Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 15

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 15
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 15

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).

Ontario saw its best days between 1850 and 1864. Franklin Duncan opened a hotel not far from 1840. L. M. Abbott did the same about six or eight years later. Ontario was the northern terminus of the famous plank road that was built about 1848-49 and kept up some ten or twelve years. George Mallow sold liquor at an early day. Alanson Beers was the first Post- master. Uncle Sam's agents since then have been Robert Dykes, James Turley, Mrs. Farrand, O. W. Parish, Henry Grannis and Timothy Field. Charles Miller owned a fine hotel, which was destroyed by fire. The Good Templars organized a lodge in about 1856, continuing two or three years.

A little later than 1860 (Henry) Jenks & Mckinley purchased the grist- mill owned by Nathan Jenks; but three years later, Henry Jenks sold his interest to his partner. The mill was finally mortgaged to Mr. Blodgett, into whose control it passed in about 1878-79 ; but it soon after was purchased by Alexander Beach, upon whose hands it burned down about a year ago. This was a serious loss, not only to the owner but to the village. In 1842, L. M. Abbott erected a woolen factory, the entire cost, including the water-power, etc., amounting to about $10,000. The building, three and a half stories high, and thirty-six by forty feet, alone cost $6,000. Two sets of machines for custom work were placed in the building, as was also one for the manufact- ure of flannels, fulled cloths, satinets, cassimeres, etc. From 8,000 to 10,000 pounds of wool were handled annually, the work being done mostly on shares. The various kinds of cloth were kept for sale in a small storeroom. After

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four years, the factory was bought by Nathan Jenks and Andrew Dutcher, who added several power-looms and other machinery. They continued from three to five years, and then rented to James Scott, who continued on through the last war, making a great deal of money. At the close of the war, between $5,000 and $6,000 worth of new machinery took the place of the old ; but hard times came on, and the factory was mortgaged to Dr. Dayton, and perhaps others. It finally went to Dr. Dayton, who rented it to Chapman & Chess. Two years later, Joseph J. Scott rented it, and about the 1st of January, 1882, bought it. Charles Doolittle, who owned part of the water-power, built a cabinet shop not far from 1847. He made a goodly number of bureaus, chairs, tables, bedsteads, etc., and added a turning lathe. Daniel Mckinley, about the same time or a little later, built a tannery on the race, and sank some twenty-five vats. He dressed large quantities of skins, and in the upper story of the building manu- factured boots and shoes. George Mallow also conducted a tannery, employing about four workmen. It was afterward owned by Sol. Liphart, and later was turned into an ashery, where potash was manufactured. Argus Mckinley erected a small building on the race, not far from 1850, and began manufact- uring buckskin gloves, mittens, etc. ; his sales running up during the year to about $4,000. He carried on the business three or four years. The old tan- nery was finally turned into a barrel-stave factory. He made large numbers o excellent flour barrels that were used in the grist-mill. Keith & Son trans- formed the old shoe shop into a sash, door and blind factory. John Shingler manufactured wagons ten or twelve years. In about 1850, Carlos Jenks and a Mr. Wright opened a factory for the manufacture of saleratus from potash and pearlash. But little was done, however. About the same time, or perhaps earlier, Carlos Jenks attempted to introduce the manufacture of silk. He planted mulberry seed to raise plants, the leaves of which were to be used as food by the caterpillar of the silk moth Bombyx mori. Pupo of this moth were obtained from Roop & Mosher, who came from the East ; but about this time neither the mulberry seed nor the pupæ did as had been expected, and within two years the whole project was abandoned. It was about this time that the locust tree (Robinia pseudacicia) was introduced into the county for the first. The first newspaper in the county was published at Ontario, and after- ward at Lima. Full account of this will be found elsewhere. Charles Doolit- tle has resided in Ontario longer than any other person. He has for many years been dealing in furniture, for the manufacture of which he has a shop. George Mallow conducted a tailor shop in the village about forty years ago.

In 1833, a small log schoolhouse was built about a quarter of a mile south- east of Lima. Here it was that John B. Howe taught the first school in the county. The house was a most rude affair, with three or four small windows, a huge fire-place and a few rough desks and benches. Some eighteen or twenty scholars were in attendance, and the teacher was paid some $10 or $12 per month for his services. Mr. Howe says that the funds from which he was

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paid were either raised by ordinary taxation, or from the sale or other disposal of Section 16. It was not a subscription school. All accounts and reports agree in saying that Frederick Hamilton taught the second term in the same house. After about 1835, no other terms were taught there, but school was held in several vacant buildings. At last, a frame schoolhouse was erected where the depot now stands, and was used until the beginning of the last war. Among the early teachers at Lima were T. H. Codding, Nelson Prentiss, Rev. Christopher Cory, Mr. Seymour, Hugh Hamilton, William Hamilton, Miss Sarah Smith, Miss Eunice Moore, Miss Laura Brown, Mrs. Dr. Butler and others. Before the house at the depot was built, school was held, among other places, at Mr. Cory's residence, in the Presbyterian Church, in the court house, and in private dwellings. After the county seat was removed to La Grange, the court house was used for a schoolhouse, and for a hotel. Among the teachers were Miss Julia Sanborn, Mrs. J. M. Flagg, Miss Almena Mason and Miss Lucinda Keith. The teachers were usually paid by rate-bills. The house at the depot was built with funds donated by S. P. Williams, John B. Howe, H. W. Wood, Abram Nipp, William Ingraham, J. C. Kinney and others. It cost about $500. On one occasion, this building was struck by lightning during a thunder storm, while it was filled with children. The building was shattered, and about a dozen of the children scattered. Two boys were quite badly burned, but soon recovered.

In 1855, Samuel P. Williams, assisted somewhat by the citizens, erected a frame building at a cost of $2,500, designing the same for a young ladies' seminary. Miss Eliza Dimond, a graduate of Mount Holyoke Seminary, and a lady of unusual talent and culture, was employed to take charge of the sem- inary. She was assisted by Miss Julietta L. Oaks, and by Miss Mary A. Sherring, teacher of music and drawing. Mr. Williams collected the tuition, and paid Miss Dimond about $300 per annum. The school was barely self- supporting. Miss Dimond fixed the tuition as follows : Common English branches, $3; higher English branches, $4; Latin (extra), $2; French (extra), $2 ; penciling, $2; Monochromatic, $5; Crayolithic, $7 ; Pastel, $7 ; piano, with use of instrument, $10 ; melodeon, with use of instrument, $10. Miss Dimond was one of the many young ladies sent out to teach by Gov. Slade, of Connec- ticut. From twenty-five to sixty young ladies were in attendance. Mr. Will- iams donated the land where the house stood to be used only for school pur- poses, in any other case to revert to himself. In 1862, the seminary was sold to the village, and used as a public schoolhouse until the present fine school structure was erected at a cost of over $20,000. It was built in 1874-75. The funds to build the house were raised by issuing certificates, drawing inter- est, to be paid from school-money, obtained by levying a tax on the property of the township not to exceed a certain specified per cent per annum. The house has already cost twice as much as was expected, and several thousand dollars are yet to be paid. Mr. Howe gave $2,500 toward the house in addi-

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tion to his tax. Mr. Burnell also gave liberally. The house is one of the finest in Northern Indiana. Lima has always had good schools and good morals.

In 1835, a small log schoolhouse was built at what afterward became On- tario. It was a small, insignificant-looking structure, and was located about twenty rods southwest of the present mill-dam. The seats were slabs, with long wooden pins, driven into auger holes, for legs, and the desks were made by driving strong pieces of wood horizontally into mortises in the walls, the other end being supported by a strong leg, and a slab being placed upon two of these contrivances, to be used as desks. A huge fire-place graced one end of the room, the smoke and flame passing up a broad chimney built of sticks and plastered with clay mortar. The first teacher was an English lady from White Pigeon, Mich. She taught twelve or fourteen scholars until within a short time before the close of her three months' term, when the house was destroyed by fire. In about 1840, a small frame schoolhouse was built in Ontario at a cost of $500. It was used until a few years before the last war, when the present two-storied frame building was constructed. It cost about $800, and, though remodeled several times since, is yet in use. About the year 1836, or a little later, Nathan Jenks founded the "La Grange Collegiate Institute." The idea had its origin at Victor, N. Y., as early as 1835, at which place it was resolved to establish such an institution somewhere in the West, by a number of prominent men, among whom were Nathan Jenks, Elisha Dickinson and others. A number of these men came to the vicinity of Ontario during the year 1836, where they purchased land and settled. Here the plan was perfected to build a literary institution modeled after the then Oberlin Institute of Ohio. So far as known, the first public meeting was held at the residence of Lewis Vance, Lima, on the 6th of February, 1837, at which time it was resolved, "that, in view of the pros- pects before us, we are warranted in undertaking to establish a literary institution to be located in this neighborhood, to be denominated the 'La Grange Collegiate Institute.'" Joshua T. Hobbs, Nathan Jenks, Mills Averill, Elisha Dickinson, Thayer H. Codding, Ansel Dickinson and Rev. John J. Shipherd were selected and recommended as a Board of Trustees. At this meeting, offers of assistance of money, lands and labor were freely given, and the outlook seemed promising. At the same time a prospectus was framed and adopted, setting forth that the institution should be modeled after the Oberlin Institute, that its course of instruc- tions should embrace five departments, as follows: A preparatory or academ- ical school, a collegiate course, a full theological course, an irregular, or shorter course, for those advanced in life or in peculiar circumstances, and a thorough course of female education; that "the several courses of study should be de- cidedly of a Christian character, to the exclusion of demoralizing pagan authors and sectarian principles;" that the manual labor system should be incorporated in all the scientific departments; and that "a liberal charter should be obtained as soon as may be, empowering the trustees to fill their own vacancies." It was

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also decided that the institute should be founded upon this, that "corporate bodies and public institutions, no less than individuals, are bound to do right, irrespective of worldly expediencies, popular favor, or any consequences. There- fore, this institution will allow free discussion and openly sustain the great moral enterprises of the day, such as revivals, temperance in all things, the sanctifi- cation of the Sabbath, moral reform, Christian union and human rights under whatever color or circumstances. As this is a great work of public utility, which cannot be done by individual enterprise, the liberal co-operation of the philanthropic and pious is solicited." Two days later, the trustees located the proposed institute at Ontario, just across the line, in Bloomfield Township. Nathan Jenks had at his disposal $5,000 (whether his individual property or that of the men in the East is not known), which he offered as a conditional subscription toward the erection of the building, provided an additional $10,000 could be raised by the citizens. In May, 1837, it was ordered that a frame building, 18x26 feet, be erected, to serve as a workshop for the erection of the main structure and to be used later as a preparatory school-room and dormitory. In this building C. W. Wilson and his wife, Beulah Wilson, taught during the winter of 1837-38, the lady continuing until July 4, " when that terrible sickly season came on, stopping all business before the 10th. From the 20th, there was only one man-Mr. Salmon-able to go round to the fifteen or eighteen families, and he only just able to carry a pitcher of water to each."* Mr. and Mrs. Wilson also taught the succeeding winter in the same building. During the year 1837, the funds were secured, and in June such advance had been made that it was determined to erect a frame building, 50x60 feet, three stories in height. The frame was raised about the 1st of August, but the building was not wholly completed until 1840. It was used, however, in 1839. During the years 1837 and 1838, strong inducements were held out to the founder to in- duce him to locate the institute at Lima. He was offered thirty village lots, an eighty acre tract of land at half-price, adjoining the village, for a site, besides a considerable sum of money, grain on the ground, etc., privately sub- scribed by the citizens of Lima. This offer was rejected, but was afterward somewhat favorably reconsidered, when some changes were made in the offer, until finally the negotiations ceased and the house was finished at Ontario. The following proceedings relative to this topic are recorded on the trustees' books: "This proposition not being considered equal to Nathan Jenks' pledge of $10,000, and in view of our having a flourishing school in operation, number- ing from fifty to sixty students and a building erected worth about $4,000, the proposition was rejected by a unanimous vote." On the 13th of February, 1840, the incorporating act passed by the Indiana Legislature was approved by the Governor. Nathan Jenks, Joshua T. Hobbs, Thayer H. Codding, Aaron Thompson, Rev. Christopher Cory, Joel K. Salmon, Cyrill W. Wilson, Charles Mosher and their associates and successors were created a body politic and cor-

*C. W. Wilson, Rockford, Ill., May, 1872.

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HISTORY OF LA GRANGE COUNTY.

porate, to be styled the "Board of Trustees of the La Grange Collegiate Insti- tute." On the 21st of October, 1839, the institute was formally opened by W. J. Baxter, Principal, in charge of the then only course-Preparatory. The building cost about $4,000. The $10,000 (only partly paid) raised by sub- scription in 1866-67 was employed as an endowment fund, drawing interest, and as fast as the notes were redeemed the money was reloaned. In this man- ner, and by means of a small tuition and the rent of lands, buildings, etc., the expense of carrying on the school was defrayed. From 25 to 125 students were - in attendance annually during the continuance of the institute, and more than 2,000 names of students are on its catalogue. The Principals in charge of the institute were as follows: Cyrill W. Wilson, 1838-39, one year; Witter J. Baxter, 1839-40, one year; Rev. John D. Skelly, 1840-41, one year; Rev. Julius Steele, A. M., 1841-42, two terms; Henry Steele, 1842, one term; Rev. William Jones, A. M., 1842-44, one and one-third years; Edward Brown, 1843, one term ; Rufus Patch, A. M., 1844-49, five and one-eighth years ; Rev. A. H. Kerr, A. M., 1849-50, two terms; Rufus Patch, A. M., 1850-56, six years; Rev. Henry C. Morse, A. M., 1856-57, one and one-third years ; A. G. Van Etten, 1858, one term; Frank Cotton, 1859-60, one year; interregnum, one and one-half years; Rufus Patch, A. M., 1862-79, sixteen years.

It may be justly said that the institute, during the long period of its con- tinuance, did a great deal for the morality and education of La Grange County. Its presence at Ontario attracted wide attention, and directed capital, intelli- gence and energy to that point, that otherwise would have passed on to distant places. Ontario became noted for its thrift, intelligence, morals and general excellence. Its literary societies are highly spoken of, and are remembered as sanguinary ground for the intellectual encounters that occurred. Neighboring towns were green with jealousy, and coveted the really excellent effects the presence of the Institute insured.

" With the multiplication of village high schools, and the improved facilities for imparting classical instruction in the preparatory departments of neighboring colleges, the field of patronage of the Institute at length became so limited that its affairs were placed in the hands of a receiver and wound up in 1881."

* " In the month of July, 1832, Rev. Christopher Cory preached in Lima, in the open air, having a stump for his pulpit. From this time onward he continued his labors, preaching in private houses, schoolhouse and elsewhere, until November, 1833, at which time he organized the Presbyterian Church of Lima. The first members were Samuel Cory, Phebe Cory, Mary A. Cory, Aaron Cary, Phebe Cary, Abigail McNeal, Elizabeth Blair, Anna Blair, Elizabeth C. Blair, Martha Gale, Catherine P. Judson, Emeline Cory and Elizabeth Miller. Samuel Cory and Aaron Cary were elected Elders. Rev. Mr. Cory continued his pastoral labors, and by 1834 had organized two or * John P. Jones.

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three other societies in other neighborhoods. By 1839, some 149 persons had been received into the church, many of whom were dismissed to form the other societies. Rev. R. L. Sears took charge of the Lima society in 1842 ; After him came Revs. S. E. Lane, H. C. Morse and D. C. Meeker. The first church, a small frame, was dedicated February 15, 1843. In 1855, the membership was 72. Rev. A. S. Wells was pastor in 1851; after him came Rev. Lewis Hamilton, who, a short time ago, was killed in Colorado by a switch-engine ; Rev. B. Farrand was pastor for a time, beginning in 1859, and continuing until 1864 ; then came Rev. W. Pattinson, who served until 1869; then Revs. C. M. Temple, T. E. Hughes, J. M. Drake; and T. E. Hughes since 1873. Present membership, about 70. The Sabbath school numbers about 150; W. B. Cory, Superintendent.

" Rev. Leonard B. Gurley organized the Methodist Church, at Lima, in the house of Robert Hamilton, in 1831-the first religious society organized in the county. The class consisted of six members, two of whom were Robert Hamilton and wife. Ministers served the society regularly, and the class grew and thrived. The church was built in 1847; present membership is 70; Rev. J. K. Watts, Pastor; Mr. Duck is Superintendent of the Sunday school. Rev. R. S. Robinson was pastor in 1836; then came Revs. G. M. Beswick, Erastus Kellogg, Warren Griffith, Mr. Sanford, R. C. Weeks, G. M. Boyd, William Jenkins, Wade Posey, L. L. Allen, Enoch Holdstock, G. H. Hard, W. J. Forbes, J. C. M-, E. Doud, W. B. Storux, J. P. Jones, Benjamin Winans, I. M. Stagg, J. J. Cooper, E. S. Preston, Emanuel Hall, W. S. Birch, Isaac Ayres, D. P. Hartman, Thomas Colclazion, J. P. Force, W. F. Hemminway, G. W. Newton, C. P. Wright, J. Edwards, A. V. Gorell, J. P. Greer, and the present minister, Mr. Watts.

" The Baptist Church at Lima was organized in the schoolhouse, Sep- tember 24, 1846, with fourteen members-Enoch Leighton, Phebe Leighton, Josiah Shumway, Lydia Shumway, Oliver Smith, Polly Smith, Abbott Flem- ing, Margaret Fleming, Cyrus Sprague, Oliver Cowan, Sally Cowan, Charlotte Flagg, Margaret Winnie and Mary J. Thrall. Ten of the above are dead. The society occupied the schoolhouse until 1853, when their present house of worship was erected. The following ministers have served the society : Revs. Cook, Spear, Fleming, Fish, Bailey, Briggs, -, Chaffee, Lamb, Keene, Latham, Stevens and Childs. Accessions to the society, 129 by bap- tism ; 104 by letter and experience; removals by death and dismissal, 193. Elder A. Fleming served the class from 1851 to 1855, the longest pastorate. In 1853, Elder D. S. Dean, evangelist, held an important revival, many join- ing, and the other societies sharing in the results. Elder Fleming preached the first sermon in the church. In 1881, he preached in the same house the Garfield memorial sermon.

" Bishop Philander Chase was the first minister of the Protestant Episco- pal Church who preached in Lima. He was the first Bishop of the Diocese

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HISTORY OF LA GRANGE COUNTY.

of Ohio. He preached at Lima as early as 1834, but resided in Michigan. In 1836-37, Rev. Mr. Whitesides preached every alternate Sunday at Lima. The church was established at Lima in 1851, and the church building erected in 1852. The first settled minister was Rev. John O. Barton.

" The Congregational Church at Ontario was first organized as a Pres- byterian Church in April, 1840, by Revs. Stephen Thompson and Christopher Cory. The change in the form of government was made in March, 1843, by a unanimous vote of the members. It, however, retained its connection with the Presbytery until 1854. For fourteen years, services were held in the chapel of the institute. In 1854, the present church building was erected. Some 200 accessions have been made to the membership, seven of whom have become ministers. The resident pastors have been Stephen Thompson, D. M. Bard- well, C. M. Morehouse, A. G. Martin, H. C. Morse, E. Halliday and W. E. Catlin. The following Presbyterian ministers also served the society : A. S. Wells, Lewis Hamilton, B. Farrand, W. Pattinson and J. M. Drake. Great revivals were held by Morehouse, Farrand and Pattinson.

" The nucleus of what is now the Methodist Church at Ontario was formed by the organization of a class consisting of eight members, by Rev. G. M. Boyd. Charles Doolittle was one of this number, as were also Joseph Wilson and wife. Services were held in the institute and in the public school- house until the erection of the present church. Rev. H. B. Hunt preaches to the class every alternate Sunday. Lima Township is well supplied with religious privileges."

CHAPTER VIII.

BY WESTON A. GOODSPEED.

JOHNSON TOWNSHIP-THE EARLIEST SETTLERS-THE FIRST ELECTION-THE TAMARACK-WRIGHT'S CORNERS AND VALENTINE-INCIDENTS AND ADVENT- URES-RISE AND SUBSEQUENT GROWTH OF WOLCOTTVILLE-INDUSTRIAL INTERESTS-THE WOLCOTTVILLE SEMINARY-MISS SUSAN GRIGGS-EDUCA- TION AND RELIGION.

J TOHNSON is decidedly the lake township of the county. No other has such a number nor such a variety, as there are some fifteen either wholly or partly within the township limits. Oliver Lake is the largest, covering about six hundred acres, while Adams is perhaps second in size, though Witmer and Atwood are almost as large. Several of them have fine gravelly, or sandy, shores, and all are bordered by beautiful clusters of oak, maple or beech. There is great diversity in the soil which, in some places, is deep and black, like that in States farther west, while in other places it is sandy, gravelly, or even stony.

Nelson Nichols and Peter Lampson were the first two settlers in the town- ship, both coming in June, 1834, the former entering his land (160 acres on Section 34) on the 23d of the same month, and the latter (eighty acres on Sec- tion 33) on the 30th. John Adams came to the township in November, 1834, entering his land (on the shore of the lake that took its name from him) on the 15th of the same month. These three were the only men who entered land in Johnson Township prior to January 1, 1835. Levi Wright came to the township in the fall of 1834, but did not enter any land until February, 1835, at which time he purchased eighty acres on Section 13, and, within the next two years, over three hundred acres more. The following men also entered land in the township in 1835: Samuel Benham, Peter Tillipaugh, George Walker, John Hughes, Jeremiah Bidwell, Robert Meeker, John Doty and Robert Latta. Several of these men never resided in the township. Daniel Martin was in the township in the fall of 1834, but he entered no land. Five men were present and assisted in the erection of Mr. Wright's cabin in the fall of 1834 ; they were John Adams, Nelson Nichols, Peter Lampson, Daniel Martin, and an- other whose name is forgotten. From the above it may be seen that Mr. Wright either built his house before he bought his land, or his daughter, Mrs. Vaughan, is mistaken when she says the house was erected during the autumn of 1834. It is probable that the house was built in 1834, as stated. Follow- ing the above men, there came in Thomas Oliver, Philo Taylor, two or three Indian traders at the Tamarack, George Wolcott, Henry Nichols, Almon

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Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 15

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