USA > Indiana > Adams County > Standard history of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : An authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and country, Volume I > Part 1
USA > Indiana > Wells County > Standard history of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : An authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and country, Volume I > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
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GENEALOGI
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01786 7976
Standard History of
Adams and Wells Counties Indiana
An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with an Extended Survey of Modern Developments in the Progress of Town and Country
Under the Editorial Supervision of JOHN W. TYNDALL, Decatur For Adams County and O. E. LESH, Bluffton For Wells County
Assisted by a Board of Advisory Editors
VOLUME I
ILLUSTRATED
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO AND NEW YORK
1918
1204200
INTRODUCTION
Indiana has always stood for not only prosperity, but originality, whether considered from the standpoint of the commonwealth or the people. In politics it is often classed as doubtful, because its men and women are thinkers, as well as doers, and are not led against their wills. Especially is the northeastern part of Indiana typical of pros- perity and energy, and Adams and Wells Counties are centers of "God's country," as the real Hoosier calls his home hunting grounds, his picturesque streams, his teeming fields and his hamlets, towns and cities.
It is this diverse, useful and interesting country and people which this history, now finished, has endeavored to depiet. The counties, which so worthily perpetuate the names of a great statesman and a gallant soldier and Indian fighter, have put forth gallant soldiers of the later days, successful business men, women of culture, and numer- ous characters of both sexes whose strength and activity have been given to social, moral and religious development.
From the very outset, it was the earnest aim of editors and pub- lishers to gather all material information bearing upon the multitude of topics which logically called for treatment and which the prospectus had promised. As a rule, the responses were prompt and hearty, although in scattered instances, and despite repeated requests, the facts obtained were not as full as desired. Without mentioning all who have thus promoted our enterprise, and co-operated in the light- ening of our labors, the editors acknowledge their obligations to the advisory boards of both counties and to the editors of the newspapers, without exception. While it has been the constant aim of the editors to give all credit who have materially contributed to the upbuilding of any community or institution, the object has also been kept in mind of endeavoring to observe literary proportions in the amount of space accorded to the many topies considered. In the progress and com- pletion of the work, we have endeavorcd to be impartial, as becomes all historians, whether writing of counties or of countries.
Although the United States refuses to be classed as a military na- tion, or even as a country given over to money-making, whenever its
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INTRODUCTION
people have been called upon to devote their energies and genius to either specialty, the advances made have astounded the world. At the outbreak of the Civil War the United States was only known for its triumphs in the paths of peace; when the conflict had been con- cluded military leaders of world-wide fame had been developed and the scientific military leaders of Europe were studying its masterly campaigns for original movements and tactics. It was America that planted the seeds for the dreadnaughts and submarines of the warlike world. The United States is now looming up as a young giant in the World's War-every man, woman and child, with the true American spirit, afire in mind and body.
Applying these truths to the small section of the Union covered by Adams and Wells counties, the records of their achievements in the Civil War and in the World's War of to-day stamp her people as Americans in every fiber. Such centers as Decatur, Bluffton and. Ossian have always given lavishly of their best manhood and woman- hood, and the sons and daughters of the young soldiers of the present will read with pride how their fathers bravely met all which they were called upon to endure with the same spirit which animated the soldiers of the Civil War.
The history of these counties will also illustrate the steadfastness of numerous foreign-born residents, both in the peaceful development of this section of Northeastern Indiana and in the contribution of their young men to the various departments of war service at present.
The uplifting, inspiring work of women has also been worthily pic- tured, and the one literary figure which is above all the rest is an earnest woman of domestic genius. In short, we venture to claim that there is material within the covers of this history to both interest and instruet those of all ages and both sexes; and every reasonable precau- tion has been taken to make the subject matter reliable and complete. With these general words of introduction the history of Adams and Wells Counties must speak, in detail, for itself.
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
MIXED RED AND WHITE HISTORY
THE MIAMIS AND THE FUR TRADE-THE FATHER OF LITTLE TURTLE- LITTLE TURTLE HIMSELF-AS A STATESMAN AND A MAN-LITTLE TURTLE'S DEATH-THE MIAMIS LEAVE FOR KANSAS-THE RIVARE INDIAN RESERVATION -- THE POTTAWATOMIES-WAYNE'S CAMPAIGN OF 1794-THE OLD WAYNE TRACE-THE HARMAR TRAIL-THE GODFREY TRAIL, OR TRACE- STATE ROADS, SUCCESSORS OF TRAILS. . 1
CHAPTER II
PHYSICAL FEATURES AND PRIMAL INDUSTRIES
A CONTINENTAL WATER-SHED-ROAD-BUILDING MATERIALS-SOILS OF THE COUNTY-TOPOGRAPHY-THE LOBLOLLY COUNTRY-FAMOUS LIMBERLOST REGION-MRS. GENE STRATTON-PORTER'S DESCRIPTIONS -AGRICULTURE AND LIVE STOCK ORGANIZATIONS THE COUNTY AGENTS 11
CHAPTER III GENERAL POLITICAL HISTORY
THE AMERICAN NORTHWEST FOUNDED-AUTHORS OF THE ORDINANCE OF 1787-MANASSEH CUTLER'S PRACTICAL PARTICIPATION-CLEARING INDIANA OF INDIANS-ST. CLAIR'S DEFEAT-CHANGES IN CIVIL GOV- ERNMENT-EVOLUTION OF ADAMS COUNTY-GENERAL CONDITIONS IN 1819 24
vi
CONTENTS
CHAPTER IV
REAL PERIOD OF PIONEERING
COMING OF FIRST ACTUAL SETTLERS-THOMPSON, OF THOMPSON'S PRAIRIE-FIRST OUT-AND-OUT LANDLORD-FIRST SURVEYS AND LAND ENTRIES -- THE REYNOLDS FARM AND INN-SAMUEL L. RUGG -FIRST TO SETTLE IN THE NORTH-STUDABAKER-SIMISON-McDow- ELL COLONY-THE STUDABAKERS AND SIMISONS-SIMISON'S BEAR STORY-COL. WILLIAM VANCE-THE MARTINS AND DEFFENBAUGHS ENTER THE LIMBERLOST REGION -- FIRST DROWNING IN THE LIMBER- LOST-'SQUIRE MARTIN PUTS ON STYLE-THE JUDAYS, MCDANIELS AND ELEYS-JOHN H. FUELLING-THE ELZEYS OF ROOT TOWNSHIP -SETTLED NEAR AND AT DECATUR- ANDREW DAUGHERTY AND HIS $1.50 RESIDENCE-GEORGE A. AND BYRON H. DENT-FIRST TOWN OF ADAMS COUNTY-THE BONDS THAT BIND THE HOOSIERS-EARLY FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS-THE TRUE VETERANS OF ADAMS COUNTY-PATRIOTIC GATHERINGS-OLD SETTLERS' MEETINGS RE- VIVED-THE OLDEST TWINS IN THE UNITED STATES. .31
CHAPTER V COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND INSTITUTIONS
FIRST GATHERING OF COUNTY OFFICIALS-MORE OFFICIALS NAMED- THREE COMMISSIONERS' DISTRICTS-TWO ROAD DISTRICTS -- IN- SPECTORS OF ELECTIONS AND FENCE VIEWERS-GRAND AND PETIT JURORS-JOHNSON SITE SELECTED AS COUNTY SEAT-DONATIONS AT THE COUNTY SEAT-THE OTHER SITES OFFERED-ORGANIZATION FURTHER PERFECTED-COUNTY FINANCES AND JAIL-FIRST ROAD IMPROVEMENTS IN COUNTY-LICENSES, VARIOUS AND SUNDRY- THROWN INTO DEBT THE FIRST YEAR-FIRST COUNTY JAIL-CREA- TION AND ORGANIZATION OF MORE TOWNSHIPS -- THE COUNTY SEAL -THE OLD FRAME COURTHOUSE-CONTEST OF 1850-THE COURT- HOUSE OF 1873-IMPROVED IN DURABILITY AND APPEARANCE-THE COUNTY INFIRMARY-TYPICAL PIONEER AND COUNTY OFFICIAL- FOUNDER OF DECATUR-ROSTER OF COUNTY OFFICIALS. .50
CHAPTER VI GENERAL COUNTY MATTERS
POPULATION OF THE COUNTY-FRENCH AND GERMAN SETTLERS- LARGEST LAND OWNERS IN 1850-DECADAL CENSUS FIGURES (1860-
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CONTENTS
1910)-INCREASE IN PROPERTY VALUE, 1886-1916- TAXES OF THE COUNTY (1916)-DIVISION OF FARM LANDS-CHANGES IN STAND- ARD CROPS AND LIVE STOCK-EARLY ROADS-WOULDN'T BE FORCED AS "JOHN DOE"-DIRECTION OF TRAVEL DIVERTED-GRAND RAPIDS & INDIANA RAILROAD -TOLEDO, ST. LOUIS & WESTERN-THE CHICAGO & ERIE RAILROAD. .70
CHAPTER VII
THE TIMES OF LONG AGO
A COUNTRY HOME OF THE '40S-BUILDING THE LOG HOUSE-THE CHIMNEY AND FIREPLACE-THE DOOR AND LATCHSTRING-INTERIOR OF THE CABIN-COOKING UTENSILS-TRUE HOMINY AND SAMP- OLD-STYLE STRING INSTRUMENTS-SUSPICIOUS "BOUGHTEN" CLOTHES-VARIETY IN DRESS, THEN AND NOW-HOSPITALITY OF THE OLDEN TIME-IN THE TIMES OF BARTER-PELTRIES, NEAR- MONEY-STUFF THE STAYERS WERE MADE OF-GRINDING CORN BY HAND-MILLS AND AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS-HOG SHOOTING AND STICKING-PORK PACKING AND MARKETING- FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE-ERADICATING THE WILD HOGS- EXTERMINATING THE WOLVES-HUNTING BEES-AFTER THE SNAKES- HOW YOU FEEL WITH CHILLS AND FEVER-THE SPELLING SCHOOL THRILLS-MORE FOR FUN THAN MUSIC-INDUSTRIOUS AMUSEMENTS-SATURDAY, A HALF HOLIDAY-A MILITANT CAPTAIN-WOLF AND BEAR STORIES -RUNNING DOWN INDIAN IFORSE THIEVES- OVERLOOKING THE VITAL POINT .83
CHAPTER VIII LEGAL AND MEDICAL
EARLY LOCAL JUDICIARY-DIDN'T LIKE HIS JOB-FIRST GRAND AND PETIT JURORS-THE CIRCUIT AND PROBATE COURTS-PIONEER RES- IDENT LAWYERS-DAVID STUDABAKER-JAMES T. MERRYMAN- JAMES R. BOBO-DANIEL D. HELLER-THE ASSOCIATE AND PROBATE JUDGES-CIRCUIT AND COMMON PLEAS JUDGES PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS-OTHER EARLY LAWYERS-CHARLES M. AND JOHN T. FRANCE-TEN YEARS AGO AND NOW-A LEGAL RETROSPECT-JIN- KINSON CLEARED HIS MAN-THE COUNTRY DOCTOR-PIONEER RES- IDENT PHYSICIANS-LEADING PHYSICIANS IN 1887 AND 1917 . . . . 114
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER IX
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN ADAMS COUNTY
SAVAGE AND CIVILIZED CO-EDUCATION-FUR TRADERS AND MISSION- ARIES-NEGRO SLAVERY IN INDIANA-OPINIONS OF FREE SCHOOLS- EARLIEST SETTLEMENTS-FREE SCHOOL SYSTEM ENFORCED-SECOND CONSTITUTION-SCHOOL PROPERTY-ROADS, FARMS AND PIONEERS- PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS-GRADED SCHOOLS-DECATUR CITY SCHOOLS- LINN GROVE SCHOOLS-GENEVA SCHOOLS-MONMOUTH GRADED SCHOOLS-PLEASANT MILLS GRADED SCHOOL-BERNE SCHOOLS- MONROE SCHOOLS-PETERSON SCHOOLS-CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOLS- DISCONTINUED GRADED SCHOOLS-BOBO, OR RIVARE, GRADED SCHOOL -CEYLON GRADED SCHOOLS-THE COUNTY AGENT-LOCAL SCHOOL OFFICERS-THIE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENCY 126
CHAPTER X MILITARY AND WAR MATTERS
ANTE-CIVIL WAR COMPANIES-MARTIAL SPIRIT SPRINGS UP OVER- NIGHT-FIRST CONTRIBUTIONS OF MEN-BOUNTIES AND RELIEF- COMPANY C, FORTY-SEVENTH INDIANA INFANTRY-BYRON H. DENT -THREE COMPANIES OF THE EIGHTY-NINTH INFANTRY-CAPT. A. J. HILL-DEATH OF MAJ. SAM HENRY AND OTHERS-THE ELEVENTH CAVALRY-NORVAL BLACKBURN -- THE THIRTEENTH CAV- ALRY-SAM HENRY POST NO. 33, G. A. R .- CIVIL WAR BODIES AT GENEVA-THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR-COMPANY B, FOURTH IN- DIANA INFANTRY-BECOMES THE ONE HUNDRED SIXTIETH REGI- MENT IN FEDERAL SERVICE-MOVEMENT FOR A SOLDIERS' MONUMENT -SITE SELECTED AND CORNERSTONE LAID-THE SOLDIERS OF FIVE WARS-DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT-HOW THE MEMORIAL AP- PEARS-ADAMS COUNTY IN THE WORLD'S WAR-NATIONAL GUARD MUSTERED INTO THE UNITED STATES SERVICE-COMPANY A, FOURTH INFANTRY-MEN IN SERVICE, SPRING OF 1918-STATE UNIVERSITY'S HONOR TABLET 151
CHAPTER XI CITY OF DECATUR
ORIGINAL TOWN PLATTED FIRST HOUSE AND STORE-J. D. NUTMAN LOCATES-A GROWING DECADE, 1840-50-VILLAGE OR TOWN GOV-
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INDEX
ERNMENT ORGANIZED-GENERAL PROGRESS AS A TOWN-DECATUR A CITY-FIRE DEPARTMENT ORGANIZED-MUNICIPAL ROSTER COVER- ING THIRTY YEARS-IMPROVEMENT OF STREETS-PUBLIC UTILITIES OF THE '90S-CITY PARK-CONSTRUCTION OF THE WATERWORKS- THE ORIGINAL PLANT AND SYSTEM-ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT IN- STALLED-NO. 2 RESERVOIR BUILT-COMBINED WATER AND ELECTRIC SERVICES-WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION-COST AND DISTRIBU- TION OF ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT-SUPERINTENDENTS OF WATER- WORKS AND ELECTRIC SERVICE-THE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS- SUPERINTENDENT WORTHMAN'S HISTORY-THE DECATUR PUBLIC LIBRARY-PIONEER LOCAL NEWSPAPERS-THE ADAMS COUNTY DEMOCRAT - THE LIVELY EAGLE - THE DECATUR DEMOCRAT -DECATUR EVENING HERALD-BANKS OF DECATUR-INDUSTRIES - HORSE SALES - HOLLAND-ST. LOUIS SUGAR WORKS - THE CHURCHES-ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH-METHODISM IN ADAMS COUNTY-DECATUR'S FIRST METHODIST RESIDENT PASTOR-FIRST METHODIST MEETING HOUSE-PROGRESS OF DECATUR M. E. CHURCH -- THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-DECATUR BAPTIST CHURCH-ZION REFORMED CHURCH-FIRST EVANGELICAL CHURCH-OTHER RE- LIGIOUS BODIES- SECRET AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES-THE ODD FELLOWS-THE MASONS-KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS-THE ELKS' CLUB - KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS-THE MOOSE LODGE-OLD HOME WEEK .174
CHAPTER XII TOWN OF BERNE
LEADING MENNONITE CENTER IN AMERICA-ORIGINAL SWISS-GERMAN COLONY-BERNE FOUNDED-DESCENDANTS OF ORIGINAL FAMILIES- THE FIRST STORE-EXTENSION OF TOWN AREA-BERNE OF TODAY- THE PIONEER SCHOOLS-THE BERNE POSTOFFICE-HOTELS-THE MILLS-THE DOCTORS AND LAWYERS-BERNE CORPORATION-STA- TUS OF LOCAL MATTERS IN 1887-A GERMAN PROHIBITION TOWN- MUNICIPAL ROSTER-THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM-FIRES AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT-MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT-AS A SHIPPING CENTER-BUILDING MATERIALS-BANKS OF BERNE- MENNONITE BOOK CONCERN-THE BERNE WITNESS-RELIGIOUS BODIES-THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH-FIRST MENNONITE CHURCH- THE GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH-THE MISSIONARY CHURCH- JOHN A. SPRUNGER AND ILIS ORPHANAGE-THE LOCAL LODGES 214
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER XIII
GENEVA AND MONROE
THE OLD TOWN OF ALEXANDER-TOWN OF BUFFALO PLATTED-EVO- LUTION OF GENEVA-A RAILROAD TOWN-GENEVA, THIE INFANT- PEN-PICTURE OF GENE STRATTON-PORTER-EDUCATION, EARLY AND LATE - AS A CENTER OF METHODISM - UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH - GENEVA INCORPORATED - EARLY IN THE NEWSPAPER FIELD - THE BANKS OF GENEVA - PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATIONS - SECRET AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES - OLD TOWN OF MONROE - THE RAILROAD REVIVAL- THE BANK AND TELEPHONE SYSTEM- FINE HIGH SCHOOL - BUSINESS HOUSES AND NEWSPAPER - THE CHURCHES-DECATUR AND MONROE M. E. CIRCUITS-NOT A STRONG LODGE TOWN 237
CHAPTER XIV OTHER ADAMS COUNTY TOWNS
TOWNSHIP OF CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS-MAGLEY-TOWN OF PREBLE PLATTED-STANDARD OIL COMPANY'S STATION-OTHER PREBLE IN- STITUTIONS-PLEASANT MILLS-LINN GROVE (BUENA VISTA)- - CORYVILLE - PETERSON - MONMOUTH AND WILLIAMS - STEELE (SALEM )-CEYLON 254
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CHAPTER XV
WELLS COUNTY
MATERIAL WEALTH AND PROGRESS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION-THE SUBSOIL-GLACIAL MARKS-THE FOUNDA- TION SOIL-TOPOGRAPHY AND DRAINAGE-CHANGES IN VEGETATION -ANIMALS, EARLY AND LATE-ARTIFICIAL DRAINAGE IN WELLS COUNTY-FIRST OPEN DITCHES-DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS UNDER STATE LAWS-FIRST PUBLIC DITCHES PARTIALLY TILED -- THE LAKE ERIE BASIN AND WABASH RIVER VALLEY-DITCHES PARALLELING MAIN STREAMS-THE GREAT NORTHEASTERN DITCH-THE ROCK CREEK DRAIN-BIG THREE MILE DITCH-ELICK-MICHAELS DITCHES
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CONTENTS
-LARGE TILE DRAINS-OPEN DRAIN THROUGH SOLID ROCK-OTHER LEADING DITCHES-PROGRESS FROM 1908 TO 1917-AGRICUL- TURAL EDUCATION-COUNTY AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS-THE COUNTY AGENT'S WORK-INCREASING THE PRODUCTION OF CORN- PROTECTING AND IMPROVING THE HOGS-THE BROAD, PROGRESSIVE FARMER OF TODAY- CHANGES IN CEREALS AND LIVE STOCK-COM- PARATIVE SOIL AND ANIMAL WEALTH (1884-1917)-COUNTY ACRE- AGE (1917)-CEREALS OF COUNTY (1917)-LIVE STOCK BY TOWN- SHIPS (1917)-POPULATION OF THE COUNTY (1860-1910)-POPULA- TION BY TOWNSHIPS ( 1890-1910)-COMPARATIVE PROPERTY VALUA- TION (1884-1917)-VALUE OF TAXABLE PROPERTY (1917)-AUTO- MOBILE INCOME AND ROADS-FINANCES OF THE COUNTY-INDEBTED- NESS ON ACCOUNT OF ROADS . .260
CHAPTER XVI
UNORGANIZED PIONEER PERIOD
COUNTIES CARVED FROM INDIAN COUNTRY-CAPTAIN WELLS, AFTER WHOM THE COUNTY WAS NAMED-THE FORT DEARBORN MASSACRE -GARRISON PREPARING FOR DEPARTURE-CAPTAIN WELLS' LIFE OF ROMANCE-ARRIVAL OF CAPTAIN WELLS TOO LATE-DESTRUCTION OF LIQUOR INFURIATES SAVAGES-THE DEATH MARCH FROM FORT DEARBORN-THE AMBUSCADE AND MASSACRE-DR. JOSEPH KNOX AND THE NORCROSSES-NUN MCINTYRE-TREE DWELLERS OF THE COUNTY-BOWEN HALE, PIONEER BENEDICT AND MERCHANT- STARTS TRADING POST NEAR MURRAY-NOT A MIGHTY HUNTER- A BLUFFTON MERCHANT-LOST A GOOD LAWYER BUT A POOR SPELLER-THE HARVEYS-HENRY MILLER-PIONEER EVENTS --- GREATEST DRAWBACK TO SETTLEMENT-WELLS COUNTY PIONEER ASSOCIATION -- GENERAL PIONEER PICTURES-THE CHASE IN WELLS COUNTY-ISAAC COVERT-"WILS." BULGER-THE WILD WOMAN- PAYING POSTAGE SOME JOB 284
CHAPTER XVII
THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT
FIRST STEPS IN ORGANIZING WELLS COUNTY-HOW BLUFFTON WON THE COUNTY SEAT-REPORT OF THE LOCATING COMMISSIONERS-
xii
CONTENTS
FIRST COUNTY BOARD-ITS FIRST MEETING-MODERATE TAXES- ELECTION DISTRICTS AND TOWNSHIPS OFFICIAL BOWEN HALE- SURVEYOR CASEBEER AND THE FIRST PUBLIC ROADS-VARIOUS OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS-BLUFFTON SURVEYED AND PLATTED- FIRST TREASURY REPORT-THE FIRST COURT HOUSE AND JAIL- THE SECOND (BRICK) COURT HOUSE- PRESENT JAIL AND SHERIFF'S RESIDENCE - THE COURT HOUSE OF THE PRESENT - COUNTY INFIRMARY AND ORPHANS' ASYLUM-ROSTER OF COUNTY OFFICIALS 1837-1917-SOME OLD-TIME OFFICE HOLDERS-EARLY SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS OF THE COUNTY-TENDENCY OF LATE YEARS- HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE SYSTEM-THE HIGH SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY-UNIFORM HIGH SCHOOL COURSE-AGRICULTURE AND DOMESTIC SCIENCE INTRODUCED MOST MODERN SCHOOL BUILD- INGS-TEACHERS' INSTITUTES-PROFESSOR ALLEN'S SKETCH OF THE COUNTY SCHOOLS INCREASED VALUE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY IN THIRTY YEARS 304
CHAPTER XVIII
ALL KINDS OF ROADS
BLUFFTON-FORT WAYNE PLANK ROAD-UNREALIZED RAILROAD PROJ- ECTS-THE MUNCIE ROUTE-FIRST TIES LAID IN THE COUNTY- DRIVING THE FIRST SPIKES-JOHN STUDABAKER, RAILROAD FATHER -HUGH DOUGHERTY DESCRIBES THE BUILDING OF THE ROAD ROADS AND TRAFFIC IN 1865-JOHN STUDABAKER TO THE FRONT-CON- TRACT LET FOR MUNCIE ROAD-MR. DOUGHERTY IN CHARGE OF CON- STRUCTION-COLLECTING AT THE POINT OF THE GUN-HIS CLIENT NOT FAVORED-A RAILROAD OR NOT A RAILROAD ( ?)-FINANCIAL COMPLICATIONS-BUILDING OF THE SECOND RAILROAD-THE "CLOVER LEAF," OR BUST-THE CHICAGO & ERIE LINE-THE TRAC- TION LINES .333
CHAPTER XIX
LEGAL AND MEDICAL MATTERS
BEFORE THE CIRCUIT COURT WAS-CIRCUIT COURT ORGANIZED-A DIS- COURAGING FIRST SUIT-FIRST INDICTMENTS PRESENTED-DAVID KIL- GORE SUCCEEDS JUDGE EWING-PROMINENT CITIZENS INDICTED FOR
xiii
CONTENTS
BETTING-FIRST DIVORCE SUIT-FIRST RESIDENT LAWYER-FIRST PROBATE ENTRY-JUDGE JAMES W. BORDEN-DAVID H. COLERICK -JOHN W. DAWSON-FIRST CONVICTION OF A FELON-LAST AS- SOCIATE JUDGE-JAMES L. WORDEN-OLD-TIME SPEEDY JUSTICE- JAMES F. MCDOWELL AND GEORGE S. BROWN-THE MURPHY-FREE- MAN TRIAL-JUDGE EDWIN R. WILSON -- WHOLESALE DIVORCE BUSI- NESS-COURT CHANGES, 1865-84-CRIMES AGAINST LIFE-THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS-WELLS COUNTY BAR IN 1887-THE BENCH AND BAR SINCE 1885-THE OLD COUNTRY DOCTOR-DOCTOR MELSHEIMER'S DESCRIPTION-HOW IT WAS THIRTY YEARS AGO- PIONEER PHYSICIANS AND EARLY EPIDEMICS-THE WELLS COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY .349
CHAPTER XX
WAR PREPARATION
FIRST CIVIL WAR VOLUNTEERS THE DRAFTS IN WELLS COUNTY-FI- NANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS-REPRESENTATION IN MEN-LIEUT .- COL. WILLIAM SWAIM-LAST BATTLE OF THE CIVIL WAR-MAJ. PETER STUDABAKER-THE HOME GUARDS -- OFFICERS AND PRIVATES WHO DIED IN THE CIVIL WAR-SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1812-THE LEW DAILEY POST OF BLUFFTON-REUNION OF THE FORTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT-THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR-REGIMENTAL OFFICERS -COMPANIES E AND F, ONE HUNDRED SIXTIETH VOLUNTEER IN- FANTRY-IN THE WAR AGAINST GERMANY, ET AL .- CAPTAIN DUNN AND COMPANY A-VOLUNTEERS AND DRAFTED MEN 364
CHAPTER XXI CITY OF BLUFFTON
ORIGINAL TOWN SURVEYED AS BLUFFTON-FIRST SALE OF LOTS-FIRST MERCHANT AND TOWN TRUSTEES-MAYORS OF THE CITY-ORIGINAL OFFICIALS AND ORDINANCES-"MARKERS" OF PROGRESS-PIONEER AND EARLY INDUSTRIES-THE FIRST NEWSPAPER-THE FIRST BANK -INDUSTRIES OF THE '70S AND '80S-THE BLISS HOUSE BUILT- BRIDGES OVER THE WABASH-TELEPHONE PLACED IN SERVICE-THE . WATERWORKS-CITY BUYS ELECTRIC PLANT-PROFESSOR ALLEN WRITES OF THE SCHOOLS-TEACHER LOST IN BLUFFTON WILDS-
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CONTENTS
EARLY DISCIPLINARIANS AND SCHOOLS-THE "HIGH" SCHOOL- THE CENTRAL BUILDING AND SUPERINTENDENT REEFY-HIGH SCHOOL ORGANIZED BY PROFESSOR ALLEN-COMPLETION OF DIF- FERENT SCHOOL BUILDINGS-LIST OF SUPERINTENDENTS-THE PUB- LIC LIBRARY-THE LOCAL PRESS OF BLUFFTON-THE BANKS OF BLUFFTON-BLUFFTON INDUSTRIES-WELLS COUNTY HOSPITAL- BROAD BREATHING SPACES-BLUFFTON'S CHURCHES -- THE METHO- DIST CHURCHES-FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-BLUFFTON BAPTIST CHURCH-OTHER ACTIVE RELIGIOUS BODIES-OLD UNIVERSALIST AND CHRISTIAN SOCIETIES-SECRET AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES -- THE MASONS-ODD FELLOWSHIP IN BLUFFTON-KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS AND PYTHIAN SISTERS-OTHER LODGES, TENTS, CAMPS,
HIVES, ETC .378
CHAPTER XXII
VILLAGE OF OSSIAN
THE FOUNDERS OF OSSIAN-JOHN T. GLASS-THE CRAIGS THE HAT- FIELDS FIRST TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS-INDUSTRIAL UPS AND DOWNS- OSSIAN SCHOOLS IN THE MAKING THE TELEPHONE AND THE LOCAL PRESS-OTHER PUBLIC UTILITIES-THE FARMERS STATE BANK- THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-METHODISM IN JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP -BETHEL UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH -CHURCHES NEAR OSSIAN -LOCAL LODGES 414
CHAPTER XXIII LIBERTY CENTER
JOHN W. RINEAR-SCHOOLHOUSE, THE FIRST BUILDING-THE LIBERTY TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL-LOCAL PIONEERING-LIBERTY CENTER DEPOSIT BANK-BAPTIST AND METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCHES- VILLAGE OF TODAY 425
CHAPTER XXIV
OTHER VILLAGES AND STATIONS
KEYSTONE-ITS CHURCHES-STATE FARMERS BANK-LUTHER TWIBELL, FOUNDER-NEIGHBORS SCARCE, WOLVES PLENTIFUL-UNSCIENTIFIC
XV
CONTENTS
CROWDING-ARRIVAL OF FIRST COOK STOVE-PONETO-WORTHING- TON, FIRST VILLAGE-EARLY PONETO-THE CHALFANTS AND THE BANK-FARMERS STATE BANK-CHURCHES AT AND NEAR PONETO- ODD FELLOWS AND REBEKAHS-ZANESVILLE-CHURCHES OF LO- CALITY- MARKLE, FORMERLY TRACY-STEPS IN PROGRESS-ITS STRONG POINTS-THE FARMERS AND TRADERS BANK-THE MARKLE JOURNAL-UNIONDALE-GEORGE C. DITZLER AND HIS SAWMILL- HENRY W. LIPKEY, MERCHANT, POSTMASTER, RAILROAD AGENT --- ALSO, PRESIDENT OF THE BANK AND VILLAGE-THE PRESENT UNION- DALE-TOCSIN-MICHAEL C. BLUE-SAMUEL KUNKEL, OWNER OF ORIGINAL TOWN-GRAIN BUSINESS AND BANK ESTABLISHED-VER.A CRUZ, A VETERAN VILLAGE-THE TOWN NOW-THE VITZES, FA- THER AND SONS-OLD VILLAGE OF LANCASTER-MURRAY PLATTED- PETROLEUM-KINGSLAND-ROCKFORD-OTHER SMALL POPULATION CENTERS 431
INDEX
Acreage, Wells county, 277 Adams, Albert F., 869
Adams County Agricultural Associa- tion, 20
Adams County Bank, 178, 196
Adams County Democrat, 193
Adams County Fair Association, 22
Adams County Farmers' Institute, 22
Adams County Horsemen's Associa- tion, 22
Adams County Poultry and Pet Stock Association, 23
Adams County, physical features, 11; primal industries, 11; topography, 14; county formed, 29; conditions in 1819, 29; first white man, 29; common schools, 29; first settlers, 32; first surveys, 34; first land entry, 34; first town, 44; census of 1850, 46; pioneers, 46; veterans, 46; county organized, 50; civil his- tory, 50; court house (view), 51; Board of County Commissioners, 50; commissioners' districts, 53; road districts, 53; inspectors of election, 53; fence viewers, 53; grand jurors, 53; petit jurors, 53; first county seat, 54; geographical center, 56; first courthouse (view), 56; finances, 57; jail, 57; first county jail, 58; first marriage li- eense, 58; county seal, 60; old frame courthouse, 61; new county jail (view), 62; courthouse of 1873, 63; county infirmary, 64; roster of officials, 67; township trustees (por- trait), 68; population, 70; land owners in 1850, 71; census figures 1860-1910, 72; increase in property value, 73; division of farm lands, 74; taxes, 74; erops and livestock, 76; corn, oats and timothy, 76; horses, cattle, hogs and sheep, 77; early local judiciary, 114; bar, 114; justices of the peace, 115; first justice of the peace, 115; circuit and probate courts, 116; pioneer lawyers, 116; first resident lawyer, 116; associate and probate judges,
119; circuit and common pleas judges, 120; prosecuting attorneys, 120; bar, first cases, 122; first divorce case, 122; doctors, 123; pi- oneer resident physicians, 124; first physician, 124; physicians in 1887 and 1917, 125; educational devel- opment, 126; in the Civil war, 132; first log schoolhouse (view), 133; first brick schoolhouse, 134; first mail carriers, 134; graded schools, 138; county agent, 143; school offi- cers, 144; county superintendency, 145; educational development, 149;
G. A. R., 159; in the World's war, 168; first Methodist meeting house, 203; first steam power press, 243
Addington, A. P., 621
Adler, William, 713
Agricultural education, Wells couuty, 272
Agricultural implements, 93
Agricultural organizations, Adams county, 20; Wells county, 273
Agricultural Society, First, 20
A-gue-nack-gue, 3
Alberson, Dennis, 768
Alherson, William C., 769
Alexander, old town of, 237
Alleu, Israel T., 628
Allen, Philemon A., 320, 387, 453; portrait, 321
American Northwest, 24
Amish Christian Church, 135
Amish Christian Church school, 136
Amstutz, Anna, 792
Amusements. pioneer, 106
Animal wealth, Wells county, 277
Animals, Wells county, 264
Ante-Civil War companies, Adams county, 151
Apple-paring, 106
Archbold, Roy, 676
Archbold. William J., 639
Area of Wells county, 272
Arnold, E. C., 880
Arnold, James F., 927
Arnold, Lewis E., 611
Artificial drainage, Wells county, 265
xvii
xviii
INDEX
Associate judges, Adams county, 119 Attorney-at-law, requirements for in the '40s, 122
Auditors, Adams county, 67; Wells county, 313 Augsburger, Christian, 231 Automobile income, Wells county, 282 Automobile lines, 81, 438
Babcock, James D., 614 Baker, Philip L., 726
Baker School House, 134
Banks of Decatur, 196; Berne, 226; Geneva, 244; Monroe, 250; first in Bluffton, 383; Bluffton, 397; l'o- neto, 435; Uniondale, 442; Toesin, 445
Banner, 450
Banner Publishing Company, 393
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