The First Settlers—Heathcoat Picket—William Cotton — The Swiss Settlement—the Dufour Family—George Ash. As we begin these pages the autumn of 1885 is upon us, softly tinting in harmonious hues of green and gold the whole drowsy landscape of woodland, hillside and stream. From every quarter come the humming, whirring sounds of industry; of busy hands that wield the ax, the hammer or the hoe, of busy wheels that whirl upon the street or in the mills and factories of wood and wool and cereal. Up from the old Ohio River come floating on the soft south winds the steamer Fleetwood's mellow signal notes, while, pheasant like, she beats with muffled wings the feathery waves, and, swan like, floats upon the river's rippling bosom.

How different the scene of ninety years ago! Then not a cabin graced the whole domain of Switzerland, save possibly the dingy huts of some poor "squatters," intent upon their angling or the chase. Where now the corn and fruit grow richest, then stood the giant oak, the poplar and the walnut in all their pristine grandeur. The Indians, by Scott and Harmar, Wayne and Wilkinson defeated and subdued, though they had loosed their bow strings, and laid their scalping knives to rust until more days should give them courage, still dwelt in numbers in their forest home. The timid deer played o'er the brushy hills and vales, or met in shy assemblies at their native licks, while lazy, ambling bruin, in peace as perfect, found comfort in his favorite "wallow," and feasted on the festive yellow-jacket at his leisure. The snarling wolf, in savage fierceness, howled o'er the carcass of his latest victim. The sly fox, hard by his burrow, barked unceasingly, or, with fleet foot, pursued to death the timorous hare. An occasional panther crept stealthily through the matted vines and briers of the sylvan jungle, while frequently upon the midnight air, from the depths of the primeval forest, rang out the weird "yeoul" of the wicked wild cat. The raccoon merrily muttered in his apparently aimless meanderings up and down the forest streams, pausing here and there to pluck from his aqueous retreat the chilly frog, whose bones ho stripped in sweet complacency. The ground-hog shrilly whistled from the entrance to his burrow in tho bank; the squirrels in countless numbers frisked from tree to tree, nipping tho swelling buds or feasting on the ripened nut fruits of their winter's store; the turkeys called and gobbled from the hills and fallen tree tops, as ever and anon sly reynard charged upon their brood; the native song birds warbled gayly from the leafy boughs, which swayed and nodded to the sighing breeze, and thus the melody of Nature's roundelay was made complete.

Cincinnati was laid out in 1789, in which year John Cleves Symmes located at North Bend, Ohio, on the Ohio River. Here in March 1795 one man was killed and eight horses stolen by the Indians, the last act of the kind committed by them in that locality. In the same year several families had located at Lawrenceburgh, Ind., and gradually the tide of immigration moved southward, striking Switzerland County about 1795.


The first settler in the county, of whom any definite account can be given, was Heathcoat Picket, who located above Plum Creek, about three miles above Vevay, in 1795, and there built a cabin and resided for several years. There was an abundance of wild game, and their bread was made from corn ground on a hand-mill. The family consisted of the father, mother, two sons and one daughter, who endured many privations, and often narrowly escaped the tomahawks and scalping knives of the savage Indians. In 1798 the Cotton and Dickson families settled on Indian Creek, a few miles back from the Ohio River, and in 1799 Robert Gullion settled on the Ohio River bottom, above the mouth of Log Lick Creek. In 1800 Louis Jones settled on Bryant's Creek and entered land, on which he died about 1813. He was a native of Virginia, and there married Elizabeth Bocock, who died about 1823. They moved from Virginia to Kentucky, and settled at the mouth of the Kentucky River, and from there came into this county. Two of their children, Stephen Jones and Mrs. George Palmer, are living in Posey Township.

Heathcoat Picket was a man of considerable energy and for many years piloted flat-boats down the river. He was notable as a pedestrian and perhaps made more trips to New Orleans as pilot of flat-boats and returned by land through the Indian country on foot, than any other person of his or any other period. He is said to have made over twenty trips in this manner. He also built the first flat-boat, known as an "Orleans boat," ever built in the county of Switzerland. Robert Drake, who also settled in this locality about 1798, married a sister of Heathcoat Picket, lived on Plum Creek for some time, removed to Arnold's Creek, and came to Pleasant Township and purchased part of Section 16, 'or the school section. While living on Plum Creek in the year 1800 he had a daughter born, said to have been the first child born in the county. John Rayl located here about the same time at the foot of Vevay Island. Griffith Dickason joined the band about the same period, and one Maguire was also among the number. Improbable as it may seem, Maguire owned a cow, and baa been given the credit of having been quite generous in dispensing the lacteal to bis less fortunate neighbors. Wolves were very numerous and did great damage to hogs and calves. The Legislature of the Territory passed an act allowing a bounty of $1 for the scalp of each wolf, which the person claiming the bounty should prove to the satisfaction of the county court, he or she had killed. Under that law an allowance was made by the county court as follows: "Elizabeth Jones is allowed one dollar for the scalp of a wolf killed by her in 1814." Heathcoat Picket and his brother James were out hunting on the ridge just west of Jacksonville, near where there was a "bear wallow." Heathcoat went on one side of the ridge and James on the other, thinking to chase a deer around. While thus separated, James was surrounded by a pack of wolves, which commenced howling, with their heads raised as if looking at something in the tree tops. Heathcoat hearing the wolves, went over to where the noise was, when he saw the wolves around James, and James looking up into the trees to see what the wolves were barking at. Heathcoat asked James: "What does this mean?" James replied: "These dogs have treed something—see how they are barking at it!''


William Cotton crossed the river from Kentucky in 1798, and while erecting his cabin took up his abode in a large sycamore on Indian Creek, on the farm now owned by Mrs. McMackin. In 1805 he moved farther up the stream to the farm which has since borne his name, and here he resided till his death in 1839. He was a farmer by occupation, and possessed of a good stock of hard sense. Mr. Cotton was born in Virginia, March 13, 1776, and removed to Kentucky in his early youth. He took an active part in the politics of Indiana, and was the first justice of the peace for the county, receiving his appointment from Gen. Harrison, then governor of the Territory.

After his appointment another citizen coveting the office went to Gen. Harrison to procure the removal of Mr. Cotton, and secure his own appointment, and put in as a plea that Mr. Cotton was rather a poor penman. Harrison asked, "Is he honest?" Being answered in the affirmative, he assured the applicant that he could not grant his request. The point of the joke was that Gen. Harrison was much the poorer penman of the two. He was appointed associate judge in 1814. At an election held May 13, 1816, he was chosen a delegate to the constitutional convention that framed the first constitution of Indiana. He was twice appointed by President Monroe to value the improvements of the Indians at the Indian villages in the northern part of the Territory of Indiana and Ohio. He was elected a member of the first Senate that convened after the State was admitted into the Union, and held the position a number of years; was afterward elected to the House of Representatives.

In 1806 the Government sent surveyors go survey the land. They employed Mr. Cotton as hunter, with the contract that should he kill game enough in one day to supply them for more than the one day, then he should have the time as his own; but if he failed to procure a supply of game, then he was to make good the deficiency by a draft on his stock of hogs, which consisted of four small pigs. The pigs were saved. During the war of 1812 the residents of the neighborhood were "forted" at the Residence of William Cotton for some weeks on account of fear of Indians. They were not molested by Indians, but one night they received quite an alarm from another source. The usual quiet of the camp was disturbed by a man calling from the hill on the west, requesting admittance to the fort, claiming to be a bearer of dispatches from Gen. Harrison, then at Fort Harrison, to Cincinnati. All the dogs, and there were not a few of them, were turned out a6 guards, a council was called, and it was decided to send out a man to investigate. They soon satisfied themselves that no treachery was intended, brought the young man within the fort, gave him such refreshments as they had, then took him on the Mount Sterling hill and started him on his way to Cincinnati.

Soon after the land was surveyed Mr. N. Longworth, of Cincinnati, sent an agent prospecting for land. Mr. Cotton entertained the agent as best he could and refused any compensation. Soon after a passing keel-boat left at Vevay a box addressed to William Cotton; the box proved to be a present from Mr. Longworth. Among other household comforts it contained a few Mackinaw blankets, one of which is now in the possession of John F. Cotton.

William Cotton probably owned and used the first hand-mill for grinding meal in this part of the Territory. For flour they went to Bardstown, Ky. Christiana Froman Cotton,wife of William Cotton,was born in Pennsylvania, September 24, 1776. A few years later her parents removed to Kentucky, where in 1794, she married, and four years later removed with her husband to the Territory of Indiana. She early experienced religion and united with the Baptist Church at the "Point," now Carrollton, Ky., and was baptized at that place. She with a few others in 1810, organized the Indian Creek Church, now Center Square. The church was then located on Indian Creek, near the mouth of Pendleton Run, and was the first Baptist Church in the county.

Soon after coming to Indiana Mr. Cotton returned to Kentucky for provisions. While absent one of the two children they brought with them sickened and died. Nothing in the way of coffin or special burial clothes could be had, not even so much as a plank with which to make a box. Mr. John Tague, their only neighbor came to the lone mother's assistance, made a rude coffin and buried the child. In the early history of the county the Cotton relatives were somewhat numerous; many of them held public positions in the county. Ralph Cotton, a brother of William, represented the county a number of years in the Legislature. Ralph B. Cotton was sheriff of the county. James M. Cotton represented the county in the Legislature two years.


The Dufour family, which subsequently took a prominent part in the settlement and development of this county, emigrated from Switzerland, in 1801, and located in the big bend of the Kentucky River, four miles above Hickman Creek, the site having been selected by one of the family, John James Dufour, who crossed the Atlantic for that purpose in the spring of 1790. In 1802, they began preparations for settlement in this county, in which year John James Dufour positioned Congress to pass an act authorizing him and his associates to outer lands on an extended credit, with a view of giving thorn an opportunity of introducing the culture of the grape in the United States.

May 1, 1802, an act was passed by Congress and became a law, giving them the privilege of selecting four sections of land on a credit of twelve years. Under that act about 2,500 acres wore selected. About 1,200 acres more adjoining were entered and paid for, as other purchasers of the public land entered land, and after they commenced settling on those lands, the colonists gave to it the name of New Switzerland. There were but few settlers near those lands when the settlement by the Swiss families was commenced.

The lands thus selected were fractional Sections 7 and 18, Town 1, Range 2; Sections 12 and 15, and fractional Sections 13, 14, 22,23, and 27, Town 2, Range 3 west, extending along the Ohio River from Hunt's Creek down to the lands of Francis E. Mennet, whose father (Samuel Mennet) Frederick L. Raymond, Frederick Deserens, Louis Gex, and Luke Oboussier, had joined the Swiss colony and purchased some of the lands. The lands thus selected by John J. Dufour and his associates were divided and sold in the following manner:

The lands of Samuel Mennet were first set off. Next above 319 acres to Louis Gex and Luke Oboussier, who had 50 acres just below the tract on which the Widow Norisez now resides; 150 acres just below the Gex tract to Frederick L Raymond and Frederick Deserens; 160 acres back from the river, in Section 15, to James Stewart. The next tract commencing on the river was set off for John F. Siebenthal, and contained about 192 acres, being the tract owned by the heirs of William Norisez. The next was a tract of 192 acres, set off to David Golay. The next tract of 192 acres was set off for Philip Bottens. The next tract of 192 acres above the Bettens tract, was set off for Jean D. Morerod. The next tract above was set off for Daniel Dufour, and contained 192 acres. Next above that tract to John F. Dufour, was laid off to contain 214 acres, as it was run so as to include the in-lots of the original plat of Vevay. Next above, one share of 192 acres was set off for John J. Dufour. One above that of 192 acres to Daniel V. Dufour, son of John J. Dufour. One above the last of 192 acres for John D. Dufour. One above that for Antoinette Dufour, then Morerod. One above that of 192 acres for Susanna M . Dufour; and one above that of 192 acres for Jean M. Dufour. These lands have since been divided and subdivided, and much of it is now owned by other persons than the descendants of the first settlers. Besides these lands John J. Dufour purchased at a public sale of public lands at Cincinnati, 795 acres of land on the Ohio River, above the mouth of Log Lick Creek, and below Florence.

The lands selected by the colony of Swiss was divided according to the following covenant:

"A Covenant of Association for the settlement of the lands of Switzerland, on the Ohio River:

"The Congress of the United States of America, in order to encourage the cultivation, of the vine, having granted to John James Dufour and his associates the power of buying four sections or tracts of land, by an act entitled ' an act to authorize J. J. Dufour and associates to buy a certain parcel of land, issued on the 1st of May, 1802.' The subscribers, vine dressers by trade, or sons of vino dressers, forming exclusively this association mentioned by the law, in order to promote the views of Congress, and to fulfill the engagements required by said law, and those to which they have voluntarily submitted in their petition presented to Congress on this subject, have agreed to submit to the following conditions:

"1. To plant the vine and make their principal business its cultivation.

"2. Not to be able either to sell or dispose of his share in whatever manner, unless the receipts and certificates attesting the payment of the whole of said share.

" 3. The choice of the lands being made by a majority of the associates upon the tracts or Sections Nos. 12 and 14, and fractions 13 and 23, Second Township, Third Range, containing in the whole 1,879 70-100 acres, registered on the 11th of June, 1802, having still one tract or section to choose; but fractions 13 and 23 are not together a whole section, it follows that the total purchase amounts to but 2,519 70-100 acres, which are divided into thirteen shares, containing each 193 80-100 acres, and numbered from west to east, to-wit one for each of the following: John James Dufour, Daniel Dufour, John Francis Dufour, David Dufour, Aime Dufour, Daniel Vincent Dufour, Jane Maria Dufour, Antoinette Dufour, Susannah Margarita Dufour, Francis Louis de Siebenthal, John Francis de Siobenthal, Jean Daniel Morerod, Philip Bettens.

"4. The said lands being on the Ohio River, and being surveyed diagonally with the river, it is agreed that each lot shall meet the river, and its breadth upon said river shall be as follows: The most western or No. 1, sixty-seven poles; No. 2, sixty-five poles; No. 3, sixty three poles, and so on; and in order to run at right angles the lines of length of each lot, said Dufour engages himself to do everything in his power to obtain the fraction and section adjoining the western side; and in that case every lot shall be drawn in length for quantity, at right angles with the course of the river upon the above breadth. But if in the course of six years, the said straightening cannot be made, the lots shall remain parallel to the lines north and south, run by the survey. Agreed, moreover, that Francis Louis de Siebenthal shall have Lot No. 1; Philip Bettens, No. 2; John Daniel Morerod, No. 3; John Francis de Siebenthal, No. 4; and the family Dufour the other nine lots. Being reserved here, that if the family Dufour furnishes John Francis de Siebenthal to the west line adjoining Lot No. 1, as much ground, measured in the same manner, as Lot No. 4, Siebenthal shall be bound to receive the said ground in lieu of No. 4, which shall belong to the Dufour family; provided the said exchange takes place before the end of the year 1808.

"5. In order to establish order from the beginning, it is agreed to leave a road 100 feet in breadth, along a line run on the second bank, which shall be planted with four rows of trees at thirty-three feet distance, and fronting said road shall the buildings be placed.

"6. In order to indemnify the family of the Dufours of the costs and trouble they have been at (at least John James Dufour) by traveling in the United States to choose a convenient place of settlement, and presenting a petition to Congress, it shall be given him or family tho sum of $100 for each lot, to be paid before the 1st of January, 1812, diminishing six per cent unto the day of payment, upon tho sum that shall have been paid before that time. As security of the said covenant each of us engages the whole of his property, present and hereafter, and in witness put his name and seal this 20th of January, 1803, at First Vineyard.

J. F De Siebenthal.
John James Dufour.
Jean Dl. Morerod.
Dl. Dufour Blanc.
J. Philip Bettens.
John F. Dufour.
F. L. De Siebenthal.
Attest: W. Mentelle,
Lewis Hogan.

"I certify this to be as exact a translation as can possibly be made of the French original, as to the substance of it, and nearly tho same words.

"Chas. Mentelle."

This was the beginning of the " Swiss Colony " in this county. In the year 1803 Jean D. Morerod married Antoinette Dufour, and they and Philip Bettens, his wife and daughter, came down the Kentucky River to the mouth, and up the Ohio to their land. John J. Dufour accompanied them, and when they landed he took an ax and stepping ashore said: " I will cut the first tree on our lands." He then ascended a steep bank and felled a sapling not far from where the house stands in which Charles Norisez resides. Some time in 1806 Jeane M. Dufour, the eldest daughter, was married to John F. Siebenthal, and Susanna M. Dufour was married to Elisha Golay, and they left the First Vineyard and came to New Switzerland. These were joined in 1804 by Louis Gex and his brother-in-law, Luke Oboussier, David Golay and his family, Frederick L. Raymond and Frederick Deserens.

THE DUFOUR FAMILY. This family, a short sketch of which we subjoin, as well as their relatives and associates, were an industrious and frugal people. Their chief occupation in their native country was vine dressing, and in the culture ___stare ___of the one they hoped to build up an extensive industry in this county.

John James Dufour, the father of the Dufours who came to America in 1801, was a citizen of the commune of Chatelard, District of Vevay, Canton de Leman, (which name was afterward changed to de Vand) in Helvetie. His sons, John James and Daniel, were the issue of a first marriage. The children by a second marriage were Jeane Mane, .born May 4, 1779; Antoinette, born March 8, 1781; John Francis, born May 15, 1783; Susanne Margaretta, born October 5, 1785; John David, born November 3, 1788, and Amie, born in the year 1792 or 1793.

In March, 1796, John J. Dufour, Jr., the eldest son of the family, started for America, engaging passage on the brig "Sally" bound for Philadelphia. The price paid for the voyage was $50 besides baggage charges, and be was to board at the "second table." The vessel sailed on the 10th of June, and landed at Philadelphia on the 12th of August. Leaving Philadelphia he proceeded We*t, passing through Wilmington, Del., and Baltimore, crossed the Alleghany Mountains to Pittsburg then to Marietta, Ohio, then down the river to visit Illinois. During that trip ho wont to Kaskaskia, St. Louis, and other points on the Mississippi River, and purchased a large quantity, of lead, which he sent up the river in a barge he had hired, to Pittsburgh. The barge sunk and he had a great deal of trouble and a great risk of losing the whole cargo. The lead was disposed of in Pittsburgh, and on his return, Mr. Dufour reported to the Vineyard Society his choice of a location for their operations, in the big bond of the Kentucky River, where he purchased G30 acres of one James Haselrig. In January, 1799, he made a trip to Philadelphia, procured 10,000 vines and some fruit trees, at an aggregate cost, including transportation from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, of §461. The vines and fruit trees thus purchased were planted out during the month of April, 1799, and grew rapidly in the rich virgin soil of the river bottom. Preparations were then made for the emigration of the other members of the family, and on the 1st of January, 1801, Daniel Dufour; Francis E. Dufour; his wife; Jeane Marie Dufour, Antoinnette Dufour, John Francis Dufour, Susanne Margarette Dufour; John David Dufour; Peter Borallay; his wife, his son Peter and a daughter; Philip Bettens, his wife and daughter; Jean D. Morerod; Francis L. Siebenthal and his son John F. Siebenthal, in all seventeen souls, met at the appointed place in their native village in Switzerland for the purpose of taking a last, long farewell of home and friends, and after a boisterous voyage of 100 days they arrived at Norfolk, Va., in May. From thence they crossed the Alleghany Mountains in wagons to Pittsburgh. The women, small children, and those who could not walk, were weighed and brought as freight by the hundred pounds. Arriving at Pittsburgh they proceeded down the Ohio River. They arrived at the vineyard July 6, and the brothers and sisters of the Dufour family entered upon the cultivation of the vine as common property, which they continued until 1804. The product of the vineyard in the year 1803 was considerable. The friends of the project resolved to send a specimen of the wine to the city of Washington; for this purpose with two kegs containing five gallons each, which were so arranged that they might be thrown across a pack saddle on a horse, John F. Dufour started for Washington City on horseback, leading a horse with the kegs of wine, and arrived in that city safely. The wine was presented to a committee of Congress by President Thomas Jefferson, for the Vineyard Association.

In 1803 a portion of the Dufour family came to this county, as founders of "New Switzerland," as stated in preceding pages; and others subsequently came at different periods. The sisters married and reared families of their own and many of their descendants are still residing within the limits of the county. John F. Dufour, the founder of the family bearing his name in this vicinity, came down the Kentucky River to its mouth in some kind of a boat in 1809. The Ohio being high, the boat, which continued nil his movable goods, bis wife, Polly Dufour, and bis son, Ferret Dufour, a child eighteen months old. On reaching the mouth of Indian Creek there arose a storm, and fearing the boat might sink, his wife and child were put on shore, and some of the heavy articles, among which was a hand-mill, thrown overboard. He built a cabin about twenty feet long by about fourteen wide, one story and a half high, with round logs, which were afterwards "scutched" down on the inside. The logs were cut in the immediate vicinity of the spot where the cabin was raised, so that when the "raising" took place the logs were near enough to be carried. That cabin stood on the lot at the corner of Market and Main Cross Street, Vevay. Mr. Dufour became a permanent resident of this county, and, in 1817, owned and published the Indiana Register, at Vevay. He took an active part in the development of the early business interests of the town, and was a man of great energy, enterprise and business capacity. His name is identified with the records of all the important enterprises tending toward the development of the town of Vevay and the county in general, from the time he became a citizen of the same, till the date of his death, 1850.

In 1805 we find the early settlers of the county diligently improving their lands. The vine dressers of 1803 had made considerable progress, and nothing occurred to check their advance or mar their success. The settlement was not molested by the Indians, and all enjoyed remarkably good health. They began to gather about, them cattle, horses and hogs, the latter having to be carefully cared for to prevent the bear and wolf from killing them. Their fields, vineyards and orchards began to make quite a contrast with the surrounding forests. The first wine produced by the vine dressers in this vicinity, (Jean D. Morerod, Phillip Bettens and John Dufour) was made in 1806 or 1807. The quantity was quite limited, but of a very good quality, but still the vineyards were enlarged every spring so that the bearing vines became more numerous from year to year, and the quantity of wine also increased every year until the vintage of 1808 yielded 800 gallons, and that of 1809 about 1,200 gallons of wine. Orchards were planted as soon as land could be prepared for planting the trees, and in a few years quite large orchards were in a thrifty condition and commenced to bear fruit. The improvements that were being made by the colonists were the building of houses, clearing and fencing the land and preparing it for the plow. As these lands were covered by the heaviest of forest trees, walnut, poplar and oak, of enormous size, with thick undergrowth of smaller trees and grape vines, it was with difficulty that a person could travel through the river bottoms. The country had, seemingly, been created for the Indian, the catamount and the wolf, but a new element had been introduced which was to transform the wilderness to fields of waving grain. Mennet. Raymond, Deserens, Gex, Oboussier, Tague, Cotton, Pickett, Morerod, Dickason, Dufour, Bettens—the whole coterie of willing hands, determined minds and courageous hearts, were toiling late and early in their fields. In 1805 a considerable. crop of wheat was raised. The straw was preserved in a very neat manner and made into hats.

Among the early settlers in the upper end of the county were James some of his friends in New Switzerland came down to help him up with McClure, who was judge of the court, Ezekiel and Joshua Petty, Peter Lostutter, Lewis Jones, George and Elisha Wade, Caleb Mounts, William Pierson, Benjamin and Robert Drake, the Vandoren family, John Kilgore, William Campbell, Robert Gullion, Amos A. Brown, John Neal, Charles Campbell, Job and James Truesdel, William Johnson, William White, the Wallicks, McCrearys and McCorcles.

George Ash, who was made a prisoner by the Indians in the early part of his life and remained with them until the treaty of Greenville, subsequently resided and made improvement on a tract of land in Switzerland County opposite the mouth of the Kentucky River. The Indians promised to give him a tract of land of four square miles, extending along the Ohio from a point opposite the mouth of the Kentucky to a point opposite the mouth of the Little Kentucky. The Delawares and Shawnees claimed to be the proprietors of the region in which this tract was situated, and a deed signed by seven Indians, styling themselves chiefs of the Delaware and Shawnee nations, was made to George Ash subsequent to the treaty of peace. As this deed was unwarranted by the laws of the United States and contrary to the provisions of the treaty, it was void. Ash petitioned Congress for relief and asked that the grant might be confirmed to him. Reports on his petition were made in 1802 and in 1800 against the prayer of the petition. In 1807 Hon. Jeremiah Morrow, from the committee on public lands made a report reciting the facts in the case and concluding as follows:

"The committee cannot recommend a confirmation of the grant; they believe it might encourage intriguing and unprincipled men in serious abuses and in future be a source of much evil; but from the peculiar circumstances of the case, the petitioner having been deprived of his liberty in early life, and consequently of an opportunity of acquiring property by his industry; and the principal part of his labor, since he has been restored to liberty, having been employed in making improvements on the land, probably under an idea that the Indian grant vested him with a title, they think that he is in justice entitled to a preference in purchasing the land on which he has settled. They therefore submit the following resolution:

Resolved, That George Ash be entitled to a right of pre-emption for 640 acres of land including his improvement, and the same shall be granted to him on his payment of the purchase money, agreeably to the provisions made by law for lands sold at private sale.

Ash is said to have been a man of cruel and brutal instincts, and is credited with having been the chief instigator of many of the depredations committed by the Indians in this locality. Old citizens have related how he was wont to entice boats to the shore along the Ohio by his signals of distress and appeals for pity, feigning to be an escaped captive; and when his rescuers, as' the boatmen supposed themselves to be, would make a landing, the savages in ambush would rob and murder the whole crew. Family boats are said to have been decoyed to the shore and innocent women and children were dealt with in the same merciless manner, if not meeting a more shameful and horrible death.

The Decade of 1810 20—The First Post office—Indian Depredations— Early Villages—First Millers and Distillers—Early River Trading—Other Early Settlers.

The decade of 1810-20 was quite an eventful one in the history of Switzerland County, in that it witnessed the principal movements which were the beginning of her civil, political, educational and religious history. In this period her industrial interests were also largely developed. Settlements were made in almost every part of the county, the principal ones being along the river bottoms, and in the more fertile of the upland districts. The public lands were therefore rapidly taken up, and the population increased with proportional rapidity.

In 1812 the population within the present limits of Switzerland County was about 900. In 1813, at the time Vevay was laid out, it was about 1,000, and was mostly confined to the immediate vicinity of the river and creek bottoms. In 1815 the population was ascertained to be 1,800; in 1830, 7,111; in 1849, 9,920; in 1850, about 14,000.


The increasing population of the county as early as 1810 suggested to the minds of the people the necessity of a post office in their midst as they were almost shut out from the world around them. If they wished to get letters or papers from their friends, or to send any, they were obliged to go to Port William (now Carrollton, Ky.) , that being the nearest post office, and that supplied with a mail once in two weeks, or at most, once a week. Accordingly John Dufour drew up a memorial to the Postmaster-General which was signed by all the citizens of the colony and the neighborhood, and sent to the Hon. B. Thurston, who was a Senator or Representative in Congress. Upon the receipt of the memorial Mr. Thurston laid it before the deputy Postmaster- General, and he communicated to Mr. Dufour by letter, of which the following is a copy:

" Washington, February 9, 1810.
Sir:—I received your letter, with the memorial enclosed, to the Postmaster-General, and shortly after wailed on the deputy Postmaster-General (Mr. Granger being confined with sickness) and laid before him your said memorial, and am happy to inform you that your desires will be complied with, both in regard to the establishment of a post office at Vevay, and your appointment as postmaster. You may shortly expect to hear from the deputy Postmaster-General on this subject, who promised to enclose you your commission. I am rejoiced to hear of your success in the cultivation of the vine, and wish you all manner of success in the future. I feel no claim to the compliments you have been pleased to bestow on me in regard to my zeal for encouraging the improvement of the Western country, etc., but should be happy to deserve such if it shall ever be in my power to render you service. With a sincere desire that yourself and your compatriots may reap a good harvest from your labors, which must essentially redound to the public good. I am, our humble servant,
B. THURSTON."

The commission appointed John Francis Dufour. of now Switzerland, Dearborn Co., Ind. Ty., deputy postmaster at Now Switzerland aforesaid, at Vevay, and boars the date the 23d day of March, 1810, and is signed by Gideon Granger, Postmaster- General. Mr. Dufour continued to serve as postmaster at Vevay under that commission until the 1st of October, 1835, he having on the 20th of September, 1835, tendered his resignation to the Postmaster General, to take effect on the 1st of October. Although the post office was named Vevay, the town was not laid until October, 1813, three years after the establishing of the post office. From the establishment of the post office at Vevay to the present time the postmasters were: John Francis Dufour, from 1810 to 1835; John M. King, from 1835 to 1837; Perret Dufour, from 1837 to 1841; W. H. Gray, from 1841 to 1843; Abner Clarkson, from 1843 to 1845; Perret Dufour, from 1845 to 1849; James Harwood, from 1849 to 1853; R.J. Lanham, from 1853 to 1857; George C. Patton, from 1857 to 1861; F. L. Courvoisier, from 1861 to 1802; Frederick J. Waldo, from 1862 to 1865; James Harwood, from 1865 to the inauguration of Andrew Johnson; George C. Patton. from the inauguration of Andrew Johnson to 1869; J. C. Long from 1869 to 1876; Alfred Shaw, from 1876 to the present, 1885.

Nathan Walden was one of the early mail carriers in this part of the country. In his youth he was mail carrier and contractor between Lawrenceburgh and Salisbury, Ind. The route was discontinued, but neither Walden nor the postmasters at the ends of the route being notified of its discontinuance, Walden continued carrying the mail on that route for about two years, without receiving any pay from the Government. He informed James Noble, then senator in Congress from Indiana, who resided in Brookville, of the affair. Senator Noble assured him he would call at the department for an explanation, which ho did, and ascertained that the route had been discontinued over two years. The department being made to know to the satisfaction of the Postmaster-General, that neither Walden nor the postmasters at the ends of the route had been notified of its discontinuance, orders were issued for the payment to Walden for the services rendered, which amounted to a considerable sum. With this he secured the quarter section of land now owned by his son Henry. About 1814 to 1816 he was carrying the mail from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Jeffersonville, Ind., during which time the lands were being entered at the land office at Jeflersonville, and many persons sent by him the number of the section o;;d the quarter of land they wished to enter and the money to pay into the land office. For this service he was paid perhaps a couple of dollars by each person for whom he performed such service. In later years Mr. Walden was a contractor for carrying the mail on many important routes passing through the country, by which with perseverance, energy and economy, he amassed a good fortune, which he has distributed to his children.

Hiram Ogle was a contractor for carrying the mails for many years from Vevay to Georgetown, Ky., and other routes not now recollected. James Dugan and James Bingo were also among the early contractors for carrying the mails which supplied the post office at Vevay.


During the winter of 1810-11, and spring and summer of 1811, frequent depredations were committed by the Indians on settlements west and northwest of New Switzerland, tho news of which caused the colonists to be on the alert and all ment at one house to pass the night, and have sentries posted. This was kept up for some time, the men working through the day in the fields and clearings. This state of things continued until some time during the spring of 1812. Elisha Golay, who was a captain of the militia, received orders to enlist men in his company by voluntary enlistment. This order and similar orders to captains of other companies were promptly obeyed, and a company raised and placed under the command of Capt. Golay, who received orders to proceed to the frontier and range east and west along the north line of Jefferson County as far as the settlements extended. On his arrival at the frontier he was ordered to proceed without delay to build a block-house of such size and form as would most securely and conveniently accommodate a detachment of from forty to sixty men, including officers. The blockhouse was built within the limits of Jefferson County, and was for many years known as "Buchanan's Station." The members of that company were captain, Elisha Golay; lieutenant, William Blankenship; first sergeant, Luke Oboussier; second sergeant, Beverly Vawter; third sergeant, Peter Storm; fourth sergeant, Thomas Whitson; first corporal, John Hall; second corporal, Abraham Cline; privates, Lewis Golay, John Tague, James Picket, Peter Mosbyer, James Edwards, Samuel Lattimore, James Hicks, Achilles Vawter, Joshua Tull, William Chambers, Lewis Blankenship, Squire Hall, Daniel Demaree, William Laughridge, Stephen Rutherford, William Fidds, Osborn Monroe, Williamson Dunn, Thomas Taylor and Booth Thomas.

After the war with Great Britain had commenced the Indians in the northern and western part of the Territory became quite hostile to their white neighbors, and it was ordered that a company of rangers to guard the frontier be formed. A company was organized by enlistment from the several companies of militia. Those from the company about New Switzerland and vicinity wore John Stepleton, William Keith, Samuel Peak, Lewis Golay, David Golay, Peter Nighswonger, Thomas Rayle, Peter Lock James Picket, Jesse Worden, James A. Stewart, William White, William Miller, his father Abraham Miller, Edward Violet. These rangers went into the interior, up Laughery Creek, near to whore Versailles now stands, and ranged west a considerable distance. At one time they went to Fort Harrison.

A block house was built in the McKay settlement about the time Craigs came over from Kentucky. One was built somewhere on the hill, not far from where French's Mill on Grant's Creek, stands. One was built on Log Lick Creek, about half a mile above where the road crosses the creek, above where White's Mill stood. William White and his neighbors were among the active men in those times in guarding the settlements against Indian depredations, and it is said White spent seventy-five days in assisting to build blockhouses and "scouting" or "rangipg" on the frontiers to protect the settlements. It is thought that he was a leader among the persons who were called upon to guard the frontier, and was captain.

Up to 1813 no regular towns had boon laid out within the limits of the county. In that year, however, the era of town-making began, as each new settlement began to feel the need of mails and markets, besides doubtless having a selfish interest and pride, both pardonable, indeed, in developing their respective neighborhoods.

In 1813 John F. Dufour and Daniel Dufour laid out the town of Vevay since which additions have been made to it by John Sheets and Daniel Dufour, John F. Dufour. corporation of Vevay, John Sheets and Vincent Dufour, Francis G. Sheets, Perret Dufour and David Armstrong. In 1814 a number of out lots were laid out above and adjoining the in-lots. These out- lots were of three and five acres each. In 1815 Peter Harris laid out the town of Jacksonville, and in 1817 William Gerard laid out an addition. In 1815 Edward Mclntire laid out the town of Erin, opposite Carrollton, which was vacated. In 1816 Peter Domaree laid out the town of Allensville. In 1816 Philo Averil laid out the town of Mount Sterling, and additions have been made thereto by Henry Cotton and Lyman W. Mix, Samuel Beal and Robert Kosobrough. In 1817 Benjamin Drake laid out the town of New York, the name has since been changed to Florence. Additions have been made thereto by Joseph Malin, James Campbell and Benjamin L. Robinson. In 1820 Elisha Wade laid out the town of Troy, which has since been changed to Patriot, and additions have been made thereto by James Herrick, Martin R. Green, Bela Herrick and Hicks & Herrick. In 1822 Patrick Donahue laid out the town of Montgomery on his land above Patriot, but caused it to be vacated some years after. In 1847, Daniel W. Loudon laid the town of Bennington. Some years ago the town of Moorefield was laid out by some person, but the name is not certainly known, but is believed to be Francis Lansdale. Fairview and East Enterprise, in Cotton Township, Soapville in Pleasant Township, and Quercus Grove, in Posey Township, which are small villages, if ever regularly laid out and platted into lots, those plats are not on record in the recorder's office, neither is the plat of the town of Moorefield on record. Centre Square was laid out by William Lawrence in 1835; and at one time candidates for the Legislature were nominated who favored the relocation of the county seat at that place. Mr. Lawrence once remarked that he had spoiled a fine farm in trying to have a town built up.


Among the early traders down the river was George Turner, who lived in Kentucky, the father of Robert and John Turner, who made yearly trips down the Ohio. One fall Mr. Turner bought wild turkeys, cut the breast out, put them in barrels and made a brine to keep them. Daring the years 1813, 1814 and 1815, barges and keel-boats were used in transporting produce, iron, and salt along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers; Joseph Bosseau, who came to this place in 1813, together with his brother John.were regularly engaged in keel-boating. He made one or two trips to New Orleans and back, several trips to St. Louis and back. On one of the trips from St,. Louis, he came across on foot, being six or seven days on the way. He made one trip up the Mississippi River to Prairie du Chien, with provisions for the garrison stationed there. Ho also made trips up the Cumberland River to Nashville, and up the Tennessee River to the Muscle Shoals, and the Kentucky River to Sablett's Ferry, to which latter point iron and groceries were taken, and from which tobacco, whisky and bacon were brought on the return.

He also put his shoulder to the pole, and assisted in pushing the koelboat up the Mouongahela River as far as Brownsville, which was in those days called Redstone, also up the Muskingum River to Laneville; several times to Pittsburgh, and man)' times to the Kanawha Salines, taking up whisky, bacon, coffee, sugar and other groceries, and returned loaded with salt. The last trip made to the Kanawha was for Jacob R. Evertson, taking up whisky, bacon and groceries, and a few dry goods. Fearing that Evertson would not allow him a ration of whisky ho had provided for himself agimblet, when by removing a hoop he could bore a hole and draw a coffee pot full of whisky and replace the hoop.

In the keel-boat and barge business James Kirby was engaged for some years with one or two barges, one of which he afterward converted into a steamboat.


At an early day the manufacture of spiritous liquors was carried on in the county on a small scale at several points. About 1817 or 1818 Samuel Mennet commenced distilling on his farm, with a small copper still, he having a horse-mill for the purpose of grinding the grain for distillation. What quantity was made by Mr. Mennet is not known. Another of the early distilleries was near Cotton's Mill, on the farm now owned by Solomon Walden. The date of its erection is not known to the writer, although in 1824 a party of squirrel hunters was to meet at "Cotton's still house" to count their game. Met later perhaps than 1820-1821 one of those small distilleries was erected and operated on the farm owned later by the wife of Hugh H. Lamb, near Mount Sterling. John Wilson, while he owned the mill afterward owned by John Bakes, erected a distillery near the mill on a larger scale than any (save one) that had ever before been erected in the count}', and that larger one was erected by a firm under the name and style of Whitemore, Barnes & Dufour. The persons composing that firm were Nathan M. Whitemore, Francis Barnes and Daniel Dufour. It was erected on the lot of ground where Charles Grammor's slaughterhouse stood. It was supposed its capacity would be about twenty barrels of whisky every twenty-four hours. It was run for a short time, but was finally abandoned as an unprofitable investment, and all three of the partners were bankrupted in the operation. Daniel Dufour gave a deed to the firm for five acre3 of land, furnished $1,000 in money, and in return before the final closing up of the partnership, he received three or four barrels of whisky.

Louis Gex Oboussier, who owned the farm which John J. P. Schonck owned at the time of his death, distilled the lees of his wine and made brandy, he also made peach, apple and cherry brandy. To the latter a German name was given, something like " Keirshwasher.'' This was all distilled with a small copper still. Jean Daniel Morerod for a short time had a small copper still, and made wine, apple and peach brandy, all on a small scale.

John James Dufour, on his farm above the mouth of Log Lick Creek, had planted a large peach orchard, and not knowing how to turn the peaches to profit, procured a small copper still, had a trough dug out of a large poplar log, in which the peaches were thrown, mashed up, and the juice drawn off into the still, and made into brandy, which was made in large quantities for two or throe years, and was abandoned finally, as he found a purchaser for his crop of peaches in the person of David H. Blunk, who became a famous hay dealer through this county a few years afterward.

John Detraz had a small copper still, at an early day, and distilled brandy, and a liquor named Absinthe, which from its green color was vulgarly called " pond water," by many who frequented his place and drank of it. It was distilled from annis and some other herbs, and had a very pleasant taste. Mr. Detraz also brewed and made beer, which was said by judges to be of an excellent quality, but the quantity he made was very email.

Gabriel Hall erected a distillery on Hall's Branch, on the farm afterward owned by Dudley Leap, and ran it for some years. He also had a mill sufficient to grind the grain for distilling. He also made a large quantity of whisky. The writer has no knowledge of any other distilleries in the county in those early times, and none until the largo distillery at Patriot was started, and owned by "William T. Pate & Co.

After the farmers began to raise wheat, some of the horse-mill owners procured bolts, and flour began to be used more than ever before. Of the horse-mills of early days, one was opposite Carrollton, owned by Edward Mclntire, the grandfather of Joseph H. Netherland; one on what is now the pauper farm, then owned by James Rous; one in Vevay, on the lot on which the Russell House now stands, owned by one McFall; one on the farm which Samuel Protsman owned, which was built by John Protsman, the father of Samuel and William Protsman; one on the edge of Cotton Township, in Section 7, Town 2, Range 2, near Andrew Houze's present residence, and owned by James Dugan ; and the one built by Henry Hannas, already mentioned. Griffith Dickason and William Cotton built water-mills on Indian Creek, on their respective lands, which were great conveniences to the surrounding farmers.

At quite an early day of the settlement of Vevay they went to mill at Hartford. To get there they put their sacks of wheat or corn in a canoe, went up the river to the mouth of Laughery Creek, thence up tho creek as far as they could go with the canoe; then they hired some one to furnish horses to take their grists to the mill, perhaps four or five miles, and when ground to bring it back to the canoe.

Some years the wheat crop was of such a nature that the bread made from the wheat flour caused persons to vomit freely after eating of it, which was the reason of the wheat being termed "sickly wheat."

Robert Bakes built in early days a mill on Long Run, on the site of Benjamin F. Siebonthal's mill, which bad a very large wheel, and the water was led along the side of tho hill to the wheel. This mill did a good business for many years, while there was water sufficient to run it. During the summer months, very frequently, there was very little if any water in the creek. If clouds should rise in the west and show signs of rain, and the clouds part, and no rains fall, it is said that Bakes charged Rouse (who had tho horse-mill on the hill) with having a long pole with some charm attached to the end of it, that he raised in such a manner as to divide the clouds, and turn the rain in such a direction that it would not supply Bakes' mill with water, so that Rouse would get the grinding to do for his horse-mill.


In 1812, Hiram Ogle, the father of Achilles and Hiram Ogle, came to the neighborhood of Vevay, and settled on Indian Creek, immediately below Griffith Dickason. He contracted with John David Dufour, to clear some land in the Ohio River bottom, opposite the island above Vevay. He cleared for him under that contract, ten or twelve acres, and a two-story hewed log house was built on that land. The house stood somewhere near where the barn of Mrs. Jagers now stands. Mr. Ogle and his neighbor, Dickason, became rivals in raising corn; for one or two, or perhaps three years, Mr. Dickason raised more corn than Ogle. Ogle then took an oath that he would not shave until he raised more corn than Dickason, and he kept that oath, for the writer recollects to have been at Ogle's at a corn husking the year that Ogle raised more corn than Dickason. At that corn husking, which was during the day time, there was much fun and frolic among all present, for the girls of the neighborhood had met for a quilting, and a dance was in expectancy in the evening. A few days after the husking and quilting, Ogle happening in town, was asked, which raised the most corn, he or Dickason? When he replied, "I did: don't you see 1 have shaved."

Johnson Brown came to this part of the State about the time William Cotton came, but returned to Kentucky. He came back again in a few years, and married one of William Cotton's sisters. He moved to Long Run and lived for many years on a part of the school section near Siebenthal's Mill, where he manufactured powder, for many years the only powder used by the hunters of his neighborhood for many miles around. At his house the hunters, when on a squirrel hunt, would meet to get powder and to count the scalps. He was justice of the peace in Craig Township for many years. For some years previous to his death, he resided in Jefferson County, west of Moorfield. At the age of one hundred and three, or one hundred and four, he could, with his rifle, shoot a squirrel in the tallest trees, in that respect being a remarkable man. He died about 1870, in the one hundred and sixth, or one hundred and ?th year of his age. He was the father of Samuel Brown, of Jefferson County, Joseph and Ralph Brown, of this county, and several daughters.

Mrs. Lucy Detraz can relate the appearance of some Indians who came to her father Jean Daniel Morerod's house. She was near the fence on the side of the house next to where the town of Vevay is laid out, when tho Indians came to the fence from the direction of Vevay, got over and wont to the house, set their rifles by the door, and began muttering to John David Dufour (her undo), who was then living with them. Lucy was so frightened that she ran up into the loft and got into a barrel to hide.

It is not known of any one being murdered within the bounds of Switzerland County, except one person who it was always said was killed and scalped near the mouth of Briant's Creek, and one whose name was said to be 'Jones," near the mouth of Grant's Creek.

In 1815, John Brown, father of James Brown, Esq., came to the county and settled on the land where James Brown now resides. His dwelling wad a two-story hewed log house on the opposite side of the road, and nearly opposite to the brick dwelling now occupied by his son James. He was, soon after he came to the county, elected a justice of the peace, and served one or two terms, of five years each. His son, James Brown, has served as justice in Jefferson Township twenty-one years.

About the same time Peter Harper settled on the farm now owned by Jonathan McMakin, and in a small one story log house on the opposite side of the road from McMakin's residence, lived, raised a family and died, having cleared up the lands and made them suitable for tilling. His brother, William Harper, settled on the quarter-section immediately north, the same now owned by Huldah Sullivan, who is a daughter of Nathan Walden.

About this period a Swiss named James Bolens came to Vevay, bringing with him George Tardy and two or three other young men who were not able to pay their passage, Bolens paying their passage, which they repaid with interest in a year or two. The Pernet family came about the same time and settled at Mount Sterling where they remained some time. The old gentleman became deranged and hanged himself. His son John sold out and went to Covington. David Emanuel, his other son, remained in Mount Sterling many years, kept a house of entertainment where Ralph Cotton resides, removed to Bethlehem, in Clark County, where be died.

The Thieband family came to the county about the year 1817, and settled on the farm on which Justin Thieband now resides. If ever a family could be said to be industrious the Thiebands, as a family, could be so called. The old lady was an extraordinary woman in many respects; she was a loving wife, kind and indulgent mother, a good neighbor, a valued citizen and a pious Christian, and one whose example if followed by all would lead to prosperity and happiness. There were two sons, Charles Thieband, who lived in Vevay many years and died about 1872, and Justin, who lives below Indian Creek, on the farm on which the parents lived and died. There were five daughters. One married Mr. Bachman, of Madison, Ind. ; one married David E. Pernet; one married Benoit Courvoissier, and was the mother of Frederick L. Courvoissier, late a county treasurer of this county; one married Thomas A. Haskell, and now lives in Craig Township; one married Ulysses P. Schenck, the successful merchant and produce dealer of Vevay.

About the year 1817 the settlement in Pleasant Township, known as tho "Dutch" settlement began to be formed. Cornelius A. Voris, the Carnines, Demareos, Vandovers and Harmons, and others of those old settlers came from Kentucky principally, and in a few years that part of the county commenced increasing in population quite rapidly. It was but a few years after until the farmers from the locality began to supply the citizens of Vevay with butter, eggs and chickens during tho summer, and pork, venison, oats, wheat, flax, etc., in the fall and winter.

They soon organized a church, and built a log meeting-house near the cross roads near David Henry's, which has since been replaced with a neat and comfortable frame building. It is of tho Presbyterian Church.

On the west side of Pleasant Township, and in the southwest corner of the township, a number of Scotch families settled as ' early as 1817. 1818 and 1820, and their numbers were increased from time to time by accessions, until quite a large settlement of those industrious and worthy people was made, and extends over into Jefferson County. Among the number now recollected were the four brothers, William, James, John and Samuel Culbertson, the Mortons, Glenns, Makensies and Scotts.

About the same period a number of Scotch families commenced a settlement on Long Run, among whom were Neil McCallum, Duncan McCallum, John McCallum, Donald Cowan, the Malcomsons, John Anderson, and perhaps one or two other families not now recollected. They were what are known as Seven Day Baptists. It was rather novel to the citizens to travel up Long Run on Saturday and see none of those people stirring about, and passing on Sunday to see every one able to do any work out in the clearing, chopping, piling and burning brush and rolling logs.

Philip and John Romeril settled on Long Run, above these Scotch families. During the absence of the family, except a sister, some demon in human shape passing by, with deadly aim shot this sister dead. When the other members of the family returned they found her lying cold in death. Suspicion was fixed on a person named Long, but no proof of his guilt could be brought against him, and he was set at liberty.

Charles Muret was the only physician in the colony for many years before 1813. Dr. Muret went on a flat-boat to New Orleans, and there he became fireman in a steam mill to raise means to pay his passage to Europe. He sailed for Europe and landed at Havre, where he had an uncle who was a banker. After landing he made his way to the office of his uncle. Having reached the office he inquired of a "domestique" if Mr. , his uncle, was in the office. Tho "domestique" eyed the Doctor from head to foot, and asked in a haughty manner what he wanted. The Doctor replied, "I wish to see and speak to him." The "domestique" inquired what business he had with the banker. The Doctor's only reply was, "I wish to see him; I must and will see him," at tho same instant forcing his way into the office, although the "domestique" used every effort to prevent his entrance. Entering the private room of the banker, with his clothing and appearance not in the best of order, he made himself known to his uncle, who gave him an order on a clothier for a suit of clothes. After he was decently dressed, with cane in hand, he returned to his uncle's office, and meeting the "domestique" addressed him, "You scoundrel and puppy, why did you insult me this morning The "domestique" asked his pardon, and appeared sorry. The Doctor said to him id a haughty and angry tone, "You scoundrel and puppy, I will learn you how to insult a gentleman hereafter. Do you know who you treated so shamefully this morning? I will let you know that I have been fireman in America." Whereupon the "domestique" bowed and scraped,' and asked a thousand pardons, supposing that ho had insulted an American officer of high rank.

In February, 1814, Homy Hannas came to the county with his family, consisting of his wife, son William, and three daughters. He rented the farm on Indian Creek, where George Tardy lived so long. William Hannas was born in Garrard County, Ky., September 18, 1797. Mr. Hannas rotates that on the night of April 4, 1814, there fell a snow twelve inches deep, which was measured on a plank at. the sawmill that stood on Indian Creek, on the land now owned by John Bakes. In the fall of 1814 Hannas removed to the land on which John F. Cotton now resides, and in 1820 built a horse-mill, which did a good deal of grinding for the surrounding country. One night soon after they had removed, a bear came in among the hogs, caught one, which caused it to squeal, when William Hannas took his gun and although it was dark he tired in the direction of the squealing hog and drew blood from the bear, but did not kill it. A bear could be seen any day one went out into the woods. They would be scratching up yellow jackets or bumble bees' nests, which they devoured with avidity. There came to the county with the Hannas family one Thomas Evans, who settled on the farm once owned by Walter Scott, which Mr. Scott bought of the Evans heirs.

In 1815 or 1816 a family by the name of Vairin came to the neighborhood of Vevay, purchased a piece of land of Louis Gex Oboussler, being part of the farm owned by J. J. P. Schenck in his lifetime. The family consisted of the father and mother and three sons, Justus, Augustus and Julius. Justus was married to Miss Victoir Helvetia Gex, December 12, 1817, by Elisha Golay, justice of the peace. They had one child, a son named John P. Mr. Vairin's wife died, and he was married again, October 9, 1824, to Miss Sarah Wright, by John Francis Dufour, associate judge, Mr. Vairin died some years since, leaving two sons and four daughters; the last named sons and sisters are the inheritors of the large tract of land in Craig Township, which was purchased many years since in the name of Mary Wright, a sister of Mr. Vairin's last wife, there being no other heirs but these children of Mr. Vairin by his wife, Sarah. The two sons of Mr. Vairin are in business in New Orleans. The daughters are residing in Owensboro, Ky., near which place they and the brothers and half-brothers own a farm, which descended to them through the father. Augustus Vairin was married to Miss Susan S. Pernet, October 5, 1818, by Elisha Golay, justice of the peace; went to New Orleans, died, and shortly after his widow died, leaving one son, Augustus. Julius Vairin went to New Orleans many years ago, got into business, made a fortune, and died, leaving it to his brother Justus.

The taxes for the year 1816, levied in the county were as follows:
On every horse, mule and ass above three years old, 25 cents.
On first-rate land, 37 1/2 cents per 100 acres.
On second rate land, 25 cents per 100 acres.
On third-rate land, 12 1/2 cents per 100 acres.
On stallions, at the rate at which they stand by the season.
On town lots and houses. 50 cents per $100 of their value.
On George Ash's ferry, 82.50.
On jfcdward Mclntiro's ferry, $2.50.
On J. F. Dufour's ferry, at Vevay, 85.
On George Craig's ferry, 81.
On F. Louis Raymond's ferry on Indian Creek, 50 cents.
And the following taxes were levied as road tax:
On Daniel Dufour's store, $3.
On Lucien Gex's store, $3.
On Isaac Stanley's store, $3.
On David McCormick's store, 50 cents.
On Joseph Bentley's store, 75 cents.
On Jonathan Boeder's store, 75 cents.
On James Dalmazzo's store, 25 cents.
As a matter of history, here is a receipt given by the sheriff of Dearborn County, for taxes, in 1810:
"Received of John Francis Dufour, his tax in full for the year 1810, 81.
"J. Hamilton, Sheriff."
The signer of this receipt was sheriff of Dearborn County for several years.

Source: History of Dearborn, Ohio and Switzerland Counties Indiana
Weakley, Harraman & Co. Publishers 1885
Submitted by Friends For Free Genealogy