ginigarrett.com

An 8th Grade History Paper

In the school year of 1920-21, Irene M. Saxton, an eighth grader, was given an assignment to write a history of South English. Wishing to be informative and accurate, she made arrangements to discuss the subject with an early settler, Virgil White. When they met together, he leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and narrated the dates and facts as fast as Irene could write them. The resulting history follows:

1820 – Sioux, Fox and Sac Indians camped below Hervey hill on English River.

1844 – James Mehaffee and Jacob Bowers settled in old town.

1845 – James Thomas and John Houstin settled at Houstin’s Point on Heald’s and Mendenhall’s farm.

1846 – First birth – daughter of H.C. and Rebecca Rodman – Mat Hennon Rodman.

1846 – Son of John Houstin born William Houstin.

1846 – Child of James Thomas died.

1847 – Thomas Morgan settled.

1847 – H.C. Morgan froze to death.

1858 – Talley family came from Tennessee.

1851 – M.E. Church organized.

1852 – Mr. Brinor and Miss Diana Houstin married.

1852 – Elected Town Officers: Trustees – Joel Slate, H.H. Rodman, James Thomas. Clerk: Henry Fawel, Justice: W.S. Slate.

1852 – Snow 1 foot deep.

1854 – Mr. Post opened store.

1854 – Town of South English laid out.

1854 – First school house built.

1855 – First Baptist Church built. Samuel West first pastor.

1856 – John Brown stopped at Corda Glandon’s

1856 – Christian Church organized. Mr. Matthews pastor.

1857 – Union Sunday School organized.

1858 – First store, Blacksmith, M.E. Church in old town.

1863 – Talley killed, Democrats and Republicans fight. State militia called. Town fortified.

1865 – First Baptist Church

1871 – First daily mail service

1872 – Frank James kept saloon.

1873 – No. 263 I.O.O.F. organized.

1874 – First Christian Church built.

1879 – Railroad built. Town moved to present site.

1883 – Second school house built.

1888 or 1890 – Park laid out.

1890 – First Bank owned by J.F. White and son.

1893 – South English incorporated.

1906 – J.W. Sloan established monument works.

1911 – Farmers’ Savings Bank organized

1917 – Town wired for electricity. School house remodeled.

1919 – Electricity turned on.

Dr. Allen Heald Sr. had first telephone.

John Wenger had first successful automobile.

W.W. White first mayor.

Allen Heald and N.W. Miller were the first doctors.

T.E. Matthews was the first preacher.

James McAfferty kept first hotel.

Frank James gang spent winter here.


From The Western Herald – March 18, 1880

We want and must have a Bank, a Mill, a Jewelry and Music Store, with teacher, and, in fact, this is the finest opening for all kinds of legitimate business.

Parties wishing to invest money in buildings for rent would do well, as houses are daily called for, but can’t be supplied.

For particulars, address the Western Herald or J.F. White, South English.