History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 70

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 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).

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The fact that this township is remote from the county seat is, perhaps, the reason why it was not settled as early as other townships of the county. In 1839. Samuel Fogwell emque from Ohio and purchased land on Seetion 1. Hc cleared the timber from this tract and converted it into a fine farm, upon which he passed the residue of his life. His son Williamu now occupies the farin.

Soon after Mr. Fogwell's arrival, Frank Morrison and David Overly settled in the vicinity. In September, 1843, Anthony Krumme uioved from Pleasant Township, where he had resided since November, 1840. In the fall of 1844, William Jobs removed from Marion Township, to which place he came with his purents in 1832. He purchased land on Section 17, where he now resides.

During the year 1845, James Wilson, Isaac Alter, Isaac Hatfield, John Akers, Christian Foley and John Foley came to bear part in the settleinent. of the township. 1n 1846, Walter Kress settled on Section 10. Henry S. Kcely settled on Section 18 in 1847. Here he cleared and improved a large farm, upon which he still resides.

ORGANIZATION.

The township was organized in the spring of 1846, and, in April of that year. the first election was held at the house of William Jobs. Isaac Hatfield was elected Justice of the Peace ; William Jobs, Constable; Isaac Alter, Clerk ; James E. Wilson. Treasurer, and Samuel Fogwell, James Wilson and John Akers, Trustees.

EARLY EVENTS,

The first road was surveyed in 1842, traversing the township in a south- westerly direction from Fort Wayne to Huntington, Ind. It is known as the

lower Huntington road. Although surveyed and located in the year 1842, it was several years before it was made passable. It became a great thoroughfare, and is still extensively traveled. In later years, road distriets were established, and at present nearly every section line in the township has a couuty road.

The first marriage was solemnized by Isaac Hall, Justice of the Peace. David Overly, of this township, was the groom, and Miss Kimball, of Pleasant Township, the bride.

Daniel Overly died in 1847. This was the first death in the township. His remains were interred on the land now owned by H. S. Kelsey, a portion of which was afterward set apart for a cemetery.

. Isaac A., son of James E. and Sarah Wilson, was the first white child born in the township. He was born May 30, 1846.

The first schoolbouse was built in 1848, near the present site of Schoolhouse No. 1. Eli Ward was the first teacher. It was known as Coverdale School- house.

In the fall of 1850, a schoolhouse was built on the southeast corner of Section 18, and called the " Becch Schoolhouse," as it was composed entirely of beech timber. Miss Eliza Ogden presided as teacher.

CHURCHES.

Methodist Episcopal .- In 1852, Rev. Uhlman Gree aan organized the first Methodist class in the township, at Beech Schoolhouse, with eighty members. Here they held meetings at irregular intervals for a period of three years, after which the meeting-place was changed to Hoosier Schoolhouse, which was sit- uated near the present site of Munson Chapel. Services were then conducted at intervals of three weeks, for several years. During the late rebellion, political differences sprang up and proved detrimental to the growth of the good seed; and personal animosities reduced the number of members, but in 1869, a re-organiza- tion was effected with about twenty members, and Rev. Curtis was placed in charge as Pastor; Walter Kress was appointed Steward, and H. L. Riley, Class- Leader.

Iu 1870, they erected a frame house of worship, 36x50 feet, at as cost of $2,200, and gave it the name of Munson Chapel. The Church is now prosper- ous, having one hundred and eight quembers. Rev. Y. B. Merritt is the Pastor in charge ; . William J. Bowman, J. Bolinger and A. Coverdale, Stewards ; H. L. Riley, M Sites aud G. H. Knowlton, Class-Leaders.

In connection with the Church is a Sunday school, under the superinten- dency of W. J. Bowman. with seventy five scholars enrolled.

Baptist .-- On the fourth Saturday in October, 1854, ten members of this denomination met at the Beech Schoolhouse, and there organized the "Old School ".Baptist Church in this township. Maik S. Gaskill was chosen Deacon and Clerk. Soon after the organization was effected, Rev. Joseph Williams was

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157

MARION TOWNSHIP.

ehosen and installed as Pastor. In 1858, fourteen of the members of this con- gregation withdrew for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Church in Whitley County, thereby weakening the organization to which they formerly belonged.

The present number of members is thirteen. They have no church, and at present are without a Pastor. M. S. Caskill is Clerk, and William Newhouse, Deacon.

Disciples or Christians .- This denomination organized in the west part of the township in 1865, with eleven members. Rev. E. W. Hammond was the first Pastor; Stephen Wilson and Thomas Wilkerson were chosen Elders, and Isaac B. Dawes and William Jobs, Deaeons. In 1872, they built a frame church near Beech Schoolhouse, 36x48 feet, at a eost of $1,575, which was dedicated in Deecmiber of the same year, by Elder Smith, of Huntington, Ind. Rev. Thomas Bernaughi is the present Pastor; J. B. Wilson, Elder, J. A. Wilson and William Jobs, Deaeons.

In 1875, a Sunday school was organized in connection with the Church, with ahout fifty scholars. Isaae B. Davis was elected Superintendent. The school has not been in session since the fall of 1878.

Evangelical .- In 1850. twenty members of the Evangelical Association organized a society of that denomination in the northeast part of the township. Soon after organizing, they ereeted a log church on Seetion 13, in which they have ever sinee conducted services at intervals of two or three weeks. J. B. Fisher is the present Pastor. The number of members is twenty-one.

THE FIRST MILL.

In 1849, Henry Link erected a steam saw-mill in the suburbs of Zanesville; and, in 1875, Conrad Knight erected a steam grist-mill in the same vicinity. These were the first mills in the township.

SOCIETIES.

Beech Grove Grange' No. 1,411 P. of II., was organized January 28, 1874. with forty-one charter members. The following were the first officers : William Crabbs, Master ; Daniel De Witt, Lecturer ; John McClave, Secretary. The present number of members is thirty, and the present officers are as follows : J. M. Crabbs, Master ; William Riddin, Overseer ; Daniel De Witt, Lecturer ; T. P. Jobs, Secretary.

Zanesville Lodge, A., F. d. A. M .. was organized under dispensation April " 6, 1875, and received its charter May 25 of the same year. The original nuni- her of members was eighteen, and the following named persons filled the offices of the Lodge: William Angevine, W. M .; Jauies M. Young. S. W., E. J. Fetz .. J. W .; D. B. Waid, Treasurer ; William Beatty, Secretary ; Cyrus Young, S. D) : B. A. Hamilton, J. D .; Evan Bell, Tiler. The present number of members is tbirty-one. Present officers : F. J. Young, W. M .; James Young, S. W .; M. C Hamilton, J. W .; M. Wickliffe, Secretary ; E. J. Fetz, Treasurer ; Cyrus Young, S. D .; Evan Bell J. D .; B. A. Hamilton aud John MeClave, Stewards ; Evan Bell, B. A. Hamilton, Elihu Pocock, 'Trustees ; J. L. F. Thouias, Tiler.

ZANESVILLE

'The village of Zanesville is situated on the line dividing Allen and Wells Counties, and has a population of 400 souls. Henry Link was the first merchant in the village. He sold goods in 1852. The principal business men of the pres- ent are as follows : General merchandise, Waid & Adams ; drugs, Schoonover & Feltz ; grist-mill, Conrad Knight; saw-mill, Carroll, Weaver & Wilkerson ; hoots and shoes, Jonathan Michaels ; blacksmith, William Angevine ; physicians, Yuill & Neely.

MARION TOWNSHIP.

BY L. H. NEWTON.

At a session of the Commissioners of Allen County, in September, 1834, a new township was formed, embracing all of Marion Township, as well as a portion of Adams County ; and the territory thus organized was known as Root Town- ship. In August, 1835, Marion Township was organized, and made to include Township 29 north, of Range 13 east. It is bounded on the north hy Adams Township, east by Madison Township, west hy Pleasant Township, south by Adams County.

NATURAL FEATURES.

The surface of the township is slightly undulating ; the soil, a riel, sandy loam, and very productive. St. Mary's River flows from northwest to southeast. Merriam's Creek has its souree in the eastern part of the township, and flows in a northwesterly direction, joining St. Mary's River at a point on Section 6. Among the timber which formerly covered the surface was black walnut and white walnut, oak, ash, beccb, maple, etc., only a small proportion of which now remains. The market demand for this class of timber has resulted in its disap- pearance from the forests of this vicinity, and skillfully tilled farms have taken its place.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

In 1825, a Mr. Douglas rented the farm owned by Hugh Barnett, of Fort Wayne, remaining upon it about one year. At the end of that time the farm was taken aud occupied by Elisha Harris, a young man who had heen reared hy Mr. Barnett. He was a shrewd young man, and was familiarly known as " Yaukee Harris." Several years later, he purchased a farm near by, hut only resided upon it for a short time. He died at Fort Wayne.

Philo Whitcomb eame to the township in the fall of 1830. He was a native of Greene County, N. Y., where he resided until 1819; then, with his wife. and one child, he emigrated to the West, settling in Dearborn County, Ind. Iu 1827, in company with two friends, he followed an Indian trail to Allen County, to prospect for a new home, finally deciding to purchase near Monmouth, Adams Co., Ind. He purebased land in that locality, to which he soon after removed his family, and upon which he resided one year. In 1830, he purchased forty acres in Marion Township, and located immediately after. He was ambitious and energetic, and, from time to time, he added to his farm, making it one of the finest in the township. He was prominent in all measures adopted for the improvement of the township, aud was looked upon as a leader. He was called upon to fill various local offices, notably that of Justice of the Peace. He died in 1842

Later in the year 1830, Mrs. Mazena Merriam settled with her family on Section 5. She was among the colony who first settled in the northwestern por- tion of Adams County, where her husband died. With the assistance of her sons, she cleared and improved her farm on the Piqua road, remaining in the township until her decease.

Jesse Heaton, Sr., came in 1833. He was born in Connecticut in 1790, but moved to New York at an early age, and worked on his father's farm until twenty- two years of age. In 1812, he enlisted in the American Army, and served three months. He was taken ill at Sackett's Harbor, and discharged from the service. In 1818, he emigrated with his wife and family to Dearborn County. Ind., where

he resided until the date of his removal to this township. He entered land on Section 27, where he now resides. He is the oldest survivor of the pioneers of this township, and, during his younger days, took a prominent part in its develop- ment and improvement.

Henry Snyder entered a tract of land on the west side of St. Mary's River in 1833. He was fond of pursuing the game then so abundant, and the title. " Hunting Henry," conferred upon him by his neighbors, has followed him through life. Notwithstanding his devotion to the sport of hunting, he was in all respeets the peer of his neighbors for industry and enterprise, and never permitted pleasure to interfere with his work. He still resides on the land he then entered, and bas converted it into a fine, productive farm.

Michael Spittler, a native of Preble County, Ohio, settled on Section 35 in 1833. One night in June, 1834, while engaged in hunting deer, he contracted a severe cold, which eulminated in his death, after which his family returned to Ohio.

Samuel and Moses Beckner came from Ohio late in 1833. The former was a married man, and had a family at the time of his arrival. He made a small clearing on his land, but only remained a short time-returning to Ohio. His brother, Moses, married and finally settled in Wells County, Ind., where he now resides. George Hopple purchased land on St. Mary's River in the fall of 1833, which he sold to Henry Drage, three years later. He then removed to Adams County, Ind., where he cleared and improved a farm, and where he died several years ago.

Aden Brunson came to Allen County in 1833, and rented a farm iu Wayne Township, where he resided until 1836. He then purchased 132 acres in Marion Township, from which he hewed a fine farm. He died in October, 1842, while visiting friends at Lawrenceville, Ill. The farm is now owned and conducted by his son, Nathan.

Joseph Small came in the fall of 1838. He was a native of Maine, and was reared a farmer ; hut when a young man. he adopted the life of a sailor, and followed that occupation for a period of fifteen years. In 1817, he removed with his wife and family to Wheeling, W. Va .. thence down the Ohio, to a point twenty miles ahove Cincinnati, where he remained about two years. From there to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where he conducted a farm and brickyard until the date of his arrival in Allen County. Here he cleared a tract of timber, and con- verted it into a farm. He was à man of great industry, and, after a hard battle with pioneer life, accumulated a comfortable fortune. He died in 1868, at the age of ciglity-ciglit years.

After 1836, a number of families settled in various parts of the township. Some remained hut a short time, and a complete list of names would add length without adding interest to the history. Prominent among those who came prior to 1840 were Thomas Thompson, Christopher Lipes, Jared Morton, Henry Drage, Joseph C. Wells, Isaae Herrod, Joseph Hall. Judge Nelson MeLain. William Ward and Daniel Whitaker. Judge MeLain was prominently identified with the early history of the township, and was repeatedly called upon to serve in an official capacity. From 1863 until the date of his removal to Wabash, Ind., he was almost constantly associated with the public business of the town- ship and county.

158

HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.

EARLY EVENTS.

The First Death .- In the winter of 1827. William MeConnaughey, who had been in the employ of parties in Fort Wayne, started on foot for his home in Ohio. He had reached a point on the Piqua road, in Marion Township. when he was overcome by fatigue, or the contents of the flask which was suhse- gnently found in his pocket. On the day following his departure from Fort Wayne, some Indians eame to town with the intelligence that a man had been frozen to death during the preceding night. A crowd repaired to the spot, and found the body of MrConnaughey stiff in death. A grave was made on the farm now owned by Juhu Small, and his remains deposited therein.

The first death after 'the settlement of Marion Township was that of Mr. Thompson, father of Thomas Thompson, who died in 1833. Several weeks later, his daughter Martha also died, and, within a short time, was followed by her friend Miss Jane Merriam.

The first marriage Was solemnized in April, 1843. by Samuel Rugg, Esq., the contracting parties being William Cain and Miss Elizabeth Whitcomb.

The next marriage was that of Absalom Roberts and Miss Elizabeth Ever- man, in 1837 ; and, in 1838, Cyrenus Merriman and Miss Jane Thompson were united for life by a similar ceremony.

The first orchard was planted by Elisha Harris in 1830, aud the second by Philo Whiteomb in 1833. Jesse Heaton, Sr., started a nursery on his farm in 1833, from which he supplied the neighbors with young trees.

The first stock of merchandise was brought to the township in 1832 hy Hiram Moorey, who opened his store in a log building, south of the present site of Hessen Cassel. The country was then too sparsely settled to admit of a good trade, and, after about two years, Mr. Moorey removed to another locality.

Miller & King opened a well-selected stock of merchandise in 1839, at the present site of the Nine Mile House, where they enjoyed a prosperous trade.

The first. tavern was established in 1837 by John Karn. It was kept in a log building on the Pigna road, and was conducted by him for two or three years. It was then purchased by Miller and King and conducted as a store and tavern. Subsequently the house was purchased by John Trentman, who rented it to John Holmes. The latter gentleman built the Nine Mile House in 1850, to accommo- date the increasing custom.

'The first post office > was established in 1831, and was called Root Post Office. Philo Whitcomb was appointed Postmaster, receiving his commission from Gen. Andrew Jackson. Four years later, MIr. Whitcomb resigned and was succeeded by Judge Nelson MeLain. when the office was removed to the house of the latter. The mail was first carried on horseback by a Mr. Stoker, who resided in the western part of Ohio. This method of conveyance was superseded by a stage coach in 1851. Judge MeLain remained in charge of the office for a number of years, and, upon his resignation, Dr. Hiram Barber was appointed Postmaster and removed the offiec to Middletown, where it is still kept. Jacob Hess is the- present Postmaster.

The first religious meeting was beld at. the house of Jesse Heaton, Sr., in 1835, by Rev. James Harrison, of the M. E. Church; aud Rev. Robert Tisdel. of the Baptist Church, condneted services at the same house, later in the same year.

The first frame house was erected by Philo Whiteomb in 1839, and was then regarded as quite a pretentious edifice. The example set by him was followed by bis neighbors, and, within a year, several of the surrounding log houses gave place to frame structures. The old house still stands on the farm of John Small, a connecting link between the past and present.

The first road was cut out by Gen. Wayne's army, on their way to Fort Wayne, and in later years it was improved and widened, and made a public highway. The first regularly surveyed road, however, was the Piqua State road. It was located in 1830, by Benjamin Lytle, assisted by Hugh and William Bays, and Peter Dalman. The trees were permitted to lie near where they fell, in locating the road, and thus formed a dam which prevented the water from running off. The region was marshy at best, and in wet weather the road was almost impassable. It was traveled by heavy teams, and it was often found necessary to leave the road and hunt a passage through the woods; and, until 1850, the lines laid out for the Piqua road were almost entirely disregarded. In that year a stock company was formed, and the road was graded and covered with plank from Fort Wayne to a point near Wiltshire, Ohio. Toll-houses were erected along the road. and a daily line of stage-coaches was put in operation. All was prosperous, and the stockholders derived a good return for their invest- ment. for several years. Finally, bowever, the road was sold to satisfy a mortgage, and fell into the hands of private parties, who failed to keep it in repair, but at the same time insisted upon collecting toll. The travelers over the road resented this injustice, and one evening the toll-house was fired and burned to the ground. After this, the planks were appropriated by citizens along the line, and the plank road ecased to exist. It is still one of the important highways leading from Fort Wayne, and is extensively traveled.

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History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 70

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

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