USA > Indiana > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Indiana : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 41
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In the meantime, after the making of said original order by |
the Commissioners, the church, at a meeting held on the 13th of April, 1833, elected Lewis Johnson and John Knight, Trustees, with instructions to secure to the church the benefits of that do- nation by complying with the conditions prescribed. These Trustees moved forward in the execution of their trust with all the available means and energy at command, so that, within three years from the commencement of their work, a respectable brick structure, capable of seating three or four hundred persons, was ready for occupancy, and it was occupied accordingly. :
Elder J. H. Dunlap became Pastor in December, 1840, and continued to minister to the congregation for something more than one year. He was succeeded, on the 12th of March, 1842, by Elder William Reese, who had formerly sustained that rela-" tion most satisfactorily to the church and creditably to himself. " For his indomitable' courage and energy in traveling and preaching the Gospel to the destitute, his labors of love and mercy, and his genial social qualities, his memory is worthy of a tribute of respect " as enduring as the cause he so earnestly es- poused and advocated. He was indeed " the great pioneer mis- sionary of the Upper Wabash Valley." At the end of one year, less about one month, Elder Bowen, on the 11th of February, 1843. took upon himself the pastoral relation, but, remaining only a few months, he was succeeded by Elder Watrous on the 8th of September of the same year.
In November. 1844, Elder Demas Robinson was chosen Pas- tor, and, as such, served the church during the three years fol- lowing. At the end of that time, Elder J. H. Dunlap, previously in charge, became Pastor again in January, 1848, laboring in that position for the next three years and a half, at which time another pastor was chosen -Elder Searf. his successor, taking the place on the 26th of July, 1853.
From that date, the pastors in charge have been the follow- ing, commencing at the date's named, to wit:
November, 1954, Elder F. D. Bland became Pastor; then in December; 1856, Elder Blodgett was Pastor. February, 1858, Elder Humble Roble became Pastor, and served in that relation for more than three years. He was succeeded, in Feb- ruary, 1862; by Elder' J. W. C. Covy.''His successor was Elder Post, who became ' Pastor in December, 1863. In June, 1865, Elder Stuart became Pastor, and remained with the church dur- ing the next three years. April, 1869; Elder A. Alfred became Pastor, and served the remainder of the year. In January, 1870, Elder G. L. Stevens succeeded him, and served for the three' years following. On the 26th of April, 1874. Elder O. A. Clark was called to the pastoral charge of the church. :
From that date, the church has been frequently without a pas- tor, although services are had with comparative regularity. It has no pastor now, but a good Sunday school in active operation.
CHAPTER IV.
. . ST. MARY'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. ยท
1T. MARY'S Church, Delphi, was consecrated on the 21st S'
day of May, 1845, by Rev. Samuel R. Johnson, of St. John's Church, La Fayette, Ind. Prior to this date, occasional services had been conducted by the Rev. Mr. Johnson, and the Rev. Ben- jamin Halstead performed the first baptismal ceremony here, on the 16th of March, 1844. John Burr, Susan Burr, Mrs. Mary Daubeny, Newton H. Gist, Amelia A. Gist, Caroline Robinson,
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Jano Howlitt Wilson, Sarah Stewart, John Phelps, Rhoda Phelps, Christian Stuzaker, Sarah Garrett, Sarah Ann Bladen and Zerua Amelia Green were added to the church under the ministrations of the Rev. Mr. Johnson, of La Fayette, and Rev. Anson Clark, of Logansport, during the years 1844 and 1845. Jaines P. Du- gan, James Spears, Christian Stuzaker, John Burr and John Phelps were the first Vestrymen of the church.
The Rev. Mr. Johnson took a deep and active interest in the church at Delphi, and not only contributed his services gratni- tously, but donated a generous sum of money for the purchase of ground upon which to erect the church and parsonage. Some time in 1846, the congregation began the crection of the present frame church, at the west end of Main street, and, on the 26th day of July of that year, the Vestrymen tendered an invitation to the Rev. Dr. Bryan B. Killikelly, of Vincennes, Ind., to offi- ciate as Pastor of the church. Dr. Killikelly accepted the call, and removed to Delphi in October, 1846. Shortly afterward, the church received a new token of the interest taken in its welfare by the Rev. Mr. Johnson. This was a donation of $125 from that gentleman, for the purchase of the lot adjoining the church Jot. " whereon to build a parsonage house whenever it might be convenient." Upon receipt of this donation, it was unanimously resolved by the vestry " that the thanks of this vestry bo tendered to the Rev. S. R. Johnson for this fresh evidence of continued interest in the welfare of the parish of St. Mary's Church; and the vestry avail themselves of this opportunity to express further the great indebtedness of the parish to the said reverend gentle- man for his ministerial services, gratuitously rendered for a long period from the first organization, and for the munificent dona- tion of $600 from himself, and $100 procured through his agency, withont which the vestry would not have felt justified in proceeding with the erection of the church edifice now crecting, and, it is hoped, long to remain a proud monument of the antir- ing zeal and Christian liberality of the Rev. S. R. Johnson."
Dr. Killikelly had pastoral charge of the church until com- pelled to resign by failing health his resignation taking effect July 1, 1848. He was succeeded by the Rev. Edward Magee, who continued as pastor of the church until 1850. Rev. Josiah Phelps became Pastor in that year, and occupied that relation until June 1, 1851, when he resigned. On the 29th of October, 1852. Rev. Walter E. Franklin accepted a call to serve as Pastor. dividing his time between this church and the church at Logans- port. He resigned July 6, 1854, and was succeeded by the Rev. Alonzo J. M. Hudson, who devoted each alternate Sunday to this parish. Mr. Hudson resigned August 1, 1858, and was succeeded ; esting energy. and was filled with zeal and devotion to his by Rev. Elias Birdsall, who continued as pastor until the carly part of 1860. In February, 1860, the Rev. Nathaniel R. High accepted a call from the vestry of St. Mary's Church. giving one- half of his time to this parish, and the remainder to the church at Logansport. Rev. Samnel Edson was invited to take charge of the church in June. 1864, and accepted the call. He subse- quently resigned the charge, and was succeeded by Rev. J. Ed- ward . Jackson, who took charge May 16, 1866, remaining until the following September, when he resigned. On the 25th of March, 1867, Rev. Thomas J. Taylor accepted the call of the vestry and had pastoral care of the parish until June 15. 1869, when he tendered his resignation. On the 20th of June, 1871, the vestry accepted the proposition of Rev. A. V. Gorrell to con- duct services twice a month on week-day evenings, and once a mouth on Sunday. In December, 1872. a call was extended to Rev. Levi B. Stimson, of La Fayette; Iud., which was accepted,
Mr. Stimson continuing in charge of the parish until November 16, 1876, when he resigned. Rev. D. L. Trimble was engaged, in December, 1878, to devote one-half of his time to this parish, the remainder being devoted to the church at Peru. He served until October, 1879, since which time the church has been without a regular pastor. In the interim, however, Rev. J. E. Martin, of La Fayette, has conducted services at irregular intervals.
CHAPTER V. ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
THE first organization of this church as a congregation in Delphi was about the year 1855, during the construction of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway. Prior to the perma- nent organization, different missionary priests traveling along the line of the canal visited the Catholic families and held services in their houses. The Pastor that first organized the congrega- tion was the Rev. M. Clark, at that time the priest in charge at La Fayette, who, during his visits, celebrated religious services, principally at the house of the late Mrs. Shealey, who. together with her family of sons, lived in the old Delphi House. In the year 1857, the Rev. Father Nieber was, by the Bishop of Vin - cennes, assigned to the charge of this congregation. Shortly after his arrival, he purchased from the Board of School Trustees the old brick schoolhouse on Indiana street, which was used for church purposes during his pastorate. After his removal, the Rev. D. Mahoney, of La Fayette, attended the congregation once a month.
" Up to this time, the State of Indiana possessed but one Catholic diocese, with the Episcopal See at Vincennes. In 1859, the diocese was divided, and a new see created at Fort Wayne, having for its first Bishop the Rt. Rev. J. H. Luers, for- inerly Pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Cincinnati. Delphi, be- ing on the northern part of the division line, was therefore placed under the jurisdiction of the new Bishop, who, having deter- mined to build up the congregation under his charge, assigned the Rev. Father Veahy, an able and talented man, to the charge of St. Joseph's congregation. He at once began the building of the present beautiful church edifice. but did not remain long enough to complete his work. having been appointed to a more ---- huportant charge. Father Veahy was succeeded by the Rev. A. Bochtering, who. though quite a young man, possessed an inter- church: and to him, in a great measure, are onr Catholic friends indebted for the present beantifnl church, situated on the corner of Washington and Monroe streets. It was during his pastorate, besides, that the schoolhouse was built, immediately at the rear of the church. Ho having been appointed by the late lamented Bishop Lners to the charge of Mishawaka, St. Joseph County. was succeeded by the Rev. Timothy O'Sullivan, who was like. wise untiring in his efforts to build up the congregation. We can confidently say that no minister of the Gospel had more friends in Delphi than did Father Timothy O'Sullivan a genial gentleman and scholar. It was during his administration that the present beautiful pastoral residence on Washington street was built. In 1870, when his health began to fail him, he ob tained from his Bishop a leave of absence to visit Europe, int order to regain, if possible, his shattered health. After a year's absence, he returned. with his health improved. and was assigned
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
by his present Bishop, Joseph Dwenger, to the charge of the Irish Catholic Church at La Porte, Ind. Rev. J. Quinlan, recently of Union City, this State, became. his successor, and remained until 1872, when he was removed, and was succeeded by Rev. P. M. Frowley, who remained in charge until March, 1875. The pres- ent energetic and talented pastor of St. Mary's Church, La Fay- ette, became his successor, but he remained only one month, hav- ing received the appointment of St. Mary's, La Fayette, upon the death of Father George Hamilton. After him, the congre- gation was assigned to the present Pastor, Rev. John Bleckman, under whose administration the congregation has gotten along prosperously. The numerical strength of the congregation is about one hundred and fifty families. The school, which is now and has been very successfully taught, numbers from one hundred and thirty to one hundred and fifty daily attendance."
Besides this, there is a sodality for the married ladies, num- bering about one hundred or more; that for the unmarried, about forty or fifty. In addition to these, the little girls' sodality has a very respectable membership. Connected with the congrega- tion is also the Total Abstinence Society, of which the late Hon. B. B. Daily was for a long time President; also, a German Be- nevolent Society, of which Joseph Hauk was President. These two organizations have constantly received new additions to their membership, and are productive of much good. Other associa- tions, also, have been formed for the general improvement of all classes of the congregation, especially the young people, which have had a tendency to give strength and permanency to the very efficient work performed through these instrumentalities. Father Bleckman is still the Pastor of St. Joseph's Church, and is accomplishing much good.
CHAPTER VI. PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN DELPHI.
REVIEWS OF THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF DELPHI-ITS EARLY CONDITION AND SUBSEQUENT IMPROVEMENTS-THE METHODS PROPOSED AND ADOPTED-PRESENT USAGE-SOME OF THE PRINCIPAL TEACHERS ENGAGED IN THE WORK-MEANS OF SUP- PORTING THE SCHOOLS-MISCELLANY.
"THE article that follows in the discussion of this subject is chiefly the work of the late Superintendent of the City Schools, Prof. D. D. Blakeman, drawn from the official reports prepared and submitied by him as such.
" The mental and physical wealth of a community, as it exists in the bodies and minds of its members, is as much more valna- ble than material wealth as it is the agent by which the latter is rendered available for the happiness and comfort of man. The true development of this great source of happiness is largely de- peudent upon the prosperity and enlightened administration of the public schools. The progress which these institutions are making in every portion of our State is a bright augury for its future prosperity."
" The public schools of our city, supplied, as they now [1876] are, with teachers eminently fitted by education and professional ability, to train the young for life and citizenship, have been substantially the growth of the last twelve years. Nay, their history as efficient school organizations does not date back ten years. The schools as at present constituted employ nine teach- ers, a janitor and a Superintendent, and their salaries, together with expenses for fuel, repairs, improvements and necessary ma-
terial - as books, apparatus, pencils and the like -furnished for the use of pupils, amount to about $5,000 per year. A compari- son of the soveral amounts of taxas levied in different years dur- ing the last two decades will furnish the data for judging of the progress made in the last twenty years. The following figures show the assessment as recorded on the books of the County Treasurer for the years marked: 1875, amount levied, $5,- 547.86; 1870, amount levied, $5,086.07; 1865, amount levied, $2,102.67; 1860, amount levied. $627.31; 1855, amount levied, $542.68.
" We almost reluctantly refer to the times which preceded the dates given in the above table: when the schools, totally un- organized, were 'kept' by ' teachers' entirely destitute of profes- sional knowledge, and quite often ignorant of those branches which, in the rudest schools. are considered indispensable, when the County Seminary and an occasional select school furnished almost the only examples of respectable teaching. As late as 1865, many families in our city depended upon the select schools for the careful education of their children. Thus, while the idea of the union school had for years been carried into practice in the States of Ohio and Michigan, the rich State of Indiana, gov- erned by legislators who considered taxation an evil per se, was without a respectable system of public schools, and, as a conse- quence, much of her great wealth in natural resources lay dor- mant, or was improved, to a great extent, by persons educated outside her borders.
" In the winter of 1866, the Legislature of the State again passed a law permitting local taxation for the support of schools. Delphi immediately availed herself of this important privilege. Accordingly, we find that the amount for the different years in- creases as follows: 1866, amount levied, $2,437.50 ; 1867, amount levied, $3,329.58: 1868, amount levied, $3,857.95; 1869, amount levied, $3,436.96; 1870, amount levied, $5,086.07.
" This last sum justified the School Board in making such arrangements as would place the school upon a permanent basis as a graded school.
" To carry out this idea, it was necessary to erect a building having more room and better adapted to the requirements of such a system. The lot upon which stood the old school build- ing being the most eligible one for school purposes, and centrally located, in 1872, that rather pretentious looking but really in- convenient and unhealthful structure was demolished, and in its place was erected the present building, at a cost of $30,000.
" This building is a model of school architecture. Competent judges say there is not to be found a school building which, at so low a cost, presents so many excellences. Healthful in loca- tion, commodious, well lighted, and thoroughly heated and ven- tilated, beautiful in its interior arrangement and finish, it stands as a monument to the good sense and good taste of its projectors, and will continue to receive the encomiums of educators and all who appreciate the fact that school officers are so apt to spend princely sums in erecting buildings which are mere 'ornaments' to the town, ignoring the consideration of utility and adaptation to the purpose for which such edifices were designed.
" The earliest settlers of our city seem to have taken an inter- est in education in advance of some of their neighbors. In 1828, four years after the first pioneer settler had become a resident of our county, a log schoolhouse was built upon the lot now occu- pied by the dwelling of Mr. William Barnett, and, strange enough, this 'rude, but strong' edifice, having been removed from its first site, is still doing duty as a stable in the rear of the
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DEER CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Union Street Presbyterian Church, having survived at least two of its successors. At least four buildings have been erected since the first rude cabin, and each in its turn has been abandoned as too small or inconvenient.
" The present organization of the schools is. to a very great extent, the ontgrowth of years of effort on the part of teachers and School Boards, supported by the enlightened co-operation of on citizens.
" The school is divided into eight grades, a division connon in most of our larger towns and cities. In our schools, these grades are subdivided, each into two divisions. or half-grades an arrangement which has this advantage over the common sys- tom of carty grades that pupils who, from sickness or other causes, are so unfortunate as to be nuable to advance with their class, can drop into a class only one-half year behind their for- mer grade, instead of being obliged to enter a class removed a whole year from that which they were obliged to leave.
" The system of monthly written examinations is a thorough test of the progress of the pupils, and the registration of the grading, and the fact that this grading forms, to a great extent. the test for promotion or demotion, is a powerful stimulus to ex- ertion.
" The eight grades mentioned do not include the high school. a department established as a separate school in 1871. The qualifications for admission to this school are a thorough ac- qmaintance with the common English branches. Its course of three years is divided into as many grades or classes, and the number of students ranges from thirty to abont forty. The ox- periment of such a school in places the size of Delphi often either fails, or, what is about the same thing. the department is consolidated with the next lower grade. There seems, happily. little danger of such a necessity in the case of this school. and the department may be regarded as permanently established.
" Of the earliest teachers, one, Mr. Erchenbrack, deserves
mention as a superior instructor, and in the long list of his ste- cessors, in privato and select schools, were Mrs. Bladen. Mr. Wright (who was a well-known Presbyterian minister). Miss Bolles. * * Mrs. Pollard and Mr. George Bowman.
" The only distinctly denominational school ever originated in Delphi is St. Joseph's Catholic School. still supported by the well -known, conscientions belief of the Catholic Church in the policy of education by the church exclusively." The prosent enrollment of this school is little less than two hundred.
Since the complete adoption of the present free-school system. the Principals of the High school department have been: John A. Cartwright. Mr. Zeiner, Mr. Dyke and Mr. John H. Snoddy. allof whom. with others, have been instrumental in the forma- tion of that excellent reputation for effectiveness generally awarded to the public schools of Delphi.
In the high school departmem. Mr. George Bowman was Principal until the breaking out of the war. and again after its close. He was succeeded. in 1871. by Mr. Blakeman, who. after the creation of the new school building, in 1972 73, and the creation of the office of City Superintendent. was appointed Su- perintendent, and. in addition to his duties as teacher, was on abdled. by diligent labor, to secure an effective re-organization of the schools in the city. The first graduation was in 1972.
From 1571 until the close of the school year IS?S. Mr. Blake man continued to manage the school work in Delphi, with ami- nent satisfaction to patrons and pupils. At the end of his torm as Superintendent, he retired, and was subsequently snercoded by Prof. A. W. Dankle, who. since that time, has met with great favor in his methods of directing school work in the several do. partments. Having a very efficient corps of teachers under his control. it is fair to presume that the work has been and will be appreciated and approved by all interested. Indeed. Delphi we. enpies an enviable position in the standard of school economy accorded her.
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
CHAPTER I.
MASONIC' ORDERS- MOUNT OLIVE LODGE, NO. 48.
INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT -PRELIMINARY MEETING HELD - PPII- TION FOR LODGE IN DELPIN PREPARED-RECOMMENDED BY TIPTON LODGE, NO. 33-DISPENSATION GRANTED TO ST JOHN'S LODGE-CHARTER AFTERWARD GRANTED IN NAME OF MOUNT OLIVE. No. 48-ORIGINAL AND SUBSEQUENT OFFICERS-MIS- CELIANY.
T has been pertinently remarked that Freemasonry is the I
handmaid of religion, and, as such. forms a vital part of the civilization that determines the ultimate prosperity of every now country where its representatives are found. Carroll County - Delphi in partienlar has drawn no inconsiderable portion of its prosperous energy from this source. True, perhaps, the very first settlers of the county were not members of the fraternity, bet possessed of many of the elements that distinguish the teachings of the ancient brotherhood. Some of the leaders of society to whom Delphi especially owes much of its vantage-ground in be
coming the center of trade for an extensive agricultural commun- nity were Freemasons, who did honor to the craft. Notwith standing the truth of this statement as applied to the remote pe riods of the county's history, those representative men were not sufficient; in point of numbers, to justify the institution of a lodge for organized work. At a later date, however, when the amber increased and the necessity for organization became more apparent. many of them affiliated with Tipton Lo tge. No. 33, at. Logansport, temporarily, contemplating. in the party future, the institution of a lodge at home. As early as the fall of 1828. cit izons of this county became affiliants with Tipton Lodge, and so remained for several years subsequent to that date. In the meantime, however, other of our citizens mude application there and received the degrees recognized in ancient craft Masonry. with a like purpose in view. During the years 1538 to 1840 and 1811. these'applicants! were not few in number, and. having possessed themselves of the ancient mysteries, being worthy and well qualified, at the opportune moment, npon consultation, it.
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
was determined to unite and form a lodge in Delphi. Accord- ingly, on the 17th of May. 1842, a meeting of members of the craft wns held nt the Sheriff's office in Delphi to take the initial step toward procuring a dispensation authorizing them to work as a lodge. At this meeting. Gen. Samuel Milroy. Daniel L. Shoup. Daniel F. Vandeventer. Alexander M. Berry and Richard Richardson, all of them affiliants in Tipton Lodge, soveral of them having received the degrees there, were present. A peti- tion was prepared and signed by those brethren, together with Hiram Allen and William Sill. asking for a dispensation from the supreme anthority of the State of Indiana. for the purpose set forth in the petition, recommending, also, Alexander M. Berry for Worshipful Master, Samuel Milroy for Senior Warden. and Daniel L. Shoup for Junior Warden. Delphi being in the juris- diction of Tipton Lodge, the petition was referred to that lodge for its recommendation. At n meeting on the 21st. of May, 1842, Tipton Lodge did so recommend the granting of the prayer of said petitioners, directing that such action be duly cer- tified under the seal of the lodge and forwarded without delay. Pursuant to the prayer of the petitioners. a dispensation was granted, bearing date May 24, 1842. signed by Philip Mason. Grand Master, and attested by William H. Martin. Grand Secre- tary, under the seal of the Grand Lodge. The dispensation an- thorized the brethren named to work as St. Jolin's Lodge. U. D. On the 13th of June, 1842, the new lodge was instituted. with Alexander M. Berry, W. M .; Samnel Milroy, S. W .; and Daniel L. Shoup, J. W .. as in the dispensation prescribed. The follow- ing other officers were chosen: Hiram Allen, Secretary: George M. Maxwell, Treasurer; Richard Richardson, S. D., David W. Bowen, J. D .; and Francis G. Kendall, Tiler, all of whom were regularly installed. At the close of the term for which they were chosen, the following officers were elected to serve during the ensuing term, to wit: Alexander M. Berry, W. M .; Henry B. Milroy, S. W .; Daniel L. Shoup, J. W .; James Witherow, Treas- urer; Robert C. Green, Secretary; George M. Maxwell, S. D .: David W. Bowen, J. D .; William H. Buford, Tiler -and installed November 10, 1842. Having worked satisfactorily under dispeu- sation, and sent up for the inspection of the Grand Lodge a ro. cord of their proceedings, together with a copy of the by-laws adopted, the samo were referred to the appropriate committee by the grand body, of which Isaac Bartlett was Chairman. This committee, upon due consideration of the premises, by its Chair- man submitted the following report, which, with the resolu- tion appended, was concurred in: " The committee have examined the proceedings and by-laws of St. Jolin's Lodge (U. D.) at Delphi, and find the same regular, and the by-laws in ac- cordance with the constitution and regulations of this Grand Lodge. Your committee recommend the adoption of the follow- ing resolution:
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