USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > History of Elkhart County, Indiana; together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history: portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 89
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From good and reliable sources we have been informed that before Col. Jackson settled in this township Thomas Hall, a native of Ohio, settled on the Southern Barrens. But very little is known of Mr. Hall's location or of his burial place; but undoubtedly he peacefully slumbers beneath the soil that grows the wheat of which the bread is made that sustains the life of some younger man that has not as yet heard that there ever was such a personage as Thomas Hall.
The physical features of this township are not so varied as some other townships in the county; we find the northeastern part high,
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rolling prairie land, while in the sontheastern, a section densely tim - bered and moderately undulating, with sufficient sand intermingled with the soil to obviate the sticky black mud found in Illinois; in the central part we find the barren lands, which undulate just enough to convey the water from the land. In the western part we find a repetition of those in the eastern and middle. In this township is found the highest eminence in the county, Buzzards Hill. From its summit can be seen the court-honse in Goshen as well as every town in the county.
THE GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
In 1856 Solomon's Creek Church was organized with Fredrick P. Loehr and Martin Weybright as ministers, and Jacob Arnold, John Weybright, Joel Rush and Levi Wyland deacons. In the year 1858 Daniel Shively was chosen to the ministry, and in 1862, F. P. Loehr was ordained elder. After the Church was organized, the meetings were held in barns, school-houses and private dwell- ings until 1864, when the members built one of the largest meet- ing-houses in Northern Indiana. This was at a time when volunteers for the war were exhausted and drafts became necessary; conse- quently commutation money in connection with the expense of building a house of worship taxed the members very heavily and was a source of some annoyance; but they paid the debt, and now the Church has no obligation which she is unable to meet. Just abont the time the house wascompleted, in 1864, Martin Weybright was called to enjoy the reward of his labors upon earth, never hav- ing been permitted to worship in the new church; and early in 1865, F. P. Loehr moved to Michigan, leaving Daniel Shively alone in the ministry until June, 1866, when George W. Cripe was chosen minister.
In the latter part of the same year Peter Hammon moved into the Church and remained about a year, when he moved away. In 1867 Joseph Hardman and Geo. Domer moved in, and in 1868 Lewis Muntz was chosen to the ministry. The same year Geo. W. Cripe moved into another district. In 1869 Jesse Calvert was received by letter of recommendation, and in 1871 Joseph IIardman moved away and Joseph Hartsongh was received by letter of recommendation. In 1872 . Abraham L. Neff was chosen to the ministry, and in 1873 Geo. Domer moved away and David Yannce moved into the district, and in 1876
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Joseph Hartsough moved away, so that in 1877 the ministers were Daniel Shively. Lonis Muntz, A. L. Neff and David Yaunce. Jan. 3, 1878, Daniel Shively was ordained to the eldership and G. H. Warstler chosen to the ministry.
To the deacons already named there were added by choice in 1856 Daniel Shively, and soon after David Coy. In 1858, as before stated, Daniel Shively was chosen to the ministry, and in 1860 Josiah Rensburger and Ashley Furgeson were chosen deacons. In 1861 Levi Wyland moved away and Eli Myers was chosen, and in 1863 he departed this life; and in 1864 Josiah Rensburger and Ashley Furgeson moved away, and the same year Geo. W. Cripe. Elias Cline and Geo. Smith were chosen. In 1565 Geo. Smith moved away and Christian Harshman was received by letter of recom- mendation. In 1866 Geo. W. Cripe was chosen minister, and Daniel Forney moved into the district, and in 1867, John Arnold and .Cyrus Leutz were chosen. In 1869 Jacob Arnold departed this life, and the same year Joseph Lantzenheiser and John Robwevon moved into the district, and in 1870 Eli Harter also moved in. In 1872 Christian Harshiman was disabled by a stroke of paralysis, and the same year Cyrus Leutz moved away. In 1873 Joel Rush died, and Joseph Lantzenheiser and Eli Harter moved away, and in 1874 Michael Treesti and J. H. Warstler were chosen, which was the last choice held for Church servants, either ministers or deacons, until 1878, when Daniel Shively was ordained to the elder- ship and G. H. Warstler chosen to the ministry. In 1876 Cyrus Lentz was received back by letter of recommendation, making at present 10 deacons, as follows: John Weybright, Daniel Forney, Christian Harshman (disabled), John Arnold, David Coy, Elias Cline, John Robinson and Warstler.
By recapitulation we find that in all 12 ministers and 21 deacons served in the Church since its organization, making a total of 33. Of these it will be seen that when the Church was organized there were two ministers, four were ordained and six received by letter of recommendation. Of deacons, four when organized, 12 chosen and five by letter of recommendation; there died of this number two ministers, viz .: Martin Weybright and Joseph Hardman; the latter died about the year 1875 in another arm of the Church, and three deacons, Eli Myers, Jacob Arnold and Joel Rush, five in all, leaving 28 as so many monuments of God's mercy.
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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
As early as 1830 we find Methodist missionary ministers in the township working in the Lord's vineyard. The names of these pio- neer ministers have been forgotten. The first class was organized about 1832 near Mr. Matthew Rippey's on the east side of the river and to this class Mr. and Mrs. Rippey belong, with four other families. Abont 1850 this little band was transferred to Benton town, where they increased in numbers with a corresponding increase in wealth, until they considered themselves sufficiently able to build a church, which was completed about 1856, and since that time they have been a very prosperous people, doing an immense amount of good, holding successful revival meetings every winter, and thus adding to their number hundreds since the erection of their church. Of the old pioneers who belonged in 1856, none are left except Mr. and Mrs. Rippey, the others having been called into fields beyond the river, and they, too, soon must go, as the harvest is now ready and more reapers are required ; but they do not hesitate, as they have been faithful here and their reward is awaiting them there.
The next class organized in the township was at McCloud's in the extreme southern part of the town. At this place, as early as 1832, directly after the arrival of Mr. McCloud, we find Methodist gatherings at his house, which was built of logs, and stood at the south end of the house now owned by Thomas Clayton ; here, in harmony and nnison, were met once a week the little band of six or eight, and would consume an hour or so in communing with their God, and among them are remembered the names of James Mc- Cloud and wife, the two Mr. Clarks and sister.
After this class had increased in membership and wealth they determined on building a church,and the question arose as to the most favorable place. At length they chose as a site the little village of Milford, in Kosciusko county, and there they erected a church, an honor to the memory of the original little band of six or eight.
In the southeastern part of the township, near Renforonr's, there was another small class and they built a church in New Paris, the only one in the township, and to-day we find a large and apprecia- tive audience in attendance every Sunday. Note the contrast of 50 years ago, when in barns, school-houses and private houses little bands were gathered together to worship unmolested, and with the privilege of shouting if they desired. Not so to-day, but on the contrary we find those opposed to such demonstrations.
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
EDUCATIONAL.
About 1834 the first school held in the township was in an old log school-house about one-half mile north of New Paris. The school was opened in the winter and closed in the summer. The attendance was very slim on account of work necessary to be done in order to maintain their families through the winter, and there were but a few families living in the neighborhood, the most of them living three and four miles away. The teacher's name could not be ascertained. Suffice it to say, he was a man of rare ability and a representative of those times. Immediately following the erection of the first log structure for school purposes, similar structures were put up in different parts of the township; and as soon as convenient frame structures took their place, and thus was crowded out the last vestige of old pioneer days; and for all the old log school-houses of early times are despised, yet they were the more healthful, and in a measure, perhaps, the more convenient. Modern improvement again encroaching, we find frame school buildings giving place to the large and commodious brick edifices, and as the years roll on and each succeeding one brings its round of improvement, it is hard to say what next in the line of school edifices will be sought out; but let it rest where it now is, and the steady advance of civilization will in the next 50 years surpass what it has accomplished in the last half century.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
Prior to May, 1832, Jackson township was a part of Kosciusko county, but in May, 1832, there was a survey made, and Jack- son township was formed, and has retained its present boundary since. Before its organization there was a school commissioner appointed by the county commissioner. David Rodibaugh received the appointment as such officer in the fall of 1831, and held that office until the organization of the township.
Joseph Cowan was elected the first trustee. He also held the office of assessor and justice. Frederick IIerriman [was elected constable, which office he held for 10 years. Joseph Cline succeeded him and remained in the office for quite a number of years. Mr. Cowan was also the first postmaster, which office he held for a great number of years.
Mr. Herriman tells a very good story in regard to the way the office was administered. Upon going to the office one day for
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mail, Mr. Cowan brought out the sugar-bowl, took out two letters, and upon examination it was ascertained that Mr. II. had no mail!
THE MILLS.
The first mill in the township was built as early as 1831 by Mr. Ingle. near the line between Benton and Jackson, which furnished the greater part of the lumber for the early settlers. Directly after the building of this saw-mill Mr. Wyland erected a saw-mill in the northern part of the township, and some years later a steam saw-mill was built in the southern part. Of these three mills two are in active operation, and owned by David Rodibaugh and Lutz, Mr. R. owning the one in the northern part and Lutz the one in the southern. Although these mills have been built for a great many years, yet they are in very good condition, and do a great deal of business. In 1833 Mr. Ingle put in a corn burr and ran a saw-mill and grist-mill with the same water-power. Soon after this Mr. Wyland built a regular grist-mill and did custom work for a great many years; after a number of years he sold out to Mr. Bainter, who operated it for some time. Becoming at length tired with the business he sold out to David Rodibaugh & Clark. Mr. Clark expressing a desire to engage in some other undertaking, Mr. Rodibaugh bought out his half interest, giving to his son, L. R. Rodibaugh, one-third interest.
Mr. Landgraver, livery-keeper in New Paris, is the owner of a saw- mill in that place which does a good business. There are also in this little village two wagon shops and one of the largest elevators in the county, all doing a paying business; Messrs. Johnson & Son are men of business capacity and know just how to build up a grain trade.
Messrs. Rodibaugh & Son have a woolen factory, which is the only one in the county and perhaps the largest of its kind in North- ern Indiana. Mr. Neilson, the foreman, a Scotchman by birth, is a man who has devoted his whole life to the business, and is thor- onghly competent to manage the monster undertaking. Everything in the factory is in the best possible working condition. There are two sets of machinery in operation and one spinner with 240 spindles, and another with 200; one loom with a weaving capacity of 240 yards per day. These loomns are operated entirely by women of experience. The dyeing is all done by steam, and the chemi- cals used would start quite a drng-store. Over 200 styles were made last year, and this year will exceed those figures. Thirty
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years ago the factory building was but 20x40, and now we find a building 60x100 feet, with all the modern improvements. As we look back upon the rapid growth of the business, we cannot help but think that it is in a great measure owing to the ability of its managers, and not entirely to the increase of population.
Fifty years ago Jackson township was a timbered wilderness, but by the strong arm and ingenuity of man the majestic oak and the valuable walnut have been laid low. Then comes the building period, and log houses spring np as if by magic, with their large and comfortable fire-places with the andiron and crane and the monster back-log; and around these sat the hardy lads and rosy lasses dressed in their linsey-woolseys, watching the sparks as they are drawn up the spacious chimney; and on either side sits the father and mother winding yarn, while the tallow dip glimmers in the wind blowing through the cracks between the logs, the driving storm beats through the clapboard roof. In the morning the undaunted family, seeing the cold snow upon everything, don their heaviest clothing for the day's duties, again to gather around the inviting fire-place at night. Such was life during the otherwise long and dreary years of the early growth of the West.
NEW PARIS.
This village is located on sections 9 and 10 in Jackson township. It was laid out in 1838 by Isaac Abshire and Enoch Wright. The latter had settled here in 1829; the former did not come to the county until 1834; and both came from Preble county, Ohio. James R. McCord surveyed the town.
New Paris has several stores and the usual mechanics, and is particularly noted for the manufacture of wagons and carriages. The construction of the C., W. & M. railroad added much to the prosperity of the town, and was the cause of other improvements. A large saw-mill is cutting up thousands of logs every season. Johnson & Son purchase large quantities of wheat and other prod- uce for shipment, and are also doing a banking business. The town has a fine brick school-building, and there is an average of a hundred pupils attending the school.
The first settler in New Paris was Frederick Harriman. He built the first house, a double log-cabin, on the lot where Abe Strohm now resides. Healso erected a shop on the site now occupied by Strohm's store, in which he manufactured spinning wheels.
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The first dry-goods store was owned and conducted by David Parrot, a former citizen of Goshen. Ile removed West a number of years ago, and has grown wealthy.
Elkanah Hoffman was the first blacksmith.
The first hotel was built and kept by T. Divinnie, who was also the first village tailor. He was a mechanic of no mean pretension, and has long since passed to the other shore.
W. C. Matchett was the first physician of the town, and it is no disparagement to others who have resided here in the same capacity, to say that he was the peer of any of them.
The first school-teacher was John McGrew, and he wielded the birchen sceptre over about 20 " olive branches."
The first divine of this place was the Rev. Mr. Hall, a pioneer preacher of the M. E. Church, who was sent here as a missionary, and preceded the Rev. G. M. Boyd.
The first church building erected in the town was by the M. E. congregation, and is the one now occupied by that denomination.
The first postmaster was Jacob McFadden, and tradition says that the mail was kept in a bowl in the cupboard. Mr. McFadden removed to Kansas, where he became one of the first martyrs to that insatiate tyrant, Slavery. During the turbulent days of 1856, he was set upon by ruffians and murdered in his own house, which was reduced to ashes, his remains sharing the same fate,-all in consequence of his advocacy of free-soil principles.
First child born in New Paris was Elkanah Hoffman.
First wedding in New Paris was John Hess to a Miss Rohrer; both now deceased.
Since the construction of the C., W. & M. railroad, New Paris has become quite a shipping point. Johnson & Son, the proprie- tors of the grain elevator and warehouse, have purchased grain and clover seed as follows, during the year ending Nov. 29, 1879: wheat, 183,614 busliels: corn, 25,585 bushels; oats, 12,822 bushels; clover seed, 7.704 bushels; paying out for the same, $225,824. The total disbursements of this firm, for the year ending as above stated, including general banking business, amounted to nearly half a million of dollars.
Among the business men of Elkhart county, none have had more signal success in the mercantile line than Mr. Abe Strohm, of New Paris, the leading merchant of the village. Mr. Strohm was born in the township of Uxbridge, Upper Canada, on the 11th of March, 1839. When he was but two months old his parents
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moved to Indiana, where his mother died. He was taken to Can- ada again at the age of eight years, when he was left to make his own living. Many times young Strohm felt the pangs of hunger and cold in that icy country, but he bore his lot with that pluck and determination to make his way in the world that has character- ized his business life in later years. He again moved to Elkhart county in 1852, where alternately he was engaged in farming and teaching in Union township till 1870, when he became a resident of New Paris. About this time he became partially blind, but still his courage did not forsake him. He clerked for a while, was frugal and careful, and in 1875 commenced business for himself with a wagon-load of goods. He fostered his business carefully, and now has one of the largest and most complete establishments in North- ern Indiana. He sells dry goods, boots, shoes and groceries, the different lines being kept in departments by themselves. He en- joys a very large trade, extending over a large territory. This short sketch would be incomplete in one of its most important par- ticulars did we not refer to Mrs. Strohm, who has been a most ex- cellent helpmeet to her husband, assisting in the management of the business with skill and tact. Mr. Strohm is a firm believer in the efficacy of printers' ink, and is a careful and judicious adver- tiser. He commenced life in the most abject poverty, and while nearly blind, has placed himself, while on the sunny-side of 40, in easy circumstances, with ample means for a rainy day. Verily, his life is a shining example for poor boys of the present day, who are possessed of pluck and honesty, to study and follow.
O-NOX-SEE.
A large Pottawatomie village stood on what is now the farm of John E. Thompson, in Jackson tp., which was the residence of the chief O-nox-see, or The Five Medals. In 1812 the Indians laid siege to Fort Wayne, and the savages were dispersed in September of that year by troops under General Harrison. One of the detaclı- ments of the troops, under Capt. Samuel Wells, of Kentucky, moved from Fort Wayne toward O-nox-see's village, crossing the river at a point near the present village of Benton; but they found the village deserted. They set fire to the village, and also destroyed a large stock of provisions which the panic-stricken Indians had left behind them. Col. John Jackson, the father of Dr. A. C. Jackson, was a lieutenant in one of these companies. O-nox-see and his followers retired to Detroit, and placed themselves under
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the protection of the British. In a letter dated "Great Crossings, Scott county, Kentucky, Nov. 11, 1812," the writer, Col. James Thompson, says: "I had the pleasure to assist in burning a very large Indian town on the Elkhart river 60 miles northwest of Fort Wayne; but the yellow rascals flew in every direction before us."
BIOGRAPHICAL.
The personal sketches which follow are principally of old settlers and prominent citizens of Jackson township. The prominent points of their lives form an essential and interesting feature of the community's history.
Henry Baringer, farmer, scc. 27; P. O., New Paris; was born in Ohio Oct. 12, 1838; son of David and Susannah (Rittz) Baringer, natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent, who came to this State abont 1843 and located in Elkhart county, where they have since resided. Dec. 27, 1864, he married Miss Lutz, and they have had 2 children; but 1 is now living. Mr. Baringer has a limited education, owing to the amount of work he had to do when living at home. He is engaged in threshing in the fall and works his farm in the summer months. He bought the first threshing-ma- chine in this county. He belongs to the German Baptist Church, and in politics he is a Democrat.
Manasseh Bennett was born in Parry Co., Ohio, April 27, 1833. He is the son of William and Phoebe (Skinner) Bennett, natives of Ohio, and of Scottish and German descent. He received his edu- cation in the common schools in Ohio. By occupation he was a farmer, till 17 years of age; he then commenced to learn the car- penter's trade, and worked as an apprentice till 21 years old, then came to Indiana, where he stands among the first workmen in the State, and by many is said to be the best carpenter in the county of Elkhart, Ind. He has been twice married; the first time to Susannah Myers. They had 3 children, 1 boy and 2 girls. The second time Mr. B. was married to Anna Stilwell. They had 2 children, both boys. His wife died Ang. 23, 1879, a member of the Evangelical Church. Mr. Bennett is a Republican in politics; is a student, and has been all his life. He has taught school 14 winters in Indiana. Financially, he has been only moderately suc- cessful; is the owner of a house and lot in New Paris.
Dr. Charles S. Brodrick was born at what is now the county- seat of Anglaize county, Ohio; at the time of his birth, which was in the year 1821, the place was an Indian village, called Wapahk- onnetta, the name being derived from a prominent chief of the Shawnee Indians who resided there with a remnant of his tribe. The place still retains the original name. Prominent among the tribe at this time was the great Shawnee chief Tona-Squatawa, the prophet, and twin brother of the great warrior Tecumseh.
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Robert Brodrick, the father of the Doctor, with his family, was living there in the capacity of sub- Agent, which position he occu- pied for 16 years, when he resigned, after the election of Andrew Jackson to the Presidency. This step was to save his head from the political block, as he had the hardihood to oppose the old hero in that presidential canvass. He removed the prophet and 200 of his tribe to Shawnee Mission, in Kansas, in 1826, under the direc- tion of the Government, no other white man accompanying the ex- pedition. In 1834 he started to emigrate with his family to the Rock River country in Illinois, but, owing to an accident which rendered further progress impossible, he was forced to stop in this county, thus giving another example that man who runneth hath not always the power to direct his steps. The father of the Doctor was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, May 21, 1776-the year that independence was declared-and died March 8, 1848. He married Pamela Sayre, of Orange Co., N. Y., whom he survived bnt a few short years. They reared a numerous family, the subject of this sketch being the 13th child. The father's family is of Irish origin, the mother's of Welsh extraction. The Doctor's grand- father, Anthony Brodrick, took an active part in our struggle for independence, holding a colonel's commission in Washington's army. He expended a large fortnne, which was never refunded by the Government, as all his legal proofs were burned at the city of Washington, when the British troops sacked that city in the war of 1812 under the administration of James Madison, who was Pres- ident at that time. The Doctor received his medical education in the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and after practicing one year with Doctor Buchtal at Elk- hart, he married Miss Mary Adelia Walton, of Cass county, Mich., and settled in the village of Benton in this county, where he prac- ticed his profession 18 years with signal success. In 1870 he re- moved to New Paris, where he still pursues his former vocation. He has but one living child, Ada L., the oldest of three daughters, the others having died in childhood; Idela May, the second, died at the age of 2 years and 5 months; Mabel Walton lived to be 7 years and 7 months old. They were both remarkably bright, the latter extremely brilliant; so much that she was a subject of remark by all who met her. verifying the old adage that death strikes at a shining mark.
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