USA > Indiana > Marshall County > A twentieth century history of Marshall County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 30
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William G. Pomeroy was appointed auditor in 1839, and discharged the duties of the office until June 29, 1844. At that date the offices of auditor and clerk were separated and the business of each office since that time has been performed by one officer appointed or elected for each. Mr. Pomeroy was an excellent business man, wrote a fine hand and left the office in good shape when his term expired.
William M. Dunham was appointed first auditor after the two offices were separated, June 29, 1844. Mr. Dunham had served as justice of the peace, and was one of the leading men of the county at that time. He was small in stature, but was "wide enough out" to make up for the deficiency in height. He delighted in smoking a white clay pipe, and if there was any comfort he did not derive from it it was not because he did not make an honest effort to patiently distil it out. He wrote a peculiar up and down hand, and his records are uniform, clean and perfectly legible. He died in Plymouth, February 25, 1855.
Thomas McDonald succeeded Mr. Dunham March 4, 1850, and owing to the change made in the commencement of the term of that office by the adoption of the new constitution of Indiana, and a reelection when his first term expired, he served in all nine years. He was one of the pioneers of the county, having arrived here six days after the county had been organized. He was attentive to business, and prided himself on the facility and correctness with which he could add up a row of figures, his knowledge of the description of lands, and the number of people he was personally acquainted with. During his life he served as justice of the peace ; assessed the property of the county for taxable purposes ; was elected county com- missioner ; appointed county school examiner; and was the first county superintendent of schools after the law was passed creating that office, which office he was holding at the time of his death, March 26, 1875. He also established the Plymouth Democrat November 15, 1855.
Rev. Austin Fuller was elected in 1859 and served four years. He came here in an early day, and managed the Plymouth water mills, which were then known as "Fuller's Mills." He was a preacher of the gospel according to the Wesleyan view of Methodism for many years, and on several occasions had taken an active part in politics-always in opposition to the democracy. He died in Plymouth in the later eighties.
Of those who have had charge of the office since Mr. Fuller's term it is not necessary to speak in detail. All discharged the duties of the office with credit to themselves and satisfaction to all concerned.
Treasurer's Office.
This office, like all the other offices, since its existence has been excep- tionally well managed. John Houghton was the first treasurer. He was appointed by the board of commissioners May 3, 1836. He was elected in August, 1836, qualified September 5th, and held the office under the election
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
until August, 1839, when he was again reelected, and, having served out the term, was again reelected and held the office until 1850. His first report as county treasurer is inserted here as a matter of historical interest:
FIRST TREASURER'S REPORT.
John Houghton, treasurer, in account with Marshall county from April I, 1836, to May 1, 1837 :
Received for license to this date. .$ 98.981/4
Received of Peter Schroeder, county agent, as part dona- tion to county seat. 300.00
Received of A. Vinnedge, collector for 1836. 466.401/2
Total $865.383/4
CONTRA.
By amount orders redeemed April 1, 1836, to May I, 1837, as appears by vouchers. $802.031/2 To balance in treasury as per contra, $63.3514; deduct the treasurer's commission on $502.031/2 since April 1, 1836, to May 1, 1837, at 3 per cent, making $15.07 ; commission on $300, 2 per cent, $6, making 21.07
Balance in treasury up to this date .. 42.281/4
Total
$865.383/4
All of which is respectfully submitted. JOHN HOUGHTON, County Treasurer.
Mr. Houghton was an Englishman, having been born near Southamp- ton, England, in 1790. He learned the shipwright carpenter trade and worked in the King's navy yard during the reign of George IV. at Ports- mouth. He came to America in 1820, and to Marshall county in 1835, and remained here continuously until his death in 1877.
Joseph Evans, the second treasurer, was one of the early settlers in Marshall county. He was an affable, pleasant gentleman, and a straight- forward citizen, of whom nothing but good could be said. In addition to his services as treasurer, during his life he had served two terms as sheriff and one term as county commissioner, and other official positions of less import- ance. He died in the eighties.
David Vinnedge was the third treasurer. He came from Butler county, Ohio, where he was born, to Marshall county in 1846, settling in North township, where he resided until he was elected treasurer, when he removed to Plymouth, where he remained until his death, October 14, 1859. He made an excellent treasurer; was kind-hearted, liberal to a fault and peculiarly jovial and social.
Nathan H. Oglesbee was twice elected treasurer, coming in on the tidal wave of the newly organized Republican party, which was assisted by the American party, commonly known as the Know Nothings. He was a gentleman of good business qualifications, pleasant manners, attended strictly to business, and performed the duties of his office with honor to himself and satisfaction to the people. He died several years ago.
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
Daniel O. Quivey was a young man of more than ordinary experience in business matters, and, being honorable and upright in all his dealings with mankind, he was well liked and very popular with all who knew him. His peculiar fitness for political positions attracted the attention of the voters of the county holding to the Democratic faith, and he was elevated to the office of county treasurer from among a large number of aspirants. He held the office two terms and transacted the business in a satisfactory manner to the people. His health began to fail during his term of office, and finally culminated in a paralytic stroke, from the effects of which he died at his home in this place July 11, 1869.
Of those who have served in that office since that time it is unneces- sary to speak. The office from the beginning has been well kept, no short- ages or scandals of any kind ever having occurred. Nathan H. Oglesbee, Frederick Tescher, William J. Rankin and Jones Grant were republicans ; all the others were democrats.
The Sheriff's Office.
Adam Vinnedge, the first sheriff, held the office by appointment of the board of commissioners immediately after the county was organized. An election was held in August following 1836, at which a successor was elected, and he seems to have dropped out of politics entirely, as his name does not appear as an official after that time.
Abner Caldwell was the first sheriff elected after the organization of the county. He was a resident of what is now Walnut township,-then Green township. He resided with Sidney Williams or near his farm, which is now the town of Argos. When his first term expired the political ele- ments began to work and the race for reelection was spirited and hotly contested. He was defeated by seven majority out of between three and four hundred votes in the county.
Patrick Logan was elected in August, 1838, over Abner Caldwell by a bare majority of seven votes. The race for sheriff was an exciting one and was conducted more on personal considerations than on political prin- ciples, although the candidates were members and representatives of their respective parties, Mr. Caldwell being a Whig and Mr. Logan a Democrat. Mr. Logan served two years and was reelected. His second election was contested by Silas Morgan, as appears by' the records in the auditor's office. The office, however, was awarded to Mr. Logan and he served out his full term. In 1852 he removed with his family to Montgomery county, Indiana, where he died about 1860.
Jacob K. Hupp was one of the pioneers of the county and built and operated a sawmill on Yellow river, four or five miles southwest of Ply- mouth. He was twice elected and served four years as sheriff. From an accident which happened to him in his sawmill he died March 7, 1856.
Seth Hussey was elected in August, 1850, and served until February 25, 1852, when he resigned. He was a shoemaker by trade, and some time before his election to the office of sheriff he accidentally cut one of his arms with a shoe knife, producing a severe wound. He suffered great pain for a long time, and finally amputation became necessary. He died shortly after he vacated the office.
William C. Edwards, a half brother of Seth Hussey's, was appointed
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
to fill the vacancy and served until November of the same year. He made a good officer. A few years before he died his mind failed him and he became demented, so much so that he was unable to take care of himself.
John L. Thompson, a Republican in politics, was one of the early settlers and resided on a farm near Wolf Creek mills until he was elected sheriff, when he took up his residence in Plymouth, where he remained until his death, which occurred in May, 1856, five months before his second term expired. He was a kind-hearted social man and made an acceptable officer.
James F. Van Valkenburg was appointed to fill the vacancy of Mr. Thompson, and was elected at the election following. He served as post- master a short time under Pierce's administration and also under a portion of Buchanan's. He died at Walnut station, this county, December 15, 1880.
The others who have filled the office since that time have all performed their duties well, nothing having occurred worthy of special historical note.
Recorders of Marshall County.
Silas Morgan, first recorder, served one year and then resigned. He was a dignified-appearing gentleman, about six feet tall and of slender build. He was a carpenter by trade and built the first bridge across Yellow river at Plymouth. He was also architect and builder of the first seminary building on the grounds where the Washington school building now stands. His health declined rapidly during the last year of his life and he died December 19, 1863.
Evan B. Hobson served less than one year. Outside his services as recorder, nothing of importance concerning him is known. He seems to have been a fair business man and kept the books in good shape. He died before his term expired in 1838.
Gilson S. Cleaveland held the office about fifteen years. His wife, who was Caroline Rose, daughter of Oliver Rose, one of the first merchants in Plymouth, was an excellent penman and a bright, intelligent business woman. She assisted him in the discharge of his duties, in fact had charge of the office most of the time, thus giving Mr. Cleaveland an opportunity to attend to his mercantile business. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cleaveland are now dead.
Johnson Brownlee came to Plymouth in 1840 and engaged in the mer- cantile business. He was a working Democrat and endeared himself to his party to such an extent that without his asking for it they gave him the nomination for recorder, and he was elected. He did not attend to the office in person, but employed deputies to do the work. Samuel B. Corbaley took charge of the office the first two years, and Daniel McDonald the remainder of his term of four years. He was a very industrious man. He had not a lazy bone in his body, and during his business career had done as much or more to advance the general prosperity of Plymouth as any other man in it. He died of heart failure sitting in a chair at his home in Plymouth, January 12, 1898.
Thomas K. Houghton and John W. Houghton were brothers, one a Republican and the other a Democrat. They were the sons of John Hough- ton, the first treasurer of the county. They came to the county in 1835 and had resided here to the time of their deaths a few years ago. They
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
both made good officers, and were highly esteemed in the community in which they lived.
Jacob B. N. Klinger served one term as recorder after having served six years as county surveyor. He left Preble county, Ohio, where he resided in 1841 and settled in Bourbon township a short distance north of the town of Bourbon. He came west in 1835 and footed it from La Porte to Plymouth on his return home. The country from Lemon's bridge across the Kankakee to Plymouth was "one vast wilderness," with only a few. houses to mark the commencement of civilization ; prairie wolves were numerous; Indians were still prowling around seeking whom they might devour, and a journey on foot and alone through the swamps and marshes, brush and tree tops under such circumstances was not calculated to inspire him with the most agreeable assurances of safety. Nevertheless he reached home without meeting with any serious mishaps and returned five years later to Mar- shall county, where he resided until the date of his death. Mr. Klinger was an excellent citizen in all the walks of life, and all his work as a public official was performed conscientiously, faithfully and well.
From the time the office was opened for business in 1836 to the present time the records have been well and correctly kept, few mistakes ever having been made that were discovered and had to be corrected through the courts.
The Surveyor's Office.
The county surveyor is, in a way, one of the most important officers in the county. He fixes the corners and subdivisions of all the lands in the county, lays out the roads, fixes the abutments to all the bridges, surveys and superintends the construction of ditches, etc., a record of which is made on the books of his office.
Daniel Roberts, the first surveyor, served as such four years. The records are somewhat imperfect, owing probably to the lack of proper books and materials. He left the county many years ago and died in or near Indianapolis.
Grove Pomeroy, who was appointed in 1840 and served until 1841, was among the first settlers in Marshall county, and was well known to the people up to the time of his death. He was the first resident of Plymouth, and built the first "tavern" in the then village, which he named "The Yellow River House," but which was afterward changed to the "Plymouth Hotel." It stood on the northeast corner of Michigan and La Porte streets. For many years this tavern was the stopping place for the stage lines passing between Logansport, Indiana, and Niles, Michigan, and to and from La Porte. There were no sawmills in those days, and the lumber for the "tavern" was made with a "whip-saw." Roll your log up on a frame six feet high, with one man on top and one below, and push and pull your "whip-saw" alternately, and you will have a practical illustration of the modus operandi of making lumber hereway three score years ago. Mr. Pomeroy was judge of the probate court, being the first who held that office, from 1836 to 1843, and took an active part in the organization of the county, and in everything looking to its prosperity. He died in Plymouth in 1854.
Henry B. Pershing was also one of the earliest pioneers, and when he first settled here was engaged in the tailoring business. Later he engaged
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
in the drug business for a long time, and while so engaged discovered "Dr. Leibig's Ague Cure," which was warranted to take the chill out of every- thing animate and inanimate. He also discovered what he called "The Philosopher's Stone." He claimed to manufacture stone by a chemical process by which it was made so hard that a "nigger's head" could not break it. He made a good surveyor; at least that was the verdict of those who professed to know, and there in no reason to doubt it. He died in South Bend about 1899.
Jacob B. N. Klinger served as surveyor six years in all, and was said by those who were informed on the subject to understand the intricacies of county surveying better than any other of the distinguished gentlemen who carried the tripod before or since his time. (See under Recorder.)
Achilles North served as surveyor eleven years; Jerry M. Klinger served ten years.
XLV. BENEVOLENT AND FRATERNAL SOCIETIES.
With the advancement of civilization' and the increase of population came the necessity for the organization of societies for mutual benefit and social enjoyment. The oldest of all the numerous secret organizations, of which there are scores now in existence, is that known as "Free and Accepted Masons." It being the oldest, and from which all other secret orders have sprung, it is proper to speak of it first in this historical review. The traditions in regard to the history of Masonry are numerous, and, so far as is now known, its origin was in the builders' associations of ancient times, which attained their greatest perfection at the building of King Solo- mon's temple. Since that time, perhaps about 200 years ago, it was changed into a speculative science, still retaining the working tools of operative masonry, and giving them a symbolic meaning, illustrating the erection of a human temple, complete in all its parts.
The first lodge of any kind after the county was organized was a lodge of Odd Fellows in Plymouth, March 4, 1851, but it continued to work only until July 22, 1855, when it ceased to exist by the surrender of its charter.
Plymouth Lodge No. 149, F. & A. M., was organized under dispensation April 2, 1853, and chartered May 23, 1853. Freemasonry was introduced into Plymouth mainly through the efforts of Rev. John G. Osborn, who died in this place thirty odd years ago. He was a preacher of the gospel, and came to Plymouth as the pastor of the Methodist congregation, occupying the little frame church building which stood on Center street, on the lot second door south of the Lutheran church. This was the second church building in Plymouth, the Presbyterian house of worship having been erected some time previous. At the time the dispensation was asked for there were but seven Masons in the jurisdiction, just enough to form a lodge, and two of these resided in Bremen, fourteen miles away, namely, George Pomeroy and Jacob Knoblock. The other five petitioners were John G. Osborn, Henry B. Pershing, Y. T. Moore, Greenville P. Cherry and David Steel. The dis- pensation was granted and the lodge organized on the afternoon and evening of April 15, 1853. The first business transacted after the lodge was organ-
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
ized was the election to membership of the following Masons who had settled in Plymouth after the petition had been forwarded: John Coleman, William J. Burns, John Hall and Wm. D. Moore. The lodge then elected the following officers for the ensuing year : Master, John G. Osborn ; senior warden, G. P. Cherry; junior warden, H. B. Pershing; treasurer, George Pomeroy ; secretary, Wm. J. Burns; senior deacon, Jacob Knoblock; junior deacon, Y. T. Moore; tyler, Wm. K. Logan. All these ancient workmen on the spiritual temple have laid down their working tools and gone to their eternal rest.
June 26, 1860, the lodge had a public installation of officers in a grove near town. After the ceremonies were concluded, Mr. Osborn, master elect, delivered a masonic address, after which the members of the lodge and visiting brethren from Warsaw, La Porte, Valparaiso and Columbia City were marched to the Edwards House, where a banquet was served; at the conclusion of which the lodge returned to the lodge room. The lodge was chartered May 23, 1853, as Plymouth Lodge No. 149, F. & A. M.
In 1871 another lodge was organized called Kilwinning Lodge No. 435, F. & A. M., Daniel McDonald being first master. This lodge continued until 1888 when, by mutual agreement, the two lodges were consolidated in the name of Plymouth-Kilwinning Lodge No. 149, and has continued as such to the present time. In 1902 the masonic lodges of the city erected a masonic temple at a cost of about $6,000, which they now occupy, on the corner of Michigan and Garro streets.
Each of the lodges above named furnished a grand master, grand high priest and illustrious grand master, viz .: Martin H. Rice and Daniel Mc- Donald. Henry G. Thayer served as grand commander Knights Templar of Indiana, and all three were honored by being elected grand patrons of the Order of the Eastern Star.
The most noted event of a local nature the masonic fraternity of Plymouth took part in was the laying of the corner stone of the present courthouse, August 25, 1870, a full description of which will be found under the article headed "Public Buildings."
The appendant order of Masonry are all represented in Plymouth.
Plymouth Chapter, Royal Arch Masons No. 49, was organized Feb- ruary 15, 1864, Abraham Reeves first high priest.
Plymouth Council No. 18, Royal and Select Masters, was organized May 22, 1864, Martin H. Rice, first illustrious master.
Plymouth Commandcry No. 26, Knights Templar, was organized under dispensation April 8, 1875, and under charter May 13, 1875, H. G. Thayer, eminent commander ; Horace Corbin, generalissimo, and Daniel McDonald, captain general. The commandery now has a membership of 100, and is considered one among the best in the state.
Plymouth Chapter No. 26, Order Eastern Star, whose membership is made up of Master Masons, their wives, widows, mothers, sisters and daughters, was organized October 4, 1875, and under charter May 12, 1876. It now has over 200 members, and is the fifth largest chapter in the state.
Bremen Lodge No. 414, F. & A. M., was organized under the dispensa- tion issued by the grand master of Masons in Indiana, March 2, 1869, with the following as the first officers: Lewis Theobold, master ; Jacob Schilt, senior warden; Moses Keyser, junior warden. A charter was granted at
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
the May session of the masonic grand lodge, the number attached to it being 414. Under this charter it was regularly organized June 16, 1870, by Eli R. Shook of Plymouth lodge, acting as deputy grand master. Since then it has continued to work without interruption; it has a splendid lodge room of its own and a membership of sixty, composed of among the best men in the community.
Argos Lodge No. 399, F. & A. M., was organized at Argos with ten charter members in October, 1869, and was given a charter at the May session of the grand lodge, 1870. It has gone along steadily and now has a splendid membership of about sixty. Within the last few years it has erected a lodge hall of its own, which is furnished with all the necessary comforts and conveniences for masonic work. It is one of the prominent organizations in that place, and of which the membership are justly proud.
Bourbon Lodge No. 227, F. & A. M., was organized under a dispensa- tion January 9. 1866. John W. Hagan, who had been master of Goshen lodge and had then recently located in Bourbon in the boot and shoe trade, was the moving spirit in the organization, and was selected to be the first master. Others who assisted were Rev. George H. Thayer, Lucius Caul, Milton M. Galentine, A. C. Matchett, Daniel McDonald and N. E. Man- ville. At the May meeting of the grand lodge in 1866 a charter was granted and the lodge given the number 227, the number of a lodge whose charter had been surrendered. Since then the grand lodge has ceased to assign the vacant numbers to new lodges. If this rule had been observed when the charter was granted its number would have been about 375. Mr. Hagan, the master during the first year under charter, failed in busi- ness, and removed from the town, leaving the lodge without a master. The members, however, went to work with a will, and the lodge moved along satisfactorily.
In the earlier years of the organization of this lodge several fine enter- tainments were given. On one occasion, the Rev. A. Merine, then of War- saw, delivered an address which was spoken of in the highest terms of praise. On another occasion Rev. Wm. Lusk, of Plymouth, performed the oratorical part of the program. A glee club furnished the music and the Bourbon band the instrumental music. Two banquets were spread at the American House, then kept by M. C. Henshaw, and one in the masonic hall. These enjoyable occasions are recollected by all who participated in them with a great deal of pleasure.
Several years ago the masonic hall was destroyed by fire, in which the lodge lost most of its furniture and fixtures, which cast a gloom over the members, and for a few years the lodge did but little work. New life and new blood has been infused into the lodge, and during the past few years it has regained its former vigor, and the rapid increase in member- ship has placed it as one among the most substantial lodges in this section of the state.
Henry H. Culver Lodge No. 617, F. & A. M .- A dispensation for the formation of this lodge was issued by the grand master November 10, 1897, in the name of Culver lodge. It worked under that name until the meeting of the grand lodge May 24, 1898, when a charter was granted and the name changed to Henry H. Culver lodge, and as such it was given number 617. The first officers named in the dispensation and also in the charter
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