Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana : containing portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Jay and Blackford Counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families and a concise history of Jay and Blackford Counties and their cities and villages., Part 23

Author:
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 922

USA > Indiana > Jay County > Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana : containing portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Jay and Blackford Counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families and a concise history of Jay and Blackford Counties and their cities and villages. > Part 23
USA > Indiana > Blackford County > Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana : containing portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Jay and Blackford Counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families and a concise history of Jay and Blackford Counties and their cities and villages. > Part 23

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).

Two pieces are in the form of spools, one of which has a Maltese cross figured upon one end. These were found in Allen County, Ohio.

A half pint bowl of serpentine rock is an attractive article.

All the above articles are made of stone, and most of them were picked up in Jay and adjoining counties. Besides these, Dr. Ar- thur has an interesting collection of shell or- naments, of Indian manufacture, and also a variety of anatomical specimens. One shell, from Wells County, is in the form of an in- sole. Ile has a shoulder-blade and two ribs

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

from a mammoth, much of whose skeleton still remains in a mnddy bank of the Sala- monia below Camden, in this county. Also, two Indian bones which evidently exhibit a poor job of surgery.

And here is Kit Carson's hunting-knife, broken in a fight with a grizzly bear; also a case-knife; and here is an oblong square piece of gypsum-like material, 2 x 3 inches, with a quarter-inch hole in the center, found in this county, but evidently from the Wy- andotte Cave.

Fossils, even trilobites, from the drift for- mation, are found in this collection.

Altogether, Dr. Arthur has a collection of curiosities that constitute a considerable mu- seum, entertaining the curious and puzzling the scientist.

HISTORY, ATLAS AND MAP.

In 1864 M. W. Montgomery published a small but interesting history of Jay County, which was sold extensively.

In 1881 a county atlas was published, which also had an extensive sale. It, too, contains a brief history of the county.

A fine wall map of Jay Connty was also supplied the people a few years ago.

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PORTLAND.

»PORTLAND.K

ORTLAND is the county seat of Jay County, In- diana, situated on the Grand Rapids & Indiana and Lake Erie & Western Railroads, about 120 miles northlı of Cincin- nati, forty-eight miles nortlı of Richmond, and forty-six miles south of Fort Wayne, and is the only city of commercial impor- tance between the two latter points. Besides these railroad facilities, a line has been surveyed between Portland and Wabash, thence to Chicago, and its building is about as good as assured, thus giving us three rail- roads, a terminus and an important freight division in the near future. The present population is estimated at about 2,500.

The original plat of the town of Portland was surveyed by D. W. McNeal, June 5, 1837, on lands donated by Obadiah Winters, Benjamin W. Hawkins and H. H. Cuppy, who purchased the ground of Daniel Reid.

Some thought the place should have been named Reidville. Since then a number of additions to the plat have been made.

Mr. Cuppy also built the first honse in Portland in 1837, a log structure, and moved his store into it. The next building on the plat was the conrt-honse, erected by Robert Hney. The next year, Lewis S. Farber built a honse. The first regnlar tavern was kept by William Haines who built " Hickory Hall " for the purpose. In 1839 Nathan B. Hawkins and William T. Shull opened the second store in the place.

From these simple beginnings Portland has grown to be a " city," the more impor- tant features of which it is the purpose of this chapter to describe.

It was incorporated as a town June 26, 1866. Since 1872 the following have served as presidents and clerks of the board of councilmen: Presidents, B. R. Bradley, 1872 -'73; M. C. Culver, 1873-'74; John Hays, 1874-'75; A. Eyman, 1875-'76; Cowgill Wilson, 1876-'77; William Headington, 1877 -'78; John Topping, 1878-'79; J. M. Alex-

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

ander, 1879-'80; Cornelius Corwin, 1880- '81; Henry Nicholas, 1881-'82; John English, 1882-'83. Clerks, B. F. Fulton, 1872-'73; R. Denney, 1873-'75; J. J. M. La Follette, 1875-'76; David V. Baker, 1876-'77; J. A. Collins, 1877-'78; J. R. Osborn, 1878-'79; A. J. Holmes and George W. Miller, 1879- '80; L. G. Holmes, 1880-'83.

In the spring of 1883 a city charter was granted, and the first election thereunder was held in June following. Since then the following have served as mayors and clerks: Mayors, Luthier I. Baker, 1883-'85; J. J. M. La Follette, 1885-'87; Theodore Bailey, 1887. Clerks, John A. Jordan, 1883-'85; J. L. C. McAdams, 1885-'87; John M. Beelman, 1887.

At the election May 3, 1887, the following were elected city officers: Theodore Bailey, Mayor; John M. Beelman, Clerk; Elezar M. Crowell, Treasurer; Hugh A. Stephens, Marshal; Councilmen-Henry C. Bates, East Ward; John T. Hanlin, South Ward; and David Littell, West Ward. Also one coun- cilman from each ward holds over. In this election there was no exciting issue before the people, and the two tickets were simply the Republician and the Democratic, the for- iner electing all their candidates except the one for alderman from the South Ward.

The Salamonie River constitutes the south boundary line of the city, the village south of the river being known as South Portland.

The fire department comprises a steam fire engine, recently purchased of the Ahrens Manufacturing Company for $3,200, a hose company, and a hook and ladder company. John Canfield is the present chief.

BUSINESS.

The People's Bank was instituted in March, 1873, commencing business in Kiken- dall's building, and moving to the present

place, in 1875. There are twenty stock- holders, personally liable, representing over $2,000,000 actual value. The present direc- tors are, T. F. Moorman, cashier of the Merchants' Bank, Winchester, Indiana; Hon. N. Cadwallader, president of the Citizens' Bank, at Union City, Indiana; Adelma Lupton, Pennville; ¿ William Newton, J. G. Crowell, J. M. Haynes and Joseph Kidder, all of Portland, The officers are, J. M. Haynes, President; William Newton, Vice President; W. M. Haynes, Cashier; and W. A. Moorman, Assistant Cashier. Capital, $50,000; surplus fund, $13,000.

The Citizens Bank, opposite Hawkins House, was established in 1875, with a capital of $30,000, doubled in May, 1884. The incorporators were J. B. Jaqua, Nathan B. Hawkins, Samuel Kahn, W. II. Reed, C. A. Mackenbach, Edward G. Vaughn, An- drew Vaughn, Milo Grisell and Joseph P. Nixon. The present stockholders are J. W. Headington, C. A. Mackenbach, Samuel Kahn, J. J. M. La Follette, Elijah Lyons, Elias Bost, E. S. Jaqua, David Kalın, C. S. Arthur, J. B. Jaqua, S. P. Morrow, N. B. Hawkins, J. A Jaqua, Hiram Grisell, W. H. Reed, R. Kirshbaum and E. G. Vaughn. The officers, C. S. Arthur, President; W. H. Reed, Vice President; J. B. Jaqua, Cashier, and N. B. Hawkins, Assistant Cashier.

The Merchants' Hotel, southwest corner of Meridian and Arch streets, was completed in March, 1883, at a cost of $22,000, by a company consisting of about forty citizens, most of whom were merchants of the place. E. J. Marsh was president, and afterward W. S. Fleming. This company sold the building to other parties, and they to William Newton, a farmer near Portland, who now owns it. As a hotel it was opened in April, 1883, by E. C. Ross, who conducted it until the following October; then Charles Headington,

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PORTLAND.

one of the stockholders, managed it till Jan- nary 16, 1884, since which time it has been in the hands of Mr. H. O. Weldon, the present genial and accommodating landlord. The building is finished in modern style, with about fifty rooms for guests. It has no drinking bar. A pleasant feature is a fire- place furnished with clay imitations of sticks of fire wood, through perforations in which natural gas is beautifully burned.

The Hawkins House was also built in 1883, by J. B. Jaqua and Nathan B. Hawkins, at a cost of about $14,000. The latter named was landlord until December 20, 1886, since which time it has been conducted by Lee Coffeen, directly from Muncie, but formerly of a suburb of Cincinnati.

The Centennial Flouring Mill was built, as its name denotes, during the centennial year, 1876, by Ludlow & McGill, who ran it about a year; then Benedict & Ludlow, a year; then Benedict & Faul, and since 1879 Faul & Buchholz have been the proprietors. It was erected as a new-process mill, and was thought to be a first-class institution from the start, but the present owners have never- theless improved it in many respects. In 1885 tley substituted rollers. Internally it is one of the neatest mills in existence, Capacity, 100 barrels of flour a day of twenty- four hours.

This firm have also the management of the grain elevator near the crossing of the railroads, which was built by Higby & Co., of Fremont, Ohio, and they deal in grain and seeds.

Frederick Buchholz, a native of Germany, moved from Ohio to Portland in the summer of 1880, and in 1882 put up a $5,000 resi- dence on East Main street, which he now occupies.

The Portland Milling Company, of whom John T. Hanlin is president and J. R. Jones,

secretary, treasurer and superintendent, have a fine brick flouring mill near the Grand Rapids & Indiana depot, which was built in the fall of 1885, by a stock company at a cost of about $28,000. Capacity, 100 barrels per twenty-four hours. C. C. Corwin was a stockholder and superintendent until Febru- ary, 1886, when he sold to Mr. Jones.

S. H. Adams, manufacturer of oil and spirit barrel staves and heading, in the northern part of the city, has extensive works at that place, besides similar factories at other points. Commenced here in 1877, purchasing of Hays Bros.

Shewalter & Adams, (Elias Shewalter and S. H. Adams), at the same place, are in partnership in the manufacture of slack-barrel staves and heading. They formed their part- nership February 14, 1887, and put in new machinery. Engine, 150 horse power.

At the same place, C. A. Mason runs an " excelsior " factory, from the same engine, commencing in the spring of 1887. " Ex- celsior " is bass-wood ripped into fine shreds, to be used in packing and upholstery.

D. R. Roberts purchased his saw-mill, on Water street, near Wayne street, of John S. Wilt in January, 1884, and now employs four to six hands. The mill was erected by Jesse Teegarden, probably about 1876; he sold to Rants & Englishi, and they to Mr. Wilt.

Crossing over to South Portland, we first come to John Ebert's lumber yard, which he lias had since the spring of 1884.

Next, L. Bimel & Son's handle and spoke factory, built by them in 1880. They have a 100 horse-power engine, employ generally about thirty hands and are doing a thriving business. Last year they shipped 200 car- loads of handles and spokes.

Wilt & Spade's door, sash and blind factory and pine-lumber yard are situated at the crossing of railroads. They also manufacture

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

moldings, brackets, etc., employing about twenty-five hands, and averaging about $40,- 000 cash sales per year for the last two years, which is lower than they have averaged. The works were built about 1879 by A. L. Jaqua, who in January, 1885, sold to the present fırın.

Jaqua & Co. (A. L. and J. A. Jaqua), have a slack-barrel stave and heading factory, erected by Rants & English about 1881, who sold in 1883 to James A. Shewalter and Jolin T. Hanlin, who in turn sold to the present owners in February, 1887. They employ about thirty hands when running a full force.

Hook Bros. Manufacturing Company have a large institution in the southwestern part of the city, devoted to tlie manufacture of butter tubs and pails. The works were erected in the spring of 1884, by Hook Bros. & Higgs; in the fall of that year they consolidated witlı the Hook Bros. Company of Union City, and were incorporated under their present title. In the spring of 1885 they established a similar factory at Des Moines, Iowa. Here at Portland they generally employ about forty hands, turning out about 500 butter tubs a day.

North & Co's saw-inill is situated near the crossing of the railroads. A year before the Lake Erie & Western Railroad was bnilt, Mr. William North erected a saw- mill in the country near Portland, and during the following year he moved it to the present location, where he has side-tracks, on two sides of the mill, connecting with both railroads. He employs four to six hands.

Samuel H. Eichelberger erected his plan- ing-mill at the crossing of Meridian and Votaw Streets in 1873, commencing business here in partnership with Jacob Young, which partnership, however, terminated within six months. For the first several years he also manufactured staves and heading and spokes,

working day and night. He has planing and molding machines, besides otlier apparatus, and manufactures and deals in both hard-wood and soft-wood dressed lumber.

Creager & Son (Lewis and Lewis Henry) in the northwestern part of the city, on West Vo- taw street, manufacture buggy shafts and fel- loe strips. The senior Creager bought the saw- mill in the fall of 1872, of Lewis Elliot, and for a time was a mannfacturer of hard-wood lumber. Since then he has been twice burned out, but he still survives vigorously, employ- ing sometimes as many as twenty men. In the fall and winter of 1886-'87, the firmn turned out 600,000 feet of hickory.

Moffit & Sees, since 1880, have been running the Portland Foundry and Machine Shops, on East North street, near Meridian. Castings of all kinds, box stoves, plows, ven- tilators, farm bells, gas-pipe, brass-fittings inspirators, etc., constitute their line of work.'

Ira Butcher, in the western part of the city, has a splendid tile factory, which he began in the fall of 1884, in parnership with John Detamore, on three acres of fine land, which he purchased of Ira Denney. He manufact- ures all sizes of tile, from two to twelve-inch. During the last year he mnade about $4,000 worth, and this year he will probably reach $5,000. A good gas-well adjoins the premises, which he will either ntilize or sink another on his own ground. The partnership above referred to terminated at the end of a year.

D. Tipton & Sons have an increasing trade in wagons, carriages, buggies, etc., at the southwest corner of Commerce and Walnut streets. Their shops are the largest in the county.

Wes Greenwalt has a good carriage estab- lishment on the east side of Meridian street, opposite the great oak tree.

L. L. Holmes & Sons' marble works are

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opposite the Merchants' Hotel, on Meridian street. All varieties of cemetery monuments and appurtenances are in their line.

Peter Kelley, dealer in grain and hay, has the most extensive warehouses in the place, on the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, near the old depot.

EDUCATIONAL.

The most prominent educational institution of Portland is the Eastern Indiana Normal School and Commercial College.

In the early part of 1882, there came into our midst a young man, who had spent sev- eral years in the best Normal Schools of the West and was fitted to take charge of an insti- tution of like character. He said to the people of Portland and of Jay County: " With your assistance we will found a school in Portland which one day you will feel a pride to own." With their characteristic generosity, the people responded and The Eastern Indi- ana Normal School and Business College was founded, with Professor George Suman as its president. It is located in the northwestern portion of the city, at the corner of Arch and Middle Streets, and consists of a large college building, containing a chapel hall, laboratory, commercial rooms, recitation rooms, etc., pleasantly and beautifully situated among the shade-trees. Just west of the college building is located the dormitory and dining hall. This building contains a large dining liall and about forty rooms, pleasantly fur- nished for students. There is a matron always in charge, whose duty it is to see that order is observed and students protected in their studies. Besides tliis, many private residences have been built near the college with rooms fitted especially for students, thus securing them liomes in these families at very mnode- rate rates. About $15,000 have thus been

expended in fitting up these buildings for the entertainment of students.

In June, 1883, this institution opened, since which time it has been steadily advancing. The first year of its history saw an attendance of about 275, and during the first four years it outrau all other normals in the State. It is now self-supporting. The enrollment is about 600 per year.

Professor Suman, the founder, deserves especial credit for energy and keen foresight. He assumed, upon his own responsibility, the burden of raising $10,000 at the start, and the citizens have helped to some extent. His principal coadjutors have been: Judge J. M. Haynes, Isaac Simmons, C. C. Cartwright, W. H. Williamson, Jonas Votaw, John Crane, B. F. Fulton and William North.

The present board of trustees consists of Hon. J. M. Haynes, President; William S. Fleming, Secretary; C. C. Cartwright, Treas- urer; Jonas Votaw and William North. Faculty: George Suman, principal and teacher of the classical languages; L. C. Chamberlain, seience; J. E. Bishop, pedagogy; L. H. Allen, elocution; Elma Spolm, music; L. M. Holmes, commercial department; Locker, Ger- man; besides teachers and assistants in the fine arts, ete.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The Union School building, in the north- eastern portion of the city, at the corner of Arch street and Garfield avenue, was erected in 1876, and is a fine brick structure, 62 x 84 feet on the ground, with stone basement, two stories high, of an imposing style of architecture, and contains ten rooms besides the superintendent's office. The building can accommodate 400 pupils. The cost of the building and furniture was $20,000, the house being erected under the supervision of J. B. Jaqua, E. M. Crowell and William

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

Coffin, the school board at the time.

J. W. Thornburg was the first superintend- ent, with three teachers and 167 pupils. He was sncceeded by S. K. Bell April 12, 1877, and by W. C. Hastings, who had charge for two years; then E. J. McAlpin, and for the last three years W. W. Wirt lias been tlie superintendent.

The course of study is legally recognized as sufficiently preparatory for the collegiate course at the State University. The pupil graduating here at the head of the class ob- tains tuition free at the University. School is kept up nine months in the year. The enrollment last winter was 700, and the average attendance about 600.

The West Ward school building is a frame of two rooms, accommodating fonr grades, and was built in 1883.

In South Portland, in a temporary frame building, a hundred or more pupils are taught at present by one teacher.

OTHER EDUCATIONAL ITEMS.

The Chautauqna Literary and Scientific Circle was organized about three years ago, and has had as high as twenty members; at present there are thirteen. Rev. E. L. Semans has been president during the entire time; C. W. Mackey is the vice president; Mrs. J. M. Beelman is the present secretary, and Mrs. W. M. Haynes, treasurer.

The Portland Lecture Association was or- ganized in the autumn of 1886, with five members. President, W. W. Wirt; Recording Secretary, George M. Holloway; Corre- sponding Secretary, C. W. Mackey ; Treasurer, S. T. McGovney; Chairman of the executive committee, John F. La Follette. During the past season they had four lectures and two concerts, with a small amount of net proceeds on hand. These, from year to year, are to be devoted to the public school library.

The Jay County Seminary was started in Portland in 1847-'48, under the supervision of the county commissioners; but after two or three years it was discontinued, and the building devoted to other purposes.

SECRET ORDERS.

Jay Lodge, No. 87, F. &. A. M., was instituted May 29, 1850, with the following charter members: J. P. C. Shanks, Nathan B. Hawkins, Dixon Milligan, Jonas Votaw, Harvey M. Brown, Elijah Carley, Jacob Koontz, Michael Shanks, Lukens Griffith, Enoch M. Johnston and Abram B. Beard. The officers elected were: Dixon Milligan, Worshipful Master; J. P. C. Shanks, Senior Warden; and Abram B. Baird, Junior Warden.

The " lodge has withstood the fanatical tirades of oppression that have been brought to bear against the order by those who were ignorant of its principles and precepts." The present membership is fifty-five, and is growing. Present officers: William North, Worshipfnl Master; Hez. Denney, Senior Deacon; C. H. Croninger, Junior Deacon; E. B. Kikendall, Treasurer; D. S. Wake- night, Secretary. The lodge meets at their hall on Meridian Street, each alternate Friday evening on or before the full moon.

Omega Lodge, No. 281, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 29, 1867, by D. D. G. M. Peter S. Meredith, under a charter granted May 22, 1867, with G. P. Holloway, James N. Templer, William C. Black, Charles Hughes, John N. Wall and Frederick Boll- man, as charter members. This lodge has continued to grow until now it numbers 150 working members, and is the strongest secret order in the county. It owns a beautiful lot on Meridian Street, on which a fine brick building will be erected this year. The present officers are: J. O. Linkhoun, N. G .;

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PORTLAND.

John Canfield, V. G .; J. Stewart, Sec. ; O. H. Adair, Rep. to G. L .; Trustees J. J. M. La Follette, T. S. Johnson and J. M. Smith. Dr. R. P. Davis is the D. D. G. M. for this district. The meetings are held every Tues- day evening.

Portland Encampment, No. 164, 1 0.0. F. ,was instituted March 18, 1886, under dis- pensation, with twenty-five members, by District Deputy Grand Patriarch, A. E. Thomas, of White River Encampment, Win- chester. The following officers were elec- ted: Dr. R. P. Davis, Chief Priest; Dr. John W. Hall, High Priest; Thomas S. Johnson, Senior Warden; Dr. James Gillum, Junior Warden; A. Eyman, Treasurer, and J. M. Smith, Scribe. The charter was granted in May, 1886, and the election in June following resulted as follows: J. W. Hall, Chief Priest; T. S. Johnson, High Priest; James Gillum, Senior Warden; J. M. Smith, Junior Warden; A. Eyman, Treasurer; S. K. Poling, Scribe. In January, 1887, the following were elected: T. S. Johnson, Chief Priest; James Gillum, High Priest; J. M. Smith, Senior Warden; S. K. Poling, Junior Warden; W. A. Humphries, Treasurer; and J. F. La Follette, Scribe. There are now forty-five members, and the lodge is financially prosperous.

Red Cross Lodge, No. 88, K. of P., was instituted February 19, 1880, with so few members that it, in the course of time, died, surrendering its charter in October, 1883; but May 29, 1885, mainly through the energetic efforts of B. S. Gray, Past Commander, it was reinstituted, with thirty-one members, who afterward elected the following officers: S. H. Adams, Past Commander; B. S. Gray, Chancellor Commander; R. P. Davis, Vice Chancellor; J. M. Smith, Prelate; W. P. Jones, Keeper of Records and Seals: C. H. Higgs, Master of Finance; C. E. Rogers, Master of Exchequer; J. H. Long, Master at

Arms; J. A. Jordan, Inner Guard; D. S. Wakenight, Outer Guard.

Since that time the presiding officers have been B. S. Gray, R. P. Davis, C. H. Higgs, John Ebert and C. E. Rogers. There are now sixty-five members. Present officers: John Ebert, Past Commander; C. E. Rogers, Chancellor Commander; R. H. Denney, Vice Chancellor; J. G. Clapp, Keeper of Records and Seals; Julius Straus, Master of Finance; J. A. M. Adair, Master of Exchequer. Lodge meets in a cosily furnished room in Sil- vernal's Block every Wednesday evening. It is a growing society, and does its work in superb style. February 19, 1887, the ladies of Portland presented it an elegant silk banner at an excellent supper served by them at the Merchants' Hotel.

Stephen J. Bailey Post, G. A. R., No. 154, was organized in February, 1883, by Mnstering Officer Joseph P. Iliff, of Rich- inond, Indiana. The Post Commanders since then have been: J. P. C. Shanks, L. L. Gil- pin, Isaac Simmons, J. J. M. La Follette and William McLaughlin, the present. There are now about forty members, with the fol- lowing officers: William McLanghlin, Com- mander; L. J. Bruner, Senior Vice . Com- inander; Wm. H. H. Ambrosher, Junior Vice Commander; Nimrod Headington, Chaplain; N. A. Meeker, Adjutant; Isaac Simmons, Quartermaster.

The Knights of Labor secured a charter during the month of April, 1887, for a lodge in Portland, and report 175 members, rapidly increasing. On account of the nature of the order, it is difficult to obtain names, or many other particulars.

CHURCHES.

Methodist Episcopal .- Rev. E. Lank was sent into this country in 1837, to hunt up the scattered members of the Methodist

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

Episcopal church. Not much is known of his labors, but he must have met with con- siderable success, as in the next year a large district of country was formed into a mission and recognized by the Indiana Conference. Of this mission, the first preacher in charge was George W. Bowers, with Rev. James Havens presiding elder. The first class formed was in Pike Township, and was com- posed of four members. The first quarterly inceting for Portland Mission, which was composed of ten persons, was held near Bear Creek, at the lionse of James Marquis, Janu- ary 5, 1839. (See conclusion of chapter on early settlement.)

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Author: Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 922

Author:
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 922