rst Settlers of Washington County, Indiana
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In reply to:
William Rodman b. 31 Oct 1721
Lucy Kingman 11/15/09
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First Settlers of Washington County, Indiana
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. 701
Blythe located on Section 8 late in 1809. Daniel Gray settled on Section 9 in 1810, and about this time came >*James Rodman*, *Jacob Garriott*, and soon afterward Alexander Huston, Samuel Huston, David Fouts, Solomon Bowers and many others. The settlement of the township was slow until after the war of 1812, except in the northeastern part. By 1815 there were probably twenty families in the township, living, of course, in rude log-cabins. Samuel Taylor built on Section 26 about 1816, and John Robinson located near >him. *James Rodman* bought a farm on Section 18 about >1815. His *son Thomas* was born there. The latter was precocious and was sent to West Point, from which institution he graduated with high honors. He afterward became the inventor of the famous Rodman gun. Samuel Blanbenbaker became a resident in 1815. Before him were Zachariah McAllister, Mr. McGill, Thomas Hodges, Enoch Parr, Tart Fordyce, Robert Sellers, John Hartley, James Hartley, Samuel Hartley, a blacksmith, and others.
PIONEER INDUSTRIES.
Anthony Head was the first blacksmith and gunsmith; he lived on Section 7. William Lakey was the first chair-maker. Richard Lockwood had a tannery at New Philadelphia in 1831. William 'Hamilton started another there later. Charles Kendall started one in the fifties.
John Raybell owned and conducted an early tannery. *Benjamin Rodman* conducted another. John R. Vance and Caleb Lockwood ran an early one also. Isaac S. Bloss was another early farmer. In an early day the manufacture of tubs, barrels, etc., was conducted quite extensively.
> John Markwell, *Jacob Garriott*, Anthony Hinkle, John Robinson and others conducted early distilleries. Hartley the blacksmith was a famous auger-maker.