Whetzel Trace and burial site: A pioneering spirit

Whetzel Trace

Capt. Jacob Whetzel was one of Morgan County's earliest pioneers and helped the county become what it is today.

Whetzel served in the U.S. Army and fought in the "Indian Wars" in western Pennsylvania, and what are now the states of West Virginia and Ohio.

He was well known in the 19th century for being the first man to cut a wagon trail into Central Indiana. The trail was known as Whetzel Trace, and it ended at the White River, near what is now Waverly.

This historical marker is located at the entrance of MacKenzie Cemetery near Waverly, where Capt. Whetzel and his family are buried.

Jacob Whetzel Burial Site

Capt. Jacob Whetzel was born to John and Mary Bonnett Whetzel on the family settlement along Big Wheeling Creek in Marshall County, West Virginia. The Whetzels had six other children — Martin, Christina, George, Lewis, Susannah and John Jr.

After serving in the Army under Gens. Harrison and St. Clair, Jacob was probably the first white man to create a permanent settlement in central Indiana after cutting a wagon trail with the help of his 18-year-old son, Cyrus, and four hired helpers by the names of Thomas Howe, Thomas Rush, Richard Rush and Walter Banks.

Jacob died a few years after his arrival in central Indiana and thus, his son Cyrus is often credited as being the first white man to permanently settle in the area.

Jacob Whetzel married Ruhama Shepherd (or Shepard) on Dec. 8, 1795. The children of Jacob and Ruhama were as follows: Sabra b. 2-2-1798 d. 1-20-1822 (married Dr. Charles Newton), Cyrus b. 12-1-1800 d. 12-16-1871 (married Elizabeth Mills), Emily (married William H. H. Pinney or 'Pinny'), Maria (married David Allen), Eliza (married James S. Kelly), J. Hiram (married Alzada Aldridge or 'Aldrich'), Susan (married Thomas Lou), Sarah b. 5-20-1810 d. 10-17-1880 (married Isaac Briggs).

(Prepared by the Morgan County Leadership Academy Class of 2022 on behalf of the Morgan County Bicentennial Committee)