USA > Indiana > Huntington County > History of Huntington County, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the State of Indiana > Part 56
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Late in 1829, or early in 1830, Captain Elias Murray moved to the township and settled near the Woodworth place, on land now.owned and occupied by Mr. Rankin, on the north bank of the Wabash River. He was a man of local prom- inence, took an active interest in political matters and at one time served a term in the State Senate. He subsequently moved to Wabash County and laid out the town of La Gro.
George Scott was one of the first settlers in the northern part of the township, his arrival having been some time in the thirties.
Charles Scott moved to the same locality in an early day, as did also a number of others whose names have long since been forgotten.
Among those who settled near Andrews in an early day was Joseph Chesebro, who came to the country for the purpose of building a lock on the Wabash & Erie Canal, then in process of construction, and who made some improvements where his son George Chesebro lives, about one and a half miles north of the town. He was a native of New York, a man of acknowledged ability and at one time represented -Huntington County in the Legislature of Indiana. He died in August, 1863. One son, named above, and a daughter, Mrs. J. C. Young, reside in the township at this time.
Christian Young, early in the thirties, settled on the Yantis farm, two miles north of Andrews, and about the same time John and Thomas Moore located in what was known as the Quaker Settlement, in the northern part of the township.
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Samuel Copeland, son-in-law of John Moore, as early as 1837, or 1838, settled north of Andrews, where Mr. Forrest lives, and in the latter year a settlement was made in the southern part of the township by Henry Wintrode and Daniel Shively, the former locating where his grandson, Henry Wintrode, lives, and the latter about one mile southwest of Andrews. Mr. Wintrode was a native of Delaware but moved here from Stark County, Ohio. Two sons, Daniel and Samuel Wintrode, live in the township near where the family originally settled. Mr. Shively was a resident of the township for a period of forty-six years, dying in 1884.
Among the early settlers in the northern part of the township were Samuel Davis, W. L. Spencer, Samuel Moore, Alfred Moore, Samuel Foulke, Benjamin Cole, Benjamin Mason, David Shinn, Job Willetts, Samuel Davies, Adam Schingle, Jacob Schingle, Mr. Schmitz, Peter Smallstreet, and others. William Wire in an early day settled about one and a half miles northwest of Andrews. Martin Harvey settled on the present site of the town a little later and a short distance southwest, on the farm of Jonathan Dille, is where the Beauchamp family made their first improvements. These were. R. Beauchamp and sons, John, Daniel, Isaac and Henry, all of whom were well known in the settlement of the township. The following settlers located in the southern part of the township from time to time and partici- pated in the obstacles and dangers incident to pioneer life, to- wit: Samuel Bressler, William Harrison, James Iden, William Bross, Mr. Moon, Sebastian Racy, Mrs. Tedrick, all of whom came some time in the forties. Other early settlers were: Jere- miah Barkhurst, one of the first in the township; Thomas Mc- Clure, Jacob Sellers, John D. Campbell, John Yantis and others whose names were not given the writer.
The township was organized March, 1847, and in April of the same year the first local officers were chosen, the election for the same being held in a small cabin near the Chesebro Dock, north of Andrews.
The Religious History of Dallas dates from a very early day, and among the denominations first represented was that of the Friends or Quakers, a society of which was organized in the northern part of the township, prior to 1844. "John Moore, the founder of the ' Friends' meeting' was one of the early pioneers, and was principally instrumental in securing the settlement of a considerable portion of the township by members of that society in an early day." "He was a native of North Carolina and moved to Wayne County, Indiana; in 1828, and from thence to this township about the year 1838." " He died in 1872, aged nearly eighty-four years." The society thus organized soon be- came quite strong in numbers and influence and in 1844 a house of worship, the first in the township, was erected on land donated by Mr. Moore. The organization is still kept up, but owing to deaths and removals is not so prosperous as formerly. After the
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organization of the Friends Church other religious societies were established by the United Brethren: Lutheran, Methodist, Chris- tian and German Baptist denominations, the last three of which have flourishing churches in Andrews. North of the town, about one and a half miles is a large and flourishing settlement of Germans, the majority of whom belong to the German Reformed or Evangelical Church, a prosperous society of which has been in existenee in that part of the township for a number of years. The churches above named are all well supported, and in a religious point of view Dallas will compare favorably with any other township in Huntington County.
"Prominent among the improvements instituted in an early day was a saw mill erected by Artemus D. Woodworth and William G. Campbell in 1833." It stood on the west branch of Silver Creek from which it received its motive power, and was operated quite successfully for several years. Near the Chesebro Lock in an early day was built a veneering factory to which ma- chinery for the making of shingles was subsequently attached. It was operated with fair success for several years, but all ves- tiges of the old building have long since disappeared. About the year 1849 Amos E. Richard and John Morris built a water mill on Loon Creek, south of Andrews, which was in operation for a period of about eighteen years. It was a saw mill and man- ufactured much of the lumber used by the early settlers of An- drews and adjacent country. It was abandoned a number of years ago. The last proprietor was Elijah Snowden.
One of the earliest steam saw mills in the township was built near the southern boundary many years ago by a Mr. Richards, who operated it successfully until its destruction by fire. Since then there have been several saw mills in operation throughout the township, the majority of which proved quite remunerative to the proprietors.
Miscellaneous .- " The first house was built and the first log rolling occurred on the farm of Artemus Woodworth the year following his moving to the township." " Marcia Murray, daugh- ter of Capt. Elias and Henrietta Murray, was the first white child born in the township." "The exact date of her birth is unknown, but it was early in 1830." "On the 18th day of November, 1835, the first marriage was solemnized, Joseph Chesebro and Susan C. Woodworth being the contracting parties."
Among the casualties of the township in an early day was the accidental death, by drowning, of a man by the name of Lee at the Chesebro Lock. In 1862, a stranger was drowned in Loon Creek. He attempted to cross the stream while in a state of in- toxication and missing his footing was swept away by the cur- rent. His body was discovered several months after the sad event.occurred. A mysterious death is reported to have taken place on the canal about the year 1852, at which time the body of an unknown man was found lying on the tow-path not far from the lock. No facts concerning this death were ever learned, and
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the name of the unfortunate stranger is likely to remain forever unknown. About the year 1866, a Mr. Walker committed suicide by shooting himself, the deed having been committed while he was in a state of temporary derangement. The immediate cause of the rash act is supposed to have been an intense love for a neighbor's wife, who refused to reciprocate his affection. The sad death of Josiah Bowles, at Andrews, in 1880, is an event still fresh in the mind of the reader. He died from the effects of an overdose of morphine, supposed to have been taken with the in- tention of committing suicide.
Andrews. - The thriving town of Andrews, formerly known as Antioch, situated in the southern part of the township, was laid out on the 12th of December, 1853, by Peter Emery, County Surveyor, for Abraham Leedy, proprietor, and as originally located embraces thirty-three lots on the west part, southwest fractional quarter of Section 23, Township 28 north, Range S east. The site of the town was originally owned by Martin Har- vey, but soon after the survey of the Wabash Railroad a tract of forty acres including the plat, was purchased by Mr. Leedy, who was induced to lay out the village for the two-fold purpose of securing a railroad station and of disposing of the lots at a finan- cial profit. It was essentially an outgrowth of the above road, and as such became in time an important shipping point, although its growth was quite slow until after the year 1861, the principal business prior to that time being a saw mill and a couple of gen- eral stores conducted on a very limited scale. As the resources of the country became developed, however, the advantages of the place soon attracted a goodly number of business men, mechanics and others, and within a few years it earned the reputation of being the best local trading point on the road between the cities of Huntington and Wabash. On the 16th of August, 1854, an addition of eighty-four lots was made to the original plat by Messrs. Leedy and Wintrode, and in June, 1859, J. H. Campbell laid out an addition of thirty-nine lots, the majority of which soon found ready purchasers. One of the first residents of the town was Thomas King, who purchased a lot in the original plat and erected thereon the dwelling now occupied by Jesse Miller. He assisted in operating a saw mill, and for a number of years worked at the blacksmith's trade, having been the first mechanic to locate in the town. John Jessup and Thomas Elsberry moved to the village in an early day and purchased property, the former erecting a small stone building, and the latter a dwelling on Mar- ket Street. Mr. Leedy early put up a business house on the same street where the Brock Block now stands, and in partnership with William Randolph carried on a general store for some years. John Collins was an early merchant, as were also Thomas Gibb, Elijah Snowden, J. Parrott, Edward B. Cubberly and Joseph Snyder. Since 1861 the mercantile interests of the town have been represented by the following business men and firms, viz .: Jesse Calvert, E. B. Cubberly, Amos Parrott, Gibb & Leedy,
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E. Snowden, John Joyce, S. Swayzee, M. Z. Sayler, Dornbush & Murray, W. H. Smith, John Clawson, Frank Clawson, Kautz & Baker, S. M. Minnich, S. M. Blount, J. H. Lee, Cubberly & Leedy, G. W. Bell, John M. Briant, and perhaps others whose names were not given to the writer.
The first hotel, "The Forest Home" was built by Joel Cramer, near the railroad, about the year 1855 or 56. It was kept for several years by D. Manford and others, and is still standing, being now used as a dwelling. The " Andrews House" was first built for a carpenter shop and afterward remodeled and used for a store room. An addition was subsequently attached and the building thoroughly remodeled and converted into a hotel. It is kept at this time by Charles H. Willetts.
Manufactures. - One of the first industries of Antioch was a saw mill erected by Leedy and King, about 1858 or '59, and by them operated with good success for some years. It subsequently changed hands, Messrs. Gardner & Blish becoming proprietors in 1865, at which time machinery for the manufacture of baskets was attached. After running the mill with good success for some time Gardner & Blish sold out to Messrs. Morgan & Daven- port, who changed it from a basket to a stave factory, which they operated in connection with the lumber business. The next owners were Messrs. Morris, Galloway & Bryant, after whom Morris & Bell, the present firm, became proprietors.
Messrs. Morris & Bell do an extensive business, shipping im- mense quantities of lumber and staves to many of the large cities of the country, and the mill when running at its full capacity requires the work of from forty to fifty hands.
Messrs. King, Morris & Richardson, in 1862, moved a steam saw mill from the country which was operated in the village for a period of about twelve or fifteen years. The Antioch Manu- facturing Company was established about the year 1867, for the purpose of manufacturing furniture trimmings, plow handles and various other articles. It was operated about ten years and then converted into a flouring mill by Cubberly & Erwin. The mill was destroyed by fire in 1875 or '76. The last owner was P. H. Willetts, who had previously operated a saw mill and plow beam factory. The first grist mill in the town was erected in 1864, by Elijah Snowden. It has changed hands at different times, and is now standing idle.
An extensive wagon, carriage and blacksmith shop was es- tablished about the year 1866, by Lessel Long, who conducted a very prosperous business for a number of years.
The Press. - The first newspaper enterprise of Andrews was the Antioch Express, established about the year 1875 by James Long, who purchased the office of the La Gro Enterprise, in Wa- bash County, and moved it to this place for the purpose of pub- lishing a paper in the interest of the Greenback Labor party, of Huntington County. The Enterprise was a five-column quarto, ably conducted by Mr. Long until 1881, at which time C. A. Rich-
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ards became editor and publisher. He changed it from a quarto to a seven-column folio, making it a neutral paper, and as such it soon acquired quite an extensive circulation. The Andrews Express was the successor to the Enterprise, its founders being Thad and Mark Butler, who issued the first number in July, 1882. Its career extended from that date until January 1, 1886, at which time a consolidation was effected with the Lime City News, a Huntington publication, and the two papers are now published at the latter place, under the name of The News-Express. The Express, while at Andrews, acquired a wide circulation, and in its editorial and mechanical make up was second to no local paper in Huntington County.
The Antioch Free Trader was the name of a small advertising sheet, established several years ago by G. W. Bell, who issued it irregularly for only a limited period. The printing was all done in Ohio, and the paper served principally as an advertising me- dium, devoted to the interests of the proprietor's business.
Churches. - Methodist Episcopal Church. - " Prior to the date of the erection of a church edifice the members of this denomi- nation conducted religious services in the school house at Antioch." Among the early members were John S. Morris and wife, William Randolph and wife, Samuel Pressler and wife, Jacob Yantis, John B. Collins, and others. The society was organized some time prior to 1860. "On the 3d day of May, in the latter year, accord- ing to notice previously given, the members assembled at the usual place of meeting to elect five trustees, whose duty it should be to erect a house of worship." "The trustees elected were: J. S. Morris, A. E. Richardson, Samuel Pressler, William Randolph and John B. Collins. All the money for the purchase of the lots upon which the church was to be built was advanced in equal sums by each trustee from his private funds." The site selected for the building was a lot in Campbell's addition in the southern part of the town. The building, a frame structure, 33x50 feet, costing the sum of $1,200, was completed and formally dedicated Decem- ber 3, 1860, Rev. J. V. R. Miller officiating. Among the pastors of the church at different times were: Revs. Kenan, Webster, Tobey, Lamb, Brown, Swadener and Robinson. Throughout its history the church has greatly prospered, and at this time is one of the most aggressive religious societies in Huntington County. Connected with the church is a Sunday School in excellent work- ing condition, superintended at this time by Frank Foosher. Present Pastor, Rev. Mr. Holdstock.
Christian Church of Andrews. - This organization dates its history from about the year 1859, and was the immediate out- growth of a series of meetings held in the village by Elder Teeple. Prior to that time, however, several families who had formerly belonged to churches in other places moved to the town and vicinity, and it was through their efforts that Elder Teeple was induced to visit the place. Among those members were Martin James and wife, David Manford and wife, and others whose
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names cannot now be recalled. The organization took place with about forty members, and until 1862, services were con- ducted at regular intervals in the village school-house. In 1861, it was decided to erect a building, accordingly a lot in Campbell's addition was procured, and by the following spring the house was completed and ready for use. It cost the sum of $1,200, and with improvements made in later years is still a comfortable and commodious temple of worship. Elder Teeple visited the congre- gation at intervals for over a year, and did much toward placing the society upon a permanent basis. The greater part of the preaching has been done by the following ministers, to-wit: Elders E. B. Thompson, C. B. Austin, Thomas Vernon, Aaron Walker, N. A. Walker, N. N. Bartlett, R. L. Howe, W. R. Lowe, L. L. Carpenter, L. B. Smith, R. M. Blount, Ira J. Chase, H. M. Lumbert, J. H. Lacy, and the present pastor, S. C. Hummell. The membership at this time numbers about eighty. Present officers, H. Mckinstry, John W. Wise, and Dr. Brandon, Elders; Levi Reed, A. V. Lee and Samuel Lee, Deacons; Henry Kautz, Clerk, and Samuel P. Lee, Treasurer. A large and flourishing Sunday School with an average attendance of 118 scholars is kept up throughout the year. Present Superintendent, Henry Kautz.
German Baptist Church. - The German Baptist Church, of Andrews, was organized in Polk Township, prior to 1850, and met for worship in the country until about the year 1857. Among the early members were: John Leedy and family, Mr. Minnich and family, John Bowman and family, Ira Calvert and family, Joseph Herdman and family, Joseph Leedy and family, Samuel Leedy, Jr., and family, David Blucher and family, Ben- jamin Hart and family. The early preachers were: Revs. Joseph Hardman, John Leedy and Ira Calvert. A commodious temple of worship, 40x75 feet in size, was erected in town about the year 1857, since which time the society has enjoyed a good degree of prosperity, having at this time a membership of over 100. The present ministers are: Joseph Leedy, Abraham Leedy and O. C. Ellis. The Deacons are: John Mater, Henry Crull, Thomas Bailey, Daniel Duffy and George Shroyer. Bishop Elders: John Leedy and Abraham Leedy.
Lodges. - Antioch Lodge, No. 410, A. F. & A. M. "In the latter part of the year 1867, a meeting was held at the residence of Joseph Baker, to take the necessary steps for the organization of a Masonic Lodge at Antioch. On that occasion, a lodge of instruction was opened to exemplify the work of the degrees. W. G. Morris was chosen W. M .; Greenbury Ross, S. W .; John S. Morris, J. W .; Joseph Baker, Treas .; Henry Kautz, Sec .; Henry Blish, S. D .; A. C. Gardner, J. D .; John Jessup, Tiler. The lodge meetings were subsequently held in the station building, at the railroad, and later in the second story of William Brown's store building." " At the annual communication of the Grand Lodge, of Indiana, in May, 1868, a petition was presented for a dis-
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pensation which was granted on the 28th of that month. " " The first meeting of the lodge under dispensation was held June 27, 1868. Its total membership at that time was ten." "It con- tinued to work under dispensation for a period of two years, during which time it received a number of accessions by initia- tion and affiliation." "At the close of the second year a charter was granted dated May 24, A. L. 5870, and the officers of the lodge were installed and regularly constituted by Special Deputy W. C. Chaffee, on the 14th of June, 1870." "Its mem- bership at present is sixty-one." "It has maintained a good record, and now stands as favorably as other lodges throughout the state. The hall which is well finished and furnished was erected in 1882. The present officers are: H. H. Lambert, W. M .; B. F. Hays, S. W .; S. I. Thomas, J. W .; Joseph Baker, Treas .; Henry Kautz, Sec .; George Reeves, S. D .; James Flynn, J. D .; A. Sutton, Tyler.
Loon Creek Lodge, No. 322, I. O. O. F., was instituted April 22, 1869, by D. D. G. M., John Swaidner, with the following charter members: H. Mckinstry. J. J. Lyon, Jesse L. Cramer, William Boone, E. Ervin, James E. Shipler and E. B. Cubberly. An elec- tion was held on the night of organization, and the following of- ficers elected: E. B. Cubberly, N. G .; H. Mckinstry, V. G .; J. W. Boone, Sec .; J. H. Lee, Per. Sec., and E. Erwin, Treas. On the same night eight candidates were initiated and immediately be- came members of the lodge. Meetings were first held in the sec- ond story of the school building, at Antioch, but within a few weeks after organization, a room was rented and used for lodge purposes until the erection of the present beautiful hall, in 1881. A plat for a cemetery was purchased in 1868, and has been used as a burial place by the order ever since. The lodge is in a pros- perous condition, with ample resources, having property at this time representing a value of over $5,000. " A lively interest in the good of the order is manifested by its members, and to this fact is largely due the success of the organization." The officers for 1887 are: Owen McAree, N. G .; Joseph Gaalt, V. G .; Charles Gauss, Recording Sec .; S. P. Lee, Per. Sect., and J. S. Morris, Treas. Present membership, fifty.
Miriam Lodge, No. 37, Daughters of Rebecca, was instituted January, 1870, by Special Deputy, E. B. Cubberly, with eighteen charter members. " A lack of interest was manifested, and two years after the organization it was abandoned." " It was reorgan- ized July 1877, since which time it has met regularly, and is now in a prosperous condition, having at this time an active mem- bership of sixty. Present officers: Mrs. Lou Mckinstry, N. G .; Miss Ida Lee, V. G .; Lettie Morris, Recording Sec .; E. B. Cub- berly, Per. Sec., and Mrs. Kate C. Cubberly, Treas.
Andrews Post, No. 116, G. A. R., was organized November 22, 1882, with the following charter members, to-wit: John J. Lyon, H. H. Miller, Lessel Long, Amos Sutton, G. W. Swartz, B. A. Line , Milton Woodbeck, G. Vandolson, G. W. Bell, S. J. Pennyfather ,
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I. T. Swartz, William Boone, Matthias Swartz, W. R. Taylor, Martin James, James M. Ashley, Le Roy S. Blan, Edward Long, Levi Reed, D. K. Brown, A. E. Thatcher and P. K. Meech. The first Post Commander was Lessel Long, after whom were elected in regular order the following commanders, to-wit: H. H. Miller, Geo. W. Bell, Scott Cole, and the present incumbent, Ed Long. The Post has at this time a membership of sixty-eight, and is reported in a prosperous condition. The following are the officers elected for 1887: Ed Long, Commander; John Bowles, S. V. C .; Geo. Moslander, J. V. C .; Matthias Swartz, Chaplain; Dr. O. B. Will- iams, Surgeon; G. Vandolsen, Quarter-Master; G. W. Bell, Adju- tant; John H. Moore, Officer of the Day; Levi Reed, Officer of the Guard; Cyrus Spencer, Sergeant-Major; Lessel Long, Quarter- Master Sargeant.
Andrews Old Guards, one of the best disciplined military companies in Indiana, was organized in 1886, and mustered on the 21st of June, that year. The company is made up of a fine class of young men, and now numbers about sixty-one members. Lessel Long is Captain; John Alpaugh, First Lieutenant; James Ashley, Second Lieutenant; John H. Moore, Orderly Sergeant; Milton Woodbeck, 1st Duty Sergeant; Edward Long, 2d Duty Sergeant and William M. Hall, 3d Duty Sergeant.
The Andrews Cornet Band, for several years one of the leading and most interesting organization of the town, was com- posed entirely of young ladies, the entire number being fourteen. This was the largest and most successful female band in the State, and its appearance upon public occasions created an inter- est and an enthusiasm never before occasioned by any musical organization in Indiana. Its services were in demand during campaign times, and the superior music, together with the fine appearance of the young ladies in their beautiful uniforms, was always the principal attraction of the rallies in which the band participated. Inroads were constantly made upon its ranks, however, by various causes, chief among which was that of matrimony, and as the members gradually changed their names, the band, much to the regret of the citizens of the town, was finally disorganized.
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