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. 2 > Part 14
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. 2 > Part 14
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
SOCIETIES.
Ossian Lodge, No. 297, A. F. & A. M., inet under dispensation September 30, 1863. John P. Nash, Worshipful Master; E. Covert, Senior Warden; B. F. Taylor, Junior Ward- en. The master appointed William Beatty, Secretary; J. I. Metts, Treasurer; Joseph Kreigh, Senior Deacon; Thomas Vail, Junior Deacon. Charter members, same as men- tioned, the charter being dated May 27, 1864, and July 7, following, Amos Townsend, of Bluffton, a special deputy of Grand Master Hacker, organized the lodge by the install- ment of the following officers: J. P. Nash, Worshipful Master; E. Covert, Senior Ward- en; B. F. Taylor, Junior Warden; J. I. Metts, Treasurer; C. Snmpton, Secretary; James Johnson, Senior Deacon; A. II. Metts, Junior Deacon; T. Vail, Tyler.
The following have served as masters: J. P. Nash, J. I. Metts, James Gorrell, C. W. Beardsley, William B. Miller, James P. Swaim and William Stine, the present in- cumbent.
In 1877 the lodge room, with all the ap- partenances, were destroyed by fire, without insurance, leaving the society bankrupt. This, together with certain deaths and re- movals, and the organization of a lodge at Zanesville, caused the lodge to run down; but, through the encouragement received from brethren of neighboring lodges, they re- vived, and they now have a nice room, well fitted up. There are now forty-seven inem- bers in good working order. Present officers: William Stine, Worshipful Master; I. Black,
Senior Warden; II. Spence, Junior Warden; N. M. Newman, --; James Gorrell, Senior Deacon, and James Clark, Junior Deacon.
William Swaim Post, No. 169, G. A. R., was established in May, 1884, with twenty members, now increased to sixty-seven. Meetings, second and fourth Tuesday of each month. S. C. Goshorn has been com- mander from the first to the present. The other officers are: J. A. D.Taylor, Senior Vice- Commander; I. C. Black, Junior Vice-Com- mander; J. M. Henry, Officer of the Day; A. II. Metts, Adjutant; L. F. Wilson, Quar- termaster; J. W. Foughty, Chaplain, and Dr. M. N. Newman, Post Surgeon. The post is in a very flourishing condition.
Camp Wilmington, No. 54, Sons of Vet- erans, was organized abont the middle of November, 1886, with about twenty mem- bers, who are increasing in numbers. Meet once in two weeks. John Lepper, Jr., Cap- tain; C. B. Henry, First Lieutenant; Curtis Goshorn, Second Lieutenant ; Franklin Foughty, Officer of the Day; Camp Wil- mington, Officer of the Guard; A. B. Tobey, Chaplain; Eliner Derr, Quartermaster, and Mason Powell, Jr., Color-Bearer.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
The first settlers of this township, of which Ossian is the present metropolis, were, in 1837, Samuel Ogden, who died here; Robert and William Craig (the latter dying in Allen County). In 1838, Richard Treenary, who resided here until his death; Thomas and James Ferguson, both deceased, in this town- ship; Robert Ewell and Adam Hatfield, de- ceased. In 1839, John Davis, deceased; Jacob Bunn, whose widow is still living here; Levi Young; Samnel Weston, removed to Iowa and died; John Snyder and Joseph Hatfield. In 1840, J. R. Lefever, moved to Iowa and died; Jacob and Martin King,
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HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
William Webster and John Ogden; Webster did not remain, and there were two by the name of Martin King, one of whom died here and the other lives in Kansas. Also among the earliest settlers who are still liv- ing are Joseph Gorrell, William Quawken - bush and Ellison Covert.
The first eleetion in this township was held April 6, 1840, at the house of William Craig, with Samuel Ogden as inspector. For trustees they eleeted Philip Sower, Richard
Treenary and Adam Hatfield; elerk, George Weston; treasurer, Jacob Bunn; justice of the peace, Samuel Weston.
This township is drained by Eight-Mile Creek, which receives its supplies mainly from the Grimm and Treenary prairies, and runs through Ossian, in a northwesterly di- reetion.
The Ferguson road was the first opened in the township, running across east and west, a half mile north of Ossian, to Deeatur.
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LIBERTY CENTER.
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LIBERTY CENTER.
OHN W. RINEAR, EsQ., Res gave the name to this new and enterprising village, and was its chief founder and still its principal pat- ron, in allusion to the fact that it is at the center of Liberty - Township. It was laid out November 12, 1878, by Messrs. Rinear and John Ernst, the location being fa- vored by the fact that it is at the usual distance from other towns and is surrounded by a moral and industrious community, and has from the start had the advantage of railroad communication with the rest of the world. It is the first station west of Bluff- ton, on the Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City Railroad. Previous to the above date there had been a school-house there from the earli- est times, and more lately a store and two or three dwellings.
The place is but eight years old, has now a population of abont 300, and as it is not
necessary to give the intermediate business history of the village, it will be sufficient to enumerate the present business establish- ments, to show the growth it has made in this brief period.
G. H. King & Sons (Willard B. and Ben- jamin J.) are the proprietors of a fine flour- ing mill, ereeted by them in 1882, and run with two run of burrs for wheat and one for corn until the spring of 1887, when they sub- stituted the roller system. Capacity of the mill, forty barrels per day.
Charles Cole owns and runs a saw-mill for the manufacture of lumber of all kinds, principally for the home market, and also of coil hoops. Built in October, 1879, by the present proprietor. Engine of thirty-six horse-power. About eight hands are em- ployed in and about the mill. Runs most of the year.
Jacob Jones also built a saw-mill here in 1879, but the machinery was moved away in January, 1887, after having been idle a year or two.
S. J. & J. U. Jackson's tile factory was
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HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
built in 1879, by Adams & Plank. Subse- quently the latter sold his interest to S. J. Jackson, and the former to Mr. Myers, and Mr. Myers to Dr. F. W. Garrett and J. U. Jackson, and finally the doctor disposed of his interest to the present firm. It has not been a paying institution until within the last two years. It is now doing a thriving business. Last year they made 10,000 rods of tile, and this year will probably reach 15,000 rods, having just put in a new mill.
Johnson & Morgan and G. F. Markley, general stores, ineluding hardware; Miller & Stall, and Henry King, dry goods and grocer- ies; Garrett & Funk, drug store; Benjamin Foreman, shoe store; William Smithson, shoe shop; Jones & Ramsey, blacksmith and wagon shop; Hannesser & Funk, broom fac- tory, established in February, 1887, and em- ploying four hands; Ramsey & Stall, broom factory, started last year, and employ three hands; II. J. Johnson, barber; Mrs. Maria Turpin condnets the HIeekinan House, which was built by W. S. Heckman in 1880.
Dr. F. W. Garrett is the only physician. A biographieal sketch of him can be found in this volume by the index.
The postmasters have been: S. J. Jackson, to January 1, 1877; J. W. Rinear thence to January 1, 1880, F. W. Garrett, to January 1, 1883; R. W. Croasdale, to January 1, 1885, sinee which time Milton Morgan has been the ineumbent.
John W. Rinear, the longest a resident of Liberty Center, was the first justice of the peace at this point. During his term of office, twelve years, he married 104 couples. The next and present justice is Henry J. John- son, who now does all the legal business of the place.
The first born at Liberty Center is Hattie S., daughter of John W. Rinear, and now the wife of John B. Funk. Having received
a good education, previous to marriage, she tauglit a number of years in the public schools.
The first born male is Charles W., son of Samuel J. Jackson.
The first marriage was X. N. Johnson to Mary E. Ernst; the first death was that of Mrs. Clark Morgan.
In the line of fine arts, Edward Rinear is considered superior in drawing and painting.
The first school-house was a log building, erected near the point occupied by the pres- ent briek school-house. The second was a frame, 24 x 30 feet, built in the summer and fall of 1859, and it still remains. It was oe- cupied as a school-house and a place for pub- lie meetings of all kinds until the present fine two-story briek strueture was ereeted, in 1881, at a cost of $2,700, inelnding the seats. This building was ereeted under the super- vision of G. II. King, the trustee. The school is graded, the first and second depart- ments being on the first floor, and the third, fourth and fifth above. Since the present building was erected, Mr. W. A. Luee has been the principal teacher, with a corps of assistants most of the time, and he has also conducted at this place normal schools for the last two summer seasons, with an attendance of twenty-eight pupils.
The principal church at Liberty Center is the Baptist, and the chief pillar of this church, Rev. Abel Johnson, a resident. Ile, with his coadjutors, have from the earliest day sustained a marked religious and moral influence over the community, in spite of many diffienlties. The congregation was first organized in August, 1855, under the shade of a tree ("God's first temple," as Bryant has it), near the present site of the school- house, with sixteen members, namely: Abel Johnson, Sarah S. Johnson, Silas Parker, Ester Parker, Jacob First, Charles Rinear,
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LIBERTY CENTER.
Jane S. Rinear, John Spake, Mary Spake, Michaia Merriman, Martha Merriman, Eliza Monsey, Mrs. Fairchild, Ruth Irwin, Mrs. Walker and Mrs. Cotton. The membership increased to 140, under the pastorate of Elder Johnson, and were also prosperous under the ministrations of Rev. C. B. Kendall; but are now reduced by deathis, removals, etc., to abont seventy-five. The pastors have served in the following order: Revs. Abel Johnson, C. B. Kendall, now in Michigan, W. Wright, D. D. Spencer, D. O. Fritz, G. W. Walters, and J. E. Leakey, the present pastor, in- stalled September, 1885. The first trustees were Abel Jolinson, Charles Rinear and John Muncie; the present are Abel Johnson and Joseph Garrett, John Spake having just resigned, leaving a vacancy. Deacons, X. M. Johnson and Noah Garrett; Charles Rinear has served as deacon since the organization till this spring, and resigned in consequence of poor health; clerk, Lester Garrett. George W. Miller is superintendent of the Sunday- school, which has an average attendance of about 100 pupils.
The first Baptist church building at Lib- erty Center was a plain frame edifice, 36 x 50 feet, with a seating capacity of 400, com- pleted in January, 1860. The present is a fine modern brick structure, of the same di- mensions as the former, built in 1884, at a
cost of about 83,000, and dedicated in Sep- tember, that year, by Rev. William Elgin, of Indianapolis. Elder Johnson, as before inti- inated, has borne the chief burden in the building of both these churches, as well as in the prosperity of the church generally and of the spiritual and moral interests of the community at large.
Also the church has now a parsonage at Liberty Center, and for the first time in many years is now sustaining a pastor for his full time at this point.
The Protestant Methodists organized a society at Liberty Center in 1881, and they now have a membership of seventy-three, with Rev. J. C. McLin, resident pastor; George Merriman, class-leader; Mrs. Merri- man, steward. The society is preparing to build a church at the "Center " this year. They have other societies in this portion of Wells County, mentioned elsewhere.
Mr. McLin was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1825; moved with his parents in 1836 to Jay County, this State, where he grew up and lived many years; also resided a long time in Adams County, where he or- ganized the " Shepherd Class," of which he is now the only surviving member. He was licensed to exhort in 1850, and to preach in 1858. Married Miss Elizabeth Burford June 19, 1815.
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HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
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SMALLER VILLAGES.
PONETO.
ONETO, an enterpris- ing village of 250 inhab- itants, is a creature of the railroad, not of the company, but of the eit- izens on neconnt of the railroad, led by Sim- eon Tappy and Dr. II. Doster. It is situated about seven miles southwest of Bluffton, in the ex- treme southeastern corner of Liberty Township, and was laid ont by Mr. Tappy, September 4, 1871, he giving the land for the depot and paying out money as an inducement to the railroad company. The depot here was seenred in a sneeessful opposition to Wellsburg, across Rock Creek to the north, which is conse- quently an abandoned point. It was first named Worthington Crossing, or Worthing- ton, in honor of the superintendent of railroad; but as it was afterward ascertained that a post- office in this State already had that name, a new name was found in 1880 for the place, which it now bears.
When Poneto was laid out the only build- ings on the ground were Mr. Tappy's resi- dence and a saw-mill owned by Dr. C. T. Melsheimer, which was afterward moved away.
The business of Poneto is chiefly conducted by the following: Eph Ruth, general store; Crawford Eddington, also general store; Wil- son, grocery; Joseph Kindlesparger and William B. Jones, blacksmiths; J. F. Moore, shoemaker; John Hardwidge, postmaster, and general store, including hardware; one barber shop.
The large brick business block, so conspie- nous in Poneto, was built by John Hard- widge, partly in 1877, and afterward enlarged. S. M. King's saw and planing mills, with corn-feed mill and flour exchange attached, was first set in motion, in part, in 1882 or '83, when Frank Courtney brought his saw and planing mills here. He sold to J. B. Plessinger, of Bluffton, who in turn sold to J. W. Heaton, and the latter to the present proprietor, in September, 1886. Mr. King employs five or six hands, and has in some lines plenty of work to do. Capacity of the
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saw-mill, 8,000 fect a day. The flour-mill does excellent work.
At Wellsburg is a tile factory built in 1877, and run by Hardwidge & Cook.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at Poneto comprises about forty members in full connection. Thomas Barnhower is class- leader, and William Singer, assistant. Simeon Tappy is both local and distriet steward, and Alexander Lce is a local steward. Mrs. Ilenrietta Tappy superintends the Sunday- school, which has abont fifty scholars. The present church buikling is a neat frame, 32x 42 feet, completed in 1880, at a cost of abont 81,200. The society was organized eight or ten years ago, with twenty-four members, and John Nicely, elass-leader, and Isaac Sin- ger, steward. Pastors-Rev. J. W. Paschall, Charles Bacon, J. C. McLin, Henry C. Myers, I. N. Rhodes, Henry Bridge, J. B. Cook and B. S. Holapeter, the present minister. The greatest periods of prosperity were under the ministrations of Revs. Myers, Bridge, Cook and Holapeter.
The Reifftown Methodist Episcopal Church, a few miles cast, has a membership of fifty, probably. Their building is a neat frame, 28x40 fect, built during the pastorate of Rev. H. C. Myers, and dedicated Angust 8, 1880, by Rev. L. W. Munson.
The Baptist Church at Poneto was organ- ized June 21, 1880, with thirty members, by Rev. B. Howard, a resident of Poneto. The deacon was George Doster, and elerk, Henry Mann. Present membership, ninety. Dea- cons, Henry Mann and Daniel Jones. The former is still clerk, and is also superin- tendent of the Sunday-school, which av- erages abont seventy-five in attendance. The honse of worship was erected in 1880, at a cost of abont $1,700. Pastors-Revs. B. Howard, James E. Leaky and E. L. Thompson, the present ineumbent, who came
from Buena Vista to this place in March, 1886.
The United. Brethren Church was organ- ized at Poneto about 1877, under the min- istration of Rev. Beaver, and erected a fine frame church edifice in 1882, 36x50 feet, seated it, etc., but, failing to satisfy their creditors, it fell into the hands of the contrac- tor. The society meets at the school-house onec in four weeks, where they also maintain a Sunday-school. Pastors have been: Revs. W. S. Fields, Robert Ross, James W. Nico- demus, L. T. Johnson and Edward Balduc. Class-leader, Thomas Grove.
The school-house, about 25x30 feet, is con- structed of brick, and cost 8500 or $600. School is taught by Oscar Noe, and the aver- age attendance is about fifty.
Liberty Township was first settled by James Jackson and Henry Mossburg, in the winter of 1836-'37, both of whom are deceased; the latter was an aged man on his arrival here. During the following antuinn came G. H. King, before mentioned, and Johnson King, who died March 10, 1842. The former is the oldest living resident in the township. In 1838 there arrived here James Hiram Jackson, whose oldest son is still residing here, and David Chapman, aged and soon becoming blind, who died in an early day. The next year there settled here Stuart Bolton, Benjamin Mendenhall and John McFarren (grandfather of George F. McFarren, the Bluffton merchant), all of whom died many years ago; also David Goings, who afterward moved to Delaware County, and is now living in Kansas; George Sparks, who sold out and lived elsewhere for a time, but is now a resi- dent of the county again; George P. Mann, county surveyor a number of years, now de- ceased, and James M. Merriman, who still resides npon the farm he first occupied. In 1840 came John Hupp, who is still living
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HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
upon his original farm, and John Muncie, deceased; and in 1841 Jacob First, who is still living at the " Center," with Mr. J. W. Rinear. Ile was one of the first trustees of the township, and held that office many years.
The township was organized, and the first election held, at the house of Johnson King, the inspector, on the first Monday of April, 1842. As there were only nine voters at this election, and five of them were required to till the board of officers, they did not wish to spend the day in idleness after they had all voted; and as the polls could not be legally closed until 4 r. M., they covered their ballot box, which was a hat, with a handkerchief, set it aside, and improved the day in rolling logs for Mr. King, thereby getting in a full day's work and holding the election at the same time.
The names of these nine voters were James Jackson, Henry Mossburg, G. II. and John- son King, Jacob First, John MeFarren, Da- vid Goings, John Muncie and John Hupp.
The first road opened through Liberty Township ran from Bluffton to Jackson Town- ship, leaving the center of Liberty to the right. It was surveyed with a poeket com- pass, about 1839 or '40. It has long since been obliterated by farins. The next road was the present north and south road running through the " Center," on a section line.
In aid of the Narrow Gange road the town- ship paid nearly $9,000.
The first school taught in the township was kept by George F. Mitchell, in a cabin built by Henry Stites, on section 28. Since then trees have grown up on the site fifty to sixty feet high, but have been cut away and the land reduced to cultivation. The second school in the township was taught by Lorenzo Irwin, in a eabin southwest of Liberty Center.
The Methodist Protestants have an organ- ized society of eleven members, in the north-
western part of the township, with bright prospects for increased strength. In the northeastern part of the township they have a class of fourteen.
Blanch Chapel, Methodist Protestant, two miles west of Poneto, is a frame, 32x42 feet, erected about 1881. The society, which had been organized many years previously, now numbers fifty-six.
The " New Lights " have a society at Lib- erty Union Church, a frame, 30x50 feet, built in 1873, in the northwestern part of Liberty Township, and free to all denominations.
VERA CRUZ,
called Newville until about 1870, is a village of about 350 population, seven miles up the river from Bluffton, being in a southeasterly direction and on the other side of the river. Like Murray, it never obtained a railroad, and therefore shows signs of dilapidation. Very good people live here, however, and many of the buildings look new and neat. It was laid by James Higgins and Christian Sowers, September 21, 1848.
Business: William Mertz, Jr., postmaster for the last thirteen years, keeps drugs and groceries; Fitzpatrick & Son, Geisel & Haug, and Sammel Mosiman, general stores; the latter also keeps tin and hardware; M. Hen- nefort and William F. Mosure, blacksmiths; Samuel Siegrist, wagon maker; August Mul- ler and Leonard Tremp, shoemakers; Mrs. C. Biberstein and Mrs. Waltemath, milliners; Mrs. Maggie Bixler conducts the Bixler House; Dr. J. D. Fitzpatrick, physician.
A. Daelhousen's woolen factory was started over twenty years ago, and he has had it sinee 1875. The factory has 180 spindles, one set of cards, and about five hands are usually employed. Yarn is the principal produet, which is shipped to dealers in neighboring towns. Steam power.
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SMALLER VILLAGES.
Isaac North & Co., since 1881, have owned the flouring-mill; which has two run of burrs for wheat and one for corn, and is run by either steam or water power; engine, thirty- horse power; capacity, abont fifty barrels of flour per day. The mill was originally built in early times and has been several times remodeled. Only custom work is done here.
Meyer & Gehrig own and run a saw-mill across the river south, and a tile factory and brickyard in the northern portion of the village.
Ferdinand Biberstein has a saw-mill in the village, which he runs a portion of the time.
For music, Vera Cruz has a cornet band of twelve or fourteen pieces.
The village was incorporated in 1870. Present trustees: Ernest Heche, John Meyer, and the third has just resigned.
The four oldest residents in this vicinity, who came here previous to 1850, are William Mertz, Sr., David Buehler, Mrs. Joray and Mrs. Mary Boivine.
The graded school building of Vera Cruz was ereeted in 1868, and is a two-story frame that will aceominodate 125 pupils, which is the number of the present enrollment. It comprises two grades.
St. John's Reformed Church .- The first members of this church came into the neigh- borhood in the spring of 1841, namely, Christian Saurer, Peter Meyer and John Moeschberger; and half a year later David Buehler arrived. All these were from the canton of Berne, Switzerland.
The first minister was Rev. Knabe, who preached every six weeks here, two years in Mr. Saurer's house and two in Mr. Mueller's. Theneeforward for some time there was oc- cassional preaching by Revs. Baier, Alter- matt and Bossard, from Fort Wayne. Some of the parents here sent their children to that
distant point-about thirty miles-for eate- chetieal instruction.
In 1849 a Lutheran preacher named Kleinekaes organized a Reformed Lutheran church, and at that time a parsonage was built, which also served as a meeting-house. Ile remained but a year. Afterward Rev. Chambourd began preaching here, and by this time there were several French families in the neighborhood who were believers. They began to make preparations for build- ing a church on a lot donated by Ferdinand Ritter, but before the work was far advanced the material was unfortunately consumed by fire.
No regular pastor succeeded until about 1854, when Mr. Dechandt came, and under his auspices the church was built, and dedi- cated by Rev. Bentz, acting in union with the "Albright Methodists " (Evangelical As- sociation) until about 1859. This edifice, built rather for the use of the French ele- ment of the church, was sold not long after- ward for a private residence. The pastors succeeding for a time, with occasional vacan- eies, were Revs. Fenneman, Schulze, Jaeckel (who was killed by being thrown out of a buggy), Stepler, Gehring, Huellhorst, Bolli- ger, P. Vitz, 1877-'83, since which time his son, J. Otto Vitz, has been pastor. This gentleman is a scholar of great talent and of polished manners.
Present membership, abont 220; elders, F. Engeler, Jolin Kohler and Philip Bau- mann; deacons, Daniel Buehler, Gottlieb Sanrer, William Banmgertner and Benedict Lininger ; Sunday-school superindentent, Frederick Engeler. Average attendance at Sunday-school, about seventy. A ladies' missionary society, with about twenty members, meets at the church once a month, and for sewing once a month at some private residence. Religious serv-
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HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
ices every Sunday. A fine two-story par- sonage, built in 1880, is provided for the ininister. The present prosperity of this church is greater than ever.
Mr. Vitz has charge of two other churches in this vicinity, both of which are in Adams County. St. Luke's, four and a half miles north and two east of Vera Cruz, was organ- ized in 1857, by P. Vitz. Ilenry Billmann was the deacon. In 1870 that congregation was connected with the Vera Cruz charge. In 1871 the church building, a frame, was dedicated. Present membership, eighty-seven and a Sunday-school. The Church of the Cross, eleven miles southeast of Vera Cruz, is a frame structure, where there are about ninety members and a Sunday-school. The church was organized December 12, 1869, by Rev. F. Ilnellhorst.
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