Settlement of Licking Township

    It is a remarkable fact that while most of the immigrants, settling in Blackford previous to 1840 are dead, the very first settler is still living, namely, the lively Jacob Reasoner, who yet resides upon section 6, Licking Township, where he first located in the spring of 1832. What a history of change this venerable patriarch must have witnessed! Can anyone grasp in a moment the wonderful contrast? To behold the entire revolution at one view is not to realize it in imagination, and to call up in the mind all the details is an endless task. Is it possible for anyone born in modern times to conceive the unbroken wilderness that surrounded Mr. Reasoner's first residence here? Woods and wolves, bears and deer, panthers and Indians, alone constituted the unlimited scene that monotonously presented itself to his vision for many long years.

    Benjamin Reasoner, father of Jacob, was the first to enter land in Blackford County.

    As it is impossible, at this late day, to fix precisely the date of the arrival of all the pioneers, we shall, in the main, introduce conveniently the names of those who settled in the county previous to 1840.

Licking Township

    Jacob Reasoner, in 1832, just mentioned.

    Andrew Boggs, in 1833, settled on land a part of which is now owned by David M. Mercer, southeast of Hartford City. He was a thin-visaged, hawk-eyed man, yet shrewd. His cabin was the place of meeting for the first commissioners, courts, etc. He afterward sold out and moved to a point north of Roanoke, Huntington County, where he died, at about ninety years of age.

    Nicholas Friend, a man of changeable mind, came with Mr. Boggs, was the first county agent, and subsequently moved to the same neighborhood in Huntington County, and after several years to the more distant West. His wife became the wife of Mr. Boggs. While in this county Mr. Friend had a colored man in his employ.

    John Grimes settled on the Big Lick creek some time prior to 1834, and built the first water-power grist-mill in the county.

    John Lewis also build a grist-mill on the same stream, three miles southwest of Hartford about that time, sold it to George Atkinson, ran it awhile longer, and moved to Rock River, Illinois, where he passed the remainder of his days.

    George Atkinson settled on section 32 or 33, ran the grist-mill just referred to for a  time, was well known to a strict Presbyterian, and finally died in 1849.

    Joseph Atkinson, his brother, settled near him, on the opposite side of the creek, a poor man, a carpenter for several years and then farmer, reared a large family, yet became wealthy, and died at that place.

    Jacob Slater located on section 34, where he died in 1839, and his wife a year afterward. His son James married in 1839, settling three miles south of Hartford City, where he remained until his death, was justice of the peace many years.

    Robert Stewart remained a resident of Licking Township until his death, at the age of ninety years. John, his son, is also deceased. Dr. Henry Stewart, another son, was a botanic physician, associate judge, settled near his brother, and lived until 1884.

    In 1852 during the early days of the California gold excitement, it is related that Robert Stewart, Jr., still another member of the above family, started across the plains, in company with others, and did with Asiatic cholera on the way. Another member of the company, also named Stewart, declared that he would kill the first Indiana his saw. He fulfilled his threat, but the victim chanced to be a squaw, with a papoose. The savages, learning the fact, surrounded the white company and endeavored to compel them to reveal the murder's name. This they refused to do for some time; but the Indians, becoming furious, declared they would kill the whole company if they would not tell who killed their squaw. The emigrants, seeing that they were at the mercy of the red savages, finally revealed the perpetrator's name, whereupon the Indians took him aside and skinned him alive! The miserable wretch dragged himself along after the company for about two miles before he gave up, exhausted!

    In 1834, or previously, Hiram Dilley settled on what is now the William Carrell place.

    Francis Kirkpatrick, still living, came this year and settled on section 34.

    At this time there were but thirteen families living in the territory composing the county, and they boasted of a population of sixty-five persons. The descriptions these pioneers give of the country and its mode of living does not make one long for the hardships and privations of pioneer life. Fifty-tow years ago the white man's cabin began to make its appearance. The county at that time was an unbroken wilderness, and wolves and deer were plenty, and the bear and panther were occasionally seen. This "howling wilderness," from these small beginnings has gradually disappeared, and in its place cultivated fields and blooming orchards, and all the evidences and comforts of modern civilization are visible on every hand. There were no disunion or labor questions disturbing the unity of these early pioneers; but they, like brethren, dwelt together in unity, and those living miles apart were always glad to see each other, and though separated by forests and swamps, surrounded by what seems to us the most adverse circumstances, yet their re-union at log-rollings and house-raisings were many and joyous.

    Eli Rigdon, a cousin of the noted Mormon leader of the same surname, and one of the first county commissioners, came to Licking Township in the earliest days, but subsequently moved to Wheeling, Delaware County, where he died while he was keeping a store. He was a very intelligent man.

    John Beath settled near Joseph Atkinson, about 1835, was a justice of the peace, county commissioner, etc., recently sold his land to the county for a poor farm, and moved to the county seat in 1871, where he died in 1886.

    "General" Joseph P. Vancleve first settled east of Hartford City, but soon commenced herding cattle, mostly north and west of town, with a gun over his shoulder, on horseback, in partnership with Asher Vancleve. His son, William , built the fine large business block on the west side of the public square in Hartford City. Joseph and Asher were both single men on arrival here. They remained resident here until death, the latter dying about December, 1885.

    Jonathan Hughes, a constable, died a few years ago, where he first settled, and Gabriel Hughes, who died in an early day, were settlers in Licking in 1835 or 1836. About he same time came Frederick and Henry Selig, Allen K. Gadbury, John Cunningham, Samson Dildine, H.C. Baldwin, Michael Cline and others. Dildine died in Jackson Township.

    Michael Cline came in 1836, first settling near the southern line of the county, then removed to Hartford City, where he started a pottery, and ran it for ten or fifteen years. His son William, is now living near the northern limit of the city.

    Benjamin Reasoner, a brother of Jacob, moved back to Ohio. James H. Reasoner, who for a while had a small grist-mill four miles southwest of Hartford City, is not now living.

    Mrs. Turner lived four miles west of Hartford City.

    Elijah Sims, who settled on section 22, was a Methodist preacher, and the only minister in the county having authority to perform the marriage ceremony for a number of years. He died where he first settled in this county. He had married a second wife, who after his death, married a Mr. Gothup, and is again a widow.

    James Parker settled on the Big Lick, and remained there until his death. David Stout, the first supervisor, located on the same creek, above Mr. Parker. Alexander Kirkpatrick remained here till his death. Aaron and Archibald McVicker, other early settlers, are also deceased. Elias Craw was a resident of this township from pioneer times until his death. Nathan Jones established the old homestead, which some of his grandchildren now occupy. Henry Secrist moved to Illinois. James and Newton Romine were immigrants here prior to 1840. Newton removed to Hartford City in 1846, where he ran a saw mill for a period. Both are deceased. Alfred Fuller first settled west of Hartford, then removed to the city, and afterward left the county. Uriah B. Hull moved away three times, and finally went to the State of Missouri. Simeon and Levi Conley (or Connelly) moved away about 1842. Levi Bourne remained a citizen here until his death. Henry Harman, Samuel Roberts and Joseph Gettys, pioneer settlers of Licking, are all deceased.

    William Henley, father of Dr. Henley, settled here previous to 1840, bought afterward a great deal of Hartford City property, and remained a resident here until his death.

    John Marley was the first blacksmith in Hartford City. He returned to Ohio.

    Abraham Stahl settled in Licking Township in 1839, and is the best known old pioneer in Hartford City. From him many facts have been obtained for this history of Blackford County.

    William Campbell came about 1840; was a justice of the peace in this township, and died about ten years ago.

    Thomas Sharon returned to Ohio in 1845. Joseph Wade, a pioneer, died in 1850 of cancer.  John Brugh, first county clerk, and long an eminent citizen, had  a horse-mill at Hartford City for some years.

    Abraham Cassell, the first county surveyor, surveyed the original plat for the town of Hartford. He died a few years ago.

    Jacob Clark, Sr. and Jr., are both deceased. Joseph Gettys settled a mile and a half south of Hartford City, and died long since. James A. Gadbury was a citizen here until his decease. Aaron Hughes came previous to 1840. David Hart moved form the county long ago. James Gillespie was another pioneer, of whom little is known.

    Henry Harmon and Adam Cunningham remained here until their decease.

    Lair Runion, a Methodist preacher, died here about twenty years ago.

Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1887.