MyIndianaHome.net

    (Note: This history is transcribed from a typewritten paper originally in the Madison-Jefferson County Public Library and came, as noted from records of the Jefferson County Historical Society. Neither the author nor date is given. It was at least partly written before 1908 as it refers to Isaiah Brooks as being still alive in Brooksburg. Brooks died that year. It also refers to reminiscences by P.R. Vernon, who died in 1897. Some material is attributed to Rev. James Lanham who lived 1832-1919. It apparently incorporates material by George S. Cottman, who intended to write a history of all the county's townships. The organizational style is similar to a history of Shelby Township, also prepared for the Historical Society and which contains portions written in 1906 and some later. The Shelby Township history contains a reference which leads me it was written by William E. Ryker and therefore, both of these histories were written by Ryker, the society's president. Misspelled words have been transcribed as written, some overstrikes have been eliminated, and in one place, as noted, a misplaced paragraph has been put in its proper order. R. W. Scott.)

Milton Township. from records of Historical Society, Jeff. Co. Ind.

Milton township, forming the south-east corner of the County, was carved out of old Pittsburgh township and took its present name & boundaries in 1818. Watered by the largest stream in the County, the Indian Kentucky, and its tributaries, its surface is diversified indeed. With picturesque hills and valleys and great stretches of rich bottom lands, it is indeed one of the most inviting sections of the county, and at a very early day attracted settlers.

According to a local reminiscer, P.R. Vernon, the first comers to the Indian Kentuck Valley, antedated the Vawters of the Madison locality, which would make theirs the first settlement in the County, but the statement lacks confirmation.

The exact dates of these earliest settlements cannot, in fact, be established, but at the time the county was organized, a number of persons had taken up land along the creek from its mouth, to the site of Manville. Among these were GEORGE ASH, ROBERT MCKAY, ABRAHAM MCKAY, THOMAS J. GLOVER, JACOB SHORT, GERSHOM LEE, JESSE GRAY, JOHN TAYLOR AND HALSEY TIBBALS, whose name like that of "White Eyes" the Delaware Indian chief, bobs up in about every township in the county.

George Ash's entry, section 17, twp. 3, range 12, dated April 19, 1808 was the first tract to be taken up within the present bounds of the county. This was part of a much larger tract, extending over into Switzerland county, which had been given him by the Indians, but his title to which was not recognized by the United States government. There seems to have been further trouble about this 17th sectional section for in the following October the record shows the same tract to have been entered by Robert McKay, as entry No. 198. Ash was never a resident of Jefferson County, but lived in Switzerland County, directly opposite the mouth of the Kentucky River, where for a number of years, he ran a ferry. Ash has described it as "four miles in length on the river and one mile back."

Two old petitions in possession of the writer contain names of early citizens and afford glimpses of early civil needs. One of these, undated reads.

    "To the Honorable, the Associate Judges of the Jefferson Circuit Court. We, your petitioners, beg leave to state and represent to your Honors that we are situated in a rather remote section of the country and particularly as respects to the want of civil officers, there being at this time a considerable settlement on the Indiana [a struck out], Kentuck, and at present and for a long time past we have not had a justice of the peace within several miles, which places us in a disadvantageous situation as respects to the subjects of controversy that might be determined before a justice. Now in order to remedy these inconveniences and in some measure to bring justice to our doors, we beg again your honors to recommend the appointment of Joseph Howard, or our neighborhood, to fill that office. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, etc."

Signed by Henry Banta, Henry Saylers, Joseph Hankins, David Forester (?), Francis Welchel, John Lee, Mordecai Brooks, Noah Brooks, Jesse Neal, Umphrey Brooks, Daniel Neal, Gershom Lee, Enoch McCarty, Robert McKay, John Bohannon (Buchanan), Stephen Rutherford, Moses Devore, Benjamin Devore, Eliza [RWS note. This probably should be Elija. It seems unlikely a woman could have signed a petition.] Devore, George Burton, Isaac Short, Isaac Howard, James Brown, John Helm, David Demaree, Benjamin Brooks, Nicholas Manville, John Lochred (Lockridge). After the signatures is added this further request. "We, the above petitioners, wish you to appoint John Lanham as constable in the settlement."

The other petition dated 1818 reads;

    "To the Honorable, the Board of Commissioners of Jefferson Co. State of Indiana: We the undersigned, pray your honors to grant us a division of the township of Madison to set off such a part of the township as your honors shall think proper for the accommodation of the inhabitants of Indian Kaintuck and the adjoining settlements. By complying with the above request you will confer a singular obligation on your petitioners. Jan. 26, 1818."

The signatures to these, in addition to the twelve that were on the list of 1816 were; William Welchel, Davis Welchel, John Welchel, Frank Welchel, William W. Welchel, George Helms, Abraham Helms, Isaac Helms, John Helms, Thomas O. Neal, William Neal, James A. Neal, [RWS Note. These three are probably O'Neals.] William McKay, Uriah McKay, Abraham McKay, William Cob. Ambrose Cob, John Henry, Jeremiah Wilkins, David Hutcherson, Samuel Johnson, George Rogers, Wiley Brooks, James Sheridan, John West, Chris Bean, Jacob Short, John Lanham, Thos. Windsaw, Daniel H. Larimore, Nehemiah Vernon, Samuel Heath, Shuble Farr, Andrew Lee and Thomas Von (Vaughn).

In 1815 it is said there was a small settlement on the Dry Fork of Indiana Kentuck, and also a grist mill owned by Nicholas Manville, while "at the forks of the creek, was a settlement and a fort, vague mention of which was made, though we know nothing further about it."

One of the first accounts of grist mills in the township is furnished by the old "writ of Ad(?) quo damnum" which commanded the sheriff of the county, James Vawter, to meet on the 2nd Tuesday of June 1816, with "twelve good and lawful men" at Indian Kentuck Creek, there to view a proposed water mill dam for Nicholas Manville. The instructions were;
    Diligently to examine the ground on both sides of the creek above and below said dam and examine how much land will be laid under water or otherwise injured by the said dam, and assess the damages that may be occasioned thereby, also whether it will annoy the health of the neighborhood, or prevent ordinary navigation or prevent the passage of fish, etc.

The report of Sheriff Vawter was that he had met with his jury as commanded and that all further proceedings were discontinued "by order of applicant, to wit, N.Manville."

Just what this means is not clear, but according to tradition the mill established by Nicholas Manville, where the village of that name stands, dates back to 1816. Another mill said by some to have antedated Manville's was built by a Demaree. Of its location or history nothing is known.

In his reminiscences, P.R. Vernon, an old resident and prominent citizen of Milton twp. tells of the conditions existing at that time. Luxuriant vegetation and wild game in the jungles bounded. Wild turkeys were so numerous that flocks containing hundreds were not uncommon. David McCay trapped so many of them that he would not deign to keep any but the fattest and best. Rattlesnakes and vipers also abounded. Mr. Vernon remembered the Indians that lingered in the locality and says that at one time a band of Delawares of about 43 men, women and children with a large number of horses and dogs, camped for about 3 weeks on a branch of the Indian Kentuck. Their chief "Captain Buck" frequently visited George Ash, the Ohio River ferryman, who was himself like an Indian in habits and tastes.

Vernon's statement as to the rank flora of the Indian Kentuck valley is confirmed by other sources. Elias McKay tells of the colossal trees of that locality, particularly of the sycamores on the farm of his father (Abraham McKay). The hollow trunk of one of these trees, he says, was used as a milk house, another as a snake house, and yet a larger one as a stable, the latter, he affirms, being so huge that within its capacious hollow" tow horses could stand. It was, at one time, used as a hog pen, by way of protection from the wolves. We also hear for a sycamore on the place owned in later years by John Van Buren, which was converted into a dwelling place by a man named West. He made this natural habitation comfortable by putting in it plenty of dry leaves, closed the opening with an artificial door, & here "under the laws of the land, he was entitled to all the rights and privileges of a householder." On one occasion, however, the creek rose suddenly and invaded his domicile, and he was rescued by Benjamin Emberson, who "took a horse and ferried him out."

West, by the account of the Rev. J.W. Lanham, who once wrote a sketch of him for the Madison Courier, was something of a character.

(No date of clipping;)

Among the pioneers of Indian Kentuck Creek, was an old gentleman named West. He entered most of the land along the west fork of the Creek, from the village of Manville up to Turkey Branch, a distance of about 2 miles. In advanced life he and his wife separated on account of "incompatibility" she going to Saluda township to live with her children, and he remaining with his possessions on the Creek. He was industrious, intelligent, thoroughly honest, and ever benevolent. He hated all pride, extravagance and fashion, with deadly hatred. In the summer times he generally dresses in a long, home-made linen robe of shirt. In this garment he was sometimes seen even at church, for he was a devoted Baptist. He sold out all his lands, parcel by parcel, frequently taking his payments in board & lodging, and many a lesson in wisdom, and especially in industry, did he impart to the children. His lands kept him well supplied in corn, and no one needing bread ever went away id??. But if the need was caused by want of industry of providence, a sound lecture accompanied the corn. So averse was he to giving trouble that, in warm weather, he often slept in a large, hollow sycamore tree on the premises now owned by John Van Buren. He made a door to this tree and gathered into it plenty of dry leaves for a bed, and here he though himself "Monarch of all he surveyed". But one night the creek rose suddenly and surrounded his tree while he was in it. He was rescued by the kindness of Benjamin Emerson who took a horses and ferried him out."

The trees that he trimmed in the forests, the stone walls that he built to support the banks of the creek, and the cribs that contained his corn have long since passed away. But a few live who cherish loving memories of this excellent but eccentric man. A number of poor families obtained homes from him on easy terms. He was always ready to deny himself for the good of others, and whatever our community is today, it owes largely to the unostentatious life of "old Man West." His children visited him occasionally, and when he became quite feeble with age, he went to live with them in the lower part of the county, where he finally died."

    The McKay name, above mentioned was familiar in the Indian Kentuck region as early as 1816, for in a document of that date appear the signatures of Robert and David, and in 1818 we find, William, Uriah and Abraham. Fourteen years later, the family had multiplied in numbers only, for in a petition to the County Commissioners, in 1832, protesting against the excessive ferry rates across the Indian Kentuck at its mouth, there are 19 McKays, besides a doubtful one, in the list of signers, these being Tavener, George, James, Jordan, Isaac, two Roberts, William, Jeremiah, Abraham, Abram, Charles, Smith, Floyd, Enoch, Henry, Elias and John--of these Elias had a local fame as a hunter. This petition which is perhaps of sufficient interest to interest reads:

There are 102 signatures to the petition and at its end is added this complaint. [The petition and all the signers are not in the original transcription. Also the names after Jeremiah were omitted and placed on another page. I have put them in their proper place. RWS]

One of the early and important industries of this township and perhaps the first of its kind in the State was the paper mill of John Sheets. Mooney's paper mill is spoken of in the sketch of Monroe township, but Sheet's establishment was much the more important of the two. It stood on Indian Kentuck bank below Manville, its location having been determined, probably, by the never failing water power to be had there. It was built 1829-30 by Nathaniel Bayless, a carpenter and joiner, who came to Madison from Hartford County, Maryland in 1817. William Hughes, an uncle of Dr. Wm. R. Davidson, had charge of the mill, his knowledge having been acquired from his father who had been a larger manufacturer of paper in Ireland. This mill made an excellent quality of rag paper. Mr. Robert Quail who is said to have been skilled in making superior paper is said to have been brought by Sheets from Dayton, Ohio. In 1834 its prosperity seems to have warranted an increase in its facilities, for we find the statement that its capacity is "3,700 sheets per hour or 2,944 sheets more than by the old plan." an advertisement in the Republican banner of the same date follows."
    Mr. Sheets, whose paper mill is seven miles from town, says that he can take the printers shirts from their backs in t he in the morning and have them ground and made into paper so that they may print handbills upon them in the evening of the same day. (Rest torn off. Something about 12 men)

It was operated until 1849, when it ceased as an industry on the Indian Kentuck and some of its machinery was transferred to the Siebenthal flour mill on that stream. William Sheets was a well-known Madison man who was at one time the Secretary of State for Indiana.

JACOB SHORT

    Of the old settlers there is little available data. Jacob Short, a German, who had served under General St. Clair in his disastrous Indian campaign, came in 1810. Jonathan McCarty is mentioned as living here when Short came, with a little three-acre truck patch, around his log cabin, which stood near the spot occupied in later years by George Rowlinson. Bob McCarty, in that day of hard fighters was famed as a champion. Elias McKay was a hunter, also famed for his particular talent. The Shermans, Nathaniel, Benoni and Elisha, came from New York in 1816. Nathaniel, who was a stone-mason, had been a soldier in the War of 1812. Abner Bare came in 1812, and at one time eked out a living by chopping wood at 25 cents per cord, taking his pay in groceries at a high price.

George Ash, the ferryman, above referred to, though not properly a resident of the county, was a picturesque and unique character. He was thought by many to be part Indian because of his appearance, dress and habits of living. This was due to the fact that he had been captured by the Shawnee Indians when a boy of ten, and grew up with them, sharing in their conflicts with the whites in the north west, including the two famous ones with St. Clair and Anthony Wayne. An interesting contribution of the last two is Ash's own account, too long for printing here, as published by an anonymous interviewed in the Indiana Republican of Feb. 24, 1830. After the establishment of peace following Wayne's conquest, Ash returned to the white settlement to learn, if possible, whether any of his own family were living.

At Fort Pitt, he discovered one of his brothers from whom he learned that his father was yet alive in Kentucky. A few months later he proceeded thence, arriving at the home at midnight, and despite his Indiana apparel and his very broken English, he was admitted & made welcome by the unsuspecting brother [sic, must mean father], who affirmed that he had yet to refuse lodging to any man. The two sat before a log fire for some time in silence, when the visitor finally drew the old gentleman into conversation, asking vaguely if he had a son George who had been taken by the Indians many years previously. Dazed by the inquiry, the old man replied "Yes and he was killed in St. Clair's defeat," whereupon the son revealed himself to his aged father and daylight dawned before the latter could be convinced of the truth of the circumstances, to further prove which he conceived of the idea of going for his elder son, Henry in the distant neighborhood, first asking George if he would know his brother Henry if he should see him. George with tearful eyes and trembling voice admitted that he probably would not after the lapse of so many years. His father had accumulated a small fortune & was in possession of several negroes, some fine horses and a wife, George's step-mother, which latter however valuable to the father, proved a stumbling block to the son, whose exit followed upon the heels of his arrival.

He thenceforth crossed the Ohio and pitched his tent upon a site which became his abiding place--directly opposite the mouth of the Kentucky River. This was between 1795 and 1800. Ash made of [sic} living and his personal appearance strongly suggestive of Indian. His ears and nose were mutilated to accommodate ornaments such as silver crosses and "half Moons" with which he lavishly adorned himself. J.H.B. Nowland, the chronicler of early Indianapolis, whose family emigrated from Kentucky in 1820, crossed the Ohio by Ash's ferry and says of the ferryman that "he could scarcely speak a word of English, wore rings in his ears and nose, and dressed in Indian style." Although he had a very good house, he had not a chair or bedstead in it, and lived in every way like a savage."

There existed among the settlers a strong prejudice against Ash and a prevailing suspicion that he had participated in the activities against the whites, some believing that he had been indirectly concerned in the Pigeon Roost Massacre.

A story is told of a fight in which he was surprised and gotten the better of by a much older man. He, with a Mr. Mount and another man passing the mouth of a certain creek, which empties into the Ohio "This is where I called a boat in for the Indians by pretending to be in distress." "What became of them, asked Mount. "All went to hell, for all I know," said Ash, whereupon Mount sprang upon him, bellowing "I'll send you after them" and beat him until his companion interceded and saved his life.

BROOKSBURG, at the mouth of the Indian Kentuck, was laid out by Fletcher Tevis, who built the first house, which was occupied by "Uncle Wiley Brooks"; Jonathan McKay built the second house; Samuel Johnson ran a ferry at the mouth of the creek. The streets were laid out with a yoke of oxen, Isaiah Brooks holding the plow handels [sic], Fountain Greenwood driving. It was a favorite for produce, and a shipping point, by flatboats to southern ports. Coleman Bros., Danner Bros. U.P. Schench [sic] and Whitney were the principal shippers.

Manville Christian church, the first at Manville, Milton twp. (originally of the Baptist denomination, dates back to the twenties. though we cannot ascertain the exact time of its beginning. It began in a somewhat Anomalous fashion, having two preachers, Joseph Hankins and Elder Leavitt; and as these men were not one in doctrine the result was two factions, standing respectively for open and close communion. At the same time Jesse Vawter came occasionally to preach. Then one member, Jacob Short, who became a convert to the ideas of Alexander Campbell, invited Beverly Vawter, of the Christian or the Disciples church, to come and preach, and the doctrines he presented proved so acceptable that the original Baptist Organization became the Manville Christian church, which name it still retains.

The first members were Jacob Short and wife, Elisha Short and wife. Its first ministers were itinerant, these being, Love H. Jameson, John O'Kane, John B. New, Asher Ward and Newton Short. Its regular pastors have been, A.H. Ames, Charles Lanham and J.H. Lanham, the last named having served almost continuously for 54 years.

The Milton Baptist church, 2 miles NE of Manville, was the outgrowth of the Manville Baptist church, was the outgrowth of the Manville Baptist church. [RWS. The statement is wrong. There is no evidence of the existence of a Manville Baptist Church. The Manville Christian church grew out of the Milton Baptist.] On the disorganization of the latter the minority who remained loyal to the Baptist denomination together with other isolated Baptists, found [sic, founded] a new church. Among them were the Hankins, the Vernons and some of the Halls. The principal preacher was Joseph Hankins, the grandson of the Joseph Hankins, who preached at the first church. This second church also disbanded after some years, some of the members going to the Manville Christian church and others into a new church which was called Mt. Pleasant and located on Hall's Ridge.

Milton Baptist church, (now known as Brooksburg Baptist church) [RWS. This church did not become Brooksburg Baptist.] 2 miles northeast of Manville was organized in May, 1840 at the residence of Aaron Hankins. The 1st members were; Aaron, Sarah, Moses, Rachel and Nancy Hankins, William and Elizabeth Hankins, Sarah Hall, Abraham Crandall, Franky Ray, Amy Moore, Sarah Ann Jackson, Jemima Weathers and Nicholas Lock and the Vernons. Services were held in private houses till 1843, when a church building was erected. The first minister was Isaac Christie and he was followed by Joseph Hankins, Joshua Griffeth, Jonathan Allen [sic Allee], Robert Wilson, W.J. Goldsborough, J.N. Wait, Archie Smith, Benj. Tulson, Robert Stevenson, E.K. Blanton, Nicholas Lock, W.H.H. Gleason, Robert Imel & J.W. Renfro.

Joseph Imel was the only minister ordained by this church, but three persons were licensed. Aaron Hankins, the only ordained deacon, was chose and served many years up to 1878; 395 had been received. Authority of J.H. Lanham

Home Methodist church. In 1831 the "Home Church" was organized by persons living in the vicinity of Brooksburg. That year they began the erection of a stone meetinghouse about 2 1/2 miles north of Brooksburg, but before completion it was blown down by a severe storm. Undaunted the building committee, Mordecai Brooks, Rev. John Tevis, Samuel Joyce, John Brooks, Tinsley Vernon, George M. Rowlinson, Gabe Poor and Marshall Gray, proceeded with another structure., which was finished and dedicated as "Home Chapel". In 1875 this building was abandoned because of floods and the backwaters waters, and a new church was built on higher ground. This was dedicated in June, 1880 by Presiding Elder Roberts.

Names given here may be ministers and presiding elders.
      Rev. Jesse M. Brockway
      " R.M. Barnes
      " Wm. Long
      " Jared Sparkes
      " Wm. Morrison.
Longden, Burress, Howe, Pummell, McMahon, Thos. S. Brooks, A.C. Roof, A.M. Thornton, Lemaster, Thos. C. Hunt, Robt. Kinnear, Wesley Turner, Wm. Mellender, J.W. Allen, Thompson.

The ministers of Home church since its beginnings have been the Revs. Hulbert, Tevis, Jones, McIntire, Tarkington & Bellamy.

Another list of ministers (Home church):
Rev. Williams, James Jones, John Daniels, McIntire, Hayden, Hays, G.S. Winchester, Jacob Whiteman, Thomas Gunn, B.F. Creary, Baker, Frank Carey, Lewis _________, Joseph Tarkington, Aron, Enoch and Wiley (Presiding Elders). Rev. Forbes, John Wallace, Rev. Brunner.

ARMSTRONG CHAPEL--MORRIS CHAPEL

(In this sketch of Armstrong Chapel, I have made the most that I could out of the data in the two sketches, which do not harmonize in their statements.) Probably written by Mr. Cottman.

What was known as Armstrong Chapel was founded about the year 1832 or 1843. It took its name from Captain John Armstrong, a well-known steamboat man, who, though not a member of any church, donated ground and money for its establishment. A building committee, consisting of James Brook, William Heath, _______ Gale, Rev. Dr. Tevis, Floyd McKay and David Neal were chosen, and these began a good-sized stone structure, but even with the help that was extended, resources were so meager that work had to be suspended. Captain Armstrong again acted as a stimulus, though in a new & more drastic way. He called the committee together and told them that he would contribute more money, but that if the building was not completed by a certain time, he would take it over and convert it into a distillery. This put the supporting members on their mettle, and by strenuous efforts and much self-denial the structure was finished within the time limit.

Among the first members of Armstrong Chapel, were Miss Atlanta Gale, William Heath & wife, James Brooks & wife, Judge David Cain. Captain William Armstrong and his wife also became members. The church was dedicated by Wm. M. Daily. The 2nd sermon preached in it was by Hosea P. Durbin, the occasion being the funeral of Mrs. Eliza Gale.

The church was for some time quite prosperous, but gradually the Ohio River encroached upon the road that led to it. Then the road was shifted and the church site left isolated and inaccessible. By reason of thei [?] in 1859 (your manuscript says 1856) "Morris Chapel" was built about one mile above Brooksburg on the farm of James Brooks. The first pastor of Armstrong Chapel was Rev. Louis Hurlbut, and the first at Morris Chapel was James Morrison; William Heath was class leader and Sunday school superintendent in both classes, his services extending over a period of 35 years.

Up to the time of the Civil War the Methodists of Hunter's Bottom, directly across the river in Kentucky, frequently crossed the river, and attended these churches. On one quarterly meeting, the presiding elder, Rev. Giles C. Smith, prayed for the Rebels, asking the Lord to have mercy as they "knelt to the ebony idols" and to "knock the scales from the eyes of Jefferson Davis" if that were possible. The Kentuckians who were present oozed away and we are told that they never visited much after that.

UNIVERSALIST CONVENTION

So far as we know there were no early Universalist church in Milton township, but it is of interest to note that the people of that faith, held a convention there as far back as 1837. On July 15th of that year, we find the following announcement in "The Sentinel and Star of the West" a Cincinnati and Madisonville, Ky. publication; published every Sat. by S. and W.B. Tizzard.

"Universalist Convention of the State of Indiana; On Friday the 28th of July, there will be a meeting of delegates, at Sheets' Paper Mill, on Big Indian Kentuck, 7 miles northeast of Madison, Jefferson Co., Ia. and continue in session three days. The object of the meeting is to form a state convention of the Universalists of the State of Indiana--Universalists in all parts of the state who feel an interest in the cause will call meetings and appoint delegates to attend said meeting.

pages 38 & 39 missing.

Elisha Short, born in Kentucky in 1797, came with his father, Jacob Short in 1810 and settled on the Indian Kentuck Creek. When still a youth, he helped his father build a fort on what was afterward the William Lawson place and at times sought refuge there from the Indians. According to him, a band of the Shawnee tribe had their camping ground where Manville stands, and another Indian camp was on lower Dry Fork near the site of the present Home Church. He remember Chief White Eyes and Captain Painter or Panther. He was one of those who first opened up a road from Madison to the mouth of Indian Kentuck and he said that the workmen employed on it grumbled because they thought none of them would ever see a wagon pass over it. Jacob Short the father of Elisha is credited with having the Indian Kentuck region. (?) Elisha died Nov. 13, 1884. [RWS note. It seems possible that the story means to say Jacob named the Indian-Kentuck region.]

WILLIAM LAWSON, an eccentric Scotsman, who resided in Jefferson Co. for more than 50 years, had a valuable farm of some 600 acres near Manville, where his home crowning a height, overlooked the beautiful Indian Kentuck valley. He was popularly known as “Uncle Billy” and was regarded as a “character.” He had a strong personality and was big of heart. He had no children but adopted a family of six or seven girls and cared for them as for his own daughters. He was well-to-do and was said to have received large annuities from an estate in Scotland. He died October 17, 1873, and was buried, in compliance with his own request, on the top of a high Indian mound on his own farm.

JAMES HILL of Milton Township was born in Green Co. Pa. July 5, 1814. In 1837 he came to Madison to secure employment on the public works that were then under way, pursuant to the internal improvement act of 1836. He was employed on the Madison and Indpls Railroad and was connected with its construction for about 12 years. The deep cut on the inclined plane, which was undertaken by various successive contractors, and completed after much delay and difficulty was at one time placed in charge of Mr. Hill. After leaving the service of the railroad, he went into the cooper business in Madison in partnership with Thos. Brunton, continuing at this for 6 or 8 years. For three or four years after this he was in the lumber business with J.C. Logan; then in 1859 he bought a farm adjoining Brooksburg, where he lived until his death.

In 1885 Mr. Hill was elected State Senator from Jeff. Co. He also served four or five terms as councilman of Madison and was at one time county commissioner. He married in 1845 to Mary Ann Taylor and they had 7 children; 4 sons and 3 daughters, three of the sons are citizens of Jeff. Co. William L., Charles and Frank.

NOAH BROOKS, came to the mouth of Indian Kentuck in 1814 with his father Humphrey Brooks, from North Carolina. His son, Isaiah, is still living at Brooksburg. The town took its name from Noah Brooks who with Fletcher Tevis laid it out in 1840. The children of Humphrey Brooks were Noah, Mordecai, Wiley, Susan, Mary, Elizabeth and Nancy. All but Wiley remained and died here. Nancy m. Jesse Neal; Elizabeth m. Daniel Neal; Susan m. Samuel Johnson; Mary m. Daniel Larimore.