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 75
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and Mary E, deceased. Mrs. Sparks is a member of the Chris- tion Church, and Mr. Sparks, although a man of strong religious convictions, is not identified with any church organization.
MOSES TAM, farmer and stock raiser, son of James and Rebecca Tam, is a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and dates his birth from the 29th day of June, 1835. His father was a native of Delaware, and in early life followed the profession of teaching. He moved to Pennsylvania many years ago, in which State he married, and reared a large family. Shortly after his first wife's death he emigrated to Ohio, where he married Rebecca McNutt, and where he lived until his removal to Huntington County, Ind., in 1852. 'On reaching this county he settled near Rock Creek Center, Rock Creek Township, where at the advanced age of seventy years he began clearing a home in the then almost unbroken wilderness. He was a man of great energy; an active politician, and a sincere Christian, having in early life joined the Free- Will Baptist Church, and later identified himself with the Methodists. His death occurred in 1872, at the ripe old age of ninety-three years. Moses Tam, was reared to early man- hood in his native county, and until his sixteenth year, attended at intervals a country school, walking a distance of two and a half miles to the school house. He accompanied his parents to this county, and being the only son, was early obliged to bear his part in clearing the farm and contributing to the support of the family, remaining under the parental roof until his twenty- fourth year. He then purchased thirty acres of land in the neigh- borhood of Rock Creek Center, where he lived for six years, and at the end of that time located his present home which is one of the best cultivated farms in the township. Mr. Tam has led a life of great industry, and is one of the leading farmers and stock raisers in the community where he resides. He was married June 19, 1859, to Miss Margaret Hoag, of Onondaga County, N. Y., where she was born September 24, 1841. Her parents, Benanuel and Avilla (Wright) Hoag, were natives of New York, but in an early day emigrated to Ohio, and from there in 1856 to Huntington County, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Tam have had a family of six children, viz .: Rosaltha, born December 7, 1860; Marquis, born January 30, 1865; Frederick, born November 27, 1872; Elsie, born January 9, 1878, and Estella and Cora who died in infancy.
JONATHAN WHITELOCK. son of Abraham and Margaret Whitelock, was born in Fayette County, Ind., on the 8th day of July, 1830. The father was a native of Maryland, descending from English ancestors, and at the age of eighteen years emi- grated to Ohio. Subsequently, about 1820, he moved to Fayette County, Ind., and located on White Water. He married, in Fay- ette County, Miss Margaret Risk, a native of Ohio, and in 1830 emigrated to Franklin County, where the family resided until their removal to Huntington County a number of years later.
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The father and mother both died in this county, the former in 1863, and the latter a short time afterward. Jonathan White- lock was raised principally in Franklin County, having been taken there by his parents when but a few months old. He was reared a farmer, received a common school education, and began life for himself, a little before attaining his majority, as a farm laborer and wood chopper, having early become quite skillful in the use of the ax. In the fall of 1851 he visited Wells and Hunt- ington Counties, and later purchased eighty acres in the former, paying for the same out of the earnings of his daily labor. In 1854 he accompanied his parents to this county and has ever since lived in Section 33, Rock Creek Township, having ex- changed his Wells County land for a part of his present farm. He was married February 3d, 1856, to Miss Elizabeth Sowers, eldest daughter of Jacob Sowers, one of the pioneer settlers of Huntington County. She was born in Wayne County, Ohio, May 14, 1835, and brought to this township when only three years of age. Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Whitelock moved to his own place, where, in a small pioneer cabin, were passed many of the most pleasant days of his life. This house was in time exchanged for a more comfortable frame structure, and the latter in turn to a fine brick residence, erected in 1871. He now has some of the best farm buildings in the southern part of the county, and also one of the best improved farms, his land amount- ing to 432 acres. He was the leading spirit in founding the vil- lage of Plum Tree, and in 1876 began the mercantile business there, which he continued for a period of about eighteen months. He is one of Huntington County's most successful citizens, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact. An earnest supporter of the Democratic party all his life, he has never been a partisan in the sense of seeking office, and for twenty years he has been pre-eminently identified with the Masonic fraternity. He is the father of one son, Orlando W. Whitelock, attorney at Huntington, who was born July 12, 1857.
JOHN G. WILL, farmer and. stock grower, is a native of Prussia, Germany, and only child of Louis and Margaret Will. The father was a tailor and in addition to that trade, worked at farming, carrying on both vocations until his death, which oc- curred in Prussia in the year 1867. John G. Will was left moth- erless at the early age of three years, and from his fifth to fourteenth years, attended school in his native country. On quitting school he was engaged for some time on the public works, and later for a period of six years, worked as a common farm laborer. On the 1st of April, 1858, he sailed for the United States and after a long sea voyage reached his destination and proceeded at once to Huntington County, Ind., locating in Rock Creek Township, with a relative, for whom he worked for a period of about five years, saving sufficient money in the meantime to enable him to purchase
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forty acres of land, the foundation of his present beautiful home. Beginning life with no capital save a determination to succeed Mr. Will has by persevering industry, steadily risen from a day laborer, to one of the largest and most successful farmers of Rock Creek, owning at this time a valuable farm of 200 acres, situated in one of the richest agricultural regions in Huntington County. He married on the third day of October, 1858, Miss Catharine Baker, who was born in Hesse Darmsdadt, Germany, December 22, 1829. To this union five children have been born: Louis, born September 12, 1861; William, born Octo- ber 25, 1863; John, born December 30, 1865; Fred, July 17, 1870; and Mary, born November 2, 1872. Politically Mr. Will is a Democrat, in religion a Lutheran.
CHAPTER XV.
BY REV. S. H. SWAIM.
SALAMONIE TOWNSHIP- EARLY SETTLEMENT - FIRST EVENTS - ACCIDENTS - CEMETERIES -WARREN -CHURCHES-BIOGRAPH- ICAL SKETCHES.
SALAMONIE TOWNSHIP is situated in the southeast corner of Huntington County, and is bounded as follows: North by Rock Creek Township; east and south by Wells County; west by Jefferson Township. The earliest history of the southern por- tion of the county is associated with this locality. The township was originally six miles wide, north and south, and sixteen miles long east and west, comprising all the territory now embraced by Jefferson and Wayne Townships; and the reduction of this territory was the first division of Huntington County into town- ships. Salamonie Township, was organized at the February term of the Board of County Commissioners, in 1835. The Com- missioners at their session in March, 1843, reduced the Township to its present limits, a Congressional Township.
Early Settlement. - The first settlement was made in Septem- ber, 1833, by Samuel Jones and his family, who came from Highland County, Ohio. At that time its forests contained among their denizens a large number of Indians, who, however, were disposed to be friendly. Fleming Mitchell settled in the township about one week after Mr. Jones. Mr. Jones visited this locality in the spring of 1833, at which time he entered a tract of land embracing the present site of Warren; after which, he re- turned to Ohio, where he remained until September following. His cabin was located near the Fort Wayne and Indianapolis
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Road, which was then a throughfare extensively traveled by em- igrants and speculators en route for the West; and many of their number enjoyed his hospitalities .. Fleming Mitchell's cabin was located near the Salamonie River, one mile above the present site of Warren. Later in 1833, they were joined by James Mor- rison and his family, who settled near Fleming Mitchell, and Noah McGrew and family, who settled on the Salamonie River, three miles below Samuel Jones. Lewis Richards and family came late in the same year, and moved in the house with Flem - ing Mitchell. This closed the immigration for the year 1833, and there were but few settlements in 1834. Among those who came in that year were L. W. Purviance, Ezekiel Fleming and Peter Wire. Mr. Wire removed to Jefferson Township before the close of that year, and was among the earliest residents of that locality. In 1835-6, the settlement received several additions to its numbers, prominent among whom were Ezekiel Jones, Abel Irwin, William Coolman, Peter Rittenhouse, Simeon Swain, G. O. Blair and John Baker. In 1837, came George Beard, Aaron Back, Jacob Zent, Simeon Huffman, John Dillon, Enoch Jones and Daniel Stroup. Others who were prominently interested with the early settlement of this township were: Thomas McIlwain, William Gill, James Lynn, John and George Thomp- son, Ezra C. Thompson, John Frazier, Michael Reveal, Abner Leonard, Messrs. Priddy, Gephart, Bilbee, Foust, Roberts, Wright, Coffield, Ruse, Hamilton, Smith, Ewbanks, Johnson,
Becker and Sutton. After these accessions, the log-rollings were greatly facilitated. The maxim of "many hands" making " light work" was then fully verified.
First Events. - Mary Jane McGrew, daughter of John McGrew, was the first white child born in the Township; she was born April 5, 1834. The first nuptial ceremony celebrated in in the township was the union of Leander Morrison with Matilda Jones, February 26, 1835. Death first visited the settle- ment on the 20th day of January, 1835, claiming for his victim Michael Reveal, whose remains were interred in the Jones Cemetery. Year by year, his former companions were called from earth, and soon the little cemetery stood thickly dotted with the headstones which proclaimed the last resting place of those whose labors in life were directed toward the development of this region, whose lives ended ere their early hopes were fully realized. To them is due the honor of initiating a noble work; and though lost to earth, their memory will be forever cherished in the hearts of a grateful posterity, for whose com- forts they endured the privations incident to pioneer life, and struggled to secure the many blessings now enjoyed.
The first saw-mill was built by Leander Morrison for Fleming Mitchell, one mile above Warren, and also the first grist-mill, in 1835. John Reid, of Barnstable, Mass., bought the mill and attached bolting in 1837.
The first school was taught by John McGrew, one mile below
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Warren, in the old Purviance cabin. David C. Little taught the second school in one of S. Jones' first cabins, donated for school purposes. The first school house was built near the mounds south of Warren. The first district school house was No. 8, on the northeast corner of Section 33. The first brick school house was built in Warren, 1866. Now all the ten school houses in the town- ship are brick.
The first frame dwelling and the first frame barn was built by Samuel Jones and are now owned by Mr. F. M. Huff, in Warren. The first brick dwelling was built by Jonathan Foust, on the southeast quarter of Section 35.
Accidents .- The following accidental deaths have occurred in this township, perhaps not exactly in the order written: First, John Frasier, killed by the falling of a coon tree when alone in the woods and was found by friends next day frozen in the snow. Mary Little, daughter of Isaac Young, was killed by the rolling of a log of wood on Mr. Sonner's wood pile while the chil- dren were playing. John Shaffer was killed by the bursting of a small cannon. Floyd, son of Jacob McFerson, was drowned while skating on the river. Hannah A., daughter of Sargent Clarke, was drowned in an old shallow well hole. Tommy Leffler was burned in a kettle of hot lard, causing death. George G., son of J. H. Gillispie, was crushed and drowned in the Turbine water wheel of David Finkle's mill while sporting in the forebay under the mill, the wheel running some time with the dead body in the wheel. Samuel L., son of C. N. Irwin, was killed by the falling of a tree. A little daughter of William Crum died from falling in a bucket of hot water. Henry Williamson was injured by a run-away team and died from the same. John Reid was drowned while bathing in the river and the body was carried some miles down the stream and was found several days after- ward. Charley, son of Wesley Stroup, fell from a sled and died from the injury. James R. Barton was caught in the belt of the Warren Steam-Mill, receiving injuries from which he died. Jacob Zent, Jr., was kicked in the face by a mule, causing death. Dessie, grandchild of A. K. Sutton, Jr., was scalded at the table and died from the effects thereof. George A. Jones was wounded in the neck by a piece of board on the planer and soon died therefrom. John Sharp lost his life under a wagon and saw log at the grade south of the Warren bridge. Mary, wife of John Manning, took a drink from a bottle of strong medicine while visiting at the Methodist Episcopal Parsonage, from which she died before she could be taken home. Alphonzo Miller lost his life from damps in a well. Jack Hinkle was found dead in the river where he had lain all night; marks on his body showed signs of violence. John Laymon committed suicide; whisky was the cause. Frank Beard cut his throat doing a quick and fatal work.
In June, 1837, a father started with his team from his cabin, two miles east of Warren, to find some bread for his family, he
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY.
found it at Charles Goff's, on Blue River, in Henry County, and when he returned home with his supply, he added only $ ?. 00 per day for self and team, and found that his corn cost only $2.25 per bushel.
Salt was quite an item to the early settler, as the following statement will show: In the autumn of 1839, Jonathan Foust and Simeon Swaim, agreed to send for a barrel each, and Foust said he would find a wagon and team and Swaim should furnish the driver. Accordingly Swaim's son was sent to Huntington and found Toply Gant had all the salt in the town of Huntington, and just enough to fill the bill of Foust and Swaim (two barrels) at $14.00 each and extra weight added, which made a total of $32.76 for the whole load. The reader can add two laborious days' work for team and driver to find total cost when it was de- livered at the pioneer's cabin door. Pioneer mothers said in those days, "Girls, don't waste the salt, it came from Kanawha."
The Mitchell Cemetery. - On the south of the river, opposite the Town of Warren, there is a fine bluff commanding a general view of the surrounding landscape. It is situated in the northeast quarter of Section 30. When white men came to settle in this vicinity in 1833, there was a growth of small timber, two mounds and a line of earth works that had been thrown up by the
Aborigines. The Godfrey trace and the Indian trail also, passed through this noted space, all showing that it had been the site of an Indian town, while the red man inhabited the great Wabash Valley. A young man by the name of Mitchell Fleming, the son of Ezekiel and Margaret Fleming, died August 8, 1840. He requested before his death, to be buried in one of the "mounds " referred to. His friends fearing the antiquarians might disturb the remains of their friend in a place so noted as an Indian mound, selected a beautiful spot on the bluff near by, and consecrated this place to the burial of the dead. It soon became a popular place of burial, and received the name of " The Mitch- ell Cemetery," owing to the fact that Eli Mitchell executed the deed to the same.
" The Good Cemetery." - The first person interred in what is known as the " Good Cemetery," was Michael Beard, who died in the early part of 1834. He was a brother-in-law of Samuel Jones, the pioneer of this township, and the first white person to die in the new settlement. He was interred on the northeast cor- ner of the northwest quarter of section 29. Neighbors for miles around buried their dead in this, the first and only burying ground in the settlement. Mr. Jones sold the tract of land to Benjamin Good, and the cemetery was enlarged and named the " Good Cemetery," although George H. Thompson executed the deed by which the public holds the same.
The Thompson Cemetery was for years recognized as a family graveyard. Mr. John H. Thompson, in later days, deeded the same to the use of the public. It is situated near the west line of the northwest quarter of section 13. Permelia, wife of Eben-
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ezer Thompson, who died September 25, 1849, aged twenty-three years, ten months and twenty-three days, was the first interment on the site.
The Town of Warren. - "The tract of land on which this is situated was entered by Samuel Jones in 1833. The great high- way known as the Indinapolis & Fort Wayne Road was located near this tract, and the advantages thereby offered induced him to divide and sell his property in town lots. The first sale of lots occurred January 1, 1837, and the name proposed for the new town was Jonesboro, but it was subsequently ascertained that a postoffice could not be secured under that name, and War- ren was finally accepted as the name by which it should be known. The first store was opened by L. R. Allison, soon after the founding of the town. Dr. S. D. Ayres was appointed Post- master, and Silas Jones, deputy. Dr. S. D. Ayres was also the first resident physician in the town. Soon after a blacksmith shop was established by Edward McPherson, and a cabinet shop by John Shaffer, and the newly-founded town began to wear an aspect of industry and prosperity. Throughout the intervening years, its history has been one of continued progress, and is now one of the most thrifty and enterprising towns in the county."
The growth of the village was slow until October 11, 1878, when the first train on the Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City Railroad ran into the town, since that date, growth and activity has prevailed. Now there are three dry goods stores, two hardware stores, three drug stores, six grocery stores, two furniture rooms, one of which is an undertaker's office, two jewelry stores, one planing mill, two saw mills, two flouring mills, one good gradea school, one grain elevator, one hotel and one bank doing a good business. There was paid $92,068 for grain, and $44,496 for stock in 1886, and adding a fair estimate for other farm products, it would give $200,000 as the annual business of the place now containing a population of 1,200. Business is growing constantly and surely, and being remote from county towns will ever control a good and independent business of its own. Healthful and pleasant in location, any person desiring a good home, can find it in Warren without going farther west.
The Warren News is a spicy and interesting local paper, the only one published in Huntington County, outside of the City of Huntington. Its editor and proprietor is J. W. Surran, who estab- lished the paper in December, 1878. From the first issue the News has been constantly growing in favor with the public, and is now one of the most successful papers in the county. In the winter of 1881, the office was entirely destroyed by fire, but Phoenix like, the paper arose from its own ashes, and in a short time was again making its weekly visits to subscribers. The paper is a seven column folio and is devoted to the interests of Warren specially, and the giving of news generally. It has never espoused the cause of any political party, but is thoroughly inde- pendent, advocating such measures as the editor deems right and
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condemning what is thought to be against public interest. The success of the paper is entirely due to the energy and ability of Mr. Surran, its founder and constant editor and manager.
Masonic .- King Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 246, Warren, Indiana, was organized to work under a dispensation, November 2, 1858. The following Masons were present: Brothers Daniel Palmer, Charley Wayne, G. W. Good, S. L. Good, Noah McGrew, John Carll, I. F. Good, John D. Pulse, L. L. Provines, David Witmer, A. D. Frame, and I. McZadden. The organization was completed with the following officers: Daniel Palmer, W. M .; Charles Wayne, S. W .; George W. Good, J. W .; S. L. Good, S. D., pro tem .; J. D. Pulse, J. D .; L. L. Provines, Treasurer; A. D. Frame, Secre- tary; D. Witmer, Tyler. They worked under a dispensation un- til March 25, 1859, when they received their charter. The follow- ing members who aided in organizing the lodge are still members: Daniel Palmer, Charles Maynes, S. L. Good, J. D. Pulse, and David Witmer. The first member initiated after the charter was re- ceived was James R. Bennett, on April 5, 1859. The member- ship of the Lodge is seventy, and at this date, March 1, 1887, the following officers have charge: S. A. Pulse, W. M .; Albert Cole, S. W .; George E. Thompson, J. W .; G. H. Thompson, Treasurer; Thomas Ruggles, Secretary; Charles H. Good, S. D .; L. S. Jones, J. D .; David Witmer, Tyler. The lodge owns what is known as the Masonic Cemetery, near "Warren."
t- Salamonie Lodge, No. 392, I. O. O. F., was organized May 24, 1872. The charter members were; B. F. Webb, S. C. Smith, Joseph Bardsley, Hiram Brown, and John W. Alexander. The follow- ing officers elected and installed were: A. C. Smith, N. G .; J. W. Alexander, V. G .; T. J. Lafollett, Recording Secretary; A. W. Meyers, Treasurer; Joseph Elder, Bascher; B. F. Webb, Con- ductor; Joseph Bardsley, Outside Guardian; H. J. Coles, Inside Guardian; Deputy Grand Master, A. J. Miles, was installing officer on the night of March 27, 1872. Joseph Elder, Stephen . Coles, J. W. Ware, H. J. Coles, were initiated, they being the first members to "ride the goat." One charter member is yet in the lodge, Joseph Bardsley. The present membership of the lodge is seventy-five. The present value of lodge property is about $2,000. The lodge is prospering, and amount expended during the past year in the way of benefits and relief to widows and orphans, was $327, and total expenses amounted to $429 for the past year.
Monroe Laymon Post, No. 211, G. A. R., Department of In- diana, was organized August 2, 1883, and was mustered by Maj. S. H. Shearer, Post Commander "James R. Slack Post," No. 137, August 3d, 1883. The charter members were: Adam Foust, Hi- ram Brown, James M. Foster, Edmon 'M. Brown, Jacob G. Young, William F. Swaim, Allen Christman, Francis M. Huff, E. A. Col- lins, John H. Manning, Amos R. Sutton, Cicero Welch. Their first elected officers were: P. C., Hiram Brown; S. V. C., James M. Foster; J. V. C., Allen Christman; Chaplain, John H. Man-
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ning; O. D., Jacob G. Young; O. G., Amos R. Sutton; Surgeon, Joseph Hamilton; Q. M., F. M. Huff. Total number mustered to present date, January 28, 1883, is sixty-four.
Sons of Veterans .- Bennett Camp, No. 36, was organized April 7th, 1886. The charter members were: John H. Goss, Charles S, Smethurst, S. F. Shumaker, J. L. Erwin, E. A. Collins (G. A. R.), John W. Wall, A. E. Swaim, E. E. Brown, J. M. Brown, William H. Sutton, Constantine Snider, H. K. Sickafoos. Its officers are: John H. Goss, Captain; E. E. Brown, 1st Lieutenant; J. M. Brown, Second Lieutenant. Number mustered to date, fifteen.
Buckeye, on the railroad, four miles east of Warren. L. B. Mines and Samuel Jones are the proprietors. It has a store and postoffice, tile factory and warehouse, with a fair grain trade.
Boehmer, situated where the railroad crosses the county line east, has a store, postoffice and blacksmith shop. Jacob Zent is proprietor.
Plum Tree is on the north line of the township on the Center road, has a store, postoffice, saw mill, tile factory and two churches. It is a quiet and pleasant home for its moral and religious people. It is about equally divided by the township line.
The Methodist Episcopal Church. - In September, 1838, Rev. Elza Lank, of Economy, Wayne Co., Ind., preached in James Morrison's barn, and at the close of the services he informed the people that Conference was so near that he could not leave an appointment, but that if any one would open their house to a Methodist missionary, he would take the name, and Conference would send them a preacher. Mrs. Nancy Swaim replied that he might take the name of Simeon Swaim and in due time Rev. G. W. Bowers came, and like Philip, preached Christ unto the people. This was the beginning of regular ministerial services in the township, and resulted in the formation of the first class or religious society in the Township. Early in the year 1839, the organization was small, embracing seven members: Nancy Swaim, John Dillon, Hester Jones, Elizabeth Swaim, Hannah Ewart, Jane Ewart, Elizabeth Irwin, Sr., only two of whom sur- vive at this date, Mrs. Jane Ewart, and Mrs. Elizabeth (Swaim) Irwin.
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