Pioneers of Marion County by Wm. M. Donnel, 1872

Part II, Chapter XXVIII

Swan Township - Its Geography and Early History - First Election - Names of First Settlers -
First Birth and First Marriage - C. M. Thomas - Daniel Hunt - First School - First Orchard -
First Preachers - Andrew Schirner - A Severe Crisis - Wheeling - Lynching the Castners

This township is all of town. 77, range 21, south of the Des Moines river, with the additions of 5 and 6, and the half of sections 1, 2, 3 and 4, belonging to town. 76, same range. It is bounded on the north by Perry, on the east by Union, on the south by Pleasant Grove, and on the west by Warren county. Numerous small streams run through the township, mostly from south to north. Coal abounds in various parts, and thin veins have been found in wells of considerable depth. Several veins have been opened by John Shook; one three miles east of Wheeling, by J. F. Smith; and one near and west of Wheeling by Wm. Carte. that of Mr. Smith has been most extensively worked, and is about four feet thick. This township is rather more than half timbered, the small streams being widely margined by heavy growths, covering all the northern part, except the wide strip of bottom land along the Des Moines river, called Hoosier Prairie, so named from the number of people from Indiana who settled on and about it. Part of this tract is uncultivated, being quite sandy and subject to inundations from the river. The southern part of the township is mostly prairie, with here and there a beautiful native grove.

Swan was organized in ‘51, being up to that date a part of Perry, and was separated into a district township by order of the board of commissioners, in compliance with the petition of her citizens, for reasons already stated in the history of Perry. It was called Swan from the beauty and brevity of the name, by the suggestion of a former citizen of Swan township, Athens county, Ohio.

The first election was held at the house of Moffett, at which Wilson Groom was elected clerk. John Shook was justice at the time the township was organized, and held over. At this time Gilson Shook was elected constable.

The first election of which there is any preserved record, took place on the 4th of April, ‘53, at the house of Charity Groom. Judges - John Noyes, Jacob Haynes, and Edward Murray; clerk, C. C. Wilkie; deputy clerk, J. W. Brand. Number of votes cast, 37, by which the following officers were elected: J. Metcalf and Samuel P. Hamilton, justices; A. G. Young and Robert McElroy, constables; James Metcalf, Jacob Haynes, and Edward Murray, trustees; Eli M. Cole, assessor; and H. W. Groom, clerk.

The following are the names of persons who settled in this at the earliest dates: Charles M. Thomas, Wm. H. Parmer, Jesse Johnson, James Crabb, John Firman and two sons, John Henry and John Stroop, in ‘46; John Groom, Wm. Groom, Jesse Walker, Harrison Freel, the three Markly brothers, Wm. Bundren and his sister, Mary Tout, in ‘46; Daniel Hunt, Andrew Schirner, John Butcher, and the Childers family, in ‘47. Of these but seven still live in the township, to-wit: C. M. Thomas, W. H. Parmer, Jesses Johnson, John Henry, Daniel Hunt, Andrew Schirner and John Butcher. James Crabb lives in Perry, the Grooms are dead, and the others unknown.

The first white child born in the township was Emma Jane, daughter of Wm. H. Parmer, born October 8, ‘46. She is now the wife of James H. Easley, and still lives in the township.

The first marriage was that of Wm. Markley and Eva Groom, in February, ‘48.

Chas. M. Thomas was born in Pennsylvania, moved to Virginia at an early age, from thence to Van Buren county, Iowa, and from thence to his present residence in Swan, during the last week in ‘45. During his residence in Van Buren county, Mr. Thomas was made the victim of treachery, by which he nearly lost his life. Having a partnership interest in a claim there, he had been assisting his partner in the erection of a house, and was to receive his pay in return help. Being fond of milk he was treated to a mess of it at meal time, and took violently sick directly after, from which he did not recover for several weeks. From the sudden and violent nature of his sickness, and remarks made by his partner, it was evident that the latter had drugged the milk with a view of putting Mr. T. out of his way, and getting full possession of the claim.

Mr. Thomas has still in his possession a coffee mill with which the family ground several bushels of buckwheat during the early part of their pioneer life in Swan.

Daniel Hunt was a native of New Jersey, from whence he first moved to Ohio, from thence to Iowa in ‘40, and to Swan in the autumn of ‘47, and made a claim where Asher Kise now lives. He sowed the first timothy in the township, in the spring following, one-half acre in all, and sold nine bushels of the yield in seed to James Thornburgh. Mr. Hunt is now a successful stock raiser.

John E. Groom taught the first school in the township, in a small cabin originally owned and occupied by a man named Moore, on the east side of what is now Daniel Hunt’s farm, on Hoosier Prairie, at what date we have been unable to learn. At this time the grass grew tall on this prairie, and Harrison Freel plowed a pathway for his children to travel in to school, which is still dimly visible.

The first orchard was planted by Jesse Walker, on land now owned and occupied as a farm, by Jacob Camp. Only four or five of the trees still live, the trunks of which are between twelve and eighteen inches in diameter.

The Rev. Mr. Forbes, United Brethren, was the first person remembered to have preached in this township. Revs. Johnson and Gardner were the first Methodist preachers that organized societies of this denomination here.

Andrew Schirner came from Germany in ‘36, and settled in Indiana. From thence he came to his present place of residence in Swan, in March, ‘47, and purchased a claim from Michael Keeterman. This claim was mainly in the timber, and the only improvement made upon it was a small cabin, of that temporary construction usually denominated a “claim pen,” having neither floor, door nor windows. Mr. S. however, borrowed a saw of his nearest neighbor, Jesse Walker, and soon made an opening for his house, and added such other improvements as were indispensable to a dwelling. He then took possession of it with his wife and five children.

But now came a crisis such as many pioneers have had to pass through, yet all with that degree of safety that should impress upon their minds the fact that there is a Providence that rules even in the temporal affairs of this life, and grants relief just when it is most needed to save the destitute from the worst consequences of their destitution. Mr. Schirner now found his finances reduced to twenty-five cents, and his provisions to meal enough to last a day or two, besides a little coffee. Here, in a wilderness, destitute of means, what but starvation should follow the consumption of their limited supply. And, to add to the poor man’s distress, the good wife, feeling, perhaps, more deeply the trying situation, as women are apt to feel it, began to weep and chide her husband for bringing them there to perish. Mr. S. thereupon concluded to try his luck at hunting, though he was not a practiced hunter, and game was not abundant. But fortunately he did not have to go far ere he found and killed a pheasant; then a couple of quails, and, on his return, a squirrel. These, with the meal and coffee, served as a temporary bait; and when they were consumed, went visiting to Jesse Walker’s, where they obtained a supply of meal and meat to last till more permanent provisions could be made for their future wants. Mr. Schirner is now in independent circumstances, and refers to his early pioneer hardships in a way that gives them rather a comical than grave aspect; as events we might have wept over at the time, now assume a phase decidedly amusing to us, as we look down upon them from our elevated and independent positions.

On the 5th of July, 1851, Thomas Palson and John Rankin caused to be surveyed on land owned by them, on the north west-quarter of the north east-quarter of section five, and called it Wheeling, in honor of Wheeling, Va., as suggested by Henderson Palson. Surveyor, James Rousseau; chain carriers, Henderson Palson and Elisha Hardin. By agreement the plat was equally divided between the proprietors, Palson being proprietor of the east and Rankin of the west side. The first house was built by James Wilson, the second by Henry Hamilton, and the third by C. C. Wilkie. That by Wilson was a frame, and the others were log houses. The first postmaster was James Wilson, and he also had the first blacksmith shop in town. Present postmaster, John Palson. Mails tri-weekly. The first goods were sold by James Walters and John Butcher. The first physician located in town was C. C. Wilkie, who is still a citizen and in practice. He came originally from New York, in 1849, resided in Knoxville several months and finally located in Wheeling, in 1853.

Wheeling has never grown beyond the proportions of a small country village, but its location is pleasant, being on level upland prairie, surrounded by a rich farming country, with timber and coal convenient.

In concluding the history of this township we shall take occasion to relate a sensational event that took place in ‘49, in which a number of citizens of this and Pleasant Grove were participants.

In ‘47 a family named Castner came from Missouri and settled about two miles west of Wheeling, where James Thornburgh now lives. The family consisted of five brothers, Jonas, William, John, Ebenezer, and James - all grown men except the last named, who was still a boy - and their mother. Jonas was married, and afterwards took up his residence near Hartford, Warren county.

The reputation of the Castners previous to their coming here was such as to justify the opinion that they were no profitable addition to the settlement, and their movements were closely observed by those who felt interested in the fair fame of the community, and the safety of property. It was believed that the Castners had been driven from Missouri for some misdemeanor of theirs there, and it was therefore deemed not advisable to permit them to remain here undisturbed longer than they should give the people an excurse for disturbing them. Such an occasion eventually transpired. Bill went to Illinois on a marauding expedition, where he aided in a daring robbery, and was caught and lodged in jail at Quincy. From there he somehow managed to escape, and was so closely pursued to within a short distance of his home that he was compelled to swim the Des Moines river somewhere below Des Moines City, and finally escaped.

News of Bill’s escape from jail reached the people here, and a number of them determined to watch for his return to head-quarters. Having secreted themselves so as to observe the approach of anyone, they patiently watched and listened till past midnight for whatever signs might indicate the fugitive's arrival. They knew his family expected him that night, and that his brother John had joined him after he had crossed the river; but it was now evident that the Castners believed, or at least suspected that they were watched, and therefore acted with extreme caution.

At last the deep silence of that after-midnight was broken by the hooting of an owl not far away in the timber, and this was presently answered by one near the house. This was taken by the watchers to mean something more than what owls are supposed to mean by it; but there was not the time to look for an explanation. When daylight came the squad surrounded the house, and Eb. and Jim were taken into custody. Being told that the owl signals had been heard, and that they must give a truthful explanation of their meaning or be whipped, they both denied any knowledge of it. But this their custodians believed to be false, and resolved to force them to tell the truth; so they led them away to a convenient place to administer the pursuasive hickory. Seeing what was about to take place, poor old Mrs. Castner attempted to follow, declaring that if her boys were to suffer she would suffer with them; but she was rudely driven back by one of the men, and told that they only meant to whip them, a punishment her boys had been accustomed to.

Now being convinced that he must tell the truth or be severely whipped, Jim, the boy, stated that the hooting of the owls was by his brother Bill and John to let him and Eb. know where they were, so that they could take them something to eat. This was satisfactory, and Jim was released. But Eb. concluded that he would stand the thrashing rather than tell, and the whip was vigorously applied; after which he was a second time admonished to confess or have the process repeated. Now being convinced that a confession would be more agreeable than another application of the gad, he corroborated Jim’s statement.

They then led their custodians to the place of rendezvous, and their statement was further corroborated by the trail they had made through the dewy grass. But the fugitive brothers had again fled, and it was believed that pursuit would then be in vain.

They thereupon turned their attention to the further disposal of their prisoners, by ordering them, with the whole family, to quit the country within a given time, or abide certain consequences. But, as the time of grace expired without any movement on the part of the offenders to comply with the command, the citizens again collected to enforce it. They compelled the Castners to rig up their conveyance and load their plunder, and then accompanied them beyond Bremen, Monroe county, where they left the next morning, after having seen them start on another day’s journey.

Some time after this Eb. returned to his brother Jonas’, in Warren county, on pretense of settling up some business connected with the family. Here a number of citizens of this and Warren county followed him, and Wesley Jordan was made captain of the company. On approaching the house Jonas and Eb. who were at a spring watering their horses, having their guns with them as though they anticipated an attack hastened in. The company now drew up in line in front of the house, and Jonas came to the door and ordered their captain not approach beyond a certain limit, which , however, he did, and called for Eb. The latter then came to the door with his head bound up and a great butcher knife in his hand. Seeing this, the captain told him the company was not prepared to hear him when coming thus armed; that he had promised to not return to the country, and that he would now be voted a limited time to leave it again or be severely dealt with. Also, inasmuch as Jonas rested under strong suspicions of villainy, he, too, would be dealt with in like manner. A vote was then ordered in Jonas’ case, all being in favor of his expulsion to step one pace front. Hearing this, Jonas raised his gun and threatened to shoot any one that stepped forward. Instantly every rifle was deliberately aimed at him, the hammers of which were set and fingers pressed upon them. Seeing his critical situation, Jonas quickly stepped within doors. The vote was taken, and the Castners evacuated the country within the time specified.

Population of Swan by U. S. census of 1870:

Natives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 978
Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1001

Transcribed by Mary E. Boyer, 12/06, reformatted by Al Hibbard 12 Oct 2013.