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 69
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Settlement .- " Prior to the year 1836 the deep forests of the township had never been broken by the sound of the pioneer's ax, and the struggle for a home within its limits was first inaug- urated by one Jacob Fisher, who with his family of nine persons, located on the northwest quarter of Section 24, in September of the above year." He moved here from Wilmington, Ohio, and was a resident of the township for a period of about forty-nine years, dying in 1885. Nathan Fisher, brother of Jacob, came about the same time, or perhaps the following year, and has been a resident ever since, residing where he originally settled, in the eastern part of the township, where descendants of both fam- ilies now live. Willis Jeffrey, a native of New Jersey, but an early settler of Randolph County, this State, moved to the township a few months after the date of Fisher's settlement, and located the farm now owned by Mrs. Osborne and occupied by Charles Powell. He took an active part in the development of the country, and died in the township March 3, 1886, at the ad-
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vanced age of seventy-nine years. Leonard Parrott, in 1837, settled in the southwestern part of the township, and, with his father-in-law, Daniel Webb, who came to the same vicinity in an early day, also is remembered as a very honorable and trust- worthy citizen. In company with Mr. Jeffrey came John D. Campbell, who settled on Majenica Creek, in the eastern part of the township, making his first improvements on the farm owned at this time by Matthew Taylor. As early, perhaps, as 1836, one Richard Cummings settled near the Campbell place, and, after residing there some years, purchased and improved land near Mt. Etna, in the southeast corner of the township. He was a man of local prominence, and at one time served as Sheriff of Huntington County. Another settler of 1837 was Aaron R. Sayres, who located a farm in Section 26, which he sold one year later and moved to Wabash County. The purchaser of this place was Henry Fulhart, who moved to his new home in the fall of 1838. He subsequently disposed of his interests in Polk and be- came a resident of Lancaster Township. Oliver Jones joined the settlement in 1837, and made the first improvements on the Hiram Satterthwaite farm in the western part of the township. He is remembered as a skillful hunter, and was in every sense of the word an admirable representative of the daring class of pioneers who sought homes in the unbroken wilderness of North- ern Indiana nearly half a century ago.
The year 1838 was marked by the arrival of a number of set- tlers and their families, conspicuous among whom were Green- burg Martin and Daniel James, the former locating where John Alpaugh lives, in the western part of the township, and the latter moving to a tract of land which he had previously entered, in Section 26, near the Salamonie River. Martin, like his neighbor, Mr. James, was skilled in the use of the rifle, and varied the routine of farm work with frequent hunting excursions in the surrounding forests. He died a number of years ago, leaving descendants, one of whom, a son, William Martin, is still an hon- ored resident of the township. Daniel James was a native of North Carolina, and an early settler of Randolph County, from which, in 1834, he removed to Grant County. The same year he made a tour of Huntington, and being pleased with the country, entered land as above described, to which he moved his family in March, 1838. " He was a man of acknowledged ability, took an active interest in public affairs, and in an early day filled the of- fice of Associate Judge of this county, having previously been elected to a similar position in Grant County. His death occurred on the 14th day of July, 1866, at the age of eighty-six years. He had a family of five children, four of whom, John, Martin, Helen and Willis, are still residents of the county. During the years 1839 and 1840, the following settlers, additional to those enumer- ated, secured homes in the township, to-wit: Jacob Branson, west of Mt. Etna, on the Salamonie River; Thomas Webb, in the southern part of the township, where he still lives; John Wat-
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son, where his widow resides; Samuel H. Jennings, in southwest corner of township; Early Kinsey and Allen Dowell, in same lo- cality; Martin McFarland, near the southern boundary. Others, who came early in the forties, were: Isaac Heffner, John Wag- oner, Joseph Wagoner, George Blose, Hamilton Giltner, Matthew Taylor, John D. Fisher, George Fisher, Elias Fisher, Samuel Fisher, Robert Thomas, James Parrott, George Smith, Henry An- drews, Alfred Long, Thomas R. Large, John Stroup, Alexander Brannon, William Watson, Charles Watson, Benjamin B. Hart, David Ridgeway, Hon. L. P. Milligan, Henry Hildebrand, Sr., Henry Hildebrand, Jr., Jacob Leedy, Jonah Leedy, Joel Satter- thwaite and others.
Like all other parts of Huntington County the township when first seen by white men presented but few attractions to the home seeker. On every hand were dense forests to clear away, which required years of unremitting toil and hardships of which we can form but a faint conception. The conventional rough pole cabin with puncheon floor, stick chimney, clapboard roof and uncouth fire-place was the castle in which the sturdy housewife reigned supreme, and in which she imparted those lessons of in- dustry, economy and sound practical sense which make her chil- dren the substantial fathers and mothers of to-day. Early and late, year after year, the sturdy pioneers were compelled to wield the ax in order to fell the gigantic forest growth, and fit the ground for cultivation, but hard as was this kind of life, it had its seasons of enjoyment, its log rollings, house raisings, and social gatherings where, untrammelled by the usages of modern society, all would meet on a common level and enjoy the occasion as only those whose daily life was passed amid the hard routine of rugged toil know how to appreciate.
For a number of years game of all kinds was very plentiful, and with corn bread, constituted the greater part of the pioneers' bill of fare. Deer were frequently seen in large herds, and it re- quired no great amount of skill for the expert huntsman to kill from eight to a dozen of these animals in a single day. Turkeys were also quite numerous, while grouse, squirrels; quails and other small game were hardly deemed worth the ammunition re- quired to kill them. The appearance of an occasional bear was hailed with delight by the sportsmen, and to kill one of these animals was considered a feat requiring more than ordinary skill and powers. The following incident is related of an en- counter which James Parrott had with an infuriated bear near the western boundary of the township in an early day. Mr. Parrott while hunting suddenly ran upon two cubs that were playing near a thicket, and, before taking time to look for the mother bear, that was concealed near by, shot and killed one of the young ones. No sooner was the gun discharged than the old bear rushed from her hiding place, and before the hunter had time to reload his piece or escape, she was close upon him, and
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he was compelled to fight for his life with a large club which he found lying near. The bear rendered furious by the death of her young, made desperate efforts to clasp the hunter in her powerful embrace, and he, being a perfect giant in strength, wielded his club so vigorously as to effectually keep her at a safe distance. The struggle continued for some time with doubtful result, but the hunter following up every advantage, finally suc- ceeded in putting the savage beast hors de combat. He. was severely wounded in the struggle, and his clothing literally torn to shreds. Richard Cummings killed a bear near his farm many years ago, and several young ones were captured at different times throughout the country. The most annoying wild animals in the early settlement of the country were the wolves, which proved very destructive to the settlers' stock. Sheep and pigs were penned almost every night, yet despite all precautions a great deal of stock would fall victims to these much dreaded scourges. To rid the country of them the settlers finally or- ganized general wolf hunts, in which a large area would be sur- rounded and the animals driven to the centre of the circle of huntsmen and killed. The last hunt of this kind took place about the year 1847, since which time but few, if any wolves have been seen in the township.
Religious History. - So far as known, the first religious meet- ing in the township was conducted by Rev. Mr. Moss, of the German Baptist Church, at the barn of Jacob Fulhart, in June, 1840. Ministers of this denomination visited the neighborhood at intervals as long as Mr. Fulhart remained in the township, but no attempt at a permanent organization appears to have been inaugurated. The first society organized was a class of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church which early met for worship at the residence of Nathan Fisher. Among the earliest preachers are remem- bered Revs. Posey, Hull and Bradshaw, all of whom were earnest in their efforts to spread the Gospel throughout the sparsely settled country of Huntington County. As early perhaps as 1847 or 1848, the Christian (Disciples) organized a society at the Hilde- brand School House, which at one time had a large and flourish- ing membership. The early preachers were Elders Ebenezer El- liot, Guilford Thompson and Henley James, and the first elder of the congregation was Daniel James. The society holds its meetings at Monument City and though not so strong as for- merly is still in the enjoyment of a fair measure of prosperity Mt. Zion United Brethren Church in the northwest corner of the township was organized in an early day, and in later years a house of worship was erected in Section 4. The society has ac- complished a vast amount of good in the community, and at this time has an active membership. Near the United Brethren Church is a Methodist organization which dates its history from quite an early day, and which is still a potent factor for good in the community. The building in which the society meets for worship was erected about the year 1860, and stands a distance
Dr. Samuel le Ways
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from the Wabash County line on Section 16. In an early day the Christian (New Lights) organized a society in the southern part of the township, among the first preachers of which were El- ders Samuel Moore and George Abbott. The house of worship, a substantial structure, was erected some time in the sixties, and is still used by the congregation. The churches above mentioned are all in fair condition and have accomplished much moulding the moral and religious character of the township.
Improvements. - " The first road through the township .was surveyed and located along the Salamonie River, from La Gro, Wabash County to Warren, in this county." "Formerly blazed trees marked the traveled thoroughfares, but no road existed." " After the completion of the Warren & La Gro Road others were surveyed and legally established, affording easy access to the markets of this and neighboring counties." The township is now traversed by a net-work of improved highways, all of which are kept in superior condition. The presence of abundant water power was early taken advantage of for manufacturing purposes, and about the year 1837, a saw mill was built by John D. Campbell, on the banks of Majenica Creek, in the western part of the township. "To this mill Mr. Campbell subsequently attached a ' corn cracker,' which like others of its kind was an indifferent affair, incapable of grinding sufficient grain to make it a financial success." The Hildebrands, Henry, Sr., and Henry, erected the first flouring mill in the township on the banks of the Salamonie River, near the village of Mt. Etna, about the year 1853. It was a combination mill, manufactured both flour and lumber, and was operated by the original proprietor until its destruction by fire, sometime in the seventies. It was rebuilt by David Myers, and stood until 1885, at which time it was again burned, the last fire resulting in its complete destruction. "The timbered character of the township early offered an inviting field for the lumber business, and numerous saw mills have been in operation from time to time." The first steam saw mill was brought to the country by Messrs. Leedy & King, since which time there have been a number of others, the lumber business having for years been a leading industry.
Items of Interest .- On the 11th day of December, 1836, oc- curred the birth of Silas Fisher, son of Nathan Fisher, who was the first white person born within the present limits of the Town- ship. David Fisher, brother of the preceding, was born a few years later, and about the year 1838, Hrs. Hannah Traster, daughter of Willis Jeffrey, was born in the township. The next birth was that of Henley, son of Daniel and Mary James, which occurred in March, 1840. The first marriage, so far as known, was that of Charles Morgan and Elizabeth Fisher, solemnized sometime in the year 1838. A little later occurred the marriage of Simon Fisher and Emmalett Cummings, exact date unknown. "The first death which the little community was called upon to mourn was that of Susannah Fisher, daughter of Nathan Fisher,
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a very estimable lady." Another early death was that of Wesley Morgan, and the first person buried in the township is said to have been Jacob Barnett, who was laid to rest many years ago in what is known as the Hildebrand grave-yard. Mrs. Michael Minnich and child were buried at the same place in an early day, as were also a number of others whose names have long since been forgotten.
The first frame building in the township was a barn erected on the farm of Henry Fulhart, about the year 1840. The build- ing is still standing in a good state of preservation. One of the first frame dwellings was built early in the forties by Henry Hil- debrand, Sr. Among the early mechanics of the township were Allen Dowell and Alexander Branaman, carpenters, and William Watson, cabinet maker.
Monument City. - " About the year 1868 or '69, the citizens of Polk, conceived and put in execution a plan to erect a mon- ument to the memory of the soldiers in the late war who were residents of the township, and lost their lives in defense of the Nation's honor." "A neat marble shaft, representing a capital of $500, was accordingly erected in Section 22, inscribed with the names of twenty-seven brave boys in blue, in honor of whom the enterprise was conceived." In the spring of 1874, Jacob Leedy and John Pilcher laid out the town of Monument City on the Salamonie River, Section 23, and named it for the monument which stands in the immediate vicinity. The first business en- terprise of the place was a saw mill operated by Weeks & Slyter, who in addition to dealing quite extensively in lumber, also opened a general store. They subsequently disposed of their mercantile business, but still operate the mill. G. W. Byram sold goods for some time, as did also Noah Hildebrand, the Hallett Bros., Isaac Hildebrand and Jonas Calvert. The mercantile in- terests of the place are represented at this time by James Hallett who carries on a general goods house with a fair degree of suc- cess. The village blacksmith is William Armstrong, while Friend Swartz makes the boots and shoes for the citizens of the village and community. The village is situated in the midst of a rich agricultural region and is a good local trading point.
Harlansburgh, a little hamlet in the eastern part of the town- ship, has at this time a good store kept by Oliver N. Snider, who also represents the Government in the capacity of Postmaster. There are also a blacksmith shop and saw mill, the latter oper- ated by D. B. Shell.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOHN R. ALPAUGH, a native of New Jersey, was born on the 22d day of February, 1831, the oldest son of six children born to Isaac and Isabel (Kitchen) Alpaugh, natives of New Jersey. The subject received a limited education, was reared on the farm until he was fourteen, after which he engaged in the carpenter
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trade with his father, continuing for about six years. He then fol- lowed wagon and carriage-making for about two years, after which he served an apprenticeship to the printer's trade with Mr. P. F. Bowers, of Easton, Pennsylvania. To this branch of industry he has given his almost undivided attention since that time (with the exception of the time he served in the Army), and has been doing a good business since he embarked in the business for him- self. His marriage to Miss Sarah A. Ingham, a native of Warren. County, N. J., born May 29, 1824, was solemnized on the 27th day of November, 1851. To this union four children were born: Ed- win K., born February 28, 1853; Belle, born February 6, 1856; Jenny, born April 1, 1860, and Harry, born July 10, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Alpaugh are the owners of eighty acres of land on Section 27, Polk Township, sixty acres of which are in a highly cultivated state, and improved in a comfortable style. The subject enlisted, August, 1862, in Company E, Thirty-First New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, and was made Second Lieutenant on the 10th of the following September. He served in this capacity about eight months and was then compelled to resign on account of physical injuries received. He is at present First Lieutenant of the " Andrews Old Guard," Company D, First Regiment, Indi- ana State Militia. He was "mustered in" to this service on the 21st of June, 1886. In the month of October, 1863, Mr. Alpaugh came to Huntington County, and settled in Mt. Etna, and after a few months' residence in that place came to the farm on which he has since continuously resided. He is a member of Mt. Etna Lodge, No. 333, F. & A. M., of Mt. Etna, and also of Andrews Post, No. 116, G. A. R., of Andrews. Politically, he is a Republican.
JOHN N, BLOSE, a prominent farmer of Polk Township, was born on the farm where he now resides, October 9, 1847, and is the only son of three children, born to George and Mary (Dwiggins) Blose, natives of Warren County, Ohio, and Wayne County, Ind., respectively. The father of our subject came to Indiana when he was six years of age, and in the year 1846, settled on the farm now owned by the subject. Here he resided and reared his family until February, 1877, when his death occurred. Seven years later his wife was also deceased - Jan- uary, 1884. At his death, the father left an estate of 160 acres of land (undivided), having previously provided each of his three children with a farm of eighty acres each. John N. has since purchased the old home place. He was the recipient of a good common school education, was reared on the farm, and had always made his home with his parents up to the time of their death. Mr. Blose was married March 17, 1880, to Miss Sallie Watson, a native of Huntington County, and daughter of Charles and Rintha (Scott) Watson, residents of Wayne Town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Blose are the parents of two children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Mary Ina, born August 16, 1881, and Cora Mabel, born July 15, 1885. He is a member of
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Mt. Etna Lodge, No. 304, I. O. O. F., of which he is the present Noble Grand. He and wife are members of church; he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal, and she belongs to the Wesleyan Branche of the Methodist Church. Politically, he is a Republi- can, and always manifests a good live interest in the election affairs. His farm of 160 acres is in Section 35, Polk Township, and is in good cultivation and substantially improved.
HARMAN CLICK, is a native of Saxony, Germany, where he was born October 18, 1818, the second son of seven children born to George and Catharine (Bossold) Click, both natives of the same place as was our subject. He received a good German edu- cation, and was employed in the stone quarries until he em- barked for America, where he arrived at Baltimore, June 26, 1835. He was for about six years shifting about from place to place, being employed in various ways until the year 1841, when he was married to Rhoda Wilson, in August of that year. By this marriage he had six children whose names are as follows: Susannah, born July 4, 1842, died June, 1872; Christiana, born December 4, 1843, died November 27, 1853; Henry, born January 4, 1846, died in the United States service at New Orleans, in April, 1863; Amanda, born October 24, 1848; Anthony, born March 3, 1850; Mary M., born January 18, 1852, died September 25, 1879. The mother of these children died August 18, 1867. The subject of this sketch was again, on the 19th of October, 1870, united in marriage to Mrs. Ailry Houser-Blaker (Lowry), who was the widow of John Houser (deceased), by whom she was the mother of eight children: Nancy J., Solomon B., Lucy A., George H., Anna, Mary S., John O., and Charley. After the death of Mr. Houser she was married to Mr. Bainbridge Blaker, and this union resulted in the birth of two children, viz .: Ida and Benjamin F. Mr. Click is the owner of eighty acres of land on Section 15, Polk Township, fifty acres of which is under a fair state of cultivation. He has been a resident of this township since February 1847, coming here in mid-winter with his family, and settled in the dense forest from which he made a home, and has lived on the place ever since. He has had considerable hardships to contend with, having his share of sickness and other disadvantages, which he has finally overcome. Politically, he is a Republican, but usually in local affairs, chooses the man in preference to the party.
ANTHONY CLICK, a native of Huntington County, was born March 3, 1850, the second son of Harmon and Rhoda (Wil- son) Click, whose sketch is printed above. The subject received a common school education, was reared on a farm, and at the age of twenty-four he was married to Miss Ida Blaker, a native of Decatur County, Iowa. This event was solemnized March 28, 1874. Six children were born to this marriage, five of whom are living: Anna E., born March 31, 1875; Amey T., born November
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28, 1878; Lucy E., born March 3, 1880; Orlando O., born February 26, 1883, died May 25, 1883; Ethel J., born March 9, 1884; Clara B., born September 16, 1886. The wife was born November 9, 1858. The subject is politically a Republican. This gentleman is at present manager of his father's farm of eighty acres, on Section 15, Polk Township, which he has farmed since he was fifteen years of age.
GEORGE W. GILTNER, a native of Polk Township, Hunt- ington Co., Ind., was born February 14, 1842. He is the eldest son of a family of five children born to Francis and Mary A. (Brown) Giltner, natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky, respect- ively, who came from Rush County, Ind., in about the year 1840, to this county and located on Section 36, Polk Township, where they resided a few years, and after several movings from place to place, they finally located in Wayne Township, near their old home, where January 13, 1864, the father died. The mother is still living. Our subject received an extra common school edu- cation, sufficient to enable him to teach school. which he followed for about twelve years. He was reared on a farm and remained with his parents until his marriage with Miss Mary A. Mahoney, which was solemnized September 30, 1866, after which he estab- lished a home of his own in Wayne Township. By this mar- riage three children were born, viz .: Orville T., Martha I. and Francis E. His wife (who was a daughter of Thomas and Mary J. Mahoney), died May 23, 1878. He was again on the 26th of November, 1880, married to Miss Mary A. Starbuck, a native of Wayne County, born July 22, 1851. One child has blest this union - William H. Our subject owns forty acres of land on Section 25, Polk Township, twenty-five of which is under culti- vation, and fairly improved. He is a member of Mt. Etna Lodge, No. 304, I. O. O. F., and is one of the Trustees of this society. He has passed through all the chairs and has represented the local lodge in the session of the Grand Lodge of the State. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In April, 1886, Mr. Giltner was elected to the office of Township Trustee, on the Republican ticket, of which party he has been a long and faithful supporter.
JOSEPH P. HAM, a native of Rockingham County, Va., and one of the substantial farmers of Polk Township, was born November 22, 1933. He is the eldest son of Samuel and Eliza- both (Royer) Ham, natives of the same State, who moved to Indiana, in the year 1835, and located in Union County, and afterward came to Huntington County, in 1865, where the father departed life about the year 1867 or 1868. The mother is still a resident of Wayne Township, and has reached the advanced age of seventy-seven years, her birth occurring April 18, 1811, and that of the father November 13, 1808. Our subject came to Huntington County, shortly after his marriage with Miss Celia
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