David E. BEEM of Spencer, IN wrote a book - The Beem Family in July 1917.
As per his notations here are some Owen Co Firsts, in the order in which he
has them listed.
-first land entry at the office in Vincennes was by Ora OSBORN, 169 acres
about three miles east of Spencer, 9/11/1816.
-first settler was Philip HART, 11/1816.
-first ferry on White River was established by John DUNN, in the bend of the
river above Spencer, in the early spring of 1818.
-first to cross the ferry was the family of Ephraim GROSS, on the way to
their lands near Gosport.
- first corn planted in Owen Co. was by the BEEMS, 5/14 & 15, 1817, on land
near where the freight depot now stands in Spencer, and included in the
Riverside Cemetery.
-first marriage licensee issued was to Pitman CHANCE and Mary Nancy HICKS,
9/2/1819.
-first white child born was John R.K. DUNN, son of John & Margaret DUNN,
12/12/1817.
-first death was that of Daniel BEEM, 9/1/1819.
-first meeting for public worship was held at the house of John HUDSON, about
three miles north of Spencer, being a prayer meeting conducted by Hugh
BARNES, a Methodist minister, the congregation consisting of John HUDSON,
wife and two children.
-first sermon was preached by the above named minister at the house of Daniel
BEEM, on the ground now occupied by the platform in Riverside Cemetery.
-first woman resident within the present limits of the town of Spencer was
Leah [STORM], wife of Neely BEEM.
-first school teacher was James GALLETLY, who was also the first surveyor and
who laid off the town of Spencer.
-first keeper of a "tavern" was Philip HEDGES, who was also the first
postmaster.
-first mail carrier was Bledsoe HARDIN, who carried the mail from Bloomington
to Terre Haute by way of Spencer on horseback once every two weeks, beginning
in 1821, four years after the first settlement.
-first regular merchant was John B. ALLISON, who commenced business in 1822,
died in 1825.
-first regular physician was Dr. Amasa JOSLIN, 1823.
-first carpenters were Montgomery LEONARD, Findley B. JOHNSON, Henry DEVORE,
Anthony FOSTER, & Junia LATHROP.
-first blacksmith was James BIRCHAN, the next Lawrence ADAMS.
-first lawyer was John F.G. ADAMS.
My Owen Co surnames: BEEM, NEWSOM, TRUELOVE, WALL, STORM
Blessings,
Patricia