History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 65

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Kingman Brothers
Number of Pages: 366

USA > Indiana > Allen County > History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 65

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William Miller came froui Ohio and settled on his present farm in 1836. He was then a young man and full of life and energy, so indispensable to one in his position. From Beckett's Branch to the spot which he had chosen for his home, be was compelled to cut his way through the woods. After felling some trees and erecting a cabin, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and there was married to the lady who, ever since, has been his companion and belpmeet. He has eleared and improved a fine farm, upou which he still resides.

Louis Nettlehurst settled in the township soon after William Muller, and cleared a farm on Section 18, where he died within a few years after his arrival.

Peter Sullivan and John Rogers came in the same year (1836). Both are natives of Ireland, and have always heen firmu friends. They lived near each other in Pennsylvania and emigrated to Indiana in company. Both have cleared the land they then purchased and converted it into fine farms. They still reside in the township, respected by all who know theun.

John Baker and William Berry eamie in 1836. Baker was n native of Mercer County, Ohio, and settled with his family on a tract of heavily timbered land, from which he developed a good farm Ahout ten years later, be sold his farm and removed to St. Joseph, Mo. His companion, Mr. Berry, was also a native of Mercer County, Ohio. He located on the farm now owned hy the heirs of Christian Schlatter, and remained engaged in its cultivation until his removal to the West.

Moses Sivotts, an carly settler of St. Joseph Township, settled in Cedar Creek in 1838. He remained here until death, and was buried on his own farm, which is now owned by Mrs. Sebastian Schlatter.

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RES. OF WILLIAM DEPEW CEDAR CREEK ALLEN CO. IND.

147

CEDAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.

William and Joseph Shields, John Hackley, Aaron Paff, William Bowser, John Hagan, Henry Updyke, Abraham Fulkerson. Hariuon Lydecker, Joseph Silvers, John B. Blue and - Jones were among the early settlers of the town- ship, arriving between the years 1837 and 1840.

EARLY EVENTS.

Jacob Notestine and Jolin Manning planted the first eorn in 1834, and sowed the first wheat, in the following fall.

Jacoh Notestine set out the first orehard in 1836. He bought the trees from John Chapman (alias Johnny Appleseeds), a character well known by the older residents of the county. This orchard is still thrifty and hears fruit annu- ally.

The first road was surveyed through the township in 1835, being a continu- ation of the road surveyed in the preceding year as far as Jacob Notestine's farm. In this year, it was made a State road, and called the Fort Wayne and St. Joseph road.

Mary, daughter of Peter Notestine, was the first white child horn in the township. She was born in the fall of 1834, and died later in the same year.

The first marriage was celebrated in 1840, between Nelson Grubb and Miss Martha A. Notestine, at the residence of the bride's parents. In the same year, William Manning and Miss Eliza Murray, and Amos Manning and Miss Rouch, were united in the holy bonds.

The first store was kept hy Thomas Hamilton in 1838-39 near the present site of Maxfield & Co.'s flouring-mill at Hamilton. E. L. Knight opened a store about the same time in the half-completed mill huilding at that village. This mill was built by William G. Ewing, and was the first in the township.

Stout Price was the first hlacksmith. He came to the township in 1840, and erected his forge in a little log cabin, near the site of Hamilton. After that village was platted, he removed to the place now occupied by a shop of the some character, belonging to John Schoerpf. Samuel Cassady was associated with Price as partner, and subsequently opened a shop in the building vacated by the latter.

John Dever was the first wagon-maker in the township. He opened his shop in 1839 or 1840, and conducted his trade successfully for a number of years. He is now one of the proprietors of the Leo Flouring. Mills.

The first schoolhouse was built near the center of the township in 1837. It was situated near the swamp, and was quite inaccessible, as there were no roads leading to it, and few children within the vicinity. It was never used for the purpose, and was left to deeay. The public-school system was inaugurated in 1857, and witbin a few years, each distriet was supplied with a school building. Of this class there are now ten in the township, having 593 scholars enrolled.

The first election was held in the school-house in 1837. The voting-pre- cinct was so remote from the inhabited part of the township, that not more than half of the voters found their way to it. It was then ordered that the election be held thereafter at the house of John Manning. At the election which took place at the log schoolhouse, Joseph Silvers and John B. Blue were elected Justices of the Peace, and Thomas Wilson, Constahle.

The first post office in the township was established in 1847, two years pre- vious to the platting of the village of Hamilton. It was known as Leo Post. Office, and John Manning was appointed Postmaster. The office was kept at the store of John B. Blue, who acted as Deputy. The mail was carried from Fort Wayne to the northwestern towns in Ohio, and the southern towns in Michigan ; and Leo was a point on the route. Jeremiah Bowen was the contractor, and his sons, Mason and Marvin, rode the horses used for the mail service.

The first religious meeting was held at the house of' Jacob Notestine, in 1836, hy Rev. Hickland, of the Methodist Protestant Church. In 1838, a class was organized under the auspices of this denomination, and received accessions fromu the Methodist Episcopal and United Brethren Churches. They held meetings at irregular intervals, in private houses, and at a later date, in the schoolhouse on Section 32; maintaining an organization until the members of the Methodist and United Brethren Churches withdrew to organize their respective denominations.

CHURCHES.

Methodist Episcopal .- The members of this denomination organized a class in 1845, under the ministerial offices of Rev. Dowd, and held meetings at Silver's Schoolhouse until 185I. In that year, they erected a log church on the farm of Wesley Hollopeter, and maintained services for several years. Finally, some of' its members withdrew and organized churches nearer their homes. Mount Olivet Church and Robinson Chapel are its successors. Its membership was weakened by their withdrawal, and it soon ceased to he used as a church. In 1851, the Methodists organized at Hamilton, and held meeting at the house of Henry McEwen. Rev. Andrew Hollopeter was in charge of the circuit to which it was attached, and officiated as Pastor-holding meetings ouce a month. In 1857, they erected a small framo church at Hamilton, in which they worshiped until 1878. The building was then sold, and the congregation purchased one of larger dimensions, which they repaired, and in which they now worship. They have a membership of forty, and the Church is under the pastoral care of Rev. Wol- verton.

In 1869, the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, living at Cedar- ville, ereeted at that point a neat frame church, which is also under the pastoral care of Rev. Wolverton at present.

Catholic .- St. Bonifacius' Church was organized iu 1850, hy Rev. Father Benoit, and Rev. Father Baconcs, with forty families. Services were held at private houses until 1856, at which time they erected their present church huild- ing in the village of Hamilton. Services are now held every alternate Sunday, by Rev. Father M. P. Fallize.

United Brethren .- In February, 1861, a class of this denowination was organized at Hamilton, with fifty constituent members. Rev. Jonathan Thomas was their Pastor. Soon after the organization, they erected a church at Hamilton, in which they held services until 1875. The building was a frame, 36x48 feet, and cost $1,200. In 1875, it was sold to the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and, in the same year, a new edifice was erected at Cedarville, 30x40 feet. It was dedicated by Elder David Holmes in April, 1877. The following named minis- ters have officiated as Pastors of the Church : Revs. William Moffett, J. Lower. G. W. Stewart, G. W. Tuttle, Jonathan Thomas, J. K. Alwuod, E. Miller, MI Mothlen, J. W. Martin, D. B. Keller. G. W. Dinius, G. W. Redman. The preseut number of menthers is fifty ; Rev. J. W. Martin, present Pastor.

The Sunday school was organized soon after the Church, and, while the con- gregation remained at Hamilton, it was only conducted during the summer. Since its removal to Cedarville, however, it has been maintained throughout the year. It has seventy scholars enrolled, and, during the past year, had an average attend- ance of forty-nine. John Steviek is the present Superintendent.

German Baptist .- Until 1876, the members of this denomination residing in Cedar Creek Township went to the southern part of De Kalh County to attend religious services. In June of that year, they withdrew from the Church there, and purchased the building formerly used as a house of worship by the Methodists at Hamilton, converting it into a church ol' their own denomination. It was dedi- eated by Rev. Jesse Culherd, of Kosciusko County, Ind. Rev. Harrison Ellson is the present Pastor, and the Church now has fifty members.

Mennonite .- The first services by this denomination were held in 1852, at the house of Jacoh Saunders, hy Rev. Craber; and at this meeting the society was organized. Meetings were held regularly thereafter at the houses and barns of members of the congregation, until 1874. In the summer of that year, they erected a frame church, about a mile cast of' Hamilton. which now has a memher- ship of 100.

In 1860, several members withdrewfrom the Church, and organized a second church of the same denomination though independent of the old society.

A difference in views caused the separation, and the disaffected clement have never erceted a church, hut still hold their wiectings at private houses

Apostolic Christian Church .- In the fall of 1862, two members of this denomination met at the house of Jacob Schwartz, and organized the Church. Rev. John Crayhill. of Illinois, preached the first sermon. These two constituted the membership of the Church for nearly two years ; then others were added to the number, and meetings were held at the houses of the various members. In 1878, they erected a church near the town of Hamilton, and on the liest Sunday in May it was dedieated by Rev. Henry Sauders and Rev. Joseph Courad, who still serve as Pastors of the Church. Since that titue, services have been con- dueted every Sunday. The present number of members is thirty.

RELICS.

A few years ago, the residents of Cedarville were thrown into a state of great excitement hy the reports of a party of strangers who came from the West, osten- sibly to hunt and trap along Cedar Creek. As the stream is not famous for its fish, or the game in its vicinity, a suspicion was awakened in the minds of the citizens that their mission was of another nature. They were watched, and were often found making excavations near a particular spot on the hank of the creek. Finally, it was rumored that these men had come from the West to seek for treasure, huried by the French and Indians in that spot, guided hy the directions given them by au old Indian whose ancestors were among the tribes who lived here in those far-away days. When interrogated as to the truth of this report, they did not deny it, but continued digging from day to day. It is said that they finally exhumed a chest, rotten and worm eaten; but its contents were never made koown. Why treasure was buried here, or whether it was ever buried or not, will remain questions for the curious. At any rate, the legends of the locality should not be lightly thrown aside, they are its legacies ; and, whether faneiful or true, are possessed of' a degree of' romantic interest, from their very uncertainty.

Indisputahle traces of a former civilization have been discovered in the vicinity of Cedarville, at various times, according to the statement of Johu Pring, a resident of the township, and a reliable man. Mr. Pring settled iu the township in 1848. and soon after his arrival found, on the bank of the creek near Cedarville, some fragments of traec-chains, log-chains, etc., together with a heap of cinders, which confirmed his idea that a blacksmith's forge had been operated there or in the vicinity. As they were buried below the surface, he con- cluded they must have been there for years. Ou the morning of' April 28, 1850, Mr. Pring, in company with a neighbor, George Hursch, started to Leo Mills to buy flour. A storm had prevailed during the night of the 27th, and had uprooted a linn tree, which fell across the road. The friends separated as they neared the tree, and Mr. Pring's eyes fell upon what he regarded as a strange sight-a sword, buried nearly to the hilt in the soft wood. He drew it out and took it home, where he kept it for several years. He afterward presented it to Mr. F. P. Randall, of Fort Wayne. Near the same date Williamu Muller found on his farm a cannon ball. These l'acts would seem to indicate the presener of soldiers at some time ; but it is not known that any battles were fought here.

On a later occasion (October, 1869), while in company with his sou, walk- iug ir the vicinity of Cedarville, Mr. Pring noticed a depression in the ground, and thrust a stick into the soft carth, which yielded readily, striking a hard substance about two feet below the surface. He procured a spade, determined to satisfy his curiosity, and finally unearthed an beechen cross, fourteen feet in length, and hear- ing on its face the figures, "1772," deeply carved. During the construction of a ditch on the farm of Peter Notestine, in April, 1879, the laborers exhumed a number of gigantie bones, together with several large teeth. probably the re nains of some pre-historic animal. The teeth are three inches wide at the base, and

145

HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.

the jawbone looks very much like that of the mastodon. These relics are now in the possession of Mr. Notestine.

HAMILTON-LEO POST OFFICE.

The village of Hamilton was laid out in February, 1849, and soon took precedence of its older neighbor, Cedarville. It is now quite a prosperous village. The following are its principal business men : General merchandise, John Sehoerpf, A. C. Stewart ; drugs, E. G. Wheeloek, Caseheer & Co. ; hoot and shoe manufacturer, A. Lower; physicians, Dr. E. G. Wheclock, Dr. J. J. Cottie; Justice of the Peace, C. W. Lindsey; steam saw-quill, Stevick & Hollopeter ; planing-mill, Frank Muller; steun Aouring-muill. Mixfield & Co ; blacksmith and wagon-maker, Jacob Fink ; blacksmiths, Fred Deventer, Casper Harher; wagon- makers, J. L. Lepper, John Kazmier.

SOCIETIES.

Leo Lodge, No. 224. A. F. & A. M .. was organized under dispensation, January 10, 1850, and rec ived its charter May 24 of the same year. Edward L Knight was appointed W. M .; Jacob Bickhart, S. W .; C. H. Viherg, J. W .; William Daily, Secretary ; J. W. Hollopeter, Treasurer. The Lodge is now in good working order, and owns the building in which its meetings are held. It is Free I'm deht, and in good condition financially. Its membership at present numbers thirty-nine. The present officers are as follows: K. C. Godfrey, W. M : W. C. Hollopeter, S. W .; George W. Smith, J. W .; John Dever, Secretary, William Depew, Treasurer; Joh C. Smith, S. D., George Viherg, J. D.

CEDARVILLE

was laid out on the northeast quarter of Section 28, in May. 1838. It contains one general merchandise store, and post office, kept by Z. T. Garrett ; oue steam saw mill, one hlacksmith-shop, and one wagon-shop.

PETER NOTESTINE.

We now assume the difficult. hut in no way unpleasant, task of writing the history of one who has wrestled with the hardships aud extreme trials of the times when the seed of the riel and-glorious harvest of the propitious present was sown, and germinating now clothe it with opulence and splendor. We are to note the events of olle who came to this county in its earliest days, before the rude children of the forest had fully retreated and yielded in suhmission to the deter- mined and invincible force of an aggressive civilization ; hefore the learned, thic culti- vated, had driven the wild, the untamed, the untutored, away, to make room for the mighty changes that have since been wrought. The subject of this sketch las heen an eye-witness to all this; has tasted the hitter and the sweets of frontierism, and is couated among the old time-honored pioneers of this county. This ancient settler with silver head lives yet, vigorous, to tell the tales of the early years, and he recites then so as to interest the auditor. He was the fourth son and the sixth child of Jacoh and Barbara Notestine. and was born in Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, in the far-famed Buckeye State, April 11, 1819. He came to this county, with his parents, in the eleventh year of his age. They anchored at Fort Wayne on the 14th of July, 1830, just one-half a century ago, lacking one year. Here they remained till the spring of 187-4, when they Loved and settled on the hanks of the little St. Joseph River, in what is now Cedar Creek Township. This was the home of the parents till they were called from earth by the Father ahove, and they sleep in the soil purchased of the Government hy William Gunder, a brother of old Mrs. Notestine, hut afterward owned hy Jacob, the Father of Peter, and that sacred spot is yet a part of the Notestine estyle. Mr. Notestine's early literary advantages were such as the pioneer youth generally enjoys, hut nature compensated largely for lack of early opportunities, and he is credited hy those who know him, with possessing good, strong common sense-the hest and only true sense in the world. Added to this, he is a close ohserver, and has been able to make himself conspicuous among his fellows. As a life business, he chose farming as a favorite pursuit, and to this he has given his best energies. He is more than ordinarily practical, aad the evidences are that he has heeu successful. A glance at his home and surroundings will at once impress the observer that he is a master in this safe and respectable avocation. On the 29th of June, 1843, he was married to Miss Jane Blair, daughter of John Blair, an old and respected pioneer of De Kalh County, this State. This union was hlessed-with six children-Benjamin F., horn April 16, 1844; Emily J., born March 1, 1848; Margaret C., horn May 28, 1850 ; Joseph H., born September 5. 1851; Angeline A., born December 12, 1857; Mary A., born February 10, 1800. Mrs. Notestine died February 10, 1860, and on the 27th of July, 1862. Mr. Notestine was again married, this time to Miss Mary Rhinehart, a daughter of A D. Rhinchart, an old settler of Knox County, Ohio. 'The fruits of this union have heen three hoys -- Clermont L ,horn December 12 1864; Charles M .. horn January 21, 1867; Joha P .; horn October 17, 1869. Mr. Notestine is not a church member of any organized sect, hut indorses the doctrine of universal salvation Politically, he is an unflinching. uncompromising Demoerat. Was a delegate from this township. that helped to organize the convention system in this county. He has identifiel himself as an active worker in the rinks of Democracy. Ilis first Presidential vore was for Martin Van Buren, in 1440, and he he never failed to vote at any Presidential election since. Ile ralli .d even to the support of Horace Greeley. Mr. Notestine is a friend of progress, and helicves the world should move socially, morally and intellectually.

DANIEL NOTESTINE.

This gentleman was horn August 6, 1822, in Fairfield County, Ohio. His parents were Jacoh and Barhara Notestine. He was one of a family of fifteen children. Six of them yet survive-four hrothers and one sister, besides Daniel. His origin is German, each grandparent heing a native of Germany. His father's family emigrated to Allen County in 1830, first settling at Fort Wayne July 14, young Daniel then heing a Ind of about eight years. Remaining in Fort Wayne until the spring of 1834, they removed to Cedar Creek Township.

Few schools, at that early day, heing instituted in Allen County, the advan- tages for education were necessarily limited. But Daniel early evineed a fond- ness for rea ling, and hy this medium acquired a goodly fund of information. He is a farmer from choice, and in that vocation has been successful. February 15, 1843, he married Miss Charlotte Lee, and August 20, 1857, their happy union was dissolved hy the sad death of his companion, thus leaving eight small chil- dren motherless-George W., Andrew and Jackson (twins), John, Elizabeth, Catherine, Sarah and Cordelia. Mr. Notestine was a second time married, August 29, 1853, to Miss .Catherine Wagner. Six children have heen the Fruits of this, his second marriage-Henrietta, Jacoh B., William, Nettie O., Anna R and Daniel, Jr. Mr. Notestine was called upon to mourn the loss of his second companion Deeemher 25, 1871. Again, a third time, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony, September 8, 1872. His choice this time fell on Miss Susan MeCrory. Each of his three wives were uatives of Ohio. Mr. Notestine and wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

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History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 65

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Kingman Brothers Number of Pages: 366

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Kingman Brothers
Number of Pages: 366