USA > Indiana > Whitley County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 13
USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 13
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105
The following tracts of land were among the first that were entered within the present limits of Cleveland Township, although many of the owners did not settle at the time of entry of the lands :
NAMES.
Section.
Town.
Raneg.
Acres.
Hundreds
Description.
Time of Entry.
John Delafield.
1
30
8
160
79
N. E.
Oct. 19, 1835.
John Delafield.
...
1
30
8
91
40
N. part N. W
Oct, 19, 1835.
Abram Halderman ..
2
30
8
79
37
N. E., N. E. Fr. Lot. Oct. 12, 1835.
John S. Barry.
2
30
8
12
20
N. W. Fr. N. W. }
..
Oct. 12, 1835.
Lewis Sineas ..
2
30
8
147
16
N. W.
Oct. 12, 1835. ..
John Delafield.
2
30
8
144
24
W part N. E. 4
Oct. 19, 1835.
William Harper
2
30
8
80
S. J S. W.
Aug. 21,1835.
Stephen Reaves
3
30
8
40
S. E., S. W
May 16, 1835.
Stephen Reaves.
4
30
8
98
95
Fractional Section
May 16, 1835.
Henry S. Gobin.
4
30
8
148
84
N. E.
Oct. 15, 1835.
David Reed.
4
30
8
155
34
N. W
Oct. 15, 1835.
David Reed.
4
30
8
128
54
S. W
Oct. 15, 1835.
Levi Beardsley
5
30
8
313
84
W. 3
Oct. 15, 1835.
Joseph Dickey.
6
30
8
160
S. E. Oct. 16, 1835.
Oct. 16, 1835.
Morse C. Wood.
7
30
8
90
51
N. E. Fractional
Dec. 6, 1834.
Alexander Grimes
8
30
8
80
W. J S. W.
Oct. 12, 1835.
Daniel Lesley.
9
30
8
80
W. +N. W
Aug. 31, 1835.
Samuel Obenchain ...
9
30
8
160
N. E.
June 12, 1835.
Benj. H. Cleveland ..
9
30
8
80
N. & S. W
July 10, 1835.
Robert Grimes.
29
30
8
320
N. A.
Oct. 13, 1835.
George Sickafoose ...
35
30
8
160
S. E. ₺.
June 3, 1836.
Allen Halderman
6
30
8
185
68
s. 1
...
As has been stated before, the first session of the County Commissioners was held at the house of Joseph Parrett, Jr. ; the members of the board were Otto W. Gandy, Nathaniel Gradeless and Joseph Parrett, Jr. Gandy was chosen President of the board, and John Collins was appointed County Treas- urer. At a subsequent meeting, the township was divided into two road dis- tricts ; all that portion south of Eel River constituted Road District No. 1. Charles Chipman was appointed Supervisor. All that portion of the town- ship north of the river constituted District No. 2, John Parrett, Super-
125
CLEVELAND TOWNSHIP.
visor. The principal road at that time led from Huntington to Goshen, a distance of abouty sixty-five miles. The majority of the other roads had been made for the convenience of the people and did not follow any direct line or section, so that the work of the Supervisor was an arduous one. The paths and traces were mere starting points. Soon after, trees were blazed, roads widened, creeks bridged and the low ground either " brushed" or poled. About the year 1840, one passable road led from South Whitley to Columbia City, one to where now stands Liberty Mills, Wabash County, and two running north and south in the east and west parts of the township, in addition to the Huntington & Goshen road.
The Detroit, Eel River & Illinois Railroad was surveyed through the town- ship in 1865-66, and completed in the fall of 1870. The road is now known as the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad. The road enters the southeast part of the township and runs in a southwesterly direction. At the present writ- ing (April, 1882), the New York, St. Louis & Chicago Railroad is completed, and crosses the former at South Whitley, and will be an additional aid to the county and to shippers.
The first cemetery is located west of South Whitley one-fourth of a mile. It was originally used as a family burial-place, in which Henry Parrett was the first person laid to rest-August, 1845. At this spot, soon after, others were interred, and it was soon known as the South Whitley Cemetery. It is rather a beautiful spot of ground, containing about four acres, and there are numerous neat monuments standing here and there at the graves of the loved and dead. The other cemetery, just west of the South Whitley Cemetery and adjoining it, was also used as a family burial- place, until, after a few remains were deposited there, the people around Collamer began to use it as a last rest- ing-place for their dead. It contains about three acres, and is similar to the other. John Collins' body was the first deposited in this cemetery-buried in the year 1845, as far as known. The Cleveland Cemetery was started in much the same way, and Horace Cleveland's was the first body deposited within its limits, about the year 1840. The first person who died within the limits of the township was Roxina Chaplin, September, 1836, and was buried on the Myers farm, formerly owned by James Chaplin, her father. The first birth was Byron ,Chaplin, born April, 1836.
The settlers had but little trouble from the Indians, as their villages were located near the line in Huntington County on the south, and near the present village of Coesse, on the southeast. They were great beggars, and often vis- ited the homes of the settlers in order to get something to eat. From the great abundance of game in the country the Indians derived their supplies, when not . too lazy to pursue or take it. The whites seemed to be more expert in the hunt of game than the average Indian. Indeed, the dusky brave often took lessons from his white brother, and the Clevelands, Martins and Parretts were often more successful than they. In 1844, the Indians-the Miamis and Pottawat-
126
HISTORY OF WHITLEY COUNTY.
omies-were moved beyond the Mississippi River, and the whites were not bothered with them after that date.
As has been stated, the supplies were procured from Turkey Prairie and Fort Wayne, as far as provisions were concerned. But dry goods, groceries and notions were generally purchased at Fort Wayne. In 1839, Henry Parrett erected a humble log house, 18x24 feet, on the west side of State street, near the bridge, South Whitley, and in it he placed a stock of notions which the people would likely need. The stock would probably invoice $100, and was placed on sale in this rude building. Mr. Parrett was succeeded by Arnold & Townsend, who came from Stark County, Ohio, some two years after the store was established. Their stock was probably worth $400, and they did a good business. Soon after the first store was established, Parrett & Cotton started another on the corner of State street. This firm had a good stock of goods for those days, and, after doing a good business and establishing a fair patron- age, the firm sold out to Edwards & Cotton, the value of their stock being about $1,200.
About the year 1841, William Parrett erected a saw-mill on the farm now owned by Nathan Witzell. It was of the most rude structure, with but little iron or steel, save only the saw and a few cogs on a wheel. This mill was kept running constantly when the season would admit, and aided the people very much in getting building material. The saw was of the " up-and-down " char- acter, and some say that the head sawyer could start the saw on a log and then go to the woods and cut and haul another before the saw would get through the log. It continued to run until the year 1870. Another mill of ancient date, and the second saw-mill built in the township, was erected by Milton Grimes and David Clapp, about the year 1842, one mile southeast of South Whitley, and was not so rude in appearance. It did good work in its day, but the circular saw of " finger fame " superseded it, and, after changing hands a few times, ceased to run in the year of 1872. These mills in their time aided the settlers very much in preparing Inmber for building purposes, and lightened their labors very materially. The roofing, flooring and furnishing material all had to be hewed and cut from the forest by the ax. The "bee," or raising, in those days was an important event. One party, for which the Clevelands, Parretts and Collinses were noted, generally cut the trees into proper lengths ; others, no less . generous, prepared the boards for the roof; and others would hew the puncheons for the floor. The material all on the ground, the first thing to be done was to . select the four " corner-men," whose business it was to notch the logs and assist in putting them in place; the rest of the company did the lifting. In numer- ous instances, when the building or cabin was finished, the event was generally celebrated with a " break-down" or dance, with " a little liquor." These exer- cises were generally full of spirit and fun.
Going to mill in early days was quite an undertaking with the pioneer. The time required was often two or three days, and frequently performed on
127
CLEVELAND TOWNSHIP.
horseback. It was a tedious way of transporting grain to the mill, and the father was often anxiously waited for by the family at home, sometimes suf- fering from the scarcity of flour or corn-meal. The first grist-mill that was built in the vicinity of this township is located at Collamer's. It was erected by Elias Miller about the year 1845. It is large and commodious, propelled by a magnificent water-power, and is in excellent running order at the present writing. For the time being, the people were relieved from their long journeys to the mill. The next grist-mill in the township was built, in South Whitley, in 1851. It was commenced by W. W. Arnold and S. A. Shively in 1848, and completed, by Jesse Arnold, at the time indicated above. It is said to be one of the best mills in the State. It has four run of buhrs, new and improved machinery and a grinding capacity of 240 bushels per day. The mill is now run by J. Arnold & Co., and does the principal business of the county. It has a magnificent water-power, made powerful by a dam thrown across Eel River, which furnishes abundance of water during the entire year. In fact, Eel River is one of the best streams of water for power in the State. While other streams run low at certain seasons of the year, this river always furnishes a sufficient supply.
In 1841, or near that time, H. S. Parrett erected an ashery on the south side of Eel River and east of the iron bridge at the foot of State Street, and began the manufacture of what was then called black salts. It was the first process in making saleratus. The process was to get the lye from ashes put in large kettles set in a furnace, and boil until sufficiently reduced to be called black salts. The salts were then put into barrels and conveyed to Columbia City by teams, where the salts were converted into pearls by another process. The process was to put the black salts into a large oven, and, by a hot fire, scorch them until they became partly white, when they were then put into a large trough of clean water; from thence into a settling trough; then drawn off into clean kettles and boiled until they became pure white salts. They were transferred to an oven, and, by a heating process, became pearl ash. It was then put into a tight room, made for the purpose, refined and carbonized, and became saleratus. In 1848, the ashery was transferred to C. S. Lawton, who added the last processes to the manufacture. He continued the business for ten years, shipping large quantities to various towns in Northern Indiana. Many of the old settlers remember his brand used upon his packages, and the journeys they took in marketing the commodity.
The wedding was an attractive event of pioneer life, and was celebrated. generally at the home of the bride, she choosing the officiating clergyman. The wedding engaged the entire attention of the neighborhood ; there was but little distinction of rank; old and young participated in the festivities of the occasion ; the groom's friends went to the wedding usually from his home on horseback or on foot; after the ceremony the supper was served, then the dance, or some other amusement, continued until a late hour; soon after dark,
128
HISTORY OF WHITLEY COUNTY.
came the party to make the night hideous with guns, bells, horns, tin pans, and whatever else was at their command ; if the party was invited to come in, or received some cake, pie or something stronger, the belling ceased ; if not, the noise continued until the party became wearied. This custom often resulted in serious accidents, and is now nearly gone into disuse. The first marriage of which there is any record took place December 27, 1838, between Isaac H. Collins and Nancy Cuppy. The next marriage was between John Cuppy and Nancy Hale, February 8, 1839, a Justice of the Peace officiating. The third marriage occurred on September 16, 1839, between A. Rombo and Margaret Collins, a Justice of the Peace officiating. The bride and groom usually went to the home of the groom the day after the wedding. This was called the infair, and with about the same festivities as the previous day. In those days the young married couple did not go on a wedding tour to Niagara Falls, New York or Chicago, but quietly settled down and engaged earnestly in the various pursuits of life. Frugality, economy and industry were the leading characteristics of the average pioneer family.
The facilities for acquiring education were limited and the accommoda- tions were of the most rude character. In pioneer days, the school master was looked upon with a good degree of veneration, and although similar to the rural surroundings he was the principal man among the people. The only period of the school term that the pupils lost their respect for the schoolmaster was when he refused to treat them ; he was sure to " be barred out," or have his face washed in the snow or stream of water near by. In this sport the heads of families took especial delight, and even encouraged their children to exact the " treat " from the master. In 1837-38, David Parrett taught the first school in the vicinity of South Whitley. He taught in the log cabin which stood near and below the iron bridge which now spans Eel River. He taught in the summer time and had not to exceed ten pupils in attendance; the school usually lasted from three to four months in the year and was sustained by subscription ; the length of the term, of course, was contingent on the pioneer's pocket-book or funds. This first schoolhouse had but one desk on which the scholars could write, and it was a long slab hewed as nicely as possi- ble, and was sustained by two or three pins driven into the wall some three feet from the floor ; rude benches completed the rest of the school furniture, which, at the present day, would not even be allowed in the school room; the books were Cobb's and McGuffee's readers, the Testament, Smith's and Pike's arithmetics, Webster's spelling-book and Parley's geography. Mr. Parrett was succeeded in the school-work by Miss Elma Thompson, she by Sarah Sluves.
In the year 1851, David Decker taught a subscription school in what is now known as District No. 7. The log schoolhouse was still in existence, and the attendance had increased from ten to about twenty-five. This schoolhouse has long since disappeared, and the third now stands by where the old one stood years ago. The old play-ground, with its extended woodland surround-
Elijah Merriman 1.2, CLEVELAND TP.
131
CLEVELAND TOWNSHIP.
ings, has been circumscribed to the usual modern limits; the once familiar paths traveled by the young hopefuls have been obliterated, and not a few of the feet that passed over them have grown weary and passed from earth.
In 1853, there was a change in the school system of the State, and a school fund began to be realized, so that in addition to the subscription fund, schools were maintained from three to six months in the year. At the present time, there are thirteen districts in this township, in which are erected brick
and frame schoolhouses. The apparatus is valued at about $2,000, the school fund of all kinds aggregates $3,421.37, and the children of proper ages enumerate 781. The average length of school term for the year is seven months, and sustained by public money.
The following are the schoolhouses, number of districts, together with their cost, etc. :
District No. 1, frame, cost $600; District No. 2, located in South Whit- ley, brick, cost $6,000, three teachers; District No. 3, located in Collamer, brick, cost $2,000, two teachers ; District No. 4, brick, cost $1,200; District No. 5, brick, cost $1,200 ; District No. 6, brick, cost $1,200; District No. 7, brick, cost $800; District No. 8, frame, cost $600; District No. 9, frame, cost $550; District No. 10, frame, cost $550; District No. 11, brick, cost $1,200; District No. 12, frame, cost $550; District No. 13, frame, cost $550. Dr. Merriman, the Trustee just gone out of office, was a worthy and efficient school officer, labored unceasingly to bring up the schools of the township to a high standard, and also to put the township out of debt.
Among the first ministers to labor in the section were Revs. Martin B. Goodrich, Simon Smith and Rev. Bodley. The first protracted meeting was held at the house of Andrew Sickafoose, owned then by William Parrett; the meeting was conducted by C. W. Miller. The members of the first class at South Whitley were as follows : Joseph Parrett, Jr., and wife, John D. Par- rett and wife, William D. Parrett and wife, David Parrett and A. Parrett and wife. The class was formed about the year 1839. In those days there were no costly houses of worship; but the private homes of the settlers and the groves were " God's first temples." The ministers often went from place to place, and met from ten to twelve persons at an appointment; they preached the Gospel in its purity and simplicity ; they traveled on horseback and on foot to meet their appointments, and their salary at any one place did not exceed $5. The first funeral preached was Mrs. Roxina Chaplin's, who died in Sep- tember, 1836.
Records of the churches are so incomplete that we are unable to give the date of organization or membership complete. Houses of worship, with the denomination, are as follows : M. E. Church, South Whitley ; Baptist Church, South Whitley ; Christian Church, Collamer; Union Christian, Fairview ; West Bethel M. E .; Sickafoose United Brethren ; County Line Lutheran. There are now seven churches with a membership of nearly five hundred.
G
132
HISTORY OF WHITLEY COUNTY.
The Lutheran Church, built in the southeastern part of the township in the latter part of the year 1839, was probably the first church edifice erected in this section of the country ; it was built of hewn logs and principally by its first pastor, James Oliver ; this good man could not only administer to the spiritual wants of his flock, but labored in many other ways to develop the country. The church was organized in 1840, with a membership of about ten persons. Mr. Oliver continued to be its pastor for two years.
An election was held at the house of Lewis Kinsey, May 19, 1838, for Jus- tice of the Peace. The electors present were Lewis Kinsey, John D. Parrett, Anderson D. Parrett, S. A. Chaplin, Aaron Collins, Peter Creager, Charles Chapman, Samuel and Henry Swihart and John Collins. As has been stated, Henry Swihart and Aaron M. Collins were chosen Justices of the Peace. An election was subsequently held at the same place, April 6, 1838; at this elec- tion, State Senator, Representative, Sheriff, Probate Judge, School Commis- sioner and Coroner were chosen. The electors present were Moses P. Chaplin, W. D. Parrett, John Collins, Palmer Cleveland, Joseph Parrett, Jr., Aaron M. Collins, Jesse Cleveland, John D. Parrett, Samuel Cuppy, D. D. Parrett, Adam Creager, Benjamin Cleveland, Thomas Cleveland, Elias Parrett, Henry Swihart, John H. Alexander, S. A. Chaplin and Abner T. McQuigg. Charles Chapman, A. T. McQuigg, Clerks ; S. A. Chaplin, Inspector, and John Col- lins, W. D. Parrett, Judges.
In Cleveland Township, there are two voting precincts, South Whitley and Collamer. At the Presidential election held in November, 1881, there were 554 votes polled ; at the April election, 1882, there were 475 votes.
South Whitley, originally Springfield, was laid out in the fall of 1838, and is the oldest town in the county. The name has never been legally changed from Springfield to South Whitley, although frequent attempts have been made to do so. The name of the first post office is South Whitley, hence the name. The town was surveyed and laid out by Joseph Parrett, who owned the land, Section 4, Town 38, Range 8 east. The original plat contained ten lots, and since then additions have been made by D. D. and A. D. Parrett and Vants & Edwards. The town is situated on the south side of Eel River and at the junction of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad, and the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad. Eel River, the northern boundary, runs in a westerly direction and furnishes abundant water-power for all kinds of ma- chinery. The town is nine miles southwest from Columbia City, and contains about six hundred inhabitants. The Pacific express furnishes mail twice a day, and S. Robbins is the obliging Postmaster. The first Postmaster was D. D. Parrett.
The town is located on an elevated portion of ground, with a beautiful country surrounding it, and, in fact, is the oldest town in the county. The merchants and business men are accommodating and enjoy a good trade. The first hotel, built of hewn logs in 1837, was a great stopping-place ; its genial landlord, John Parrett, was never known to turn anybody away, either rich or
133
CLEVELAND TOWNSHIP.
poor ; the bill of fare consisted of corn bread, potatoes, and almost all the varieties of wild game. It changed hands several times. Other places of en- tertainment were built as the changes of time demanded. There are two ho- tels at present, one kept by Samuel Sickafoose and the other by William Dunlap.
Among the business men who may be mentioned are the following: John Ar- nold & Co .. proprietors of the flour-mill and bankers ; this firm shipped last year about 15,000 bushels of wheat, 10,000 bushels of corn, 8,000 bushels of oats and 2,000 bushels of flax seed ; they pay the highest market price in cash for all kinds of grain. The bank was organized more as an auxiliary to their in- creasing business than for general banking purposes. The capital aggregates $10,000; deposits are received and money loaned ; it organized in the sum- mer of 1875. Edwards & Cotton, dry goods, do a business of perhaps $150,- 000 annually ; this firm buys and ships grain of all kinds. Merriman & Rob- bins, druggists, do an extensive business, amounting to over $10,000 annually ; the stock is well selected and amounts to over $4,000 ; the firm keep first-class goods, pure drugs, paints, oils, notions, etc. S. Weimer & Co. keep clothing, notions, etc. Grimes & Stults, dry goods ; Wyatt Borton, dry goods ; Thomas J. Cuppy, agricultural implements, and Remington & Co., the same. In addition to those already mentioned, there are four groceries, two boot and shoe stores, one drug store, two millinery stores, one furniture store, one meat market, one wagon-shop, two blacksmith-shops, one planing-mill, one stave fac- tory, one harness-shop, one saw-mill and two saloons. South Whitley also has five physicians and one lawyer.
The secret orders are well represented in South Whitley. Masonic, known as Eel River Lodge, No. 510, was organized originally at Liberty Mills, Wabash County, October 13, 1874. The lodge had the following officers : Cyrus V. N. Lent, Worshipful Master; Lewis J. Long, Senior Warden; George B. Bender, Junior Warden; Robert Carson, Treasurer ; Thomas W. Piper, Sec- retary ; Joseph Cave, Senior Deacon ; Peter Runkle, Junior Deacon ; T. A. Wheeler, Tiler, and E. S. Baugher and H. Phillips, Stewards. In order to better accommodate the members, the lodge was removed to South Whitley, October 4, 1879, and is now located in John Arnold's Hall. The following names appear on the records of the lodge who have either been members or are at. present : C. V. Lent, Lewis J. Long, John Simonton, Robert Carson, Henry H. Phillips, T. A. Wheeler, M. K. Martin, Peter Runkle, W. S. Beigle, Joseph L. Cave, G. W. Bender, Washington Messmore, John Fisher, E. Baugher, Wyatt Turner, Charles D. Moe, W. A. Danner, S. M. Mc- Cutcheon, John W. Perry, O. P. Stewart, A. Ross, J. M. Stults, E. L. Eber- hard, S. Weimer, Richard Shenifield and H. Cole. The following officers gov- ern the lodge during 1882: O. P. Stewart, W. M .; Alfred Ross, S. W .; W. S. Beigle, J. W .; J. M. Stults, Treasurer; E. L. Eberhard, Secretary ; S. Weimer, S. D .; Richard Shenifield, J. D .; H. Cole, Tiler. The lodge is in a prosperous condition and many of the best citizens are members of it.
Springfield Lodge, I. O. O. F., was organized November 15, 1859, at
134
HISTORY OF WHITLEY COUNTY.
which time a charter was granted by Grand Master A. H. Matthes. The lodge is located in a building formerly owned by Obadiah Carper, which has since burned down, about the year 1877. The following members were in- cluded in the charter : Dr. Elijah Merriman, Obadiah Carper, Daniel Nave, George H. Winters, A. T. Bitner, O. P. Koonts, Aaron Metz and S. B. Koonts. Dr. Elijah Merriman was the first Noble Grand; Daniel Nave, Vice Grand, and A. T. Bitner, Permanent Secretary. The lodge is pleasantly located in the hall which it owns, and at the present time is without debt. The present officers are : S. W. Doll, Noble Grand ; Enos Stanley, Vice Grand ; Martin R. Clapp, Permanent Secretary ; M. Pinkham, Recording Secretary ; S. B. Foster, Treasurer. The order has a substantial membership composed of a number of the best citizens.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.