Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : Containing portraits of all the Presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each : a condensed history of the state of Indiana : portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Adams and Wells counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of the counties and their cities and villages, pt. 1, Part 26

Author:
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 982

USA > Indiana > Adams County > Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : Containing portraits of all the Presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each : a condensed history of the state of Indiana : portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Adams and Wells counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of the counties and their cities and villages, pt. 1 > Part 26
USA > Indiana > Wells County > Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : Containing portraits of all the Presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each : a condensed history of the state of Indiana : portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Adams and Wells counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of the counties and their cities and villages, pt. 1 > Part 26

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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261

DECATUR.

B. Allison, JJesse Nibliek, John Crawford, William G. Spencer, Henry Delks, John Meibers and David Studabaker. The bank occupies quarters in a substantial brick build- ing on the northwest corner of Second and Monroe streets, built in 1876.

The ('itizens' Bank was organized in 1872, by John W. Rout and others, and ceased to do business in 1877.

The Decatur National Bank was ineor- porated August 15, 1883, with a capital of 850,000. It now has a surplus of $5,000. T. T. Dorwin is President; P. W. Smith, Vice-President; H. Oberwegner, Cashier; R. P. Dorwin, Assistant Cashier. The diree- tors are: T. T. Dorwin, John D. Hale, R. S. Peterson, Henry Derkes, John Dirkson, B. W. Sholty and P. W. Smith.

MANUFACTURES.

Deeatur has already attracted a number of these desirable aids to prosperity and popula- tion. Among them are the Eagle Manu- facturing Company, wind-mills and road- serapers; Myer Brothers, woolen mills; J. S. Ilart, Patterson & Pillars, and Bremerkamp & Vaneamp, grist-mills; Robinson & Gillig, P. W. Smith & Co., Hammel & Wilcox, and Johnson Brothers, saw-mills; Johnson Broth- ers and G. Christen, planing mills; M. Buhler, flax mill: Hart & Egg, foundry; Henry Kriek, brick: Elick & Boyd, tile; Henry Mayer, brewery; P. C. Clever & Co. and Hite & Adams, slack barrels.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY.

The firms doing business in Decatur in February, 1887, are (exclusive of professional men) as follows:

Adams County Bank; L. Auth, jewelry; Barkley & Steele, meat market; Beery Broth- ers, livery; A. R. Bell, livery; G. Berling, produce; Norval Blackburn, proprietor De- 18

eatur Democrat; J. S. Bowers, hardware and machinery; Il. II. Brake, saloon; Bremer- kamp & Vancamp, grist-mill; J. H. Bremer- kamp, saloon; M. Bremerkamp, dry goods; John Brock, tin and hardware; Brown & Coffee, saloon; M. Buhler, flax mill; A. T. Burge, barber; N. Burns, harness; Bushnell & Cook, blacksmiths; P. C. Clever & Co., slack barrels; Jacob Closs & Son, jewelry; Mary Closs, millinery; M. Colchen, bakery; L. A. Conter, boots and shoes; Christen & Goodsell, lumber; G. Christen, planing mill; Decatur National Bank; Donovan & Coffee, grocery; Dorwin & Holthouse, drugs; C. T. Dorwin, photographer; Dr. Marshall Medicine Co., medieines; Eagle Manufacturing Co., wind-mills and road-serapers; James Edding- ton, grocery; John Eiting, dry goods; Elick & Boyd, tile factory; J. E. Ellsworth, wagons and carriages; M. S. Elzey, jewelry; Evert & Roop, grocery; E. Forbing, saloon; Fritzin- ger & Kirsch, lumber; J. S. Gasper, saloon; Glass & Magley, hardware and machinery; Hammel & Wilcox, saw-mill; Hart & Egg, foundry; Hart & France, saloon; J. S. Hart, mill; Hite & Adams, slack barrels; A. Holt- honse, boots and shoes; W. V. Hubbard, pho- tographer; W. S. Hughes, marble; G. W. Hull, dry goods; F. Johns, saloon; Johnson Brothers, saw and planing mill; John King, wagons and carriages; J. W. Kleinheinz, saloon; Henry Krick, brick; Ilenry Lang, saloon; John Lose, barber; Mann & Burk- head, grocery; Jacob Martin, bakery; Henry Mayer, brewery; 1. J. Miesse, Miesse House; Adam Miller, saloon; Miller Brothers, bar- bers; J. A. Mills, grocery; E. D. Moffett, proprietor Decatur Journal; Myer Brothers, woolen mill; W. Il. Nachtrieb & Bro., drugs; Niblick, Crawford & Sons, dry goods and clothing; Patterson & Pillars, grist-mill; Pease & Colehen, bakery and restaurant; J. W. Place, bakery; A. R. Pierce, drugs;

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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

11. S. Porter, harness; 1. Rademacher, saloon; Railing & Rice, livery; Robinson & Gillig, saw-mill; I. Rosenthall, clothing; Ross & Blue, blacksmiths; August Schlegel, blacksmith; D. Schlegel, tinsmith; F. Shaffer & Bro., hardware and implements; D. Show- ers, Empire House; Smith & Bryson, meat market; P. W. Smith & Co., saw-mill; W. G. Spencer & Bro., hardware; Sprang & True, dry goods; Stone & Mangold, hardware; B. J. Tervier, hardware; D. C. Townsend, Burt House; Tyrrell & Moritz, blacksmiths; J. II. Vogelwede, boots and shoes; J. W. Vogel- wede, saloon; Vore & Cox, notions; Weber & Ruinberg, livery; John Welfly, grocery; Henry Winnes, boots and shoes; Woodward & Anten, furniture; L. Yager, furniture; Eli Zimmerman, saloon.

SCHOOL.

Decatur had a small distriet school-honse until 1854, in which year a two-story frame building was put up at a cost of $3,000. It was 40 x 60 feet in size, and contained six rooms. It stood on the site of the present briek school-house, and after it finished its usefulness as a school building in 1886, it was sold to Henry Krick and moved upon Second street, where it now stands unused. In 1880, when this building had become uncomfortably crowded, a small one-story frame house was built on the same lot for the primary pupils. This building yet stands where it was put up. The present model school-house is two stories in height, contains eight rooms, is heated by furnace (Smead & Co., of Toledo), and was completed July 1, 1886, at a cost of $15,000. It is all paid for, and there are no bonds to pay interest on.

The course of study now in use was adopted in 1879, when Dr. S. G. Hastings was prin- cipal. Ile held that position three years. C. G. White was then in charge for two years,

and G. W. A. Inckey has now been principal for three years. The other teachers for 1886- '87 are: Mrs. Bertha M. Luckey, Mattie A. Wolf, Hellena Parrot, Lucy Vail, Mrs. Belle Fristoe, Edith Reynolds, Kate Jackson, Dink Miller and Nettie Moses.

The persons of school age in the district in 1885-'86 were in number, 796; enrolled in school. 521; boys, 256; girls, 265; average number belonging, 396.3; average daily attendance, 372.6; average number of pupils belonging to cach teacher, 44. The teachers' pay-roll amounts to 83,216 a year, and the total expenditures for school purposes fall a little below 84,000.

The high school has a three years' course, fitting pupils either for college or for the " school of life." There is also a one year post-graduate course for the training of those who contemplate teaching. The graduates from the high school now number thirty- eight. They are:

1881 .- Rufus Allison, Carrie Blackburn, Fannie Dorwin, Anna Fitzgerald, Kate Num- bers, Emily Numbers and Maggie Studa- baker.

1882 .- Page Blackburn, Manasseh Gerard, Kate Jackson, Dink Miller, Flo Woods, Frank Metts and John R. McConnehey.

1883 .-- Lizzie Brake, Melissa MeConnehey, George Broek, Dick Dorwin, Craig Miller and Manasseh Gerard.

1884 .- Elmer Richmond and Ida France. . 1885 .- Etta Chnibb, Nettie Moses, Edith Reynolds and Chrissie Wymer.

1886. - Matie Auten, Kittie Christen, Mary Heller, Emma Jackson, Lizzie Jackson, Hattie King, Cora Morrow, Jennie Patterson, Grace Reynolds, Vie Stone, Hattie Wilson and Homer Moses.

The present school board includes: G. Christen, President; W. G. Spencer, Secre- tary, and John Crawford, Treasurer.

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DECATUR.

263

CHURCHES.

St. Mary's Catholic Church .- In the year of our Lord 1837, Henry Dirkes, Henry Mimter, Joseph Smith, Anthony Kohne and Bernard Holthans arrived at Decatur, when the town had been laid out but one year before, in 1536, by Samuel L. Rnggs, John Reynolds, and Joseph Johnson. At their arrival, there were but few houses, those of Jacob Huffer, Ruggs, Reynolds, Veiler and James Niblick.

In the following year, 1838, eame George Fittich, John Muller, George Spuller, Timo- thy Coffee, Daniel Coffee, John Closs and Ilenry Will. In the spring of 1838 the first mass was said in George Fittich's house by Father Mueller. In the following year, 1839, Mathias Müller came here. In the following year, 1840, arrived here Henry Heidemann and Henry Grützkamp. In 1841 John Mei- bers' family came here. The second priest of St. Mary's congregation was Father Hamion. The first Catholies baptized at Decatur were Minnie Holthaus, afterward wife of Conrad Brake, and Mary Closs, now wife of Peter Holthaus. The first marriage was that of Timothy Coffee and Margreth Müller, by Father Hamion, on the 10th of January, 1841. The third priest was Father Joseph Rudolph. He took up a subscription for a church, and was assisted by Timothy Coffee, who collected 875, and by John Closs and Anthony Kohne, who collected $200 at Cin- cinnati. The beginning of the new ehureh was made by the Spullers, who brought with oxen, through the then deep mud, the heavy tim- ber for the first elinrch.

The fourth priest here was Father Moneina, and the fifth was Father Faller. In the year 1842 the graveyard in the south part of the town was bought. Father Faller began to build the old church in 1846. Before this time mass was said in Fittich's house, in the

Closs tavern, and in the old court-house. During this time Father J. Benoit came here to say mass and to preach in English and in French, and tend to sick calls. In 1847 the old frame church was plastered. Father Faller also bought the first bell at Cincinnati for $60, which bell had to be shipped by canal to Fort Wayne. During Father Faller's time were bought three more lots, so the church ground consists of six lots. The sixth priest here was Potter B. II. Schultes. He was the first priest stationed here, and he built in 1852 the old priest's house. Father Schultes stayed here till August, 1856.

From August, 1856, till June, 1857, Father Faller and Father Rudolph paid visits to St. Mary's congregation. From June, 1857, Father Lebastion Gontez, C. P. P. S., was priest here until May, 1858. After him, in the year 1858, eame Father L. Schneider, who remained here but a few months. In 1858, in July, came Father Jacob Greyer, who remained here until September, 1862. Pre- vions to this there were two missions held: the first one in 1857, by Father Andrew Kunkler, C. P. P. S .; the second by Father F. X. Wenninger, S. J., in 1859. After Father Meyers, there being no stationary priest here, Father Ileikmann from St. Mary's Church, Fort Wayne, came here off and on to say mass. In the year 1865, in January, Father Julius Beeks came, who remained one year. After him the congregation was an orphan for one year, until in 1865, in the fall of the year, Father John Wemhoff came, who remained here until September, 1872. He took up a subscription for the present briek church, and had the foundation laid.

In the year 1872, in September, Father Wemhoff was succeeded by Father S. Von Sehwedler, who had the new briek church built and finished. Father Von Schwedler remained until February, 1877, and was suc-

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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

ceeded by Father J. Nusbaum, who remained here until July, 1880, when he was succeeded by Father HI. Theo. Wilken, who in the same year, 1880, began the new brick school-house, which was finished in 1881. He also built in 1885 a new parsonage. He is at present the residing priest at Deeatur.

The St. Mary's congregation, being now forty-nine years old, has grown from a small beginning into a large congregation, eonsist- ing at present of 200 families and over 1,000 souls. It also has a good church property in a good large briek ehurel, a good briek school-house with four rooms, and new brick parsonage (at present the best in the diocese of Fort Wayne). All the buiklings have eost about $50,000. This congregation will next year, 18SS, celebrate the jubilee of her fifth anniversary.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- The first Methodist class was organized at Decatur in 1838, and Rev. Ball conducted the first relig- ious services. After him the circuit travel- ers who came here were Revs. Black, Jesse Sparks, Dean, G. W. Boyd, Tillotson, Forbes, Hahn, Douglas, Algnire and Clark. In 1851, under Mr. Hahn's influence, a frame church was built at the corner of First and Jackson streets, costing 8600. Soon after, Decatur was made a charge. The pastors sinee have been Revs. J. J. Elrod, S. C. Swazzie, C. W. Camp, I. S. Sellers, W. T. Smith, E. S. Preston, C. Disbro, N. D. Shackleford, C. U. Wilkinson, F. A. Robinson, R. D. Spellinan, W. E. McCarty, George Adams, J. B. Carns, M. S. Metts, M. A. Teague, J. Greer and Thomas Stabler. The church has now about 200 members in full standing. A handsome new briek church was built in 1881 and '82, at the corner of Monroe and Fifth streets. The contraet price was $10,000, but the actual cost was nearly $14,000. It is heated by a furnace,

and has an anditorium fifty feet square, besides other rooms for Sunday-school, ete. James T. Merryman is superintendent of the Sunday-school, which has a membership of 300, and an average attendance of 175.

Presbyterian Church .- This church was organized September 19, 1840, by Rev. Isaae A. Ogden, a member of the Presbytery of Miami, and by order of that Presbytery, upon the petition of several persons residing in the village of Decatur and its vieinity. The organization was effected in the court-house, and the following thirteen became the first members: Samuel A. Patterson, Julia A. Patterson, Samuel Allen, Harriet Allen, David Allen and wife, William Allen, George Caskey, Elizabeth Caskey, Mary Watkins, Mrs. Elizabeth A. Patterson, Mrs. Rebecea Rice and Adam Showers. Samuel 1. Patterson and David Allen were elected and ordained ruling elders.

In 1836, four years before the organiza- tion of this church, Samuel Johnson offered to give a lot to each of the four religions denominations as one of the indueements to the commissioners to make Deeatur the county seat. The lot given to the Presbyte- rians, located on Fourth street, was afterward sold, and out-lot No. 6 purchased. July 1, 1844, the congregation held a meeting and appointed a committee to draft a plan and estimate the cost of a ehureh building. De- cember 27, 1845, this committee reported in favor of a church 30x40 feet in size, to cost 8800. This plan was adopted, but nothing was done in consequence. In 1850 the soei- ety decided to build a church 40x60, and the year following they bought of Samuel L. Rugg two lots (Nos. 329 and 330), for $35. On one of these the first house of worship was built, and on the same site the present one stands.

The church enjoyed very little preaching

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DECATUR.

265

during the first two years. Rev. J. Russ preached for six months of the time. The first pastor the church ever had was Rev. John H. Nevius, who was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, of German deseent. He was educated at Miami University, Ox- ford, Ohio, and in July, 1841, soon after he had completed his studies for the ministry, he visited the church at Decatur while on a missionary tour under the direction of the Miami Presbytery, within the bounds of which this church was located at that time. Soon after, Mr. Nevins was ealled to the pas- turate, at a salary of 8175. IIe remained thirteen years. Services during those times were generally held in the court-house.

The first church was completed early in 1854, and on February 6 of that year all the pews (except one reserved for the pastor) were sold at auction. The highest price paid for a pew was $26, and the amount received for pews was 8796.25. The sale was not for one year, but for as long as the church should stand.

This was not as long as expected, however, for November 17, 1862, the build- ing was consumed by a fire, which was dis- covered during the holding of a communion service. A neat and comfortable briek church was then built at a cost of $4,000.

After Mr. Nevins left, the church was without regular preaching until 1856, when Rev. Robert Mitchell and Rev. Mr. MeCor- miek came successively for a short time. Rev. Donaldson, of Ossian, and Rev. Lowry, of Fort Wayne, preached occasionally until October 19, 1859, when J. A. MeIntyre, a lieentiate of Allegheny Presbytery, was called to the pastorate. IIe resigned May 9, 1861, and the church was then supplied by Rev. Thomas Eleock until June, 1866. Rev. A. B. Lowes began his labors here May 1, 1867, and ended them October 5, 1868. From

February, 1870, to October, 1871, Rev. R. A. Curran, D. D., preached. Rev. Norman Jones was called to the pastorate in February, 1872, and remained until the autumn ot 1877. Rev. C. A. Kanouse came from Craw- fordsville in December, 1877, and left in the spring of 1882. Rev. A. J. Reynolds was here from September, 1852, to October, 1886, and is now at Albion, Indiana. Rev. 1. T. Holt, the present pastor, came from Union City, Indiana, in December, 1886.

During Mr. Jones' pastorate a $1,400 par- sonage was built, and 8300 expended on the interior of the church. In 1884 the latter was again refitted. The elders of the church are Samuel Moses, D. O. Jackson, Ed. S. Moses and Charles True; trustees, Robert Patterson, Thomas True and James MeGon- agle. J. F. Mann is superintendent of the Sunday-school.

Baptist Church .- The Baptists were organ- ized for many years before the war, but had no house of worship, and finally beeamne dor- mant. In the summer of 1884 the society was reorganized with eighteen members. Revs. Willard and D. B. Record have been the pastors of the church. The last named commenced his work here in 1886. A brick house of worship was commenced in 1886, and when completed will cost not far from $3,000. Meetings are now held in a hall opposite the court-honse. J. M. Arehbold, A. R. Wolf and L. R. Blossom are trustees, and Sylvester Wolf is deacon. A. R. Wolf is superintendent of the Sunday-school.

Evangelical Association .-- The first preach- ing in this county by a minister of this de- nomination was in 1847. For a number of years all services were in the German lan- guage, then both languages were used, and now English is always used. The member- ship in the county is now 300, and five churches are supported-one in Preble Town-

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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

ship, two in Union, one in St. Mary's, and one in the city of Decatur.

The first preaching in the latter place was by Rev. S. S. Condo, in 1871, in the old court-house. A church was organized in 1872, and a house of worship built in 1873, at a cost of 82,500. It is a white frame structure, and stands on Winchester street. The pastors have been: Rev. George Frehafer, 1872-'74; Rev. John Banghman, 1874-'75; Rev. James Wales, 1875-'76; Rev. Joseph Fisher, 1876-'78; Rev. L. Lanner, 1878-'79; Rev. Dill, 1879-'S0; Rev. I. B. Fisher, 1880-'81; Rev. J. M. Dustinan, 1881-'84; Rev. A. R. Shater, 1884-'86; Rev. J. E. Stoops, 1886. A parsonage was built in 1883, just south of the church, at a cost of 8800. The association has a membership of just 100. A. Gottschalk is superintendent of the Sunday-school, which has a member- ship of about 150. The trustees of the church are S. Linn, Israel Engle and John C. Cook. The class leaders are John C. Cook and John McConnehey. The stewards are David Foreman and James Barkley.

The Christian Church was organized in 1882, with about thirty members, and soon after purchased the frame building formerly used by the Methodists. They paid $700 for it, and expended 8400 in repairing and remodeling the same. Rev. M. M. Gleason and Rev. M. L. Blaney have served as pas- tors of the church, which has been without regular services for the past two years. Steps are now being taken to seeure a pastor. The church has now some sixty members. W. W. Harris is superintendent of the Sunday- school, which has perhaps sixty attendants. T. P. Harris and F. T. Gilpin are elders; IFarvey Segur and W. W. Harris, deacons; T. P. Harris, John T. Bailey and E. N. Tyr- rell, trustees.

The German Reformed Church was organ-

ized here about 1861, and soon after built a honse of worship. The membership is about thirty. Rev. Henry Vitz, the present pastor, eame in September, 1885.

Lutheran Church .- The Lutherans have effeeted an organization, but have no build- ing yet.

SOCIETIES.

Decatur Lodge, No. 571, A. F. & A. M., was chartered May 27, 1884, with Jonas S. Coverdale as Worshipful Master; John D. Ilale as Senior Warden, and Benjamin W. Sholty as Junior Warden. It was organized under dispensation June 9, 1883, with the same officers as under the charter, except that Robert S. Peterson was senior warden in- stead of Mr. HIale. The officers for 1887 are: Jonas S. Coverdale, Worshipful Master; John D. IIale, Senior Warden; Alfred R. Pierce, Junior Warden; G. Christen, Seere- tary; R. B. Allison, Treasurer; P. C. Clever, Senior Deacon; J. T. Merryman, Junior Dea- con; Levi Barkley, Tyler. The lodge has a membership of twenty-six, and meets on Tuesday evening on or before each full moon. It has a long lease of a hall over T. T. Dor- win's drug store. This lodge is a reorgani- zation of Decatur Lodge, No. 254, which was organized before the war, and surren- dered its charter in May, 1SS2.

St. Mary's Lodge, No. 167, I. O. O. F., was organized September 1, 1859, with six members-W. G. Spencer, David Stndabaker, Thomas J. Pierce, Dan. Miller, Timothy J. Matheny and John McConnehey. The first officers were : Thomas J. Pierce, Noble Grand; Dan. Miller, Vice-Grand; W. G. Spencer, Secretary ; Jolin MeConnehey, Treasurer. The officers at the present writ- ing are: James F. Mann, Noble Grand; Vietor S. Reed, Vice-Grand; George W. A. Luekey, Seeretary; Lewis C. Miller, Perma- nent Secretary; James T. Merryman, Treas-

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DECATUR.

267

urer; W. G. Spencer, Godfrey Christen and F. J. Gillig, Trustees. Mr. Spencer has been a trustee ever since the organization of the lodge. The lodge meets every Monday even- ing, has a membership of 100, and is worth about 816,000. It owns the three-story brick, 26 x 132, at the southwest corner of Second and Monroe streets.

Decatur Encampment, No. 138, I.O.O. F., was organized under dispensation October 17, 1875, the first members being William G. Spencer, W. P. Moon, A. J. Hill, B. II. Dent, llenry Winnes, Dietrich Reider, Jeremiah Archbold, Jesse Butler, D. O. Jackson, D. J. Spencer and F. J. Gillig. The first officers were: W. G. Spencer, Chief Priest; B. II. Dent, Senior Warden; J. Archbold, High Priest; A. J. Hill, Seribe; Henry Winnes, Treasurer, and J. P. Moon, Junior Warden. The officers at this writing are: James F. Mann, Chief Priest; Daniel Sprang, Senior Warden; Jacob Buhler, High Priest; Joseph E. Thomas, Junior Warden; John E. Smith, Treasurer. The encampment meets the first and third Friday evenings of each month, It has $800 worth of property and forty-three members.

Olive Lodge, Rebekah Degree, was char- tered June 24, 1872, the first members being Mrs. Mary E. Spencer, Mrs. Mary Simcoke, Mrs. Harriet Stndabaker, Mrs. Catherine Gillette, Mrs. Sophie Reider, Mrs. Victoria IIilI, W. G. Spencer, Dan. Miller, F. J. Gil- lig, David Studabaker and G. Reider. The lodge meets the first and third Wednesdays of each monthi.

Kekionga Lodge, No. 65, K. P., was in- stituted August 7, 1875, with twenty-eight members and the following officers: B. S. Thompson, Vice-Chancellor; R. A. Curran, Prelate; W. W. Van Ness, Past Chancellor;

W. M. Walters, Keeper of Records and Seals; J. P. Quinn, Master of Exchequer; L. D. Phelps, Master of Finance; C. T. Dorwin, Master at Arms; Fred Shaffer, Inside Guard; George Morgret, Outside Guard. The pres- ent officers are: John T. France, Past Chan- cellor; P. R. Albers, Chancellor Commander; Geoge D. Shigley, Vice-Chancellor; David IIunsieker, Prelate; R. K. Erwin, Keeper of Records and Seals; J. W. Place, Master of Exchequer; Angust Schlegel, Master of Fi- nance; James Ilnrst, Master at Arms. The lodge has about fifty members, and meets every Thursday evening in its hall in Derkes' building.

Sam Henry Post, No. 63, G. A. R. was mustered May 12, 1882, with thirty mem- bers, and the following officers were elected: Ilenry Ilart, Commander ; D. Layman, Senior Vice-Commander; B. W. Sholty, Junior Vice-Commander; John P. Quinn, Officer of the Day; J. S. MeLeod, Officer of the Guard; L. A. Counter, Quartermaster; W. Kern, Chaplain; R. J. Freeman, Surgeon; A. C. Gregory, Adjutant. The officers for the year 1887 are: Ilenry Hart, Com- mander; Michael J. Witzberger, Senior Vice-Commander ; Ezra Cutting, Junior Vice-Commander; R. A. Drummond, Quar- termaster; John D. Hale, Adjutant; D. Lay- man, Chaplain; D. K. Shaekley, Officer of the Day; A. J. Teeple, Officer of the Guard; A. J. Holloway, Surgeon. The post has mustered in all 129 comrades, of whom 100 are now in good standing. It meets the first and third Saturdays of each month.

The Woman's Relief Corps, auxiliary to the post, was mustered October 5, 1886, with twenty-eight members. It meets the first and third Friday of each month. Mrs. Lou Kennedy is president.

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268

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

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= VILLAGES.E

GENEVA.

ENEV A, the second place in population in Adams County, is in Wabash Township. The origi- nal town site was called " Alexandria " by Al- exander Hill, the pro prietor, about 1843. Some five years later David Studabaker platted an addition adjoining on the north. The name " Buffalo " was then adopted and retained until the building of the Cin- einnati, Richmond & Fort Wayne (Grand Rapids & Indiana) Rail- road in 1871. Judge Studabaker then ex- tended his addition to the north by purchase; the Butcher heirs also platted an addition, and when the railroad company established a station and named it Geneva, that became the name of the village. It is said that the greater part of the land now covered by the village formerly belonged to Dr. Snow and P. M. Collins, and cost them $9 an acre. Judge Studabaker paid them 826 an aere.

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Author: Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 982

Author:
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 982