USA > Indiana > Allen County > History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 68
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Their union has been blessed with four children-Luther H., Charles L., James and Clara May. In the accumulation of property, they have prospered liberally. They now have a farm of 103 acres, having occupied it siuce 1872. and possess with it a comfortable, happy home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1859.
In politics, Mr. Jobnstnn is an uncompromising Republican, but not a poli tician.
He is an enterprising farmer; has already taken steps toward breeding an improved grade of eattle, sheep and hogs, and intends a continuanee of improve tuent as fast as circumstanees will permit. He is a friend to education, a sup- porter and advocate of good schools, and, as far as able, ever stands ready to aid in advancing general improvements for liis county. Peaceable, temperate, kind to his family and industrious ; better, by far, would our communities he, could we have a greater number of citizens like Wesley Johnston.
LIEUT. JERRY HEFFELFINGER
was born August 15, 1832, in Cumberland County, Penn. His father, Capt. John Heffelfinger, and his mother-before marriage, Miss Elizabeth George-were also natives of that county. The puhlie schools of the Keystone State, at that period, were the means of education in youth for young Jerry, and it is said that he improved his opportunities.
Reaching his sixteenth year, or in the spring of 1848, he, with his parents, came to Allen County. They settled on the farm owned at this time by William J. Mayo, Esq., of Eel River Township, which they proceeded at once to improve. The five succeeding years, nearly, he employed alternately at labor on the farm for his father, and in attending school. Passing the age of twenty, he went forth from the home circle, to institute his own career in life. Theneeforward, seven successive years afforded a selool of varied experience in a number of dif- ferent States. Finding no place, to him, possessing more charms than Eel River Township, at the age of twenty-seven, he returned to the old homestead, and again engaged in farming.
Thus pursuing ahout one year, on September 13, 1860, he married Miss Margaret Slagel, oldest daughter of George W. Slagel, Esq., a pioneer of the adjoining county of Whitley, now renting a farm for one year; the ensuing sum- mer he purchased a tract of fifty acres of timber-land, taking possession in the fall of 1861. This he proceeded to clear and convert into a farmn. During the winter following. he deadened and prepared six acres for corn; underbrushing twelve acres beside. But emotions of patriotism responded to the voice of his country. in calling to aid in the war against rebellion. He left his little crop of corn still verdant in the field, bade adieu to his young wife, and on August 5, 1862, enlisted as a soldier in Company E, Eigbty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for three years or during the war, the same being organized at Camp Allen, near Fort Wayne. At its organization, he was appointed one of the Ser- geants of his company. August 29, his regiment was ordered to Louisville, Ky., reaching its destination on the 30th. From there, they quickly passed on to the front. Sergeant Heffelfinger was with his company and regiment at the battles of Perryville and Stone River; in the skirmish at Duck River and at the terrible conflict at Chickamauga. At Stone River, he narrowly escaped a severe
MRS A.T. STURGEON.
A.T. STURGEON.
RES OF A.T.STURGEON. EEL RIVER TP, ALLEN CO, IND.
RES.OF JERRY HEFFELFINGER EEL RIVER TP. ALLEN CO. IND.
RES OF F.W. ANTRUP ST JOSEPH TP. ALLEN CO. IND.
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RES OF WESLEY JOHNSTON, EEL RIVER TP, ALLEN CO, IND.
RES OF DAVID SHILLING, EEL RIVER TP, ALLEN CO, IND.
.RES. OF JOHN M. TAYLOR. EEL RIVER TP ALLEN CD. IND.
MARGARETH, LIPES.
DAVID H.LIPES.
1.9.
RES OF DAVID H.LIPES EEL RIVER TP, ALLEN CO, IND.
MAP OF
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TOWNSHD
T.30 N., R.14 E.
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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
-
if not a fatal wound. An ounee rifle-bullet lodged in his bayonet sheath, hang. ing at bis side; the same having in its deadly course struck the convex side of his bayonet. Otherwise, it must have passed directly through his hip, having pro- ceeded from a eross-fire of not to exceed thirty rods distance. On the 28th of January, 1863, he was promoted to Second Lieutenant, viee John G. Coheen. killed in the battle of Stone River. On the 20th of September, 1863, the sec- ond day of the battle of' Chickamauga, with seventeen other fellow-comrades of his regiment, he was captured by the forces of rebel Gen. Longstreet, and taken, first to Atlanta, then to Belle Island, and soon after to Libby Prison, Virginia. They were here confined until the spring of 1864, when they were transferred to Danville, Va. Here they were retained (1,500 in number) only about two weeks, when they were removed to Macon, G .. But the Confederates again removed them to Charleston, S. C., just in time to prevent their recapture by Gen. Stoneman, in August, during his raid after the fall of Atlanta. While imprisoned at Charleston, Lieut. Heffelfinger was one of 300 Federals, who were selected and placed in the Marine Hospital Building, under fire from the Union guns on Morris Island. This was done to intimidate the Federal forecs, and to cause them to eease firing upon the city, this building being in direct rauge.
The yellow fever appearing among our poor unfortunates, they were hastened off to Columbia, the State enpital. While en route by railway, Lieut. H. thought it his opportunity to escape. With the aid of a jack-knife, a hole was ent through the floor, near one corner of the ear, and about 2 o'clock in the morn- ing, while halting at a water-station, but a few miles from their destination, our hero and two brave comrades crawled out, the train at the same time being well-
In this attempt they struck out in the direction of Knoxville, Tenn. Eight days, as skulking, fleeing fugitives-four of them without food to eat-when un the very borders of East Tennessee, and almost within the camps, where waved the Stars and Stripes, alas ! here, in that morning fog of the mountains, they were picked up by a party of Indian scouts, whence they were taken to the rebel prison at Salisbury. These Indians were natives of those wild mountain regions, and because of their special fitness were employed by the Confederates
to capture their own deserters, and to recapture their runaway prisoners. From Salisbury, Lieut. H. was removed to Danville again, and after two weeks, hack to Libby Prison. Remaining here till February 22, 1865, he was exchanged, having suffered, during seventeen long months, indescribable hardships and privations. Reaching Annapolis, Md., he obtained a leave of absence for thirty days, which he occupied by paying a visit to his home and family, where he was received aluost as one risen from the dead. At the expiration of his furlough, he rejoined his regiment at Raleigh, N. C. On May 1, he was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant, and later marched with his regiment to Washington. Here they received orders to proceed to Indianapolis, where, on the 17th day of June, 1865, they were munstered out of the service. Lieut. Heffelfinger now returned permanently to his home, where he once again became the quiet, industrious eitizen upon his little farm. The ensuing fall, he added eighty acres more, adjoin- ing, to his formuer purchase. He has since added still other purchases, until he now owns 260 acres of excellent land, 100 of the same being in tillage, and the remainder in phsture and timber.
His married life has been blessed with two little sous-Chauncey C., born September 13, 1868, and Jolin K., born November 17, 1871. His polities have always been stanch Republican. Both he and wife ure earnest, consistent members of the M E. Church. He is a good neighbor, a model citizen, and to the looker-on has apparently a long life of peace and happiness before him.
GEORGE GREENWELL
lighted and guarded. Fed and sheltered by day, at the hands of colored people, \ was of Irisb parentage. He was born March 14, 1810, at Hagerstown, Frederick and at night guided hy them, after about twelve days, they arrived within forty miles of the Union forces around Atlanta, aud were there retaken by a patrol of rebels, in the wee small hours of morning. Consigned to prison at Augusta, Ga , they were soon returned to Columhin, S. C., there locked in jail over one night, and mingling among the mass of prisoners at the camp during the part of another ; at an early morning hour, with two new comrades, he made his second escape.
Co., Md. By reason of the death of his parents he was, at an early age, appren- ticed to a shoemaker, from whom he acquired a practical familiarity with the trade. In 1830, he removed to Miami County, Ohio, where, eight years subsequently, he wedded Miss Elizabeth Blickenstaff. He became a resident of Eel River Town- ship. Allen Co., Ind., in 1846, where, until his death, November 10, 1878, le continued to reside. His amiable companion departed this life July 8, 1868. They were the parents of five children ; three sons, still living, are residents of Allen County. Mr. Greenwell was a man of great firmness and decision of character in whatever his judgment told him was right. Of the opinion of others, believed to have but slight interest in matters considered, he seemed wholly oblivious. For the gossiper-ever ready with an opinion-he had no affiliation or respect. Himself serupulously honest and honorable, he invariably refused association with those wbose integrity bore marks of suspicion aud doubt. Well may such an example be emulated and perpetuated.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
BY L. H. NEWTON.
LOCATION AND BOUNDARY.
Jefferson is located southeast of the center of Allen County, and is bounded on the north by Milan, ou tbe east by Jackson, on the south by Madison, and on the west hy Adams.
EARLY SETTLEMENT
Jared Whitney was probably the first wbite man who came to reside perma- nently in this township. He came with his family, in May, 1533, and settled on the Maumee River, where he remained during the summer of that year, and in the ensuing fall he removed to a traet of land on Section 7, which he subsequently cleared and reduced to a farm. Wilhelm and Henry Tuschkenagen, with their families, came in the summer of the same year (1833). They were energetic and industrious Germans, and for a number of years were regarded as two of the most prosperous families in the community ; but in an evil hour, one of their sons, while at Fort Wayne, took a piece of cloth from one of the stores, for which he was arrested and imprisoned. One of the neighbors became his bondsman, and he was released on bail. He returned to his home, but a few days prior to the time set for his trial he disappeared, and no trace of his whereabouts was ever discovered. It was believed, and broadly hinted by the neighbors, that his own parents or kinsmen murdered him, preferring this to the disgrace of a conviction for larceny. The disgrace which had fallen upon them so preyed upon their minds that reason was dethroned; and night after night they were to be heard in the woods, pounding and breaking stone, with which, they said, they meant to (rect a temple. By the bad deed of one of its members, two good families were thus cursed and broken up, and the only survivor is a pitiable mental wreck. He is known as the " Prophet." and fancies that he must wait for the "word " before lic performis the most trivial offices of every-day life.
Shortly after the arrival of the Tuschkenagens, Christian Wolf, with his funily, settled on a tract of land near the latter, on Section 6, and Joseph Gro- naner settled, a few Weeks later, in the northwest corner of the township, where he remained until his decease.
Mr. Blackmore came in the fall of 1833, and settled on Section 7, where he remained but a short time. He sold his land and moved to another locality. Later in the same faili, William Henderson purchased a tract of land, which he sold after making a small clearing.
Some time during the year 1833, Simon Rogers purchased land on Section 7, and began the work of clearing it. He made it his home until 1834, when he
sold it to Eben Burgess. Mr. Burgess cleared and improved it, and made it his home until his removal to New Haven.
Elias Shaffer eame in the spring of 1835, and purchased the land of William Henderson. William Harper eamue in the same year, and is still a resident of tbe township. Mr. Shaffer subsequently sold his farm to Morgan Bentley, who com- pleted the work of clearing, and enltivated it until his decease.
Aretas Powers came in October, 1834, and settled on the farm where he now resides. James Post came in the same year, and settled ou Seven Mile Creek, where he remained for a brief period.
Henry Castleman settled near the center of the township in 1835 or 1836. In 1847, he removed to Monroe Township, where be remained until death. Aluong others who settled in the township at an early day, were Jeremiah Lusey, Jesse Adams (formerly of Adams Township), Thomas MeDougall, Jobu Mona- han, John Broderick, Dennis Keefe, Jeremiah Harrington, John MeCarthy, - Berry, Jobn Tillinan and George Snyder.
EARLY EVENTS.
The best frame house was erected by a Mr. Blakely on the farm subsequently purchased by Eben Burgess. It was uever occupied, however, as a residence, and after it became the property of Mr. Burgess was used as a barn.
Jeremiab Lascy erected the first bewed-log house on his farm, in 1837, and Eben Burgess erected the first brick house about the same time.
Jared Whitney set out the first orchard in 1834, and Mr. Blackmore reaped the first crop of corn in the same year.
The first marriage was celebrated in March, 1835, the coutraeting parties being William Henderson and Miss Elizabeth Rogers. Two years later, Reuben Powers and Miss Evaline Whitney were married at the residence of Jared Whit- ney, by Williamu Brown, Esq.
The first death occurred in 1835, the vietim being a child of Mr. Black more. It was buried on the home farm, on a little knoll opposite the house. About a year ago, a young son of James Post strayed into the woods, and was lost. A party of neighhors went in pursuit, and, after searching several days, found him iu the Seven Mile Creek, drowned. There was no cemetery iu the township, and the remains were taken to Fort Wayne for interment. The first cemetery was estab- lished in 1838, on land donated for the purpose by Jared Whitney.
On New Year's Eve, 1837, about twenty residents of this township went to a poiut near New Haven, provided with axes, cooking utensils, etc., and began to
154
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
lear up the Ridge road, which had been surveyed previously, but never opened. Up tu that time, it was merely a footpath ; but after several days' hard work, it became a well-defined road, and later a public thoroughfare.
The first schoolhouse was ereeted in 1838, on the farmu ot Christian Wolf, who gave a small corner of his land for that purpose. Jared Whitney. Aretas Powers, William Harper. Joseph Gronauer and others were the prime movers in having it established. Each had children to be educated, and the school was sus- tained by eontributions from them. The first free school was erected on the farm of O. Bird iu 1854. After that the subscription system was abolished, and new buildings ereeted each year under the publi ; school law. There are now ten dis- friet schools in the township with 523 scholars enrolled. The first religious queeting was held in the log schoolhouse in 1838, by Rev. David Pattee. Mcet- ings were subsequently hield at the same place by other ministers ; but no organ- zation was formed until several years later. About 1842, the first Methodist Episcopal elass was formed under the leadership of Rev. Pattee, but it was a short-lived organization, as the majority of its ineiubers soon after attached thewu- selves to New Haven class. A Sunday school was maintained during the exist- ence of this class, but was discontinued at its disorganization.
The first mill was erected in 1856, by Green & Burgess, near the center of the township. It was a saw mill, but a run of buhrs was subsequently attached for the convenience of the neighbors. It is still in operation, and is now owned by Jacob Blackburn, who officiated as sawyer during the earlier years of its his- vory. The first store was opened by Alanson Whitney in 1850. His first stock added a large invoice of general merchandise, and conducted a luermive business for about six years, at the end of which time he sold his goods to Bowers & Let- liek. Henry Castleman opened the first tavern about the time when the Sugar Ridge or Van Wert Road was first opened to travel. His accommodations were as good as could be found at the average tavern of that period, and it was said that he was none too modest in his charges to guests. His house was always full, and the business proved a profitable one to its proprietor: After travel ou the State road began to decline, and the business had seen its best days, Mr. Castle- man abandoned it. 'The first post. office was established at the house of Socrates Bacon in 1850, but the majority of the residents went to New Haveu for their mail, and this office was abandoned within a very few years.
ORGANIZATION.
Jared Whitney, Reuben Powers, Aretas Powers, Henry Castleman, Joseph Gronauer, William Harper and Alanson Whitney presented a petition to the Commissioners of Allen County, in January, 1840, praying for the organization of the township. In response to this petition, it was ordered by the Board " that Congressional Township 30 north, of Range 14 east, constitute a separate town- ship, to be known and called by the name of Jefferson Township.
" That Henry Castleman be appointed Inspector of Elections, and that an election be held at his house on the first Monday of April next."
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