USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 66
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 66
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The Catholics first began to assemble in about the year 1858, at which time Father Henry Force, an itinerant priest, began pilgrimages from Fort Wayne. But few Catholic families lived in Ligonier and vicinity at that time; but finally sufficient finance was accumulated to build a small frame church, which was done in about the year 1860. This building, with some little im- provement, was used until a few years ago, when it was entirely remodeled at a cost of $1,500. Perhaps the society has never exceeded twenty families. Father Holtz was the first priest. He has been succeeded by Fathers Deumick, Cuenlin, Eichtern, Moisner, Beckleman and Krager.
For the following excellent sketch of the Disciple Church, the historian is indebted to Rev. J. M. Monroe. The society was organized April 26, 1863, with the following charter members : Edmund Richmond and wife, S. N. Pence and wife, Jonathan Simmons and wife, C. R. Stone and wife, J. M. Knepper and wife, Nancy Shidler, Lucy Engles, Sophia King, Elizabeth Engle and Jacob L. Simmons. On the same day Edmund Richmond and S. N. Pence were elected Elders, and J. M. Knepper and Jonathan Simmons, Sr., Deacons. On the 8th of June, 1863, it was decided by the society to purchase the Uni- versalist Church, which had been sold to Judge Wood at Sheriff's sale. Three-
156
HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.
fourths interest in the building was purchased for $350. This house is yet occupied by the society. Rev. Charles Richmond served as pastor one year, portions of 1863 and 1864. George W. Chapman served one year, term end- ing in 1865. W. B. Hendry served from fall of 1865 to fall of 1867. N. J. Aylsworth from October, 1867, to January, 1870. James Hadsel served in 1870. J. M. Monroe was pastor from June, 1871, to November, 1872. J. E. Harris from December, 1872, to May, 1874; F. Grant, half of the year 1874 ; R. S. Groves, a year and a half, 1875 and 1876 ; Elder Heard, a year and a half, 1876 and 1877 ; O. Ebert, a year and a half, 1878 and until June 1879; J. M. Monroe, from September, 1879, until the present, having entered upon a permanent pastorate. Mr. Monroe is a very capable and energetic man, and is greatly beloved by his congregation. The first revival was held by Benjamin Lockhart, of Ohio, in May, 1863, two weeks after the organiza- tion, at which time J. M. Fry, wife and daughter, Misses Mary Simmons and Addie Shipman joined the society. The first important revival was held by W. B. Hendry, in February, 1866. It grew out of a debate between Elder John W. Sweeny, of the Disciple society, and Rev. Cooper, of the Methodist. After the debate the meeting was continued, and among the conversions were L. J. Dunning and wife, W. A. Brown and wife, Peter Sisterhen and wife, Joseph Braden and wife, Charles Stites and wife, Riffle Hathaway and wife, Jessie and Lucinda Dunning, Nancy Stansbury, Jonathan Simmons, Jr., and Rebecca Huber. About this time there joined the church Dr. Adam Gants and wife, H. R. Cornell and wife, David Miller and wife, Mrs. A. C. Jones, Dr. Landon, Sarah Himes, Abraham King and wife, Mary Vincent, Margaret Parks, Josephine and Bell Chapman, Mrs. Finley Beazel, David Simmons and George Kuhn and wife. The second important revival was held by W. B. Hendry, during the pastorate of James Hadsel, or in March and April, 1870. This meeting was also preceded by a debate between Elder Sweeny and Rev. Chaplain, of the Universalist Church. Thirty-nine persons joined the society : John S. Ohlwine and wife, Matthias Marker, J. B. Stutsman and wife, Mrs. Fayette Peck, Mrs. Daniel Scott, Dickinson Miller and wife, Emmaret Stans- bury, Jennie Hathaway, Lena and Rosa Sisterhen, Emma Dunning, Helen Mayfield, Tillie Wolfe, Mrs. Jacob Huffman, E. A. Keasey, Dolphus Teal being among the number. The third revival was held in January and February, 1872, by Rev. J. M. Monroe, Pastor. The number of conversions was eighty- two, being the largest in the history of the church. Among the additions were Albert Banta, Luzon Gilbert, John Speckun and wife, Mrs. Judge Wood, Mrs. N. R. Treash, Mrs. James Silburn, Orrie Sweetland, Pineo Pancake, Miss Madison, Mrs. Drumbeller and daughter, Isaac Todd, William Herbst, wife and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. George Campbell, Hattie Parks, Mrs. Jonathan Simmons, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. William Sisterhen, Thomas and Oliver Simmons, Moses Goshern, Allie Folk, Mrs. Niles, William Hays and wife and Sarah Meyer. Many others have since joined, until the society at present numbers
157
TOWN OF LIGONIER.
214 members, being the largest in Ligonier, if not in the county. It has received into its communion 442 persons, a majority of whom have moved away. An efficient Sunday school is conducted by J. H. Huffman, Superin- tendent ; average attendance over one hundred. The society has organized a Woman's Christian Missionary Society, also a social society. The choir leader is Samuel Krashbaum ; organists, Katie Brown and Jessie Stutsman.
The following interesting statistics of Ligonier were prepared for the year 1878, by John W. Peters, foreman in the Banner office, to whom the historian is greatly indebted for the privilege of using the same :
DENOMINATIONS.
No. of Churches.|
MEMBERSHIP-
Admitted to
Membership in
Valne of
Contents.
Salary of Min-
Missionary,
Charitable and
other Contribu -
tions in 1878.
No. of Sunday
School Teachers
No. of Sunday
School Pupils.
ance on Public
Service.
Methodist Episcopal.
1
42
84
...
$3,000 $1,000
$111 00
13
125
200
Christian
40
77
...
2,000
700
195 40
9
70
175
United Brethren.
1
19
42
5
4,500
600
265 73
11
179
100
Wesleyan Methodist.
1
8
8
8
1,500
400
50 00
...
...
1
20
25
...
1,000
500
700 00
1
23
25
St. Patrick's (Catholic).
1
50
50
3
2,000
200
400 00
...
70
Seventh Day Advent ..
1
16
27
5
1,600
370
115 00
4
38
35
Total
7
195
313
21
$15,600
$3,770 $1,837 13
38
435
635
NEWSPAPERS.
Ligonier Banner-Politics, Democratic ; published weekly; established, 1866; circulation, 1,348 ; language, English ; employes, 4; average monthly wages, $30; size, 28x43.
Ligonier Leader-Politics, Republican; published weekly; established, 1880; circulation, 1,300 ; language, English ; employes, 4; average monthly wages, $23; size, 30x44.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Number of buildings ..
3
Value of all school buildings.
$20,300
Number of teachers.
8
Male teachers
2
Female teachers
6
Average monthly wages for male teachers.
$72 50
Average monthly wages for female teachers $30 00
Male pupils
352
Female pupils
361
Total white pupils.
713
Colored male pupils
1
Colored female pupils
1
Total colored.
2
PHYSICIANS.
Number.
13
Value of library and furniture.
$7,000
Value of office business
19,400
Other expenses.
3,525
ATTORNEYS.
Number.
5
Value of library and furniture.
$2,150
Value of office business
4,700
Other expenses. 430
1878.
Structures and
ister.
Male.
Female.
Average Attend-
30
Ahavath Sholom
1
158
HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.
BANKING HOUSES.
Number
Banking capital.
.$110,000
Deposits to January 1, 1879.
$105,000
Employes
8
Salaries.
$14,000
Other expenses.
2,000
CLASSIFICATION OF MANU- FACTORIES.
Number of Capital In- Raw Mater- Shops. vested. ial Used.
Value of Products.
Number of WagesPaid Employ- During Year. es.
All other Expenses.
Blacksmithing
8
$2300
$6980
$22700
16
$6996
$615
Boots and shoes
4
6850
8500
17000
14
6300
375
Breweries
1
5000
Vehicles
4
10250
16600
39670
16
7820
1510
Cigars
1
400
350
1400
1
550
65
Cooper shops.
2
4300
3400
7248
10
3018
410
Flouring mills.
1
20000
58820
8391
6
3120
3329
Foundries
1
10000
4000
12000
11
4700
300
Furniture
4
9250
4300
10500
7
2972
700
Harness and saddles
4
2900
8500
15400
12
3504
555
Wooden handles
1
4000
600
2500
3
800
100
Marble works
1
2000
2000
7500
6
2184
175
Merchant tailors
2
3600
7500
13000
8
2540
275
Photographers
2
1350
425
2405
3
1110
400
Planing mills
3
16500
12000
26182
14
6898
400
Saw mills
2
1800
5000
7500
4
1808
183
Trunks.
1
300
300
700
1
260
15
Totals.
42
$100800 $136275 $254096
138
$54580
$9407
OCCUPATIONS.
Number of Shops.
Average Value of Stock.
Total Pur- chases.
Total Sales.
Employes.
Wages.
Other Ex- penses.
Agricultural implements.
4
$3700
$35900
$50600
5
$3400
$1008
Boarding houses
2
800
2100
4900
5
1400
225
Books and news
1
3275
8000
9500
2
1000
325
Boots and shoes
4
11400
23675
31200
4
2300
850
Barbering
2
350
150
3796
4
2678
595
Clothing stores
4
20000
53000
63000
10
6700
1925
Coal and wood
1
60
720
720
1
25
35
Country produce.
1
3000
51630
58130
8
3500
1850
Drug stores
4
16000
30800
40000
8
4020
1770
Dry goods
1
4000
12000
14000
3
1250
300
Furniture dealers.
4
8200
13200
16900
4
1700
950
General merchandise.
9
79600
196000
261000
33
22850
7800
Grain dealers
6
2900
469200
475900
6
1300
1025
Groceries and provisions
13
29275
99927
146938
26
12113
4890
1
1100
1363
2500
1
900
110-
Hardware
4
17200
49200
60500
11
5750
1550
Hotels
1
6000
4000
5500
9
2200
2800
Jewelry, etc
3
3200
3600
6600
3
1550
400
Liquor saloons
4
2650
7100
17740
5
2460
1385
Livery stables
2
6100
2182
7500
6
2300
1065
Live stock dealers
4
2600
141000
156750
10
6200
2775
Lumber dealers.
5
14000
49100
64442
6
2670
490
Millinery and dressmaking ..
7
2425
8280
12775
20
2865
1091
Meat markets.
2
250
21000
26500
5
3500
915
Saddles and harness
4
3900
12600
18100
4
1
550
300
Stove and tin dealers
1
400
3000
4000
1
824
25
Tobacconists
4
1300
7400
12400
5
2150
365
Wagons and buggies
8
4700
28870
40550
11
3625
1350
Well-digging and pumps
2
350
1550
6500
6
2302
250
Totals
109
$251985 $1371947 $1623941
223
$106202
$38831
..
..
. .
2110
422
Sewing machines
1
250
3000
5000
Gunsmithing
2
Jacob Afoly LIGONIER
CHAPTER VIII. BY WESTON A, GOODSPEED.
PERRY TOWNSHIP-ROLL OF EARLY SETTLERS-GENERAL GROWTH-DEER HUNT- ING BY NIGHT - ROCHESTER, WASHINGTON AND HAWVILLE-MILLS AND FOUNDRIES-A DISTINGUISHED FRENCHMAN-THIE INDIANS-EDUCATION AND RELIGION.
P REVIOUS to the year 1844, there had resided in Perry Township the fol- lowing men: Hugh Allison, William G. Allison, Edward Bouser, Daniel Bouser, Sebastian Bouser, Valentine Burris, John Billman, John Buzzard, Ed- ward Bailey, Andrew Bailey, William Bailey, Jacob Baker, William Bouzer, Allen Beall, Hartwell Coleman, John L. Conrad, Adam S. Conrad, Jeremiah Carstetter, Levi Carstetter, Isaac Caven, James Christie, Jonathan Caldwell, James Crook, R. D. Coldren, Francis Danner, William Denny, David Dun- gan, Francis Dungan, George Engle, Henry Engle, John Engle, Andrew En- gel, Felix Grimes, James Gordon, James Givens, Christian Heltzell, Henry Hostetter, Jr., John Hostetter, Benjamin Hostetter, James Hamilton, John Hamilton, William Hamilton, William J. Hamilton, George Hamilton, Solomon Harper, James Hoak, William Hoak, Cyrus Hoak, Henry Kline, Michael King, Samuel Kirkpatrick, James Latta, Perry Lee, Thomas W. Morrow, James Marker, George W. Miller, Seymour Moses, John Morrell, Philip Mil- ler, John Miller, Ambrose Miller, Solomon Miller, Henry Miller, Dickerson Miller, James McMann, James McKinney, Henry May, Linderman May, Perry McMann, Alexander McConnell, Andrew Newhouse, Jonathan New- house, Josephus Neff, North Neff, Hiram Parks, James Ramsby, Levi Reeves, Thomas Stone, Daniel H. Stukey, Jacob Stage, Gideon Schlotterback, Elijah Shobe, Daniel Shobe, Silas Shobe, Henry Shobe, David Smalley, James Smalley, John Summers, Isaiah Thomas, George Teal, Joseph Teal, John Tomlinson, Jacob Wolf, Jeremiah Wolf, Jacob Vance, Harrison Wood, Ham- ilton Wilmeth, Joseph H. Woodell, Reuben Warner, James Wilmeth, George Welker, and several members of the Harsh family. There were many others who resided in the township during the interval mentioned; but their names, unfortunately, cannot be remembered, those given having been placed on record at the county seat as owning land and entitled to their vote. The first settle- ment in the township, and, indeed, the first large permanent settlement in the county, was made in this township, beginning in 1830, at which time Levi Perry, Isaiah Dungan and Richard Stone settled on Perry's Prairie (named for the first settler, Levi Perry). In 1831, there came in Jacob Wolf (yet living), Henry Hostetter, Sr., and his family of boys, Adam Engle and his family, Jacob Shobe and family, Joseph Smalley and family, Henry Miller and
162
HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.
family, and a few others. These arrivals (all being excellent people) assured the permanency of the settlement on Perry's Prairie. Large crops were put in ; and within two years these families had an abundant supply of grain and provisions. Those who located in the heavy woods in other portions of the county had a much harder time, as the forest must be cut down and consumed before crops of any consequence could be raised, and, even then, for many years, the growth was scanty and sickly, owing to the stumps, roots and re-ap- pearing underbrush. The granaries of the new settlement became filled, like those of Egypt, with corn and other grains; and the impoverished pioneers throughout the surrounding country made "pilgrimages to Egypt " (as they called it) to buy corn and provisions. Thus Perry's Prairie became a famous place-famous for its excellent families-famous for its hospitality-famous for its generosity to those who came to buy or trade. Here, the first post office in the county was established ; and here it was that selections were made for the first county court and for the first township officers. Others came in 1832 and 1833, during which time all the land of value on the Prairie was entered, and turned up by the plow. The land was filled with tough roots of brush, etc., but heavy plows, capable of turning over nearly a yard of earth, and drawn by eight or ten yoke of oxen, soon transformed the wild and irregular surface into smooth fields of growing grain. John Hostetter was perhaps the first to settle in the extreme northern part; but, in 1836, he was followed by many more, each selecting his home where it best suited him, and all going to work in ear- nest.
The first township election was held at the house of John Hostetter, but the names of the first officers are forgotten. There were twenty-five voters present. Reference is not made to the election while Perry was a part of La Grange County ; but to the first one held after Noble County was created. Through this township the White Pigeon road was opened by the State in about 1835. The State devoted 3 per cent of the receipts from the sale of land to the opening and improving of roads. But it was many years ere the roads were made pleasant. The Elkhart River which meandered through the town- ship was a beautiful stream in early years. Its banks were bordered with heavy woods or open glades ; and its clear waters were filled with the finest fish. Some of the stories as to the number of fish taken out in a few hours seem marvelous. The ordinary wild animals were present, except the bear, which had retreated to the heavy pine forests in Michigan. One manner of hunting deer (and a very successful one) was to float down the river at night with a bright light ; and the animals which came at that time to drink would stand per- fectly still, and stare at the light until shot down. Harrison Wood and a com- panion were at this work one night, when, just as they were about to fire at a fine buck, they managed to capsize the canoe. Away scampered the deer, and the nocturnal Nimrods had a " sweet " time getting out of the river and home. The Indians were very numerous, and resorted to all sorts of devices to secure
163
PERRY TOWNSHIP.
provisions or whisky. As usual, they were badly treated by some of the whites. Mrs. Galbreth, who lived in the northern part, had been captured by the Indians in Pennsylvania many years before, had seen her mother and sister cruelly tomahawked and scalped, and had been dragged far off into the wilderness by the savages, with whom she remained many wretched years, though she finally either managed to make her escape, or was given up by her captors. The story of her captivity would be one of absorbing interest. Hugh Allison erected a saw-mill at Rochester about the year 1834. The dam was washed away several times ; and, after running a few years, the mill was abandoned. In about 1842, Seymour Moses erected a saw-mill on Elkhart River, two miles northwest of Ligonier. He conducted the mill a few years, and then transferred it to the Miller Brothers, who neglected it, permitted the dam to break, and then dropped the whole business. In 1843, Seymour Moses began the construction of a carding mill near the site where his saw-mill was ; but, just as it was about completed, he died, and the project died with him. An early saw-mill was operated at Rochester by the " Iron-Works Company." Adam Engle conducted an early " corn-cracker " at the northern extremity of Indian Lake. The mill was built about 1835, had one set of niggerhead buhrs, cracked a great deal of corn, and made the attempt to grind wheat. It was operated five or six years, when the dam was destroyed by some one whose land was flooded by the back water.
Rochester was laid out on Section 26, Township 35, Range 8, in Novem- ber, 1836, by Simpson Cummins, proprietor. Fifty blocks and fractional - blocks were surveyed on the river bank, each full lot comprising eight lots, four lots being donated for school and church purposes. The lots were immediately offered for sale; and the village grew rapidly. Several houses had been erected before the village was laid out. Powell (afterward joined by McCon- nell) opened an excellent store in about 1837, at which time some seven fami- lies resided there. Nelson Prentiss became their clerk. An iron factory was started about the same time, or a little later, by Baldwin, French, and, perhaps, others. Eight or ten teamsters were employed to haul iron ore from " Ore Prairie," in York Township; and the business began to thrive. Both Baldwin and Frank died about the same time; and then Mr. Lee assumed control. Richmond & Beall finally started a foundry about 1844, where plow-castings, pots, kettles, etc., etc., were manufactured in considerable quantity. These manufacturing interests called to the village a population, in 1840, of about sixty, and, in 1845, over one hundred. It was at that time one of the largest and most enterprising towns in the county. A number of years later, McCon- nell & Cummins erected a three-storied grist-mill, placing therein three run of stone. It became an excellent mill, and is yet there, having passed through many vicissitudes. A saw-mill has been there much of the time since 1834. A multiplicity of causes contributed to the death of Rochester, though the decay was lingering and painful. Ligonier grew from its ashes. In June,
164
HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.
1837, Isaac Caven laid out a village of sixty lots on Section 2, Township 35, Range 8 east, and named it Washington. The village was properly recorded; but, alas ! the poor thing did not grow higher than the paper upon which it was platted. The little village of Hawville first found an existence many years ago, though but few families have resided there. The village is popularly known as " Buttermilk," a very euphonious cognomen, truly.
David P. Bourette (or Bourie), a Frenchman, whose father, L. B. Bou- rette, established himself as a trader among the Indians, at Goshen, in 1800, claims to have passed the winter of 1829-30 among the Indians in northern Perry Township. He packed several ponies with goods at Fort Wayne, and remained with the large encampment of Pottawatomies in northern Perry, dis- posing of his goods for money and furs. In 1831, he built a storeroom in Elkhart Township, in the history of which will be found a further account of this well-known man. He was raised among the Indian's, and it is claimed that Indian blood flows in his veins, although this he indignantly denies. The report is probably a mistake or a slander, as no satisfactory proof has ever been produced to show that he is other than what he claims-a full-blooded French- man. Until such proof is obtained, the tongue of slander should hush. Bourie lived in southwestern Perry for many years. Mrs. Bourie composed a very popular song, which is sung at all the old settlers' meetings. It has five or six verses, one of which is :
" The wilderness was our abode Full fifty years ago ; And, if good meat we chose to eat, We shot the buck or doe. For fish we used to hook the line ; We pounded corn to make it fine ; On Johnny-cake our ladies dined, In this new country."
Mr. Bourie tells many interesting stories about the Indians. One time, down on the Wabash, he says, the Indians, in some way, got possession of a considerable quantity of whisky against the orders of the men who had been appointed to treat with them ; and an effort was made to recover the liquor ere the Indians were under the influence. Two old squaws were out in the woods drinking as fast as they could of the fiery liquor ; when, seeing a white man looking at them, one, with wicked eyes, expressed herself as follows : Kit- wassenock co-she-ah shin-go-lah hicco dosh-ish-ah caw-a-lah (what does he want; I hate him, I detest him ; I'll split his brains out). But the old lady of the woods came to time when a rifle was presented in her dusky face.
In about 1860, the big fires in the pine forests of Michigan caused many bears and other wild animals to come down into Indiana and Ohio. A large black bear came to Mr. Bourie's residence, and was first seen by Mrs. Bourie, from the window, but was thought at first to be a black sheep. The animal finally jumped over a fence, and then the truth was revealed. Mr. Bourie, and one or two others that were present, immediately started at the top of their
George PERRY TP.
167
PERRY TOWNSHIP.
speed for the animal, which made for the river, but, by means of a boat, was driven from the island where it had taken refuge, but finally eluded its pursuers by entering a dismal swamp.
In the autumn of 1836, a small log building designed to answer the dou- ble purpose of a church and schoolhouse, was erected in the northern part, one mile west of where Salem Church now stands, by Seymour Moses, Isaac Caven and a few others. Mr. Moses was one of the first teachers in this house, as was also Miss Axy Kent. School was taught there after that without inter- mission. The Episcopal Methodists began holding their meetings there, but a little society had been semi-organized as early as 1834, and had met in the cabins. Of those belonging to this society were James Latta (a well-remembered local minister and a very worthy man), Robert Latta (of La Grange), Samuel Kerl, Abel Thomas, James Taylor (of La Grange) and John Thompson (of La Grange). Ministers of other denominations preached as freely in the house as the Methodists themselves, though the latter were the builders. A Sunday school was early organized, Seymour Moses being one of the first Superintend- ents. In about 1849, the old schoolhouse at Moses' Corners was abandoned, and a larger, hewed-log structure erected where the Salem Church now stands. This was used as a schoolhouse until 1856, when a frame house was built by Eli B. Gerber, at a cost of about $350. In 1845, a rupture occurred in the Methodist society, and the Episcopals went into Eden Township, La Grange County, where they built a church, while the Protestants remained in the old schoolhouse until 1849, when they built Salem Church. This building served the society long and faithfully, or until 1879, when the present fine structure was built, at a cost of $3,200. The old log schoolhouse on Moses' Corners was used by all living in the northern part of the township. It was not until between 1845 and 1850 that the population had become sufficiently dense to warrant building others within two miles of it. On account of a schoolhouse in northern Sparta Township, at an early day, none was built on Perry's Prairie until 1841. The one where Henry Hostetter, Jr., used to live, was built a few years later.
A number of years ago, the Dunkards in the southern part trans- formed a schoolhouse into a church, where they now worship in their peculiar way. Some eighteen or twenty years ago, the Amish built a small church on the northern line, which they continued to occupy for a number of years ; but finally the property passed to the control of the Dunkards, who, in 1879, put up a much better building. The United Brethren, about six years ago, became so strong in the northwestern part that they felt capable, finan- cially, of erecting a church, which they did, constructing it wholly of brick. The society is now in good circumstances. Perry Township owns a third inter- est in the fine High School building in Ligonier. That was certainly a move in the right direction. Send your young ladies and gentlemen there to school.
CHAPTER IX.
BY WESTON A. GOODSPEED.
TOWN OF ALBION-CATALOGUE OF PATENTEES-FIRST CABIN IN THE TOWNSHIP -PLATTING OF THE VILLAGE-EARLY HISTORY AND SUBSEQUENT GROWTH- INCORPORATION - INDUSTRIAL STATISTICS - EDUCATION AND RELIGION - SCHOOLHOUSE BONDS-SKETCHES OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES-THE FIRE FIEND.
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