Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 12

Author: F.A. Battey & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 976

USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 12
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 12

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).

There are two public halls in the town, Ellison's, and one known as Brown's, the latter owned by Brown Bros., and situated in the second story of the brick block on the southeast corner of Detroit and Michigan streets, oppo- site the court house. It is devoted to theatrical and other entertainments and to other uses.

There are several secret societies in La Grange, representing many of the various orders found throughout the country ; the purposes of which are gener- ally for the moral, social and mental culture of its members. The "Meridian Sun Lodge of Masons" was instituted at Lima June 1, 1849, and three or four years later its place of meeting was transferred to this town, where it became essentially a La Grange society. It had for its first officers William Martin, Worshipful Master; John Brisco, Senior Warden, and A. C. Vanor- man, Junior Warden. The I. O. O. F. Lodge was organized in June, 1856; its first officers were William Rheubottom, Noble Grand ; John F. Clugston, Vice Grand; John Q. Reed, Scribe; John Will, Treasurer ; and R. S. Hub- bard, Warden, all of whom are living here, except Mr. Reed, who is in St. Louis, Mo. The Hutchinson Lodge of Good Templars was organized in 1866. It is a thrifty society, and makes its influence felt in the interests of temper- ance. Their place of meeting is in Will & Clugston's building. The Davis Lodge of Good Templars was organized in 1878. They have a membership of about forty, with lodge room in Wigton and Eyler's block, and are in a vigorous condition, with a good record in the cause in which they are enlisted.

[In the month of January, 1867, a number of young men of La Grange,

JonasQ riman LA GRANGE

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TOWN OF LA GRANGE.

having in view a general intellectual and moral culture, organized an Addisonian Debating Society in the town. The charter members were James S. Drake. Lieut. Samuel A. Cherry, U. S. A., Robert Wigton, M. R. McClaskey, Seymour Brisco, Lewis Wertsbaugher, J. P. Duck, Thomas Ellison, J. A. McClaskey, C. Y. Roop, and Deloyn Carson. The following officers were elected : S. A. Cherry, President ; J. A. McClaskey, Vice-President ; J. S. Drake, Secretary ; Thomas Ellison, Treasurer. The present membership is about forty. Young men, between the ages of eighteen and thirty, and of good moral character, may become members.

On the 21st of February, 1879, W. M. Obermyer, D. G. D., of Indiana, instituted at La Grange a lodge of the Knights of Honor, the following being the charter members : Thomas H. Sefton, Samuel P. Bradford, Isaiah Piatt, A. D. Mohler, E. G. White, George W. Berry, John A. Miller, C. H. Hollis, J. H. Hayes, A. D. Moore, M. V. Devor, W. S. Berry, J. M. Preston, J. B. Davenport, A. C. Beecher, E. G. Machan, H. M. Casebeer, E. V. Case, O. L. Ballou and Leonard Peck. The following were the first officers: O. L. Ballou, P. D .; Isaiah Piatt, D .; T. H. Sefton, V. D .; H. M. Casebeer, A. D .; J. H. Hayes, G .; A. D. Moore, Chaplain ; E. V. Case, Reporter ; M. V. Devor, Financial Reporter ; J. B. Davenport, Treasurer ; J. A. Miller, Guard- ian; A. C. Beecher, Sentinel ; and S. P. Bradford, E. G. Machan and E. G. White, Trustees. The membership has since reached forty, but it is now thirty-nine, one of the number having died. The lodge has property valued at about $500, and meets on Thursday evenings. Two thousand dollars are paid to the descendants of each person dying .- ED.]

The business interests of the town are represented by seven dry goods stores, one millinery and fancy goods, three millinery and dress-making estab- lishments, two tailor shops, five grocery stores, four boot and shoe shops, six drug stores, one stationery and periodical store, three hardware stores, three butcher shops, three saddlery and harness shops, two banks, twelve lawyers, thirteen physicians, three newspaper and printing offices, two jewelers, two dental offices, two photographers, one piano and organ store, three sewing-ma- chine offices, three barber-shops, four restaurants, three flour and feed stores, three hotels, three saloons, three livery stables, two agricultural implement establishments, two marble-shops, five blacksmith-shops, one railroad office, two express offices, one patent-medicine manufactory, one gunsmith and manufact- urer, two grain warehouses, two steam saw-mills, one steam flouring-mill, two planing-mills, three wagon-shops, one carriage factory, one pump manufactory.

A cheese factory, the first of the kind in the county, has been in success- ful operation during the past season by Mr. Chamberlin, the projector and proprietor.

Since the original plat was surveyed, several additions have been made to the town. Ellison's, on the south, in the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 30, was laid out May 6, 1861. Drake's, in the west, was laid out by

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HISTORY OF LA GRANGE COUNTY.

James L. Drake, October 6, 1868. Ryason's, in the west half of the north- east quarter of Section 30, laid out November 24, 1868. McClaskey's, February 13, 1869, on the Haw Patch road, in the south part of the town. McClaskey'a East Addition, on the east side of the creek, by Robert McClaskey, and Herbert's, in the northwestern part of the town, fronting on the Baubauga road, was laid out by Ralph P. Herbert, in 1877.

La Grange was incorporated in 1855, and the following constituted the first Board of Trustees : Andrew Emminger, William C. Kennedy, William Rheubottom and Rensselaer Rheubottom, who held their first meeting Decem- ber 26, 1855, and organized with the following officers : Rensselaer Rheubottom, President ; Charles B. Holmes, Clerk ; Andrew Ellison, Marshal; Caleb Strang, Treasurer ; and John B. Case, Assessor.

The general growth of the town, though slow, has been permanent, and its improvements gradual. Its residences, though not palatial, are mostly neat and homelike. They are principally frame structures. The business houses were originally built of lumber, but fire has made its inroad upon them at dif- ferent times, until but few of these old landmarks are left; in their stead, good substantial brick buildings have been erected. The population of the place, as shown by the census of 1880, varied but a few from 1,400. There are but three persons now living in the place, who were heads of families and residents here in 1844: These are Andrew Ellison, Robert McClaskey and C. B. Holmes.

The educational advantages and system of instruction in the schools of La Grange present no features of striking contrast with the general system throughout the State of which it is a part. However, from the rude beginning of the first school taught in the village, gradual progress and improvement have been made, until the present high standard of excellence in the graded school has been reached. The first opportunity offered the little urchins of the village to prepare themselves for the high and responsible duties of matured life, in the way of book learning, was at a school taught by Miss Laura Brown, subse- quently Mrs. Dr. Butler, in a barn just north of where the American Hotel used to stand, or opposite, and to the northeast of the present Central Hotel. Prior, and up to the year 1866, the public educational facilities were those of the ordinary district schools. Among those who taught in these schools, and who have attained prominence, are Samuel P. Bradford, the present Clerk of the La Grange Circuit Court, and Rev. J. W. Welch, Presiding Elder of the Warsaw District of the North Indiana Conference. The people, however, at an early day, desired a higher grade of education and better facilities than were afforded by the district school, and an attempt was made to satisfy the demand under a law, for the purpose of providing for a county seminary. The funds were gathered together from the various authorized sources, and the construction of a two-story frame building, for the purpose, was commenced a few rods south of the site of the present school edifice. About the time it was

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inclosed, and before completion, the funds were exhausted, and work was con- sequently suspended. The building remained in this condition for a time, and was finally sold to the authorities of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who pro- ceeded to complete its construction and occupy it for school purposes. The first term opened in the autumn of 1850, under the direction of James C. McIntosh, of Connersville, Ind., a graduate of Asbury University. He con- tinued one year of highly acceptable service, when he returned to his home. He was . succeeded by Robert Parrott, also of Asbury, who taught one year, and then entered the practice of the law. At the breaking-out of the rebel- lion, he entered the army, and was commisioned Major of the One Hundredtli Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but was killed by the falling of a tree during a storm, while in his tent near Vicksburg. Mr. Parrott was succeeded by Isaac Ma- huren, and he, after a few months, by John Paul Jones, who had been elected to the office of Clerk of the La Grange Circuit Court, who taught the remain- der of the term, and then resigned to enter upon the duties of his office. In 1854, John B. Clark took charge of the school and conducted it for several years. Others were Thomas L. Hulbert, George Hall and a Mr. Pierce. With the close of the latter's administration, the history of the seminary ends. By reason of financial embarrassment, the building was finally sold to Samuel Thurber, and he in turn conveyed it to the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Company, and received in payment capital stock of said company. Finally, after one or two changes, the building was purchased, in 1866, by Moon Brothers, who removed it to their grounds in the south part of town, on the Haw Patch road, where it is still occupied by S. D. Moon as a carriage and wagon manufactory. Following the year 1866, a change was made by the erection of a large two-story frame building, and the adoption of a higher course of instruction, embracing more advanced branches than those taught in the district schools. This supplied the wants very well until the opening of the schools in 1874, when a complete graded course was adopted, and the school brought more nearly to the requirements of the times and the advancement of the country. The Principals employed since 1866, with their term of service, are as follows : A. W. Durley, one year; J. H. Graham, two years; C. Hew- ett, one year ; Alfred Bayless, two years ; Samuel Lilly, one year ; O. A. Reubelt, one year ; A. D. Mohler, seven years.

The building now occupied by the public schools is a brick structure, erected, in 1874, at a cost of $30,000, including furniture and apparatus. It is of the modern style of architecture in its general design, and three stories high. The main building, on the ground, is 60x70 feet and the wing 31x64 feet. The basement is used for furnace purposes, rooms for storing wood, and others for exercise of the scholars in inclement weather. On the first floor there are six rooms, two in the wing and the others in the main part. There are two halls, in which are placed the stairway, wardrobes, etc., one of the halls being in the wing. The sizes of the halls are 21x60 feet and 16x30 feet. The Superintend-

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HISTORY OF LA GRANGE COUNTY.

ent's office is in the tower, directly over the main entrance to the second floor. On the third floor is the lecture-room, 43x60 feet, which is approached by two stairways, giving ample means of ingress and egress. Its seating capacity is estimated at forty persons. The building is covered by a mansard roof and has accommodations for 480 pupils. The heating and ventilating are done by means of three furnaces and their equipments. This building will compare favorably with any of its kind to be found in Northern Indiana. There are enrolled at the present time 300 pupils. The school is divided into three departments- the higher, grammar and primary, with twelve grades. The present teachers are: C. P. Hodge, Superintendent; Miss Achsa Huffman, Principal; Miss Ella Goodsell, Mr. Ora Rowe, Miss Ada Henderson, Miss Lulu Storer and Miss Mattie Parry, Assistants.

In La Grange, as in all communities, the spiritual welfare of the people was among the first things to be looked after and cared for. The inhabitants of the little hamlet, in its earliest days, were blessed by the presence of the preacher, who held meetings at any convenient place until provision was made for a regular house of worship. The Rev. Thomas B. Connelly, who was a res- ident of the township, probably preached the first sermon in the town. Revs. James Latty, Abram Rowe, Charles J. Fox and James Roy were also among the early local preachers who labored efficiently among the pioneers of the place. The Methodist Episcopal was the first church society formed in La Grange. It was organized, in 1843, by Rev. William J. Forbes, who was the preacher in charge of the La Grange Circuit. It consisted of the following members : James Packer and Esther, his wife, both of whom are living about two miles east of town; Amasa Durand and his wife Hannah, now the wife of Robert McClaskey and residing in La Grange. Mr. Durand died in 1849. He was the owner of and resided at the time of his death on the farm adjoining the original village plat, a part of which is embraced in the Ryason Addition. Though a strong man, both mentally and physically, the labor of clearing this farm was the cause of his early demise. Isaac P. Grannis and his wife Rhoda were members. The latter is living in Johnson Township. Mr. Grannis died in 1863. George Hopkins and Sarah, his wife, were also members. He died in 1850. Mr. Hopkins usually led in the singing in those early days and in fine old Methodist style. His widow, who married Mr. Sanderson, is still living. Mr. Packer was the first class leader. The ministers sent to the place have been as follows : William J. Forbes and J. C. Medsker in 1843, E. Doud, William G. Stonex, Elijah S. Blue, Elihu Anthony, Jesse Sparks, Elijah Lil- liston, L. W. Monson, John H. Bruce, Ezra Maynard, John R. Davis, Eman- uel Hall, Charles Ketcham, Samuel Lamb, James A. Beswick, Abijah Marine, John Maffit, John Hill, Reuben Tobey, F. T. Simpson, D. P. Hartman, James Johnson, J. M. Mann, E. S. Preston, J. H. Hutchinson, J. W. Welch, Enoch Holdstock, Almon Greenman, Y. B. Meredith, C. E. Disbro, and the present Pastor, B. A. Kemp. This charge was connected with the circuit until 1862,

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when it became a station under one pastor in charge. The Presiding Elders officiating here have been: George M. Boyd, 1844; Samuel Brenton, 1849; S. C. Cooper, 1849; Jacob M. Stallard, 1850; H. B. Beers, 1851; Jacob Col- clazier, 1853; L. W. Monson, 1857; W. S. Burch, 1861; Thomas Stabler, 1865; H. J. Meck, 1869; O. V. Lemon, 1873; A. Greenman, 1877; and M. H. Mendenhall, appointed in 1881. Samuel Brenton, while serving on this district as Presiding Elder, was stricken with paralysis, which compelled him to retire from the active work of the ministry. He was subsequently ap- pointed by President Taylor Register of the Land Office at Fort Wayne, and was elected three terms to Congress from the old Tenth District, and died in Fort Wayne in 1856. Elijah S. Blue was accidentally killed in December, 1845, on his way from an appointment at Wolcottville to his home at Ontario. Having dismounted, and while leading his horse with the halter strap fastened around his wrist, the animal became frightened and ran, dragging the preacher after him, striking his head against a wagon in the road, then against the fence. He was instantly killed. The church edifice erected by this denomination was completed in 1856, at a cost of about $3,000. It has since been improved and a parsonage added, increasing the value of the whole property to about $5,000. It is a substantial frame building, with a basement used for prayer and class meetings and as a lecture-room. The seating capacity is about five hundred. The Sabbath school was organized in 1853. It now numbers twenty- nine officers and teachers and 175 scholars, with an average attendance of 150. The school is in a prosperous condition, under the superintendency of George C. Morgan. There has recently been organized a Sabbath school normal class, under competent instructors, for the purpose of giving particular attention to Biblical study. The membership of the church is now about three hundred.

The Presbyterian Church was organized in the winter of 1843-44, by the Rev. Benjamin Ogden, of Three Rivers, Mich., and Rev. Bouton, who were appointed as a committee for that purpose by the Presbytery of La Grange. The original members were Francis M. Price and his wife, Sarah, William S. Boyd, and Sarah, his wife, Robert Cummings, and Harmon B. McCoy. The first Elders were Messrs. Price and Boyd. Of this little communion, Mr. Boyd is the only survivor, and is residing in the town. The Rev. Mr. Ogden served the church for a short time, during which Mr. Phillip Toll and his wife, who resided at Fawn River, Mich., a distance of about ten miles, united with the church. In June, 1845, the services of Rev. A. D. White, who came from the State of New York, were secured for one-half of his time-he preaching here and at Fawn River alternately once in two weeks. In October, of the same year, at the request of the church, the Synod of Northern Indiana transferred its connection from the Presbytery of La Grange to the Presbytery of Fort Wayne. Rev. Mr. White continued his labors until April, 1848. During his time, fifty-nine members were added to the church, nine by profession of faith, and the others by letter from other churches, they having immigrated to the

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HISTORY OF LA GRANGE COUNTY.

county and settled here. In June, 1848, Rev. A. H. Kerr came as stated supply, and continued his labors until 1852. Up to this time this organization had no church building of their own, but held service, in common with the other denominations represented here, in the court house or school house. Rev. William Cathcart received a call from the Presbytery, and was ordained and installed as pastor in 1854. He was the first regularly installed pastor of this church. On account of failing health, Mr. Cathcart resigned his charge in the spring of 1864, and was succeeded by Rev. A. D. F. Randolph, who continued until 1869. At the time of Mr. Cathcart's retirement, the membership was seventy-one. He died at Lima, January 1, 1870. Rev. Thomas E. Hughes, then pastor of the church at Constantine, Mich., received a call and became the settled pastor of this church, and remains as such at the present time. The membership is now 115. The present Elders are Matthew McCoy, Ira Barrows, Dr. E. G. White, J. F. Clugston and E. G. Machan. The Sabbath school, under the superintendency of E. T. Casper, numbers 115 scholars and twenty-one officers and teachers. The present house of worship was erected about 1853, at a cost of about $2,000. Having become too small for the in_ creasing congregation, it has been sold, and an eligible site has been purchased on Michigan street, a short distance northwest of the court house, and arrange- ments have been perfected for the erection of a fine brick church building early in the spring af 1882.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mount Zion congregation, wa organized October 12, 1854, by Rev. George Walker, a member of the Witten- burg Synod, and was constituted with the following membership: Michael Hoff and his wife, Eliza; Reuben Trexler and his wife; William Sigler and his wife, and Benjamin F. Hills. Mrs. Trexler and Mrs. Hoff have since died. Mr. Hills soon entered the ministry of the Lutheran Church, and preached for several years at Spencerville, and subsequently removed to Iowa. Mr. Walker was succeeded by the Rev. John G. Biddle, and during his pastorate the house of worship now occupied by this society was erected. It is a neat frame structure 32x46 feet, with a seating capacity of about 400. It cost $1,000, and is situated in Ellison's Addition, in the south part of town. Much of the labor performed in its construction was by Rev. Biddle, to whose zeal and un- tiring efforts is due mainly the success of the enterprise. The members of the church, and the citizens generally, contributed liberally toward this object. Mr. Biddle was the first regular pastor of this church. He died in Elkhart, Ind., while in charge, and the Rev. A. J. Cromer took his place. Rev. Jabez Shaffer came to the charge in 1875, as pastor, and Rev. A. R. Smith in 1878, who continued one year. Rev. L. S. Keyser was chosen pastor, and commenced his labors in September, 1879. He resigned in 1881, for the purpose of com- pleting his theological course at Wittenburg College, Springfield, Ohio. Though but twenty-three years of age, he is a fluent speaker, and bids fair to become an eminent divine. The present pastor, the Rev. Levi Rice, entered upon his du-

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ties, preaching his first sermon on the Sabbath, October 2, 1881. The mem- bership is 200. The Sabbath school connected with this church, under the superintendency of Elmer R. Steele, numbers 104, and is doing a good work.

The St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church Society was organized on Easter Monday in the year 1872. The first vestry was composed of the following-named persons: Rev. Wellington Forgus, ex officio Chairman ; Messrs. B. B. Harris, Senior Warden; Adrian D. Brown, Junior Warden ; Samuel K. Ruick, Treasurer ; Charles F. Parry, Clerk. St. John's Chapel was erected in 1873-74, from plans furnished by Rev. Forgus, and under his supervision, and was first opened for service on the 28th day of April, 1874, the Right Rev. Bishop Talbott, of the Diocese of Indiana, assisted by Rev. Wellington Forgus, officiating. Mr. Forgus was the first rector. The parish is now in charge of the Rev. S. C. M. Orpen, with sixteen communicants. The Sabbath school is in charge of the pastor, and numbers twenty-five scholars. Ministers of other denominations have from time to time preached here, but have not succeeded in effecting permanent organizations. The first burial place for the town of La Grange was on about two acres of ground, including the site of the present school building and extending west, which served for that purpose up to about 1863, when removals were made to the present cemetery, which was laid out in 1863, and is a picturesque spot, situated about three- fourths of a mile south of the court house, on the road leading to Wolcott- ville, comprising five acres of ground inclosed by a substantial board fence, and covered with a natural growth of fine shade trees, and admirably selected for the purposes to which it is devoted. It is the property of the town corporation, and is controlled by the Town Council, who regulate the sale of lots, the pro- ceeds of which are devoted to the purposes of beautifying and keeping the grounds and improvements in order.

CHAPTER VI.

BY JOHN PAUL JONES.

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP-PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION-NATURAL RESOURCES-FIRST ENTRY OF LAND-NAMES OF EARLY SETTLERS-LIFE IN THE BACKWOODS- WILD GAME-MILLS, STORES, BLACKSMITH SHOPS, ETC .- VILLAGES-ORGAN- IZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP-FIRST OFFICERS-EDUCATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS INTERESTS.

A T the May term of the Board of Commissioners, in the year 1835, an order was made creating a new civil township, comprising Congressional Township 37 north, of Range 10 east, to be called Bloomfield, and attaching Congressional Township 36, lying on the south, for judicial purposes. This provisional condition relating to the latter township continued until 1837, when a separation was made, by the erection of Township 36 into a distinct civil organization called Johnson ; this left Bloomfield independent as a township, lying east of and along the central line of the county, running north and south, . and about one mile north of the center. It is bounded on the north by Lima and Greenfield Townships, on the east by Springfield, south by Johnson, and west by Clay. The physical features of Bloomfield present no very striking characteristics ; however, its surface is somewhat diversified, and, in common with other portions of the county, it has, along its water courses and near its lakes, considerable marsh. The southern portion, and extending into the cen- tral part, is quite rolling, and in some places hills of some elevation present themselves. The north part of the township is level, and of a sandy though productive soil. The most considerable stream that crosses its territory is Pigeon River, entering the township from the east, near the northeast corner, with its general course westerly across Sections 1 and 2, then to the northwest, passing out about one mile east of the center ; it has several, though quitesmall, tributaries, joining it as it passes across this township, which serve to drain the surplus waters in the vicinity. Fly Creek is a tributary of Pigeon River, but is independent so far as it bears relation to this township. It has several branches that largely form the natural drainage system of the township, and the two main streams have been, since the early settlement, of great importance, not only to this township but to considerable of the surrounding country, by affording excellent water privileges, which have been improved and utilized for driving machinery, principally for saw and grist-mills, but in some instances for other purposes. Fly Creek and its branches run to the north, forming a junction into one stream in Section 8, and passing through Section 5, across the north line of the township, and emptying into Pigeon River in Lima Town-

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Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 12

Author: F.A. Battey & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : Battey & Co. Number of Pages: 976

Author: F.A. Battey & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 976