USA > Indiana > Steuben County > Fremont > Program and history : a souvenir of the Fremont area centennial, 1867-1967 > Part 1
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REMON
AREA CENTENNIAL
BAY
FREMONT
DEARBORN (CHICAGO),
JAMESTOWN
RAY
VISTULA (TOLEDO).
(PITTSBURGH)
CLEAR LAKE
ELKHART
1
A COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL FACTS CONCERNING THIS IMPORTANT OUTPOST ON EARLY AMERICA'S VISTULA ROAD !!!
7
EXCHANGE MILLS, FREMONT, 1880
FREMONT · 1880
FT. DUQUESNE
FORT
THE
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
MAIN OFFICE FREMONT BANK Fremont, Indiana PHONE 495-2545
BRANCH OFFICE ORLAND BANK Orland, Indiana PHONE 829-2415
The First national Bank of Fremont, Indiana
INSURANCE
$15.000 MAXIMUM INSURANCE FOR EACH DEPOSITON
CORPORATION
MEMBER
BUILDING AND GROWING WITH THE TRI-STATE AREA - - SINCE 1915 - -
FULL SERVICE BANK
"The Oldest National Bank In Steuben County"
FIETS
MCNAUGHTON'S THE FREMONT HARDWARE
UGS
McNaughton's THE FREMONT HARDWARE Phone 495-2715
€
McNaughton's I.H.C. & New Idea Implements F.B. McNAUGHTON - OLDSMOBILE Phone 495-3015
E. B. McNAUGHTON - HARDWARE & IMPLEMENTS
- Established 1902
F. B. McNAUGHTON - OLDS & I. H. C. TRUCKS
- 1927
PHONE 495-3915
1867
1967
PROGRAM
And
HISTORY .
A Souvenir Of The
FREMONT AREA CENTENNIAL
Friday, July 28, 1967
Through
Saturday, August 5, 1967
- At
FREMONT, INDIANA
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CONTENTS
Page
From The Chairman
3
Centennial Committees . 4, 5
Fremont Town Board of Trustees
6
In Appreciation
7
The Past - And The Future
8
Program
9
Winter Scene of Fremont
10
Centennial Belles
11
Fremont Consolidated Schools
14
Brothers Of The Brush
15
History Of Fremont
17
Fremont Fire Department
21
Saga Of Silas Doty
22
History Of Ray
23
Rose Hartwick Thorpe
27
Clear Lake
28
The Vistula Road
30
Pokagon State Park
33
History Of The Fremont Public Library
35
Dr. F. W. Reichelderfer
36
Jamestown - Land Of Lakes
37
Lt. Lee Stanley Cassel
39
Lt. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey
39
History Of The Fremont Area Churches 40
Evangelical United Brethren Church 40
Clear Lake Baptist Church 41
The Clear Lake Lutheran Chapel 42
Methodist Church 42
Reorganized Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints 43
Jamestown Community Church
44
Stokes Chapel 45
Ray Community Church
46
St. Paul's Catholic Church
47
Jehovah's Witnesses
47
Sponsors (At bottom of pages and on page 48)
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To The Citizens Of The Fremont area
I would like to take this opportunity to thank every- one in the area who helped make the Centennial a success. Special thanks to the people who served on committees and devoted so much time and effort to the celebration.
In the program, we have tried to have something for everyone, and it is my sincere wish that a good time is had by all. I also hope a medical building can be started through the financial success of the centennial, and many more worthwhile projects can be done in the future, with the same enthusiam you have had for this celebration.
Thank you again.
Roger Barry
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FREMONT AREA CENTENNIAL
HONORARY CHAIRMAN ACTIVE CHAIRMAN ASSISTANT CHAIRMAN
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
E. B. McNaughton Roger Barry Ned Snyder Senator Willis Batchelet Eloise Finicle, Art Somers Richard Bingaman and Robert Vaughn
TREASURER SECRETARIES
BUDGET CHAIRMAN
STOCK
LADIES' PARTICIPATION
MENS' PARTICIPATION
Jim Myers Mayo Sanders Thelma Mitchell Wayne Sidel Esther Ferguson, Chm. Gladys Sidel, Chm. La Von Bressler, Chm.
GENERAL COMMITTEE
E. B. McNaughton, Honorary Chairman Roger Barry, General Chairman
PUBLICITY
Phil Gay, Chairman Lois Greenamyer
HISTORICAL
Jean Gary, Co-chairman Ruth Hadley, Co-chairman
HEADQUARTERS
Mr. and Mrs. Dale Pifer, Chairmen Mr. and Mrs. Lee Kinsey Mr. and Mrs. Roy Bailey Mr. and Mrs. Earl Schaeffer Josephine Snyder, Tonna Hagerty
NOVELTIES
Ralph Hadley, Bud Hankes
HISTORICAL WINDOWS
Harold Clark, Roy Crandall
SHAVING PERMITS
Earl Ford McNaughton, Myron Clark
PRODUCTION
Ronnie Vaughn, Co-chairman Dave Osborne, Co-chairman
STOCK
Esther Ferguson, Chairman Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Fogarty Betty Clark, Gladys Sidel Don Rhodes, Leila Hutchins Mildred Bressler, Phil Gay Ned Snyder, Art Middleton Neva Glassley, Ruth Stroh Betty Gary, Virginia Michael Janice Crawford, Rosie King Donna Cowsert, Ann Swift
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CHAIRMEN AND COMMITTEES
OLD FASHION DAY
Mr. and Mrs. William Hutchins, Co-chairmen Mr. and Mrs. Howard Mingus, Co-chairmen Mr. and Mrs. William Eatinger Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cleckner Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Sowles Mr. and Mrs. Harry Sherburne Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hancock
YOUTH DAY
Max Mitchell, Chairman James McKibben, Charles Anthrup Tom Spidel, Dean Hantz Bill Swager, Bob Knisely Peggy Foust, June Crandall Patty Champion, Judy Regadanz
LADIES DAY
Joan Penner, Co-Chairman Loralee Gay, Co-chairman Joyce Roderick, Jane Snyder Sylvia Huss, Vera Smith Harriet Mims, Norita Latham Lucille Keyes, Evelyn Smith Arma Lou Sherburne, Leila Hutchins
AGRICULTURE, LABOR and INDUSTRY
Phil Michael, Co-chairman Don Robinson, Co-chairman Alan Boots, Clellie Smart Harold Sellers, Clarence Huss LeRoy Huss, Bob Baker Howard Pierce, Duane Wall Gerald Evans, Bob Burch John Dove, Harold Wise Jerry Somers
RELIGIOUS HERITAGE DAY
Wendell Schaeffer, Co-chairman Richard Baker, Co-chairman Art Middleton, Don Ireland Mrs. Paul Dygert, Margaret Hardy Mrs. Tom Hook, Mrs. Merle Loucks Mrs. Vic Bretz, Rev. Donald Kunkle
OLD TIMERS BASEBALL GAME
Howard Beams, Dale Gary, Wayne Sidel
FIREWORKS MERCHANTS ACTIVITIES PARADE
Robert Vaughn, Dean Salisbury
Charles Bressler, Gar Lewis, Wade Foster
Jerry Beams, Co-chairman Ned Snyder, Co-chairman Diane Walston, Margaret Dickenson Ford McNaughton, Myron Clark James Mckibben, Gene Norton Dr. Louis Doiron
ADVERTISING COMMITTEE
Joan Penner, Vera Smith Sylvia Huss, Geralee Baker
June 10, 1967
Dear Friends,
Every community, in the course of its life, developes a personality, reflecting the essential nature of its inhabitants. A city's physical aspect is a part of its personality.
We are proud of our town as an attractive community in which to live and to work.
We believe our people are friendly, industrious and progressive. We think that our citizens have met the challenges of community life as it exists today, as they have met them through the past 100 years, straight-forward and unafraid.
There are heroic figures in our history from the time that Fremont was a grain center along the Vistula Road to its present position as one of the most enter- prising communities in Northern Indiana. As we have grown through the years we have also developed in our spiritual, educational and social interests.
We invite all our friends and visitors to join with us in our Centennial Cele- bration and to enjoy with us the functions which are planned during the summer.
We believe that the observance will be a reminder to us of the many advantages we have here which will make our next century an even greater one than the one now past.
Sincerely yours,
Fremont Town Board of Trustees Robert L. Vaughn, President Max Rathbun Ned Snyder Everett Ferguson, Clerk-Treasurer
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In appreciation
May we add our congratulations to the Fremont Area, which has grown and prospered through more than 100 years. Fremont stands as a living tribute to the men and women who came before us and who worked to build it. It also provides a challenge to us today to make it an even better community-that our children and their children may point to her with pride 100 years from now.
We wish to acknowledge a vast debt of gratitude to all of those people who in any way have aided in our search for material. It is impossible to list all of their names, but to Lois Greenamyer and Lee Duguid we want to give special thanks. Had it not been for their knowledge and of source material and their high regard for tradition on which our town rests, this booklet could not have been compiled.
The editors of this centennial Edition regret any omissions or errors which may be in evidence. We request that any corrections be brought to the attention of the Editors of the Bi-Centennial Edition in 2067. Surely those editors will correct the errors in that edition.
Ruthe Hadley Jean Gary
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
Russell Abbott
Una Barry
Mildred Barry Leila Hutchins
Christine Moreland Dorothy Fackler
Mary McCormack Lena Mae McNaughton Helen Skelton Gene Norton Bertha Cobb Parker
Mrs. Glen R. Woods Paul Michael Art Somers Gar Lewis Wayne Sidel
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Once a Familiar Sight in the Fremont Area, the Log Cabin Is Now a Thing of the Past.
THE PAST AND THE FUTURE
During the past century, there have been many changes. Clothing styles have changed, methods of transportation have changed from the horse and the railroad to the auto and the airplane. Methods of living are different now with modern con- veniences taking the place of the crude, rugged life the early settlers experienced.
In keeping with the times, Fremont has changed and progressed, too, through the past century.
This Centennial commemorates those early settlers who fought disease, hunger and hardships to develop this area. It is dedicated to all who have contributed to the growth and prosperity of this area. It opens the doors to a new century that holds opportunities unlimited.
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PROGRAM FREMONT AREA CENTENNIAL JULY 28 -- AUGUST 5, 1967
FRIDAY, JULY 28 AND SAT., JULY 29 Sidewalk Sale
Womanless Wedding
***** * ***
SUNDAY, JULY 30
Religious Heritage Day
Interdenominational Service 1867 Style
Old Timers Ball Game (8 P.M.) New Athletic Field
*******
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1
Old Fashion Day 7:30 Merchant's Auction 9:00 Square Dancing *********
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2
Youth Day MORNING: Pet Parade AFTERNOON: Games at Park 6:00 P.M. Pony Pulling
EVENING: Teen Dance
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3 Ladies Day
AFTERNOON: 1:30-Centennial Belle Contest
3:00-Dress Parade
EVENING: Variety Show
**********
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4 Agriculture, Labor and Industry Day
AFTERNOON: Greased pig and similar .. contests for all ages EVENING: Garden Tractor Pull
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 General Hershey Day
AFTERNOON: (1:30) Parade, Beard and Dress Judging, Raffles
EVENING: American Legion Barbecue Fireworks
********
ALSO PLANNED: Kangaroo Court
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FOURTYCUNGI
WINTER SCENE OF FREMONT AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY
Throughout the years Fremont has served the people of this area with their daily needs, Winter and Summer.
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Fremont Area Centennial Belles
To Gladys Sidel must go the credit for the organization and promotion of the Fremont Area Centennial Belles. It was she who spark- ed every local and surrounding club to enter a Belle Group and to join in the fun. As a result, 21 groups and 365 members all bought identi- fication pins, pledged to wear Centennial gowns on prescribed days and to promote all the goals of the Centennial Committee.
With great courage they accepted a challenge
to a tug of war with Brothers of the Brush and some say they won. They selected by a lot- tery one Brother to be shaved in public and with great ceremony they did! They have sponsored cookie sales, used clothing drives and other ac- tivities too numerous to mention in this limited space.
To the Centennial Belles must go a big share of the credit for a successful Fremont Area Centennial Celebration.
MINERVA-MINI BELLES
SOROSIS BELLES
Mary McCormack Lucille Beams
Virginia Mckibben Wava Thompson
Blanche Gary
Harriet Mims
Laura Marshall
Betty Ann Clark
Lola Moeller
Dorothea Houser
Joyce Reed
Georgia Montgomery
Donna Brown
Vesta Mae Sellers
Laura States
Cleo Northam
Josephine Snyder
Juanita Mitchell
Pearl King
Dorothy Stroh
Margaret Eckman
Jerry Chapin
Marilyn Wells
Pauline Lower
Rolene Waters
Vera Albright
Dolly Bullock
Rosie Hantz
June Herber
Una Barry
Beverly Newbauer
Lauralee Gay
Wauneta Smith
Beverly Shaffer
Margery Higbee
TOWN & COUNTRY BELLES
Mary Kinsey Mildred Meeks
Carolyn McBride
Hazel Brattin
Ilah Champion
Mildred Foster
LuReign Arnold
Marcella Kaufman
Betty Foster
Marjorie Mertz Gladys Sidel
Anna Jean Foulk
Peggy Bressler
Barbara Bressler
Mary Jo Gard
Dorothy Clay
Sue Davis
Margaret Myers
Kathleen Stroh
Hilda Chapin
Mildred Shutts
Wanda Norton
Mabel Michael
Cheryl Pocock
Marjorie Clark Della Patterson Florence Vaughn
Janet Mckinley Diane Robertson
Mildred Bressler Leila Hutchins
Burdena Day Janette Sherburne
Jackie Crawford
Clara Pierce
Katie Crawford Nianne Gay Sandy Gould
Beverly Frederick Arlene Hufnagle Ruth Sowle Marie Volkmer
Georgene Doty
Linda Thomas Marlene Wilkinson Ann Mounts
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Margaret Dickinson Diane Walston Hazel Farrington Uvah Foster Joan Hawkins Joan Jolly Maxine Young Florence Bingaman
BUSY BELLES
Norma Rathbun Jean Mounts
Martha Lyons
Jean Mounts
Debbie Lyons
GAY NIGHTIES
Lucille Keyes Madelene Mundy
Jeanette Rathbun
Mildred Barry Margaret Vaughn
Helen Hodge Audrey Hutchins
Linda Barry Bonnie Phillips Carol Reese Bernice Hufnagle
Marilyn Champion
Althea Knauss
Ruby Hershey
Rolene Kaufman
Sue Gary
Pearl Blosser
Teresa Kundard
June Champion Christine Carter Betty Phillips
GAY BELLES
Centennial Belles (Continued)
MERRY BELLES
Marlene Meeks Rosalie Dominguez Joyce Roderick Shirley Schlabach Evelyn Smith (Art) Anna Barry Shirley Guske Mariannette Harter Marsha Higbee Gretchen Baker Gwen Baker Pat Kimmerling Phyllis Strang Loretta Smart Evelyn Sevits
SCHOOL BELLES
Thelma Mitchell Pam Johnson McNaughton Caroline Sanders Edith Pocock
Ruth Pifer
Beulah Sommers Madalynne Gary Gwen Cotner Sue Sanders
June Crandall Carolee Ambrose Patty Champion Margaret Smith Marie Schmiege Roseanne Lindsay Linda Roach Marlene Goodwin
STITCH & CHATTER BELLES
Ruthie Wise Betty Cox Donna Moffett Lorna Knisely Phyllis Hufnagle Nina Fulton Liz Fisher Anita Dryer Arden Ferguson Jean Lauer JoAnn Bingaman Sally Mingus Madge Foster
SUGAR BELLES
Gloria Berlein Nellie Shoff Shirley Sutton Geraldine Sevits Irene Hufnagle Betty Clark Mildred Lomont Opal Huss
Juanita Shaffer
Pauline Thompson
Fran Carpenter
Nancy Burch Scharlotte Sherburne
Sylvia Fraley Velma Ann Straw Marian Ringler
STAR BELLES
Mildred Sherburne
Becky Vaughn
Nettie Harding
Shirley Kelley
Mildred Champion
Marilyn Wells
Beatrice Miller
Maggie Crawford
Betti Schaff
Doris Barry
Kay Spidel Nellie Kauffman
Luella Vaughn Loretta Smart
Noreta Lahrman
Wilma Jackson
Lucille Lantz Lillian Harding
Judy Brown
E.B.'s BUSY BEES
Virginia Michael
Janice Crawford
Betty Gary RoseMary King
ArmaLou Sherburne
Esther Ferguson
Joan Myers Neva Glassley Ruth Stroh
Donna Cowsert
Edna Fisher
Rena Paul
Anne Swift
Kathy Michael
THE CANTERBURY BELLES No. I
Donna Albright Jane Snyder Jean Huss Vera Smith
Nancy Stafford
Judy Miller Molly Dove
Audrey McCarthy
Muriel Penner
Sylvia Huss
Marie Noyes
Ruth Huss
Judy Sullins Sandy Rose Glenna Beams
Carol Snyder
THE CANTERBURY BELLES No. II
Georgia Montgomery
Helen Skelton
Sharon Huss
Alta Burrell
Geralee Baker
Nancy Noyes
Joann Penner
Goldie Smith
Willa Durnell
Ann Baird
Sharon Thatcher
Lois Schaeffer Virginia Watts
SISTERS OF THE SKILLET
Mary Gardner Virginia Fisher Sybil Palmerton Luella Wells Helen Northam
Wilma Burch
Lottie Burch Janet Hankes Sue Schorey Katie Loney
Pat Michael Belva Noragon
Ila Sickels Berdine Wilkinson Virginia Kibinger Peggy Folkner Mrs. Ralph Hancock Patty Hancock Ida Hancock Nancy Hancock Mary Ellen Osborne Norma Noragon
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Centennial Belles (Continued)
DINNER BELLES No. I
Iylene Swift Laura Parker Judy Way Joyce Barron Bonnie Thomas Kathy Etheridge Jan Stevens
Evelyn Hufnagle Berneice Hufnagle Verl Ireland
Priscilla Green Pat Lee Violet Curtland Ruby Hall Jean McClanahan
DINNER BELLES No. II
Barbara Tatio Kathy Heide Joyce Roe Connie Champion Nancy Bird Carolyn Parker Myrtle Gleason Lois Petre
Mary L. Gleason Janet Miller
Sharon Gleason Janice Creager
Marion Musselman Bonnie Morgan
JIMBELLES No. I
Pat Straw
Iva Jackson
Evelyn Sickels
Nina Kennedy
Virgil Straw Judy Regadanz
Mary Fenning
Shirley Siener
Jeanie Herman
June Shook
Eloise Finicle
Roberta Baker
Shirley Hoyer
Connie Ross
Anna Belle Campbell
Evelyn Smith Carolyn Smith
Mrs. Lewis Parker
Mrs. Edwin Collins
Melanie Jacks
Kathie Straw
Debbie Siener
Lennah Johnson
Pat Master
REVOLUTIONARY BELLES
Pauline Batchelet
Ruthe Hadley
Helen Swift
Ina Hubbell
Louise Phillips
Jean Gary Dorothea Houser
Lena Mae McNaughton
Waunetta Lowther
Barbara Crankshaw
Anne Willis
Margaret Romero
Marge Hart
Pauline King
Zola Stomm
TINKER BELLES
Jackie Foster
Shelly Palmerton
Kathy McCormack
Ellen Northam
Linda Crawford
Lindy Barlow
Terrie Sutton
Debbie Sutton
JIMBELLES No. II
Edith Bruce
Cathy White
Jane Rodacap
Lora Dougherty
Ruth Gumper
Marie Myers
Lita Lauer Susie Vaughn
Jean Mitchell
Shelly Birchfield
Marlyn Lazenby
Connie Mingus
Lola Mae Smith
Linda Mckinley
Gladys Sommers
Barbara Mckinley
Bonnie Pierce
Waneta Fisher
Mrs. W. E. Morton
Vicky Snyder
Mrs. Paul Gillespie Donna Phillips
Mary Bock Mirian Seigel
Vi Adams Helen Coler Jan Hanchar
Mildred Sprague
Becky Sutton
Angela Crawford
Barbra Hantz
Cindy Brown
Karma Noragon
Debbie Vaughn Jan Michael
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--
Fremont High School and Gymnasium-Auditorium
FREMONT CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS
No. of students
kindergarten
64
elementary 396
high school 344
total 804
Superintendent
1
Principals
2
Clerical
4
Guidance
1
Librarians
2
Teachers
elementary
18
high school 18
Bus drivers 10
Janitors
5
School board members
7
Cooks
4
New Fremont Elementary Schools
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BROTHERS OF THE BRUSH
Under the able direction of La Von Bressler, The Brothers of the Brush kept the wheels of the Fremont Area Centennial in almost constant motion throughout the entire summer. There were 17 active groups organized with a total membership of 235.
The big kick-off came with the ritual of the Burying of the Razor on May 5. It was com- plete with School Band and weeping Belles and Brothers. Falling rain only served to make the scene more impressive.
The men of the community found it advis- able not to enter Fremont on Friday nights without their Centennial hats, ties, buttons, Beards and moustaches. Failure to do so might result in them being brought into Kangaroo Court for discipline.
Surely everyone will agree that the Fremont Centennial area could not have been so success- ful without them!
THE BAR-BER SHOPPERS
Team captain, Dean Parsons
Charles Leonhardt William Bryan
Louy Abersa Bill Cope Paul Thomas
Charles Weller Bud Smith
Evan Thomas
Bud Michael
Robert Cleckner Carey Sattison Tom Champion Walt Parsons
Team captain, Bill Foster
Wendall Cooper
C. O. Huss Ralph Fouck
Dean Salsbury
Cliff Baird
Fred Jolly
James Prince
Ralph Parsons Sherman Ransbottom
Roger Foutz
Carl Gangway
Dee Way Dr. Lynn Reed Allen Boots Phillip Percy
John McBride
THE HANDLEBARS
Team captain, Neal Fisher
Roy Crandall
Don Palmerton
Joe Barron
Bill Lee Russell Shutts, Jr
Bob Gould
THE CUT-UPS
Team captain, J. O. Brown Art Middleton
Harry E. Schaeffer
Clarence Powell
Additional team captains:
Richard Petre
Ned Sullen
Bob Wilson
Marty Mitchell
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Richard Devine Orain Gary Laurence Rowe Bernard Connin Bert Gratz Junior Paul Bill Lenhart Gerald Way Bob Brown LaVerne Hammond John Landis Joe Greenwalt Ed Crawford
Henry Lay Doyle Ross
Team captain, Roger Miller
Jerry Barron Jim Jenkins Richard Duane Wall Larry Neubauer
Bud Jackson Rolland Aukwright Ed Rakestraw Raymond Sutton John L. Gould Larry Alleshouse Max Rinyl
THE STRAIGHT RAZORS
Team Captain, Jerry Sommers William Glasper Tom Fisher John Hepburn Jim Parker Glenn Wells Harley Gibson
Estel Parsons
Rufus Patton Emmet Woodward
Joe Nephew
Max Greenamayer Joe Knauss Harry Cutcher
Elsworth Higbee Dale Noragon Jim Gary
Pat Pierce
John Dove
Glen Strang
Chet Foulck
Whitey Nichols Hans Miller
Roger Cobb
D. V. P. Miller
Gordon Potts
Bud Stroh Ted McClanahan
Glen Foster
Roy Foster
Max Mitchell
Leon Creager
Raymond Northam Lewis Parker Harris Smith Roy McClanahan Kendall Burch
THE BILLY GOATEES
Brothers of the Brush Membership Roll as of June 5 Von Bressler, Chairman
THE CAVEMEN
BROTHERS OF THE BRUSH (continued)
THE PLOWMEN
Team captain, Ted Blotter Jack Weber Art Baker Paul Nedele Robert Hiller Dutch Baber Andy Payne Glen Shaw Neil Smith Lloyd Henion Leo Coyne Trees C. Jackson Joe Klein Carl Schaeffer Donald Tibbs John Prell Thomas Hook Max Sutton John McAulay
THE GAY BLADES
Team captain, Phil Gay Robert Gleason Pat Alwood Eddie Adams
Max Rathbun James Laughlin Bill Swager
Larry Neubauer Chuck Swager
Terry Swager Harold Mounts Ralph Hawkins Bill Waters Sam Huss Dick White
THE MISCHIEF MAKERS
Team captain, Larry Penner Mr. Letts
Michael Green
Lee Kinsey DeVon Chapin
Thomas A. Parrish Carl Davis Rollo Gary Russell Abbott Team Captain, Cap Straw Bob Adams Don Meeks Tom Meyers
THE FREMONT FUZZ
Team captain, Lewis Hufnagle
Don Robinson
Jim Moffett Bill Hornbrook
Tom Goodwin
Jim Hufnagle Russell Bird
Paul Tatro
Gary Lewis
THE LITTLE SHAVERS
Jerry Morgan
Mike McCarty
Team captain, Roger Hutchins
Buster Thompson Alondo Thatche
Art Crooks Sammy Kaiser
Jerry Crawford Ralph Hancock
Leland Morrison Jim Lance
Tom Hagerty
Ken Schorey
THE GARTER SNAPPERS
Team captain, Arky Vaughn
Howard Vaughn
Bruce Foster
Ralph Hadley
Dean Hantz
Bob Knisley
Jerry Beams Gar Lewis Walter Forbes
Virgil Smith
Bob Gary
THE SOUP STRAINERS
Team captain, Orville Gleason
Dennis Higbee Bob Burch
Milt Grandin
R. C. Birgaman
E. C. Bingaman James Gleason Dennis Fulton
Bennie Gleason
THE OLD SALTS
Team captain, Ned Snyder
Roger Barry
Wayne Sidel Jim Myers Jeff Gay Carl Gardner Duane Firestone Don Becher
Willard Boore Jerry Worthington
Floyd Hufnagle Wayne Hilton
Larry Penner
Corus Nichols
George Snyder
Charles Miller
THE FULLER BRUSH MEN
Team captain, Roscoe Blotter Phil Parker
Tom Parker
Paul Whittecar
Robert Bristle
Ralph Ansley
Raymond E. Ottersen
Clyde Sattison Donald Sattison Harley Sattison Joe Shively
THE COOKIE-DUSTERS
Team captain, Art Sommers
Charles Bressler
Lefty Bressler
John F. Bromagen
Kenny Smith Harold Parker
Wade Foster
Everitt Ferguson
Wayne Durnell Al Shaffer
Bill Hutchins
BERNARD'S BRUSHY BROTHERS
Team captain, Bernard Rose
Chuck Charles
Leon Huss
John Gary
Larry Higbec
Merl Meyers
Mel Gard
Russell Shutts
LaMar Emerick
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FREMONTIND
HISTORY OF FREMONT
Come with me in fancy, to the year 1835, in January, when the plat was filed for the Village of Brockville. This was the second plat to be filed in the county and had previously been known as Willow Prairie. I think we can safely assume that it took its name from the abundance of willow trees the settlers found growing here.
But in the year 1851 the name of the Village of Brockville was again changed, this time to Fremont. Some sixteen years later it was so in- corporated. The reason for the change was that it was discovered that there was another com- munity in Franklin County which had already chosen the name of Brockville. The pioneer sett- ler, Jeremiah Tillotson who so much respected John C. Fremont, The Pathfinder, christened the Post Office and town in his honor.
John McMahon and Jeremiah Tillotson were only hours apart in their arrival at this spot. Ironically now there is reported to be only one Brockville in the world and that is in On- tario Province, Canada.
How does a town start? True facts are scarce and legends abound. Records are few and dim but there are some that tell us the first land entry was made on June 23, 1834 three tracts in fact, of 80 acres each, on which the south part of town is now located. G. D. Pal- menter, S. A. Palmenter and John Cune enter- ed them.
The first frame building was erected in 1836 or 1837 near the center of the village by a man named Goodwin. At about the same time a man
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came from Fort Wayne built a log building which was used as a store. Its location was where the present drug store and bank stand. This man, Mr. Parker was very likely the first mer- chant, known as a "thundering good fellow" possibly due to the fact that he extended credit. His stock of merchandise was limited. Legend has it that his entire stock and worldly posses- sions were easily loaded into a one horse wagon.
To this first building was added a frame building which was turned into a hotel. For several years Truman Gilbert served as its first landlord and was called "MINE HOST" in those days. (German Influence?)
In 1839, Mr. R. A. Gaines came from the village of Lima (Howe) LaGrange County and brought another stock of merchandise, scarcely a full wagon load but his profit was so fabulous that he built another store and stocked it with merchandise purchased in New York.
Mr. Gaines also built a building that was used as a hotel and was known for many years as the American House. It appears that the first building erected was either removed or burned as the American House was located on the pres- ent site of the drug store and bank.
In 1844 the frame of the First Methodist Church was raised. This building was not com- pleted until 1851. The foundation under the building in 1859. It is said that the swine found a cool retreat in the hot summer months under the church until the foundation was completed. In 1872 the building was sold to the Evangelical Association and was moved to the east part of town.
A frame school house was built in Fremont in 1845. This building was afterwards moved to the main street and occupied as a meat
Grocery Wagons About 1900
market. The newer school house was built in 1856. It was 30 by 36 feet in size, two stories high and cost $1,400. It was destroyed by fire August 16, 1877. This was the same year that the first brick school was erected, which with the ground cost $6,000. This building was lo- cated one block north of the main street where the present one stands.
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