Rono.—The little village of Rono, has never been regularly laid out and recorded. It was named for an old dog owned by Jesse Martin. At an early day, the place was called Dodson’s Landing, for the old settler of that name. A wood-yard was established there, and store-boats stopped to traffic with the settlers. Later the wood-yard was continued by Jesse Martin. In about 1842, Job Hatfield stopped there with a store-boat, and remained several years, finally landing his boat above high water mark, and conducting his store as a fixed establishment. A little before this Martin had died, but his widow continued to reside there. Hatfield moved his family into a log dwelling there, which had been commenced by the Martins, and in about 1847, built a small frame store building. A blacksmith named McKesner, located early in the village. Rev. Wallace, a Methodist minister, became an early resident. Ben Carmicle, established a cooper shop early. John Froman was an early resident. Dr. Hiram Curry was the first resident physician. William H. Jones, opened a harness shop early in the fifties. Job Hatfield was the first postmaster, beginning about 1848, the mail route extending by land, between Leavenworth and Rockport. Joseph A. Ballard, commenced blacksmithing about 1858, he also made wagons. Early in the fifties, L. D. Hatfield became associated with Job Hatfield in business. They soon did a good business. In 1856 this store, their frame warehouse and the office of Dr. Curry were destroyed by fire. The Hatfields then built the stone building yet standing, which they used as a smoke-house. They smoked and retailed to the surrounding country, as high as 15,000 pounds of pork in one year, besides conducting a general produce business, and their large store which had been rebuilt. This dealing in smoked meat was conducted on quite an extensive scale for ten or fifteen years. After the fire, the Hatfield’s separated and continued alone. Job finally removed about the close of the war to Grandview, Spencer County, and Lorenzo Dow Hatfield has continued to the present. J. L. Myers and Anthony Little had small stores twenty-five or thirty years ago. William M. Stiles started a small store recently, his brother M. L., succeeded him, but soon died. J. A. Ballard, then took charge but soon retired. Eli Farmer, Mrs. C. Dewey, have had small stores. John H. Willett opened one a short time ago. L. D. Hatfield succeeded Job Hatfield as postmaster, then J. A. Ballard, then James Ballard, then W. M. Stiles, then M. M. Stiles, about four years ago, and then J. A. Ballard to the present. After Dr. Curry came, Drs. Lane, Robins, Carrico, Hendrickson and Myers. Six or eight years ago, John H. Price commenced the manufacture of staves, and continued until about a year ago. He stripped the woods of nearly all its valuable oak timber. He made from 300,000 to 400,000 staves each year. This is the town of Rono. At a comparatively early day, a Masonic lodge was organized here, which is yet in existence, though the membership is small.
History, Genealogy, Early Settlers and Historical Points of Interest in Perry County, Indiana