Mossy Feet Books – Author Paul R. Wonning
Books About Indiana History, United States History and Garden Guides
I will start at the county seat, Versailles. Platted in 1819 by Mr. John Ritchie. It was not the first county seat, that honor is reserved for New Marion, which had the first court session in 1818. The court moved to Versailles shortly after and has remained there ever since. Continue reading Happy Birthday, Ripley County
Named for Napoleon Bonaparte, the town of Napoleon was platted in 1820, the second town in Ripley County, Indiana. Early in its history, Napoleon was a center of transportation and an important hub in the Underground Railroad. Berry’s Trace, the Michigan Road and the Brookville/Napoleon Road connected the village to distant towns in Indiana as well as with the new state capitol in Indianapolis. Continue reading A History of Napoleon, Indiana
A Brief History of Napoleon
On February 9, 1820 the town of Napoleon was laid out by William Wilson from a 160 acre government land grant. The village takes its name from the former French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Seven days later he started selling lots. Ten first 32 lots were purchased by George Craig of Vevay, Indiana. Craig went on to build the first Ripley County Court House in Versailles. He later represented Ripley and Switzerland Counties in the Indiana Senate from 1822 – 1824. Continue reading Sample Chapter – A Brief History of Napoleon
Discover the historic nooks and crannies in Ripley County, Indiana. The Historic Travel Guide to Ripley County reveals the many places history has touched in the county. The author’s included Ripley County History Auto Tour takes the traveler through the many historic places in the county. The book covers many Ripley County towns including Batesville, Versailles, Osgood, Napoleon, Sunman and Milan. Continue reading Historic Travel Guide to Ripley County
Eleazer Wheelock Ripley (April 15, 1782 – March 2, 1839)
The son of Sylvanus Ripley and Abigail Wheelock, Eleazer was native to Hanover, New Hampshire. Ripley attended Dartmouth College, graduating in 1800 with a law degree. He opened a practice in Portland, Maine, when Maine was still part of Massachusetts. He served in both the Massachusetts House Representatives and the Massachusetts Senate. When the War of 1812 broke out, he organized the 21st United States Infantry Regiment. Continue reading Sample Chapter – Eleazer Wheelock Ripley (April 15, 1782 – March 2, 1839)
In accordance with laws passed by the Indiana legislature for the preparation of villages to incorporate as towns, a census was taken, a town plat prepared and an application prepared. The necessary documents assembled, Mr. Charles Johnson, Sr. Christian Schwier, William Hillenbrand, Theodore Greeman filed them at Versailles, signed by 96 residents of the prospective town in September 1882. The census was required to have the names and addresses of all residents listed in the proposed town. Continue reading Sample Chapter – Batesville City Government
Nestled at the northern tip of Ripley County, Indiana, Batesville’s origins begin with the construction of the Napoleon/Brookville Road, Teunis Amack’s Well and the need for a railroad connecting Indianapolis Indiana and Cincinatti, Ohio. A Road, a Well and a Train is the history of the birth, growth and institutions of Batesville, Indiana. Continue reading A Road, A Well and a Train
This series includes a history of Ripley County as well as histories of some of its towns. Continue reading Ripley County History Series
Mossy Feet Books - Author Paul R. Wonning 