Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 8

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 8
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 8

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).

HISTORY OF LA GRANGE COUNTY.

year, J. C. Hewitt bought an interest in the office, and in December succeeding bought the entire office, and has conducted it since. In August, 1881, he put in a power Campbell press, the second power press introduced in the county.

James R. Rheubottom started a new paper in Rome City, Noble County, in the spring of 1876, which he moved to Wolcottville in June, the same year, and issued it under the title of the Wolcottville Gazette, conducting it until November, 1878, when he sold the office to I. W. Lohman, who shortly after moved it to Rome City again, when it was, in the course of a year, discontin- ued entirely, and the material shipped to Indianapolis.

November 13, 1879, a new La Grange Democrat was started at La Grange, by J. Frank Snyder, and is still being issued. Several different persons have been associated with Mr. Snyder in the publication of the paper.

At present writing (October, 1881), there are three papers published in the county, all at La Grange; the Standard, a seven-column quarto, Republican in politics ; the Register, a six-column quarto, independent; and the Democrat, a five-column quarto; all published on the "co-operative plan."

In the line of book authorship, there have been, so far as we can learn, but two residents of the county who have ventured into this field. Hon. John B. Howe, of Lima, who has devoted the late years of his life largely to the study of financial problems, has written and had published four books on the subject under the following titles :

1st. "The Political Economy of Great Britain, the United States and France, in the Use of Money. A new science of production and exchange."

2d. "Monetary and Industrial Fallacies. A dialogue."

3d. "Mono-metalism and Bi-metalism."

4th. "The Common Sense. The Mathematics and the Metaphysics of Money."

The chief proposition, and to which others maintained are subordinate, in these four books is, that the present theory of money is founded, like the ptolemaic theory for the universe, on illusory and not real facts, and that there can be no sound monetary, and hence no sound social, science, so far as political economy is concerned, until monetary science is founded on actual facts. He claims, in these books, to have demonstrated the falsity of the science of money as now taught, and the truth of his own science.

Dr. J. H. Rerick wrote, and had published, in 1880, a book of nearly three hundred pages, illustrated with maps and portraits, entitled, "The Forty- fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. History of its services in the war of the rebellion, and a personal record of its members."

The politics of the county, when the contest was between Whigs and Democrats, was nearly equally divided. In five Presidential contests, the Whigs won in two, 1840 and 1844; the Democrats in two, 1836 and 1848. In 1852, the two parties were a tie. The Abolitionists cast 38 votes in 1844,

HISTORY OF LA GRANGE COUNTY.

114 in 1848, and, in 1852, under the name of "Free-Soil," 117 votes. The repeal of the Missouri compromise, the attempted extension of slavery into Kan- sas and Nebraska, aroused much indignation and warm political controversies in the county. The result was a general disorganization of the two old parties, and a sharp issue on the anti-Nebraska question in 1854, resulting in the elec- tion of the entire anti-Nebraska ticket, by majorities ranging from 125 to 500. The organization of the Republican party, combining all the opponents of slavery extension soon following, the political lines were drawn on that line in this county, and until the appearance of the National or Greenback party, there were but the two party organizations in the county, the Republican and Dem- ocratic. At every election since, the Republican party has elected every county candidate put in nomination by its county convention, by handsome majorities. There is not, probably, another county where either party, so largely ascendent in a county, has maintained such a solid and unbroken front for twenty-seven years. The Republican majorities at the Presidential elections have ranged from 760 to 1,033. The National or Greenback party was organized in the county in 1876, and in that year cast 63 votes for its Presidential candidate, and at the State election of 1878 attained its maximum, casting some 500 votes. As soon as the country began to recover from the financial crisis of 1873, that party began to decline, and, at the Presidential election of 1880, cast only 116 votes. ' Now it has entirely disappeared as an organization. In the statistical table elsewhere will be found the Presidential vote at every elec- tion since the organization of the county.

The people of La Grange County, from its earliest settlement, have, in the main, been a very temperate people. Total prohibition of the use of strong drinks as a beverage has had at all times strong advocates. So strong has this sentiment been that for many years, as long as the issue of license to retail was left to discretion of the County Commissioners, no licenses were issued at all. The organized temperance work has been mainly done through the Sons of Temperance, the Good Templar Order, the red ribbon and blue ribbon move- ments. The Hutchinson Lodge of Good Templars, organized in La Grange in July, 1866, has met regularly every week since, and been the center of an active and beneficent temperance influence. Another lodge of the same order, entitled the Davis Lodge, was organized, and is yet doing good work in the cause of temperance and social culture.

A number of other secret societies of social character have been organized, and been more or less influential, socially, in the community. A Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was organized at Lima in 1848, and at- tained a membership as high as forty-three, consisting mainly of the active business young men. Hon. Schuyler Colfax gave a public lecture under the auspices of the Lodge at the M. E. Church in 1849. The California emigra- tion drew so largely on its membership and so weakened it, that the Lodge sur- rendered its charter in 1854. About the same time the Odd Fellows' Lodge

HISTORY OF LA GRANGE COUNTY.

was organized, a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was also organized at Lima. A charter for the organization of the Meridian Sun Lodge No. 7, Free and Accepted Masons, was granted June 1, 1849, with William Martin, Worshipful Master ; F. Flanders, Senior Warden; William Berg, Junior War- den ; John Kromer, Secretary ; John Briscoe, Treasurer. Since its organiza- tion, 425 members have been enrolled. The present officers are : B. F. Lutz, Worshipful Master ; M. V. Stroup, Senior Warden; J. H. Caton, Junior War- den ; A. F. Skeer, Treasurer ; and J. H. Lutz, Secretary.

The Star in the West Lodge, I. O. O. F., at La Grange, was organized in June, 1855, has had a membership of 150, and is still in active working order. At Wolcottville, there are two Lodges. Aldine Lodge I. O. O. F. organized April 19, 1875, with a membership now of twenty-six, and Ionic Lodge F. A. M., organized May 28, 1868, with a present membership of forty-seven.

The Grange movement, in 1873, found a number of active and influential adherents in this county. Some eleven Granges of the Patrons of Industry were organized, and all, we believe, by William Collett. The strongest Granges were formed in Clearspring Township, where one or two still exist ; all the others, though, have been discontinued.

In the month of February, 1878, a movement was made in La Grange County, to organize a Home Insurance Company on the mutual plan. The first meeting of those interested was held on the 2d of March of the same year, at which time the following men became charter members : Samuel P. Brad- ford, H. H. Bassler, John Dalton, James Miller, B. W. Vesey, Philip Sprewer, Joseph Steininger, Alanson Blackmun, Mrs. Zedina Buck, Wrench Winters, William Crampton, Robert Kellett, Mrs. M. Kellet, D. N. Stough, James Smith, Levi Putt, George W. Storms, William Gardner, Henry Weiss, Z. L. Scidmore, Israel Spangler, Peter Alspaugh, Levi Eshleman, A. J. Royer, John Bellairs, William Woodward, William S. Olney, Peter Moak, George Preston, John McDonald and Elias Wight. These men took out policies, and sub- scribed stock to the amount of $57,615. The company, from that time to this, has grown very rapidly until the membership now numbers about 500. On the 11th of February, 1879, the stock amounted to $277,390 ; February 10, 1880, to $431,846 ; June 6, 1881, to $645,455; and January 11, 1882, to $751,751. But four assessments have been made upon the members to make good losses, as follows: January, 1879, a tax of eleven and one-half mills on the dollar ; De- cember, 1879, a tax of eight mills ; April, 1880, a tax of twenty-two mills ; and June, 1881, a tax of fifteen mills. The total losses paid to the present writing (January 7, 1882), are as follows : During the first year, $110 ; sec- ond year, $250; third year, $968; fourth year, $851.98. Total losses paid, $2,179.98. The total per cent of taxation to meet losses during the four years is but fifty-six and one-half. Every loss has been promptly paid, and the com- pany presents a fine financial showing. The losses have been mostly by light- ning, whereby various flocks of sheep, meat in smoke houses, and buildings

HISTORY OF LA GRANGE COUNTY.

suffered. The first officers were : Amasa Bunnell, President ; Samuel P. Bradford, Secretary ; and H. H. Bassler, Treasurer.

With the honest and enterprising pioneers of La Grange and Noble Coun- ties, came some ingenious and active villains, who at once commenced to avail themselves of all the advantages a sparsely-settled country, with its hidden recesses in woods and swamp, always furnishes the criminal classes for carrying on the general villainy of stealing, robbing and counterfeiting. These men soon collected around them others of like propensities, and secretly seduced many young men into the ways of pollution and on to crime. The Indians frequently complained of the theft of their ponies, and the early settlers of their horses, and, later on, house-breaking, house-burning, robbery, and the passage of counterfeit money, became annoyances of frequent occurrence, not only in these counties, but in all Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan. The sys- tematic action displayed in these lawless depredations indicated so strongly a conspiracy that the belief became general that there was a well-organized band of villains, within or very near the borders of these counties. As early as 1841 or 1842, the people realized that the ordinary processes of law were unequal to the task of suppressing the lawlessness, and a public meeting was held at Kendallville for the purpose of organizing a society for the mutual protection of honest citizens, and to raise funds to aid in the execution of the law. The results of this meeting may be learned in the Noble County history. The criminals increased in numbers and audacity. The Legislature was finally appealed to, and, in 1852, an act was passed authorizing the formation of com- panies for the detection and apprehension of horse thieves and other felons. ·The companies were to consist of not less than ten nor more than one hundred, who were to sign articles of association, giving name of company, the name and residence of each member, which organization was to be approved by the County Commissioners, and put on record. The companies were authorized to call to their aid the peace officers of the State, in accordance with law, in the pursuit and apprehension of felons, and reclaiming stolen property, and each member was given the powers and privileges of constables, when engaged in arresting criminals. Although this law gave such ample authority for organized effort for the protection of society, the depredations of thieves and counterfeiters were endured until September 20, 1856, when the first company was organized in Mil- ford Township, assuming the name of the La Grange County Rangers. No person was allowed to become a member whose name was tainted with dishon- orable associations, and who would not take a solemn oath of secrecy. The meetings were strictly private, and all plans for operation held in profound secrecy until contemplated arrests were made. This society was in existence more than a year before any others were formed ; then followed the organization of the La Grange Protective Association, La Grange Association of Clear- spring, Self-Protectors of South Milford, Self-Protectors of Springfield, and Eden Police. On January 9, 1858, a meeting called by the regulator companies

HISTORY OF LA GRANGE COUNTY.

was held at Wright's Corners, which passed a series of resolutions which, after being signed by 130 citizens, was ordered to be published in the La Grange Standard. These resolutions alleged that La Grange and Noble Counties were infested with blacklegs, burglars and petty thieves, to such a degree that the property of the citizens was very insecure, and charged that the tavern then kept " by B. F. Wilson, at Wright's Corners, was believed to be a rendezvous for these infernal banditti," and that he was an accomplice of the villains. The resolutions pledged each signer to use the utmost exertion to bring the offenders to justice, "by assisting to take them wherever they may be found, and that, when taken, we will deal with them in such a manner as to us may seem just and efficient." Wilson was also warned that in case any depredations were com- mitted by persons he harbored, he would be dealt with as a real depredator. This meeting was but the mutterings of the coming storm of indignation against the rascally element that had so long tormented the people. The next week, January 16, 1858, at an Old Settlers' meeting in Kendallville, the regulator companies of Noble and La Grange Counties appeared in parade, marching in double file through the most prominent streets of the town. The depredators, many of whom witnessed the scene, were alarmed, but were given no time to get away, for the next day the arrests began. Nine of the ringleaders were arrested at Rome City, and taken to Ligonier, where they confessed (a very fashionable performance about that time), and were then either tried by the committee, or turned over to the constituted authorities, to be legally dealt with. The proceedings in that vicinity, and the hanging of Gregory McDonald, is related in the Noble County record elsewhere in this volume. A number of arrests followed in this county, the people were much agitated, the old jail was crowded to its utmost with prisoners, and the courts overrun with business. At one term of the court, seven men were sentenced to the penitentiary. Several men who were tried in the Common Pleas Court were released by the Supreme Court on the ground that their crime was triable in the Circuit Court only. With the exception of these, the convicted paid the assigned penalty of their crimes, and the whole gang was most effectually broken up. Since then the- misdeeds in the community have been almost entirely left to the control of the regular judicial officers, though several regulator organizations still exist, and. occasionally lend a helping hand in the arrest of criminals.

CHAPTER IV.

BY J. H. RERICK, M. D.

NAMES OF SOLDIERS WHO SERVED IN WARS PRIOR TO 1861-PUBLIC SENTIMENT WHEN SUMTER FELL - THE CALL TO ARMS - COLLECTION OF SANITARY STORES - VOLUNTEERS AND RECRUITS -THE DRAFT TERROR - SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETIES - LA GRANGE COUNTY'S ROLL OF HONOR - BATTLES PARTIC- IPATED IN-DISLOYALTY - ENTHUSIASTIC UNION MEETINGS - ANECDOTES.

" I will teach thine infant tongue To call upon those heroes old In their own language, and will mold Thy growing spirit in the flame Of Grecian lore : That by each name A patriot's birthright thou mayest claim." - Shelley.

F NOR thirty prosperous years La Grange County developed in population and resources without knowing the spirit of war. Children were born and grew to manhood without ever seeing a soldier in military dress. Mothers and maidens had never felt the anguish of separation from husband or lover at the stern call of a nation at war. Perhaps not half a score of men in the county at the opening of the rebellion had any knowledge, except through tradition and reading, of the forced march, scanty rations, the exposed bivouac, guard and picket duty, toilsome work on breastworks, rifle-pits and forts, the marshal- ing of the armed hosts for "battle's magnificently stern array," the fury of the storm of shot and shell, the falling dead and mangled human forms, the rejoicing of victory and the despair of defeat, the heart-sickening scenes in hospital, the anxious waiting at home for news of the great battles which is to be to them a sorrowful joy or dead despair-of all the painful, terrible, magnifi- cent things which go to make up war.

For a number of years after the first settlement, a few old soldiers of the Revolution, who lived in the county, were honored on Independence Day, put on the platforms and cheered for their services, but all these had long since passed away, and were slumbering among the dead in peace. There were, besides, a few survivors of that later and less heroic war of 1812, who could tell some stories of old-time bravery, but these were very few. The Mexican war had drawn a few soldiers from the county, and some of its heroes had come into the county after the war. But, as we said before, all counted, not more than ten had "smelled gunpowder." Indeed, when the first squad of volunteers assembled in 1861, there was but one man in the community with sufficient military knowledge to give commands for the simplest maneuvers. This soldier

HISTORY OF LA GRANGE COUNTY.

was William B. Bingham, who had served in the ranks of an Ohio regiment in the Mexican war.

So it can be seen what a new and before unfelt thrill went through the hearts of the people of the county when, in April, 1861, the flag of the nation was insulted and outraged at Fort Sumter. A common glow of patriotism fired every bosom. Every man, woman and child, possessing a spark of heroism, was raised from a devotion to little things into a higher life of conse- cration to an idea-the preservation of the nation-a tumult of emotions, before unfelt and undreamed of. Indignation at the insult to that flag, which then for the first time, began to have a significance; apprehensions of the perils to happy homes ; duty's call to the front; the restraining thought of death and sorrow-all these swarmed in the minds of the men. The hearts of mothers and wives sank, at first, in anguish at the sight of the portentous cloud coming over the sky, but soon rose with a sublime patriotism which taught them that no sacrifice was too costly for the altar of our country.

On the 15th of April, 1861, President Lincoln called for 75,000 militia, and on the next day Gov. Morton issued his proclamation for the organiza- tion of six regiments, the quota of Indiana. The first paper published in La Grange after this, contained a call for a public meeting at the court house, " to which all Union-loving citizens, irrespective of party affiliation in the past," were invited to take action for the " organization of a military company, and for aiding and assisting the families of those who may volunteer." At the meeting, the court house was filled to its utmost capacity. John Kromer, an old citizen, and a soldier of 1812, presided. Nathan P. Osborne and Samuel Sprague acted as Vice Presidents, and C. O. Myers and A. B. Kennedy as Secretaries. The Committee on Resolutions were A. S. Case, Harley Crocker, Dr. F. P. Griffith, Dr. J. H. Rerick, Thomas J. Skeer and Alexander B. Kennedy. The resolutions reported were unanimously adopted, and were as follows:

WHEREAS, We deplore the circumstances which have inaugurated civil war and brought the people of a portion of the South in conflict with the General Government of the United States ; therefore,

Resolved, That it is the duty of all patriotic citizens, irrespective of party names and dis- tinctions, ignoring, for the present, all past dissensions and party bitterness, to unite as one people, in support of the Government of the United States.

Resolved, That we are unalterably attached to the government of the United States, and will yield to it an ardent and firm support against all its enemies ; pledging to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

James M. Flagg and Hon. Robert Parrett made patriotic speeches. Mr. Flagg recalled the words of Jefferson, that about once in thirty years the tree of liberty must be watered with human blood. The time for such a sacrifice, he said, was at hand. Acts, not words, are now necessary. Mr. Parrett elo- quently and feelingly argued that it was a time when all former issues should be laid aside-the only questions now being, union or disunion. Mr. Andrew

HISTORY OF LA GRANGE COUNTY.

Ellison was called upon, who, speaking in a candid manner, said his sentiments were not wholly in accord with the previous speakers, but that he was a citizen of the Republic, and acknowledged his allegiance to it, and proposed to stand by its laws under all circumstances and contingencies. William S. Boyd thought there had been talking enough, and proposed that steps be at once taken for the organization of a company, whereupon John H. Rerick drew from his pocket an enlistment paper already prepared, which was read, approved, and enlistment at once commenced. William Cummings, William Selby and John Kromer were appointed a committee for soliciting contributions for the families of those who should enlist.

This was the first war meeting ever held in the county. Others quickly followed-one at Lima on the 23d, addressed by Hon. J. B. Howe, Revs. Far- rand and Cory, and another at Wolcottville on the same day, presided over by A. J. Atwood, with L. L. Wildman, as Secretary, and Dr. Martin, O. B. Tay- lor and Henry Youngs as committee on resolutions. These demanded a prompt and vigorous execution of the Federal laws, the retaking of the forts, arsenals and other public property seized by the rebels, and that the insult to the United States by the so-called Confederacy in attacking Fort Sumter was one that should be redressed, if it was necessary to use the entire military strength of the American people. At these meetings, volunteers were added to the list and contributions made for their families. On May 1, a meeting was held at South Milford, presided over by John Bartlett. with R. Smith as Secretary. It was addressed by Francis Henry and George Rowe. The committee on resolutions were Francis Henry, E. Stockwell, Dr. J. Dancer, L. Blackmun and George Bartlett. The resolutions reported and adopted differed slightly in tone from those adopted at the other meetings, and we present them here, in order that the different shades of feeling at the time may be represented :

Resolved, That we will sustain the Constitution of the United States of America, and uphold the authorities thereof in sustaining the laws and protecting the flag of our country from our enemies, both North and South.

Resolved, That we have no sympathy with the Secessionists of the South, nor the Aboli- tionists of the North, and that we hold them responsible for the present distracted condition of the country.

Resolved, That we recommend every good citizen to consider calmly and dispassionately our present condition, and that we will hail with joy an early and honorable peace, and if peace cannot be brought about, that we prosecute the war with the utmost vigor to a final end.

A committee was appointed to devise the best method of organizing a military company and reported, recommending that the Secretary open his books for immediate enrollment, which was done, and some names were entered. On May 4, another meeting was held at La Grange, " for the purpose of hold- ing a council of war," as the chronicler of that day put it. The crowd gath- ered in the court-yard and was addressed by J. B. Wade, A. Ellison and Roman Mills. On Mr. Wade's suggestion, the meeting voted that the county should pay the expenses of the volunteers while at home. Roman Mills said he had

HISTORY OF LA GRANGE COUNTY.

two sons already in the company and two more to spare, and would go himself if necessary. The company which had been drilling under Maj. Bingham made an exhibition of their skill; there was martial music, firing of cannon, the " Marseillaise," and "Red, White and Blue." Thus the attention of the people was directed to the enlistment. The paper was kept by Dr. J. H. Rerick at Betts & Rerick's drug store, and as fast as men made up their minds to enlist, and could arrange their business, they came in, signed this paper, and went into the ranks for drill. About the 1st of May, William Roy, a young man who had just finished a five years' service in the regular army, came to La Grange to visit his relatives, and being fresh in military tactics and discipline, at once became the most important personage in the community. As soon as the volunteers heard of his presence in town, he was sent for and requested to give the boys a touch of the "regular's " drill. With form erect and the quick, firm step of the trained soldier, he was soon at their front, and, at the first command of "front face," the humble regular private, William Roy, was transferred into a Captain of volunteers. Spectators and volunteers were alike elated, but hardly any more so than the drill-master, Mr. Bingham, who immediately tendered his cane, then the only instrument of authority, and turned the command over to the new-comer.

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Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 8

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