USA > Indiana > Noble County > Obituaries and news items of early settlers of Noble County, Indiana : as published in the "The Albion new era" and other sources, 1876-1888 > Part 1
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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
OBITUARIES and NEWS ITEMS
of Early Settlers of Noble County, Indiana, as published in "The Albion New Era". Albion is the county seat of Noble County, Indiana.
OBITUARIES and NEWS ITEMS
from other sources in Noble County, Indiana.
Collected By FRANCES DINGMAN CHAPTER Daughters of the American Revolution, Kendallville, Noble County, Indiana.
Compiled by Mrs. H. G. Misselhorn, Kendallville, Indiana.
Typed by Mrs. Allen S. Courtney, Kendallville, Indiana.
Com. : Mrs. H. G. Misselhorn
Mrs. W. A. DeVault ( Deceased) Mrs. Charles Myers
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Jan. 16-1876-Albion New Era
The Jefferson Union Church will be dedicated on Sunday January 30, 1876. The place is known as Skinner's Burying Ground. All ministers of the Gospel, and others, are invited to attend. Good speakers are expected.
We shall soon have the pleasure of announcing the dedication of the M. E. church on South Orange Street, as the structure is nearly completed.
Suicide
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An old citizen of this County blows his brains out with a revolver.
A sad affair.
On Tuesday morning of this week our citizens were startled by the announcement that Mr. Barzilla T. Black, an old citizen of this county, who resided on his farm in north east Jefferson township, had committed suicide by blowing out his brains with a revolver. Mr. Black was a man of perhaps 55 years of age, and leaves a wife and several children.
Death of David B. Herriman
We find in the Kendallville Standard a biographical sketch of the life of Dan B. Herriman, who died at his home in Iowa, in December last, written by Rev. E. Fothregill, who preached the funeral discourse.
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Mr. Herriman came to Indiana at an early day, settling in this county, and soon became one of the leading citizens of the county and a prominent politician of his day. He was repeatedly elected to the State legislature and State senate, where he made an honorable record as a faithful and hard working member. He will be remembered by many of the older citizens of this and adjoining counties, who will be pained to learn of his death, which occurred near Wadena, Fayette county, Iowa, on the 19th day of December, 1875.
At the time of his death he was 67 years and 2 months old.
We make the following extract from the sketch of his life above mentioned which will be read with Interest by our readers: In the fall of the same year he became acquainted with Miss Mary Judy, who, with her parents had emigrated from the State of Ohio, and early in the following year, they were united in marriage, and soon thereafter moved to their home in the timber, their dwelling being a log house, (sweet remembrance of log house days to the early years of we Pioneers of Northern Indiana, ) with plenty of Indians, wolves and deer, and other wild animals. Here he lived for a number of years clearing away the timber, plowing and cultivating the soll, until he made a model farm for that country. This farm lies close to the village called Rome City, on the Ft. Wayne and Grand Rapids R. R. Not many years passed away until the log house and other log buildings gave way for better and more substantial buildings.
In the meantime he became the favorite of his party, and was elected to the state Legislature, where he remained for sixteen unbroken years, save one, he refusing to let his name go before the people. He said "I wanted to stay home with my family." Soon after the opening of the session, he received a letter from a friend stating he wished him to come immediately to the
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Legislature, and he went. The Southern Michigan Railroad wanted him to get a grant to pass through a portion of the State on its way to Chicago. He was employed in working up the bill, and it passed. He was gone from home two months, and had sixteen hundred dollars for his services when he got home. No man ever worked harder for the interests of his people, than did D. B. Herriman, though at no time in his life was he able to make a speech. While others were speech making he was doing the work, and scarcely ever failed to carry his measure through.
He was, a part of his life, a great joker, and when he could get a political joke on his opponent, he enjoyed it hugely. And, finally, his political career in Indiana was a success."
After moving to Iows, he was elected to many positions of public trust. His life was a long and useful one, and he died leaving a large circle of friends who mourn his departure to the mysterious land beyond the dark river of Death.
From Albion New Era, Jan. 13, 1876
In regard to the biographical sketch of the life of the late David B. Herriman, formerly of this county, which was published in the county papers some weeks the following: Mr. Enoch Fothregill, in his biographical sketch of David B. Herriman, mis-represented the facts (ignorantly, I presume) when he says, and "was" elected to the state legislature, where he remained for sixteen unbroken years, save one, he refusing to let his name go before the public. He said "I wanted to stay at home with my family."
The facts are, he was not elected to the legislature to exceed three terms, which at that time was but one
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year each, and the last time he ran for the office of legislator, he was badly defeated by a whig, his opponent, but not, however, without making & desperate effort on his part as well that of his party, to accomplish his election. The facts in the case would not seem to indicate that he wished to stay at home with his family as above expressed, but rather that he stayed at home for want of votes.
Dave, as he was familiarly called, was not one of that kind. He was an aspirant and lover of office. He, like Falstaff, carried a big belly and was full of fun. He could run a foot race, blow out candle, jump over a rake stale, play euchre, drink whiskey, say grace, and do many good things, all in twenty four hours.
Verite sans peur' H, S.
Albion New Era, Feb. 3, 1876
Joseph Cox, County clerk, is able to be about town, but is yet too weak and enfeebled to do much business.
We last week received a pleasant call from Mr. Owen Black, in company with his brother, Amos Black, who is a well-to-do farmer residing near Kendallville.
Obituary .- Died, at Cromwell, Ind., Jan. 27, 1876, Rachael Deluslee, aged 76 years 9 months and 23 days. She was born in Kentucky, in 1799. Was left an orphan at the age of three years, when she was
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taken into the family of her uncle Benj. Laikins, from Whom she received religious instructions. She was converted when 13 years old in Mt. Carmel church, Clermont County, Ohio, and was a faithful member of the M. E. Church up to the time of her death. She left four sons, and two daughters to mourn her loss. Discourse by Rev. Jacob Masemore. Feb. 3, 1876, New Era, Albion.
The New Era of last week was full of crisp local matter. Among its other news, we noticed that the workmen at the foundry had commenced breaking up the old Sea Serpent press that the Goshen Democrat was first printed on. It was too bad to let that old relie be thus destroyed .- Goshen Democrat.
Locals in New Era, Albion, Feb. 17, 1876
It is said that the M. E. Parsonage at Kendallville was sold for delinquent city taxes a few weeks since.
The Ft. Wayne Gazette, of recent date, contained the following scrap of history of the old printing press that was broken up a short time since at the Albion foundry: We notice by The New Era, published at Albion, Noble County, that the "Old Sea Serpent" printing press, upon which the old Goshen Democrat was first printed, has been broken up at the foundry at that place. It was brought to Goshen about 1838 and 1849 was moved to Warsaw, where the former, and also present editor of the Gazette were first Introduced to the art preservative, the first as typo and the latter as editor. It was afterward taken
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to Albion, where it by some means was placed upon the retired list.
The "Sea Serpent" was a press of peculiar construction, invented by Benjamin Franklin, and was said to be the second of the pattern ever cast. Were it today set up and placed on the sidewalk, it would attract more attention than a double-cylinder Potter press. Its weight, if we remember correctly, was about 1400 pounds, and was a perfect model of ugliness and strength. As a hand press, it was a man killer. From sixty to eighty sheets per hour was its capacity. It was fully a hundred years old at the time. It should have been preserved and sent to the centennial as a relic of the past. From New Era, Feb. 17, 1876.
Death of Hon. Thos. Wilson .- Of the death of this old and respected citizen of Noble County, which occurred a short time since, the Warsaw, Indianian says: One day last week, the Rev. Geo. W. Wilson, the pastor of the presbyterian church, at this place, was called to the home of his parents in Noble County, on account of the serious illness of his father, Judge Wilson. He remained until Monday evening, when he was called home on account of the serious sickness of his little son, leaving the Judge in a dying condition. In about an hour after he left, the father died. Judge Wilson was in the eightieth year of his age, and had long been a citizen of Noble County. There was no more honorable and upright man in the county. He was repeatedly elected by the people of that county to important offices, and no man in the county had the confidence and esteem of his neighbors to a greater extent. A good man has passed away.
Hon. Henry D. Wilson, of Goshen, formerly Mayor of that city, is also a son of the deceased. New Era, Feb. 17, 1876.
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Obituary .- Joseph C. Lash died of pneumonia at his residence in Orange township, Noble County, on the 6th day of February 1876, aged 38 years, 2 months, and 11 days. He was the oldest son of William and Mary G. Lash-born in Mifflin county, Penn., Nov. 26th, 1837. When about two years of age he was taken by his parents to Wayne County, Ohio, whence after a residence there of some nine years, he removed with his parents to Noble County. They settled on the farm (now known as Lash's Addition to the city of Kendallville) where his father died in the year 1855, leaving Joseph, then a youth of 18, as the virtual head of the family, then consisting of the mother, himself and four brothers and two sisters. Prior to the death of his father, he had united with the Baptist Church, manifesting at that early age, (not quite 17,) the maturity of religious conviction and moral sentiment which characterized his whole life, thence forward; and which, with his rare amiability, fidelity and industry enabled him to so guide, govern and support the little flock thus left in his care, as to mitigate the severity of their affliction, and win for himself the lasting gratitude, love, and deep respect of his young brothers and sisters, as well as of the entire community, who witnessed his young career, so beautiful and useful in all the relations of life. In July 1860 he united himself in marriage with Miss Sarah Willover, a most estimable young woman, and soon afterwards purchased and settled upon the farm where he died and where his family now reside, about five miles northwest of Kendallville. Kind, faithful and exemplary- ever after his union with the church a consistent humble follower of Christ-he was in all respects a good and useful citizen, an exemplary and loving son, brother, husband and father. His mother Mrs. M. G. Isbell, his brothers, James J. and Elijah P. Iash, his sister Mrs. Lizzie Lester-all of Albion, a sister, Mrs. Jewell in Chicago, and his wife and four children, are left to mourn an irreparable loss and charist the tender, grateful memories which such a life inspires. Albion New Era, Feb. 17, 1876.
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Dedication of the M. E. Church, on South Orange street took place on Sunday evening. Rev. T. N. Campbell of Greencastle, Ind. preached a very able sermon. Albion New Era, Feb. 17, 1876
The centennial chair, manufactured by J. K. Lautzenhiser, of Goshen, formerly of this place, contains pieces of 100 different kinds of wood. (all of Elkhart County) . Goshen is making an effort to purchase it and have it sent to Philadelphia during the centennial exhibition.
Died .- In Ligonier, February 21st, 1876, at 9:15 A. M. of consumption, Dr. D. W. C. Denny. Aged 47 years, 5 months and 16 days.
We understand that Mr. Jacob Kitt, a well known and respected citizen of the south part of this county, was buried at Wolf Lake on Monday.
Albion New Era, Feb. 24-1876.
Thomas Maltheus, of Wolf Lake, died Saturday last at the age of 49 years, and was buried on Sunday. Ho was a much respected citizen of Noble County. Albion New Era, Feb. 24, 1876.
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The Ligonier Banner say: The wife of Jonathan
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Hammett, Professor of Meadville (Fa.) College, died on Sunday last, aged 54 years. Deceased was a sister on Hon. Geo. W. Chapman, and mother of Wm. C. Hamnett, formerly of this place, but now a citizen of Toledo, both of whom attended the funeral, at Meadville yesterday.
Mr. Vermilyea, whose death we recorded last week, was buried on Thursday. The funeral discourse was preached at the Methodist church, and a large number of our citizens followed the remains to its last resting place in the cemetery. He was an old and much respected citizen.
Albion New Era, March 2, 1876.
In March, 1876, the physicians in Albion were: Drs. Leonard, Lemon, Hays, and Spencer.
Thos .. D. Evans, attorney and Counselor at law, established 1875.
Samuel E. Elvord, attorney and counselor at law J. M. Denny H Thos. M. Eels 2
. Tousley & Prickett $ Wm. S. Kiser, abstract of titles of Noble County. R. J. Harkins, shoe shop. established in 1858
The oldest establised business of the kind in Albion.
The dry goods store of C. B. Phillips, northest corner of Main and Orange Streets, is one of the oldest establishments of its kind in town. It was established by William M. Clapp in 1856. In 1862 the firm name was changed to Clapp & Phillips, and on the 16th ult., Mr. C. B. Phillips became sole proprietor. It is one of the old and reliable institutions of Albion.
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The Albion New Era was established in October 1872, by Samuel E. Elvord. On the first of January last it was purchased by Prickett & Starr, the present proprietors, who enlarged it to a nine column folio.
The following biographical notice of Dr. D. W. C. Denny, who died recently at Ligonier, we clip from the Kendallville Standard of last week:
Dr. D. W. C. Denny was born in Preble county, Ohio. His father, Col. Wm. Denny, removed with his family from there about the year 1834, perhaps a year or two earlier, and settled in Elkhart county, where they remained three or four years, then came from that County to this and settled in the Hlaw Patch, some three miles northeast of Ligonier.
When young Denny was about sixteen he went to Wolf Lake and engaged for a time in teaching school. At the latter place he began the study of medicine with Drs. Nimmon and Sheldon, who were then the most prominent physicians in the county. After a few years preparation, the subject of our sketch entered regularly upon the duties of his profession at the place last named, where he continued until 1860, when he removed to Albion, and pursued. his business until about 1870, going from there to Ligonier.
Dr. Denny was a graduate of one of the Cincinnati colleges-a good physician, having a wide circle of friends and patrons throughout the county, among whom he had practiced about 27 years. He was a member of the American, North Eastern Indiana and Noble County Medical Societies.
"Clint", as he was familiarly called, had his
faults. Who has not? We point to them as a warning to the living and throw the mantle of charity over the grave of our dead friend, whose geniality, kindness, ability, and
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and general accomplishments in his profession, won for him a strong friendship in the hearts of those who knew him best. T.
Biographical .- Isaac Smith was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, July 5th, 1801, being at the time of his death 74 years, 7 months and 19 days of age. He emigrated with his father (his mother having died when he was yet a small child), at the age of ten years to Licking County, Ohio. His father buying a large tract of land in Licking and the adjoining county of Muskingum, he was early put to hard work, and consequently had not the advantages of an education, but could calculate and transact business readily. He remembered the war of 1812, two of his older brothers engaged therein. In 1819 he became a member of the old School Baptist church, in which he lived a consistent member until his death, and, as has been frequently remarked, was a "pillar and a post."
In the year 1864 he removed to Noble County with his wife and three children, leaving one son and a daughter in Ohio; the oldest son having removed to the State of Iowa many years before. There were born unto his wife ten children, most of whom lived to be men and women.
His wife was called to depart this life July 9th 1871. Subsequently he married Mrs. Lucinda Holmes, of Elkhart township, this county, who was indeed a wife to him, and to use her own language, when the accident above narrated occurred, she said, "I could have jumped out, but seeing Mr. Smith could not do likewise, I felt like going with him."
He was an affectionate husband and a kind and indulgent father. This the history-and thus ended the life of our father.
J. B. S.
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Cuite a number of our subscribers visited our office on Friday last. Among the number we recall the names of Stanfill Corbin, Rome City, Chas. Law, Wolcottville, Christian Weaver and John Potts, of Brimfield, and James Drake of Laotto. New Era, April 6, 1876
The Kendallville Standard says: Lake Ihrie has been assigned to the White Line, between Chicago and Toledo, and took his first run out of Chicago last Sunday night. Lake will make an efficient postal clerk if he can stad the physical labor and loss of sleep. He is on si .: days and off six. Albion New Era, May 18, 1876.
We received a pleasant call on Friday, from Dr. L. C. Schutt, of Avilla. He is an enterprising citizen of the county and reports business moderately good in that village. New Era-June8-1876
Ligonier and Noble County, lost one of their most prominent and best citizens on Sunday last in the death of Mr. Charles G. Vail, a gentle man who has been long and favorably known as an homest, straight- forward business man, and respected citizen. Cur acquaintance with the deceased dates back to our childhood's days, and has extended through a period of 30 or 40 years. In all his relations of life, he was honest and just, and possessing an indomitable will and positive convictions as to right and justice, he wielded an extensive influence in moulding the opinions of those by whom he was surrounded. He came to Elkhart
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county about 1835 or 1836, from Uniontown, Pennsylvania we believe, where he continued in business until his removal to Ligonier, several years since. He was about 71 years old at the time of his death. A good man has fallen. New Era, June 8, 1876.
Address of Mr. Nelson Prentiss, Delivered before the Old Settler's Association of Noble County, on Saturday, June 3rd, 1876.
Another year has passed and gone since we assembled here, and its history is written upon the record of the past, and today we meet according to appointment to review the past, to talk of the present, and to contemplate upon the future. The year that has just passed has been to some of us one of uninterrupted peace and prosperity, and we rejoice and give thanks that the same Divine Providence that has shaped our destiny through every lane of life has still kindly smiled upon us.
Our lives and our health have been graciously preserved, and we enjoy the privilege of again looking upon faces that were familiar in days gone by; of grasping the warm hand, and assured that our hearts have not grown cold toward each other. We meet as a little band, small indeed today, and becoming smaller each year, and we realize the fact that in a few short years the last of our band will be removed from the scenes of earth. Each revolving year leaves our number less and as I gaze over this audience and see before me faces so well remembered, but oh! how changed by time, the solemn truth is impressed upon my mind that "Time is winging us away to our eternal home."
The raven locks of forty years ago have given place to the frosted hairs of age. With us "the silver
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cord will soon be loosed, the golden bowl be broken, and finis be written upon the history of our lives." But let us be truly thankful that so many of us are spared to meet again, and let us each endeavor so to live that when called hence we may leave this world in the joyful anticipation of unending bliss in the rest that remains for the faithful.
This is an important era in everything that pertains to American history. It is the centennial birth-year of our nation, and we in common with all others may rejoice that we have lived to see it. One hundred years seem like a long time, yet some of the pioneers of Noble County have lived nearly half that time here. But let us briefly review the past year.
I remarked in the outset that to some of us this year has brought prosperity and peace, and that no dark shadows have crossed our paths, but to others the year has produced far different results. Today, as old settlers, we look in vain for familiar faces that were wont to gladden our hearts. Today there are vacant seats at our social board. Today there are aching voids in hearts, that cannot be filled, and homes where the light has gone out, never to be re-kindled on earth. So far as I have learned, the following friends have left us: Mrs. Mary A. Clapp, Dr. D. W. C. Denny, Hon. Thos. H. Wilson, Mrs. Nancy Cummings (late Mrs. Broughton) , John Davis, and Mrs. Frances Galloway.
Mrs. Mary A. Clapp was born in Huron county, Ohio, in 1824, and died at Albion in 1875, and was, at the time of her death, over 51 years of age.
She came to Noble county in 1836, and with her father's family lived in Jefferson township until her marriage to Hon. Wm. M. Clapp, since which time she resided in Albion. In early life she embraced religion, and united with the Baptist church, and continued a worthy member until her death. She leaves a husband and
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three children to mourn her loss.
Thomas H. Wilson was born in Westmoreland county Perm., Feb. 20th, 1797, and died at his house in Washington township, Feb. 7th, 1876, being at the time near 79 years of age.
At the age of 14 years he removed to Ohio with his parents and continued there until 1836, when they settled in Noble county, where he lived until his death. On the day day of August, 1821, he was married to Miss Neal, with whom he lived happily for more than fifty years; rearing a large and respectable family who are living examples of proper paternal care and early training. Three of his sons are prosperous and intelligent farmers, two are lawyers, and one a minister in the presbyterian church. In early life, living as he did on the frontiers, he did not enjoy the advantages of education which are now so abundant, but his nabive good sense and observation made him more than the equal of many whose scholastic acquirements were superior to his.
Soon after his settlement in Noble County, at the earnest solicitations of his neighbors he accepted the office of Justice of the peace. He was subsequently elected one of the Associate Judges of the Noble Cirouit Court and discharged his duties on the Bench in an acceptable manner. He also represented Noble County in the legislature (once or twice) and his record there shows without a stain. He had enemies, as every man will have who has the moral courage to do right regardless of consequences, but even these never charged him with official misconduct. All the places of trust he ever held were thrust upon him unsolicited and frequently against his protest.
He was a member of the first Presbyterian church organized in Noble County, but the church having been dissolved, and there being no organization of his choice in his vicinity, he united with the Evangelical Lutheran church, of which he was a member at the time of his death.
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John Davis was one of the pioneers of Noble County having located here in 1836, on the farm where he died in 1876, at an advanced age. He lived and died a member of the M. E. Church, and I need not say that his death is regretted by all who knew him. His memory is enshrined in the hearts of his old associates, and the world is better for his having lived in it. "The memory of the Just is blessed."
Mrs. Mary Cummings of Swan tomship died Feb. 27th, 1876, at the advanced age of 81 years. She was born in the State of New York and emigrated thence to Ohio, where she lived several years, and where she buried her first husband, Mr. Broughton. She came to Noble County in 1836, and settled in the township where she died. She was the mother of William and Samuel Broughton, who reside among us, and who are justly held in high esteem among their fellow citizens, and who owe their success in life to the wise counsel of a mother, for being left fatherless in their childhood their training depended upon the mother. She was the mother of ten children, of whom eight are living. She was a member of the M. E. church from early youth until her death, and when she became aware that the time for her departure was at hand, her mind was tranquil and serene, and with full assurance of unending bliss above, she fell asleep to wake emid the glories of Heaven.
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