USA > Indiana > Wells County > Biographical memoirs of Wells County, Indiana : embracing a comprehensive compendium of local biography, memoirs of representative men and women of the county whose works of merit have made their names imperishable, and special articles by Hugh Dougherty [et al.] > Part 7
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).
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 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
county. Had one of our present-day teachers introduced all his up-to-date meth- ods into the schools of Union township thirty years ago he would have been literally "fired over the transom."
The teachers' institute was a very po- tent means of advancing both teachers and patrons. Many of those who taught in the township had attended the academy at Roanoke, of which Prof. Reefy, who later had charge of the Bluffton schools, was the head. He attended the early institutes, and his teaching and talks reached every home and had much to do with placing the schools of the township in the very front of Wells county's schools. Among the old time teachers were the following named persons : Frank Hamilton, W. J. Beaty, John A. Walker, Daniel K. Shoup, William Shoup, J. K. Rinehart, John Ormsby, James C. Kain, Elijah Sink, Henry My- grants and John L. Thomas. We must not fail to mention Noah Walker, who taught successfully in the early 'fifties, and who yet lives in the township. Henry Eichhorn, Wm. A. Wirt, J. Ed Ormsby and Ira Sink are representatives of a later period of im- proved methods, improved appliances and improved surroundings generally. The school ma'am, the up-to-date, handsome, cultivated, successful school ma'am, of Union township has robbed the male teach- er of his honor and glory and relegated him to a back seat. Instead of being sought and begged to take charge of a district school, he seeks the office of the trustee under a mantle of darkness to obscure him from the sight of the school ma'am and begs to be employed. "O, how the mighty schoolmaster has fal- len." The school ma'am has risen and the schools of Union township have been exalt-
59
WELLS COUNTY, INDIANA.
ed until they are considered the best among the best.
The foregoing very full and interesting picture of the early conditions in Union township, furnished us by John K. Rine- hart, pictures the condition in the townships of the county at that period. The changing of a few names would make the sketch apply with equal accuracy to other communities. Notwithstanding the vigorous plainness of all these surroundings, the genius of those who availed themselves of the facilities af- torded was in no way suppressed. From such early environment came those who have carved out the history of the county and adorned with honor the various places in the business or the professional world.
The schools of the county and city have kept pace with the advanced schools of the state. While laws have been subject to slight changes from time to time, these changes have proven beneficial as a rule. In the early days the teachers were licensed by an officer called a school examiner, and the work of ascertaining the fitness of applicants varied with the examiner. Sometimes a very few questions more or less remotely connected with school work were sufficient to secure the necessary license. While there were some who maintained a high standard in their respective counties, yet it was fre- quently the case that very crude scholarship passed all right before the examiner. As the law said very little about qualifications, the examining officer enjoyed very wide latitude in his discretion. Among those who were charged with the responsibility of ex- amining and licensing teachers in Wells county in the early times were David T. Smith, W. H. Parmerlee, Nelson Kellogg and J. S. McCleery. In 1873 the law was
changed and the office of the county super- intendent was created, which superseded that of the examiner. Since that time the county superintendents have been as fol- lows: J. S. McCleery, John H. Ormsby, Smith Goodin, S. S. Roth, elected in 1877, W. H. Ernst, elected in 1888, W. A. Luce, in 1887, S. A. Shoemaker, in February, 1891, W. H. Eichhorn, in June, 1891, and R. W. Stine, the present incumbent, in August, 1893. During that period great progress has been made in the schools of the county. Well conducted county and township institutes have been great factors in helping to secure this advancement. The standard in examinations has been gradually raised until it is as high as can be found any- where. The last few years have been marked especially by the establishment of a number of township high schools, as well as the introduction of high school studies in some of the other graded schools. This very important step has been accomplished through the efforts of our very progressive county superintendent, R. W. Stine, work- ing in harmony with our enterprising and up-to-date township trustees. The first of these township high schools to be establish- ed was in Jefferson township at Ossian, while Dr. J. I. Metts was trustee. It has a substantial eight-room building, is supplied with necessary apparatus and good work- ing library. An excellent school spirit pre- vails in that community and the spirit of progress is apparent in all its educational af- fairs. Good classes are graduated every year from the school, which stands in high favor all over the township.
Chester township took a great stride ahead in its school interests in 1896 when the fine township high school building was
1
60
IVELLS COUNTY, INDIANA.
erected at Keystone. From the first this enterprise met with favor in nearly all quar- ters, although, as is the case nearly every- where, there was criticism from persons who thought that Trustee F. P. Risley had built a building much too large for the needs of the township. But it was not long until all the rooms were in use and well filled with earnest pupils under competent and enthusiastic instructors. All grounds of former criticism were removed and patrons all over the township were united in their support of and loyalty to the schools, which are the pride of the people. This school has been singularly fortunate in the selection of principal and assistant teachers. Principal A. R. Huyette has been in charge for the past several years and has inspired an interest which has been com- mendable and the work done in the high school, as well as in the various grades, is as thorough as can be found anywhere.
W. C. Arnold, trustee of Liberty town- ship, kept pace with the spirit of progress and in 1896 erected the imposing township high school building at Liberty Center which has been a matter of pride to the en- tire township. Principal F. J. Haecker has been in charge the past two or three years and the school work has been characterized by great enthusiasm as well as thoroughness. More loyal patrons are not to be found any where than the people of Liberty Center and the township. The high school classes are well sustained and good classes complete the course each year.
In 1899 the magnificent Lancaster township high school building was erected at Murray under the direction of Trustee N. E. Stafford. The high school was at once organized and has been ever since
maintained under capable principals and as- sistants. It seems eminently fitting that this place, one of the oldest settled places in the county, where the first school was established and where a flourishing academy was sustained for several years, long before a high school was thought of at any other place in the county, should join in the pro- cession of this later progress and afford to the young people of the surrounding com- munity as fine a course of study as can be found anywhere outside of the cities. This school is at present under the very efficient care of Principal S. J. Brickley.
Nottingham township, which has been the scene for the past few years of so much activity and progress in material things, is with others at the head of the procession in educational affairs. In 1899 Trustee Samuel Gehrett, after mature consideration, erected the Nottingham township high school near Petroleum. This is one of the finest school buildings in the county, provided with all the modern conveniences. Although it stands out in the country with not even a farm house close to it, its rooms have been thronged with a busy lot of pupils of all grades from all over the township. Since this building was erected when the town- ship high school idea had hardly passed the experimental stage, it is very gratifying to those who were interested in its organiza- tion that time has so thoroughly shown the wisdom of the enterprise. Principal Q. R. Tavines is directing the affairs of this school in a very able manner.
Besides the five township high schools above mentioned, high school work is done in the schools of Vera Cruz, Craigville, Zanesville, Dillman and Poneto. All these schools are in charge of well qualified in-
61
WELLS COUNTY, INDIANA.
structors, who with their patrons and pu- pils are ambitious to expand the scope of study and influence of their respective schools.
Wells county has 7,258 persons of school age, 3,749 males and 3,509 females. Dur- ing the past year there were 5,805 pupils enrolled in the schools, 2,986 males and 2,819 females, and the average daily attend- ance was 4,462. There is one commissioned high school, the one at Bluffton, five town- ship high schools, and five others in which high school work is done. There are eighty- nine school districts in each of which but one teacher is employed. There are one hundred and six school buildings in the county, all of which are of brick. The value of the school buildings and apparatus is $241,375. There are 9,533 volumes in the various li- braries. The total assessment of taxable property in the county is $13,954.315. There are enrolled in the high schools of the county 355 students, of whom 146 are in the Bluffton high school and 209 in the townships.
The present board of township trustees are as follows : Alva B. Sine, Jackson town- ship; Lot McCullick, Chester township; George M. Gavin, Liberty township; W. A. Redding, Rock Creek township; W. H. Kain, Union township; Andrew Sours, Not- tingham township; Benjamin P. Smith, Harrison township; Joel Fry, Lancaster
township; Nicholas Shorts, Jefferson town- ship. These gentlemen are thoroughly pro- gressive and admirably fitted for their po- sitions. They are looking well after the school interests, and see to it that not only the schools of the county take no backward steps, but that they shall make forward strides every year. If they do not establish as many township high schools as were started the past five or six years, it is be- cause their predecessors did that before them. Their work is even more important, that of so providing instructors and equip- ment for these schools that they shall be es- tablished on a firm basis and continue to be an inspiration to the people of their respect- ive townships. It is one of the great bless- ings of this age that the young people are provided with a high school education equal to the college education of a quarter of a century ago, without going out of the bounds of their own township. To main- tain these schools and keep the standard all the time moving forward is the work that is being accomplished by our excellent board of township trustees.
The Bluffton school board consists of Abram Simmons, president; George F. Markley, secretary, and Chas. H. Plessinger, treasurer. These gentlemen are coupling their efforts with those of Superintendent W. A! Wirt to keep our city schools in the- front rank of the schools of the state.
LITERATURE AND ITS PROGRESS.
BY MRS. D. T. SMITH.
It goes without saying that the pulpit, the press and the school form the corner- stone of the foundation upon which rests the superstructure of literature. Wherever these three educators are so intelligently conducted as to produce results which are of a progressive order, one may be sure to find persons of pronounced literary ability. The seed which the divine hand plants with- in the souls of the sons and daughters of men requires careful, patient culture in or- der that the blossom and the fruit may give satisfactory results.
With first-class reading matter at one's command, rapid strides may be made in lit- erary advancement, but the full harvest re- quires that there shall be an interchange of ideas with persons of refinement and cul- ture. In newly-settled countries, where churches, schools and printing presses are few and far between, it is to the pioneer cler- gyman that many persons are indebted for assistance in literary pursuits. The hard- worked, poorly-paid preacher of the past paved the way to future success, fortunately for all concerned, when he was able to com- bine his chosen profession with that of the teacher, and left a lasting impression of spiritual and mental progress upon the
hearts of the people among whom he la- bored.
Wells county as it is known today has had its full quota of struggles with poverty, malaria, and dearth of schools, churches and newspapers. Of its earlier history I am not personally acquainted, since my knowledge of it dates no further back than June, 1857. Events that transpired prior to that time have many of them been related to me by descendants of the old settlers who gave them to their families as portions of family history. Some of those have no bearing whatever upon the subject in hand. In many instances I have found much difficul- ty in securing correct dates of events that are both historical and biographical. So many of the old people of this county have passed the border land within the last dec- ade that comparatively few are left who can be truthfully called "old settlers."
With this introductory, I will attempt to tell what I know of the first religious service which was held in Bluffton, and which I have been assured was the first of its kind ever held in Wells county. In November, 1888, the First Methodist Episcopal church of Bluffton celebrated its semi-centennial anniversary. At that time Rev. George W.
63
WELLS COUNTY, INDIANA.
Bowers, the minister who preached the first sermon in Bluffton, was present and led in all of the services of that important occa- sion. Fortunately for me I have preserved the invitation which was sent to me to at- tend those services, as it contains a brief history of the organization of the church. Quoting from this souvenir is the following statement : "About the middle of Novem- ber, 1838, the Rev. George W. Bowers, a young Methodist minister on what was at that time known as the Portland Mission, made his way down through the wilds of unpromising Wabash country to the town of Bluffton. Having called together a few of the settlers, he preached under an oak tree, on the bank of the Wabash, the first sermon ever delivered in Bluffton. After- wards he organized and established the first Methodist Episcopal church." The circuit upon which Rev. Bowers was assigned work embraced a large extent of territory. His appointments were met under diffi- culties of which the present generation can form no- adequate conception. His trips were made on horseback, over a country where Indians traveled, and where bears, deer, wolves and other wild animals had the. pre-empted right of way. He rode through thickly wooded forests, guided by blazed
trees which the settlers had thus marked, or over marsh and corduroy roads, varied occasionally by a turfy path over the flower-gemmed prairies. In inclement weather weeks were consumed in making a round of his circuit. The settlers' cabins were far apart, and sometimes he rode many miles without seeing a human being or a habitation. His long absences from his home made it necessary for him to travel with his wardrobe and a portion of his library with
him in order that he might not meet his ap- pointments and find himself without clean linen or hymn-book and Bible. Frequently he stopped for the night at some lonely log cabin where the greater number of the fam- ily were shaking with the ague, and the out- look for a good meal was not very cheerful. However, he was made welcome to such as the house afforded, and, in exchange for the hospitality of his host and hostess he not only gave them spiritual instruction, but he brought them news from the outside world, of which they heard only at rare intervals. It was a case of give and take, for while he partook of the hospitality of the settlers, he carried a rift of sunshine into their lives, through his scripture reading, his singing of hymns, and his knowledge of the arts and sciences.
When Rev. Bowers rode into the little log settlement of Bluffton, situated upon the south bank of the Wabash, then a navigable river, he felt as if he was literally just out of the woods. The announcement of his coming had been duly made, and he was met with generous hospitality and warmly wel- comed. Every home sent representatives to listen to his preaching, and as many of those living on farms within a few miles of town as could possibly do so helped to swell the numbers. This was a notable occasion, and men, women and children, on foot, on horseback, in farm wagons, and in carts which were drawn by slow-moving oxen, came to hear him. Many wore home-spun, home-made garments, of various styles and colors. Dame Fashion had few votaries there, for, with one accord, they came to hear the first sermon to which it had been their privilege to listen since they had left their old homes to settle in a new country.
64
WELLS COUNTY, INDIANA.
It requires no vivid imagination to picture the honest, joyful greeting which was ex- tended to each new arrival, and which was, in turn, extended to the young preacher who was that day to break the bread of life to them. Conversation was carried for- ward in the Hoosier and Southern dialects mostly, and there was no one to criticise.
On both sides of the Wabash river were giant trees of hickory, walnut, oak and maple. Through these forests deer, wild- cats, wolves, and occasionally a bear and other denizens of the forest, roamed at their own sweet will. And here the crack of the huntsman's rifle often broke the stillness, and some unwary prowler fell to welter in its own life's blood. But those groves, which were the pre-empted homes of wild animals, were daily being marred by the settler's ax. The groves being "God's first temples," and having no other sanctuary in which to worship the "Almighty Ruler of the Universe," the pioneers selected one of the giant oaks on the south bank of the river, under which to hold their services. Nature's artistic pencil had touched the fol- iage of trees and shrubs with the various shades of red, yellow and brown, while a few green spots still withstood the frosts which had brought down from their sun- mer leafy home the acorns, hickorynuts and walnuts, in lavish profusion. Here, without a pulpit, and with an improvised choir, the service, which to the most of those assem- bled was literally a soul service, was held.
Rev. Bowers must have been at this time a young man of more than ordinary ability, for his one year's pastorate in the county was attended with excellent results, and he greatly endeared himself to his people. When, in 1888, he appeared before the
Bluffton congregation, he was nearly eigh- ty years of age. It was conceded by all who heard him at that time, that the pulpit had never been filled by a brighter, wittier man, or one who could so effectually touch the hearts of his congregation to lead them to a better life. His language and address were excellent, and he showed familiarity with the writings of our best authors; he also gave evidence of having been a minister who had helped to arouse the latent literary ability of the people wherever he had been assigned a charge. Perhaps it is to- hin that Wells county may trace its forward march in literature.
Of the schools, another factor in the ad- vancement of literature, Mr. P. A. Allen, in another article, will give a full and com- prehensive account. I will merely say that the first house in which a public school was taught in Bluffton was built like a shed, with a sloping board roof, and stood almost upon the identical spot where the first ser- mon was preached.
The press, that wonderful disseminator of literature, has wielded a powerful influ- ence in Wells county. To those who have never lived where newspapers were not lib- erally circulated, it appears almost incred- ible that there ever was a time when such a publication had no existence. However, it was eleven years after Rev. Bowers preached his first sermon on the bank of the Wabash before Wells county had the first newspaper published within its borders. In 1849 Samuel Lupton issued the first number of the Bluffton Banner. This paper was devoted to the interests of the Democratic party, and has always been the official organ of the county. In its infancy it was a small four-paged paper with a limited circulation.
65
WELLS COUNTY, INDIANA.
It has changed its editorial staff several times, and has been improved and enlarged in its appearance, but the name has never been changed. For over two years past the Evening Banner, daily, has been issued from the same office. The present editor is George L. Saunders.
In the early 'fifties Nelson Kellogg began the publication of a small paper called The People's Press. This paper was published in the interest of what was then the Whig par- ty. It has changed its editorial staff several times, and after the Civil war the name was changed to that of the Bluffton Chronicle, the leading Republican organ of the county. The present editor is D. H. Swaim, a na- tive of this county. For the past ten years the Evening News, a daily paper, has been issued from this office, and it has a large cir- culation. At this writing, there are five weekly and two daily newspapers published in this county.
For many years after this county could claim its two weekly papers, the mail ser- vice was limited, in the rural districts a weekly mail being the limit. Even in Bluff- ton, the county seat, a tri-weekly or a bi - weekly mail prevailed for nearly thirty years. In the dearth of public libraries, the Banner and the Press were warmly wel- comed by the families when they made their weekly appearance. Every line of their pages was read and talked over by all of the members of the families into which they found their way. The people of this county are certainly debtors to the two pioneer newspapers for their aid in dissem- inating good reading matter.
After newspapers were an established fact in the county, the next step in literary work was that of securing public libraries
where those so rinclined could have access to the works of the best authors of history, biography, the arts and sciences, and of choice fiction. Long years before the world had heard of the benevolence of Andrew Carnegie, a public library was endowed in Bluffton; the exact date I have not been able to obtain, but it was in the early 'fifties. I have also been informed that branch libraries were endowed in other townships in the county. This public benefactor was a man by the name of McClure, a wealthy citizen of the county, and the library was known by the name of McClure or Mechan- ic's Library. A library association was formed and about four hundred choice vol- umes were placed on the shelves or book- cases in the furniture rooms of Tribolet & Thoma. Those gentlemen were the librari- ans for about twenty-five years. By the terms of the endowment the books were subject to the drawing only of workingmen and their families. Later on, others be- sides the families of workingmen found a way to evade the terms, by securing the books through the services of those who were entitled to draw them. The McClure library was one of the prime factors which helped to arouse the people of the county to the cultivation of literary talent.
The old log court house which stood on North Main street has been an historical landmark in other respects besides being the county hall of justice. Several religious denominations held their services and Sab- bath schools there until churches could be built, and lectures and singing schools were also held within its friendly walls. A de- bating society was organized there, and from among its members there have issued some of the brightest speakers of Wells county.
5
66
WELLS COUNTY, INDIANA.
After churches, newspapers, schools and libraries were an established fact, the young people began to talk about organizing lit- erary societies, where they could spend an evening each week both pleasantly and profit- ably. There being a greater number of young people in Bluffton than elsewhere in the county, they took the initiative and ex- tended invitations to others in the county to participate with them. From the very first the greatest interest was manifested, and rapid advancement was made. The regular program consisted of debates, recitations and essays. Besides these exercises, a man- uscript paper was occasionally issued by the members, the editorial department being usually conducted by some one of the lady members. The debates were often spirited, but they were carried forward in the best of humor, and the keenest of interest was man- ifested by all who were present. The meet- ings were free to all who cared to attend, and there was always a good audience. Among the most active members were three young men who followed "Old Glory" into the Civil war and gave their lives, either directly or indirectly, to their country's cause. I refer to L. W. Dailey, J. Sharpe Wisner and J. Parrish Blacklege. They are worthy of mention in this article. L. W. Dailey, a brother of our fellow-citizen, Judge J. S. Dailey, was born in this county and, for the most part of his life, was a res- ident of Bluffton. He was fine-looking, in- telligent and affable, and was a favorite with his companions and in social circles. After he had mastered the branches which embraced the curriculum of studies which were then taught in the Bluffton schools, he entered the Indiana University to pursue a course in law. In less than a year after-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.