The History of Mount Erie

The History of Mount Erie

By Charles Fishel

Transcribed by Laurie Selpien

In the fall of 1818, Alexander Ramsey, a Revolutionary War veteran, accompanied by his son (?), James Alexander Nesbit, William Farmer, William McCormick, Michael Book, and possibly Andrew Bratton, constructed a pirogue or dugout boat and started on a prospecting trip up the Little Wabash River from a settlement in White County, where they had come in 1816 from Hopkins County, Kentucky. They arrived at the mouth of Miller Creek the day before Christmas, and seeing smoke to the Southwest, they approached the place about three miles distant and came to the remains of an Indian campfire although the Indians had departed. Here they found a beautiful hill covered with nice large white oak trees and a nice large spring of pure water.

They built their camp here and the place was known as Ramsey’s Grove, for several years. It was where the present village of Mt. Erie is now located. The surrounding country was covered with groves of fine oak and hickory trees, with prairies having fertile soil and a plentiful supply of pure water furnished by many springs. These men finding everything they desired for new homes in the location had their families soon join them.

FIRST SETTLER

A Mr. Thrasher came from Kentucky in about 1820 and settled in the community. A few years later he passed away and was the first white man to die in the community. Other early settlers moving to the community were the families of William Whitford; William Fitch; Andrew Farley; Joseph, Hugh, and James Walder; Charles and James Vandaveer; Larkin and Gillison Price. Within the next few years these families arrived: Blakeley, Crews, Fishel, Bradshaw, Eli Miller, known to everyone as “Pap” Lockwood, Borah, Douglas, Truscott, Yohe, Holmes, Frederick, Ake, Mills, Young, Daubs, Kagy, Porterfield, Cazadd, VanFossan, Gardner, and Travers.

The village of Mt. Erie is located on the crest of a hill with a gradual slope in each direction and having the highest elevation in Wayne County. It is in northwestern Wayne County in Section 17 of Erie Township. The original plat, consisting of ten acres of land was sold by Alexander Ramsey to Nathaniel Travers and Jonathan Copley with the stipulation in the deed, they lay out a town. This was done in 1853 with William Whitaker, County Surveyor, doing the surveying. They wanted to name the town “Ramsey” but Mr. Ramsey preferred the name “Mount Airie”. This name was given it but was later changed to Mount Erie. The first building in Mt. Erie was a frame house built by William Copley and used by him as a dwelling and store.

RAMSEY’S MILL

At that time one of the necessities of great importance to any community was a mill for grinding grain. In 1825, Alexander Ramsey brought in a horse mill and operated it until 1840, when James Bradshaw built a mill in what is now the west part of town and operated it for several years. The first steam mill was erected in the village in 1866 by William Schwarberg. Later a grist mill and a carding machine were added. It was sold to Price and Nesbit, who operated it for about five years then sold it to Price, Baldridge & Co., who shortly afterwards built a new mill known as Gem Mills, which was operated by Miller and McCollum. This mill made bolted flour and shipped it to St. Louis and other cities. The mill furnished employment to several men as the fuel used was cordwood and was bought from local men who sometimes accepted flour and meal in exchange for the wood. The flour was hauled to Clay City to the nearest railroad and later to Noble after the bridge was built across the Wabash River in 1880. A Post office was established in 1856 with Andrew Crews being appointed first Postmaster. Mail was brought to Mt. Erie by a Star Route from Clay City until 1931 when due to improved roads the Star Route was changed to Olney from where they still continue getting the mail.

CREW”S STORE

Andrew Crews also had the first General store in Mt. Erie. Later John Holly and Lou Mayo started another store and Frank Israel started a harness shop. Some later stores were operated by J. T. Price & Co.; A. F. Nesbit and Son; Vandaveer and Bradshaw, and Camp and Quimby. A hardware store was operated by Carson and Bradshaw. There were two blacksmith shops kept busy repairing farming tools in farming season and shoeing horses in the wintertime. Mt. Erie at one time had a very nice millinery store. Merchandise was hauled in by wagons. When roads were bad in winter, four horse teams were used to make the trip, starting early in the morning and getting back late at night. Dr. John B. Handley was one of the first doctors. Dr. Mundy came in 1862 from Mt. Carmel, Illinois and later ones were Dr. Blackford, Dr. Shelton and Dr. E. E. Roberts.

The first Society of the M. E. Church in the community was Organized in 1839 by Rev. Alexander Blakely. It was on the Fairfield Circuit at the time and they met in the homes and the schoolhouses. The First Methodist Church was started in 1856 and dedicated in October 1808 and was on the lot where the present Methodist church now stands. The pastor was Rev. James M. Massey. This church was used until 1903 when it was moved and another church was built. It was used until 1915 when it was torn down and the present building built. A Presbyterian church was built in the east part of town in 1856 with Rev. William Finley the first pastor. Later this building was bought and used for several years by the United Brethren. Following a tabernacle meeting, the Christian church was organized. The present church was built and dedicated in 1912. In addition to the two churches above, the Nazarene Church was built in 1944 and the Pentecostal in 1945. Mt. Erie Lodge No. 331 A. F. & A. M., was organized in 1858 with seven charter members and has continued until the present date, owning their temple and in a thriving condition.

THE FIRST SCHOOL

The first school in the village was built in 1866 and was used until 1904, when it was replaced by a four room school. This building was in use until 1954, when the surrounding districts voted for consolidation and a modern brick building was constructed. The present district is made up of the following former districts: Moutry, Miller, Creek Farmer, Gerber, Number Four, West Vandaveer, Number Seven, Heidinger, Walker, Brown and part of Lincoln.

The Mt. Erie State Bank was organized about 1915 by some citizens and farmers and has remained a strong bank until the present time. In 1954, the bank was reorganized and a new building was erected. A hotel was built and operated by David Holmes on the Southwest corner of main street one block east of the Methodist Church. A livery stable was built across the street east from the hotel and did a good business until the coming of the automobile.

In addition to being a good farming community, there were several good orchards nearby. At one time, every farm had a small orchard. In the 1880’s a cider mill together with a molasses mill was set up. This mill was operated by steam and blew up at one time killing George Runyon. The cider mill operated for several years, and although there were no saloons in Mt. Erie, a plentiful supply of hard cider was available.

During the civil War, Wayne County was one of the few, if not the only county, where no draft was made as volunteers more than supplied the quota, and Mount Erie more than supplied its number. After the war, about 1870, the James Mayes Post of the Grand Army of the Republic was organized with Van R. Price elected as commander, which station he held until his death. There was a membership of over 130 as there are 130 Civil War Veterans buried in the cemeteries in and near Mount. Erie. The Women’s Relief Corp No. 42 of the James Mayes Post and auxiliary of the G. A. R. was organized in July 1899, with a large membership.

VETERANS GROUP

Later a “Sons of Veterans” was organized and the greatest occasion of the year was Memorial Day, when the G. A. R. veterans would line up by two’s, accompanied by the Sons of Veterans, who were carrying guns, and march from uptown to the Methodist Church for the Memorial Services. From the church they marched to the cemetery where a salute was fired for those who had passed on. On this day, every veteran, who was able was there, as was nearly everyone in the community. I believe the largest crowds ever to gather in Mount Erie, were on Memorial Day. In addition to the Veteran of the Civil War, there is one Revolutionary War Veteran, Alexander Ramsey, buried in Mount Erie Cemetery. Other veterans buried in the cemetery are as follows:

Alexander Nesbit, David H. Night, William McCollum and A. Dalton or the War of 1812

Isaac Street of the Black Hawk War

David and Sam McCullom of the Mexican War

LaFayette Keyser of the Indian War buried in the Brown Cemetery

In addition to the reasons given above for the early settlers liking the location, another attraction was the abundance of wild game, deer, bears, wild turkeys and all smaller game is plentiful. These early settlers enjoyed hunting and were expert shots with their muzzle loading rifles. Many of their descendants still live in the community and have inherited this trait of their forefathers, as no one enjoys a hunt more than some of the locals.

Additional Information…….

Alexander Ramsey born 1765 died Sept 8, 1855 90 years buried in the Mount Erie Cemetery

Mr. Thrasher died about 1821 1^st white man buried in the Mount Erie Cemetery

Alexander Nesbit born Sept 2, 1792 North Carolina – July 8, 1874 buried in the Mount Erie Cemetery

Obit found in Wayne County Press July 23, 1874

Married Miss Dorcas Ramsey in 1816

NOTE: Story above states he is the son of Alexander Ramsey – I think he is the Son-in-law

Andrew Farley (Fairleigh) Apr 11, 1824 – Jan 26, 1893 Obit found in Wayne County Record Feb 2, 1893 “Uncle Andy Farleigh” buried Mount Erie Cemetery

Buried in Locust Grove Cemetery

James Vandaveer born Oct 31, 1802 – Mar 16, 1890 Obit found in 2 of the Wayne County Record (newspaper) March 20, 1890 & March 27, 1890

Gillison Price born Mar 21, 1789 – May 28, 1859 married Mary

Larkin Price Born Dec 5, 1791 – Oct 8, 1856 married Sarah died Aug 29, 1863

Andrew Crews Born Sept 1, 1822 – Nov 22, 1871 Obit Wayne County Press Dec 14, 1871 died of Consumption

Andrew Crews married Nancy b. Feb 4, 1826 – Sept 3, 1891

Bolted Flour A type of whole-wheat flour in which nearly 80 percent of the bran has been removed. Bolted flour may also be referred to as reduced bran wheat flour.

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