Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 76

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 76
USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 76

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).

Hugh Allison built the first saw-mill in the township, locating it in the southern part, which a number of years ago was annexed to Whitley County. It is said that the lumber of which Mr. Galloway's frame house was built (the first frame house in the township) was sawed at this mill, which, if true, places the erection of the mill back to about the year 1837, or earlier, as the house was erected some time before 1840. Here was where the early settlers living in the southern part got their building lumber. Those living in the northeastern corner found it more convenient to go to Hall's mill in Noble, or to Henshaw's in York. In 1848, John Ryder built a saw-mill in the western part, on Tippe- canoe River, securing his water-power from a dam that formed a small lake. A large, fifteen-foot overshot water-wheel was at first used, but as this was found too cumbersome, it was replaced with an improved Adkins wheel. This mill, at times, it is said, was one of the best in the county. It continued to run with varying success until two years ago, when the old water mill ceased to be. It calls to mind the verse-

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HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.

" Oh, the wasted hours of life That have drifted by ! Oh, the good we might have done, Lost without a sigh ! Love that we might once have saved By a single word ; Thoughts conceived, but never penned, Perishing unheard. Take the proverb to thine heart- Take ! Oh, hold it fast ! ' The mill will never grind With the water that has passed.' "

Seven years after the erection of the saw-mill, Mr. Ryder also built a two and a half storied grist-mill on the same dam. In this were placed three sets of stone, and the mill immediately entered upon a prosperous career. The quality of the flour has never been good, yet the mill, especially at certain times, has had an excellent patronage. Mr. Ryder, being a careless man, did not operate it as successfully as his successors. Mr. Henry S. Cobaugh bought the mill a few years ago, and last spring it was rented by G. L. Hilt, under whose supervision it is now conducted. Three turbine water-wheels are now in use. The old mill-dam has been an excellent place to catch buffalo fish, the Tippecanoe being about the only stream in the county in which this variety of fish is found. A few extravagant stories-fish stories-are told, but the follow- ing is well authenticated : Alfred Yohn, Lindsey Makenson and another person, on one occasion a number of years ago, caught, in the short space of three hours, one hundred and fifty-five buffalo fish, averaging twenty pounds each, the smallest weighing sixteen pounds and the largest thirty-seven pounds. There were two wagon loads of them. Other persons have caught large numbers, but this, so far as known, is the largest "haul." Noah Myers owned and operated a saw-mill for a number of years. It did not prove very profitable. Joseph Evans, who came to the township in about 1840, opened a tan-yard, which he con- ducted for a few years. Mr. Sawyer owned and conducted a saw-mill about fif- teen years ago. It was operated by steam. No villages have been laid out in the township. This is a rare virtue, and, to the credit of the citizens, should be noised abroad, as about the first thing an early settler thought of was the advis- ability of founding a " Rome " or a " Nineveh " on his farm. In the absence of a village, it was found necessary, many years ago, to establish a post office in dwellings, the first being located at the residence of Isaac Stewart, an early settler and the first Postmaster. The office was named Wilmot, a name it yet retains, though it has been changed around from house to house a number of times. It is convenient, as it brings the mail much closer.

Washington Township is rich in the remains of the Mound-Builders, a race of people who inhabited this country before the Indian occupancy of the soil, and of whom the latter had no knowledge, save what had been derived from the mounds and other works. Perhaps no other township can boast of

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having these remains so numerous and extensive. There also ran across the township, in early years, two important and well-traveled Indian trails, one run- ning from the Indian village in Sparta to Fort Wayne, and the other extending east and west. The former trail was an important highway for the Indian tribes, not only after the white settlers began to appear, but long before the feet of white men had pressed the graveled soil of Northern Indiana. It led along a "divide," whence it is said two streams force their way, starting within a few feet of each other, one flowing into the Tippecanoe, thence onward to the Wabash, Ohio, Mississippi and Gulf of Mexico, and the other into the Elkhart, thence into the St. Joeeph, the Great Lakes, the River St. Lawrence, and the Atlantic Ocean. Washington has one or more valuable cranberry marshes, which yield many bushels yearly.

Education is, in America, par excellence, the great thing to be attained. Genius, in whatever direction, is always respected, commanding homage from the erudite and great of earth, but it may exist where education is wholly lack- ing. Genius is the rich mahogany or spice-wood, untouched by the hand of art; education is the polish or varnish, which gives tone and beauty to the crude conditions. But often a poorer wood, one that possesses no native excellence of its own, may be made an object of rare loveliness by a skillful combination of artistic colors and finishes. So with the human mind. One that is dull and drowsy as the tired face of slumber may be made a beautiful creation by the developing effects of a scholastic education. So universally has this truth been recognized, that education for the masses has climbed to start- ling heights and world-wide prominence within the last century. Back in the time when history was in its swaddling clothes, it was thought foolish and unnecessary that any one should be educated except the priests and ecclesias- tics. The common people were taught obedience, agriculture and war. Then it was that the people were thought unable to govern themselves ; but soon there came a time when schools became popular for all castes, and the people began to chant the loved name of Liberty. Countless wars followed to root out the foolish prejudices engendered in a benighted state ; and here we are to- day, still warring with the settled convictions of ignorance, encased in barbaric armor. The advance of education is slow, and an armed and solid van is pre- sented, that surprise and ignominious defeat may be avoided. Let us cheer on the cause of liberty and education.

School in Washington Township was first taught in dwellings. A few families living in the same neighborhood would employ some teacher, for little or nothing, to teach their children in an unoccupied room of a double log-cabin, or in a building that had been erected for a dwelling and used as such for a time, and then deserted by the owner, who journeyed to some other locality. A few rough seats and desks would be provided, and the greatest possible use would be made of all books and slates. It is said, that some of the children were so poor, though anxious to go to school, that, being without shoes in win-

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HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.

ter, they would cover their feet as best they could, heat a small piece of board very hot at the fire-place, warm their feet thoroughly and then start on the run, with the board in their hands, for the schoolhouse, and when their feet became unbearably cold, they would stand on the plank a few minutes, and then take it up and rush on again, and so on until the schoolhouse was reached. That is not a very satisfactory way to get an education ; at least, it would be extremely unpopular at the present day. Dwellings were first used for schoolhouses, and at last, when more settlers had appeared, small log schoolhouses were built. These, after being used from three to ten years, were replaced with frame ones, and perhaps these again by other frames, and at last, but a few years ago, brick buildings were erected. This is, in general, the history of the schoolhouses. The first school in the township was taught by Ross Rowan, in 1837, in one room of a double log-cabin, owned by Paul Beezley, the other room being occu- pied by the family. The following families probably sent to him: Beezley, Adair, Scott, Galloway and others. In 1838, Rufus D. Kinney taught in a log cabin on the farm of Joseph Adair. These were the first two terms in the township. There are no recollections of school having been taught during the year 1839, although there must have been school somewhere. During the summer of 1840, a small log schoolhouse, the first in the township, was built on Section 23, and the following winter Stephen Martin was employed to teach the few children residing in the neighborhood. Sessions of school were held here for several years. The building was also used for a number of years as a town-house; but prior to its erection, town meetings were held at the residence of Joseph Adair. About three years after the erection of this house, another was built on Thomas Wilson's place, and Joseph Galloway, Jr., taught the first school. The families that sent to him were Wilson, Stewart, Myers, Galloway, Spear, Bull, Prickett and others. Aaron Bouse assisted in building the house. A year or two later, the woods got afire and the building was destroyed. School was then taught one summer, in the cabin of David Mullen, by Rebecca Sproul, and then a term was taught in Andrew Rank's cabin-in one room-by the same teacher. A schoolhouse was then built by the neighbors in one day and plastered and provided with seats the next. Eliza Ann Bull was the first teacher in this house, and when the frame was built in the same place, about 1859, Mary Bouse was the first teacher. A log schoolhouse was built quite early near the Galloways, as was also one on the Buckles farm. James Hinman taught an early term in Isaac Stewart's cabin, receiving 50 cents per month from each scholar, the term being for three months. In about the year 1844, a school was taught in a dwelling in the western part, and a year later a ses- sion was held in the northeastern part. By 1848, almost every district had its own schoolhouse and regular schools. Brick schoolhouses are found every- where.

The first religious society in Washington Township was organized at the residence of John Prickett, by Elder Pullman, a pioneer preacher of the Free-

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Will Baptist persuasion, in the year 1837. Elder Pullman traveled on very long circuits through Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana, and was pre- vailed upon to stop long enough in the neighborhood to organize a small society of the following families: Prickett, Beezley, Humphrey and others. But the society could not survive and did not longer than a few years. No church was built, but meetings were held in dwellings and log schoolhouses, until finally the society was dissolved and the meetings ceased. Other societies have been been instituted during the time from the early settlement to the present in schoolhouses throughout the township, but nothing noteworthy has been accom- plished. In the year 1861, the only church ever in what is now Washington was constructed in the western part by the Lutherans. They were freely assisted by outsiders, who realized the social value attached to a church where children are growing up. The Rev. Mr. Dillow was the first to preach in the church. It was not long ere quite a large congregation was in attendance, and the society has been in a prosperous condition since. The building is comfort- able and is known as Salem Church. Among the first members were the families of Jacob Weigle, Michael Bouse, Israel Cooper, Mr. Hindbaugh and Thomas H. Wilson.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

CITY OF KENDALLVILLE.

LEM. F. ABELL, M. D., druggist, is a native of Seneca County, N. Y. Until sixteen years of age he was an assistant upon his father's farm. He received fine educational advantages, taking a preparatory course at Water- loo, and a graduating course at Hamilton, N. Y., graduating in 1849. He then went South, and for one year was engaged in the duties of teacher. Re- turning to New York he commenced the study of medicine at Port Byron, Cayuga Co., where his studies were protracted for three years, attending two courses of lectures at Geneva and one course at Jefferson Medical College, where he graduated in 1853. He practiced for nearly one year around his home, and then went to Michigan, and practiced there about two years. In 1858, he came to Kendallville and commenced in the drug trade, which business, with the duties of his medical practice, has engaged his attention up to the present time. His store is large, attractive, and well stocked with drugs, medicines, glass-ware, wall-paper and druggists' sundries. In 1873, he was married to Miss Lona E. Bolton, of Allen County. They have one child-Charles H.

C. G. AICHELE, City Treasurer, is a native of Germany. He came to America in 1853, and settled in New York, where he remained for eight months, going from there to South Carolina, where he remained until 1859, when he went to Alabama, and thence to Georgia, locating at Rome. His oc- cupation was in following his trade of gunsmith, at which he was engaged in Rome until he was forced to leave or join the rebel army. Removing to Adairsville, Ga., he remained until May, 1864, when he was able to join the Northern troops, and came North. He was under strict surveillance during his entire residence in the South, and only escaped being conscripted into the rebel army by the most strenuous endeavors. Upon reaching Cincinnati, he worked there for a short time, removing to Hamilton, and was an employe of Gwinn & Campbell, in their gun works, for eight months, and then to Indi- anapolis, where for about one year he was employed at his trade and as a ma- chinist. In 1866, he came to Kendallville, where he started a gun-shop, which he operated until 1873. In 1871, he became the representative of several leading fire insurance companies, to which he has devoted a large share of his attention since. He now represents the Phoenix, of Hartford and of Brook- lyn, Continental, German Assurance, Germania and Niagara, of New York, the Liverpool, London and Globe, and the North British and Mercantile In - surance Company. He is also agent for the Inman, Cunard, North German Lloyd, America and Red Star line of ocean steamships. Mr. Aichele was elected City Treasurer of Kendallville in May, 1873, which office he still holds. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of H., the last order of which he is Treasurer. In 1856, in South Carolina, he was married to Miss Mary

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Schmeyhal. They have seven children-Mary, Augusta, Julia, Emil, Minnie, Annie and Albert.

G. P. ALEXANDER, of W. W. Glosser & Co., is one of the young and progressive business men of Kendallville. He is a native of Pennsylva- nia ; came with his mother to Noble County in 1855. He was engaged at the trade of brick-laying and plastering, until 1864, when he became First Lieu- tenant of Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, and was in service until February, 1865. Returning to Kendallville, he recruited up Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, of which he was Captain ; they remained in service until September, 1865. Upon returning to Kendallville he resumed his trade, and was engaged in that occupation and contracting until 1877, when he received a commission in the railway mail service, with a route from Cleveland to Chicago, which re- sponsible and arduous position he retained until September, 1881, when he en- tered mercantile life in Kendallville, as a member of the firm of W. W. Glosser & Co., grocers, to which business his attention is now given. He was united in marriage with Miss Olivia Demmon, of Kendallville, in June, 1868.

I. R. AYERS is the proprieter of one of the leading industries of Ken- dallville. Mr. Ayers is a native of Huron County, Ohio, and son of Enoch Ayers, who came to Steuben County, Ind., about 1836, one of the pioneers and early settlers of that locality. His father was a farmer, and also operated a saw-mill, and upon the farm and engaged in the saw-mill our subject passed his youthful days until the age of fifteen, when he went to Albion to learn the trade of carriage-making with Mr. Hoffman, with whom he remained about three years. In 1860, he came to Kendallville, and until 1864 was employed at his trade. He then enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was in service about five months. Returning home, he soon after became a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and remained until the close of the war. Upon his return, he resumed his trade, at which he was engaged until 1873, when he started in business for himself, and has established a successful trade. He now constructs only first-class work in carriages and buggies ; also does general repairing. Mr. Ayers employs from six to eight workmen at present, and is extending his business each year. He is a member of the Masonic order. In 1861, he was married to Miss Ellen Eley, of Jefferson Township. They have two children -Glenna and Maud.

J. BITTIKOFFER, jeweler, is a native of Switzerland, where he learned his trade of watch maker and jeweler. He came to America in 1858, and settled in Crawford County, Ohio, where he remained about one year ; thence to Fort Wayne, Ind., where he was engaged at his trade until 1865, when he came to Kendallville, and soon after engaged in the jewelry business, to which he has since devoted his attention. Mr. Bittikoffer, in addition to carrying a fine stock of watches, clocks and jewelry, is a proficient workman in repairing, to which department he gives especial attention. He is a member of the Masonic order, advanced to Knight Templar, and an enterprising, progressive citizen. Mr. Bittikoffer was married in 1864, in Fort Wayne, to Miss Katherina Wolf. They have six children-Fred O., Rosa, John, Lillie and Louie (twins), and Katherina.

JAMES A. BRACE, contractor and builder, is a native of Monroe County, N. Y. He learned his trade in Elmira, N. Y., following it after his apprenticeship, for three years, in that State. He then came to Ohio, and for five years was engaged

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in the prosecution of his business at Springfield. In 1858, he came to Kendall- ville, where he has since been identified, and where he is now recognized as one of the leading contractors and superintendents. Kendallville has had many of its public buildings erected under his supervision, and all over northern Indiana he has erected superior structures. Among the many, we briefly name the La Grange County Jail, the Mitchell, Able and Brust, Black and Krueger Blocks, of Kendallville ; many of the public blocks of Ligonier, and in 1881 he secured a contract on the Warsaw Court House. Mr. Brace has served on the Council, and been City Marshal of Kendallville. He is a genial and enter- prising citizen, and possesses superior business qualifications. He is a Master Mason, and a member of the K. of H. He was married, 1862, to Miss Phedora Decker. They have two children-Howard and Adah L.

W. & J. R. BUNYAN, druggists, are sons of Robert and Hellen (Russell) Bunyan, who came from Saratoga County, N. Y., to Lima, La Grange County, Ind., at an early date, settling upon a farm. Here the mother died in 1856, their father, subsequently removing to Batavia, Ill., in 1859, where he remained until his death, in 1864. The family consisted of four children ; the subjects of this sketch, Mrs. Kate E. Reed, of Kendallville, and Mrs. Helen M. Ostran- der, of Kalamazoo, Mich. W. and J. R. Bunyan, are natives of Saratoga County, N. Y., and until 1859 were associated upon the home farm, in La Grange County, after their removal thither. In 1859, they began their busi- ness career in Kendallville, where they have been continuously engaged up to the present writing, and now represent one of the oldest and most substantial drug houses in Northern Indiana. William has taken a leading interest in politics, and in 1872 was elected State Representative from the counties of Noble and La Grange, which position of honor he filled most credibly for four years. He was married, in August, 1870, to Miss Cornelia R. Hudson, of Noble County. They have had one child, Mable Grace, deceased. J. R. Bun- yan was united in marriage, in 1868, to Miss Rebecca Barnum, of West Unity, Ohio ; they have five children-Winnifred, Robert, George B., Walter W. and James R. He is a member of the K. of H. and Chosen Friends. Has served the township two terms as Trustee.

H. BURGWITZ, grocer, is the successor to G. C. Glatte, deceased, who came to Kendallville in 1854, and about 1857, started the " Pioneer " grocery house, which business he successfully conducted until his death in January, 1879. Mr. Glatte was a prominent and respected citizen and business man, and served as a member of the City Council ; his wife, whose maiden name was Miss Laura Grate, is still living in Kendallville; she has three children- Bertha, Willie and Charles. Mr. Burgwitz is a native of Berlin, Germany ; he came to America in 1877, and was associated with Mr. Glatte until his death, subsequently managing the business for the estate until 1881, when he became the owner. He carries a full line of groceries, crockery, etc., and has a thriving trade. Mr. Burgwitz is a member of the K. of H., and in Masonry is a Knight Templar.

CHARLES COLLINS, foreman of the finishing department of John Deibele's sash, door and blind manufactory, is a native of Pennsylvania, and in 1840 moved with his parents to Ohio. They settled in Defiance County, where, upon a farm, our subject passed his earlier days. He then learned the carpenter's trade, and after a short period, came to Noble County, first locating at Wolcottville. He was identified with the contracting and building interest of Noble and La Grange Counties for over twenty-five years. He came to

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Kendallville in 1879, and became associated with the establishment of John Deibele, and is now the foreman of the finishing department of that institution. He enlisted in 1863, in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, being mustered out as Second Lieutenant. He passed through some severe and trying service, participating in eight of the leading battles. Mr. Collins was united in mar- riage, in 1858, to Miss Isabella Newman. They have two children-Ora and Minnie M.

JOHN DEIBELE, manufacturer and dealer in lumber and hard- ware, is a native of Germany. In 1853, he became a citizen of the United States, settling in Adrian, Mich. In 1855, he came to Kendallville, where he has been connected with the business interests ever since. He operated a saw-mill several years, subsequently learning the carpenter's trade, which occupied his attention for about sixteen years. In 1873, he started his present business, upon a small scale, and has, by judicious management and good financiering, established a business which takes rank among the leading industries of Noble County. He is a wholesale and retail dealer in lumber, laths, shingles, hardware, paints, oils, etc., and manufacturer of sash, doors, blinds, etc., running extensive planing and saw-mills, and employing in his establishment from twelve to eighteen men. Mr. Deibele is a fair type of a " self-made man." Beginning life in a strange country, he has, in a compara- tively few years, established a splendid business through pluck, industry and honorable business dealings. He has served upon the City Council, and takes interest in all movements of progress. He was united in marriage with Miss Anna Wingarth, in 1861. She died in 1873, leaving four children-Augus- tus, Amelia, Kate and Louisa. In 1875, he married a second wife, Miss Rosa Roop ; by her he had two children-Lydia and John.

JEFF DUNBAR, books, stationery and news, is a native of Canton, Stark Co., Ohio, and son of R. A. Dunbar, who has been for many years a prominent citizen and connected with the Sheriff's office of that county. Upon the breaking- out of the rebellion, our subject, who was at that period employed in the mercan- tile business at Tiffin, Ohio, returned to Canton and enlisted in Company I, Nine- teenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He saw four years' active and severe service, participating in several of the leading battles of the war-Corinth, the Atlanta campaign and the Texas expedition of the Third Division of the Fourth Corps. He was mustered out in October, 1865, at which time he was acting as Orderly Sergeant. In 1866, he came to Kendallville, and in association with A. Koontz established his present business. The partnership lasted only a few months, since which time he has been in business alone. His stock is choice, well selected, and complete, and his establishment of great benefit to the city of Kendallville.

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Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 76

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