USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Elkhart County, Indiana > Part 12
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The village of Benton, which lies almost entirely in section 6, was laid out by Henry Beane in 1832, on land that belonged to John Long- acre. Already in 1830 the first business building, a general store, was established by James Banta and Jesse D. Vail. For the first few years the settlers received their mail from the carrier who came from Fort Wayne, but in 1836 the postoffice that had formerly gone under the name of Elkhart Prairie was moved to Benton, with Dr. F. W. Taylor installed as the first postmaster. In the same year a sawmill was established by Peter Darr, and the first schoolhouse erected, in which Henry Beane presided as first schoolmaster. Two years later the Bap- tists put up the first church, and by this time all the institutions and activities of a prosperous and thriving town were in evidence. Ac- cording to the Goshen Erpress of March 4, 1837. " Benton is the name of a village that, being touched by the magic wand of improvement, has sprung into existence the past sixteen months. It is situated near the southeast corner of Elkhart prairie, and immediately on the bank of the Elkhart river. The state road from this place (Goshen) to Fort Wayne, and from Hawpatch to Huntington on the Wabash, passes through the village. It contains, at present, two stores, several gro- ceries, one public house, a number of mechanics and one physician." The men now living whose memory goes back to that early period all unite in saying that Benton was a business and social center of first
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magnitude. All conditions were favorable to a steady and continuous growth-immense agricultural and timber resources, plenty of water power for manufactures, good transportation for that day, and an in- dustrious and progressive citizenship. But there came a change. Goshen, on a few miles to the northwest, as the county seat, drew prestige from her surrounding rivals. Railroads crossed and recrossed the county, creating new centers and touching with magic growth the old. while Benton was left to one side. Her industries ceased or sought other fields, influx of population stopped, and there was a general decline to the position of a cross-road trading point. The advent of the Wabash Railroad in the early nineties came forty years too late, although since Benton has become a railroad station there has been a noticeable revival of commercial activity and as a shipping point for a considerable ad- jacent territory it bids fair to recoup some of its former prestige.
Benton at the present day contains about one hundred and seventy- five people. There are two general stores, two blacksmith shops, a harness shop, second-hand store, barber shop. Irwin Berkeypyle is postmaster and William Strayer his deputy. W. B. Kyler, a physician, is the only representative of the professions in the village. There is a good grade school, of which at the time of this compilation Miss Arvilla Stiver was teacher. Regular religious services are maintained only by the Lutheran and Methodist denominations, Rev. Weiscotten being pastor of the former and Rev. Wilkinson of the latter, while the Baptists had a congregation some years ago. Sunday schools are maintained by each of the present denominations. The only fraternal organization is the Modern Woodmen, represented by thirty-three mem- bers.
The industrial history is mostly of the past. The railroad was built through in 1892, the station being located some distance north of the village proper, and a considerable amount of stock is shipped from this point. About a mile west of the village, on the river, is located the power plant which supplies the town of Syracuse with electricity. A number of years ago there was a tannery. The old mill still stands, though no longer nunning. The dam was lowered some years ago, and water power is no longer utilized as it was thirty or forty years ago.
The village of Benton everywhere gives evidence of its antiquity. Its story is one of "arrested development." The shops and buildings which served in an adequate manner their purposes of fifty years ago have never been replaced by new structures, as would have been the
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case had commercial prosperity continued, and now stand as monu- ments of a venerable and worthy past rather than representative of the progressive present. Walker's store is one of the old places which might be mentioned. The oldest living resident is Thomas Longacre, known by two generations as a blacksmith, who was born in this county in 1831, and whose father came to the county in 1829.
Benton was located in the midst of "oak openings." only a mile and a half south of the famous Elkhart prairie, and although the coun- try has been pretty well cleared there are still large timber areas in the neighborhood. There are some sugar groves to the south, and up till recent years the apple crop of this vicinity was very large.
MILLERSBURG.
The earliest settlers of Clinton township were surrounded, within a radius of a few miles, by trading points-Middlebury on the north, Goshen and Waterford on the west, and Benton on the south. Also being a distinctly agricultural region, with its beautiful rolling land- scape, capable of producing unending abundance of grain crops and of supporting a dense farming population-these circumstances no doubt combined to delay the formation of a commercial center in this town- ship. Schoolhouses furnished places for social and other assemblages, where the itinerant preacher might deliver the gospel message,. the farm- ers meet to consider their material welfare, or both they and their fam- ilies join together in the festivities that marked the various seasons of the rolling year. The fact that the township from an early date became nummerously populated by the Amish and Dunkard sects, who for many years worshiped in private houses before building central churches, was likewise a factor in retarding localization of the people and their in- terests.
Solomon Miller (mentioned elsewhere), who was born in Ten- nessee in 1803, who was a captain in the Black Hawk war and who a year or so later, in 1834, was in Elkhart county and purchased land in section 34 of Clinton township, in 1842 returned to take up his home on this purchase and in 1855 laid out the plot of the town which has since borne the name of Millersburg-in his honor. His one hundred and sixty acres in the southeast quarter of the section comprised practically the entire site upon which the town has since grown up. J. R. McCord surveyed the site, and the first building erected on the original plot was that of James C. Miller, son of Solomon Miller. The location of the
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village was well chosen, and its growth, while not rapid, has been sub- stantial and in keeping with its ambitions to afford the people of the surrounding country a good market and town center. The Lake Shore Railroad, which was completed about 1857. was the main factor in determining Millersburg's founding and subsequent prosperity. This has been a regular station on the road since 1857, and is one of the best stock and grain shipping points in the county. In 1892 the Wabash completed its line through the county, giving Millersburg a station and thus practically doubling its facilities of transportation.
With a population of about six hundred, and incorporated as a village since 1870, Millersburg is one of the progressive towns of the county and, as a business point. probably ranks first among the towns of eastern Elkhart county. The enterprising citizens have recently voted a bond issue to cover the cost of an electric light plant, town hall and opera house, all of which will be under municipal ownership, and, with quite adequate fire protection, these improvements will place Millersburg at a distinct advantage in its competition for business and growth in population. The village board as constituted at this writing is headed by W. L. Scalf, chairman, the other members being George Mason and Joel Potter.
The public schools, from which have come more than one man who has taken a prominent and influential if not distinguished part in the world's work. are well graded and equipped and are still maintained at their high standard of efficiency, the present superintendent of schools being E. F. Ebersole. Of churches there are four, the Lutheran, Chris- tian, Reformed and Catholic, mentioned in order of establishment, and all have buildings and regular services. Fraternally Millersburg is represented by the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World. and a G. A. R. post.
In business and industry we find a veneering plant, two general stores, two drug stores, two groceries and bakeries. two hardware establishments, harness shop, feed and grain store, etc., Hotel Miller. As a dairy center there is a creamery. The Home Telephone has over three hundred 'phones in this exchange, and the Bell system has numer- ous connections. The postmaster is Lee Hostetter.
Among the old-timers who have been identified with this town and vicinity from almost the beginning of its history may be mentioned Anthony Lesch, who is now eighty-seven years old. He kept a boarding house and grocery in the early years of Millersburg's history, and was
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also one of the leaders in the building of the Catholic church in this town. He settled here in the late forties. Jesse Hockert is another old resident, as is also Brice Larimer, who was the first station agent for the Lake Shore road and held that position twenty-five years.
SECOND BI-ENNIAL REUNION
OF FOUR GENERATIONS OF RESIDENTS AND FORMER RESIDENTS OF MII .- LERSBURG AND VICINITY.
(Taken from The Millersburg Grit.)
The second bi-ennial meeting of the Four Generations Reunion Association was held Thursday and Friday. The event had long been anticipated and when the day arrived everybody was up and ready. The morning hours were devoted to music by the band and reception of the visitors as they arrived. The opera house was also temporarily seated with chairs and the stage decorated to have in readiness for the evening's festivities.
At 12:00 noon the band went to receive a large delegation from Elkhart, Goshen and other points. Leading the way the band marched to the school campus where a picnic dinner was held, in which many persons participated, much to the enjoyment of all. After the inner man had been satisfied the regular program was taken up. The con- vention was called to order at 1:30 by President S. A. Widner and after some singing by the choir Rev. Mclaughlin invoked the blessings of the deity and delivered the address of welcome.
President Widner then read a telegram from Al Kohler, who is located in Iowa. It read: "Home sweet home, there is no place like' home, though it be ever so humble." The choir then sang " Home Sweet Home." The sentiment expressed in the telegram and the ap- propriate application of the old hymn caused some faces to become stained with tears.
Rev. A. B. Garman. Osborn, Ohio, responded to the welcome ad- dress and made a stirring appeal for closer application of the ties of friendship and of morality and right living. "It is a grand thing to be welcomed back." he said "to find our homes have been protected by those who reside here." Feel at home, welcome, not by words but by actions.
A song followed the response when Anthony Deahl was announced on the subject " Millersburg. Its Early History." The speaker dwelt at some length and held the closest attention of his hearers for about two hours. The land upon which the town of Millersburg is located was entered by Solomon Miller in 1835 and was originally platted in 1855 and incorporated in 1866. Lake Shore road built in 1855. . \ Mr. Eldridge was the first agent and Brice Larimer the second, who held the office for over twenty years. Mr. Larimer is still living at the
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age of 86 and up to the time of his wife's death he was the oldest con- tinuous resident of Millersburg. Anthony Lesch had been here longer. but in the interim had moved to Ohio, where he lived two years, and then returned to Millersburg, where he resides today. Mrs. F. M. Myers now enjoys the distinction of being the oldest continuous woman resident. The first schoolhouse erected was erected on the site where Dan Unrue's house now stands. The building is now a part of Peter Boomershine's residence. As we are not a shorthand writer we are unable to quote from his speech, but let it suffice to say that it was a good one and will prove of much benefit to those who heard it.
Ezra Stiver of St. Paul, Minn., followed on " Fond Recollections of the Blessed Town." Mr. Stiver's remarks were spicy, witty and to the point and were pleasantly received by his bearers. Ezra is one of those big whole-souled fellows who have a great capacity for en- joyment and he certainly absorbed his share.
A chorus song concluded the afternoon program. At 8 o'clock the opera house was filled to overflowing by about 500 people. The program opened with a duet by Mr. and Mrs. Peters. B. F. Deahl then took charge. The program was in the nature of the old soldier's camp fire or experience meeting. Mr. Dealil acted as toast master and re- ceived responses from Aaron Work, Elkhart; Mrs. Barnard Slyter, Mrs. Sarah Dewey Mathews, Shirley Snavely, J. K. Lesch, Clayton Stiver. W. B. Barnard, Albert Mutschler, Mrs. Della Dewey Thomas, Michael Stiver and Brownie Hockert. The speakers gave reminiscences of their younger days which were highly amusing and entertaining as well. Much merriment was provoked by the " tales told out of school." Vocal and instrumental music was sprinkled in for seasoning.
On Friday the program was taken up again about 10:30. B. F. Deahl addressed the people at some length and was followed by short talks by old settlers, among them being Jesse Hockert, who is now 81 years of age and has resided in the county since 1835. He located with his parents on the prairie and later lived on the William Long farm one mile south of town. He trod the wilderness for game on the present site of Millersburg and has three deer to his credit. Mr. Hock- ert related an instance of attending an Indian war dance, which he classes as a reunion and the first one he ever attended. Mr. Hockert made an eloquent appeal for still nobler citizenship in the future than has been attained in the past.
J. K. Lesch of Kansas City, Mo., a warm reunion enthusiast, ad- dressed the people on " Innocence Abroad." Inasmuch as we were not permitted to hear our old time chum we cannot throw any hoquets at him, but he is credited with handling the innocence part with great credit and ability.
Joel P. Heatwole of Northfield, Minn., addressed the people on " Millersburg as Viewed After Twenty-seven Years' Absence." His remarks were full of interest and well received.
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C. L. V. Hedrick, of Kansas City, Mo., foster son of Mrs. Showal- ter, came from Suaqui de Batic, Sonora, Mexico, where he has exten- sive mining interests, a distance of over 3,000 miles, to attend this re- union. He traveled 138 miles of the way in a stage coach. The mer- citry stood IIO in the shade when he left Mexico. Mr. Hedrick favored the assemblage with an extemporaneous speech full of good things. He met acquaintances he had not seen for over 30 years. He will be here in 1907 if alive and well.
Election of officers followed a vote of thanks to the retiring board for its successful labors for the reunion. S. A. Widner was re-elected president with a vociferous ave vote and responded by saying he would be found with his shoulder to the wheel pushing for 1907. C. H. Myers was elected vice-president, W. B. Barnard, secretary, and S. L. Thomas, treasurer. Date of next reunion was fixed for 1907, two years.
The big barbecue which was held Friday noon was the cap sheaf and can be counted a complete success. At least 1,000 people were fed and none were permitted to go away hungry. The fare would not give one the gont, but it was substantial and wholesome. Two years hence the barbecue will be even a stronger feature than this year and a greater variety and quantity of food will be provided.
At II o'clock, Friday, Anthony Deahl, who taught here for seven consecutive years, requested those present who were his pupils to as- semble in the schoolhouse. They did so and a jolly body it was. An- thony was happy and almost moved to tears as he addressed us. Each one present had something to relate about their school days and the " school " was in an uproar almost continuously. A permanent organi- zation was formed as an auxiliary to the regular association. W. B. Barnard, Mrs. S. L. Thomas and Mrs. C. C. Method were chosen com- mittee.
The Heatwole auxiliary met in the same room in the afternoon. Prof. Heatwole gave us a real nice talk and related how he enjoyed himself when out with the boys on a melon-swiping campaign and other reminiscences of great interest to his former pupils. Each one present had to " recite " their little piece and of course the " spiels " were highly entertaining to those on the inside of the game. The offi- cers elected were C. F. Widner, S. W. Snavely. W. B. Barnard and Mrs. B. F. Deahl.
The afternoon sessions were closed with the benediction by Rev. Mclaughlin and friends began to bid one another adieu and leave for their homes.
NOTES.
Grandma Kohler. Mrs. Joe Niner and daughter, Mrs. P. N. Haw and her daughter were here from Chicago. They represented four gen- erations. The people were all glad to again shake the hand of Grandma
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Kohler, who was for so many years identified with Millersburg. She is now 86 years of age. in good health and spirits. She enjoyed meet- ing so many of her old and young friends. In numerous other in- stances were four generations represented, among them we now recall B. A. Myers, daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter. Mrs. D. F. Beck and descendants through her daughter. Mrs. Willis Jones, was another.
The crowd was estimated at 1.500 on the first day and 2,000 or more on Friday. It is generally conceded that there was a larger crowd than in 1903. although there were not so many visitors from a great distance. The people living in the vicinity of Millersburg turned out in greater numbers and showed greater interest than they did before.
Prof. and Mrs. B. F. Peters of Wawaka had charge of the music and their work added charm to the occasion. They were supported by a chorus of local talent. Mrs. A. J. Mays presided at the organ.
Millersburg is proud, and has every reason to be, of its band. The boys received many compliments from the visitors as well as the home people. Members of the band are Adrian, Chas., Will. and Peter Boomershine. L. F. Juday, Geo. Musselman, C. S. Willard. Frank Mc- Kibben, Albert Stage, J. F. Gehring. Fred and Roy Castetter. Lou Groff. Amzie Dunifan, Frank Gary, C. R. Garman and Henry Long.
We missed the familiar faces of Dr. H. H. Long. L. E. Barnard. Mel Bollinger, Peter Rockenbaugh, Chas. and George Gehring, and many others who were here two years ago, but found it impossible to be here this year.
The merry-go-round and other side attractions up town afforded amusement and entertainment for the younger people and added much life to the occasion.
The weather was ideal, not too warm or too cold. It threatened rain Friday, but the day passed without a wetting.
Conrad Smith was present at the reunion two years ago and was very enthusiastic and insisted on the next one being hekl in 1905. His funeral was held at the same hour the second reunion opened. L. C. Garman, Sarah Johnstonbaugh, Mrs. John Widner and others have passed away since the first meeting.
Mrs. John Singler, accompanied by her daughter and son, from South Bend. attended the reunion. Frank Singler, the son, had not been in the blessed town for thirty-five years. Many of the older resi- dents will remember him. John Singler could not attend this year. but for the benefit of the venerable ex-postmaster we might say that " the postoffice is now construblucated, but there is no mail for A. K. Root."
J. A. Jnday, chairman of the reception committee, had charge of the register. Over 1,200 persons signed and not half of them were on. This indicates that there were at least twice that many here.
We observed the pleasant phiz of W. C. Hoch of Delta, Ohio, among the reunionists.
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The visitors were delighted with the new opera house and free in their praises of the public-spiritedness of our citizens.
The Four Generations Reunion Association has become a fixed and permanent institution and the meetings may be looked forward for with regularity.
Mrs. May Hoffman Loy of Toledo, writes the editor expressing regret because she was unable to get here for the reunion.
John Thomas, who came here from Oblong, Illinois, to attend the reunion, became ill and was compelled to return home. He was sorely disappointed.
The history of the Millersburg Grit, which has always led the van in movements for the upbuilding and progress of Millersburg, is given on other pages of this work.
MIDDLEBURY.
Traveling from Goshen to the northeast into the beautifully undu- lating region of Middlebury township, with its almost uniformly excel- lent farmsteads, from the crest of the bluffy hills which border the Little Elkhart river on the west, one sees, lying at the foot of the range and embowered in the trees, the village of Middlebury, which is alike one of the oldest and most picturesque as well as most prosperous centers of Elkhart county. Situated in section 10 of Middlebury township. some thirteen miles from the county seat and at a like advantageous distance from other surrounding towns, it is the commercial center of a rich and prosperous agricultural country. In its material aspects Middlebury has many points of superiority over most towns in northern Indiana. Its situation has much of the natural charm and beauty which we associate with the towns of old England, and while for many years it remained isolated from railway communication with the outside world. its other advantages more than compensated for this lack and maintained the town in a steady and substantial growth, which has been accelerated since the advent of the branch line of the Lake Shore. Thrifty, comfortable and some beautiful residences line the well shaded streets, and the citizens take evident pride in their community and are themselves above the average in material circumstances and civic enterprise. The main street, along which most of the residences and business buildings are located, was the old Logansport and White Pigeon road, from which it appears that the village was originally placed, from design, upon one of the principal thoroughfares of the country and was in the direct line of traffic until the railroad changed
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the current. A public square, around which the business activity cen- tered, was originally a feature of the town, but, as stated, the more recent development has resulted in the business houses being strung along one street.
The Middlebury of to-day is the result of over seventy years' growth. There is just one man in the town whose eyes have seen the village from its infancy to its mature growth, and it may be said with approximate truth that Middlebury and Henry W. Hixon are coeval in years and have grown up together, with the closest identity of interests and associations. It is from Mr. Hixon, who is the well known banker of the town, that many of the facts for the compilation of this article have been obtained.
Enoch Woodbridge, who came in 1832. is said to have been the first settler of the township, and it is hardly probable that this fertile region could have been passed by longer than that date shows. The township must have settled up quite rapidly during the first years of the thirties. Of those who formed the nucleus of the Middlebury set- tlement may be mentioned Solomon L. Hixon, the father of the present banker, who located on the northeast quarter of section 10 in the spring of 1834: also Thomas Evans, Cornelius Northrup. Dr. Dunning, the first physician ; Orange Walker, who came from New York, and whose sole descendant now lives in California: Stephen Durgin, China B. Smith: Samuel Reynolds, who, witty and genial, was the life of the entire community ; Jolin Degarino, Albert Meade and others.
Harvey Corpe, who died in Oregon, aged eighty-seven, settled at Middlebury in the carly thirties, and owned most of the hills to the south and west of the village. Several years later came Benjamin Corpe, who was the grandfather of the present station agent at Vis- tula, and he located about a mile north of the village. At this writ- ing there resides a short distance west of Middlebury one of the ver- itable patriarchs of this country in the person of Squier Lee, who was born in 1807. ninety-eight years ago, settled in this township in 1839. and, a carpenter by trade. assisted to crect the first Methodist church in Bristol. He now lives with his son, who is himself a gray-haired man of nearly seventy years.
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