Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 21

Author: Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: 428, 502 p. : ill., ports. ;
Number of Pages: 962

USA > Indiana > Whitley County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 21
USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 21

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).

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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.

The second on the list of Jefferson Township pioneers is Patrick Clark, of Irish nativity, who settled on what was afterward the Illinois road, in the spring of 1839. It is well known that, since St. Patrick's Day, frogs and snakes have been unknown in Ireland, and a little incident which this fact ex- plains is related of Mr. Clark. When moving West after his arrival in this country, he passed by a pond where a chorus of frogs were "singing," and he stopped to get "some of those young ducks," as he supposed them to be. He continued his efforts till a man came along who gave him a short lesson in natural history.

It is to be regretted that the names and experiences of all the old settlers cannot be given with greater accuracy and detail, but the following list con- tains the names, so far as obtainable, of those who arrived previous to the or- ganization of the township in the spring of 1845: Moses Fairchild, Patrick Clark, Nathan Decker, Jonathan Chadeayne, Israel Poinset, Anthony Poinset, William Phelps, James Blee, Thomas Blee, William Blee, Latham Blee, Absa- lom Bayless, Thomas McGlaughlin, Robert Gage, M. C. Crowel, L. S. Mar- ing, .Clement Dearing, H. C. Crowel, Chancey Hadley, Benjamin F. Davis, John Chandler, John McTaggart, James McDorman, James Kincaid, Daniel Barcus, Hiram H. Clark. Nathan Decker was a Nimrod, and better known as Hunter Decker. It is said that he died in the late war, in which he and one son wore the gray, while two of his sons fought under the stars and stripes in that struggle. Jonathan Chadeayne was a blacksmith, and erected the first forge in the township. The township was now growing steadily, many locat- ing in the western part, at the Maring settlement. There were six families here in 1845, and in 1847 it had increased to eleven.

Many were the hardships and privations endured by the people of those early days, but nearly every old settler will assert that they experienced more true enjoyment and neighborly kindness than in these latter times. Their intercourse was characterized by a mutual flow of kindly feeling and a gener- ous spirit of equality, and they were always ready to render any assistance necessary. When a new settler arrived, word was passed around, and, on the day appointed, willing hands raised the cabin into which he probably moved before the floor was laid or the fire-place built. When he was ready for a roll- ing, the neighbors would gather in, some with their ox-teams, and before night the logs would be in heaps ready for burning. These were always merry times, and when the work was done, "sleights of art and feats of strength went round." Sometimes the women would come, too, ready for a quilting bee, and often a hard day's work would be succeeded by a night spent in "jest and youthful jollity." It is said that sometimes, when no fiddler could be procured, they would "trip the light fantastic toe" to the music of a jewsharp.

"Sports like these,

With sweet succession, taught e'en toil to please."

Money was scarce and many stories could be told of great sacrifices made to obtain the necessaries of life. Once Mr. Clark killed one of his oxen, and

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HISTORY OF WHITLEY COUNTY.

with the proceeds of the hide and part of the meat bought shoes for his family. Mr. Henry Crowel at one time sold every animal on the place to make a pay- ment on his land. The spinning wheel and loom produced most of the cloth- ing for the family, and the mothers were often alone in the woods for several days while their husbands were gone to mill. Game of all kinds was very plenty, and in the spoils of the hunt and chase the pioneers found a large share of their support, while the wild honey, of which there was an abundance, added a luxury to their homely fare. Once the people at the Maring settle- ment were out of meat, and Robert Bell, who was a great hunter, was detailed to kill a deer. In the evening, he made his way to a pond nearly a mile away, where the deer often gathered, and soon the report of his rifle told of his suc- cess. One of the men went to the place, but as it was now quite dark there was great probability of their getting lost unless they had some guidance. This was given by Mrs. Philip Maring, who kept blowing a conch shell until the men came, one carrying the deer and the other the gun. Mr. Bell is the hero of a wolf story, which, though not very thrilling, is perhaps worth relating, and runs as follows : He was roaming through the woods with his gun one day, when he found a hollow log, in which he discovered some young wolves. They were about forty feet from the end, but in he crawled, at the risk of a flank attack from the older members of the family, took them out and carried them home. This brings to mind Gen. Putnam's famous exploit, the only material difference being in the age of the wolves.

In those days, the roads or trails were so obscure that they were easily lost, and many a belated traveler has made his bed by the side of a tree while the savage howls about him made the situation far from pleasant. Latham Blee started home from Columbia City one evening, in the early days of the settle- ment, but morning found him in the top of a tree where he had remained all night, not wishing a closer acquaintance with the wolves below him.

Moses Fairchild and Patrick Clark attended a convention at the county seat one time, and, starting home as it drew near sunset, found darkness upon them before they had gone many miles. After they separated to go different routes, so happened that they both became lost. Mr. Fairchild finally tied his horse to a sapling and lay down beside a tree to wait for coming day. When dawn did arrive and reveal his situation, he found himself not quite a half mile from home. Among the many similar incidents that might be related is one in which Mrs. Davis was the principal actor. It was in the fall of 1847, and the shades of evening found her at a neighbor's house not very far from home. She started home through the woods, but soon became bewildered, and, after wan- dering through the swamps and bushes, struck the old Raccoon road. This she blindly followed northward, and a little before midnight found herself shoeless, with bleeding feet and torn clothing, at Michael Crowel's, on the Illinois road, seven miles from home. She was so bewildered and nearly prostrated with fright and fatigue, that she did not go to the house, but sat on the fence some

James Broxon JEFFERSON TP.

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distance away, screaming for help. It is said that Mr. Crowel thought at first it was a panther he heard, but in a few minutes he investigated the matter and took her to the house. Meanwhile, her neighbors had been aroused, and men with torches were searching in every direction. At last one party found her tracks, which they followed, finding on the way her lost shoes. When morning came, she rode home on horseback behind one of the men.

Going to market was no pleasant task, as the roads were but wagon tracks winding through the woods, and the streams all had to be forded. Most of the people went to Fort Wayne for their milling, and would often have to wait a day or two for their turn, and in coming home would, perhaps, camp out two or three days until the subsidence of a swollen stream would enable them to cross. Many amusing incidents could be related of trips of this kind, and the times they often had in fording. Sometimes they would plunge through, with cattle partly swimming and wagon and grist completely under water. Once, under such circumstances, a man was crossing a ford with a jug in the bottom of the wagon, and when he reached the middle of the creek, it rose with the water and floated off down stream.

One of the Indian trails passed close to Mr. Fairchild's cabin, and these dusky denizens of the forest often visited his house to beg a little salt or meal, or borrow a kettle for their cooking. He always treated them kindly, and in return they would often bring him fish or a piece of venison, and they some- times stored their hides at his house until they were sold. John McGlaughlin tells an amusing story, to which we will give a place here. When a boy, he was going along an Indian trail one day, with a man by the name of Ford. Ford thought he would have a little fun at the expense of a party of redskins, which he knew would pass soon, so he tied some of the bushes together across the narrow path, and then they hid to await developments. Soon a party of half-drunken Indians came along on full gallop, and when they came to the place mentioned the ponies went under, but the riders did not. The reader can easily imagine the scene that followed. Some were seriously hurt ; but the perpetrators offered no assistance, and it was some time before they dared to leave their hiding-place. The Indians were frequent visitors at the cabins of nearly all the early settlers, but were rarely known to steal, and soon left the hunting grounds, where they had roamed so long, to the desecration of the ax and plow.

Raccoon Village is prominently identified with the history of the township, and here deserves more than a passing notice. Its history under the Indian occupation will be found elsewhere, and to the older citizens of that part of the country it is associated with many pleasing memories. It was located in the southeast corner of the township, on the north bank of the Wabash Canal, and originally consisted of a brick house with two rooms and a number of log cabins, all erected by the Government for the occupation of the Indians. The place was named after the chief, Raccoon, who occupied the brick house referred to,

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HISTORY OF WHITLEY COUNTY.

and who, it is said, now quietly sleeps on the top of the neighboring hill, over- looking the spot where he once held kingly sway. After the advent of the whites, the land was sold, the brick house passing into the hands of Jesse Ver- milyea. By him it was rented to different parties, Thomas McGlaughlin being an occupant in 1843. It was built squarely on the county line, one room being in Whitley and the other in Allen County. A legend, having a mythical flavor, but worthy of note, runs to the effect that once, about forty years ago, a Justice of the Peace, holding a commission in Allen County, commenced a marriage ceremony in the west room. During the progress of the ceremony, it was ob- served that he had no jurisdiction there, so the party adjourned to the east room, in Allen County, where the matrimonial knot was legally tied. When the canal was built, this place became a landing, to which the farmers hauled their produce for shipment, and spring usually found immense piles of logs and wood here, ready for transportation. The canal, too, has saved many an em- igrant from the east a toilsome journey overland; and, in the winter, when the ice was thick, it was well improved by people wishing to go to Fort Wayne. This was a favorite resort for idlers, and here, on a pleasant Sunday in summer, a crowd of men and boys would generally be found, smoking, discussing the topics of the day, watching the deer on the prairie to the south, or waiting for a packet boat to glide by. But these are all now among the things that were. The last canal-boat left the place in 1879, and "stern ruin's plowshare " has obliterated every trace of the historic village.

Mention may be made here of the fact that the remains of a huge mas- todon were exhumed a few years ago, while a marsh was being ditched. Portions of these now grace the shelves of various museums in the country, and one of the massive teeth is in the possession of W. M. Gillespie, of Jefferson Town- ship.

In the spring of 1845, the citizens petitioned the Board of Commissioners to organize the township for civil purposes. There was some debate as to the name by which it should be christened, some wanting it called Polk Township, others favoring 'Jefferson.'" The names Raccoon and Fairfield were also proposed. There was no name mentioned in the petition, however, and when it was presented to Chancey Hadley for his signature, he wrote "Jefferson Township " on the outside. This name the Commissioners adopted, and ordered " that the citizens of said township meet at the dwelling house of Michael C. Crowel, in the said township, on the first Monday in April, 1845, then and there to open and close an election according to law, and elect one Justice of the Peace, and all township officers that the law requires ; that Michael C. Crowel be inspector of said election, and that they do their civil business in the name and style of 'Jefferson Township.'" Pursuant to the above, ten voters met at Mr. Crowel's April 7, 1845, and set running the political machinery of the township. For Justice of the Peace, Leonard S. Maring received nine

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votes, and Jonathan Chadeayne, one vote. Latham Blee was elected one of the Board of Trustees, but the names of the other officers could not be learned.

In the earlier days of the township, Lot Bayless' mill in Allen County supplied most of the settlers with the little lumber required, but as time rolled on, the great wealth of large timber here gave rise to numerous saw-mills, som of which have since been moved away. The first saw-mill was built by Daniel German, on the Illinois road, and was set running in 1852. In its erection the people of the township assisted largely, taking their pay in sawing. In the course of a few years, it was moved a short distance eastward, and in 1876 was purchased by Robbins & Frantz. In 1881, it was torn down and some of it is- now a part of the Robbins Mill in the southern part of the township, owned by the above mentioned firm. The second saw-mill was built by Bayless & Bro., in 1856, on the Liberty Mills road. The next year, a " corn cracker " was added, which continued in operation until 1860, when the mill was burned. It was- immediately rebuilt, and again burned in 1869. It was again rebuilt, and in 1876 was removed to Michigan. The Dustman Mill was built in 1866, by Black, Dustman & Co. It was erected at a cost of $5,500, and was the first circular saw-mill in the township. It has changed hands several times, and is now owned by Thrasher & Jerome. In 1867, a shingle factory was built at the" present site of Forest, by Miller & Baker. In 1871, a stave machine was added, which was sold in 1876, and the building considerably enlarged to make room for planing machinery. It has run as a planing mill and shingle fac- tory ever since. The Crowel mill was put up, in 1873, by Sowers & Morrolf, at a cost of about $2,000. In 1875, Oliver Crowel purchased an interest, and later secured the entire property, which he still owns. In 1876, Young & Metzler erected a saw-mill at Forest, at a cost of $3,000. It has changed hands several times, and is now owned by Young & Co. The next year, a flouring-mill was put in operation in connection with the saw-mill. It was built by Young & Richards, at a cost of $2,500. Later the firm became Young & Long, and in 1882, R. L. Pence purchased Long's interest. It has two sets of buhrs, and a capacity of 150 bushels per day.

A generation ago, when the people of Indiana were struggling to clear up their farms and at the same time keep the wolf from the door, the educa- tional advantages enjoyed by the children were few and meager. The educa- tion they did secure was principally acquired during a two or three months' winter term of school in a house which corresponded in every way to the order of things in that early day, and in the case of the stronger minded youth was often dug out at home by the hickory bark or tallow candle. Yet these dis- advantages were largely balanced by the strength of mind and self-reliance that they tended to impart, and it was under such circumstances that a large number of the eminent men of to-day acquired their early education.

In 1844, Benjamin F. Davis and John Chandler, his brother-in-law, set- tled on the southeast quarter Section 23, and erected a double cabin, Davis -

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HISTORY OF WHITLEY COUNTY.

occupying one room and Chandler the other. Mr. Davis and his wife were both well educated, and here (in the spring of 1845), in the one room occupied by the family, Mrs. Davis taught the first school of Jefferson Township. She was paid by subscription and had a school of about seventeen small scholars.

In the fall of 1845, the first schoolhouse was erected on the banks of Big Indian Creek, on the Liberty Mills road, about one-quarter of a mile from the Broxon Corners. It was a rude log affair, about 18x20 feet, with a large fire- place and stick chimney, and, like all the country schoolhouses of that day, had slab benches with no backs; one long, horizontal window on each side admitted the light; and here, the following winter, James T. Bayless swung the birch over the young ideas of the neighborhod. One of the pupils was a youth of about seventeen, who had never been to school, and he started the first day impressed with the idea that he was going to learn "a," but as to the nature of the mysterious "a " he was entirely in the dark, probably supposing it to be a matter of considerable importance. When the teacher came around to investigate the extent of his literary progress, the following dialogue took place : " Charley, what is that ?" "Well, now, you're ahead of me there, Jim !" "That is 'a.'" "Jewhillikers ! Jim, is that 'a ?'" said the astonished boy. The spring term of the Indian Creek school was taught by Mary Phelps. Frederick Fulk taught the third term, and Mary Phelps again the next sum- mer.

In the fall of 1847, a schoolhouse, similar to the above described, was built at the Maring Corners, in the western part of the township. Here William Bell was installed master and taught a school of twenty-five pupils the mysteries of the three R's, having but one scholar who had advanced to the study of grammar and geography. Jane Miller taught the next spring, and William Bell again the following winter. Some rousing times were experienced at the numerous debates, spelling-schools and meetings held here, and to which the people went on foot or in ox-carts, or often the young gallant and his girl would ride one horse, which custom has been superseded by the new-fangled ways of to-day. In 1847, the first division of the township was made, it being divided equally into four districts.

Immediately in the wake of the tide of immigration followed those early circuit riders and ministers of nearly every denomination, who held services at the log schoolhouses, or at the cabins of the settlers, or often assembled their congregations in one of "God's first temples," and who sought out and united in spirit the scattered members of their churches wherever they could be found. The first preaching of which any definite knowledge can be obtained was in 1846, by Zachary Garrison, who held services at Zephaniah Bell's and also at William Davenport's. Part of the time, he was assisted in his labors by Mr. Worth. Zephaniah Bell also preached some about this time, and others, of whose work nothing can be learned. Methodism here as elsewhere has been a little mercurial in its progress, there having been three organizations at dif-

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ferent times, and at present but one. The first Methodist minister who held services in the township was probably Milton Haun, who commenced preaching at the Indian Creek schoolhouse in the spring of 1849. The next summer, a class was organized, which was the first religious organization in the township. Daniel Barry was appointed class leader, which office he has filled to the present day. In the fall of 1849, Haun was succeeded by James Elrod, who held services here monthly for one year. He also preached at the Maring schoolhouse, where a class was organized about this time, and probably by Elrod, but which broke down after a few years. For obvious reasons he called this place Sodom, by which name Forest is known unto this day. One Sunday, some of the boys took their fiddles to church, with which they entertained the congregation till the preacher came, and after meeting indulged in a game of jumping, at which it is said the minister himself tried his skill. Elrod was followed by Rev. Perkins, J. Dean, S. W. Camp, A. Nichols, H. Woolpert, B. F. Armstrong, E. M. Baker, W. E. Curtis, T. J. Shackelford and others. In the earlier days of the Indian Creek Church, it belonged to the Huntington Circuit, but was shortly after changed to the Roanoke Circuit, to which it belonged until 1870, when it became a part of the Arcola Circuit, of which J. C. Maclin had charge. In 1870, Maclin organized a class in the northern part of the township, which was kept up for five or six years, and then consoli- dated with the older church. The Methodists have never built a house of wor- ship, but for a good many years have held bi-monthly services at the Town House. In 1879, this church enrolled fifty members, and now has but eighteen. In 1882, it was united with the Kelseyville Circuit. The first Catholic services were held at Mr. Hine's by Father Fowler, of Fort Wayne, at quite an early day. Chapel exercises have been held monthly at Mr. Blee's for a number of years. Of those who succeeded Fowler, were Fathers Fox, Shaffey and Harkman.

For a number of years before the organization of the Church of God in this township, David Keplinger, of that denomination, preached irregularly at the Maring Schoolhouse, and, in 1857, he organized a church of twenty mem- bers, at the Brandenburg Schoolhouse. He was followed by Rev. Slyter. F. Comp and John Andrews. In 1869, this church completed the Evergreen Bethel house of worship, which is still in use, and was the first church building in the township. It was built at a cost of $1,500, and was dedicated by R. H. Bolton. The Christian or Disciples denomination at present has two prosperous organizations in the township, with good buildings. The first preaching was by G. B. Mullis, of Logansport, on the first Sunday in June, 1855. August 2, 1858, a church of twenty-two members was organized at the Indian Creek Schoolhouse, by William Dowling. The first officers were Elders, Samuel Bra- den and James Broxon ; Deacons, William Jeffries and Daniel Swisher. In 1874, the building in present use was built at a cost of $1,500, and dedicated by L. L. Carpenter, of Wabash. Since its organization, the church has enrolled

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HISTORY OF WHITLEY COUNTY.

164 members, and now has a membership of forty-four. Following is a list of the preachers who have ministered to the spiritual wants of this congregation : G. W. Chapman, James Hadsel, William Dowling, Z. W. Shepherd, B. W. Hendryx, A. Walker, C. B. Austin, F. H. McCormack, T. M. Burnau, P. Hasty and O. A. Newton. In 1858, William Dowling preached at the Maring Schoolhouse, and during the same year organized a church of twenty members at that place. He was followed by George Chapman, B. W. Hendryx, Z. W. Shepherd and others. In 1879, the frame building in present use at Forest was completed at a cost of $3,000, and dedicated by M. P. Galleher.

Several secret societies have flourished at different times in this township, ·the first being a Know-Nothing Council, one of the political organizations of that day. It was organized in October, 1854, with about forty members, and continued in operation for about four years, its membership at one time reach- ing nearly one hundred. In January, 1874, the following granges were organ- ized in the township: Fair Oaks Grange, No. 991, with twenty-four charter members; J. C. F. Crowel, W. M. Its most prosperous period was the winter of 1877, and the last meeting was held in the spring of 1881. Sugar Grove Grange, No. 1,075, organized the same day with twenty members. It has since disbanded. Jefferson Grange, No. 1,256, started with fifteen members and continued in operation three years. Forest Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 546, organized May 5, 1877, with the following charter members: Marshall Wright, Francis M. McDonald, Edward B. North, Moses T. Simon, James F. Johnson. During the first three years of its existence, it occupied the room above a drug store, and in the summer of 1880 the present hall was fitted up. Its member- ship is now nineteen.

The postal facilities enjoyed by the people here thirty years ago were in general keeping with the existing order of things, the nearest post offices being Fort Wayne and Roanoke and postage from 15 cents to 25 cents a letter. At last the people began to want some improvement in this respect, and an agi- tation followed which resulted in two post offices being established on the Lib- erty Mills road, and at about the same time. As near as can be learned, this was in 1856. A weekly mail followed for several years, and later became tri- weekly. William T. Jeffries was the first Postmaster at Saturn, and held the position three years. He was succeeded by James T. Bayless and Eli Hatfield, who were followed by James Broxon, who gave the office its name' and who held the office since December, 1867. The first Postmaster at Laud was Thomas Neal. He was succeeded by Christian Bechtel, who handled the mail for about twenty years. In 1880, it was removed to Forest, where M. G. Wright took charge, and was succeeded by Edward Phelps, the present in- . cumbent.

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Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 21

Author: Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: 428, 502 p. : ill., ports. ; Number of Pages: 962

Author: Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: 428, 502 p. : ill., ports. ;
Number of Pages: 962