USA > Indiana > Miami County > Combination atlas map of Miami County, Indiana > Part 5
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" One evening almit dusk, in the year 15 ;;. while Frahers un alter children were at play, wear her father - louise, at Walkesbarre, Pent. this. ais, the hostile Delaware approw led them, kil of one los and lare ! a . other nol herself prisoners She was taken by two Delasares and b; the= transferred to Tuck-how, a chief of that sistem, whom she represente i » a man of great distraction. The clock, after receiving hoe little pr - inger. dressed her in the gayest manner, decorating her with wampa, bes - and fine fathers, and treair I her with great hitman.y.
-. Shortly after her captivity, the party lett the Wyoming Valle; ani I went to Geursee Fails : from theuge, alter a transient atos they pro pie, to the l'atte ol Singura, where they renmined during Gen & ivm . wir 4h1 were suppdied with protivmuratil muntome st wer by the british Tr . thief, Tuck-bas, au lus party, of whom Frances way ou, remt. eil +' !! . place tw . winters, nadl during the rune, she ars the Inhand free .- nt.y went ant and returned with many white men's ar ,Ins being hostile . 's Time I'rom Vagain the party went in Sualucas where they remis al -hort time and then returtuel to the Fills Sofie the after theys .ke frs the Indians male Mark cannes, unal several thousand of tares went . .. trost, where they reumamed three years; down theter hry >mm ] to Er vn-town, where Frances lied for s time with s felwine has . but he I wo wane by ium, From Brownstown the pesce led to Pop Y ine. in there Seule, and remained there will e years sar ny the law pop ili ar el Fort Wayne, the Indians watered much from w. it of prostome and he- Herpastries, strel were for n time .u tije wery f- int of' slarvy ion. I.s. in;
whom she had bour elbilern, Iwu suite ntel twn Hqnighters, smt her home in't has børn del alet four years From Fort Wirne, she, riti to hit. ind entre to thelbs ite Village, and went thegre Inthe power surwn ns beat : . p . Valige, where the residen when the first disclosed her history to d'ol Ewing, mal until the die."
It is empty the story of Frances Slocum's captivity and colive your life is tooshort in the form Fare ter forty years ago
Time now potet women tool in the 4th of March 1415 areil wassers. five yours. Her lostin town, an given by her Indist relatives was sich.
forty seven years, The ather daughter uncom I in the partiese, we at the time of the visit ant her where relatives, the site of Istego-fish tier pantal Poter Bandyt and several emilien now , luft , wer the ideje !if the worminge shipped in January bei ?-- the best of the emlitres of an-
Bv no met af I'empres jmesel street the four the Master were for food In myr west, Ferron forthe's were petittr | lo n mait stel huse thrie an.
Fat Risers The primenl times in the country whos, by the art, are
The as lephone with the coreption of the Me chan girtor chis parte, and
hrltd . sel dop utrat thing they are.
Die te Is love you help for them, mas I os fore last extin tion but the whole te e
un ther -gloiret The foll wing Istier will vagdom nsolt se a part of the
most has bung there we will los hate g . sache tut langing this time to a that
HISTORY OF THE TOWNSHIPS OF MIAMI COUNTY.
JJEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
THIS township was named in memory of the di-tnem hed states. 102m. Thomas delleron Is wie among the first mitled in the county Dowith the question will Drive as to how it happened that the pioneer selected the land of dott con in pre ference to that of some other township. A partial answer is found, perhaps, in the following: Through the central part of the township from Just to west Hows Ert linser Mone the banks al this streams were Iouml Jense foresta of valrable timber -imiweative of a dop, nicht aul. There is an idea everywhere prevalent, and, In rhyje, fut without foundation, that land along water courses excel in brulity and durability. H. nee we ever God that those townshape which proved the best system of chimage, or, in other words, have the largest and greatest number of streams, are generally the first to be settled.
The longer a township has been settled the greater is our dith- oulty in obtaining reliable statistics concerning the early history, for we generally find the pioneers have passed to their reward, loading my one to tell the story of their life in the woods. In he Herson, not que of the earliest settlers is yet a resident of the towndap. Williams Bane, of U'ninn Township, is, perhaps, the earliest setrier of Jefferson living in the county Through an interview with bidi, together with many others, who cone a few years later. we ure etalded to make a brief historical sketch of the township.
The honor of breaking the forests of differen is attributed by every one to Solomon Wilkinson and family. He entered hoy land December 13, 1520, and moved his family carly the next Spring, 1831, hxing his home on the land now the present site of Mexico. He also laid claim to much land adjoining thereto, which he and his sons afterward entered. llr lind seven sons - Ratliff, Folin, Jacob, Jesse, William, Simeon and Balat. Hence the family was a small colony within itself. At that tune it required almost an iron consti- totion, a determined resolution, supported by untiring euergy, to grapple successfully with the many obstacles presentel, and prueure tha necessaries of life until a rrop could be raised. The Wilkinsons were the "right men in the right place." They played their part so well "that others seeing their goal works" and being stimulated by their example, were induced later in the same year to take up their abode in the wild woods of Jefferson. They were Wood Beard, who settled on the Samuel Wolf farm, and Abraham Beard, who located on the farin which at prisent is owned by Mir Ilord.
In 1-32, a few more stalwart men were abletl to the little band They were William Connor, who settled on the Bond and Brower farm; John Smith, ou that belonging to Mr Leopard; Alexander Jameson, on the Harter farm, and William Smith on the farm owned by Mr. Skinner.
In 1833 came the following substantial citizer.y: Eli Cook, who ! settled ou what is now the Mathews farm, and William Bane on the farm belonging to Harter. Others of the same year wlinse exact places of settlement cannot be learned, were Martin Seruges, Enos Baldwin, Juba Hoover and John Conner.
In 18:44 came the following : Thomas Harman, who settled on the Graft farmu, William Fitsun on the Widow Brower lond; Hamilton Duff, on the farm belonging to Summan . Charles Murden, on the How farm; Burl I Daniels, on the farm owned by Denisuo, and a Mr. Shadinger, on the firm belonging to his hair
Those of 1835 were Henry laws, Adrian Wynkoop. Juseph, John and Levi O'ly mer. Isure Hicks. Isaac Newman, Joseph Ilulana, Asa Leonard and Charles Spencer.
Prominent among thiee who came in 1-34 we name Nathaniel Cleanpeal, Daniel Alhaugh, William Leach, Daniel Cox. a Me. Cout- ter and Peter Fisher. The latter is still a resident of the townships, ami is now in his eighty-stith year He has been longer in the township this any nfte now living, and has ever mandlisted a drep interest in all tending to advance her welfare.
Among those who came in I>#7, with wome who came soon after and shared in the trials and handlings invulrat to pioneer life, we nate Josh Beware and his son Joseph the latter -mail a resident of the township, Alcalar Lowin, deve and base Band, John Ratlitt, Francis Kalwargs, William Collet, Jacob Kovas. Samuel Nes man, Samuel Amberson and Charby 1. we.
The above named mon formed the loss of the early settlement. Many were the hard-hips emigred by the pioneer while vieuring his land. He found the lucian swooning at will through the sense forests in march of game. Then. having after innumerable hard- shije, such as tuffing every fint of his way through dla deust winw]+. reached his home the first thing to the shape way to build a salon. This was constin fol after the following manner, viz. Round hope androwed, elverk. in the rocks, and listen with mind, puncheon floor hewn with heosplex an I split trinn hickory or rim . puncheon at the bottom. ar, pek, and clev niger poit, with pounded Jort jam-, and jeu ked noul hearth, westh. chianny mit ril Alt win covered with cla twards fatemi un with weight mirs, h.W up by woseden linger stal latch A string attale I to the laten went through the door, and his . soitrile, by which the 1stch non Faired to rater.
The furniture was of erede and hasty construction, as will appear . from w df wription of "+ " proner Inistead. " It was made in new! was faste need to the gossearchowany thouop Tho this paper twee podle , polamed ist right angles, were atta. ben she other riots p -- int ticrunch holes m the wall The tramp thus firmen was covered with than function of planke instead of words, I geen this was placed a straw bed, with which the goossens was nesly provided I'mon this he let him- wli wi spied with honest toab used soft there peacefully than a will
The cabin built, and formally passed by his family the pioneer went dingently to work to clear a pate le of somal This was done by Putting out the title r eighteen inches and under in rireundterete.
The first plowane anaeng the strange and runts was a serumas job. For this purpose n junyang showed, with a thick short brat, was uml. This would go lubobing around at a rate that would have tried the patience of' a deb.
Y'atil a erog could be raised, the popeer was compelled to trans- port the message of life aver roalds winding and almost im- portable roads, from points twenty and thirty ausies distant Most was easily obtained from the forests, as at almunded in der, turkey and wild gone of every kind, But for the aber they could wanely have lived. He was often almost the only food in the house
Not withstanding these hardships close was much real enjoyment in the " grand old tureste." Was there a cabin to be raised or sothe logs to Im rolled, every man in the neighborhood was present to letnl u helping hand. Then. in the gathering> at night, where ait ap- pewiel eludl in homespun, there was a time of general rejunteing ; in truth, so kind, genial and accommodating were all, that very appro- priately may it be termed the " Sucral F'erind] "
The first religious meeting in Jeferson Township was held at the cabin of William Smith, in 1533, by the Methodists The first church was built by the same demauination in Mexico in 1549. The uest was hy the New Lights mu. the Galihand tarna.
The Dunkards, or German Baptista, built a church on the Miller farm, in 1961. They have sinve grown to be one of the leading denominations of the township. They are universally esteemed as industrious honorable and upright citizens.
The first school was taught in an old log house. which had been built for a dwelling, and stood on the Wynkoop farm, near where I in Perryallure, about 1839. The next was in the same vulage, by the Methodists.
John Stanton ouw lives William Sorwalt had charge of the first school held there, in the Winter of 1-34-5. Soon after this. the first wrbool-hunse was built on the Charles Murden tarm. Joseph Hul- man tanght the first school held in the new house.
The township was organized in 1834. The following year, an election was held in Mexico at the house of Asi Leonard. Asa Leonard was chosen first Justice of the Peace. The notes of the other township others are at present unknown.
Eel River affordling splendid water power for the successful opera- tinn of mills. Burl Daniels was not long in the township before he do- termined to prabark m such an enterprise. Through the energy manifest in proseruting this work. the pioneer, as early as Isi, enuld have his logs suwed into lumber, or his curn ground inte meal. The completion of this mill was received with gehend rejoicing by the pioneers, as it enabled them to obtain their material for bread almost at their owu doors. John Hathif was the next to engage in the milling bosiness. in about 18:17. After him came Elijah Cox, who built a mill the following year-1-43.
The first death was that of Solomon Wilkinson. in 1532. The first marriages und births we have been nuable to awertin.
In imiproveniente Jefferson justlv stands among the freinost town- ships in the county Her fertile valleys amul rich productive uplands have enalded her citizens to make from time to time such improvements as they might desire. To-day finer farins under better cultivation, with more substantial dwellings. are not to bo found in Miami County.
The usthe and location of churches will be had by reference to the map. Her school houses are -; enrolled school children, -; population, --.
THE TOWN OF MEXICO
was laid off in 1844 by Simcon ani John R Wilkinson. Its husi-
news honses at present are as followy.
Wilco & Howan, Dry Crawls and ficoveries, Mas Olinger. Pants and Shops. E. L. Hudson, Drugzis, Wilson \ Homun, Hardware; ilntel. Benjamin JOwob., Proprietor; Joseph Labr, B'arkan"h : David Fike, Wagen Shop: Reuben Malley, Wagon Sloep; Muller, Khur & Co., Proprietors of Wi xiry Furniture Moufacturing Com- Jemv ; Miller. Khine & Co. Saw and Planing-mill, Ream & Promis, Grint Mill Three Churches, M-the list, Haga,er and Dankard, I firaded School and a Post Office, J O. Wilson, Posttoaster.
DENVER
A part of this town is situated in .Frfferson Township. It was laid of in 1-79, by Harrison firmes. The business bottles located in Jefferum are as follows :
W W Ftlow Drugs and Girnevries: B S. Elliott, Fior amd' Freu], W HE. Girithen, Meat Mark. t , Mr. Fotlow & Pmathy Mulinery ; 1) E Tador, Grotery. Hotel, John Small proprater. M Rapport. Marine Mill. d. S. Constant The population of the entire village in about tom.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
J'revue.s to the year [ 4 25, ne frym .to're a tiennent had Imen made in this township. In the Springs af that year / 1 - 15 1, fuar morn catta' and fixed their land weben the great hadde of the bestshop Ulm war William Cannon why wait! I on the John Fall and Miley Form, Je andy Thornbury, at the facts belonging to My Father. John Player, she " suntted " on the land when Mr landy atter- ward entend, and high l'ex who was also a "squatter, on the lant mowe forlunging to \ pitam Tardy
Dwa rerblent of Lincoln, Allen Township, beating on the Jobn Kiplinger tarm, and John Zoosk on the product suo of Food-soll.
In the Spring of Isa: Martin Hoover & tthed on the farm when he is now les itst. The Winter of is fe and 'She he spent in Jetherson Taxasig He has been longer in the townsh than any one now living. He and Mr. lavedly of Allen are the only anes lett of the first settler to tell the story of power life.
there of IsIt were Jaba I Wright on the William fried Farm . Christian Kridr. on the farm owned by his hin John F Sander on the farm belonging to t'hark- Knitær, aml Huch .A. B. People, on the Miller fartu.
Among those of 1-37 were the following John A Taylur. Trong Haskins, Steven Davidson. Mathew Fenimore Daniel fax. William Will ints, - Shepard, William Baum, Samtarl Robus and John Scurt.
Auning those who came in 1838 we name J. & Howland Jona- than Carlile, Christopher Willaus, lowel Cool, Willista Conter. tieurge Hill, Joseph and Daniel Kessler, Lewis Conner and Juha Piper
A long list of names could be given of those who entered the township in 1SIit aud soon after. but as inany changes occurred at that time, we shall content ourelf with having given the basis of the carly settlement.
The first religious meeting in the township was held at the cabin of Daniel Cox, in lait. by the Methodists .. Willing Williston and Juha Dabney were the carly preachers of this denomination. The next meeting was held the smtuc year. I>37, at Martin Houser's, by the Christiaus-William Nels p preaching.
The first church in tho township was built by the I'nin byterians.
The first school house was built on the Juin Pluster, afterward Leedy, farm. in 1838. Mabala Scott had charge of the first school held in the township. Soon after this. in 1939 or 'Ht, school house were built on the Cross aud Kiplinger form ..
The township was organized November 6. 1435. Under this nrgacization. an ele tion was held at Perrysburg the same Y'all. in a little starerwin of M. Feniture. A. H Leedy acted as first lampec. tor, and was also chusen first Justice of the l'eace. Powel Cowi was fint Clerk. The natues of the uther township nfheer- are ut present unknown
The first trading post in the township was established by M. Finiture, in Perrysburg, in 1837. The first post office was estab- ished the same year at the same place-Fenimore acting as Post- master.
In 1338. Jobu A. Taylor built a saw-mill, to which was after- ward attached a corn-cracker. This stood on what is now the Chandler and Goodwin farm, on Wist Wesaw freek. About the same time, Joseph Holdman built a saw mill, with corn-Leuker. on the Wordkirk farm These mills were highly prized by the pioneers for the great convenience it atlorded theta in having their cora ground so near hoon.
The first marriage in the township was that of Jacob Bartlett to a daughter of Hugh A B. People, in the Spring of INGS, Mg & H. Leedy, Justice of the Peace. A little later, the situe year, Jubr Statt was married to Mary tillund, by Mr. Nelson, maister.
January 6, 183%, there was born to Sarah, wite of Martin Hoover. a daughter, Mary, who was probably the list white child hora in tha township.
The first death was Susannah Baltimore which necarrel in 1437. Iler funeral w.is preached at the house af Martin Hunver. amd way probably the first sermon of any kind preached in the township child of John Wright's died the name your-Les
Among casualties we notice the sudden and mysterious disp. peamper of a Mr. Douglas. This gentleman has been laboring for wie time on the Eel Hiver. in Jellerson Township, and way re- arled by all as an honorable, upright young man. Is, bis eles attention to business and stadions habits, he soon accumulated ron. sideral money: with this he desire to enter land. On a certain Saturday evening in Ixai, he imme in company with Mr Smul. a brother in-law to Mr. Cannot, to the residents of the better. Here it was arranged te hurtow horses of' L'annan, sad Ger Smith to worm- pany Thingians a certain distance un his journey to Fort Wayne, the nosrest land offer, where bonglass was going to enter land. The following mormine, Smith and Pepglass matted on their journey Tuesday, Smith returned, saying that Douglass had gone on to fur Wayne The latter was never heard of alberoand. The Land records being examined, showed that he never appeared at Fost Watre to enter land. The moral supporting of all who were a quinted with the circumstances was that Douglass had Forrige final trester it from the hands of South. Suspicion rested sa hunvily open the launles of South and Caution, that they sown after hit the township for parts unknown, and their names have aluinet sunk intr oblivion.
The names and legion of churches in I'niou will be bal by reference to the map. Her schend howwe are ; carolked when?
was laid off ISHT, by Martos Ferinare. At present it contains
Totit thtoher, 145%, the for mer named above wire the nuly .1 4 Rante In, Birme el Merchant ; George W Werft, Vieneral Merchant .I.S Hannel. Blacksmith Twod'hiver. he -Freddo ferien inhaltanta if the town-lop At that time came Abraham Il Jerdy. , and Metteart; 1 &, hool Boas. Population Irom 123 to 150,
20
6. Stiner & Win I'htesan Blask-moths Jurithan Pal Piss malt
Population IJa
Several dwelling and the following business houses of this W () Pour Des trong and Nations I II Charles, Hand. 1 cember 21 1.
ware, A I' That they tidende deurs Julem, Wigan Slags. - Calimt Shop, I thanh - MJ. dughist
The population of the town, melding that portion which is in Artletyou, Is about 250
ALLEN TOWNSHIP'.
In the sender of Is24-1, three words mon John Horton. I N Wheatly and I' J Holesun, having determined to try their for tone's in a new country, come and load three camus, preparatory to wowing their lamure - the next Spring.
Only one of these salons, however, stand within the lots of what is now Alles Township. This Belonged to Jeden Uurton, and stand on the farm now owned by the Widow Johnson. Hover, he Hastoon is due the honor of luing the first white wettler in the township. He moved his family in March of Lot, and took formal possession of his forest hombre. Two of his sine alos come at the same time are yet residents of the tussenship Wheels and Hadcom muoved at the y dise manner. appris bed and proposed that since he . Adams , thought same fiore, but setiledd just series the line, in Fulton County.
Hatil 1836, Horton was the only white inhabitm of the town- ship. Io that year. however, -rvetal daunthas men herd their hette in the then unbroken forests of Allen. They were Courge Vare and his brother Williams George located on what is now the Mr Heart farin, while William settled on the farm owned by David Zortman; als Jonathan Williams and Ins brother I-am Jonathan located vo the S. S Tray farmu, and Issue on the Neece, now Heart, furto
In lasti esme the following substantial ritizons The Wilkinson4 -Jubo, Baldwin, George, Ander-on and Jaunies, Juhn Jord soon after their arrival, Ballwin setthe on the Ewing farm ; Anderson, vo the firmu where he is now being. Grorge, on the luiul which is oow the present site of' Lincoln , and Jatnes, on the land belunging to F. P. Heart The same year, J Kicker settled on the Weller farui. Frederick Berk, on the farm owned by William Savage: Jeste Yoet, ou that owned by Mr. Gold , James, JJnhu att Samuel Dabney, on the lastul owned by Slus-er ard Horton, P M Carvey. natheform belonging to his sou, and Steward Bailey on what is now the l'arvey farm.
Prominent among those whe mime in Isis wer - Hoch and soo, who located on the farm where he lives Thomas t'lemons on the Sullivan Waite furi. lin hard Bailry on the land belonging to a non-resident, Gheorge Making on the farm where he is now living, Jesse. Richard and Flyah Thompson on the Wid of Heart form Elijah tagle on the Power land, and William Squires on the farm belonging to Mr Washington
Among those of IstLin were Jonathan Williams, David Kinder. Nathanmel and Charles Bryant William Carvey Sullivan Warte. Daquiel C. Horn, Samuel Porr Fredrick For ., Wilham Feninede. Henry Studebaker, William Buggy, Jeugd and Richard Endeley. Peter Weaver and Elias Bills
After is40. the township was rapidly settled, the greater part of the land won being entered Having given the basis of the early settlement. we shall not attempt to nature those who came inter than 1840.
The first religious meeting in the township was held at the house of trorge Nevee, in 18%, by the Baptist, George Pape prewhite. The next was at Anderen Wilkinom's, the your following, by the Methodista, William Williams preaching. The same yest. 1- 21, meeting was held at the cabinet Richard Thompson by the Baptista, s Mr. Kiddie preaching. I'he first regular church organiziten was perfisted by Visel towels, 3 Wochenlist minister, to the home of Anderson Wilkinson. in 1-19 Th hest church wir Fault by the Methodlisty in Lincoln, in I -12 to was also good for a valer dorne The next church was Imilt at Five Corners in land la 1-71 the Methodist church of Lincoln was rebuilt. In fact, the Christian or Dis indes built in Lincoln a net, substanti bruk chasch
The first cloud was right in teglia on the Matheus finey farm, in 1- 20 by Sarch liryout the period a salary ler laar. and 81.00 per wers The year blowing Biras Ladies til a *chowd in the same place. The first closed house wo was tant on the the Bryan' forma thorer Wilkinson har bt the fire & hoge in ite township supported by public money
Until September 6, 1-20, Wien Formed a part id I'nion Town- whip At that time, Mint was Art off Toimm Puinn with hoan-) .Te . the site as now The out When was given to township in memory of Senator Alleu. aftalen
The first abortion after the dlive-min eas told sn bitcoin, at the p .
the Four , Willian Fenhonte, Trusler Framnore cash-ting to find
In Isin the first -tore in the townshop was started at Five d'or w.ro by Rayuma Bryant The ori we by therer Wilkinont in
In Iekde, Runkle & Wowadring Emile the best we'll of the town- sloj. It was a dram saw mill with rato hart. attached Hlas unil ww run paroisfully for a time when it was blown up. i love the ton - Mr Heart moi has sane Wallace and Ma Hitque Another as- maril was built by Mr Pink in i-124 The- wasntta. war loupe rud into a great wall which was shotroyer by for In this a clean great mull wux built at Lmcula, by Wague. A. Swilwar!
The best both in the crossorolig was made by stewart Ballon, in
The first to gusto torrone , stade-lament ad ans hus i was an rehers
The best toartige was that of Fluch Ople ta Cathrine daugh- tur of John Wikitran it Is ;
In December Is. Marcaret, wite of Wdhian Hatch, gavr birth to a daughter. D. alth who was priAmbly the bret white .fuld barn to the township
The host din ath which det arreal was that of John Withuser De.
ul lumis, without role-ting much attention but when it comes la trusting wives, we are astousled besond measure and set such a trinh wequill, derurred mi an early day within the beuh rs of Men. There were two farmers Is the name of Slane wood Headbanger In. Het not a great wayy aport An umanas spring . kirwan Mr Admins and the wife od Me Howlarge Vr this we are not our prised. for in this the eve at the uweteenth century it has grown quite cantion for men to aduare the waves of others more than they do their own The trend lan between Mr Adams and Mrs Ileus- tenting said plan. At the appantet time, happy, we was suppose, in each other's love, they started on their journey Ma Hen-larger, it wems, was on the alert, aml the gilty poate had not provveded far belie they wen overtaken to lum. He did not approach rash'y the despoiler of his Mus. with drawn revolver, and shunt him dead upon the spot, but calmly. with the ntillust vamipiure, and in a business. more of his "Meusburger'sy with theme he dad of his own, it is would give lotes his wife and a shot-zes to boot le nught proceed on hus Journey unmolested Adams, without the least les tation. ne- e pted the proportion, and all parties cuncurring thu ro in, the trade was at once the d, and for aught we know, all lived in the enjoy- inent of domestic fe.trity ever afterward. Murad. It is better tu " swap " than to shout.
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