Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 24

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 24
USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 24

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).

234

HISTORY OF WHITLEY COUNTY.

Honor is due alike to the living and the dead. On the graves of the dead we can yet plant flowers, and water them with our tears, and keep alive sentiments of undying remem- brance in honor of men whose deeds are more deserving of remembrance than were the deeds of thousands of so-called heroes who have been immortalized on the pages of history and em- balmed in the hearts of their kind. They warred with the sword and became heroes, with their weapons stained with blood ; they left devastated fields, ruin, desolation, orphans and broken hearts in their pathway to victory. The dead we honor in many a quiet spot are sleeping their last sleep unknown to fame, unsung by bard, with no graven monument to mark the end of their journey. Yet they were the true heroes ; they were the untitled warriors, whose his- tory (if written) would glisten all over with countless battles fought and victories won. The legacy they have left us is a beautiful land, reclaimed from nature; cultivated fields, reclaimed from out the wood; beautiful meadows, which once were swamps full of reptiles and deadly miasm ; gardens now bloom with fragrant flowers where, forty years ago, the wolf and wild-cat made their home.

We honor the soldier who fights for the right or the salvation of his country, and the great names of such as have assisted in breaking from bleeding hands and limbs the shackles which cruel might had fastened there, or helped unbar the ponderous doors of ignorance, which for ages excluded the light of progress from darkened human minds. They are not forgotten, but in every city, hewn in marble, they stand as way-marks in the progressive journey of man, or look out from the painter's canvas to cheer all who emulate their example, or follow their teaching. They have left such tracery in the sands of time as the storms of centuries shall not obliterate, and the influence of their lives is engraven on the progress of their age.

Let us not forget to honor those whose patient toil and unyielding perseverance wrested from the gloom of a trackless forest, in these solitudes of nature, an empire and dedicated it forever to pursuits of peace and all that makes of home and country a blessing. Every ripple on yonder lake reminds us of their smiles; every rustling leaf, every whisper of the summer winds, stirs within us memories of their kindly words, and honest deeds ; every shadowy wing, song of bird and scent of fragrant flower but a reminder of the olden times when these fields and this shore echoed with footsteps and voices which shall echo no more. Let us care tenderly for the living ; let . us not forget the dead. I give you a sentiment which I know will touch a responsive chord in every heart :

"To the living we will give our smiles and cheers ;

To the dead, our gratitude and tears !"

CHAPTER XIV. BY COLONEL ISAIAH B. McDONALD.

ETNA TOWNSHIP-A GENERAL VIEW OF THE FIRST SETTLEMENT-ORGANIZATION AND OFFICERS-NAMES OF OLD SETTLERS-A SUMMARY OF THE TOWNSHIP'S INDUSTRIAL GROWTH-VILLAGES, SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.

THIS is a small township lying north of Troy, and was originally a part of Washington Township, in Noble County (T. 33 R. 8), and was attached to Whitley County in 1860. It is two miles wide and six miles long, and contains twelve full sections of the finest lands in Northern Indiana. The township was settled in 1834 or 1835. The first settler is hard to account for. We are unable to say who came first. Some think that one Jacob Grumlich, a German, was the first; others think that one Abraham Goble was the first ; while some contend that Robert Scott was the first. These persons are all dead or moved away, hence it is almost impossible to find out who was really

235

ETNA TOWNSHIP.

the first settler in what is known as the " Etna Strip." The first settlers were Robert Scott, Jacob Grumlich, Abraham Goble, John Blain, John Scott. The first birth in the township was a child of Robert Scott, a male child. The first death was a child of Robert Scott, named Jacob Scott. The first female who died in the township was Sarah Elizabeth Long, a daughter of James W. and Catharine Long, 1838. The first wedding was that of Elisha Moore, who came from Clark County, Ohio, and married Nancy Scott in 1837, near what is now Hecla Post Office. The first wedding after the township was set off to Whitley was Adam C. Johnson and Margaret E. Long, in 1860. The more prominent old settlers were Jacob Grumlich, Abraham Goble, Robert Scott, John Scott, John Blain, Alexander Blain, John Scott, James W. Long. John Blain and his wife, Elizabeth Blain, are the oldest persons in the town- ship. John Blain was born in Pennsylvania, February 29, 1792, and his wife was born January 29, 1791; they were married in Ohio, near Chillicothe 1816, and have lived together as husband and wife nearly sixty-six (66) years- two generations-on the farm where they settled with their little children in 1836-forty-six years ago. They are truly old pioneers. The Longs and Blains and Scotts have, from the earliest settlement of that region, constituted a large and respectable portion of that most excellent community. Nearly all are Pennsylvania people, and of a very hardy race ; nearly all are tall, well built, and of great endurance. James W. Long came in 1836, and is yet living, but his good wife, whose name was Catharine Blain, died in April, 1882. They were married in 1826, hence had lived together nearly fifty-six years. The children of this good old couple were John Long, Mary Jane Long, Thomas A. Long, Margaret E. Long, Sarah E. Long, Agnes Long, Lucinda Long and William Cowan Long. Three are dead-Thomas, Sarah E. and Agnes. Father Long was County Commissioner for the period of six years, in Noble County, before Etna was set off to Whitley County. The prominent old settlers, not above mentioned, were Washington Jones, Joshua Benton, Mr. Hartup, Benjamin Boyer, Saruch Benton, Thomas Cunningham, Alanson Tucker, James Blain, William A. Blain, Wilson Blain, Lewis Trumbull, Joseph Welker, John Ben- nett, Dr. S. S. Austin, Hugh Allison and others.

Hugh Allison erected the first saw-mill and grist-mill in the township, in 1839-40, at the outlet of the lake near Cold Springs. The first steam saw-mill was built on the land of Alanson Tucker, west of the village of Etna (Hecla Post Office), and the next on Thomas Hartup's farm in the west part of the township. The first tannery in the county was carried on by Abraham Goble, who is still living near the village of Webster in Kosciusko County, and is a very old man. The first schoolhouse was built near the Goble place, in 1837 or 1838. The first church was built in 1840 and 1841, by the Presbyterians and others, on the John Blain farm, near John Snodgrass' farm, and has been rebuilt once or twice. The first school teacher was Rufus D. Kinney ; he was also the first Justice of the Peace, and a good man. The village of Cold

236

HISTORY OF WHITLEY COUNTY.

Springs is in the east part of the township, and has one church and school- house.

Etna, the largest village, is a nice little place; is near the center of the township. Has two stores, three physicians, Drs. Austin, Coyle and Scott, all of whom are excellent gentlemen and able physicians. Dr. Stephen S. Austin is a native of New York; Dr. William H. Coyle is an Ohio man ; Dr. Scott is a native Indianian, and a young man of promise. There are two blacksmith shops, and one wagon-shop. There are four schools in the township, four churches, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist and United Brethren. There are two steam saw-mills, both of which do a good busi- ness. This township has a very intelligent population. Hardly ever go to law to settle their differences. It is pretty certain that the township was first settled in 1834, and that no portion of Whitley County is better improved, no people in the county more kind, hospitable and intelligent ; no township has produced more tall men and no township handsomer women. We wish Etna and her people long life and a continuance of all that is laudable and worthy of imitation among brave men and fair women.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

COLUMBIA CITY.

JOSEPH W. ADAIR, County Superintendent of Whitley County, Ind., was born in Washington Township, Noble County, Ind., November 29, 1843, and is one of eleven children, six yet living, born to Joseph E. and Eliza (Windoes) Adair, the mother being the second wife. The first wife was a Miss Coons, who left two children at her death, both of whom are living. Joseph E. Adair was a native of Virginia, born July, 1797. His parents were John and Eliza- beth (McKnight) Adair, natives respectively of the County of Downs, Ireland and Scotland. John Adair came to America as a British soldier during the Revolutionary war, was taken prisoner by the Colonial troops, and held until the close of the struggle, when he married Miss McKnight in South Carolina, removed to Virginia, and afterward to Madison County, Ohio, where he died, aged 74 years. Joseph E. Adair received a liberal education. Was married in Madison County, Ohio, emigrating, in 1836, to Noble County, Ind., where he purchased a large tract of land on the south side of the Tippecanoe River, where he engaged in clearing and farming, until his death, October 29, 1849. He was an honest and highly respected citizen, and filled the office of Justice of the Peace for many years. Mrs. Adair was married, in 1854, to C. B. Wood, who died in 1871, Mrs. Wood dying in September, 1873. Joseph W. Adair remained on the farm and attended school until the age of sixteen, when he came to Columbia City and entered Douglas' select school, after which he began his career as a teacher, teaching in Elkhart, Whitley and Noble Coun- ties, and Principal of the schools of Ligonier, and of the high schools of Wolf Lake, making a total of twenty terms. During this time, he attended a year at the Methodist College at Fort Wayne, and one year at Wabash College at Crawfordsville, Ind. In March, 1869, he located in Columbia City, and began the practice of law, having read law for some time under Hon. H. D. Wilson, of Goshen. In 1873, he became a partner of Hon. J. S. Collins, which con- tinued until January, 1882. He married, July 25, 1867, Miss Amelia Young, daughter of John Young, Esq., ex-Auditor of Noble County, and to them have been born three children-Edward T. (deceased), Jessie and Josephine. Mr. Adair is a Democrat, a member of the I. O. O. F., the O. F. Encamp- ment, and of the Masonic Fraternity, being High Priest of Columbia City Chapter, and also of the Commandery at Fort Wayne. He is emphatically a self-made man. In September, 1881, he was elected County Superintendent of Schools of Whitley County, in which capacity he is now serving.

238

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

FRANKLIN P. ALLWEIN was born in Lebanon County, Penn., March 26, 1844. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth Allwein, were natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Of a family of nine children, all are living with the exception of one son, Jonathan, who was killed at the battle of the Wilderness in the late war. The father was a shoemaker by trade, and himself and wife are living in Lebanon, Penn. Franklin P. remained with his parents until he was twelve years of age, attending school, and, in 1859, he learned coach-smithing. In March, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and, after his term expired, re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry as Fourth Sergeant, where he continued until the regiment was mustered out of service, when he re-enlisted again in Company F, Forty-Eighth Regiment, and remained with them as First Lieutenant for three months, when he went to Washington, acting as First Lieutenant in the Quartermaster's Department, where he continued until February, 1866, when he was finally discharged. Mr. Allwein saw active service in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, besides many raids, skirmishes, etc. After his discharge, he returned to his old home, from there to Fort Wayne, and ill health obliging his removal, he came to Whitley County, where he engaged for two years in saw-milling. He then went to Larwill and worked at blacksmithing until the fall of 1880, when he was elected Sheriff of Whitley County on the Democratic ticket. He is an honored member of the I. O. O. F. of Larwill Lodge, No. 238, and was mar- ried December 6, 1866, to Lydia Atchison. Mrs. Allwein is a member of the M. E. Church and the mother of six children, three of whom-Cora, Jennie and Blanche-are living.

PHILIP ANTHES is a native of Prussia. He came to America in 1868, first locating at Van Wert, Ohio, where he engaged in the bakery trade. After seven months' residence in Van Wert, he went to Fort Wayne and engaged in the same business there for nearly eighteen months. He came to Columbia City in 1870, where he has since resided. He embarked in the grocery and saloon business upon coming here, and is now conducting one of the best places of its kind in the city. He is an enterprising business man, and liberal in all mat- ters of public improvement. He is a member of the I. O. R. M., in which he has passed all the chairs. Mr. Anthes was married, in 1870, to Miss Kate Sipe, a native of Stark County, Ohio. Their children are-Philip, Adolph, Emile, Lavina and Ida.

WILLIAM M. APPLETON is a native of New York, and came with his parents to the West when quite young. At the age of fourteen, began learn- ing carriage-body making in Dayton, Ohio, and for a period of fifteen years was employed at that business at different points throughout the State. In 1860, he came to North Manchester, Wabash County, this State, and conducted a shop there about two and a half years. In 1863, he sold out and enlisted as a private in Company E, One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer In-

239

COLUMBIA CITY.

fantry, and was immediately elected Second Lieutenant. At Atlanta, he was wounded in the breast; returned home on furlough and was laid up four months. On rejoining his company, he was promoted to be First Lieutenant and subsequently to the rank of Captain. He served until the close of the war, and was mustered-out at Indianapolis in 1865. He then worked at his trade, in various localities, until the fall of 1868, when he came to Columbia City and for five years was employed at the business. In 1873, he opened out on his own account, steadily increased his trade, and has one of the leading industries of the town, employing from eight to ten hands constantly, and turning out all kinds of wagons, buggies, etc., and running a large wareroom in connection with his factory. He was married, in 1859, to Minerva Brower, a native of Pennsylvania, and is the father of five children, viz .: Allie Slussman, residing in town ; Earl, who works in the factory ; Otis, Jessie and Dora. He is a Royal Arch Mason and an influential citizen.

J. W. BAKER, editor and proprietor of the Columbia City Commercial, came to Columbia City in January, 1869, and purchased the material of the Whitley County Republican, then defunct, and upon its ashes has built up the structure of the Commercial to its present proportions. Mr. Baker's life has been devoted to newspaper work, and he possesses the true journalistic sense, a faculty indispensable to the editor. Mr. Baker was born in Hancock County, Ohio, March 7, 1845, and attended public school until fifteen years of age, when he removed to Warsaw, Ind., June 7, 1860, and took a higher course of study at Warren Seminary. He served a thorough apprenticeship in the " art pre- servative " in the office of the Northern Indianian, then owned by Judge James H. Carpenter, remaining here two and a half years. He was then engaged for some time on the Whitley County Republican, then owned by the late Hon. A. Y. Hooper. Also worked at the Call for a few months, in the office of the Marshall County Republican, published at Plymouth by J. Mattingly, now publisher of the Bourbon Mirror. Mr. Baker re-entered the Northern In- dianian in 1864, as foreman of the office, and served as such under the pro- prietorship of Messrs. Luse, Rippey & Williams, present proprietors of the office. Mr. Baker was elected by the Legislature of 1877 as a Director of the Northern Prison, served two and a half years, but was subsequently defeated because of the Democratic majority.

G. M. BAINBRIDGE was born in Oneida County, N. Y., March 19, 1832, and is one of twelve children, seven yet living, born to Edmund and Dor- cas (Wiggins) Bainbridge, who were natives respectively of New Jersey and New York, and of English descent, his grandfather, Richard Bainbridge, being a native of England, he having a brother who was a Commodore in the Amer- ican Navy during the war of 1812. Edmund Bainbridge followed the occupa- tion of farmer through life. Himself and wife lived together fifty-three years, his death occurring in New York in 1873. Mrs. Bainbridge is a resident of the city of Rochester, N. Y. G. M. Bainbridge remained in New York until 1859,

240

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

when he went to Vineland, N. J., but, not being favorably impressed with that place, came to Columbia City, Ind., where he has since resided. His first ven- ture was in a general boot and shoe business, which he continued until 1865, when himself and brother purchased the stock of B. & S. Herr, merchants, G. M. becoming sole proprietor soon afterward. He carries a fine line of goods, and has one of the best general stores in the city, and has met with continued success from the start. Mr. Bainbridge was married, February 14, 1865, to Miss M. J. Hughes, born October 10, 1843, and daughter of Charles W. Hughes, deceased, who came from Virginia to Whitley County at an early day, and whose biography and portrait accompany this work. Mr. and Mrs. Bain- bridge are parents of three children, and are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

H. N. BEESON is a native of Stark County, Ohio, where he was born December 11, 1836, and is one of nine children, six yet living, born to William and Hannah (Hanby) Beeson. The father's occupation was that of scythe and sickle maker, but in later years he followed farming. In 1842, he removed from Ohio to Indiana, locating on a farm one and a half miles from Columbia City, then a small settlement of but six families. Here his death occurred in 1843, after which the family removed to the village, where they all yet reside, with one exception. The oldest son, Benjamin, took up blacksmithing, which he has since followed. H. N. attended school until he was thirteen, when he learned his brother's trade, at which he worked for twenty-nine years in Co- lumbia City. In 1878, he embarked in the drug business, to which he has adhered to the present time, with some changes. From 1879 to 1881, the business was carried on by the firm of Beeson & Co., when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. B. retaining sole proprietorship. His drug house is first class in every respect, making a fine success of the undertaking from the start. Mr. Beeson is a Democrat and a member of the Masonic order, having ascended in that fraternity to the Royal Arch Degree. He was married, February 9, 1860, to Miss Nancy Bodley, daughter of Capt. James Bodley, and lost his wife by death seven years later. In 1869, he married his present wife, and a family of two children-Charles H. and Mary-is the result of this union.

D. R. BRENNEMAN is the son of Abram and Elizabeth (Rush) Bren- neman, who were born, reared and married in Pennsylvania and emigrated to Clark County, Ohio, and then, five years later, moved to Champaign County, where they remained until 1850, when they came, with their children, to this township, where they purchased 160 acres of land. There the mother died in 1866, and the father, subsequently retiring to Columbia City, died here in 1876. They had a family of twelve children, as follows: John, who was a prominent politician and who served as Sheriff two years, died in 1864; Barbara Ster- ling, deceased; Catharine, wife of I. B. McDonald; D. R., our subject ; Abram, living in Kosciusko County; Elizabeth Obenchain, deceased ; Mary,

241

COLUMBIA CITY.

deceased ; Henry, died from effect of wounds received while in battle, at Pitts- burg Landing, with his regiment (Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry), when he had been in the service about one year; Fanny Schwartz, living in Iowa; Isaac; Levi, a carpenter in town, and Benjamin F., in the grocery trade. Our subject was born in Pennsylvania, Lancaster County, in 1829, and came with his parents to this State in 1850; remained with his father one year, and then went to farming in Washington Township, where he remained till 1880, when he retired to this city. He still owns 100 acres highly cultivated land in Washington, the acquisition of his own industry and enterprise. In 1882, he associated with him his brother Isaac, and engaged in the sale of musical instru- ments and sewing machines, handling the Patterson, Estey and Shoninger organs ; the Fisher, Steinway and Decker pianos, and the Queen sewing machine. He was married, in 1852, to Miss Caroline Plough, a native of Montgomery County, Ohio. She died in 1873, leaving five children-William, Sarah A., Isaiah, Henry and Lydia E. In 1874, he married Mary E. McFarren, of this county, and from this union there is one child living-Florence. Both Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the Baptist Church, and he is a highly esteemed and valued citizen. Isaac Brenneman, brother of our subject, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, in 1854, and came here with his parents. He remained on the farm till twenty-one, and, in 1864, enlisted as private in Com- pany A, Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry ; fought at Fort Fisher, and served till the war closed. On his return, he engaged in a saw-mill in this township; worked five years ; then ran his father's farm two years; then came to Columbia City ; engaged in various mercantile pursuits, and is now partner with his brother, D. R., as dealer in musical instruments, etc. He was mar- ried, in 1868, to Maggie Schwartz, a native of Stark County, Ohio, and is the father of one child-Erlo O.

ELI W. BROWN is a native of Stark County, Ohio, where his birth occurred in September, 1836. His early educational advantages were limited, although after he had reached Columbia City, in 1852, he continued to prose- cute his studies under the tutelage of Rev. A. J. Douglas, a man of fine abil- ity and unquestionable purity of heart. At the age of seventeen, Mr. Brown began teaching school, in the meantime continuing his self-imposed mental culture. In 1858, he had become so well known as to be elected, and twice re-elected, County Surveyor by the Democracy. In 1864, he resigned the po- sition, and two years later purchased a half-interest in the Fort Wayne Daily Sentinel. After a few months, he sold his interest in the Sentinel, but during November of the same year, bought the Columbia City Post, which he edited and published until 1881. In' 1870, he was elected County Clerk, and for the past eighteen years has been Chairman of the County Democratic Central Com- mittee, and also for six years a member of the State Democratic Central Com- mittee. There is scarcely another man in the county who has been more active in political work than Mr. Brown. Always a " stalwart Democrat," he has,

242

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

with signal fidelity, upheld the standard of his party, and persistently main- tained Democratic principles. He has done a great deal for the county-to build up its institutions-to disseminate truth-to advance public interests- and to encourage the progress of enlightenment and justice. In 1858, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Miss Nancy, sister of Rev. A. J. Douglas, and has by her three children-Florence, Edith and Carlotta.

VALLOROUS BROWN is a native of Ohio, having been born in Knox County, May 23, 1846. His parents, William R. and Sarah (Pond) Brown were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively, and had a family of three children, but two, Hannah E., now Mrs. Yontz, and Vallorus, yet living. The father was a farmer, and moved to Noble County, Ind., in 1848, locating in York Township, where they remained about four years, and then removed to Columbia Township, Whitley County, Ind., and afterward to Thorn Creek Township, where Mr. Brown died, in 1870. Mrs. Brown afterward became the wife of William Ream, and at present resides in Columbia Township. Val- lorous Brown was reared on a farm, receiving the ordinary advantages of the common schools. At the age of twenty, he began teaching and continued at that for four years. He was married, March 6, 1871, to Miss Mary Baker, and followed farming for four years. He then purchased a saw-mill, three miles north of Columbia City, which he operated for three years. In 1878, he re- moved to Columbia City, engaging in the manufacture of lumber near the Eel River Railroad, afterward purchasing another mill near the Wabash depot, and successfully operating the two until April, 1881, when he transferred his field of labor to Albion, until January, 1882, when he disposed of all his lumber interests, and opened a hardware store in Columbia City, at which he is yet engaged. He carries a first-class stock of goods, valued at over $7,000, and does a good business. Mr. Brown is a Democrat, a Royal Arch Mason, and himself and wife are parents of four children-William, Laura, Charles and Daisy.

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.

Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 24

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