USA > Indiana > Steuben County > Atlas of Steuben Co., Indiana, to which are added various general maps, history, statistics, illustrations > Part 3
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The first organization, that near Motz, consisted of fivo members: Mrs. Elizabeth Waller, Mrs. Sarah Carlin, Mrs. William Cameron, Mrs. John Cameron and Mrs. Hall. The meetings were firat held io the different houses. Soon there was huilt a log seboolhouse, where now stands the one known as the Cutueron, and in this and the framo build- ing erected in later years the pioneers of the eastern part of Steuben County assembled to worship God. The need thus early sown took deap root, and the growth in seen to-day in the Mount Pleasant elass and the beautiful church on the hill one-half mile enst of Metz.
The Patterson class and the Corey class were outgrowths of the one first organized near the village of Metz, The nent ebureh houso. known as the " Bethel," huilt in 1861, attests the prosperity of the former. Although no building bas as yet been erected where was formed the Corey olass, an organization still exists, and the appointment is a part of Fremioot Circuit.
The present result of the early work in the central and western por- tions of the county is Steuben Cireuit, with its four strong classes, con- tuining more than three hundred earnest Christian men and women.
Referring again to the early days and work of the church, I would place alongside the namo of Jonathan Thomas, those of J. K. Swi- hart, Hiram Freeman, Cornelius Cascy, Mr. Bowser, Mr. Chapman and Levi Brown. Some of these, quite likely, assisted in the organization of many of the classes named. Rev. J. K. Swihart has been for many years identified with the interests of this denomination all over the county, and especially in the western part. Of the ministers named, only two are living. Elder Thomas resides at Butler, Ind. For the laat six years he has lahored as an evangelist in the States of Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, and Illinois. Fifty-two years of a life of seventy-tbree linve been spent in the Lord's vineyard ; forty-seven in the active work ; five in a local capacity. During these years, he bas received into the Church of Christ more than five thousand persons. Rev. J. K. Swihart lives at South Milford, La Grange County.
Passing over the avents of the years intervening between the time of these early orgunizations and the year 1855, I mantion H. W. Cherry, D. Hohues, J. Fink, - Mortbland, and J. Lower, as the ministers prominent in the work during the few years preceding the rebellion. Following these, in later years, were Cyrus Crossland, James Grier Bowersox, Emanuel Miller, William Bundy, Daniel Bender, John Johoson, Jolin Martin, William Clay, James Martio, John T. Ransburg, Richard Martin, Joseph Porter, J. Waldorf, S. W. Redman, J. K. Allwood, and A. H. Dunlap.
At the present time there aro three oireuits -- or parts of three -- in Steuben County. Mount Pleasant, in the eastern part, consists of four appointmenta, hut only two of these are within the bounds of the county. The others are just across the line in De Kalb. Euch elass on this circuit has a fine and commodious church house. Those in the county, Bethel and Mount Pleasant, were built in the years 1861 and 1862 respect- ively. This eircuit has also a parsonage half a mile east of the village of Metz. Rev. O. Bechtol is the present minister. Steuben Circuit, in the western part of the county, is composed of four regularly organized classes, and at three of these there are fine, well,built churches. Joseph Brown is the minister in charge. The parsonage on this circuit is situated at Hudson. Fremont mission eireuit consists of six appoint- ments, hut only four orgonized olasses, Rev. - Colgan is the minister for the present conference year.
The number of members in the United Brethren Church, in Steu- hen County, is about seven hundred. The exact number cannot he obtained from the last statistical tahle of the North Ohio Conference, because of the fret that some there reported are resideuta of De Kalb County.
In the fall of 1878, thero wero reported from the three eireuita twelve Sabbath schools, with an aggregate of 894 regular attendants.
The local Sunday school collections were $122. Missionary con- tributions wero 8190. In addition to these amounts, and not includ- ing the salaries of the ministers, there were reported contributions dur- ing the year, for general and local purposes, to the amount of $1,314. Small in its beginnings in this county, almost a half-century ago, the United Brethren Church is to-day a power for good. Truly is the king- dom of Ood like to a grein of mustard seed.
THE PRESS.
The first paper published in Steuben County was the Indiana Review, which was started in 1848 by a man named Morton. The vent- uro was not a successful one, and, in a fow months, the journal was suspended. The second paper was called the Hoosier Banner, which eame into existence early in 1856. Hunter & Dewey were the pub- lishers. Hunter sonn severed his connection, and the paper was con- tinued for a time by Dewey, Tho Truth Seeker, n Spiritunlist paper, WAS next ostahlisbed, by Bownun & Louden, but, afier a brief exist- enee, suspended, but was subsequently brought to lifo in New York City, where it achieved considerable notoriety under the management of D. M. Bennett.
Early in 1857, J. M. Bromagen, who hnd been publishing a papor at Auhurn, De Kalb County, moved his office to Angola, and com- monced publisbing the Steuben Republican. The offico being heavily encumbered, it soon hecamo ovident that Bromagen could not keep the paper going. Charles Case, who was a candidato for Congress in this district in the canvasa of 1857, did not wish the paper suspended, so arrangements were mado whereby F. C. Chapin, now of Toledo, Ohio, took the Republican until after the election, whon Charles G. Mugg took poasession. James B. Parker was the next editor, and after him W. H. H. Day. Roso & Macartney, in 1861, purchased the office. Rose afterward withdrew from the paper; and, in 1864, Macartney sold to J. J. Miner, who was soon succeeded by O. W. Parish. J. A. Myr- tle was the next to try his hand at the newspaper business, hut seon took into partnership R. Il. Weamer. After Weamer retired, Myrtle continued tho publication for a time, and then lensed the paper to W. O. MeOonigal. On the 8th of April, 1874, Oerm Brown and Frank Macartney took the office und made many improvements in the paper. In June, 1875, Mr. Macartney retired, being succeeded by James U. Miller. The following January, the puper was onlarged to a nine- column folio, and a new ontfit, including a power-preas, was purchased. In May, 1878, the form of the Republican was changed from a folio to a aix-column quarto.
The following August, Germ Brown, the senior editor, died, and, in the spring of 1879, Mr. Miller purchased from the estato the interest formerly owned by Mr. Brown, and has sioce conducted it The Republican is now one of the largest all-home-print papers in the State, enjoys a circulation of about two thousand copiea, and is an honor to Steuben County.
The Angola Herald was established in January, 1876, hy Isaac L. Wiseman, who brought the press and material hero from Ohio. The Herald was a five-column quarto sheet, devoted to the interests of the Democratic party. It was printed on a job-press, one page at a time. In September of the same year, Mr. Wiseman sold to William B. McConnell, Esq., a one-balf interest in the office, when a hand-press, a quarto-medium Oordon joh-press, and considerablo other new material, wero added to the office. A few weeks later, Mr. McConnell became aola proprietor, and the form of the paper was changed to an oight- column folio, which was subsequently reduced to a seven-column. In July, 1877, W. K. Sheffer, of Ligonier, Ind., purebased a one-balf interest in the material and good will of the office, and assumed control as editor and publisher, the style of the firm being MeConnell & Shef- fer. The paper was at this time supplied with a new heading, the word " weekly " being dropped from ita title. In January, 1878, Mr. Sheffer hecame sole proprietor of the Herald, and, six months later, again enlarged it to an eight-column folio, in which form he still continues its publication.
Under its present management, the Herald bas improved very much, and its subscription bas increased largely. It is now io a prosperous condition. A good job-printing department is connected with the paper, and, altogether, it justly ranks among the leading local newspa- pers of the State.
COUNTY BUILDINGS.
Isaac Glovor, Abnor Winsor and others made strong efforts to secure the location of the eouuty aeut at Steubenville, a few miles south of Angola, near the present village of Pleasant Lake. They offered to donute $16,200, providing the county soat would be located at that place. Mossrs. Oalo and Gilmore, at Angola, agreed to give the sito for tbe court bouse, and erect the buildings. Their offer was accepted, and in accordance with the agreement, they completed a substantial frame court house in 1841, the cost being ahout $2,000. The building was upon the site of the present Court House fram wbich it was moved in 1868, and it now stands on the south side of Mauinee street, a short distance east of the public square, being used for a public hall and other purposes. The present Court House was erceted in 1868, at n cost of 827,000, and is one of the most substantial structures of the kind in Northern Indiana.
The first county jail was constructed of hewn logs. In 1839, a frame jail was erected, which was built over and around the old one, the log jail answering as a cell for the frame one after the latter was built. It was in this cell that the notorious Silas Doty was confined. In 1877, a new stone and brick jail, of beautiful design, was huilt, at a cost of $22,000. The old frame jail is now used as a livery alable, having been moved near tho Fort Wayne & Jackson Ruilroad depot.
The county asylum is located on a fine farm of' ahout four hundred aeres, three miles northwest of Angola, the main buildings heing not far from Crooked Lake.
THE BAR.
The pioneer members of the har of Steuben County were; from ahroad-mostly from Fort Wayne. From our earliest courts. uutd about 1849, the legal business of the county was done chiefly hy non- resident attorneys. At the head of this list, stands the name of Charles Ewing, who, in his time, was considered tho ablest jurist of tho West. Among other prominent lawyers from the Summit City, who, during
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this time, took an active part in the legal matters of the county, may he mentioned the names of Breckenridge, Callerick, Ferry, Dawson, John- son, Cooper and Coombs.
Hon. John B. Howe, of Lima, practiced here during this timo. Afterward, came Andrew Ellison, from La Grange, and Judge Morris, from Auhuro, both able jurists and noted men in their profession. Tho first resident attorney at law of the county was Robert L. Douglas, who enme here from Ohio in 1839. He is said to have been an ahle, onergetie lawyer; ho remained here until 1849, when ho removed to Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Daniel E. Palmer was the second resident attorney. He was born among the Delaware hilla, in Delaware County, in the State of New York, Junmary 10, 1816. He read law with Judge Tiffany, of Lenawee County, Mich. He was the first lawyer aduntted to practice in Noble County, this State, and came from there here in the spring of 1840, and at that time was admitted to this bar, hut did not commence active practice until 1841 ; he continued in pretiec here for about thirty-five years, when the infirmities of nge compelled him to retire from practice. In his dny, he was considered good, and his opinions were well respected hy the legal profession. At times, he had a large, though not a paying practice. No member of the har who has had the pleasure of au acquaintance with Mr. Palmer, will ever forget him, and when hia days are numberod, the plendings filed by him in his peculiar style of writing will mark his patbway through his long years of practice.
In his own language, " He had no ambition to shine at the bar. He carried his library under his arm." For several years past, he has spent the force of his great mathematical faculties in trying to demon- strate new and wonderful geometrical and scientific principles. He lives almost secluded froin society in his small, one-room plank house, where he has resided for twenty-seven years. Mr. Palmer was Auditor of this county from 1844 to 1847 ; he was Circuit Court Prosecutor in 1849-50, and Prosecutor of tho Common Pleas Court from the time of its organization in 1852 until 1854 In the discharge of all these official duties, he acquitted himself with much credit.
Hon. Edward R. May graduated at Ynle College in 1838, and, although one of the youngest members of his class, he hud acquired a reputotion which gave promise of futura distinction. After leaving college, he was for about two years engaged in teaching school in the East. Having, at the same time, entered upon the study of the legal profession, he was in due time admitted to the New London County Bar, in the State of Connecticut. Influenced by the hope of benebt to his health, he removed to Angola, Ind , and was admitted to the bur of our county in 1843. Here, by skill in his profession, and by heartily identifying himself with the public interests, sustaining and promoting the cause of education, of temperunce, and the institutions of religion, he rapidly nequired position and influence. The popular estimate of his capacity and fitness for public life was repeatedly mani- fested by his cleetion to posts of honor and influence in our Stote councils. He was a member of the State Legislature. He was also a member of our State Constitutional Convention, and upon him, as one of the delegates chosen for this purpose. devolved the responsible duty of revising the Constitution of the State. He went from here to Cali- fornia in the year 1852, and returned the same year, when his forecast- ing mind fixed upon St. Paul, Minn., as a point of commonding impor- tance in the future of that Territory. He bad hardly located there, when, on August 2, 1862, after only a few hours' siek ness, he died of eholera.
James McConnell was the first County Clerk. He resigned that office in 1843, to enter the legal profession, and enjoyed a fair and increasing practice, until the time of' his early death in 1844.
Hon. Alanson W. Hendry was an active practitioner from 1843 untd 1863, when he engaged in the mercantile business for some years, and is now engaged in extensive agricultural pursuits. As an attorney, he was very successful, having the confidence of all who knew him. Ae a citizen, he has token an active part in educational and agricultural matters, and has donated largely of his means to these interests. He has ever been liberal of his time and money in forwarding public improve- ments, aud in promoting tho interests of the county. He was a member of the State Senate, and has held other offices of trust und responsibil- ity with credit to himself and to the bar.
Jesse M. Gale commenced the study of law with Mr. Hendry, and soOD went into partnership with him. He is atill practicing at this har, and is a member of the firm of Gale, Stocker & Best. He is an ener- getie, active member of the profession, and bas always had an extensive practice. He is an earnest worker in the esuse of temperance, is much interested in literary matters, and is now President of the Alpha Liter- ary Society of Angola. Leland H. Stocker began the practice of his profession in 1855, and has been an active member of the bar up to the present time. Having been connected with the various county offices for several years prior to his admission to the bar, he had acquired an extensive acquaintance with the people of the county, in consequence of whieb be has been called upon to give more gratuitous advice and infor- mation than can fairly be asked of any one mun. Mr. Stocker's fluency of speech, his resdy wit, and his open-hearted generosity, are proverbial.
From 1850 to 1860, may he mentioned, as necessious to the har, tbe namea of Howard, Tinker and Blake.
In 1860, William 1. Croxton cuque here from Columbiana County, Ohio, aud at that time began the practice of his profession, in partner- ship with A. S. Blake. Soon afterward, upon the removal of Blake frotu the county, he formed a partnership with A. A. Chapin, now of Kendallville. This partnership lasted for about three years, when Mr. Chapin removed from the county, and Mr. Croxton entered into partner- ahip with Hon. Joseph A. Woodhull Mr. Woodhull began the practice of his profession at Fremont in 1859, and removed to Angola in 1860. and engaged in practice with Daniel E. Palmer.
The firm of Woodhull & Croxton has been, for the past fifteen years, extensively known; they have enjoyed the confidence of the people and probably have had the largest practice of any of our resident attorneys. Mr. Woodhull was a member of the State Legislature in 1861. Ho was appointed Judge of our Circuit hy Gov. Thomas A. Hendricka, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Judge Jainca I. Best, which position be held ontd his anccessor was elected.
Hon. E. B. Glasgow, for several years, was an active member at the har, and also dealt extensively in real estate. He is a man of integrity and moral worth, and has beld various offices of trust and profit. and has merited the esteem of the people. He has twice been elected a mem- her to our State Legislature. Owing to bis failing bealtb, he has at present retired from active practice.
STEUBEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
Capt. John K. Morrow enme here from La Grange in 1864, and commeneed practice here with Daniel E. Palmer, and is now in part- nership with Walls & Bartholomew. This firm have their share of the legal business.
John W. Cowan is a fine scholar, is an active worker in church and educational matters, and has been in practice at the bar for several y cars.
William B. MeConnell begun practice here, and he was for some time Prosecuting Attorney of this District. He recently moved from here, and located in Furgo, Dak.
Stephen A. Powers. Doak R. Best, Benjamin F. Dawson, George B. Adams und Fremont Nohles, all reside at the county scat, and are ener- getie, active members of the profession. They are all young men of good character, of fine legal qualifications, and merit the patronage of the community Among the present members of the bar, in addition to those already named, may be mentioned the names of Brown & Birce, of Orland ; E. G. Melendy, of Fremont ; A. Patterson and J. G. W. Colburn, of Clear Lake ; and R. Wes MeBride and James I. Best, of Waterloo, Ind.
The true ambition of the bar of Steuben County is not for the acquisition of wealth, hut for that pure professional fame which is to be won hy the exercise of their high vocution in the spirit of punctili- ous honor.
MEDICAL.
The re-union of friends is hallowed hy saered honds, but in the re-union of physicians, whose high purposes are to benefit mankind by relieving the sufferings of the afflicted, there exista not only a bond of friendship, but an outflowing of soul which sympathizes with the afflicted, and hastens to draw from science and art all meuns for a speedy relief. The duties of the American physician embrace a study of all the ramifica- tions of disease, wounds and oparative surgery, and to be a thorough physician, he must keep posted with the literature of these several departments, for in each there are constantly new developments of more successful methods of treatment.
The physician who regularly attends the meetings of his eounty society, feels a freshness which he who stoys at home never knows ; for, in all these associations, the greeting of old friends, the formation of new acquaintances, the interchange of thoughts, experiences and observations in regard to medicine, surgery or kiudred subjects, give stability to his viewa, and inspire him with higher and more extended uims.
In 1850, twenty-six physicians assembled at Indianapolis and organ- ized the Indiana State Medieal Society. The beginning was small, and for many years the growth slow. but to-day nearly a thousand of the leading physicians of the State are members of that Society, and through it the American Medical Association. One of the most important results which can be expected from any county society connected with the State Society, is, that all the regular physicians of the State become deeply interested in the growth and development of medical science among themselves.
With the advancement of civilization in every country, the physician has always been found in the front rank, encouraging and assisting in the education of the masses, and in the propagation of every measure intended to better and elevato the community among whom he practiced.
The history of the early physicians of Steuben County, Ind., is that of every pioneer who endured the privations consequent to the settlement of a new country. Dr. James McConnell wil ever he remembered as the pioneer physician of Steuben County. He settled in Lima, La Grange Co., Ind., in May, 1835, and, in November, 1836, came to the " Vermont Settlement," where he praetieed until April, 1837, when he was elceted as the first Clerk and Recorder of the county, and located his office in the log eshin of John Stayner, on Jackson Prairie, and, in the fall of the same year, moved to Angola, where he continued his practice as much as the duties of his office would allow until his death, in 1844. After him, came his brother, Dr. George W. McConnell, who is now a resident of Angola. Besides those, we find among the early physiciuns of the county the following well-known names. Peter W. Laduc, Madison Marsh, M. F. Morse, Alonzo P. Clark, John Moore, Love Moore, D. B. Griffin, Drs. Joyce, Pink. Stewart, Patterson, Sloss, Fitzgerald, Reynolds, Hendricks, Robinson, William Sonthurd, L. E. Carver, Drake and Carpenter, besides the two Drs. Weicht-father and son-who were homoeopathista. A Union Medical Society of Steuben and De Kalb County physicians was organized about 1859 or 1860, which did not exist very long, and some of the early physicians whose names we have mentioned were connected with La Grange County, Ind., in a medical society. There are, however, no records from which ws could find out the names of the physicians composing those societies, and we are safe in saying that no society existed in this county until 1863
THE STEUBEN COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
This Society owes its existence to a few physicians, who, imbued with a spirit of progress, published a eall in the Steuben Republican of July 18, 1863, to the physicians of Steuben County, Ind., to meet at the Court House in Angola, for the purpose of organizing a medical society. This call was signed by W. Alphonso Wood, C. D. Riee, H. L. Smith and Hugh D. Wood. Pursuant to this call, a meeting was held in tba Conrt House July 30, 1863, and the Society organized by the following physicians: W. Alphonso Wood, C. D. Rice, H. L. Smith, Hugh D. Wood, J. J. Hoopingurner aud J. W. Badger. The Society was to he auxiliary to and under the control of the Indiana Stote Medical Society, and its object the advancement of mediesl knowledge, the elevation of professional character, the protection of the interests of its members, the extension of the bounds of medical science, and the promotion of all measures adapted for the relief of the suffering.
To become a member, it was necessary to be a graduate in medicine of a respectohle medical school, a licentiate of any regularly organized medical society, or to have a certificate of qualifiestion to practice tedi- cine from the Board of Censore, as well as to be in good moral and pro- fessional atanding. The first officers of the Steuben County Medical Society were : W. Alphonso Wood, President ; Hugh D. Wood, Vice President; Cornelius Dalford Rice, Secretory, and J. J. Hoopingarner, Treasurer.
At tho regular meeting of the Society, November 21, 1863, a fes bill was adopted, and fifty copies of said fee hill ordered to be printed for the use of tho members of the Society, after which no meetings of any importance were held until February 20, 1864, when the Society met and elected four delegates to attend the State Medical Association,
as follows : W. Alphonso Wood, C. D. Rica, H. D. Wood and J. J. Hooningarner.
Since its first organization, the Society has undergone a couple of re-organizations ; but these in no manner changed its 6rst intents and purposes, which have remained intact to the present. Of the organizers of the Society but one is now a resident of the county, viz., Hugh D. Wood. Dr. Rice died in 1875. W. Alphonso Wood was killed in 1868. Dr. Badger is living in Michigan ; Dr. Smith in Nebraska, and Dr. Hoopingarner near Milford, Ind. Since its organization, the follow- ing physicians have become members. Samuel Scofield, T. B. Williams, D. N. E. Brown, A. W. Carpenter, T. F. Wood, Theodore MeNabb, J. L. Hagerty, W. H. Waller, S. L. Dart, D. W. Fenton, M. F. Crain, Solomon A. Wood, Charles Bates, B. S. Woodworth, J. C. Brown, J. B. Blue, Lyman Abbott, James McLean, S. H. Fuller, D. B. Griffin, T. R. Morrison, J. H. Stough, Dr. Snooks, J. F. Jenkins, W. W. Fox, J. J. Wilkinson, A. F. Whelan, J. H. Bench, C. C. Cutter, R. F. Lipes, N. E. Bachmun, C. Van Antwerp, J. L. Gilbert, A. C. Yeng- ling, H. A. Clark, C. W. Goodale and Edward Simmons. The follow- ing do not reside in the county, but are honorary members of the Society : S. L. Dart, J. W. Badger, J. J. Hoopingarner, A. W. Carpenter, James MeLean, H. L. Smith, A. F. Whelan, C. C. Cutter, N. E. Bachujan, C. Van Antwerp, A. C. Yengling, H. A. Clark, C. W. Goodale, J. F. Jenkins, W. W. Fox and Dr. Snooks. Dr. J. H. Beach died in Cold- water, Mich.
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