Brown is the corner township in the southwest of Montgomery county., It is bounded on the south by Putnam and Parke counties; on the west by Parke county also; on the north by Ripley and Union townships, and on the east by Scott township. The original survey of the township describes it as embracing T. 17 N., R. 5 W., and east part of T. 17 N., .R. 6 W., being south of Sugar creek. In 1858 that part of Sees. 30, 31 and 32 being south of Sugar creek was taken from Union and attached to Brown township.

Brown township is an oblong square, nine miles east and west by six miles north and south; a deviation being on the north line, at a point a little west of the middle of said line, where it turns due north one mile to Sugar creek; thence down said creek southwest, to the terminus of the western line of the township. This change from the original boundary was made for the accommodation of the early citizens of the township, many of whom were detached from the main portion of the township, and petitioned for the above change, when the commissioners of Montgomery county, at a meeting held in 1858, ordered that the line between Brown and Ripley townships be changed so as to make Sugar creek the township line.

Brown township has an area of about fifty-four square miles, or about 34,560 square acres of fertile soil, extensively drained and abundantly supplied with running water. It is traversed in all directions by public thoroughfares. The old state road, extending from Terre Haute to La Fayette, passes through this township from the southwest to the northwest, which, in the early history of the state, was the United States mail and stage route.

The township is nearly equally divided from the northeast to the northwest by the Logansport, Crawfordsville and Southwest railroad, which enters the township at the village of New Market, situated at the northeast corner of Brown, and running southwest, emerges from the township in the valley of the Little Raccoon, at the southwest corner. This road has done much in developing the township, and enhancing the valuation of the land and timber, and has brought ready market for grain and produce, which the fertile soil yields in abundance to reward the honest toil of the husbandman.

There is a proposed rail route, known as the Anderson & St. Louis railroad, which has been chartered and surveyed out; the route passing through this township forming a crossing at Waveland with the Laporte, Crawfordsville & Southwestern railroad, and passing eastward crosses the middle of the east line of the township into Scott. When this road is completed and the rolling stock is moving, Wave- land will become an important center of trade and travel to a large area of country, unsurpassed, in many features, by any other portion of Indiana.

The geological features of this township are diversified and interesting. The land in the west and southwest is slightly rolling, with a remarkable uniformity over that part of the township; indeed, the name, Waveland, which is given to the principal town in the township, is quite suggestive of the general features of the land, whose evolutions remind one, who has been on the large waters, of th« steady swelling of the waves of the great sea under a constant breeze.

In the south part of the township, and extending north along the western boundary, the soil is of a drift material, and rich in fertility, until we approach the high lands of Sugar creek in the northwest. The southeast and east are more level until we reach the northeast, where the land is in many places flat. The soil in this part of the township differs materially from the south and west, there being a prevalence of clayey material, and generally flat and somewhat cold and heavy. This land, however, is being drained, which is developing a very fertile and productive soil for certain grains and grass; and under the enterprising energies of the Brown township farmers, its productive qualities will not long remain dormant. The north " runs down into the sandy rocks or clayey shales of the coal formations," and is good soil for only certain kinds of products, of grass, and certain grains. The township is divided from the east to the west by a ridge entering about the middle of the eastern border, and passes west to the center of the township, then turning to the northwest until it reaches Sugar creek, the boundary of the township. Although this ridge is so regular in elevation that the traveler will scarcely note it, yet it is the dividing ridge between the head-waters of the Little Raccoon creek on the south, and Sugar creek on the north; the waters of the former flowing to the Big Raccoon on the south, and the latter to the Sugar creek on the northwest. In this part of the township, where it borders on the above stream, it is high, broken, and rocky, which shades down from the high bluffs to the rolling lands on the south, and to the low lands on the east.

The soil and timber of Brown township are of superior quality, covered with a rich surface soil, we find muck, sands, gravel, clay, and calcareous elements, combined in various forms and compositions; but of such quality as to make the general land of the strongest and most productive nature. The heavy growth of timber which covered the land in its native state embraced the most valuable varieties. And when the pioneer began his struggle with the wilds of Brown township he regarded the choicest timber as an encumbrance to the soil; sugar, beach, gum, oak, black walnut, and poplar, were alike felled by the axe and burned. And though half a century and more has passed, there are still seen standing some grand specimens of primeval forests, which make unimproved land no\v valuable for its timber. And had the timber which has been ^burned in the heap on many farms in this state been properly stacked in the log to protect it from the destructive elements, would be worth more to-day than the land on which it grew.' Along the banks of Indian and Sugar creeks are also found evergreen groves, especially on the high lands of the northwest portion of the township.


This is an ancient lake is distinctly outlined in the northeast part of the township, and embracing not less than one-third of its area; a coast washed by the waves of a body of water extending nine miles east and west by four or four and a half north and south. This ancient [shore extends across the township from southeast to northwest, entering two and a half miles north of the southeast corner, running west two miles, then north one and a half miles; thence northwest, passing one mile north of Brown's Valley ; thence northwest to Sugar creek, near the mouth of Indian creek, where it passes into Ripley township, sweeping eastward through Union to the western line of Walnut; then southwest through Scott to the east line of Brown as before. The land within this ancient lake-bed is being drained by the farmers in the northeast part of the township, developing a fertile and productive soil. The date of this body of water we have no means of determining, more than to fix it at a very remote period of time, in the past ages, as] the present outlines include an area of land which the pioneers of the country found covered with a dense forest and heavy timber. The great mastodon that once roamed over the plains and through the forests of North America doubtless have drunk of its waters and grazed on its banks.

The rocks of Brown township are found in the region of Sugar creek elevated into rugged and romantic heaps. The most massive are sandstones of best building quality, composed of sand and silicia, producing a composition that is usually soft when taken from the quarry, but hardens when exposed to the changes of the atmosphere,-a quality much desired for building purposes. There are also limestone compounded of carbonate of lime, sand, clay, and carbonate of magnesia. These stones are well adapted to building purposes, as well as burning in the kiln for the manufacture of quicklime. There is found also some millstone grit in this locality, and along the banks of the Indian creek boulders of this quality are found. The buhrs in the mill built on this creek by Samuel Van Cleave were made of one of these stones, and proved of excellent quality. Dark shales with clays, pyrites of iron, are also found. These shales and rocks are classified with the Hamiltonian group of the Devonian period. Some animal remains are found in these shales, while petrifacts are discovered in the limestone neighborhoods. In the south part of the township a kind of boulder clay is found at a depth of twelve or fifteen feet under the surface, forming strata four feet thick, under which is a stratum of blue clay which covers the sandy water-bed at a depth of fifteen feet. This stratum, or sandbed, underlies most of the township, and holds an inexhaustible supply of most excellent water. The boulder clay is noted for its tendency to generate deleterious gases, and especially what is commonly called " the damps." It is said by old citizens that, in digging wells, after striking this clay there is such an accumulation of gases that men have been driven from their work, making it necessary to improvise means by which pure air could be forced to the bottom of the well to protect the workmen from suffocation. The boulder clay indicates a period of shifting of the elements, and agrees with the glacial period, traced through the northern part of this count}', showing that there were wonderful changes in the contending elements in building up this part of the continent.

There are also found submerged remains of timber at various depths, and frequently underlying the boulder clay drift, which were deposited at a time when this region was covered by an inland sea, and were doubtless drifted down from the high lands of the northeast and northwest part of the continent when there was communication between those regions and this locality by a great water; as evident from the kind of timber found, which was not of this soil or climate, as well as the boulders found in the subsoil, which seem to belong to the rocky formations of the north, and which have doubtless been carried down by the action of water and drifting ice.

The drainage of the land is good : on the south by the tributaries to the Little Raccoon, and on the north by the Indian creek, and some tributaries to the. Sugar creek on the northwest. Indian creek is the principal stream of the township, which traverses it from east to west. It enters the township on the cast a little north of the center of the eastern boundary, and meandering to the northwest empties its waters into Sugar creek, on the northwest boundary of the township. This stream is fed by numerous tributaries in its course through the northern division of the township.

In pioneer days, before the primeval forest had fallen by the woodman's axe, and before the lowlands and morasses in the lower sections had been drained, it was a stream of much importance to the early settlers of the country, to whom it furnished water-power to grind their grain, saw their timber, card their wool, and full their cloth. And at a very early day in the history of the township was heard the whirl of the mill on the banks of the Indian and Sugar creeks. The water supply of Brown township is abundant and good. The numerous tributaries to the streams above mentioned traverse the township, in which springs of running water, with artesian fountains and inexhaustible wells, abound.

Brown township presents interesting attractions for romantic sightseeing and scientific exploration. That part of the township lying on the northwest border, adjoining Sugar creek, with its rocky grottoes and caves, has long been the attraction of the romantic who make it a place of resort and pleasure.


The mills of Brown township were among the first enterprises of the primitive days. The first built in this township was situated on the south bank of Sugar creek, known as " Dear's mills," being built by Joal Dear, an early pioneer. Some years following it was destroyed by high water, to which Sugar creek in those days was subject. It was afterward built by Joal Dear and William Canine, with a sawmill attached, both of which are being successfully operated. In an early day Vancleve's mills were built on Indian creek, a few miles above Sugar creek, into which the former empties. These mills were built by Samuel Vancleve, who emigrated to this township at an early day from Kentucky. And in a few years this mill was in competition with another having been built by Thomas Glenn and Caleb Conner, who also were from Kentucky. This mill was built on Indian creek, two miles above its junction with Sugar creek, and was successfully operated until after the reduction of water supply. Although this stream furnished abundant water-power in the early settlement of the township, after clearing up the laud in this and adjoining townships, and reducing the lowlands by subdrainage, the supply of water has been so reduced that these mills have been removed.

The first carding-mill in Brown township was built by Thomas Armstrong, on Little Raccoon, one mile above Waveland, as early as 1810, and was worked successfully until the water failed in the stream some years since.

The fair grounds of the Russellville Union Agricultural Society are located in Brown township, on the southern line to the east. They embrace an area of thirty-five acres. This society was organized in the fall of 1855 by the leading farmers of Brown and adjoining townships. In the same fall the first public fair was held. The grounds were not enclosed, and admittance was free to the public. Entrance fees were charged for stock and articles for exhibition, which were appropriated to the payment of premiums. Among the members of the society at this time may be mentioned William Nelson, president of the society, Asbery Van Schoyack, on whose farm the grounds were located, James Evens, Stephen Allen, John Durham, Drake Brookshier, and others of Brown township; James Crawford, William Nelson, and others of Putnam county. In the fall of 1856 the grounds were enclosed, after which an admission fee was charged, which fund, with the return of premiums by members of the society, the grounds were improved. At this time the exposition was open to the four adjoining townships. In the fall of 1857 there were further improvements made to the grounds, and it was opened to the four adjacent counties: Montgomery, in which it was situated, Parke, Putnam, and Fountain. It was at the exposition of this fall, 1857, that the renowned pacer, "Red Buck," first appeared on these grounds, and at which time, by throwing his shoe, when on the track, which fell fifty-seven yards distant, he was beaten in the race and lost the honor of the championship of the turf. These annual expositions became so popular that their ground became too small for their accommodation, and in 1875 and 1876 the area was again enlarged so as to embrace a portion of Putnam county on the south.


Prior to the treaty of peace, which was effected with the Indians in 1818, Brown township was occupied by the Shawnee tribes, who were associated with the Miami confederation in their hostility to the white man.

Soon after this, emigration to Brown township commenced; and not many years elapsed before all the public lands were entered by men who desired to open up farms for their future home. The tide of emigration to this township set in at a very early day of Montgomery's history. Brown was also settled by a people from a different section of the country than those settling in the townships north. While from the east emigration was pouring into the central part of Montgomery county, Kentucky was sending her brave sons and daughters into Brown township. In wagons, on horseback, and on foot with knapsack on their backs, traversing the unbroken wilderness, fording swollen streams, encamping at night, and contending with storms and wild beasts, they came to find a new home on a fertile soil, in a healthful clime. The sound of the woodman's axe was heard in the forest before the smoke of the Indian's wigwam had disappeared from the banks of the Indian creek or the head waters of the Little Raccoon ; and while the snapping of the bow-string and whistling of the tomahawk were yet heard, the crashing of the falling trees before the pioneer's axe thundered in the forest wilds.

It is claimed for James Long that he cut the first stick of timber in Brown township, an oak tree, which he cut for boards to cover his cabin for the accommodation of his family, which he moved to this town western boundary, the soil is of a drift material, and rich in fertility, until we approach the high lands of Sugar creek in the northwest. The southeast and east are more level until we reach the northeast, where the land is in many places flat. The soil in this part of the township differs materially from the south and west, there being a prevalence of clayey material, and generally flat and somewhat cold and heavy. This land, however, is being drained, which is developing a very fertile and productive soil for certain grains and grass; and under the enterprising energies of the Brown township farmers, its productive qualities will not long remain dormant. The north " runs down into the sandy rocks or clayey shales of the coal formations," and is good soil for only certain kinds of products, of grass, and certain grains. The township is divided from the east to the west by a ridge entering about the middle of the eastern border, and passes west to the center of the township, then turning to the northwest until it reaches Sugar creek, the boundary of the township. Although this ridge is so regular in elevation that the traveler will scarcely note it, yet it is the dividing ridge between the head-waters of the Little Raccoon creek on the south, and Sugar creek on the north; the waters of the former flowing to the Big Raccoon on the south, and the latter to the Sugar creek on the northwest. In this part of the township, where it borders on the above stream, it is high, broken, and rocky, which shades down from the high bluffs to the rolling lands on the south, and to the low lands on the east.

The soil and timber of Brown township are of superior quality, covered with a rich surface soil, we find muck, sands, gravel, clay, and calcareous elements, combined in various forms and compositions; but of such quality as to make the general land of the strongest and most productive nature. The heavy growth of timber which covered the land in its native state embraced the most valuable varieties. And when the pioneer began his struggle with the wilds of Brown township he regarded the choicest timber as an encumbrance to the soil; sugar, beach, gum, oak, black walnut, and poplar, were alike felled by the axe and burned. And though half a century and more has passed, there are still seen standing some grand specimens of primeval forests, which make unimproved land no\v valuable for its timber. And had the timber which has been ^burned in the heap on many farms in this state been properly stacked in the log to protect it from the destructive elements, would be worth more to-day than the land on which it grew.' Along the banks of Indian and Sugar creeks are also found evergreen groves, especially on the high lands of the northwest portion of the township.

At the September term of the Montgomery board of justice it was ordered that the township of Scott be divided, and that the following bound be taken"out of said township and be constituted a new township, to be known by the name of Brown township, to-wit: All township 17, in range 5, and so much of township 17 in range 6 lying south of Sugar creek, and within the county of Montgomery ; and that the place of holding elections in Brown township be at William Moore's. Benjamin Galey was appointed inspector of elections; John Kinder was appointed constable for 1827; Benjamin Van Cleave and Josiah Galey were appointed overseers of the poor; and Samuel Galey, Emsley Lopp, and William Moore, were appointed fence viewers. Mr. "William Moore was elected first justice of the peace, a.nd was superse led by Thomas Glenn, who came to Brown township in the spring of 1827, preparatory to moving' his family, which he did in the fall of the same year. He, however, was elected to the office of magistrate during his visit in the spring. He served one term of four years, which was the first term served in the township. While the oldest citizens testify to the election of Mr. Moore, he did not take his seat in the county board of magistrates.

Among the early justices of Brown township were William Carson, Joseph Allen, James Rice, James N. Rice, Caleb Conner, Daniel Gott, Robert Gamble,and William Conner. Others more recent in office:

James O'Brian, James Davis, Simon C. Davis, John Wrightsell, "William F. Rhoads, Samuel Warbritton, and Isaac Andrus. Simon C. Davis served for sixteen years, from 1854 to 1870, and is the present justice of Waveland. Dr. Isaac Andrus was serving his second term of office at the time of his death, January 1881.

At the organization of the township there was but one trustee, whose name we are not able to give; but in 1852 the law was so amended as to require three trustees, who organized by choosing a president, secretary, and treasurer. The first board was Simon C. Davis, Esq., Joseph Allen, and Benjamin Van Cleave, who continued in office during the existence of that law. The law was repealed, after a number of years, when the business of the township was again invested in one. Mr. William Peterman was elected as the township trustee, and served a number of years. The present trusteeship is filled by Mr. W. T. Glenn.

At the organization of the township the soil was generally covered with the primeval forest; there being, however, a growing population, as the early pioneers from Kentucky swept northward to open farms on the promising land of Brown township. There were inducements to settle on the Wabash river and Big Raccoon creek, where settlements were rapidly forming, but the prevalence of malarial diseases in those localities, where, it is said, '' the true Wabashian was so accustomed to the ague and the mosquitoes that he did not feel at home without them," many turned to the more genial clime of Brown. Society at this time was crude, when " the man on the streets of Craw- fordsville who donned a pair of silver spurs and embroidered gloves was stigmatized by the Black creek schoolmaster as an aristocrat."

In this year (18'26) there were numerous additions made to the settlements within the township, among whom were Levi Van Cleave, Ralph Van Cleave, Rev. Samuel Van Cleave, and others worthy of note from Kentucky. Before the year 1830 we may note Anderson Service, Alexander Buchanan, Elisha Van Cleave, Enoch Van Cleave* William Reynolds, William Fisher, John Pottenger, Samuel Fisher, Benjamin Galey, Andrew McCormick, Clayton Swindler, Robort Gott, and Hezakiah Vanscoyock.

It is becoming that an acknowledgment be made of the influence of Rev. Samuel Van Cleave upon the early society of Brown township- He was among the settlers of 1827, in which year he built the Van Cleave mills, on Indian creek, by his own genius and efforts, manufacturing the mill-stones from a large gray boulder, which he split in halves and dressed them to a true face, which did effective work while the mill stood.

The first store in Brown township was opened by a Mr. Moore, who bnilt a small'log store-house on the east bank of Little Raccoon creek, one mile above where Waveland now stands, and opened his store in 1828, through the agency of Jonothan Powers, who, however, remained but a short time, after which Mr. John Milligan took the store, where he sold goods until he removed his stock to his own building, which was the first in Waveland, in 1834.

The first tavern in Brown township was kept by Mr. Wm.. Moore, above mentioned. The building was of hewed logs, 18x2, and built in the fall of 1823, and is yet standing. In its palmy days it was a gala home for the forest traveler. But it was not always quiet at Moore's tavern, for the "Kentucky Rye" had already reached Brown township, and the western landlord had no concieutious scruples about accommodating such of his guests as thirsted for the sparkling glass. And many times interest was added to the occasion by the presence of the red man, who would indulge freely in the fire-water when he could obtain it, and when under its influence he became an active participant in a "backwoods riot, and a dangerous competitor in their bloody conflicts. In those days an Indian trail passed south of where Wave- land now stands, running from the southwest to the northeast, leading to Fort Wayne. It was by this path through the wilderness that the Indians went to Fort Wayne to draw government supplies. Sometimes half a thousand or more would pass in a day, stopping at Mr. Moore's tavern for meals and whisky, trading blankets they had received of the government, for whisky for one night's debauch. Mrs. Moore, now eighty-eight years of age, has one of those red blankets unto this day. It was at this house where Gen. Harrison and twenty- five or thirty citizens and ex-soldiers of the Indian wars dined when on their way to the old battle-grounds to reinter the remains of the brave men who fell in the battle of Tippecanoe, on November 7, 1811. Mr. Moore made his usual charge for the dinner, which was 12£ cents individually. This the general refused, saying he would assess the charges, which would be double that of the landlord's, and made each man pay accordingly. Mr. Samuel Moore, now residing on the homestead, boasts that he being but a lad at the time, and clad in smoked buckskin, held the general's steed while he was preparing to mount.


Waveland is the oldest town in Brown township, and is situated in the southwest part of Montgomery county, being two miles from the west line of the township and county in which it is located, and about half a mile from the southern border of the same. It is very central in location, being equally distant from Crawfbrdsville and Rock- ville; the former being fifteen miles northeast, and the latter the same distance southwest. It is also equally distant from Terre Haute and La Fayette, and fifty miles a little north of west from Indianapolis, the capital of the state. The town stands on a ridge of land elevated between the Spring branch of Little Raccoon and Walker's Run, which skirts the town on the south. It is an important station of the Logansport, Crawfordsville & Southwestern railroad, at the crossing of the contemplated rail-route known as the Anderson, Lebanon & St. Louis railroad.

The land upon which the original town was laid out was entered before 1830 by Hiram Heddleson, who afterward sold to one Morgan, who transferred the same to John Milligan, in 1834, who wab then selling goods in a small building three quarters of a mile above where Waveland now stands. Mr. John Milligan came to the above store, situated on the banks of the Little Raccoon by the old state road, in 1830, where he sold goods until 1834, when, on purchasing the land as above stated, he, in the same year, cut the first opening in the forest on the ground now occupied by Waveland, and built his small store-house, which was the first building on the ground of the town plat, on the corner of Cross and Green streets. In 1835 Mr. John Milligan laid out the original town of Waveland, and on Christmas day of the same year the first town lot was sold at public auction. Mr. MiHigan gave the name of the neighborhood post-oifice to the new village, being the romantic name of Waveland, in honor of a Kentucky gentleman's home. Dr. James Cunningham erected the next building in the town, on the north side of Green street, west of Cross street. Here the doctor resided during his practice in the vicinity. The second store was opened, about this time, by Henry Crawford, of Crawfordsville, who sold goods in a little house east of where the post- office now stands, on Green street, which was probably the third house in the town, arid is said to be standing at this writing. This store, however, being conducted through an. agency, survived but a few months. This was soon followed by another, opened on the northeast corner of Cross and Green streets by Dr. Gregg, in a small frame building, where he remained in trade for a number of years. About this time an opposition movement developed in the country above, on the south banks of Little Raccoon, and a meeting of the citizens of the township was called to take a vote to locate a township town. That meeting was held at Benjamin Smith's, where Briles Milligan now lives. There were three locations voted for, Fairview, Brown's Valley, and Waveland. Fairview received the greatest number of votes, and a good many lots were sold. So Fairview started with a store, a blacksmith shop, and a doggery, all of which have long since passed away, and there is no " view " of any town there. Waveland has since received three additions to the original town. In 1840 the first addition, by Gen. T. Howard, M. Newal, and J. Milligan. The second and third since, by J. Milligan. About the time of this opposition Joseph Milligan threw his influence for Waveland, and opened a variety store on the northwest corner of Cross and Green streets, where he continued for eight or ten years. Mr. Thomas Talbert, however, took advantage of his withdrawal and opened a variety store in the house built and previously occupied by Dr. Gregg, on Green street. He occupied this building tor a number of years, and removed to the southwest corner of High and Green streets, where he remained in the trade until near 1850.

Waveland post-office was removed to the town soon after it was laid out, and placed under the care of Mr. John Milligan, who acted in the official capacity of postmaster for a number of years, when he was relieved of the responsibility by Dr. Gregg. Edwin M. Milligan was postmaster for some years after. The office is now filled by James Scott, who has served for the past six or eight years.

The medical profession was first represented in Waveland by Dr. James Commings, who settled in the town soon after the plat was surveyed, and was succeeded by Dr. Gregg, who in turn was succeeded by Dr. Ballid, who is now dead.

The weary traveler has ever found a place of rest and refreshment in "Waveland. Before a hotel building was erected in the town, the hospitality of private citizens was extended to the stranger within their borders. The first hotel was erected by Andrew Harris in the early history of the town, on the ground occupied now by the Central House. In a few years later Epperson Drew erected a frame building on High street, which he occupied some years as a house of public entertainment. This was followed by Jack Collier's hotel, on the southeast corner of Main and Cross streets, which burned down a few years since.

The insnppressible editor has made his debut in Waveland. "The "Waveland News," edited by Mr. Boswell, of Ladoga; Monroe McCor- mick, corresponding agent in Waveland. This paper, however, was not printed in Waveland. After a life of two or three years it gave up the field, which was occupied by " The Waveland Item," a small paper published and edited by H. M. Talbert and F. M. Foley, who, at the time of the establishment of their enterprise, were but small school lads, but exhibited remarkable genius and enterprise, and to the honor of this young firm " The Waveland Item" was the first paper published in the town. They have recently transferred their interests to Messrs. Crowdcr and Tracy, from Crawfordsville, who are, at this writing, preparing the first issue of " The Waveland Call," which will be issued from their printing-office, now opening in E. M. Milligan & Brother's Block.

At the present writing the town of Waveland has a population of about 800; an intelligent, sober, and prosperous people. All the common departments of trade are well established.

In 1850 Thomas Talbert and Thomas Owens built a steam saw-mill in the southwest part of the town. The boiler was drawn from Indianapolis on two lumber wagons, by a six-horse team, requiring one week to make the trip. After eight or ten years the building was removed, during which the falling timber caused the death of Morgan McClain.

In 1878 Mr. William Geiger built a grist-mill in the soutli part of the town, and is first in importance in this part of the country. A sawmill stands on the northwest of the railroad depot, and was built in 1878 by Jacob Willcox.

Waveland lias had its scourges as well as its prosperity, and the former have to some extent resulted in enhancing the latter. In 1873 the town was swept by a sea of flame, in which the east side of Cross street, from Howard to Green, and half a block east on Green street, was consumed in two hours. Seven business houses, one dwelling, and one cabinet-shop fell before the flames, driven by a strong wind. The buildings being wooden, the midnight darkness fled as before the rising sun. Though the scourge was great, as nearly the entire business part of the town was destroyed, she arose, phoenix-like, out of the ashes, better than before; for, on the smoldering ruins a fine brick block was erected, by combined unity of means and effort, upon the part of a number of the leading citizens, and mostly by those who suffered in the great fire. It was the popular opinion that a party of burglars and petty thieves were infesting the town and vicinity, and the peaceable citizens felt insecure in their home?, because of burglary and arson. Following the above fire was the burning of G. W. Boswell's steam saw-mill and the railroad depot, the work of an incendiary. The depot had been burglarized, and a commercial trunk removed at a heavy loss to the owner, who was a sojourner in the town. This led to the breaking up of the party of incendiaries, resulting in their conviction and punishment.

In 1875 the Thornton hotel burned, but being well covered by insurance there was but little loss incurred by the proprietors. Though Waveland is nearly fifty years old, the burning of the older buildings and the rebuilding of new ones in their place, with the general and constant improvements of late years, give it the appearance of a young and sprightly city.


Waveland Lodge, No. 300, of Free and Accepted Masons, was organized under dispensation granted by the Grand Lodge of Indiana, May 27.1863; given under the hand of John B. Flavel, Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Indiana, and the seal of said lodge, the 27th day of May, A.i,. 5863 and A.d. 1863.—Signed, John B. Flavel, Master; Francis King, Grand Secretary.

The above dispensation was granted on the petition of the following citizens of Brown township: Thomas Kelso, S. T. Whittington, Samuel Belton, Adam Hanna, Caleb Conner, Win. J. Davis, and Win. Kelso.

The first meeting of the lodge was on June 26,1863, at which time the lodge was organized in accordance witli the dispensation. At the same lodge meeting the following applications were made on dimits for membership: T. G. Whittirigton, A. J. Reed, A. B. Davis, Washington Eicc, J. L. Whittington, H. C. Ellis, P. C. Millikin, J. Y. Durham, Simeon Clark, and R. Carson; all of whom were duly elected to membership.

The lodge ordered that the regular meetings of the lodge be held on Friday evening, on or before the full moon of each month. Seventeen initiations were granted in the first six months ending January 1, 1864. The last meeting of the lodge under dispensation was held May 20, 1864. The present charter was granted by the Grand Master of the State of Indiana, of Free and Accepted Masons, on May 25, 1864, and Aaron Hanna was appointed by the grand master to organize the lodge according to the provisions of the charter; and at a meeting of the lodge for the above purpose, held June 15, 1864, said lodge was duly organized.

At the first regular meeting of the lodge after the above organization the following officers were elected: J. T. Whittington, W.M.: S. T. Whittington, S.W.; S. Belton, J.W.; C. Conner, Treas.; W. J. Davis, Sec.; T. C. Mnllikin, S.D.; W. Rice, J.D.; P. M. Conner, Tyler.

P. Gt. Whittington was elected worshipful master at the organization of the lodge, and served until 1868, when he was succeeded by the election of P. M. Conner, who was annually reflected until December 1873, when lie was relieved by the election of P. C. Mullikin, W.M., but was reflected again in 1874, from which time he served four successive years, when T. G. Whittington was again called to the chair for one year, at the expiration of which time Bro. P. M. Conner was asked to put on his hat again, and lias not been requested to remove it since.

The secretaryship has been filled by J. A. Reed, G. W. Miller, Fred. Smith, Harvey Shanks, and William M. Byerly. J. A. Reed served from January, 1866, to January, 1873, and Frederick Smith has been elected to his third term, and is the present incumbent.

The lodge purchased property on Howard street. A suitable frame building occupied the ground, in which they fitted up a pleasant lodge- room. The present board of officers were elected at the regular meeting in December, 1880: Paris M. Conner, W.M.; William Jackson, S.W.; William J. Glenn, J.W.; James T. Scott, Treas.; Fred. Smith, Sec.; Robert C. Foster, S.D.; Joseph Shoop, J.D.; George W. Wymore, Tyler. The membership of the lodge in good and regular standing is forty-six, and there is universal harmony among the brethren, with an increasing interest and prosperity in the workings of the lodge.

The Waveland Lodge, No. 217, of I.O.O.F., was chartered by the Supreme Lodge of the State of Indiana, May 15, 1860.— Signed, E H. Barrey, R.W.G.S.; W. K. Edwards, P.G.M.

The following were the charter members: J. N. Parker, J. D. Still well, J. W. Obrien, F. T. Graham, Eli Compton, A. L. Hughs, and O. V. Atherton. The first board of officers elected consisted of the following members: O. V. Atherton, P.G.; J. W. Obrien, N.G.; J. N. Parker, V.G.; J. B. Stillwell, Sec.; Eli Conkling, Treas.; A. S. Hughs, Warden; and F. T. Graham, Cond. The first regular meeting was held February 1, 1860, at which time the following members were initiated: S. A. Stillwell, R. W. Gamble, George Bayless, T. C. Barton, C. W. Talburt, Samuel Eastock, and L. D. Stone. At the second regular meeting, in 1860, Jarnes W. Obrien was elected representative to the Grand Lodge of Indiana, who represented the lodge until 1864, since which R. W. Gamble, N. Lewis, J. R. Farmer, C. Smith, M. F. Foley, William H. Bridges, F. N. Johnson, A. T. Steel, J. H. Banta, H. B. Cord, George T. Durham, and C. T. Moore, have filled this important office.

Fifty-six persons have served in the elective offices, and twenty- nine have filled the highest office in the lodge. Thirteen have represented the lodge in the grand lodge of the state. On January 2, 1865, the lodge incorporated, appointing the trustees: J.Simpson, N. Lewis, and Samuel Eastlach. The trustees represented the lodge in the Building Union, in the erection of Union Block, after the fire of 1873, in which they built a lodge hall, and occupied it in 1874. The present number of members are twenty-two. The officers installed in January, 1881, were Ed. C. Sythe, N.G.; Chancy Smith, V.G.; W. H. Bridges, Sec.; John R. Hntton, Trcas.; and C. T. Moore, Rep. The lodge lias done much in the vicinity to ameliorate the afflictions of the destitute, sick and bereaved.

Goodwill Lodge, No. 82, of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, was organized under charter granted by the Grand Lodge of Indiana, bearing date of November 26, 1879, and was granted to the following persons as charter members: William H. Bridges, Joseph Hendrickson, H. A. Pratt, John A. Spruhan, James F. Clark, S. H. Willcox, W. B. Smith, A. J. Miller, P. M. Conner, William L. Mcln- tosh, James Murry, Henry Siets, Joseph H. Banta, and A. T. Steel. The lodge was organized under the provisions of the charter, November 26, 1879. The first board of officers : P. M. Conner, P.M.W.; W. M. Smith, M.W.; H. H. Pratt, foreman ; James Murry, O.S.; W. H. Bridges, recorder; A. J. Miller, financier; W. W. Jackson, receiver ; P. M. Conner, Rep. to Grand Lodge. Trustees: P. M. Conner, K. H. Hodgkins, and J. F. Clark. The lodge meets in the Odd-Fellows hall, and promises success, having for its object the mutual benefit of its members and their families. The present officers for 1881 are H. A. Pratt, James Murry, A. J. Miller, James Clark, W. H. Bridges, John A. Spruhan, William W. Jackson, and P. M. Conner.

The Allen Chapter, No. 7, of the Eastern Star, in Waveland, was organized under a dispensation granted by the Grand Chapter of the Eastern Star, of the State of Illinois. The lodge organized April 30, 1873, by J. W. Crooks, grand patron. At the time of this organization Indiana had no grand state chapter. The following persons organized under the dispensation, and served as the first board of officers: Mary A. Reed, W.M.; C. B. Allen, W.P.; Lizzie A. Miller, assistant M.; Susan Smith, Treas.; Flora Oldshoe, Sec.; Miss M. Peterson, Cond.; Miss Maggie McNutt, assistant Cond.; Mr^. Matt Wymore, Warden: Ella Shelledy, Ada; Frances Pierce, Ruth; Mary Conner, Esther; Lou Peternian, Martha; Susan Allen, elector; G. W. Wymore, sentinel.

This lodge was one of seven lodges in the State of Indiana that petitioned for the organization of the Grand Chapter of the State of Indiana, and after the grand chapter was organized, a charter was granted to the Allen Chapter, of Waveland, bearing date May 6, 1874. This charter was issued to and on the petition of Susan Smith, Mary Conner, Martha Wymore, Miss Mary A. Peterman, Miss Sue Peter- man, Flora Oldshoe, Mary N. Reed, and Elizabeth Miller, from the Grand Chapter of the Eastern Star for the State of Indiana. "These persons having in a legal manner received all the degrees of the order, and being the wives, widows, mothers, sisters and daughters of Master Masons in good standing in their respective lodges," their petition was granted as above, and the following officers appointed : Mr. C. B. Allen, KP.; Mary N. Reed, W.M.; Elizabeth Miller, assistant M., May 6, 1874.

The following have been elected representatives to the grand chapter of the state; P. M. Conner, Ellen Butch, Lou Giltner, Mrs. M. Smith, and Emma Peterman. The following members have deceased since the organization of the chapter: Miss Lizzie Shelleday, Miss Mattie Thorntorn, Mrs. Lizzie Miller, Mr. John Reed, Mrs. Susan B. Smith, and Mrs. Lucy Burdow.

The Manual Labor Institute was organized in Waveland about 1855 or 1856, for the purpose of mutual intellectual improvement. It was suggested by the McClcwer appropriation to the support of public libraries. After organizing they provided the institute with a library of over 500 volumes, which entitled them to $500 of the McClewer fund,which was drawn and invested in an additional library. Weekly literary exercises were kept up for many years. The library is now under the care of Mr. Edward Rhoads, of Waveland. The active working days of the institute are referred to as the bright days of Waveland's social and literary improvements.

The township library is under the supervision of the present librarian and postmaster, Mr. James Scott. It contains 150 volumes.


The Waveland Presbyterian church was organized on Friday, November 28, 1828, in the house of John J. Stubbing, near the present site of the village of Brown's Valley in Brown township, this county. Rev. James Thompson presided at the organization, and served three years as pastor. The members who organized the church were Aaron Van Cleave and wife, John Brush and wife, John Stubbins and wife, Narcissa Rice, wife of Isaac Rice. The persons who were first elected as ruling elders were Aaron Van Cleve and John Brush. Mr. Brush did not accept the office, but Mr. Van Cleave did, and being ordained ruling elder in the church to which he previously belonged, he was not ordained in this church. He was the only elder in the church until April 2, 1831. The church was named Providence Presbyterian Church, which name it bore until April 3, 1841, when changed by the presbytery. The day following the organization Isaac Rice was received on profession of faith, the first one so received in the church. On this occasion the church was named as above stated. Messrs. John Van Cleave and Andrew Shankland, of Crawfordsville, were present, and sat as corresponding members. On April 2,1829, the following persons were received by church letters: Alexander Scott and wife, and Jane Wackup. From this time to April 1,1831, the following persons were received into the church: Joseph Stubbins on confession of faith; Aaron Van Cleave 'and wife, and their sons, Benjamin and David ; John Yan Cleave; Mrs. Elizabeth Robinson, and her sons, James H. and Thomas B. Robinson; Robert Humphry and wife; Andrew Robinson and wife; John Young and wife; John Milligan ; James Allen and wife, and Hannah, their daughter; and Mary Logan, all by letter; and John Wackup, and Mary Stubbins, on profession. The membership was now thirty-three, when they elected, on April 2, 1831, James Allen, Isaac Rice, and John Milligan ruling elders. Jacob Rice and John Milligan were set apart to the office by ordination (James Allen having been ordained in the church from which he came) on the Sabbath day, April 3, 1831, in one apartment of Mr. Samuel Milligan's house in Waveland. The following trustees were elected : James Allen, Isaac Rice, Andrew Robinson, John Brush, and John Milligan. Upon the same day, April 2, 1831, the trustees were ordered to purchase a lot and erect a church building, which was done. The house was of hewed logs, and located on the "bluff" of Little Raccoon creek, between Win. Moore's and Wm. Kinder's. In the year 1833 the house was removed to the present site of the Presbyterian cemetery, where it was used for a time for a school building. The society built a new house, a frame building, near the cemetery, where they worshiped until the present house was erected and occupied. In 1834 the church was divided, in order to form the Indian Creek church, by a unanimous vote.

The first baptisms administered in Providence Church were three infants on May 2, 1830: Thomas Rice, John Milton Young, and a daughter of Alexander and Marth Scott. A Sabbath-school has been kept up by this church from 1832. For two years before the organization of this school one was conducted in the house of John Brush by his son, Blakely Brush, and his son-in-law, Preston McCormick, and was probably the first Sabbath-school in Brown township. Among the superintendents of this school, John Millikin has served the longest term.

The ministers who have served this church are as follows: James Thompson, John Thompson, John Crawford, John Young, Dougald Mclntyre, William Holiday, James Hummer, Jacob Cazad, R. W. Allen, R. H. Silley, Samuel Taylor, S. N. Evens, D. R. Colmery, Jacob Lanius, J. W. Stone, J. L. Martin, J. W. Hanna, W. T. Allen, Robert Irvine, Henry C. Thompson, Dr. C. W. Fish, J. W. Tarence, and Rev. Mr. McDowel, the present incumbent. The longest term served by any one of these was by Rev. Samnel Taylor, which was from April 1845 to April 1852. The church has been in existence over half a century.

In November, 1879, at the semi-cenlennial of the church, held in Waveland, a monument was dedicated to the deceased elders of the church, and one also to the deceased pastors who had served the church. The sermon was preached by the Rev. J. W. Torcnce, then pastor of the church. The following members of this church have become ministers of the gospel : Canine Allen, Robert W. Allen, Thomas S. Mil- likin, Robert Taj'lor, Michael M. Fisher, Wrn. Rice, James T. Patterson, Samnel R. Searight, J. W. Maine, Silas W. Black. Two members are foreign missionaries, Miss Mary Allen, now wife of Rev. Wm. Whipple, and Miss Anna Ladd, now wife of Rev. EL C. Thompson. The former in Persia, and the latter in Mexico.

The church has received, by letter and on profession of faith, since its organization, over 800. In 1852 the church dismissed a number of members to organize the church of " New Hope." In 1848 the congregation built the Waveland Collegiate Institute, located in Wave- land, which in after years became famous for its educational advantages. The building is a commodious brick structure, located on the banks of the Little Raccoon creek, within the limits of the town. The grounds are beautifully located, with a beautiful grove on the east of the college building, of forest trees, pine and cedar. A spring of good water flows from beneath the shade of the grove, and divides the grounds by cutting a ravine down through the forest to the creek on the north. In 1861 the present church edifice was erected and dedicated to the use of the church. It is a commodious brick building, with modern improvements in the interior, with Sabbath-school room below. The present board of ruling elders are John Milligan, Blakely Brush, William F. Rhoads, James M. Rice, Samuel Stubbins, David Fulenwider, J. Demaree, and Prof. H. S. Kritz. Deacons: Thomas E. Milligan, Robert Fullenwider. It is under the pastorate of the Rev. John McDowel. Trustees: J. Milligan, D. Fnllenwider, Samuel Demaree, and Prof. H. S. Kritz. William Rhoads, clerk of session, and H. E. Rhoads, clerk of the society.

The first regular Methodist Episcopal minister that preached in Brown township was, probably, the Rev. Alexander, who, as early as 1825, preached at the residence of Thomas Lockman. There was no circuit yet organized within the county at this time other than as it was embraced within the territory of the itinerant, who, with saddlebags on horseback pushed out into the wide wilderness, preaching in log cabins or under the forest shade. With this pioneer of Methodism appeared the Rev. William Smith, who traveled east and south to the "White river. The first Methodist society was organized at the residence of Mrs. McCormick, two miles north of Waveland, in 1827. Father Gregg chosen class-leader. Mrs. McCormick and some members of her family, in whose house the class met, were members. Thomas Hanna joined the class some time after its organization. There were a few others who became members of the class during its stay at the house of Mrs. McCormick. This lady was of the first, if not the first Methodist in Brown township. She was true to her convictions, and being a Methodist she has left an inheritance to the church in this vicinity of more value than lands and gold, principles inculcated in the hearts of the generation now living who have risen up to call her blessed. The second organization of the Methodist Episcopal church was in the log cabin of Thomas J. Hanna, in 1830, by the Rev. James White. The society previously organized at the house of Mrs. McCormick, as above stated, was removed to this society. The following persons were members of this society who assisted in its organization, viz: Joseph Grigg and wife, John James and wife, Thomas Hanna and 'wife, Alexander Mclntire and wife, and Preston McCormick. Joseph Gregg was appointed class-leader, and Preston McCormick as circuit steward. Rev. James White was the circuit preacher, and Enoch Wood as colleague, and traveled, preaching every day in the forests and log cabins, being absent from his home for weeks without seeing his family. It has been related of one faithful minister of the early history of the township, who, when on his circuit for a number of weeks, had no tidings from the loved ones at home, who lived in the deep forest with a small settlement, until two of his three children were buried on the banks of the Little Raccoon, and the third on its death-bed, attended by a brave but heart-stricken wife and mother. After a three days' ride through the wilderness a neighbor found him, and conducted him home in time to lay his last darling in the grave beside the two who had just been stricken down.

The first church building was erected about 1842 in the town of Waveland. This was displaced by the present brick structure, which was dedicated in 1869 by Col. Moody; S. M. Hays pastor, and Richard Hargrave presiding elder, of Terre Haute district. Waveland charge was incorporated into the Russellville circuit at its organization. It remained in that work with Pisgah for many years. At the conference of 1873, in South Bend, it was detached and made the head of Waveland circuit, with three appointments, including New Market and Judson, all situated on the Logansport, Crawfordsville & Southwestern railroad. At tho same time J. C. Stephens was appointed preacher in charge, with Rev. John L. Smith, D.D., presiding elder, of Crawfordsville district. The church has been favored with special revivals at different times, some of which are worthy of note. In February, 1874, a union meeting was held with the Presbyterians. Rev. J. C. Stevens was pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Rev. J. W. Tarence of the Presbyterian church. A signal revival was bestowed under the efficient and powerful preaching of these ministers of the gospel. This meeting resulted in the ingathering of seventy-nine souls; forty-seven were received into the Methodist Episcopal church, and thirty-two into the Presbyterian church. Another union meeting was held by the above churches in 1877-78, under the pastorate of Rev. S. C. Wright, of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Rev. J. W. Tarence of the Presbyterian church. This meeting resulted in the addition of fifteen to the Methodist Episcopal church, and twelve to the Presbyterian. At the present writing there is in progress a union meeting of these two churches, under the labors of Rev. T. C. Webster, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Rev. John McDowel, of the Presbyterian. The fellowship of the members of these churches, regardless of denominational differences, has been sanctioned by Divine Providence to the religions prosperity of the vicinity.

The Waveland Methodist Episcopal church has provided for the accommodation of the pastor's family a comfortable parsonage. In the erection of the present church edifice, Thomas J. Hanna and Andrew McCormick, two of the oldest members, having been connected with the society from its organization, made such appropriations to the cause as to secure success in the enterprise of the church, and secure the appreciation of their brethren, that will live to their memory when they are gone to their reward. In 1878 Andrew McCormick presented the present parsonage to the chnrch, at an expense of $700 or $800.

The Waveland society has a membership of about two hundred, nn- der the pastorate of Rev. T. C. Webster; board of stewards consists of the following persons: C. F. Moore, recording steward; Wm. Jackson, John Robertson, H. A. Pratt, S. W. McCormick, and Thomas J. Hanna. Trustees: Andrew McCormick, Thomas J. Hanna, Andrew Boyd, John Crutchfield, and James O. McCormick; C. F. McCormick is the superintendent of the Sabbath-school, which has an average attendance of seventy or seventy-five.

The Union Baptist church, or " Regular Predestinarian " Baptist church, was constituted at the early residence of Ralph Canine, on Little Raccoon creek, September 16, 1826, with nine members: N.Procter,. Ralph Canine and wife, Benjamin Van Cleave and wife, Elizabeth Clark, Isaac Nation, Seth Nation, and James Long. The presbyter that constituted these persons into a church were: From Sugar Creek church, Elder John Lee, Henry Lee, Elihu Crane, and Jonathan Clark; from Raccoon church, Elders William Martin, and Aaron Har- lan ; Jacob Shockey and Abraham Durland, from Parke county. Ralph Canine was appointed deacon, and James Long and Benjamin Van Cleave were chosen trustees. They soon built a log meeting house, and, after some years replaced it with a commodious brick building, which is still standing. Ralph Canine remained deacon up to his death, September 27, 1879, lacking only a few weeks of being ninety years of age at his death. Elder John Lee was the first pastor of the church, and probably the first one to blow the Baptist trumpet in the wilderness of Brown township. Elder A. Harland and others visited the church, preaching occasionally. There was union and prosperity in the church until 1835, when some division arose on doctrinal points, advocated by some of the members, but was distasteful to the majority of the church. This division resulted in the organization of the " Freedom church " by a few who had been members of the " Union Church." Among these were Elder Jacob Kirkendall. Elder John Lee preached a number of years and was succeeded by the following elders, who have each served the church for a term of years: John W. Thomas, Jonathan Van Cleave, Matthias M. Van Cleave, a'nd Joseph Sketers. Elders Jerry and J. Gobon have preached for the church for some sixteen or seventeen years up to this time. The church is at peace and in good working condition, with a membership of about fifty. James Burford, moderator ; J. C. Goben, clerk; Alford Mitchell, deacon; Elder James Burford, William Canine, and Adam Wible, trustees; Jarnes Burford, treasurer.

The Indian Creek church, of the same order of Baptists, was constituted in an early day of the township, and built a l6g house on Indian creek, as its name indicates. S. M. Lane, clerk; Curtis Hardy and John Gilbert, deacons. Elder John Lee was first pastor, but Jonathan Van Cleave has been pastor most of the time since it was constituted. They have built a frame house which has stood for a number of years.

In November, 1835, a council was called, which met at the residence of John McEntire, at which time " four persons agreed to constitute a church on principles and doctrines of the Old and New Testaments, without any article of faith exclusive of the word of God, and also agreed to invite all the disciples of Christ to commune" with them. The records show three of these persons to be Elder Jacob Kerken- dall, John McEntire, and James Galey. The fourth the records do not show. These persons met November 21,1835, and formulated " terms of union." They also agreed to constitute on the fourth Saturday in December, at the house of James Galey, Montgomery county, Indiana. Pursuant to the above, they met December 26,1835, for the above purpose, there being present ten persons from other local churches, to form a council for the purpose of constituting the " Freedom Church." Rev. Samuel Madley, from New Discovery, was chosen moderator for the council, and Rev. William Nelson, from Bethel, clerk for the same. The record shows the following: "The council finding the brethren in love and unison, we proceed to pronounce them an orderly gospel church of Jesus Christ, upon the principles of the gospel. Done by order of the council, this clay and date, December 26,1835. Signed by members of the council: From Xew Discovery, Samuel Madley, James Ball, James M. Crooks, Zopher Ball, George Marton, Henry Nemens, John Wood, Joseph Earner, Jacob Crooks, and William Abbot; from Bethel, Rev. William Nicholson. Transcribing committee: Jacob Kerkendall. John McEntire, and James Galey.

On September 10, 1836, William Danna was elected deacon, Caleb Conner clerk, and James Galey and William Hanna treasurers. Caleb Conner served as clerk until April; 1842, when Reese Davis was elected to that office. The society had been meeting at the cabin homes of the friends of the church, but they found the small pioneer cabin too strait for their accommodation, and began to provide for a church building. In July, 1837, a board of commissioners were appointed to secure a suitable site for a church house, namely, Caleb Conner, James Galey, and John McEntire, and on the third Saturday of January, 1837, another committee was appointed to secure a church lot of Benjamin Smith, near Samuel Strong's factory on the state road, a mile above Waveland. This committee consisted of J. McEntire, J. Galey, and J. Hanna. It was resolved at the same meeting to bnild a frame meeting house, 24x36 feet, with a ten-foot story; and on the first day of the next month, January, 1838, the committee reported to the church that they had obtained a lot in Fail-view, in harmony with the instructions given at the last meeting of the church; whereupon the church elected a board of trustees, consisting of Caleb Conner, William Hanna, John McEntire. The trustees were also invested with power to superintend the building of the house. At the May meeting (first Saturday) the following was passed : " Upon motion all acts and parts of acts concerning a meeting house are hereby rescinded." Then by action of the church a lot was chosen on Caleb Conner's land, at the junction of the two roads near Jonathan Rice's, and resolved " that the meeting house be 24x32, and eleven-foot story." It was at this meeting that Elder Samuel Van Cleave united with the church in fellowsliip, and was vested with power to open the door of the church tor membership at any meeting he thought it expedient. The church at the May meeting of 1845 declared in favor of the organization of a Sabbath-school. About the year 1849 they found it expedient to enlarge their church building, and action was taken accordingly. The society at this time had secured an influence and power in the Indian creek country, and the forests along that stream were sacred with their baptismal songs as they consecrated the people by the sacred rights of the gospel. Up to 1848 they were under the pastoral charge of Elder Jacob Kerkendall. He resigned in October, 1844, to travel as an itinerant for a year. The church accepted the resignation for the time, but recalled him in December, 1845, which call he accepted and served the church until 1848, and on the first Saturday in July of this year granted to him, at his own request, a letter of dismission from the church. The church, however, was raising up a man of piety and talent for her own service, and was already looking toward a young member, Reese Davis, as the coining man for the church, and in December of the same year the church, by a unanimous voice, elected him to ordination, and called a council of the churches to help on the occasion of his ordination, appointed for the first Saturday in January 1849. The council convened at the time appointed, delegates being present from the following churches: Mt. Gilliad, Goshen, New Discovery, Crowfordsville, and Freedom. After due examination the council confirmed the action of the church in electing Rev. R. Davis to elder's orders, and appointed the next day (Sabbath) for that purpose, at which time he was ordained by the following elders: Elder William Baldwin, Elder P. M. Swain, Elder John Ball, and Elder Jo. B. Austin.

On the first Saturday of March following (1849) the church called Elder Davis to the pastorate. This was accepted, in which relation he served the church for twenty-three years, and had his presence and council- for thirty-two successive years, as member and pastor. After his demise, March 5, 1880, his many friends laid his remains tenderly away in the Freedom church-grounds.

On the second Sabbath of April, 1849, this church witnessed the ordination of Thomas Conner. This church has not only sent out ministers of the gospel into other sections of the country, but assisted in the organization of other churches of its denominational order. Among the ministers who have served the church in the laet few years are Elders Palmer, Duly, and Cuppy; the latter being the present pastor. A church of this order was organized at Brown's Valley, and built a frame house, in the modern style, commodious and attractive. John Hanna was elected first moderator, and M. L. Giltner first clerk, who was succeeded by Dr. Isaac Andrus, who served up to his death, which occurred January 16, 1881. Leonard Galey and D. I. Andrus served as deacons for several years. Elder Reese Davis was the first pastor of the church. Elder Kendall is serving as present pastor. The society has suffered by the burning of a new frame church building, on the ground on which the present church stands, and which was erected soon after it burned. Elder John M. Harris was among the first apostles of the Christian church in the bounds of Brown township. About the summer of 1845 this pioneer minister preached in the school-houses and cabin homes of the early settlers of the country. The next appearing in this vicinity " preaching in the wilderness " was Elder John Okane, of Crawfordsville, who occasionally visited the families of the church, and preached for them in their homes, the log school- houses, before an organization was effected. About this time a series of meetings was held in the old log school-house at Brown's Valley. The first organization in Brown township was constituted in the Pot- tenger school-house, situated in the east part of the township, about 1845. Church elders: Denis Pottenger, Jo,hn F. Jones, and Henery Johnson. Their officiating minister at this time was Oliver Willson. On the Sabbath, after consecrating the elements for sacramental service, the consecrating elder, Henry Johnson, fell in the midst of the service and expired. Although his friends, with the entire church, were heavily crushed by the affliction, it was a source of gratification that he fell in a work so pure and sacred.

In the year 1847 tho Antioch church was organized, in a frame building erected for that purpose on the old state road, and on the east bank of Little Raccoon creek, one and a half mile northeast of Wave- land. Church elders: John Huff, G. L. Harper. Deacons: Benjamin Smith and David Galey. John Okane was first pastor. The society was composed of many of the leading families of the vicinity, -among whom may be mentioned David Graves and family, John McEntire and family, Charles Smith and family, Samuel Fisher and family, Robert Moore and wife, Thomas Armstrong and family, Benjamin Smith and family, and David Galey and family. There were nine additions to the church at the first meeting, by profession and baptism. This organization was under the labors of Elders John Okane, Oliver B.Willson, and Elisha Scott, who were employed by the Montgomery County Association of all the churches in the county.

In 1856 the Pottenger School-House Society built a frame churchhouse on the Indian creek, into which they removed, and which was thereafter known as the "Indian Creek Church," since which time they have been served by the pastoral labors of Elder O. B. Willson, Joel Ridge, Elder Davis, and Elder Walker. In 1867 the Antioch Society united with the Bank Spring church, of Parke county, to organize the Waveland Society. The Antioch building was removed to Waveland to accommodate the new organization. Before the removal of this church it had been served, as pastors, by Oliver B. Willson, Nathan Write, Elder Hodgkins, and others who visited them only occasionally. The Waveland church was organized under the ministerial labors of Elders O. B. Willson and C. G. Bartholomew. The latter preached the dedicatory sermon in November 1867. These ministers were succeeded by William Holt, A. H. Morris, Thomas Morris, J. T. Piercy, and Elder James Conner, the latter serving the church at the present time.

Elders: Dr. J. P. Kusell, Martin Duly, and Frederick Smith. Deacons: John Warrick, Washington W. Spencer, and James L. Smith. James Woodgate, acting deacon. Trustees: Dr. J. P. Rusell, Martin Duly, and Frederick Smith. A Sabbath-school is associated with the church, under the present superintendence of Miss Alice Russell, with an attendance of fifty to sixty members.

There have been other denominations within the township which have contributed to some extent to the formation of the present religious and moral principles so characteristic of Brown township and vicinity. The " Radical " Methodists have been represented by their pioneers, as may also be said of the United Brethren in Christ. In an early day the Old Lutheran church had her ambassadors on the frontiers, preaching in the cabin homes and baptizing the children of families who belonged to that church before emigrating to the wilderness of Indiana. But as the children of those households grew up to manhood they found homes in other churches.


This is a small village four and a half miles northeast of Waveland, and is situated on the northwest half of Sec. 21. It was laid out by Matthias M. Van Cleave, in 1836, under the name of Brownsville, which was since changed to its present name. It is on the state road, ten miles southwest of Crawfordsville, and is a station on the Logansport, Crawfordsville & Southwestern railroad. It has an important local trade, and daily mail and express. Considerable shipping is done from this point in stock, barrel staves, and products of the country. In view of its central location in the township it was laid out in view of establishing a township town, and competed for this honor with Wave land and a location called Fairview, one mile above Waveland, on the east bank of Little Raccoon, which, however, never attained the title of a village. It has a population of about 100, has three stores, one steam saw-mill, a beautiful village church, and a school-house in the vicinity. It is surrounded by a gently rolling land and fertile soil, cultivated by an industrious and well-to-do people. The farms adjacent are well improved, with pleasant and elegant homes. The first store was opened by Robert Carson, in a small frame building which he built in an early day, and is now occupied as a dwelling-house. The next store was opened by Messrs. Myre and Ulman, who continued in trade two or three years and removed elsewhere. Then William J. Davis built the largest store-house in the village, and stocked it with a full supply of notion goods, where he continued for a number of years, and left the mercantile field to Charles W. Ware, who occupied the same building for four years. In 1836, Mr. Matthias M. Van Cleave predicted that in forty years the cars would be running through the streets of Brown's Valley. It was regarded then the expression of a jest, but the locomotive whistled in Brown's Valley before the expiration of the forty years. C. W. Ware was the first ticket agent. The first physician in the village practice was Dr. Orear, who practiced a number of years.

There is, in the south part of the village, a neat and attractive church edifice, built by, and for the use of, the Missionary Baptist church. This frame structure was erected in 1873 and 1874. The building preceding it was destroyed by fire; but while the ruins were yet smoking a subscription paper was circulating for means to erect another house, which was done, although the former had stood but a few months before it was consumed by the flames.

A lodge of the order of Good Templars has been organized in Brown's Valley a few years, and has done a grand work in restraining young men of promise who were subjected to intemperate influences and were tending to inebriation but for the social influences of the
lodge-room.


A portion of this village is embraced in Brown/ township. This portion of the village is described in the plat thus: The part in the E. i of N.E. i Sec. 1, T. 17, R. 5. The depot of the Logansport, Crawfordsville & Southwestern railroad, in the village, stands in Brown township.