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 76
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Many souls their race have run, Never more to meet us here; Fixed in an eternal state, They have done with all below, We a little longer wait, But how little - none can know.
This society formed in the house of Simeon and Nancy Swaim increased in numbers, and some years later several members organized a class in the Town of Warren, under the leadership of Jason Brown, and eventually the Widow Swaim, who had entertained more ministers of Christ at her humble dwelling than any other lady in the community removed her ,membership
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with the entire class to Warren. The following named ministers have served the church as regular pastors: Elza Lank, G. W. Bowser, Seth Smith, Joseph Ockerman, Henry H. Badley, George Guild, James Sparr, Ancil Beach, Jehu C. Medsker, John W. Bradshaw, Shadrack Elliott, Samuel K. Young, Moses Marks, Madison E. Hansley, Michael Cooper, Benjamin F. Bowman, Henry Howe, John Foster, David J. Starr (the boy preacher), Benjamin S. Macham, James Redkey, William H. Metcalf, Charles W. Timmons, Richard A. Newton, William T. Smith, Orville P. Boyden, S. H. Swaim, George Newton, Alpheus J. Lenellyn, Thomas Sells, Silas T. Stout, John H. Payton, John V. Gilbert, Harry C. Galbraith, Joseph Morrows, John M. Brown, John H. McMahon, John W. Miller, John T. Fetro, John B. Allman, Benneville Sawyer. These forty-one ministers have served a total pastoral term of forty-eight years, with only one vacancy of six months. Several of them labored two years, and one served acceptably three years, Rev. Allman. For the same term of nearly half a century the following presiding elders have served on this circuit, and administered the sacraments of the church. Robert Burns, Burris Westlake, Philip May, Will- iam. H. Good, George M. Beswick, Charles Holliday, G. W. Bowers, O. V. Lemon, J. B. Birt, H. N. Barns, Williamm S. Birch, N. H. Philips, J. W. Welsh, W. J. Viguo, J. Greer, sixteen in all, many of whom have passed away. A few remain to labor in the Master's vinyard, and others passed labor are await- ing their reward above.
In the year 1856, the church bought property in the town of Warren, of Mr. L. C. Ewart, embracing two lots, and the present church was erected on them, Jason Brown being the prime manager and principal spirit in the erecting and finishing the house in 1860, at a cost of $1,200. In 1844, a class was formed at the house of Adam Foust, near the southeast corner of the. township. The following persons were enrolled in that society: Adam Foust, Sarah Foust, John Foust Mary Foust, Jonathan Foust, Nancy Foust, William Richards and Rachel Richards; two of the oldest people in the community at this date, 1887, are Jonathan and Nancy Foust, who, are still devout members of the church. In 1872, they succeeded in erecting a house of worship known as the Salem Methodist Episcopal Church at a cost of $1,400.
First Christian Church of Warren .- This church was or- ganized October 22d, 1871, by Elders D. W. Fowler and George Abbott. First Deacons: John Shaw and Daniel Mossburg; Franklin Shaffer, Church Clerk, and D. W. Fowler, Pastor. First Trustees were appointed January 5th, 1874, were Silas Jones, S. L. Good and Robert Sprowl. On the 24th of March, 1877, the church selected grounds to build a church 38x62 feet, at an estimated cost of $3,000. The church was dedicated June, 1879, by Bros. B. H. Christman and Elder David Hida. The church is under the control of the Trustees and Committee on
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Finance, whose business it is to employ the pastor and settle all accounts against the church. The first Committee on Finance were S. L. Good, Elisha Christman and Silas Jones. The church organized a Sunday School in 1873, and has continued to the present time. Ministers who have labored here since its organi- zation, are D. W. Fowler, David Hida, James Atchison, Elder Ryker, T. C. Diltz, John L. Puckett and William Perdue. It has been said that George Abbott organized a church at the old school house near the river in 1858, and preached at Warren at times during the war.
West Union Baptist Church. - Early in 1838, Rev. Jacob Lay- mon, a Baptist minister of Clinton County, Ohio, visited his son, John Laymon, two miles below Warren, on the Salamonie River, and while on that visit preached five sermons, one at his son's house, two at the dwelling of Samuel Jones, a funeral sermon at Ezekiel Jones', and one sermon at the residence of Noah McGrew. The religious services held by Uncle Jacob Laymon were the first ever held in the township. There was no organization at that time. In August, 1841, Rev. Neal labored to affect an organiza- tion, but without success. The organization of " The West Union Regular Baptist Church," took place May 3, 1845. Revs. Robert Tisdale and J. B. Allen were the officiating ministers. Aaron Rittenhouse, Jacob Sowers, Peter Bonewits, David G. Smith, John Sowers, Isaac Goodin, Simon Rittenhouse, Thomas Crakes, Sarah Rittenhouse, Ruth Sowers, Nancy Bonewits, Mary Smith, Percis Sowers, Sarah A. Goodin, and Rebecca Rittenhouse, fif- teen persons in all, constituted the first and only Baptist church in the township. This house of worship lies on the north line of the township, in Section 6, and was built in 1855 at a cost of $600. The site was deeded to the church by John Morgan, Sr., and con- stitutes what is known as the "West Union Cemetery," The wife and infant son of Rev. Thomas Hubbartt were the first in- terred, in July, 1849. The following ministers have served as regular pastors: Abel Johnson, J. H. Dunlap, S. Goodin, C. B. Kendall, W. H. T. Pardue, C. A. Clark, R. C. Childs, V. O. Frits, Washington Walters and A. M. Parmenter.
The Christian Church at " Plum Tree." - Rev. Hallett Barber visited this township and organized a society of six members on July 22, 1840. Their names were: Peter Rittenhouse, Sr., Mar- garet Rittenhouse, Lavina Marshal, Margaret Christman, Andrew Y. Rittenhouse and Nathaniel Rittenhouse. Their number was increased to eleven during the next year by the accession of Mary Rittenhouse, Thomas J. Marshal, Catharine Marshal, Robert Wooster and Mrs. Wooster.
The following ministers have officiated in the church since its organization by Rev. H. Barber: Isaac Johnson, James Greer, George Hubbartt, Thomas Hubbartt, Ephraim Hammond, Phineas Roberts, Samuel Milner, A. W. Sanford, A. Tabler, M. McDonald, Amon Cook, - Reed, - Minnich, J. Dipboy, Firman Van Ness, William Hefflin, W. C. Kimble, William McCurg, Gaskel Parker,
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C. V. Strickland. This society maintained its organization and increased in numbers until it built a house of worship at Plum Tree in 1871, costing $1,000. And there has been a Sunday School kept up at the same most of the time since the church was built. Presbyterian Church of Warren .- As early as 1848 Revs. Wright and Barnet, of the Presbyterian Church, preached in Warren, and were followed by Rev. Callahan, who organized a church, consisting of seven members, as follows: David Little, Sr., Wm. Coolman, Mary Ann Coolman, George Giphart, Elizabeth Giphart, James McKee, Lavina McKee. These de- termined people were the first to build a house of worship in the township, Mr. Jones donating an eligible .lot in Warren for the purpose in 1850. The house cost them $600. After Rev. Calla- han's service came Revs. Glenn, David Morrow, Maine, Gray and Rev. James McCrea. Their society was increased by the Shadles, Roberts, Felters and McCrums. Nearly all the members live quite a distance from town, but bad roads or inclement weather seldom kept Presbyterians from church.
St. Paul Lutheran Church of "Warren."- The present church property was purchased April 28, 1880, of John Morgan. The church had been built some years before by the Universalists but that organization was disbanded. The first preacher we have any account of was Rey. J. D. Nunemacher, who came to Warren to preach in June, 1866. Those ministers who have labored here since were Rev. Schillinger, Rev. O. S. Oglesby, Rev. George S. Cooperrider, who lives in Huntington and still officiates.
United Brethren Church. - The Annual Conference of the United Brethren in Christ, at Dublin, Ind., August, 1848, sent Rev. J. T. Vardeman and B. R. B. Holcome, on the Salamonie Mission, and they established a preaching place at Salamonie Center, and in 1851, there was organized a society of eight mem- bers, as follows: Joseph and Rosanna Ewbank, Henry and Anna Ewbank, William and Betsy Williamson, and Craven and Mary Thrailfeill. They have kept up their church organization and religious services until the present time. The following is be- lieved to be a correct list of the names of their ministers: Rev. Jesse Bright, William Hall, Daniel Storer, John R. Brown, R. B. Beaty, A. B. Thorp, W. W. Hanway, William C. Ketnes, Milton Wright, John E. Rutherford, A. E. Evans, Thomas Evans, A. Carroll, C. R. Paddock, H. Floyd, A. Rust, J. M. Cook, M. L. Baily, J. McNew, S. B. Ervin, S. Bias, J. W. Kabrich, C. Smith, F. M. Moore, J. Y. Demunbrun, W. C. Day and I. M. Thorp.
Zion Church, a frame building 35x15, situated on the north- west corner of Section 23, was built in the year 1872, at a cost of $1,350.
Sabbath School has been maintained most of the time since at the above church with good attendance.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
J. W. ANDREW, a prominent grocer of Warren, Indiana, is a native of Clinton County, Ohio, born March 8, 1847. His parents were Calvin and Susan (Shields) Andrew. The former a native of North Carolina, leaving that State with his parents, James and Elizabeth Andrew, when quite young, and emigrat- ing to Clinton County, Ohio, where he learned the blacksmith's trade which he followed for a number of years. The latter was born in Clinton County, Ohio, March 12, 1822, and died in Sala- monie Township, August 11, 1875. Our subject accompanied them to this county in 1854. He aided them in developing their farm here and remained at home until the age of 21. By attend- ing the district schools, he received a fair education. Shortly af- ter he began to do for himself, he engaged with Whitson Bros., of Warren, to learn the harness and saddling trade, and re- mained with this firm two years, when owing to ill health, he was compelled to abandon his trade, and turn his attention to something else. He engaged as a clerk in J. M. Hiltebrand & Co's. general merchandise store, and followed this occupation un- til 1875, when he formed a partnership with J. Irwin, in the grocery business, which lasted until 1881, when he disposed of his interest to Mr. Irwin, and immediately purchased the " Shafer" stock of groceries and queensware, and opened up business on his own responsibility. On September 17, 1871, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Irwin, daughter of Jonathan and Asenath Irwin, old and respected residents of this township. This union was blessed with four children, namely, Rosa, Frank F., Cora and Grace, all of whom are living at this writing. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Andrew is an active worker in the I. O. O. F., and F. & A. M. orders, and has always upheld the principles of the Republican party, in which he has always worked for the success of its standard bearers. When he began working by the day in " Warren " first at the harness business and afterward as a clerk, he was penniless, but by carefully saving his earnings, was enabled in a few years to engage in business for himself. By his fair dealing he has built'up a lucra- tive trade, which is increasing yearly. On October 31st, 1878, he was appointed by the American Express Company as their agent at Warren, which position he holds to-day.
HIRAM BROWN, a leading furniture dealer of Warren, and one of the few pioneers left to tell the story of life in the woods on the Salamonie, was born in Cumberland County, N. J., Febru- ary 17, 1829. His parents were Jason and Mary (Black) Brown, both natives of New Jersey. The former of English and the latter of Irish descent. When Hiram was two years of age his
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY.
parents emigrated from New Jersey to Ohio, crossing the moun- tains to Pittsburg, Penn., with a team. There his father pur- chased a flat boat, put his family and goods into it, and floated down the Ohio River, to Cincinnati, Ohio. From thence he moved to Franklin County, Ind. This was in 1831, and in 1837 he removed his family to Grant County, this State, and in 1841, he came to Huntington County, and located in Salamonie Town- ship. Here Hiram spent his boyhood and youth amid the wild scenes of pioneer days. Owing to the scarcity of schools he only received a fair education. When fifteen years of age he was en- gaged to carry the mail between Huntington and Muncie, and at sixteen was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade, which he completed in 1848, and followed that occupation for a number of years. On October 9, 1853, he was married to Mary Jane McGrew, the daughter of Noah, and Elizabeth (Thompson) McGrew. Mary J. was the first white child born in Salamonie Township, her birth occurring April 5, 1834. Her entire life has been spent here, and many are the changes she has witnessed. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had born to them five children, two infants who died without naming, Alda M., Ira. F. and Hiram J. On December 4, 1863, Mr. Brown answered to his country's call by enlisting in Company A, Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry, under command of Capt. Isaac DeLong. His company was ordered to join the Army of the Cumberland, thence to Mobile, and took part in the following engagements: the Battle of Nashville, Siege of Mobile. In 1874, he engaged in the furniture and undertak- ing business in Warren, and by honest and fair dealing, has built up a thriving business. He began life empty handed and by careful management has accumulated considerable property. The fire fiend visited him in 1881, and wiped out about $4,000 worth of property for the firm, but he immediately rebuilt and is once more on the road to prosperity. His esteemed wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the F. & A. M. order and also a member of Monroe Laymon Post, No. 211, G. A. R. He advocates the principles of the Republican party, and is at present Commander of Monroe Laymon Post, No. 211, G. A. R.
WILLIAM CHOPSON, one of the pioneers of Salamonie Township, and at present a resident of Warren, was born in Union County, Penn., November 18, 1829. His parents were George and Elizabeth (Derbyshire) Chopson, natives of Pennsyl- vania, the former of German and the latter of Irish descent. They were united in marriage about 1824. They emigrated to Guernsey County, Ohio, about 1830, and from thence to Clinton County, Ohio, and here they resided until death; the latter was called away in April, 1840, in Wilmington, Ohio; the former died in December, 1868, at Westboro, Ohio. At the age of seven we find William with his parents in Clinton County, Ohio. He was reared amid the hardships of farm life, and owing to the limited
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advantages for receiving an education, he was not fortunate in getting a good education. It might be said that William began doing for himself at the age of twelve, and has since "paddled his own canoe." He first hired to a neighbor, contracting with him to work one year for $10 and three months' schooling. The next year his employer said as he had worked well he would pay him $12 and three months' schooling and board. The next year he worked eight months for $36, losing four days' time and spent $4.50 in money, leaving $31.50 to his credit. He continued to work out until he was twenty years of age, and the most he ever received for a month's work was $13 and board. At the age of twenty he had by carefully saving his earnings laid up some money and he now resolved to enter a graded school at Mar- tinsville, Ohio. He remained in that institution about one year, and by diligent study enabled himself to secure a first-class li- cense for teaching. In the fall of '50, he and his step-brother, M. B. Pennington, bade good-bye to relatives and friends and turned their faces westward, and in September of '50, they ar- rived within three miles of Warren, southeast, just over the line in Wells County, there they both obtained schools and im- mediately began teaching. William taught what was known as the Jones School, two terms in succession, in the summer of '51 he taught the Zent School, then in the fall of '51 he again taught in the Jones district. At the close of this term of school or January 29, 1852, he was united in marriage with Ruth C. Swaim, daughter of Simeon and Nancy Swaim, natives of Randolph County, N. C., where Ruth was born June 14, 1833, and when an infant or in the fall of 1833, her parents emigrated to Preble County, Ohio, and thence to this county. Here she has spent the greater part of her life, and received a fair education for that day. In August, of '52, Mr. Chopson was engaged to teach what was known as the "Wickersham" School in Grant County, Ind., after which he returned to Huntington County and taught the Zent School once more. During the summers of '53 and '54 he engaged in making brick and farming, teaching dur- ing the winter. In the spring of '55, he put his money, about $500, into dry goods and groceries and opened up a general store in Warren. In the winter of '57 he sold his stock of goods and invested his money in a farm, purchasing ninety-five acres, in Jackson Township, in Wells County, Ind. On this farm he moved in March, 1858, and continued to reside there until 1863, when he rented his farm and removed to Warren, where he has resided ever since, his attention being principally directed to dealing in and raising stock. Mr. and Mrs. Chopson are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he has up- held the principles of the Republican party for the last thirty years, and has held the position of Township Trustee.
ELISHA CHRISTMAN .- The Christman family are of Ger- man origin. About 1700, three brothers left Germany for America.
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One settled in Pennsylvania, one in Virginia, and the other in North Carolina. The last had a son named Peter Christman, who came to Ohio and settled in Warren County, about 1800. There he resided until his death. Farming was his adopted pro- fession, but as he was a devout member of the Lutheran Church and was well educated he spent a great deal of time in preach- ing and it is undecided whether it was he or Rev. Mr. Findlay that preached the first Protestant sermon in the State. He was blessed with a large family, one of whom was David Christman, who was born January 6, 1776, in Guilford County, N. C., where he was reared. His early education was good, especially in Ger- man. He was thirty years old when he accompanied his parents to Warren County, Ohio. There he was married in 1809, to Ann M. Fall, daughter of Christian and Mary (Witt) Fall, natives of North Carolina. The paternal ancestors of Ann M. took part in the Revolutionary War. This union was blessed with seven chil- dren: Jehu, Jesse, Elisha, Mary, Ezekiel, James, John W., of whom Elisha and James are the only survivors at this date. David Christman took part in the War of 1812. He passed away in 1851. Prior to this, or in 1849, his wife died with the cholera, at Eaton, Ohio. Elisha Christman, one of the pioneers of Sala- monie, was born in Preble Co., Ohio, October 6, 1815. As stated, his parents were David and Ann M. (Fall) Christman. He spent his boyhood and youth on a farm. He attended school but very little and the most of his education was obtained from instruc- tion from his mother. In mathematics he always excelled, and undoubtedly if he had been instructed properly would have made a scientific mathematician. At the age of fifteen he began to do for himself. In 1833 he assisted his brother John in moving to the present site of Peru. This was then a wilderness. He returned to Ohio and 1836 he went to Elkhart County, Ind., and entered 160 acres of wild land and during the fall of 1836 came to Salamonie Township and traded his 160 acres in Elkhart County to Louis Provines for seventy-eight and one-half acres near Warren. From this time on he has made this county his home. On November 1, 1837, he was married to Margaret Reed, daughter of Isaac and Sarah (McGriff) Reed, natives of Kentucky. Margaret was born June 23, 1819, in Montgomery County, Ohio. At the age of three years her parents removed to Preble County, where she was raised. This union was blessed with seven chil- dren: Julia A., John D., Allen R., Mary A., Jasper N., James O. and Sarah A., of whom John D. and Jasper N. are deceased. The former lost his life while defending his country at the battle of Matamora, Miss. The latter died at Andersonville Prison, where he was confined for eleven months. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the Christian Church. Politically Mr. C. is a staunch Republican. He cast his first ballot for Martin Van Buren, and continued to vote the Democratic ticket until Lincoln's nomina- tion, when he changed. He had three sons in the late war, two of whom were sacrificed on their country's altar. The other is
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a prominent citizen of Warren. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace and was elected Land Appraiser of Huntington County in 1864. He began life a poor man and to-day owns a comfortable home near Warren on the Salamonie.
JAMES E. CHRISTY, dealer in harness, saddles, buggies, etc., Warren, Indiana, was born in Jackson Township, this county, December 3, 1850; his parents were James P. and Rosanah K. (Kirkpatric) Christy. The former a native Pennsylviana, and the latter of Ohio. James spent his early life in this county, and received a fair education. At the age of 19 he was apprenticed to learn the harness and saddlery trade, after completing which, On he engaged in business for himself, locating here in 1875.
November 8, 1876, he was married to Miss Mary Finkle, daughter of David and Jane Finkle, old residents of Warren. Mrs. Christy was born in Grant County, this State, but came with her parents to Warren, when quite young. They had born to them four children: Charles S., Nellie, Lillie and Fred, of whom Charles S. was called away when about two years of age, and Fred who died December 26, 1886. Our subject is a member of the I. O. O. F. order, in good standing, and upholds the principles of the Republican party. During his youth he worked as a day laborer, and saved his money, and when he had accumulated a sufficient sum, he engaged in business, and to day owns one of the best equipped establishments in Huntington County. By strict attention to business he has built up a good trade. He also owns a half interest in the boot and shoe firm of Elliott and Christy. He is young man of ability and calculated to succeed in business.
LEMUEL COLBERT, who has been a resident of this town- ship since February, 1863, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, November 15, 1842. His parents were George and Serenia (Chap- man) Colbert, the former a native of Virginia, of Irish descent. He emigrated to Wells County in 1844, and still resides on the tract of land he first settled on. Our subject spent his young life on his father's farm, receiving a fair education. At the age of nineteen he began to do for himself, and on February 6, 1862, he was united in marriage with Miss Mahala M. Swaim, daugh- ter of Samuel H. and Elizabeth Swaim, whose biographies appear in this volume. She was born July 11, 1845. This union was blessed with two children, Mary E., and Samuel E., both of whom are living. Mrs. Colbert was called away February 27, 1869. She had united with the Methodist Episcopal Church some years before her death, and died a Christian women. Mr. Colbert was again married March 3, 1870, to Margaret Coolman, daughter of William and Mary A. (McKee) Coolman. She was born in this county September 4, 1846. Her entire life has been spent in this county. Her parents were among the pioneers of this county, but have passed away. This union was blessed with three chil- 29
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY.
dren: William C., Daniel L., and Lena L., all of whom are living at this writing. Mr. and Mrs. Colbert are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically Mr. Colbert is a Repub- lican, and takes an active interest in the welfare of his party. He began life a farmer boy on twenty acres of land, and has earned every dollar he is worth to-day by hard and earnest toil. He has been fairly successful in life. He in youth was taught the art of farming, and to-day can be classed among Salamonie's most successful farmers. He now owns 240 acres of fine tillable land in Section 2. His improvements are first-class.
DAVID L. ELLIOTT, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Salamonie Township, was born in Randolph County, N. C., Janu- ary 21, 1835. His parents were John and Cynthia (Swaim) Elliott, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. When David was two years of age his father died leaving a widowed mother and four children to mourn the loss. They were: Henry B., Edward N., David L., and Mary A. Mrs. Elliott managed to care for her family and kept the children together until her death which occurred in June, 1844. The family was now left orphans and were compelled to face the ups and downs of an unfriendly world. During the fall of 1844, their Aunt Betsey Stanton, a widow lady with a large family, resolved to remove with her family to Huntington County, Ind., where her brother Simeon Swaim resided, and invited David and his brothers and sister to to accompany her. They gladly accepted the invitation. The Widow Stanton's reasons for leaving her native State was the curse of slavery and the limited educational advantages offered to her children. David was now nine years of age, he had attended three short terms of school. When he arrived in this county he soon found employment with the venerable Samuel Swaim. In 1847, George Gephart engaged his services, agreeing to pay him $120, and fit him out with a horse, saddle, and bridle, and a good suit of clothes, if David would remain with him until he was twenty-one years of age. This offer our subject accepted. He had the privilege of attending the district schools during the winter; and by the time he arrived at his majority, his education was sufficient to enable him to teach in our common schools, and taught two terms in District No. 8, during the fall and winter of 1857-58. During the fall of 1859, he concluded to try the Sunny- South, and located in Yazoo City, Miss., and obtained employment at carpentering. In those days it was rather uncomfortable for a northern man, and especially an anti-slavery man, to live and express his opinions very freely in the State of Mississippi. David stood his ground until the Confederates began to enlist men for the southern cause, when he lost no time in getting back to "Yankey-dom." He arrived at his brother Edward's, in Lafayette, this State, about the last of March, 1861, and was visit- ing him when President Lincoln's first call for Volunteers was Issued. David responded, and on the 18th of April, 1861, enlisted
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