Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 70

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 70
USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 70

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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HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.

This house was used but a few years, another being erected a half mile south of town, and it, also, was used but a few years. A short time after the village of Wawaka was laid out, the combined church and schoolhouse (yet standing) was built. This was used until the present frame school building was con- structed, a few years ago. It was between 1845 and 1855, that the schools of the township began to show the first important improvements. Better houses were built then, and better teachers employed at better wages.

The first church in Wawaka was the schoolhouse referred to above. It was occupied by the Methodists for many years, until finally their frame church was built by subscription. There is an industrious little society here working pa- tiently in the vineyard of the Master. The German Methodists have just erected a fine church in town at a cost of about $3,000. Elkhart Town- ship, as all others in the county and surrounding counties, was visited by cir- cuit ministers as soon as there were a sufficient number of settlers to warrant such a visit. They appeared as early as 1831, and held little meetings in the log cabins, where the neighbors for miles around gathered to listen to the rude eloquence of pioneer preachers. In those days, Baptists met Methodists and Presbyterians, and others, all on the one basis of Christian character and life. The worship was quaint and homely, but the happy hearts were there; the bright faces, filled with visions of the angels of God, were turned heaven- ward; the rude speech was the song of the spirit, and the joyous acclamations were the release of the weary soul from the burden of sin. Neighbor met neighbor, as the Nazarene directed two thousand years ago, with brotherly affection. Bitter reflections-temptations of the evil one-were cast back in- to the chasm of sin; and the earnest worshipers sang hosannas on the summit of the mountain of God's holiness. Ah, there is an inexpressible joy, a be- wildering hope, in the blissful re-action from death in sin to the happy health of Christian life. Our forefathers realized this when they met in God's temple. They loved to assemble thus, as we do now; and to their faith in God do we owe the happy homes we now enjoy, and the numberless churches that dot our land as the stars in heaven's dome. It may be said, to conclude, that the old schoolhouse at Springfield was used by various Christian denominations for many years. Great revivals were held there that yet linger in the memory and heart like the recollection of a new sweet burst of music. James Latta, well known to everybody, was often there; and his face will remain, while life lasts, in the grateful hearts of hundreds who were converted under his minis- trations. Rev. Posey often came there, as did Revs. Miller, Hall and others. A few years ago, the Free Will Baptists built a church-a neat frame structure -in the northeastern corner. The society had been organized many years be- fore, and had worshiped in another building. Rev. Nicholas Jones, an excel- lent man of great energy, had much to do with the life of this society. Many years ago, the Lutherans living in the northern part became sufficiently num- erous to render the erection of a church necessary. A frame structure was

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soon built, at a cost of about $1,200. A Sunday school was organized, and efforts were made to enjoy the Christian religion in the new house. Ministers were employed, and the membership began to increase. There have been times since when the society was very weak, financially and in numbers, but it still lives on, as it should-in faith-that many sweet hours may yet be spent in the old house.

CHAPTER XIV.

BY WESTON A. GOODSPEED.

SPARTA TOWNSHIP-REMINISCENCES OF AN OLD SETTLER-FIRST OFFICERS AND ELECTION - MILLING AND OTHER INDUSTRIAL INTERESTS-THE FIRST COUNTY SEAT-VILLAGE OF CROMWELL-EXPERIENCES OF AN EARLY PED- AGOGUE-EDUCATION AND RELIGION.

S YO far as known, the first man to locate within what is now Sparta Town- ship was John L. Powers, who had previously lived in a small log cabin, 8x10, in the southwestern part of Perry Township, where he kept tavern. Some time during the year 1832, he established himself and family a short dis- tance north of where the railroad crosses the Goshen road. He was not only the first permanent settler in Sparta Township, but was also one of the first in the county, perhaps about the sixth. This man also lived for a time in the western part of the township, in a cave, which is known to this day as " Powers' Cave." Powers was eccentric, and seemed capable of sustaining himself and family " where birds would almost be compelled to carry knapsacks." After a few years, he moved West, and his subsequent movements are unknown. About the time that Powers located in Sparta (1832), John Dillon also appeared and built his cabin in the eastern part, where he resided for a number of years, but finally removed to his present residence in Washington Township. Here he yet lives, hearty and hale, with active mind busy with the memories of other years.

Soon after these settlements, and prior to the organization of the county in 1836, there came to the township the following settlers: John Conklin, Richard Bray, Richard Jeffries, James Mael, Robert McAfee, Mitchell Mc. Clintock, John Johns, Jacob Baker, Charles Murray, Obadiah Tilton, Hart- well Coleman, Daniel Ohlwine, Andrew C. Douglass, Henry Weade, John Davis, and perhaps others. Immediately afterward, there came Aaron Noe, Michael Beam, Daniel Beam, Charles White, Andrew B. Upson, Nathaniel Prentice, Richard Stone, William Weade, John Spear, John C. Johnson, Jacob Kiser, Daniel Stall, John Moore, G. W. Mitchell, James Marrow, Elisha Mayfield, Lawrence Miller, Samuel Dungan, Alexander Doud, John Earnhart, William Glayd, Andrew Humphreys, James Smalley, John Spencer, William H. Upson, Thomas H. Wilson, John Pollock, James Pollock, Samuel Mars, Henry Miller, Richard Noe, George Prentice, George Platter, Erastus Atkins and others.

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A few of these men owned land in the township, but did not reside there. All immediately began to prepare their farms for cultivation, and their homes for comfort. The following, from the pen of John Conklin, is given in full, as it admirably represents the obstacles that were surmounted by the backwoods- man. He says : "I left Ohio in the year 1835, and came to the State of Indiana. I was quite a boy, but soon got me a young wife, and then life com- menced in earnest. I had only $20 in my pocket, but we were both well and hearty, and provided with plenty of good pluck. I worked out, receiving 40 and 50 cents per day, and bought some corn on Elkhart Prairie for $1 per bushel, and was glad to get it at that. We moved into a shop owned by Esquire Baughman. Its dimensions were fourteen feet square, but it was large enough to contain all our furniture, which was not the finest in the world, though I made it myself. Our bedstead had but one leg, and was corded up with linn bark. A clapboard was our table for the first meal, but as that was a little too primitive for comfort, I went to work the next day and made a table. My stove was a big hole cut in the side of the house, about eight feet wide, and the pipe was run up with sticks and mud, and inside was a nice big 'niggerhead' rock and-more mud. Our cooking utensils consisted of a little bake-oven, which we managed to convert, as occasion required, into a mush-kettle, tea- kettle, stew-pan, frying-pan, and sometimes a coffee-pot. My 'chattels ' con- sisted of a three-year-old heifer-a present from my mother-in-law-a pig which weighed about one hundred pounds, and which I bought and paid for by clearing up an acre of heavily timbered land. These and a few chickens made me feel pretty rich. I bought sixty-eight acres of land, and made the first payment with my $20. But I was not satisfied with my location, so I traveled for another piece of land, one mile from the first. It was in heavy woods, but we were not easily frightened, so, taking my wife, I moved into my new place, camping under a big beech tree in the thickest of the timber, where the wood- man's ax had never sounded, and the spice brush and papaw were so thick you could not see three rods before you, and wolves howled on all sides at 12 o'clock in the day. I cut and hewed the logs for my house, and in two weeks had a 'jubilee.' A large log heap answered the purpose of a stove to cook by, and a table was built, twelve feet long and three wide, upon which were spread the eatables for our neighbors, who had come to assist at the raising. A neighbor sometimes lived five or more miles away. Our house was raised that day, and we moved into it the same night. Then commenced the clearing up. I chopped down the trees, and my wife helped to pick up the brush. I still had to work by the day to make a living, but when my day's work was done I could come home, where I always found plenty of good cheer in a substantial supper and a smiling wife. We would then often work until 10 or 11 o'clock at night, picking up and burning brush, but we always obeyed the command- ment and observed the seventh day, or rather the first. I helped to clear on Perry's Prairie after the following fashion : As will be remembered, the oak

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grubs were as thick as they could stand. We would first chop them down, then take ten yoke of oxen and one team of horses, and hitch them to a big plow that would run one foot deep and three feet wide. When everything was ready, the word to start was given, and then it was hurrah boys ! whip ! crack! smash ! and the way the grubs would get out of the way was a caution to earthquakes. Thus it was that the prairie land was first cultivated, and thus it was that we got our start in the woods."

John Johns moved west to Iowa after many years, and was finally made & delegate to the Chicago Convention when Lincoln was nominated for the Presi- dency. McClintock and Tilton were both squatters on the Indian reservation, and when the land was thrown into market, George Platter entered both of their farms before either had an opportunity of going to the land office for the same purpose. McClintock soon after died, and it is said his death was largely." due to his being cheated out of his land. His house is said to have been haunted, and at the solemn hour of midnight passers-by could hear in weird, sepulchral tones the command, "Pay the widow, pay the widow !" Tilton returned to New York. Charles White, when a child two years old, was made an orphan by the massacre of his parents at Wyoming, Penn. He was rescued from the savages by a man named White, and, as his real name was unknown,. he adopted that of his benefactor. David Stall passed through a similar expe- rience. When an infant in his mother's arms, both of his parents died on the- voyage across the Atlantic from Germany to the United States. He was- adopted by a man named Stall, whose name he bore, as his was unknown.

Improvements went on in this township as in others. At the first election, in about 1838, only seven votes were polled, although there must have been living in the township then more than twice as many voters. Richard Bray had been appointed Inspector of Election by the County Commissioners, and the- election was held at Sparta. He appointed two judges and two clerks of elec- tion, and then the first political "log-rolling " in Sparta began. There was not that gluttonous greed for office then as now, as official position was a hollow honor destitute of any remuneration. It is said that at a subsequent election,. when two men received the same number of votes for the same office, they" played eucher to see which should serve, the one playing the poorer to take the- empty honor. At the first election, James Mael was elected Constable and Thomas H. Wilson Justice of the Peace. The men present at this election are said to have been : James Mael, Thomas H. Wilson, Isaac Spencer, Wesley White, Richard Bray, William Baker and Charles Murray. On that occasione all enjoyed the distinction of holding some office. Another election was held in; August, on which occasion Aaron Noe and James Mael served as Judges and Wesley White and Nathaniel Prentice as Clerks. The election was held in the office of the County Clerk at Sparta. When the first court in the county convened at the house of Adam Engle, on Perry Prairie, there was present one- Thomas Eckles, who carried more whisky than he could, if such a thing was.

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possible. In his drunken carousals, Eckles disturbed the court, whereupon Engle, after endeavoring to induce him to remain quiet, offered $1 to any any one who would take the drunken man home. James Mael, of Sparta Township, who was a powerful man, accepted the offer at once ; but Eckles demurred, whereupon Mael picked him up and carried him until tired, and then dropped him on the ground. After this had been repeated a few times in a very rough manner, Eckles gladly recovered his equilibrium and agreed to walk. At the election of 1840, considerable political antagonism had been incited, and when it was discovered that a young man named Smalley, being under age, had polled his vote, it was thought best by some to contest the elec- tion of the day, and for that purpose the Judges of Election were taken in limbo, and the books examined. While it was clearly proved that Smalley was under age, and that he had cast his vote; yet, no other evidences being dis- closed, the matter was dropped. Forty votes were polled at the election of 1840.

In about the year 1847, Thomas H. Bothwell and Thomas H. Wilson built the first saw-mill in the township, locating it in the southwestern part on Tur_ key Creek. It was a water mill, with an up-and-down saw and an old flutter wheel, and had a capacity of about two thousand feet per day. A dam had been built across the stream, and a narrow race conveyed water to the wheel. The mill was quite well patronized; but, like those of the gods, " ground slowly," if it "ground " at all. This mill was operated until about the year 1862, when it was in some manner replaced by another, erected about half a mile down the stream, by Leander Eagles and Thomas H. Bothwell. The mill was a frame, with a circular saw, and was operated by these men for some three years, and then sold to David Gauz and George Mellinger, who removed it to Kosciusko County. The present mill on the same site was erected in the spring of 1865, by Leander Eagles. It is operated by a thirty-five horse-power engine, and has a capacity of 6,000 to 8,000 feet per day. In 1853, Mr. Stall built a saw-mill one mile west of the residence of Nathaniel Prentice, but in a short time it was removed to Cromwell. Here it was owned and operated for a number of years by various parties, and finally its timbers were used in the construction of the only grist-mill ever in the township. This mill is a large, low frame building, located at Cromwell, and was built by the Miller Brothers. Steam was em- ployed to operate the two run of stone, and for a few years considerable flour was manufactured, a portion of which was shipped to distant points by rail. The mill was closed last April. A number of years ago, Hezekiah Mayfield moved his saw-mill from the eastern part of the township to Cromwell. Here it has remained ever since under the management of different owners. It is an excellent mill, and turns out large quantities of native lumber, which is shipped to other localities. The old mill was practically replaced by the present one a short time ago. The Mayfield Saw-Mill had been built by Andrew and Cyrus Pollock, about one and a half miles east of Cromwell. It afterward went to George Hart, and finally to the Mayfields. A Mr. Cavanaugh operated a saw-

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mill in the southern part a number of years ago. He also manufactured some furniture, bedsteads, etc. Joel Sechrist also owned a saw-mill in the southern part, as did a Mr. Herron. These mills were amply sufficient to furnish all the lumber required for building purposes in the township. At first, water-mills were the only ones to be seen, but when steam was harnessed they disappeared. " Listen to the water-mill Through the live-long day ;

How the clanking of the wheels Wears the hours away !

Languidly the autumn wind Stirs the greenwood leaves ;

From the fields the reapers sing, Binding up the sheaves ;

And a proverb haunts my mind, As a spell is cast :

' The mill will never grind With the water that has passed.'

" Take the lesson to thyself, Loving heart and true;

Golden years are fleeting by, Youth is passing, too ; Learn to make the most of life, Lose no happy day,

Time will never bring thee back Chances swept away ; Leave no tender word unsaid, Love while life shall last-

" The mill will never grind With the water that has passed.'"

Sparta Township can boast of having had the first brick-kiln in Northern Indiana. David Bourie says, that a man named Beers, in accordance with in- structions from the United States Government, manufactured enough brick from the soil of Sparta to build a brick house for the Chief Wah-wa-es-sa, or Flat Belly, as he was more familiarly known. All the facts in the case are unknown, but it is quite certain that at the time Flat Belly reserved the tract of land six miles square, the Government agreed to build him a brick house. The treaty was signed in 1816, but the exact date when the house was built is a matter of doubt. Mr. Bourie thinks it was erected in 1816, while others, who seem to know what they are talking about, place it as late as 1821. The workmen who erected the house came from Fort Wayne ; but their work was not of a first- class order, as, within a few years, the building tumbled down. The early set- tlers used the brick for chimneys, hearths, etc.

The village of Sparta, which afterward became the first county seat of Noble County, was laid out on Sections 13 and 24, Township 34 north, Range 8 east, in June, 1836, by Isaac Spencer and R. I. Dawson, owners and propri- etors. Two hundred and thirty-six lots were laid off into blocks of twelve lots each, and certain lots and blocks were donated to the public for school and

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church purposes, as was also a public square. The village did not grow as rap- idly as the proprietors desired, and perhaps its population never exceeded twenty-five. Col. John Spencer and Wesley White both kept store there, one of them beginning not far from the year 1838, or perhaps the spring of 1839. They kept for sale a few groceries, dry goods, notions, liquor, etc. A post office was secured at Sparta as early as the fall of 1836, and Isaac Spencer figured in the capacity of Postmaster. Although this village was the county seat, no court house or jail was built, but there was a small building erected for the county offices. Immediately after the county seat was re-located at Augusta, Sparta became almost deserted, and soon afterward wholly so. In 1838, Nel- son Prentiss, Esq., opened a small store at New Hope, a name applied to a post office in the northern part of the township. He soon abandoned the under- taking. Prior to that time and in the same place, Isaac Spencer sold goods that had been obtained at Toledo, Ohio. These were probably the first sold in the township.

Cromwell, the only other village in the township except Indian Village, was not laid out until June, 1853. Harrison Wood, the proprietor, employed the County Surveyor, and laid out at the juncture of Jefferson and Orange streets twenty-eight lots from the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 16. Lots were offered for sale, and the village began to grow slowly. In the year 1849, Abel Mullen had built a log house where the village now stands, and had also erected a small building and begun the manufacture of black salts, from ashes obtained from the surrounding cabins and log-heaps. His buildings were located about fifty rods north of the cross-roads. His ash- ery was not a very profitable venture, and was abandoned within a few years. He did not manufacture more than twelve tons while thus engaged. He was the first Postmaster. Mr. Wood gave the name to the village from the follow- ing reason, as stated by himself: " Cromwell was a good Republican, and I'll name the town in his honor." Some time after the village was laid out, Aaron Moore opened a store of dry goods, groceries, notions, etc., valued at about $1,000. Moore continued selling until about the time the railroad was com- pleted in the township. A. D. Maggert also opened a store of groceries and liquor, and secured a profitable business, but did not continue longer than a few months for reasons best known to himself. James Parks is said to have been the first Postmaster, though he was soon succeeded by Aaron Moore. Mr. Vanderford is Uncle Sam's agent at present. Jeremiah Carstetter sold goods at an early day ; his stock was valued at $600, and Jerry is said to have made a graceful appearance behind the counter. Mr. Mullen also followed the same pursuit. The village was never larger than at present. It has good stores, and has become quite a point for the shipment of grain. Saloons, of which there are several, are patronized better than accords with the wishes of the vil- lagers, who long to blot them out effectively and immediately. Isaac McCam- mon was the first blacksmith. George W. Reed manufactured wagons, sleighs,

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etc., beginning some sixteen years ago, and continuing ten or twelve years. Dr. John Sants located in the village in the spring of 1858, where he has remained practicing since. Dr. Tucker was in carly, as was also Dr. Crump. Scott & Wylie are selling dry goods and groceries at present. Charles Gran opened a grocery, but sold to Enos Messimore, who yet continues. Elias Jones began selling drugs about nine years ago, but sold to Samuel McAuson, who later sold to Richard Hersey. Jesse Berger opened a hardware store some four years ago, but six months ago sold to Richard Mason. The village, which is scattered like the hypothetical old woman's eggs, has a present population of over four hundred.

It is the design in these pages to record township history, with enough incident to lend attraction to the narration. Those who look for interesting incidents merely, or for the romance of backwoods life, have no right to expect such when history only is promised. People must distinguish between history and biography, and also between these on the one side and romance and sickly sentiment on the other. The latter will be left to the novelist, who may or may not find a fruitful field in Sparta Township, in which to labor. History is not poetry, nor romance, but records with unvarnished emphasis the sober facts which control the destiny of communities. It is a record of man's experience, as one of a social family ; and is expected to be of value, as the past is an index of the future.

The historian in the Noble County Atlas says that the first school in Sparta Township was taught in 1837 by Achsah Kent. The writer has been unable to learn anything regarding this school. If such a school was taught, it was undoubtedly the first, although others sprang up soon afterward. Nathaniel Prentice says the first schoolhouse was built near where the depot stands at Cromwell by Messrs. Baker, Upson, McAfee, Duncan, Morrow, Converse, Doug- lass, Murray, and others, in the year 1840. The building was constructed of round logs, and was about twenty feet square. It was similar to all the early ones, descriptions of which are found in this volume. Ross Rowan was employed to teach the first term, which he did for $10 per month and board. Rowan had a family, and lived out of the neighborhood, and, therefore, was compelled to submit to the indescribable punishment of " boarding around." Those who have not passed through that ordeal can have no idea of the tortures which man can bear. The punishment is severe enough, heaven knows, in civilized communities ; but in the backwoods, among backwoods people, tongue fails to paint the picture in fit colors. Mr. Rowan was the fortunate possessor of a good constitution, and survived. He knew how to use the rod, as his scholars often found to their sorrow; and when his stentorian voice thundered com- mands, implicit obedience was promptly rendered. The school was a success for that day, and gave satisfaction, a statement that is not true of some of the other early ones. This house was used but a few years. The wife of John C. Johnson taught in this building in about the year 1841. During the winter of

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1841-42, David Bauckman taught. On Christmas Day he was barred out by the scholars, and as he refused to furnish them what was desired, he was kept out of the schoolhouse for several days. He lingered in the vicinity hoping to catch the scholars off their guard, but they were vigilant, fastening the door and windows, and keeping possession of the building during the night. Finally, the teacher agreed to a modified proposal of the scholars, and school began again. Leander Eagles was employed to teach the session of 1842-43, which he did for $10 per month and board. On the occasion of his birthday, which was the 20th of December, the scholars barred him out, and handed him through the window a paper, upon which was written a demand for a peck of apples, a peck of candy, and a gallon of whisky. There were several large scholars, among them being Jackson Morrow, Frank Duncan and two young ladies, sisters of Jackson Morrow. Mr. Eagles refused to furnish the whisky, but agreed to treat to apples and candy if the scholars would admit him ; but they positively refused unless the liquor, as well as the other articles, was forth- coming. After the teacher had tried several flank movements on the scholars to gain possession of the room without success, he repaired to the Trustees for instruction and advice, and was informed that he had properly refused to fur- nish whisky, and was told to break down the door with an ax, if the scholars still refused to admit him. Under the stimulus of this advice, he again appeared at the schoolhouse, armed with an ax, and after again promising the scholars a treat of apples and candy, but no whisky, and being again refused admittance, he deliberately battered the door down, and strode into the midst of the astonished children with uplifted ax, ordering them to take their seats immediately or there would be trouble. The scholars saw that their citadel had been taken, and realizing that discretion was the better part of valor, they sur- rendered unconditionally and took their seats. They missed getting the expected treat on that occasion; but as they behaved themselves thereafter, their teacher treated them on Christmas to apples and candy ; but the large boys were not contented, for they went into the woods where they had hid a gal- lon of whisky, and were soon under the blissful effects of King Alcohol.

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Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 70

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