Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 64

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 64
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 64

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).

tion was organized in 1856, and was first served by Rev. Schumann, holding its first meetings in private houses. Among the first members were John Eich- elberg, George Aichele, Julius Kratzer, and later A. Wickmans, John Ort- stadt, Oscar Rossbacher, John Krueger, Julius Lang and F. Oesterheld and

*Prepared by Rev. George M. Schumns.

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HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.

others. In 1860, the first (frame) building was erected, which was afterward enlarged. In 1865, Rev. A. Wuesteman was called to take charge of the con- gregation, which continued to grow by the advent of German Lutherans. In 1871, Rev. Ph. Fleishmann succeeded Rev. Wuesteman, and by this time it was found that the congregation had outgrown the capacity of the old church. Ac- cordingly, in 1873, a new brick edifice valued at $10,000 was erected. The old building was made use of as a school-room. Connected with the congregation is a private school, at present under the management of Mr. F. Gose. The enumeration is about 100. At the death of Rev. Fleishmann in 1879, the present pastor, Rev. George M. Schumns, was given charge of the congrega- tion. There is a present membership of 75 voting members, besides others. Since the origin of the society, 454 persons have been baptized, 228 confirmed, and 207 deaths have occurred.

CHAPTER VI.

BY WESTON A. GOODSPEED.

WAYNE TOWNSHIP-REFLECTIONS OF AN OLD SETTLER-LONG LIST OF PIONEERS -LIFE IN THE FOREST-WOLVES VERSUS DOMESTIC ANIMALS-MR. GRA- DEN'S ADVENTURE-THE OLD SAWYER SAW-MILL-EARLY TAVERNS AND DRINKING CUSTOMS-ROLLINGS AND RAISINGS-THE FIRST SCHOOLHOUSE AND TEACHER-THE FIRST RELIGIOUS SOCIETY AND THE FIRST CHURCH ERECTED.

T THE common experience of old age is an earnest wish to live over again the life that is swiftly drawing to a close. How many mistakes have been made ! how many hours have been unprofitably spent ! how blind to good advice and influence ! The stealthy and inevitable approach of death baffles the desire for a renewal of youth, and fills the heart with bitter remorse at the thought of what might have been. Youth is always bright with hope and expectancy ; but, as the years glide by, the scales fall from the eyes, and the sorrowful experiences of earth trace wrinkles of care upon the brow, and bend the once stalwart form toward the grave. No rocking vessel on life's great sea can escape the angry rain that dances upon it, or avoid the bitter winds that check its course.

" Sweet are the uses of adversity, Which, like a toad, ugly and venomous, , Wears yet a precious jewel in its head."

Let us learn from the wretched experience of others-learn from the lives that have gone down amid the gales of sorrow that encompass the earth, to shun the shoals and quicksands that beset our course, that the sunset of life may be gilded with the gold of eternal joy.

The first log cabin erected in Wayne Township was built on the present site of Kendallville in 1832, but at what time of the year is uncertain. In fact, the first two or three settlers in Wayne located at Kendallville. As,

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WAYNE TOWNSHIP.

however, the history of that city is fully given in another chapter, its further consideration at this time is postponed. In 1844, the following men resided in the township on land of their own, as shown by the tax duplicates at the county seat : Lewman Andrews, Joseph Axtell, Daniel Axtell, John Bullenbaugh, Jason Bosford, Daniel Bixler, Nicholas Bixler, George F. Boden- heifer, Ludwig Brown, John Cosper, Reuben Chamberlain, Elias Cosper, John A. Forker, S. W. Gallop, Joseph Graden, Henry Grubb, Erastus Harlow, Richard Horsely, George Kimmel, J. W. Leonard, William Mitchell, Samuel Lehman, Daniel Longfellow, Christian Long, D. L. Numan, H. G. Rossen, S. B. Sherman, Stephen Sawyer, Mrs. William Sawyer, Jacob Spurbeck, Isaac Swarthouse, William Selders, Samuel Trowbridge, D. D. Trowbridge, Ansel Tryon, Hester Taylor, Thomas B. Weston, John B. Woodruff, Albin Curtis, Henry Deam, Michael Deam and Charles Fike.

Perhaps the very earliest among this catalogue were Nicholas and Daniel Bixler, Reuben Chamberlain, John Cosper, William and Stephen Sawyer, John A. Forker, Henry Grubb, John Brundage, George L. Kimmel, and others. Many of the earliest settlers in the township left before 1844, so that their names do not appear above; and, unfortunately, they cannot be given, as their faces and names have faded from the memory of the old settlers yet living in the township. The year 1836 is remembered all over the county as the time when the first great rush was made for farms therein. Settlers were generally averse to going into counties for the purpose of permanent settlement until after the first organization had been perfected. That, being accomplished, was regarded as sufficient evidence that, although the county might be new and wild yet, still primitive homes had been begun, and that rude specimens of human habitation-the log cabin-had been reared. Besides this, land was quite cheap, and a comfortable home could be secured with a little money and a great deal of patience, hard work and endurance. Accordingly, as above stated, large numbers of immigrants appeared in the county in 1836, and from that time forward rapid growth and improvement ruled the hour. Prior to 1836 not more than six or eight families were living, or had lived, in Wayne Township, and some of these were as follows : David Bundle, the first settler in the township; Mrs. Frances Dingman, widow of James Dingman, and her family ; Daniel and Nicholas Bixler ; Thomas Ford ; Truman Bearss, who, a few years later, became the husband of Mrs. Dingman ; Luke Diggins ; Mr. Martin, and perhaps one or two others. Among those who came in 1836 were Samuel Comstock, John Brundage, Joseph Graden, Henry Iddings, John Saw- yer, who soon afterward died of a fever, and perhaps others, some of whose names appear above. Early life in the Wayne woods was, in general, very similar to that in other townships, and many descriptions will be found in this volume, pointing out the various pleasures and hardships incident to a sojourn in the wilderness. John Sawyer was a native of Knox County, Ohio, and up- on his arrival entered several hundred acres a mile or two northwest of Ken-

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HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.

dallville, where he made his home and lived until 1837, when he died. He was the first blacksmith in the township. On this farm was an Indian grave- yard, where a few of that unregenerate race were buried, to await, probably, the resurrection, which occurred much sooner than had been intended, as the crumbling skeletons were carelessly thrown out by the curious, and left to min- gle with the surface soil. Many wild animals were yet abundant, though the larger and fiercer, such as bears, had disappeared, save an occasional straggler. Deer were every-day sights, and were often shot by men who were probably not descended from Nimrod. They frequently came into the clearings to feed on the green wheat and other luxuriant vegetation. Many were shot from win- dows and doors. Jackson Iddings tells that, upon one occasion while hunting in the woods, he shot a buck which dropped to the ground ; but, as he ap- proached to cut its throat, it leaped to its feet, and with bristles erect along its spine and head lowered for the conflict, made a dash at the hunter, but for a time it was eluded by briskly dodging behind trees, until its strength had con- siderably failed on account of the wound, when it was suddenly attacked by the settler, and dispatched by a few strokes of the knife. Mr. Iddings also says that in one day he found seven bee trees, from which were taken about thirty gallons of the finest honey, a portion being candied. Bees came from their hive during warm days in the winter, and, dying of cold, would fall on the snow, leaving a bright yellow stain, by which their hives were discovered. A dish of fine wild honey was a common sight in the dining room (if there was such an apartment) of the old settlers. William Tryon tells of killing a bad- ger under the following circumstances : The opening in the earth leading to its nest having been discovered, Mr. Tryon and several others began the work of digging it out, but as fast as they dug the animal also dug, keeping away from them ; finally, after a deep excavation had been made without success, five or six strong steel traps were set in the opening, and the next morning the hole, when approached, was found nearly full of dirt; a portion of this was thrown out, and in one of the traps was the badger ; it was taken alive to the house, but died in a few days. It is related that Joseph Graden, having lost his cows, went in a southerly direction in search of them, taking with him his little boy some eight years old ; not finding them as expected, he traveled on, and ere he was aware darkness had come, when he was on the bank of Cedar Creek, several miles from home; the night was cloudy and very dark, and the cold wind swept through the branches of the trees, and the weird rustling of dead leaves and the wild creakings of gnarled limbs aroused the apprehensions of the belated settler ; to add to the unpleasant situation, wolves began to howl · in the dark forest near them ; a fire was immediately kindled, and a supply of fuel gathered, and the settler holding his little boy closely by his side sat down with the fire at his front and a large half-hollow oak at his back, and thus re- mained until morning ; the wolves came close to the fire during the night, snapping and snarling, yet did not venture an attack, but sneaked off into the

Thomas B. Miston

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WAYNE TOWNSHIP.

forest as the dawn appeared. John Longyear, who settled in the township in 1844, says that the wolves, one night in harvest, attacked a flock of ten sheep belonging to him, and when morning dawned nine of them were found lying stiff and stark upon the ground with their throats cut. Many incidents of a similar character are narrated, but these will suffice to illustrate the dangers to be met by backwoodsmen in Noble County.

The first birth in the township was that of a son of Mr. Bixler, and occurred early in the year 1836. The child lived but a few weeks, and its death was the first. One of the first marriages was that of Mrs. Dingman to Mr. Bearss. They went over to the Haw Patch to have the ceremony performed, and becom- ing belated on their return spent the night in the woods. William Selder was conducting a tannery on Section 22, as early as 1845. This was continued probably about five years, and the small quantity of leather manufactured was sold in surrounding towns, or to the settlers, who took it to their homes, where it was made into boots or shoes for the family by journeymen cobblers. It must be remembered that ready-made clothing and wearing apparel of all kinds were not kept for sale in stores as they are nowadays. Cloth or leather was purchased at certain seasons of the year in quantity sufficient to supply the whole family, and then either a journeyman cobbler or tailor was employed to make the goods up, or the services of the wife and mother were called into requisition to furnish the clothing, and those of the husband and father to fur- nish boots and shoes. The parents often acquired great dexterity by long practice in these particulars. The journeyman would travel around from house to house, remaining sometimes more than a week at the same place. Whisky was used at all the rollings and raisings, as no man pretended to work on such occasions without frequent potations from the bottle. On one occasion Mr. Longyear announced a rolling-bee, and, when the men assembled and began work, it was discovered, amid considerable comment, that no whisky had been furnished. One of the men asked Mr. Longyear : "Have you no whisky ?" and was answered, " No." "Why not ?" "I have no money " (a prevarica- tion, as Mr. Longyear did not want to furnish whisky). “Well, I have money," said the man, reaching his hand in his pocket and taking out a half dollar. "Take this and get us a gallon of whisky." Whereupon a messenger was dispatched for a gallon of the drink which inebriates, and when it came the men made themselves both full and happy. Some became too full (fool) for utterance, and sought the shade to sleep off their blissful spirits. The whisky was obtained at the tavern of Luke Diggins, on the Fort Wayne road, and was at that time 50 cents per gallon. At a rolling or raising on the farm of Mr. Childs, the whisky was drunk from a wash-dish, and is said to have tasted as well as usual. Various drinking vessels were at first used, and when, finally, a jug was brought into the neighborhood, it was immediately and with due ceremony dedicated to the service of imbibers at the rollings and raisings, and after that was always present, traveling the circuit of the neighborhood,

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HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.

but, unlike the men who assembled to work, was generally empty, a deplorable condition of affairs truly. Mr. Longyear says that by actual count he assisted at sixty rollings and raisings in one year.

The old Sawyer Saw-Mill was built in the southwestern part in about the year 1840, being located on the Elkhart River at a place where a dam was easily secured, and where a fair water-power was warranted. The writer could not learn with certainty who erected this mill, but it must have been by either Stephen Sawyer or Joseph Graden. Graden was a carpenter, and probably did the work of construction, even though the other man owned the property. That is probably the true fact in the case. Stephen Sawyer operated it very early, and was afterward succeeded by numerous owners, among whom were Solomon Sherman, Daniel Bixler and John Forker. The mill remained in operation about twenty years, and at times was well patronized. The next saw-mill was built at Kendallville, to supply the old plank-road with lumber. No grist-mill has been built in Wayne Township outside of Kendallville. The old plank- road was extensively traveled in early years, especially after the enactment of the Fugitive Slave Law, by colored fugitives from the Southern States on their way to Canada. They were assisted on their way by S. Whitford, John Longyear, old man Waterhouse, and several others along the road. Father Waterhouse was constantly engaged in the business, and it must be remembered that any help rendered the escaping slaves was punishable by stringent legal enactments; consequently those who engaged in the work, knowing that they were violating the law, carried on their schemes under the friendly cover of the night. Mr. Waterhouse was discovered assisting fugitive slaves, and, it is said, was arrested, but finally cleared himself after consider- able trouble. In the light of subsequent events, this noble-hearted old man, and all others who engaged in the work through humane motives, deserve a lasting tribute to their memory. Mr. Longyear says that on one occasion eight dusky fugitives remained over night at his house, and were taken away just at daybreak, and hurried to some other point. Mr. Longyear received the appointment of Postmaster in about 1850, and retained the office seven years. Prior to that event, it had been at Marseilles, in Orange Township, Joseph Scott being the Postmaster. Luke Diggins opened a tavern on the Fort Wayne road very soon after coming to the township, not far from the year 1838; but, prior to that, one had been thrown open for public entertainment in what is now Kendallville, by Mrs. Dingman, the latter house being the first in the township. Diggins' tavern was standing on the Fort Wayne road, near the Orange Township line, and became a great resort of those who courted the god of wine. Whole nights were spent in the old bar-room, and merriment ruled the hours.

" In the days of my youth, when the heart's in its spring, And dreams that affection can never take wing, I had friends !- who has not ?- but what tongue will avow That friends, rosy wine ! are as faithful as thou ?

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WAYNE TOWNSHIP.

"Then the season of youth and its vanities past, For refuge we fly to the goblet at last ;.

There we find-do we not ?- in the flow of the soul, That youth, as of yore, is confined to the bowl."

For the first few years, the early settlers were obliged to go to Brush Prai- rie for corn, wheat and vegetables. No man had money in any quantity worth mentioning, and it was therefore necessary for those dealing in values to devise a system of exchanges, and this was accomplished by the establishment of a representative of value that was within the reach of all. A day's labor in the woods was as unchangeable as any value, and was often used as a standard, by which prices were fixed and exchanges effected. Thomas B. Weston, quite an early settler, was well known and universally respected and trusted. It was customary at the time taxes were to be paid for some settler who could be de- pended upon to obtain from each tax-payer the necessary amount of money, and then proceed to the county seat, where the claims of the county and State were adjusted. Mr. Weston often did this for the settlers in Wayne Township. One day he approached Mr. Longyear's house, and told the owner that it was tax- paying time, and for him to get ready his money. This was new for Mr. Long- year, and he replied that he had not laid by any money for such a purpose. " Well, can't you raise the money, some way ?" asked Mr. Weston ; whereupon he was given a coon skin and a fawn skin, which were taken to Port Mitchell, then the county seat, and sold, and the $1.50 realized was used to pay Mr. Longyear's first tax. That was only a common incident, and fitly illustrates the early way of meeting obligations. Many cranberries were growing in the surrounding marshes, and these were gathered and sold, and the cash realized was turned over to the tax collector. The woods were filled with wild hogs and rattlesnakes, and as the former were needed they were shot, and, as the latter were not needed, they were likewise killed. The early settlers were like brothers, sharing with each other provisions, etc., and assisting in all depart- ments of farm work.

The first schoolhouse in the township was erected in about the year 1838, on the farm of the heirs of John Sawyer. It was a small, round-log structure, built in the rudest and most primitive way, and without a solitary interesting feature, save the roaring fire-place that lighted the gloomy room with ruddy and fitful glow. Joseph White, a native of the Buckeye State, taught the first school, receiving for his services $1 for the term from each scholar, and his board from the patrons of the school, the latter being the families of Mrs. John Sawyer, Luke Diggins, and two or three others. The plank for the doors, window-casings, etc., was obtained at the old Latta Saw-Mill in Orange Township, as the Sawyer Mill had not yet been erected. This old house was used five or six years, when a small frame school building was erected near it to take its place. In 1845, a log schoolhouse was built in the Kimmel neigh- borhood, and was used until it became leaky, when it was abandoned, and a better one built. By this time, there was some school money that had been

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HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.

raised by taxation, and was used to pay the teacher and maintain the school. The second house in this neighborhood was a frame structure which is yet standing and used, though it has often undergone repair. The next school- house was built one mile north of John Longyear's residence, about 1846; others have succeeded it. The schoolhouse at the Center was built the same year, and, within the succeeding four or five years, every district then in the township was supplied with some kind of a rude log schoolhouse. Lydia Bixler was the first teacher at the Center. The Longyear school building was not erected at public expense. It was the outgrowth of jealousy, and was built at the expense of a few foolish individuals, who subsequently turned it over to the township. Several other districts have been ruptured the same way, until there are fourteen school buildings in the township outside of Ken- dallville. The result is as might have been expected. If every man must have his own schoolhouse, he "must pay for his whistle," and live to see it run down. Wayne Township is certainly well supplied with schoolhouses, and also has its full share of spleen.

A small Free-Will Baptist society was organized in about 1841 or per- haps a year or two earlier. Circuit ministers came to preach about once a month, and a membership of some twelve or fifteen was secured. The society was first organized in Daniel Bixler's barn, where it met for a few months, and then occupied the old log schoolhouse. Some of the early members were Dan- iel Bixler and family, Barbara and Elizabeth Dingman, Philander Isbell and others. Rev. John Staley was one of the first preachers. When he died, the flock, being without a shepherd, became confused and scattered, and the society was soon extinct. The Bixler girls were fine singers, possessing magnificent voices, and drawing many outsiders in to hear them. In about 1847, a revival was held at the Center Schoolhouse by an able minister of the Episcopal Methodist persuasion, and many were converted and joined to the church. Meetings were held in schoolhouses, and at last a good-sized log church was built on the farm of Nicholas Hill. This was used until it was worn out, and until a portion of the membership had altered their faith to that of the Protestant Methodists. The old building was abandoned, and the Episcopal Methodists afterward held their meetings in the old schoolhouse near by, while the Protest- ant Methodists went down to the Center Schoolhouse, where they still continue to assemble. The other branch of the church built a neat frame building a short distance east of where the old log house had stood, about fourteen years ago. The society is in a flourishing condition. Among the members who belonged at the time the first church was built in about the year 1851 were the Hills, Brundages, Greens, Rices, Johnsons, Youngs, Stantons and Wilsons. These religious societies have had an excellent effect upon the morals of the citizens. The German Methodist society, which now has a church on Section 2, was organized in the fall of 1857 by the following persons who became mem- bers : George Linder and wife, Gottlieb Fried and wife, and George Frey and

CATHERINE WESTON

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TOWN OF LIGONIER.

wife. The first meeting was held at the house of George Linder, with the Rev. John Snider as Pastor. After this, meetings were held in the various private houses and in Hamer's Schoolhouse, until the membership had reached about thirty, when a consultation was held at the residence of John Shifaly, regarding the propriety of building a church, which resulted in the appoint- ment of a committee, with Mr. Shifaly as chairman, to solicit subscriptions for the erection of such a building, Mr. Shifaly donating $100 and the necessary ground. In May, 1873, the contract for the erection of a church, 30x40 feet, was let to Mr. Shifaly for $1,318, and the house was completed in October and dedicated in November, 1873, the Rev. Andrew Meyers being first Pastor. The church was named " Weston's Chapel," in honor of the old settler of that name. The first Trustees were John Ackerman, Gottlieb Fried, George Frey, Charles Kent and John Shifaly. The present membership is about forty, Rev. August Gerlach, Pastor. The society is in good circumstances. The Trinity class in the northern part was organized in 1869, by D. S. Oakes, who became first Pastor. Among the early members were D. Fiant and wife, Mr. Kreuger and wife and R. Hutchins and wife. Preaching was held in the Ream's School- house. In February, 1873, a subscription was started for a brick church, 34x48 feet. A considerable amount was thus promised, and the work was begun by the appointment of the following building committee : M. Eckhart, M. Kreuger and R. Hutchins, who, in July, let the contract for building the house to M. Kreuger for $2,150. For some reason further work was postponed until the fol- lowing year, when the house was constructed, and finally dedicated in August, 1874, R. Riegel being Pastor. On the day of dedication a debt of $600 cov- ered the church ; this has since been reduced until at present only $60 remain. In 1880, $80 were expended in repairs. The membership, in 1875, was twenty-two; that at present about forty. The present Pastor is Rev. D. S. Oakes.

CHAPTER VII.

BY WESTON A. GOODSPEED.

TOWN OF LIGONIER-EARLY DEVELOPMENT-SUBSEQUENT IMPROVEMENT-AP- PEARANCE OF INDUSTRIES-THE SONS OF TEMPERANCE-FIRES-INCORPORA- TION OF THE VILLAGE-SECRET SOCIETIES-THE JEWS-THE SHIPMENT OF WHEAT-MR. GERBER'S EXPERIENCE - EDUCATION AND RELIGION -THE HIGH SCHOOL-STATISTICS.

T' HE incorporated town of Ligonier was laid out and platted in May, 1835, the year before the county was organized, by Isaac Caven, owner and proprietor, and the plat was recorded at the county seat of La Grange County. One hundred and ten lots were laid out on a beautiful tract of land, which, in former years, had been used as a depository of animal bones, from which the flesh had been gnawed by red men, before the era of settlement. The early

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Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 64

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