the discharge of his duties.  Hiram M. Curry resigned as Prosecuting Attorney, and Charles H. Test was appointed to fill the vacancy.  At this term of court, Aaron Anderson, a native of Ireland, renounced his allegiance to George Fourth and became the first person naturalized in Rush County.  Oliver H. Smith was admitted to the Bar.  Daniel Lawman was convicted for selling liquor without license, and fined $2 in each of two cases.  The Judges allowed themselves $6 each for services.

     The August Term, 1823, convened on the 14th day of that month with Miles C. Eggleston, President Judge, Parker, and Poston, Associates, and the same Clerk and Sheriff.  The case of Israel Cox vs. James Greer, slander came on for trial.  The slander consisted of Greer’s having charged Cox with stealing his hogs.  Charles H. Test appeared for plaintiff, and Oliver H. Smith for defendant.  The trial took place in a log court house, and in the course of his argument, Smith said that the speaking of the words had not been shown by the evidence; at this, Greer, who was outside, run his head through the window and yelled out, “Don’t lie Smith, I did say he stole my hogs, and I stick to it.”  Smith then told the court Greer had been drunk ever since the trial commenced, and asked that he be sent to jail until the trial was over.  This was done and Smith gained the case.

     The April Term, 1824, was uneventful; a number of State cases against Joseph Looney were disposed of Joseph being worsted in all of them.  James Greer came into court drunk, and was fined for contempt. Clerk Thompson and Sheriff Marks were each allowed $30 for one year’s service.

     The September Term, 1824, was held at the house of Robert Thompson, in Rushville.  At this term of court the following order was made:  “Ordered by the Court, now here, that the prison bounds for the County of Rush shall be the limits of the town play of Rushville, as recorded in the Recorder’s office of the County of Rush.”  This prison limit was made for the prisoner for debt.

     The April Term, 1825, was held at the house of Christian Clymer. Hon. Bethuel F. Morris entered upon his duties as President Judge.  Rue Pugh was appointed Master in Chancery.  Isaac Arnold, a native of “Isle of Wright, Old England.” Made his application and was naturalized.

     At the September Term, 1825, John Gregg succeeded North Parker, as one of the Associate Judges.  Calvin Fletcher, Esq. Presented his commission and was sworn in as Prosecuting Attorney. 

At the April Term, 1826, William S. Bussell entered upon the discharge of the duties of his office as Sheriff, and Calvin Fletcher as Prosecuting Attorney.  At this term James Divers was tried and convicted of larceny, and given one year in the penitentiary.  The business of this term was about all criminals, the defendants being in most cases charges with assault and battery and betting, and were generally found guilty.  The October Term, 1826, was held in the courthouse, in Rushville.  James Mitchell presented his commission and was sworn in as Prosecuting Attorney.  Sampson Cassady
was one of the Grand Jurors.  He is now (November 1887) the only man living who served on a Grand Jury at so early a date.  William Klumm, and Charles H. Veeder, were indicted, tried and found guilty of an affray.  They appealed the case to the Supreme Court where it was reversed.  This was the first case appealed to the Supreme Court from Rush County.

     At the April Term, 1827, James Whitcomb presented his commission and was sworn in as Prosecuting Attorney.  The business of this term as heretofore was mostly criminal.  The slander suit of Frances Clark vs. George Taylor was tried and verdict rendered for $50 against defendant.

     The Young Murder Trial.  The October Term, 1827, convened with Judge Bethuel F. Morris as President Judge, and John Gregg and Elias Poston, Associates.  It was at this term that the first murder trial in Rush County took place.  Alexander Young had been indicted for the murder of John Points A jury consisting of Robert Groves, Benjamin Heady, Nicholas Barton, Asa Beck, John W. Barbour, Richard Thornbury, Landy Hurst, William Kitchen, George Conrad, John Iier, John Ferris, and Josiah Lee, was empanelled, and the trial prosecuted.  The prosecution was conducted by Hon, Oliver H. Smith, and James Whitcomb.  The defense was by Charles H. Test, James Raridan,
and James T. Brown.  The facts in the case were very unfortunate.  Young was a thrifty, well to do farmer, and had a beautiful daughter about seventeen years old.  Points was a young man of respectability, the son of a neighboring farmer.  He was much attracted to Miss Young, but her father would not consent to their marriage, and elopement followed.  Young pursued the fleeing couple and by running across the corner of the woods got ahead of them.  He concealed himself behind a tree, and when the couple, who were both riding the same horse, came up, Young fired upon them with his rifle.  The ball grazed the head of Miss Young, and entered that of Points who died two hours later.  From the time the fatal shot was fired Young was completely overcome with sorrow, and expressed such evidence of grief that he enlisted public sympathy in his favor.  His
defense was so ably conducted that he was only found guilty of manslaughter and received the minimum sentence of the law, one year in the penitentiary.  Thus justice had been tempered by mercy.  The Governor soon pardoned Young.  He returned to his home broken and ruined in fortune and hopes, and it is said he never smiled after he fired the shot.  The daughter afterward married, but the strain of her awful experience preyed upon her until her mind became wrecked.  For thirty years before her death she was a raving maniac, oblivious to all things, but the memory of June 4, 1827.

     The Swanson Case.  At the April Term 1829, Edward J. Swanson was indicted and tried for the murder of Elishi Clark.  The prosecution was conducted by William W. Wick, and James Whitcomb, and the defense by Charles H. Test.  The indictment embodied the essentials of the common law.  It was drawn by James Whitcomb, and from it the crushing prosecution escape was hopeless.  The jury returned a verdict of guilty, which stands alone in the severity of punishment in the judicial history of the county.  The defendants filed a motion for a new trial, assigning as one of the reasons that the Judge had charged the jury “that they were the judges of the facts and the court of the judge of the law.”  The Judge, Hon. B. F. Morris, over ruled all the motions and sentenced Swanson to be hanged on the following May 11, one month after the trial.  Swanson disheartened, yielded to the inevitable and refused to appeal his case to the Supreme Court where there is scarcely any doubt that it would have been reversed.   The execution occurred at the time fixed, and Swanson was the only man who ever paid the extreme penalty of the law in Rush County by an ignominious death upon scaffold.

     At the October Term, 1829, Hugh Monroe was tried for murder.  Monroe and deceased had been on bad terms for some time, and while at a shooting match, deceased while fixing a target was shot and instantly killed by Monroe, who was found guilty and sent to the penitentiary for sixteen years, but was afterward pardoned by the Governor.  It was at this term of court that John Greeg, and Montgomery McCall took their seats as Associate Judges.

     At the March Term, 1830, Charles H. Test came upon the bench as President Judge.  James Perry was prosecutor.  Business was very dull at this term.  James Tyler was fined for contempt for coming into court intoxicated and talking loud.

     September Term, 1830, Alfred Posey having been elected Sheriff, assumes control of the affairs of that office.  At this term Judge Test made an examination of the records and gave the Clerk a sound lecturing on account of erasures and interlineations.

     March Term, 1832, William J. Brown. Prosecutor.  The following order was entered at this term.  “James Raridan, Esq, fined $1 for standing up before the fire, in contempt of court” The fine was remitted next day.  The courthouse took fire March 22, and created a commotion in court.   John F. Irvin and Avanant T. Lewis ventured on the roof and extinguished the flames, receiving therefore the thanks of the court for this brave act.  The Grand Jury examined the jail and reported, “It was in a sad state of decay, for several of the logs are much rotted and the door has no lock”

     The most important civil case ever-tried in Rush Circuit Court was that to contest the will of John Megee.  The plaintiffs were represented by Daniel W. Voorhees, Benjamin F. Claypool and William A. Cullen, the defendants by Thomas A. Hendricks, Leonidas Sexton, Oscar B. Hord, and Abram W. Hendricks.  The charges of Judge Jeremiah M. Wilson were excepted to and appealed from.  The judgment of the Supreme Court include the entire charges of Judge Wilson, and complimented that distinguished jurist in the following language.  “We have given these instructions, repeated, and careful and thorough examination, and we fully indorse them, in all respects fully applicable and
warranted by the evidence in and circumstances of the case.


Early Industries 

Judge W. B. LAUGHLIN built the first gristmill in the county, in 1821.  It was south of where the town of Rushville stands, on the land now owned by Aaron FRAZEE; the dam was where the south bridge now crosses Flat Rock.  This was a great convenience to the pioneers of this county, as they had to go heretofore to Connersville to do their milling.  But some two years later a season of unprecedented amount and fatality of, sickness devastated the young town of Rushville.  The citizens excited and alarmed attributed this to the damming of Flat Rock, and considering it their right and duty to abate the fatal nuisance, rose en masse and destroyed the dam.   But this did not materially lessen the malarious elements generated by the exposure of a damp soil teeming with decaying vegetable matter to the direct rays of the sun.  At this time Jehu PERKINS had a distillery on his farm and a horsepower tread mill for the grinding of corn.  Some years later he built a mill on Little Flat Rock, near where the Pleasant Run Baptist Church now stands.  William ROBINSON built a steam mill on the farm now owned by Abijah HUNT; these were in what is now Noble Township At an early day John WOODS put up a mill at Moscow, built of round logs, he also had a still-house there, as had Joseph Owens.   These with their old fashion copper stills amply supplied the spirituous wants of this, then notorious, town, and its vicinity.  Robert HILL built a sawmill in 1827, and one year later a gristmill, at the place now known as Carthage.  Dayton HOLLOWAY built the next mill in that neighborhood. 

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Ann McRoden Mensch, Professional Historical Genealogist
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