USA > Indiana > Steuben County > Atlas of Steuben Co., Indiana, to which are added various general maps, history, statistics, illustrations > Part 7
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OTSEGO TOWNSHIP.
The first entry of land made in this township was hy John Fee, who, on the 28th of January, 1835, entered the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 32. The second entry was made July 11 of the same year, hy Elias S. Rose, who entered the south weat quarter of tho southeast quarter of Section 34. Gideon Bull entered several tracts in September, and the Jaekmana the land upon which they now live, in November of the samo year.
The first settler in the township was John Fee, who camo March 13, 1835, and ho built the first house in the township the same spring, where he lived until his death, which occurred April 2, 1873.
The second settlers were James Clark and wife, who cute in Juno, 1836. James Johnson came in August of the same year. From then until 1840, the following named persous settled in Otacgo : James W. Jefferds, Henry R. Williams, A. Murray, William C. Herriek, John Saliabury, J. El. Miner, Benedict Corey. J. Corey, Henry Coy, P. Clark, D. Robiuaon, George Swope, A. Gates, Edward C. Johnson, John Avery, George Quick, William Gilmore, C. Burch, Gideon Ball, Samuel Tuttle, Richard Jackman, John Haughey, John Lawrence, Nieanor Munnon, S. P. Gambia, C. Frink, Theophilus Jaokaon and Henry Jackman.
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The first schoolhouse, was put up on Section 16, and the first teaober was Amos Stanteliff.
The first birth and also the firat death occurred Getober 25, 1835. In 1836, the village of "Enterprise" wns platted on Seetien 33 and 34, Township 36, Range 14, the place being now known as Hamilton. The proprietors were Dr. Samuel Tuttle and F. W. Bing. hamn. It was expected that the pluee would seon become of consider- nble importance, but the hopes of its various owners were never realized. The town was finally sold by Dr. Tuttle to a company of' New York merchants, who styled themselves the " City of Steuben Company." The name of the place was changed to Hamilton, in honor of one of its new proprietors. S. P. Gambia had the management of the estate, and finally became sole proprietor. The town did not grow very rapidly, as the expected railroad did not come. In 1873, the Canudo Southern Railroad was graded through Hamilton, and the town ravived, but when work was stopped before the road was completed, it again commenced to decay. It has a population of about one hundred and fifty, und has a fino two-story school building. This school stands well nmong the educational institutions of the county. At this point is also a good flouring-mill.
Among the first settlers of Gtsego Township who are now living, are James W. Jefferds, Jackson Corey, George Swopc, Theophilus Jackson, Mrs. Lucy A. Herrick, Samuel Tuttle, Richard Jackman, S. P. Gambia, Benediet Corey, Edward C. Johnson, Mrs. Mary Fee, Mrs. Polly Burch.
PERSONAL HISTORIES.
In this township is Fish Lake und Ball's Lake.
The citizens are peace-loving and enterprising, and hat. done their share toward the development of Steuben County.
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
The first entry of land in this townsbip was made by John Doug- lass October 11, 1835, whe entered the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 20. The 31st of tho samo month, John Kerr entored the southwest quarter of the saiuc section, and November 11, 1835, Robert Jack man entered land in Section 30.
The first settler was Robert Jackman, who with his family came early in 1836, and built a log cabin on the southwest quarter of Section 30, this being the first house erected in Richland Township. U. E. Gardon catne in 1836, aud entered the east half of the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 30.
Besido those mentioned, the following eamo tho same year or before 1840. Samuel Jackman, Samuel W. Scovillo, Betsey Jones, D. K. Jones, James Beecher, John Douglass, P. Hoag, A. Doolittle, William, Henry and George Letcher, James Kelly, James Beebe.
In May, 1839, Richland was separated from Otsege Township, of which it had been formerly a part.
The first frame house was built in 1843, by Gera Goodale, who is now residing in Scott Township.
The first schoolhouse was a small, log building, and was erected at Richland Center, and the first church was a Methodist Episcopal chureb, built at the same point.
The first mill was built in the spring of 1842, by Horatio E. Gor- don, which was the first frame building in the township.
The first preacher was Elder Stealy, a Free- Will Baptist minister. Elder Town also prenched occasionally.
Richland Center is a small village, located mostly on the north went corner of Section 20. It is a convenient post office for the township, has a graded school, a store, shops and many of tho necessary conveniencea of such points.
The village of Metz was surveyed by Erastus Farnham, Anguat 22, 1854, for Justus Barron and Jared Graves, and was located on Sections 31 and 32, Township 37, Rango 15. Since that time, C. W. Goodale laid out an addition in Section 32, samo township, and Ferrier & Bar- calow, on Section 5, Township 36, Range 15, part of the town lying in York Township and part in Richland, the township line dividing it. Metz has a population of about two hundred, is quito a flourishing vil- lage, aud contains most business enterprises that such towns support. It has a good school, and a progressive, public-spirited class of citizens. The living pioneers of Ricbland Township nre H. E. Gordon, Samnel Jackinan, Samuel W. Scoville, Asa T. Beebe, D. K. Jones, George Lotcher, Fred Enfield, Josoph Alton.
This township is in the southeastern part of the county, land is good, and the people intelligent and hospitable.
PERSONAL HISTORIES.
PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.
BEIGHT, SAMUEL, is a native Ghioan, born in the county of Mahoning September 25, 1842. His parents. yet living on the old homestead, are uative-born Americans, his ancestors, on his father's side, being Virginians and Marylanders, a numerous family of that name yet living in the latter State. His grandfather, on his mother's side, Fred- erick Klitz, was born in Prussia, and come to the United States when a young man, having fled from the military tyranny of that government at the timo of the Napoleonic convulsions of Europe Fle died in the summer of 1868, at the advanced nge of 97 years. The boyhood yeurs of the subject of this sketeh were passed on the farm, attending the usual district school in the winter time, until, on the 11th day of August, 1862, the eventful period in our country's history of many a young man. he enlisted, as a volunteer soldier, in the 105th Ohio Infantry, and was mustored into the United States Service, at Cleveland, the 21st day of the same month, as musician of Co. H. The regiment was ordered into Kentucky immediately after its organization, without either being drilled or equipped for effective duty. After almost three years of continuous hard service, marching and countermarching through Kentucky und Tennessee, bravely following in the wake of the rebel guerrilla, John Morgan, without ever secing or catching him ; participat- ing in the campaigns of Chattanooga and Atlanta : " marching through Georgia " aud the Carolinas ; passing through the impoverished citadel and capital of the would-be Southern Confederacy ; marching across the historie battle-helds of the Army of the Pot-mac, the regiment, the war having ended, was wustered out of the service in the city of Wash- ington, June 5, 1865-the first of Sherman's army to cross the Alle- ghanies after the close of the war. After returning home from the army, he attended one term of school at Mount Union College, Stark Co., Ghio, iu the autumn of 1865, teaching a district school the subse- quent winter, in Lawrence County, Penn. In the month of July, 1866, he first came into Indiana, and again taught u district school the following winter in Noble County. In the fall of 1867, engaged as elerk and book-keeper with Robert Dykes, Esq., in Kendallville, who was then a flourishing merchant of that town Wus married the 16th of May, 1869, to Miss Elizabeth E. Fansler, whose parents were old residents of De Kalb County, lud. Removed to Steuben County, Ind., in April, 1870, with Isaiah Fansler, being engaged in sawing the bridge and fence lumber for the Fort Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw Railroad, the till being located on the timbered tract of land in Scott Township, known as the Van Horn lund. In the fall of 1871, after the completion of the rad- road, he removed to Angula, and subsequently engaged with the dry- goods house of Joseph Stiefel & Son, as clerk and book keeper, holding that position at the time of his election to the office of County Treasurer, in' 1876. He was re-elected to the samue office in 1878. Mr. Beight has made a very efficient officer, and, by his straightforwardness and courtesy in all his dealings, has won the confidence and good will of the peoplo wherever known, and is now filling, for the second time, the most responsible position in the county.
CARPENTER, JESSE H., Auditor. This gentlemon was born in Erie County, Ghio, July 12, 1837, and is the son of Har- low J. and Fanny ( Mery) Carpenter, he a native of Vermont aud his wil'e of Connecticut, who settled in Otsego Township, of this county. in 1850, where they still reside. Jesse did not come uutil the spring of 1851, Having remained at school in Ghio. He began teaching shortly after coming to this county, and, at the age of 19, was appointed station agent at Lawrence, Ohio, which position he filled three years, then went to Illinois, whero he followel farming three years, and in 1862 volunteered iu defence of the Union; was mustered into the United States Marine Artillery, serving a year and a half, when he was dis- charged, and immediately entered the engineers' corps, in which be retained a few months, when he returned to Steuben County and began farming in connection with his father. He was married in Clyde, Ghio, September 29, 1870, to Miss Francea Brown, a native of that Siate, to whom has been born oue son, Robert Carpenter. She is a member of the M. 3%. Church, and Mr. Carpenter's parents were also Mothodists, his fatho. being a local preacher of that church. Mr. Carpenter was n Trusteo of Gtsego Township five years, and in the fall of 1874 was elected County Auditor, which he still occupies. Politieally a Repuh- lean, still he was elected on the Independent ticket. He has made n good, efficient officer, and has ever labored to perform the duties of his
office in an upright, bonest manner, and in so doing bas won the respeet and good will of all classes.
CRAIN, MARCUS FULTON, M. D. Among the ener- getic, progressive and successful physicians of Steuben County, we may safely place Dr. Crain. He was born in Steuben County, Ind., Novem- ber 6, 1848, and is the eldest in a family of ton children, all of whom are living. His father, A. D. Crain, is a native of Ontario, Canada, of Welsh descent, and his mother, Harriet Crain nee Perry, Was born in Connecticut, of English origin. His grandparents, on his father s side, moved from Canada to Ypsilanti, Mich., in 1834, and to this county in 1838, settling in Pleasant Township. His maternal grandparents (the Perrys) moved from Connecticut to the same point in Michigan in 1831, and to this county in 1839. His grandparents are all dend with the exception of his paternal grandmother, who still resides in this county. While in Michigan the Doctor's parents attended the same school, and there began the friendsbip which ripened into warmer affection in after years, and which was eonsummated by marriage in this county, where both are still living in the enjoyment of wedded happi- ness, aud a large and happy family. The Doctor's youth was spent in the general routine of farm life, attending the district school, and after- ward the Angola High School, which completed his literary and scien- tific education. In the spring ol 1870, ho entered the office of Dr. C. D. Rice, a leading physician of Angols, and began the study of medi- eine. Here be remained three years, inside of which time he attended a course of lectures in 1871, nt the Indiana Medical College of Indian- apolis, and, in 1872-73, he attended lectures at the same collego, gradu- ating tho latter year as M. D. He returned to Angolo, and began the practice of his profession, with his preceptor, Dr. Rice, with whow he remained a short time ; then began practico by himself, which he has since continued. He is a member of the Steuben County Medical Society, of which he was President for two years, from 1876 to 1878; is a member of the Indiana State Medical Society ; Vico President of the Northeastern Indiana Medical Society. and a member of the Tri- Stote Medical Society, embra ing Northeastern Indiana, Southern Miehi- gan aud Northwestern Ohio. In 1877, he was a delegate from the State Society to the American Medical Association. He was Secretary of the Angola Literary and Scientific Institute from 1875 to 1877. When Dr. Crain graduated, he was elected by the students to deliver the valedictory address before the Students' Association of the College, and after graduation was elected President of' the Alumni Association, and as such delivered the annual address tho following year, both addresses being published in the Indiana Medical Journal. In the winter of 1878, he delivered a course of lectures in the Fort Wayne Medical Col- lege, and, in the fall of 1879, was appointed Adjunct Professor of Theory and Practice in the Medical College of Fort Wayne, which posi- tion he now occupies. In the spring ef 1879, he received his Ad Eundem degree from the Medical Department of Butler University. Dr. Crain is an earnest student, and leaves nothing undone that should be done, toward fitting hunself for the arduous duties of his profession. He is careful, attentive and painstaking with every patient, und his medical operations and labors have been, us a rule, crowned with success. He is kind to the afflicted, checring his suffering patient by earnest sym- pathy, which erentes an honest hope of a speedy recovery. In every-day life, he is courteous and gentlemanly toward friend and stranger alike, and, judging by tho past and present, bis futurs looks bright and proto- ising for a successful professional career.
GATES, LAWRENCE .. Few business men of Angola are better known, or more respected, by the citizens of Steuben County, than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Nuremburg, Germany, April 20, 1839, and was the son of Christopher and Sibilla Gates, natives of Germany. He received a good education, and in 1853, he caine, with his maternal grandfather, to the United States, and settled in Angola, arriving May 2, of that year. Since his eoming, he has been engaged in farming and merchandising until February 6, 1871, when he entered the banking institution of Kinney & Co., where he is at present engaged. August 9, 1862, he left Angola with Company H, which he helped to organize, and of which he was elceted First Lieuten- ant This company became a part of the Seventy-fourth Indiana Volun- teer Infantry. After the battle of Chickamauga, he became Captain of the company, and, his regiment being a part of the Fourteenth Army Corps, he participated in all its engagements untd September 15, 1864, when he lost his left leg in a railroad accident at Allatoona, Gn., on
account of which he resigned May 18, 1865. Ho was married, June 4. 1865, to Martha E. Sowle, daughter of A. W. A. Sowle, of Angola. Mrs. Gates was born in New York, and had one child by her marriage -- Roy Gates, who died in infancy. Immediately after his marriage, he and wife went on a visit to his native land, returning in two months. Mrs. Gates died in Angola March 14, 1868, and he was again married March 28, 1869, to Tina M. Elya, of Angola, to whom has been born three children- Milla A., Fred C. and Harry L. Mr. Gates is a mem- ber of I. G. G. F., of which he has held ono of the Grand Offices ; is also a member of the Knights of Honor, and has always been a stanch Republican in polities. He was the first Clerk of Angola, and has been Tewn Trustee five years. He and wife belong to the Disciples' Church, of which they are consistent members. Mr. Gates, although coming to this county a poor German boy, has, by energy, honesty and a firm determination to succeed in life, won a leading pesition nmong the best business men of Angola.
GOODALE, ORVILLE, County Clerk. Orville Good- ale was boro in Steuben Co., Ind., March 11. 1846, and is the son of Burdett Goodale, a native of Connecticut, and Mary Ann ( Macartney) Goodale, born in New York City. Burdett Goodale came to this caunty in 1837 or 1838, but did not settle permanently here until 1842, when ho located in York Townabip, where he remained until his death, in June, 1855. His widow still survives him, and is residing in Metz. Grville grew to manbood in bis native township, attending the school of his neighborhood as much as possible. Afterward attending Hillsdale Col- lege, Mich , two terms, Angola High School three terms, and Hiram College, Ghio, three terms, thereby acquiring s good English education. He then begun teaching, which he followed in Indiana, Ohio and Illi- nois, devoting his spure timo to forming. He was married in this county November 3, 1867, to Miss Mary Fast, daughter of Christinn and Henrietta Fast-he a native of Pennsylvanis, and she of New York. Mrs. Goodale was born in Ohio February 13, 1849, and hus had three children by her marriage-Winifred, Albert, and Mary. He and wife aro members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Goodale's father was an Elder of that denomination. In the fall of 1878, Mr. Goodale was nominated on the Republicau tioket for County Clerk, and elected, which position of trust and confidence he new occupies, having begun his duties November 1, 1879. His thorough education fits him for nny county office, and his pleasant, courteous and affahle manners having made him hosts of friends in the past, will, we have no doubt, make him one of the most popular officials of Steuben County.
JOHNSON, STILLMAN E. To the pioneer farmers, more than to any other elsss of settlers, Steuben County owes its present growth and development. No other class have endured the toil and hardsbip consequent to the settlement of a new country, and none can point with a more just pride to the wonderful accomplishment and snc- ecss of their undertakings. The father of the subject.of this sketch, James H. Johnson, was one of the pioneers of Steuben County, Ind. Ho was born in the State of New York February 24, 1813, where he grew up and was married to Hannah Louisa Yeager, a nativo of the same State, where she was born September 2, 1820. This marriage occurred May 30, 1839, and the same year the young couple started for their future home and settled in Section 7, Pleasant Township, Steuben County, Ind., on land that Mr. Johnson had come out and entered pre- vious to his marriage. Here they built a log cabin in the woods and began life's bottle in earnest; and how they succeeded is well known throughout the central part of the county. Beginning with $200, they accumulated by their own energy and industry property worth $25,000. They had seven children, viz .: Catherine A. (deceased), Martha C. (de- ceased). Alabama E. (deceased), Stillman E., Julia R. (deceased), Me- doria A., and Louisa A. Johnson. They lived on the old homestead (with the exception of a residonca of five years in Mill Grove Town- ship) until 1874, when they moved to Angola, where Mrs. Jobnson died Muy 13, 1877, and her husband March 17, 1878, dying as they had lived, faithful members of the Baptist Church and with a strong and abiding faith in a happy immortality. Stillman E. was the fourth in the family and was born on the old farm in Pleasant Township April 2, 1849, and grew up under the parental roof, following the gen- eral occupation of a farmer's boy, attending his district school, also the high school at Grland, receiving thereby a fair education. He was married December 15, 1871, to Miss Almeda Henth, daughter of Cal- vin Heatb aud Ellen (Troutner) Heath, he a native of New York and
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PERSONAL HISTORIES.
she of Allen County, Ind., where they were married, settling in this county in 1863, where they still reside Mrs. Johnson was born in Allen County, Ind., April 12, 1854, and was the accond in a family of three children, James M., Elmeda, and Clura E. Heath, and by her marriage has had three children, viz. Ilarvey C., Wardis E., and one died in infancy. In 1873, Mr. Johnson bought the old homestend from his father, where he is yet residing, and has generously inserted a view of his place with portraits of his parents. This ha has done as a mark of respect towards the old people who are sleeping sido by side in the last home of all bumanity, believing it to be his duty to have the record of their lives preserved in the pages of the County Atlas, a book in which the history of so many of the old pioneers will be handed down to posterity. Politically, Mr. Johnson is a Republican; is the owner of 240 acres of good land; is a progressive and public-spirited citizen, and can safely he classed among the hest farmers of Steuben County.
KEYES, WILLIAM H., County Sheriff. The pres- ent efficient Sneriff of Steuben County, Ind., was born in Knox County, Ohio, December 12, 1841, and is the son of Tolman Keyes, a native of Rutland, Vt., and Mary Keyes nee Richarda, a native of Delaware. His parents were married in Vermont, moving from there to Knox County, Ohio, and in the fall of 1844 came to Steuben Connty, Ind., settling in Richlund Township, where they resided until death, dying as they had lived, firm believers in the faith of Wesley. William was the tenth in a family of eleven children, only four of whom are living. His youth was passed under his father's roof; and at the dis- triet school he received an education which fitted him for the average " walk of life." At the age of eighteen, he began in life for himself, his father having sold the farm and rotired from active business. Shortly after this, the country was plunged into civd war by the machinations of scheming politicians, and in October, 1861, he volunteered in defense of the Union and was mustered into Company A, Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry, in which he remained a little over three years, taking part in all the engagements of his regiment bnt one. At the expiration of his term of servico, he returned to Steuben County, Ind., where he remained three months, during which time he was married, January 10, 1865, to Miss Melvina Cary, daughter of William 8., aud Malissa Cary, natives of Knox County, Ohio, who settled in Richland Township, Steuben Co., Ind., in 1845, where her mother still resides, her father having died about 1870. Mrs. Keyes was born in Knox County, Ohio, January 18, 1843, and she and huabaod " grew up from the cradle " together, sealing in after years the affection of childhood daya by a happy mar- riage. Leaving his young wife, he again volunteered for service April 7, 1865, aud was mustered into Company B, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, serving until the war waa anded, when he returned to Steuben County and hougbt a farm, which occupation he has since followed. Politically, he bus always been a Republican, was Trustee of Richland Township one term, and in October, 1878, was elected Sheriff of Steu- ben County, beginning the duties of bis office September 10, 1879. which be is filling capubly, aod satisfactorily to the people. He and wife have been members of the M E. Church since carly youth, and Mr. Keyes is a local preacher of that denomination. Mr. Keyes is a plain, blunt, outspoken man, aod never hesitates to apenk bis convic- tions ou aoy subject. Still, with all his bluntness, he is courteous and gentletuauly, and would not, intentionally, wrong or injure the feelings of his fellow-man. Ho is well liked by all with wbom ho comes in contact, and will, we have no doubt, make an honest, faithful aud popu- lor official.
MACARTNEY, FRANCIS, was born near Toronto, Ont., September 10, 1831, being the youngest of a family of five children. His fatber, Thomaa Macartney, was of Seotch ancestry, but boru in the northern part of Ireland, where he lived uotil eighteou years of age. He then emigrated to America, and engaged in business near the city of New York, as a surveyor and civil engineer, for which occupation he had been educated. For many years, wben not professionally employed, he filled up intervals of time by teachiog school. In 1829, he was mar- ried, at Hampden, Westehenter County, to Mary A. Young She was a nntive of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Co., N Y., and was of English parentage. In 1824, the family moved to Ontario County, then a com- paratively new portion of the State of New York. In 1829, they moved to Canada, where the father died. In 1838, Mrs. Macartney, with her family, moved to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where they resided uotil 1844, when they moved to Steuben County, Ind., locating in tho north- eru part of York Township, then a very sparsely settled portion of the county. Of that family, Mrs. Macartney herself is living, at the advanced age of eighty-two years, and is a resident of Angola. The eldest of her ebildreo, Mrs. M. A. Goodale, resides at Metz. Two sons died in early manhood, nearly thirty years ago. Two are living, William and Francis Macartney, of Angola. Here in Steuben County, sur-
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