Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 24

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 24
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 24

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).

the township is the settlement and post office, now called Emma ; formerly the place was known as Eden Mills, but went down under that title. The saw- mill here is within Newbury, and is owned by Joseph Schrock. Jacob and Andrew Hostettler are the proprietors of a store, and the former attends to the United States mail.

CHAPTER XV.

BY WESTON A. GOODSPEED.

MILFORD TOWNSHIP-LONG LIST OF PIONEERS-CONJECTURES AS TO THE FIRST SETTLER-FIRST TOWNSHIP ELECTION-A BACKWOODS BURIAL-HUNTING EX- PERIENCES-THE REGULATORS-THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD-MUD COR- NERS AND SOUTH MILFORD-THE EDUCATOR AND THE MORALIST-MANUFACT- URING INTERESTS.

T THE greater portion of the surface of Milford Township is extremely ir- regular and billowy ; and to this may be traced the fact that the earliest settlers in the county passed on to land that could be subjected to cultivation much easier, and that would furnish a more bountiful crop for such labor. While it is mainly true that the greater number of early settlers in the northern tier of townships came from the older settled locality in Southern Michigan, it is also true that the greater number of those in the southern tier first came to Fort Wayne, and thence up the Fort Wayne and Lima road, along which they en- tered their land. During the years 1836, 1837 and 1838, a great rush was made into Milford, the greater number of the following men locating in the township at that period : J. W. Austin, David Ackerman, S. A. Bartlett, John Barry, Jacob Butts, Charles Cope, Jared Cook, Arba Crane, Edmund Clark, Perry Case, Zopher Case (lived in Johnson), William Cochran, Harrison Dues, Brinkley Davis, Nelson Earl, William Fitch, Cornelius Gardiner, Stiles Goodsell, Isaac Holly, John C. Lonsbury, Luther Nesbit, John Nevil, Stephen D. Palmer, Gary P. Newman, William Nevil, Samuel Perkins, Enoch Perkins, Jacob Perkins, Amos Reynolds, Enos Randall, Henry Randall, Erastus Stur- gis, Jacob Sturgis, Edward Shehan, Lyman Sherwood, John Searls and Charles Turner. Some of these men never lived in the township, simply owning the land, and paying tax on the same, and selling out at a small profit at an early day. Several of the men came in with grown-up families of boys, who soon made homes for themselves, and who are yet living to recount their lives of pri- vation while the township was yet fresh from the hand of nature.

The first settler in the township was probably Jacob Butts, although the year of his arrival is not known. It was likely as early as 1834, and perhaps 1833, as he was known to have been in the township during the spring of 1835. There are some doubts, however, about his being the first settler, as Richard Rice, Will- iam Fitch and one or two others were living in the township during the spring of 1835, and might have been in a year or two before. The facts in the case

Mynota Goodsell MILFORD TP.

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cannot be learned with certainty ; but it is probable that the three men men- tioned (Jacob Butts, Richard Rice and William Fitch) came to the township some time during the year 1834. These conjectures will have to answer until some one is found who can satisfactorily unravel the tangle. It is said that a man named Bailey came in with Mr. Fitch, locating near him for a time; but afterward leaving for some other place. Mr. Butts was a German, and re- mained'in the township until the gold excitement broke out in California, when e joined the tide of emigration westward. His daughter Caroline was mar- ried to George Thompson, of Springfield Township, in 1835, by Rev. T. B. Conley, the marriage, so far as known, being the first in the township. Rich- rd Rice located on Section 3, where he remained but a short time. Fitch and Bailey established themselves in the southern part. The first white child born was a daughter of Mrs. Fitch, but the infant was feeble and soon died. This was probably the first death.

During the summer of 1837, a number of citizens of the township peti- tioned the County Commissioners to set apart Township 36 north, Range 11 east of the Second Principal Meridian, and constitute the same a separate town- ship. "In the petition it was suggested that the township be called Milford. In accordance with this petition, the Commissioners, in September of the same year,"ordered the creation of the township Milford, and the first election to be held at the residence of Samuel Avis, who was probably appointed Inspector. Charles Turner was elected Justice of the Peace, and Col. William Cochran Road Supervisor. The names of the other officers elected are not remembered. Milford was at first a part of Greenfield Township, but, after August, 1834, and prior to its separate organization as stated above, it was attached to Spring- field for election purposes. At this early day, the three officers of greatest use were Justice, Constable and Pathmaster. There were no roads save winding trails through the woods, and about the first thing the early settlers were called upon to do was to assemble and place some new highway in passable condition. Much of the early tax collected was devoted to the expense of constructing roads. This gave great dignity to the name of Supervisor. Cases of assault and battery were almost every day occurrences. It is amusing to examine the docket of some early Justice of the Peace, and notice the fines that were imposed for a violation of the rights of personal security. At almost every rolling or raising, a bout at fisticuffs took place, resulting in blue eyes and bloody noses, and the subsequent fine for assault. Everybody drank whisky, not necessarily to excess, but simply to realize the exhilarating effects. It was taken to cool in hot weather, and to warm in cold ; to drown sorrow and assuage the pain of privation ; to assist digestion and strengthen the weak. Mothers drank it[to gain strength to endure; children were given it to make them healthy and strong; all took it because it was regarded as a panacea for all human disorders, and one of the necessaries of life. As all, at times, were under its influence, those of quarrelsome disposition were often engaged in

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broils and fights ; and then the servants of the law were required to do their duty. The Justice and the Constable were important personages then. And what a noise the early pettifoggers made ! How profound was their exposition of the fundamental principles of law ! And then what eloquence ! Then it was that every boy went home resolved in his heart to be a pettifogger. Nothing short of that would satiate his inordinate pride and ambition.

The early settlers were compelled to endure many hardships unknown to the generations of to-day. Stores and mills were far distant, not only in miles, but from the fact that distances then, on account of the bottomless roads, were practically double what they are at present. Many had no team, some had oxen, and a few had horses. A good grist then was a bagful, and a few acres were a large field. Families lived on pork, corn bread and potatoes. Other articles were delicacies. Some families were extremely destitute. The tax duplicates at the county seat are filled with such expressions as "Too poor to pay," or "Gone away," or "Tax paid by Mr. So-and-so." This was true even when the tax amounted to but 50 cents. It is related that when Nathan Holly's second wife died, her own son John laid her out, and made the rude coffin with his own hands. James Cochran was called upon for assistance at the burial. He asked Evan Wright to accompany him. These two boys and John Holly were the only ones present at the interment of this pioneer mother. The poor woman had at last found rest in the embrace of death, and over her lonely grave the robin and the wren chirped their requiem of triumph-a dirge of rest to her soul. She was buried in the southern part of the township.

Of course the woods, in early years, were filled with wild game. Deer in small herds were every-day sights, and those who were accustomed to the use of the rifle, and knew anything of the habits of these animals, found no difficulty in killing as many as they desired. Venison was a common article of food on the pioneer tables. Wild turkeys were very numerous, and, it is said, were often so fat that when they were shot to the ground from the tops of high trees, the skin upon their backs burst open like a ripe pod. This is vouched for by more than one old settler. Wolves were numerous and troublesome. They often found their way into sheep-folds at night and destroyed many or all of the flock. Then it was that the old settler breathed maledictions of revenge toward the marauder. On one occasion, Henry Randall fired into a pack of these ferocious animals, and at one lucky shot killed three. Bears were some- times seen, but only rarely. About thirty-five years ago, a number of men with dogs, started a bear from some swamp in Noble County, and chased it into Milford Township. Isaac Carpenter, who was hunting in the woods, encoun- tered the animal and shot it. It is said that Ed Dyer in one day killed five deer. Those who were familiar with the habits of these animals always endeavored to shoot the buck or leader of the herd, as in that case the others would stop, thus giving the hunter time to reload. It was often the case that, if the hunt was properly managed, the entire herd fell before the rifle of the

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hunter. Minot Goodsell tells that, to the best of his knowledge, he on one occasion killed three deer at one shot. The circumstances were about as fol- lows :

One morning, late in autumn, after a heavy snow of the previous night, Mr. Goodsell put his horses to the sled and started out to hunt deer, knowing that it would be an excellent time. He drove several miles in a southerly direction, and, while crossing a road, saw three deer bound across the track in front of him. He got a good shot at one, but for some reason missed it. He continued to drive on through the woods, until finally he discovered the tracks of four deer, and in a few minutes later saw them coming back, whereupon he concealed himself and shot at one of the herd, but again missed, much to his chagrin. The one shot at seemed to separate from the rest, as the other three started rapidly in the direction of Mr. Dryer's, and soon entered a dense brushy marsh. Mr. Goodsell hitched his team and crept into the marsh, watching cautiously for another shot. At last he saw one of the deer just over the ridge of a snow bank. He made proper calculations and fired through the upper edge of the drift, expecting to strike the deer in a vital spot, but again he was doomed to disappointment, as the three deer dashed out and scampered away through the snow. He followed them some distance, and noticed that one of them was wounded, as blood drops could be seen on the snow. At last he saw them some distance ahead. One was pawing up the snow, and a minute later it lay down, and the others came back and also lay down near it. Mr. Goodsell crept around so as to get a large log (which was rendered quite high by the foot and a half of snow on it) between himself and the animals, and then succeeded in creeping through the sound-deadening snow to within ten yards of the prostrate animals. After looking a moment, he crept back a few paces, and, quickly cocking his gun, rose suddenly to his feet. The animals leaped up like a flash, but the rifle of the hunter rang out on the morning air, and the nearest deer (the wounded one) fell dead in the snow, while the other two bounded off at full speed. He bled the dead animal and then started after the others, and then noticed for the first time that one of the latter was bleed- ing. Within a quarter of a mile it was found dying in the snow. It was bled, and the hunter started after the other, when to his astonishment it was found also to be bleeding. At last he found it badly wounded, in a little clump of bushes, and dispatched it with his knife. All three deer had undoubtedly been struck by the same bullet. The first one had five bullet holes in its hide, three of which had been made before it was last wounded; but at all events the last shot brought it down. The other two were undoubtedly mortally wounded by the last shot. The three dead animals were loaded on the sled and taken home. It is related that Henry Randall, one day, saw a large bear in an oak tree eating acorns, whereupon he advanced, fired, and brought it dead to the ground. Col. William Cochran brought with him from Marion County, Ohio, three well-trained Siberian bloodhounds. They were savage animals and had to be

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watched. One day they were heard off in the woods baying at some animal they had brought to a stand, whereupon one or more of the boys went out with his gun to see what was the matter. He found that the dogs had driven a catamount into the top of a large perpendicular branch of a slanting tree, and one of the dogs had succeeded in reaching the foot of the branch, and was standing baying on the slanting trunk, while the others were on the ground twenty feet underneath. At the approach of the boy, and before he could get a shot, the catamount leaped to the ground, breaking its fall on a small ash tree beneath, and, running a short distance, ran up a very high tree and lay down lengthwise on a branch at the extreme top. As it leaped from the slant- ing tree, the dog on the trunk at the foot of the branch leaped after it, and was badly hurt by the fall. The boy hurried up, and, taking aim at the cata- mount, fired, and the animal, with a convulsive spring, fell the whole distance to the ground, probably dying before it struck. Many other incidents of a similar nature might be related if space permitted.

To Milford belongs the credit of organizing the first company of Regulators in accordance with an act of the State Legislature, approved in 1852. On the 12th of September, 1856, the following men and others assembled at the Bul- lock Schoolhouse to effect an organization, and devise some means to bring horse-thieves, counterfeiters and other criminals to punishment: J. L. Bul- lock, Alanson Hill, Orrin Fuller, Zopher Case, George W. James, A. P. Case, Jacob Hill, William Hill, Ebenezer Hill, Isaac Carpenter, Charles Cochran, Phillip Helmer, Stephen Shearman and John Shearman. Mr. Bullock was chosen President, Alanson Hill, Vice President, and Orrin Fuller, Secretary. The latter, and perhaps others, was appointed to draft a constitution, which was done, it being presented and adopted on the 20th of September, 1856. This company did very effective service in this and adjoining counties.

Milford was the home of Benjamin B. Waterhouse, a native of Connecti- cut, though reared in Oswego County, N. Y. He was one of the noblest and kindest-hearted men that ever lived. From his earliest years, his soul shrank in repugnance from that so-called "divine institution," known as human slavery. His conscience cried out against the wrong, and, at last, led him into promi- nent connection with a well-traveled line of Underground Railroad. He lost no opportunity to assist runaway slaves on their way to Canada, and his house at last became a noted harbor, and was known to colored people far down in the Southern States.' The first noted station south of his house was at the Whitfords, in Allen Township, Noble County, while the first one north was at Orland, and the second at the residence of John Waterhouse, twelve miles south of Coldwater, Mich. A volume might be employed in which to tell all the incidents connected with the career of Mr. Waterhouse as an Underground Rail- road agent. He had a covered buggy, or carriage, in which the slaves were placed, when not too numerous (in such case a wagon was used) and a blanket thrown over the heads of the blacks), and conveyed to Orland, and there de-

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livered to a wagon-maker named Clark, or to Mr. Barry and one or two other trusty men ; hence they were taken on to the house of John Waterhouse and . other places north. Some hypercritical persons have said that his carriage stunk terribly of the negroes who rode in it. It is safe to say that Mr. Water house helped 100 runaway slaves to escape. His neighbors did not molest him, though some were much opposed to what he was doing. It is said that David Randall went out one morning with his hoe on his shoulder to dig potatoes. He had scarcely begun, when a gigantic negro came swiftly from the woods a short distance away, and approached him. Mr. Randall saw in- stantly, from the weary appearance, torn clothing, haggard face, and indis- pensable bundle of clothing of the colored man, that he was a fugitive slave. Thinking to try the fellow a little, Mr. Randall called out, "Look here! you are running away from your master. You turn right around and start back for the South, or I'll report you." It was no fun for the desperate colored man, for he thought Mr. Randall was in earnest. He looked fiercely at the settler for an instant, and then coolly laid down his stick and bundle, took off his ragged coat and placed it on the ground, doubled up a pair of fists that looked like sledge-hammers, and then started for the settler, exclaiming, " Massa, ye'd better got yerself ready ; I'se a comin'." The settler, in alarm, instantly protested that he was only fooling; and the fugitive desisted and went slowly back and put on his coat. Mr. Randall directed him on his way, and the determined fellow was soon out of sight.

After the enactment of the fugitive slave law, in 1852, Mr. Waterhouse worked harder than ever for the slaves. Early one morning, during the autumn of 1853, Augustus Whitford, of Noble County, brought five or six fugitive colored men in a wagon to the residence of Mr. Waterhouse. As they were to be taken on to Orland by Mr. Waterhouse without delay, Mrs. Waterhouse and daughters hurriedly prepared them a substantial breakfast. This they dis- patched as only travelers know how, and soon they were again on their way, reaching Orland in a few hours. At this point the whole party, including Messrs. Clark, Barry and others, of Orland, were seen by men who reported the violation of the law to Dr. Marsh, a Deputy United States Marshal resid- ing near there. The slaves were taken on to Canada by the Abolitionists without molestation. The owners of the slaves became aware of how the latter escaped, and learned the names of Mr. Waterhouse and those at Orland who had assisted him. They therefore, in the fall of 1854, had these men arraigned before the United States Circuit Court at Indianapolis for a violation of the fugitive slave law, Mr. Cyrus Fillmore, brother of ex-President Fillmore, ap- pearing as one of the prosecuting witnesses. Mr. Waterhouse was found guilty, and sentenced to pay a fine of $50 and to be imprisoned for twenty-four hours. The imprisonment was remitted or avoided, but the fine was probably paid. This action of the court did not deter Mr. Waterhouse one iota from frequent future violations of the (to him) odious law.

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HISTORY OF LA GRANGE COUNTY.

About this time, strong anti-slavery meetings were held in various portions of the surrounding country. One was held at Orland, which, at that time, contained many Abolitionists. Miss Whitford, of Allen Township, Noble .County, an enthusiastic Abolitionist and a lady of excellent heart and char- acter, was present and sang, with great power and effect, the song, one verse of which is:

"The baying hounds are on my track ; Old massa's close behind, And he's resolved to take me back Across the Dixon line."

A large meeting of the same nature was held at Brushy Chapel, Spring- field Township, about the same time, Miss Whitford being present and singing the same and other appropriate songs.

Mr. Waterhouse was a sincere and ardent Methodist, and took his position regarding slavery because he thought that Divine approval would sanction such a course. May his name be written with those of "Old" John Brown and Owen Lovejoy.

During the autumn of 1836, Col. Cochran built a dam at the outlet of Long Lake, and over a short race erected the first saw-mill in the township. The mill was provided with a "flutter-wheel" and a "sash saw." It has changed owners many times and has been subjected to many alterations, but it is yet in operation. George Bassett, at an early day, made shingles by horse-power. He turned out a considerable quantity, finding a ready sale in the neighbor- hood. Smith & Chaffee built a steam saw-mill about thirty years ago. It was a good mill. They also manufactured shingles. In 1848, the Plank Road Company built a steam saw-mill at South Milford, which, under a change of owners, has been in operation since. It has done a vast amount of sawing. A Mr. Baxter conducted an ashery in the southern part for a series of years.

Quite a little village grew up at Mud Corners at an early day. F. B. Masey erected a store building there about the year 1845. He had probably $3,000 worth of goods. Wright & Barry soon succeeded him. They erected an ashery, and for several years manufactured more than twenty tons of pearl- ash per annum, the greater portion of which was shipped away to market. James Knight began the erection of a brewery at the place, but abandoned the project before the building was completed. George W. Hatch built a tannery there ; he bought hides, but retired from the business before any leather was finished. William Knight conducted a blacksmith shop there; Judge Seeley the same. William Dunn was Postmaster there, and it is said the office paid the official well. The place saw its brightest days about thirty years ago. The road past the corners and on down into Springfield Township was at that time known as " Brain street," from the number of Judges and other officials who lived thereon.

In 1856, John A. Bartlett and Francis Henry, owners and proprietors, laid out forty-seven lots on Section 32, and named the village thus founded

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South Milford. There were four or five families living in the village at the time it was laid out. In about the year 1852, Wildman & Taylor opened a good country store. Jonathan Law was in the partnership in some capacity. Lambert & Rowe appeared with a stock of goods a few years before the last war broke out. Other merchants have been Hamlin Brothers, Dr. Gower, Austin, Jenkins, W. W. Miller, Hamilton Trindle, and the present partnership, J. N. Strayer & Co. The Bartlett Brothers owned the old store building. They erected the first hotel building. Theodore Upson is the present owner of a wagon and carriage shop, which is doing an excellent business. Orrin Fuller was in the same business about twenty years ago. Wildman & Taylor removed their store in about 1857. Fuller & Francis owned a good store at an early day. Dr. Diggins located in the village in about the year 1854, but did not remain over a year. Dr. John Dancer appeared in August, 1855, and has since remained practicing in the village and surrounding country. He is one of the substantial men of the place. Dr. White was in two years, coming in 1869. Dr. Broughton was in three years. Dr. Robinson was in a year and a half. Dr. W. A. Nusbaum appeared with packages and powders last March. The present population is about two hundred. In 1880, the following persons had passed the age of seventy-five : Clarissa Dyer, seventy-eight ; John Fought, eighty-seven ; Kalzamon Gunn, seventy-nine; Isaac Heywood, eighty-eight ; Jacob West, eighty ; Mary Fiandt, eighty-nine ; Valentine Groh, seventy- nine; Betsy Gunn, seventy-nine ; Peter Sabin, eighty.

Schools started up at a very early day in Milford. The first school build- ing in the township was erected during the autumn of 1836, by several of the settlers in at that time, among whom were the Cochrans, the Goodsells, the Turners, the Butts and others. Orris Danks taught in this house during the following winter, some twelve scholars attending. Danks was a long-limbed, eccentric Yankee. He had a good education for the times, and the backwoods children regarded him as a marvel of learning and greatness. Of couse the Yankee was equal to an emergency of that kind. It did him proud. This schoolhouse was located at what afterward became known as " Mud Corners," named so from the extremely muddy place at the crossing. The old house was a substantial one, and was used until not far from the year 1854, when another was erected at the same place by Capt. Barry and Judge Seeley. The walls were built of cobble stones and mortar, and the building became known as the " Mud Schoolhouse." Some say that this schoolhouse (built as it was of mud and stone) gave name to the place, but that is a mistake, as the locality was known as " Mud Corners" long before the building was erected. The " mud " house was a poor concern, as the boys soon picked it in pieces with their jack- knives. In this manner an extra door was soon made at one corner, and then the building became dangerous, and another was built. Not far from the year 1840, a log schoolhouse was built in the western part, near the Cases. In about the year 1838, a log schoolhouse was built about half a mile north of South

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Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 24

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