USA > Indiana > Allen County > History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 81
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
Mr. Burrier, although long past the allotted " three-score and tru." is now o hearty, hale and energetic man, directing the management of his large farm with the energy of the majority of men twenty years his junior.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
BY L. II. NEWTON.
This township is situated northwest of the center of Allen County, and is hounded as follows. North by Perry and Eel River, east hy St. Joseph, south by Wayne, west by Like. Its surfaco is of that undulating nature peculiar to this eounty ; not sufficiently rugged tu be characterized as hilly, nor yet sufficiently level to form prairie land. It comprises 34.84 square miles, or 21.653.72 acres, of which nearly all have been converted from the wilderness to fertile farmns. The Miami and Pottawatomie Indians were for many years the sole inhabitants of the territory included within its present limits, and although their lands had been ceded to the white man by treaty long before its first settlement, they still remained in the vicinity. an I were seen for several years after pioneer labor was inaugurated. They never molested their white neighbors, hut frequently had bitter quarrels among themselves, often killing one or more of their number in the melee.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Reinard Cripe, a Pennsylvania German, settled with his family on Spy Run. in the fill of 1823. He was not remarkable for energy, and did but little toward the improvement of the land upon which he settled. or " squatted." lle was fond of the chase, and gave a large proportion of his time to the pursuit of that sport. He was a elever, good-natured man, and was well liked by those who emque to the township at a later date and formed his acquaintance. He remained but a few years, and removed to Elkhart County. Ind., where he probably died.
Thomas Hatfield eame to the township and purchased a truet of land. return- ing soon after to his home in Montgomery County, Ohio. He was a native ot the State of Delaware, where he lived until twelve years of age, then emigrated with his parents to Ohio, where he grew to manhood and married. There he was only able to rent. a firmu, aml determined to seck amung the cheap lands of Indi- ama the location for a home and the mems of independence. With this end in view, he made the jarrehose, and in November, 1825, he placed his family and huuschold gouds in wagons, and on the tith day of December Following, reached his home in the forest. He settled on Section 23. where he lived six years, then sold to William Bolton, by whom the farm was subsequently sold to its present owner, John C. Pfeiffer. In 1833, he entered the farm upon which his son. Ben- jamin Hatfield. now resides. This he cleared and improved. and made in his home until his decease, in 1803.
David Archer enme with his brother-in-law, Thomas Hatfield, in the same vear (1825). Mr. Archer was a native of Kentucky, and moved from that S'ate to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he married and remained until his removal to this township. Ile first suttled ou a truet of land adjoining Thomas Hatfield. This he subsequently sold, and removed to the northern part of the township where he resided until his d ecase. This farm is now owned and ocenpied by his son David. Mr. Archer was accompanied in his journey by Adun Pettit, an unuru- riedl man who purchased and cleared the farm upun which he now resi les. In 1828, he mirriel Mi- Sarah. daughter of David Archer.
Andrew J. Manacame with the family of Benjamin Archer, as early . 1824, and was in Mr. Archer's service for several years thereafter. Ile was at
work in the township, assisting to clear the land of Benjamin and David Archer, and finally purchased a larn upon which he still resides.
Isaac Klinger emme in 1826, and entered a truet of land :car the present site of' Bloomingdale, to which he removed his family in the Hilluwing year. Ile subsequently purchased the farm on Seetion 17, where he naw resides.
Jonathan Couk, a native of Rhode Island, eume with his family in the spring of 1827. He settled on Section 34, where he resided until 1832, when he sold his farm and removed to IHinnis.
His brother, Philip Cook, came to the township with him. He married Miss Isabel Archer in 1828, and removed to Fort Wayne, where he was engazed in blacksmithing Several years later, he removed to Perry Township and alter- ward to his original purchase in Washington Township, where he resided until his decease, in 1877.
Lato in the year 1827, Lovell Yates and Richard Shaw settled in the town- ship. They were natives of Virginia ; were fond of hunting and depended for their daily food more upon their rith 's than their labor in ulling the soil. They cleared a small piece of' land which they rented of a Mr. Forsythe, of Fort Wayne. On this they cultivated a small lied of corn and potatoes. They remained but a few years, and finally removed to Illinois
James Sanders settlel on St. Joseph River in 1827. He was formerly a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, nud, after loeating in the township. occasionally conducted religious meetings at the houses of his neighbors.
In 1828, a Mr Hudson settled, with his family, on the Lima road, where he cleared and improved a farm He died in 1840, and his family removed to the West.
Anderson S. Ballard settled in the township in 1839. He was a native of Virginia, and remove-l to Fort Wayne in 1825. He married Susannah Archer and was engaged at Fort Wayne as a brick mason until the date of his settl mmen1 in this township. 11 remained in the township until 1855, was elected Justice of the Peace and served several years. He removed to Noble County, Ind., in 1835, and remained there until denth.
Joseph Goins, a native of Virginia, settled in the township in 18:0. He purchased aod cleared a l'irm, upon which he resided until his decesae.
Joseph Gill came From Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1832, and settled on Section 15. While there his wife died, and he returned to Ofno. anl in 1x3 ;. emne back to this. township. Ele resided at his farm on Section 15 untit 1958, when he removed to his present residence on the Lia road. In 1839 and tu he was one of the contractors engaged in making it a plank road. Danas his younger life he took an active interest in the affans of the township, and served as one ol' the first Board of Trustees, and subsequently held the positions of Sup r visor, Clerk and Treasurer. His services were rendered tree of charge-teus- tum then universal among the towuship officers. Mr. Gill still resil's in the township. an ! has reached the advanced age of seventy nine years.
Joshua and Gorge Buthr, with their mother and two sisters can Ir mi Ohio in 1832, and G.en Peyton and Babel Wainwright, with their fammi s. from the same State, settled in the township in the same year.
L
1
178
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA
Elias Walters came fronf St. Mary's, Ohio, and settled in the township in 1834. He was identified with its interests throughout his life, and remained uutil his desease. His son, John, now oceupies the home farm.
Julin M. Smead, a untive of Guilford, Vt., catue tn Fort Wayne in 1936 He was a tanner aod enrrier, and worked at that trade in Fort Wayne until 1840. In that year, he removed to Washington Township, and in March, 1840. married Mrs. Rachel Notostine, ilaughter of Thowas Hatfield, and widow of' Eruauuel Natestine. He cleared and improved a farmu, upon which he still reside's.
L. II. Price canus from Whitley County, Ind., and settled in tho township in 1840. He is "a veteran of two wars." In the war with Mexico, he served under Gen. Zachary Taylor, and, in the late rebellion, under Gou. James M. Schofield
John B. Grosjean settled in tho township in 1834, and cleared a farm, upon which he now resiles, nu Sertion 12.
Benjamin Sonderland came in 1836, and still resides in the township.
Christopher Pfeiffer came from Buffalo, N. Y., in 1840, and settled with his family on the fariu now owned by his son, Christopher. He remained in the tosuship until his decease, in 1860.
„After 1840. new families arrived in the township in such rapid succession than it woubl be impossible to give a detailed list of names. Within the fifteen years preceding that date, many improvements had been made, and many acres of forest had been felled and succeeded by well-tilled fields.
1
In 1830, Col. John Spencer surveyed and loented a road from Fort Wayne, passing through this township, and terminating at Goshen, Ind. In the same season, he surveyed what is known as the Lima road, from Fort Wayne to Lima, La Grange Co., Ind, anl, in the snececding spring, surveyed the Fort Wayne And Leesburg and the Yellow River roals. Thus the residents were provided with the tucans of communication with surrounding settlements and good quarkets; and. within a few years thereafter, the township was divided into road distrirts, and local communications facilitated. The first meeting for this purpose was held at the house of' Isaac Klinger, Monday, June 3, 1839, when Supervisors were appointed and road distriets established.
The Township Cemetery was donated by Thomas Hatfield in 1830. It consists of one acre, which was originally a part of his farm, on Section 22, and is still used for the purpose for which it was designed.
The first death in the township was that of Mary, wife of Joseph Gill, whose remains were interred in this cemetery.
The first white child born in the township was David, son of David and Anna Archer. Hle was born January 1, 1827. He grew to manhoud in the township, warried and rebred a family, and is now one of its most respected citizens.
The first, marriage was solemnized in 1828, the contracting parties being Franklin Smileand aud Miss Rebecca Archer.
The First Mil .- In 1830, Henry Rudi-ill ereeted the first mill, on the bank of St. Jos .ph River, and probably na enterprise ever inaugurated in the township was hailed with more pleasure than this. The inconvenience of travel- ing to Ohio "to will" was one under which The settlers had long been compelled to suffer; and the imperfect roads made these journeys impracticable at times, and they were often without flour in the house and compelled to subsist upon corn bread. So, when Mr. Rudisill announced bis intention of building a mill in the vicinity of their homes, every one seemed actuated by an itupulse to con- Tribute. som thing toward its completion ; and, acting upon this impulse, all turned out and assisted him to build it. The framework was made by a practical millwright, hut the law was constructed by residents of the township, whose labor was freely und cheerfully given. It was started with one run of buhrs, but, a. its trade increased, its proprietor found it necessary to add to its manu. facturing capacity ; and, at the present time, it has four runs. For nearly half a century it has been in active operation, and has maintained its reputation as a first-class mill. It is now the property of Henry J. Radisill, who resides in California, and is operated by John E. Hlill.
The First Stam- Mill .- In 1835, Benjamin Sunderland built a saw-mill on the farm of David Archer. and sent to Dayton, Ohio, for the boiler and other necessary muschinery. David Archer, accompanied by his son John, went to that joint to convoy the machinery to its destination. The boiler was placed on a wagon drawn by six yoke ol' oxen, and the balance of the machinery was drawn os horses. . As they reached Shayne's Prairie they encountered bad ronds, and Fre' ) it impossible ty proceed farther with the heavy boiler, without additional motive power, so young John Archer was sent home for two more yoke of oxen, after which aldi in the kad proceeded on its way without further trouble.
Benjamin Sunderland operated the will for three years, when it was sold to David Archer and Francis Comparet. Several years later, the building was destroyed by fire, and the machinery was sold.
The First Brick Fard -In 1825, John S. Archer erected a brick kiln on Sec- inn 35, using the wet process, and manufacturing what was known as " slop brick," Is they were molded in water. IFe carried on a good trade, in a radius of many suites, his principal muarket b ing at Fort Wayne. About 1830, sowie parties me from the East. with an improved method of manufacturing this article, and .. nu u able to e nupete successfully with them in price. Mr. Archer abandoned to enterpris ., aid resuwel the veeupation of farming.
The First Tunnery .- In 1956, a tannery was established near the present -I of C' I Centlivere's brewery by a Mr. Gray. He was possessed of ample spiral, and conducted this enterprise on a large scale-establishing stores at Fort Wir St. Louis, Mo., and other points, for the sale of his goods-and for a mounheroff years his rourns were y ry satisfactory ; but, through reverses of lor. l. was finIs emp Fel to abandon the business, and the establishment .Jimathe hands of other parties. Within a few years therealter, it was dis-
continued altogether, since which time this industry bas had no representative in the township.
The First Blacksmith .- In 1834, Charles Schwab creeted the first forge in the township, and found work enough to keep him employed at his trade about half of the week. He was engrzed in repairing form implements, manufacturing plow points, and articles of a similar chara :ter. He was an industrious man, and when not engaged at his trade, found employment at the Archer will, near which his shop was situated.
The First Orchards .- In the spring of 1829, David Archer, Sr., set out the first orchard, at his farm on Section 3. , Ile brought the trees from Ohio. In the same year, Benjamiu Areber and Jonathan Cook Set out orchards on their respect- ive farms, from the same lot of trees brought to the township by Mr. Archer.
The First Nursery .- About the year 1828, a man giving his name as John Appleseeds envie to the township and established a nursery for the sale of fruit trees. He was a bachelor, and a man of mirked eccentricities of character ; was rarely found in an ill humor, and made himself a favorite with children. He was adherent to the Swedenborgian form of religion, aud was looked upon as a good man. His nursery was at the farm now owned by Mr. Blakey. le established other nurseries in different Inealities. and, during his life, amassed a very comfort. able fortune. IIe died in 1864, at the house of Mr. Worth, with wbom be boariled.
ORGANIZATION.
On the application of Anderson S. Bollard, John S. Archer and others, Washington Township was organized at the March session of the Board of County Commissioners, 1832, with the following bounds: " All Congressional Townships north of Range 12 cast, as also all the territory in Allen County east of said townships, on the west side of Little St. Joseph River."
The first election was held at the house of Thomas Hotfield in April, 1832. John S. Archer was elected Justice of the Peace, and Andrew J. Moore and Adinu Pettit, Constables.
The first tavern was opened by Mr. Poirson. in a commodious log house, sit- uated on the Litua roal. It was near a highway over which there was a great deal of travel, and its good-natured host made it a favorite stopping place. His daughter still resides in the township, and is the wife of J. B. Grosjean.
THE SCHOOLS.
In 1829 or 1830, the first term of school was taught in a log cabin on the firm of John S. Archer. Its teacher was Alexander Waldron-a man whose education was by no means complete. He had a happy faculty of gaining the love and confidenee of the younger sebolars, and in the elementary branches he was a very good teacher, but when the older scholars were called upon to recite their lessons in arithmetic, his deficiency was painfully apparent, and the young men took n mischievous delight in giving him problems which he was unable to solve. This school was sustained by private subscription, and for many yems l'ol- lowing the schools of the township were conducted under the same systeul. The Legislature of 1851 appropriated a fund for the maintenance of public schools, and two years thereafter the free-school system was inaugurated in this township. The first free schoolhouse was erected at Scarlett's Corners, in the summer of 1853. It was found impossible to build the houses and pay the teachers with the proportion of publie money allotted to the township, und after this laet became known the citizens subscribed a sumu sufficient to pay the teachers, while the pub- lic money was used for the construction of the buildings.
In the same season the second schoolhouse was erected, in Distriet No. 6, and was called the "Pettit Schoolhouse," and in the succeeding summer three muore were creeted, in Distriet Nos. 1, 2 and 3. respectively. . Thus, from year to year the building of schoolhouses continued, until each district in the township was supplied. All the buildings (eight in number) were frame structures, but of' this number, four have been replaced by substantial brick buildings, and it is tho intention of the Trustees to ereet a brick schoolhouse in cach district. The town- ship now has an ample school-lund, and the teachers are well qualified for the posi- "tions they occupy.
The Township Library was purchased in 185-4, and placed in charge of the Township. Trustees. It contains 360 volumes, and although they have been in circulation among the citizens for twenty-five years, they have been handled with great care, and are still well preserved. Among the collection are many standard biographical works, tales of travel and adventure, statistics, reports, ete. The historical department embraces Hume's England, Hildreth's Japan, History of the United States, Hallam's Middle Ages, Frage's Venice, and minor historics. There are also several valuable works on the science of government and ancient history. The Township Trustee has always been the custodian of' the library, and is required to keep account of each volume. Ciuzens of the township have the privilege of borrowing the books, and their use of them has had a good effect upon the general intelligence of the community.
THE FIRST RELIGIOUS MEETING.
In 1829, Rev. Chute, of the Presbyterian Church at Fort Wayne, held tho first religious meeting in the township at the house of Thowas Hatfield, and, later in the same year, at the house of David Archer. Services were subsequently conducted by ministers of vinious denominations who passed through the town- ship en route for other points. No organization was effected until eleven years later, but seurcely a week passed in which religious services were not couducted at some point in the township.
CHURCHES.
The Methodlist Episcopal Church .- In 1810, the first church organization in the township was effected by members of this denomination. \ class was
179
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
formed, consisting of George Ashley, Daniel Opleger, Uriah J. Rock and James W. Flemming, with their families. Several years later, they erected a small log church in the northwest part of the township, which was known as " Bethel Church." The ground for the chapel and cemetery was donated by George Ash- ley. Rev. J. W. Winans was the first minister. The building is still standing and is occupied by the sexton of the cemetery. After the completion of the chureb, its membership inereased, and within a few years the growing congregation demanded a larger bouse. After the founding of the village of Wallen, a vote was taken to decide whether the new church should be built at the village, or on the site of tbe old. A majority of the members were in favor of having it built at Wallen, and in conformity to their wishes it was erected at that point in the latter part of the yeur 1872. The first services were held in 1873, and the church was under the pastoral care of Rev. William Lasb. The first Trustees were John Ervin, George Opleger, James P. Ross, George Sunderland and David L. Archer.
In 1874, Mr. Lash was succeeded in the ministry by Rev. John P. Nash, who had charge of the church until 1876. Since that time it has been served by tbe following ministers : 1876-Rev. O. Robinson and Rev. J. W. Laiuport (six month cacb); William H. Birch, Presiding Elder; 1877-Rev. J. W. Lowry ; 1878-Rev. Newton Burwell; Thomas Stabler, Presidiug Elder; 1879-Rev. D. P. Hartman ; A. Marine. Presiding Elder.
The present edifice is a handsome frame building, neatly painted. The present number of members is sixty-five.
In 1844, the Sunday school was organized with thirty scholars, and has been continued ever since. James W. Flemming was the first Superintendent, and was succeeded in that office by Daniel Opleger, Eli Cutshall, John Ervin and Joseph Griswold, respectively. Luther Pratt is the present Superintendent. The present number of scholars is thirty-five.
The First Baptist Church was organized in 1846, by Elder Alfred Bing- ham, who continued in charge of the congregation one year. He was succeeded by Elder Adams, who was the Pastor during the next year. After the close of his ministry, Thomas Hatfield officiated as Pastor until 1860 or 1861. Impaired health compelled him to resign the charge at that date, and the congregation was left without a Pastor. Prayer-meetings were maintained for two or three years after the resignation of the Pastor, but the interest of the meinbers began to wane, and in a short time the congregation was reduced to such small proportions that the prayer-meetings were discontinued, and the organization disbanded.
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church .- In 1839, the first Catholic society in this township was organized at the house of Isadore Pichon, with fifteen fami- lies, and conducted services at his house until 1841. In that year, tbcy erected a small frame house of worship on Section 1, where services were held every two weeks by Rev. Julian Benoit. The first resident priest was Father De Champ, who was installed in 1857, and remained until his decease, wbieb occurred about three years later. He was succeeded by Father Berti, who remained three years aud then resigned to take another charge. Father Adam was the next Pastor, and during his connection with the congregation the present church was erected. It is now under the pastoral care of Rev. B. Roche, with a membership of seventy families.
IMPROVEMENTS.
In 1834, the feeder connecting the waters of the St. Josephi River with the Wabash & Erie Canal, was constructed through the township. Freights were established at a reasonable rate, and large shipments of farm produce were made annually by citizens of the township.
In 1868, better means for transportation were offered by the completion of the Grand Rapids & Iudiana Railroad ; and, in the following year, the Fort Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw Railroad was completed through the township. Through these arteries the products of the township have found their way to the world of traffic, and they bave aided materially in establishing its prosperity.
THE VILLAGE OF WALLEN.
Following the completion of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, Joseph K. Edgerton divided some adjacent lands into town lots, and the village was founded in 1870. He gave its present. name in honor of Mr. Wallen, Superin- tendent of the road. Additions were subsequently made on the south and east of the original plat, by James P. Ross.
In 1871, the post office was established, and James P. Ross appointed Postmaster by Gen. Grant.
The business men of the village are as follows : Postmaster and dealer in groceries, Amiel Rondeau ; physicians, Dr. Harvey Sutton, Dr. D. B. Carey, and Dr. C. W. Gordon ; drugs, medicines, etc., Dr. D. B. Carey ; lumber dealer, James P. Ross ; carpenter and joiner, John A. Barrand; insurance and railroad agent, E. H. Closmear; vocal and instrumental music teacher, Prof. H. W. Kimball; blacksmith, August Cour.
THOMAS HATFIELD.
The painted portrait of Thomas Hatfield would present a picture, in whose outlines tho qualities of firmness and bravery would stand forth in bold relief- qualities which were among the most essential possessions of those who were first instrumental in opening the way for the settlement of this county. It would show, farther, the evidence of a mind far above mediocrity, cultivated by a rigorous course of individual application in the circumscribed field of intellectual pursuits to which he was confined; a large amount of physical as well as mental force, and, withal, a bright and cheerful disposition, and an inclination to make the best of his
uncomfortable surroundings, in the hope of better fortune, to be brought about by industry in the vocation in which he had chosen to act.
He was boru in the State of Delaware, and, when twelve years of age, emi- grated with his parents to Ohio (then recently admitted as a State), settling in Montgomery County, where he grew to manhood, amid wild scenes of frontier life. His youthful experiences fully qualified him for the part he took in later years in the settlement of the township where he passed the last years of his life, . and wbere his remains now repose. He was yet a young man when the aggres- sions of Great Britain made a defensive war necessary on the part of the United States in 1812. In that war, he enlisted as a musician, and followed the fortunes of the American Army until its close. He was with the garrison at Fort Greenville, and while there manufactured a pewter fife, which he earried through- out his period of service, and which often awoke the echoes with the patriotic airs of the day. This he bequeathed to his son, Benjamin, in whose homestead it is now treasured as a sacred relic.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.