USA > Indiana > Marshall County > History of Indiana : containing a history of Indiana and biographical sketches of governors and other leading men. Also a statement of the growth and prosperity of Marshall County, together with a personal and family histry of many of its citizens, Vol. II > Part 31
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A lodge of Ancient Order of United Workmen was organized in Bourbon, in 1879, and soon had a good large membership from the best of the community. Its insurance feature is one proving quite attractive. Also Knights of Labor.
A post of the Grand Army of the Republic was mustered into service in 1885, from among the veterans, and soon had over fifty members, and has done much toward assisting comrades in se- curing their rights in pension matters and alleviating suffering everywhere.
The Patrons of Husbandry had a membership of hundreds.
A K. P. lodge was organized in Bourbon in 1889, with about thirty members, and since has added largely to that number. This lodge bids fair to be one of the most beneficial of the secret orders in the city.
The S. I B.'s are doing a good work of love and charity, and are no doubt more attractive, and their unwritten work and secrets of their sanctum sanctorum, past the finding out of the average fellow outside.
Bourbon's Woman's Christian Temperance Union is one of the best working societies of the state, and is doing a most admirable
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work in the county. It has several fine public speakers that are in demand all over the state.
The Methodist Temperance association is another association that Bourbon is most proud of indeed for the good it accomp- 'lishes.
The Martha Washington society is one of the Methodist church organizations that has a large membership. Within the past few years it has raised nearly $2,000 to aid in paying off the church's indebtedness. This church has a very flourishing Sab- bath school.
On a beautiful spot near the southwest suburb of Bourbon the Odd Fellows have a few acres of high rolling ground platted as a "God's Acre." It is being beautified year by year, and year by year the little mounds grow apace, evidencing the fact that all are mortal, and in good time will be solemnly, sadly con- signed to a silent bed to sleep the dreamless sleep that knows no waking until the last trump shall call to resurrection and per- chance an immortality. The "Gentshorn cemetery," and "Parks' cemetery," and "Bailor's cemetery," were the first laid out in the township. The "Red Men" are contemplating the purchase of a beautiful spot of ground in an opposite direction from the city for cemetery purposes, to be conducted under the auspices of this order. Should this be done, it is the intention of erect- ing on one corner of the grounds, so selected, a commodious church, to be a free church, and not to be controlled by any de- nomination, but be the property of the Red Men, open to all churches alike at any and all occasions. This manifests a spirit of liberality seldom seen.
Schools .- There are sixteen district schools in the township, and one graded or high school. All the school buildings are good and substantial, many of them handsome brick structures, well arranged and supplied with the best of modern school fur- niture and apparatus for instruction. The number of months of school equals that of any other county in the state, and the teachers will favorably compare with those of any locality. About 1,000 pupils are in attendance in the different schools, and the progress is most satisfactory indeed. The graduates of the Bourbon schools are a credit in an educational point of view, to the best of the high schools of the state. The "Teacher's In- stitute " of the township is one of the institutions of Marshall county, and our township trustees are justly entitled to the honor of so perfecting the institutes as to reflect the greatest possible credit on our township, rendering it the educational peer of any township in the great state of Indiana.
A bright galaxy is that of the teachers of Bourbon, such as few communities can boast of having in their midst. Prof. McAl- pine, superintendent of city high schools, with his corps of
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assistant teachers: Miss Mercie Kehler, Prof. VanVactor, Miss McKinney, Miss Mirtie Davis. Also, Miss Biggs, Miss Groves, Miss Berlin, Miss Butler, Miss Edie Keller, Miss Minard, Miss Porter; Profs. Austin, Dillingham, Reed, Belts, Shaddinger, Mortin, Red, Steckman, Duckett, Miss Lynch, and Profs. Strine- bach, Hale, Miss Perkins, Prof. Bailey. The county superin- tendent of public schools is an old Bourbon teacher, and he has accomplished a wonderful work in elevating the standard of the profession in our county. A number of Bourbons have been elected to county office: John K. Houghton, county recorder; Daniel McDonald, clerk of the court; H. Barnaby and William Garrison, county commissioners; Fred Fisher and J. K. Law- rence, county treasurers.
The fine new brick school buildings of Bourbon erected in 1885, are equal to any school building of the size in the state. They are located in the beautiful old college campus, recently owned by the Tunkard church, and whose college buildings were there destroyed by fire a few years ago. The old United Brethren college was also located there. The present buildings are of modern style of architecture, beautifully finished inside and out, regardless of expense, and arranged inside most ad- mirably to secure perfect convenience for the purposes of instruc- tion, and to secure comfort, ventilation, light, heat and perfect sanitation as a pre-requisite.
The grounds are high and beautifully slope from the building toward the three streets which surround the property securing perfect drainage. The campus is tastefully set out in forest and ornamental trees and shrubbery, rendering the grounds one of the most lovely spots imaginable for the location of such hand- some structures as are the Bourbon high school buildings of to- day. The old school building still stands solidly.
Newspapers .- The Bourbon Independent was established in 1865 by J. F. Beck, a weekly paper, eight column folio, independent in politics, with a leaning toward republicanism. Mr. Beck died in Kansas lately. In 1871 the Bourbon Mirror was started by that veteran editor, Col. I. Mattingly, who is conceded to be the most experienced and able editor in the state, having edited a weekly in the campaign of 1840, at Corydon, in this state, sup- porting "old Tippecanoe Harrison" for president. He has been in the editorial chair ever since, even to-day wielding the quill with that vigor that few younger men dare hope for ability to accomplish. The Bourbon Review, a weekly paper, advocat- ing the doctrine of greenbackism, was commenced by Dr. Wait in 1879. The Bourbon Democrat was established in 1882 by Col. W. W. Miekels, soon being succeeded by Mr. Peter Hahn; a democratic paper as its name would indicate. The Bourbon Bit-
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ters, a comic paper by Col. Miekels, and finally the Gospel Mes- senger, by Rev. J. H. Swishart.
Boys in Blue .- It is a fact that during the late civil war Bourbon township sent more loyal recruits to the army than any other township in the state in proportion to population. No draft was ever necessary, but on the contrary Bourbon furnished quite a large number of soldiers, and above quota required, on every call.
Militia .- Bourbon has had only one company of militia, that was organized in 1876. The company was as finely appearing as any similar body of men in the Union, and in the manual of arms, were quite up to the requirements. Arms were supplied them from the state armory. The boys seemed to pride themselves on the perfection of their drill, and the citizens of the city, generally, were proud of their gallant militia. The younger class of men are now agitating the propriety of organizing a second company of militia for Bourbon, and it is expected that within a very brief period that the determination will be consummated. Bourbon, no doubt, has sufficient material from which to organ- ize two or three other companies, should the spirit but move them in that laudable direction.
Fire Department .- The fire department of Bourbon, organ- ized in 1873, is the most efficient imaginable; the fire laddies are prompt to respond to the call to battle on any and all occa- sions wheneverit is possible for any force to combat a fire success- fully, our fire boys have always been remarkably successful in arresting every fire that has ever visited the city, without much loss, comparatively. But few large fires have visited Bourbon. In 1863 the Heller & Gallentine flour mills and the Odd Fellows' building were destroyed. The church and the public school buildings in 1864, the Davis mills in 1865, the west side of Main street, almost an entire business block, in 1871, the Sear block in 1873, the old college building in 1884, the east side of Main street, including the Ledas block, the Matchette block, Brillhart, Ben- dell & Pickett block in 1885, are the principal buildings destroyed, with the Pittsburg depot in same year. Bourbon has a right to feel a just pride in the brave fire department she possesses. In parade or in tournament, the boys are equally as creditable, usually taking all "sweep-stakes " prizes.
Bourbon can boast of a large number of fine musicians, both vocal and instrumental. In fact some that could be well classed as almost " natural musicians." The church choirs are noted for the artistic music that is always rendered on church occas- ions. This has been characteristic of Bourbon churches for many years past. Bourbon bands have for over a score of years, had the credit of being most proficient in all the artistic music
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of the period, and their services are always in demand when con- cert music is in request on special occasions. In many band tournaments at different points, Bourbon bands have carried away the prizes offered. Among the old, old standbys of the Bourbon bands may be mentioned Mr. Henry Steinbaugh, Mr. George Hupp, Mr. S. E. O'Brien, Harry Wilkins, Peter C. Knisely, William Steinbaugh and his brother Harry are quite musical gen- iuses. In 1878, Prof. F. M. Hammond opened a " musical con- servatory" in Bourbon, and very soon was patronized by as many students as the establishment could give perfect attention to.
Ministers .- Rev. H. A. Snapp is the oldest minister for long and continuous service, who is a Bourbon. He has resided here over thirty years, and has held many important positions in church work, the greater part of the time being presiding elder for the United Brethren church, but retaining his home at Bour- bon. He has just been appointed postmaster at his old home, vice George Stockman, an old soldier laddie. Dr. J. F. Parks is a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church, for forty years. Rev. Dr. Elliot is pastor of the Presbyterian church, the second time he has been in charge. Rev. Cain is the Methodist Episcopal pastor, a young minister but very eloquent, and a good worker. The United Brethren church has Rev. Pontius as its pastor. Rev. S. Pershing once preached here. Elders Revs. John Sellers, Darling, Hale and William Myers are ministers in the German Baptist church. Rev. Samuel Smith, the oldest minister in any of the Methodist Episcopal conferences, has recently de- ceased at a very advanced age, but until recently, quite active. Rev. George H. Thayer, a local minister of the Methodist Epis- copal church, for long years resided in Bourbon, occasionally delivering a most eloquent sermon, as he felt like it or the op- portunity offered. But few were so gifted as is this minister. Rev. Timmons, a minister of the Methodists, whilst a resident of Bourbon a score of years since, fell dead on the street one day whilst in apparent health. Bishop Castle is a Bourbon. Revs. Hill, Stewart, Robinson, Wayman, Cone, Wade, McElwee, Par- rett, Bradshaw, Johnson, Farmer, Hyughs, Fodge and Tliomas are some of the old ministers, all remember. Rev. N. B. Surface has been in the ministry for over thirty years, and held many po- sitions of honor in his church in this and other places. Rev. Dr. Curran, a minister of the Presbyterian church for over fifty years, preached for churches both east and west, north and south. He was a scholar of rare attainments, a minister of great eloquence, and from his personal magnetism had secured the esteem and confidence of a large circle wherever he went.
Physicians .- Dr. Johnson commenced practice here some twenty years ago, returning for a few years to his farm, and only recently retiring to Bourbon and practice. Mrs. Dr. Boulton, a 19-B.
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lady physician of over thirty years' experience, has been in the county many years, and enjoys a fine practice over several coun- ties. Dr. Matchette, for over a quarter of a century, has been practicing his profession in Bourbon, locating there after the close of the late war, where he served several years as surgeon, U. S. A., and soon thereafter arranging a partnership with his brother, " the old doctor," or W. C. Matchette, who at that time was in practice in Bourbon. Drs. Short, Peck, M. Eva Peck, Crusan, Bantraive, Bock, (Boman, now deceased), Fritz, Gra- ham, Purhart & Gould, Southall & Miner, Brodie & J. Phin- eas Parks, are all old practitioners of Bourbon. Dr. Dillnius, a German physician, has been in practice for five or six years and enjoys the confidence of a vast number of the communities of some dozen counties or more. Dr. Edson has been in Bourbon for half a dozen years in practice, except for a few months when he was in the legislature. The list of physicians of Bourbon is quite large, not that it is a sickly place, but on the contrary most healthy and very desirable place to reside, for a doctor as well as every one, so it is not strange they seek it for a very pleasant lo- cality for a permanent home. Dr. John F. Parks is the oldest, but he is not now in active practice as in past years. His old partner, Dr. Manville, died from the effect of a poison taken by mistake sixteen or eighteen years since. Everybody hereabout knew him and lamented his untimely death. Drs. Linn & Spen- cer as it used to be are both living, Dr. Linn residing in Bourbon for the past forty or fifty years, and Dr. Spencer is practicing at Tippecanoetown, in this county. Dr. S. France for over twenty years has been engaged in active practice, the forty odd years of professional life not apparently leaving its marks on him. Dr. R. Coruwall has been in practice in Bourbon for over thirty years, and is yet engaged in practice, but not so actively as in former years.
Attorneys .- Hon. James O. Parks is the honored veteran of the county bar. His son, S. D. Parks, has been bred to the legal profession, and is a graduate of Ann Arbor law school. Hon. J. W. Davis has practiced for over thirty years, but has now re- tired. Z. D. Boulton for about a quarter of a century has been in practice. John D. Thomas for over a dozen years has had a good practice. Judge William B. Hess is a Bourbon among Bour- bons, as if he were still among his old compeers. Col. W. W. Miekels gives rather more attention to real estate than to law of late years. Jesse D. Chaplin, as a leader of the legal profession, stands biggest of them all.
Merchants .- Mr. George Frash is one of Bourbon's solid mer- chants, and carries a fine stock of dry goods and notions. He is one of "God's noblemen" in every respect, and has the confi- dence and well wishes of the community. E. J. Kline is an old
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grocer, a German, and finds himself perfectly at home among the large German population tributary to Bourbon. Fribley's millinery and notions establishment is one of the best conducted stores of the state. The same can be said of those of Mrs. Lewis and Miss Tillie Williams, who are in the millinery business also. It is claimed that there are over three score and ten widows in Bourbon. C. Snyder, Demoss Brothers and Daniel Walmer are heavy manufacturers in everything in the foot wear line. They are all honorable dealers and enjoy a large trade, all having been long time residents of Bourbon. Mr. C. M. Parks was born in Bourbon, and has lived there all his life, and is an AI citizen. He engaged in the drug business years ago on reaching his ma- jority, having succeeded his brothers Bromin and Dr. Brodie. Shakes & Unger have perhaps the heaviest stock of general mer- chandise carried by any firm in the state not exclusively a whole- sale establishment. They succeeded to the firm of Lawrence, Matchette & O'Brien, who had been in trade for a score of years under that and different firm names. Mckinney Bros. & Baker have an immense stock of general merchandise, and are con- ducting a safe and profitable business in the Matz block. This firm succeeded Kingery & Watson, and the latter firm William Sear. Mrs. Murphy is the proprietor of a fine fancy goods and notion store, next door to the last establishment. She is an old resident of Bourbon, and has the confidence of the entire com- munity. Jacob Spite has a saloon in his block, and has been a resident of Bourbon but a few years, and contemplates engaging in farming in the near future. Syl. Beals, every one in northern Indiana knows Syl, as he has so long been a resident of that part of the state, occupying different offices of trust for so many years. He was among the first of Bourbon's postmasters, justice of peace, sheriff, etc. He is at present conducting a saloon in Bourbon, in the Renberger opera block. The Exchange bank of Bourbon is the sole property of J. H. Matchette, who is on deck almost day and night attending to the duties of the establishment in person. For the past twenty-five years he has attended as closely to business affairs as any one possibly could do, and is one of the capitalists of the state, to show for his years of close application to business. A. Brillhart and son Ed. are heavily engaged in the butter, egg and poultry trade, they having succeeded to the busi- ness by purchase from B. F. Rosenberg, who had conducted the trade for about a dozen years with marked success financially, and retired with a competency. He, however, can do a full day's work talking politics and religion.
Industrial Review .- Mr. Charles Spencer is an old resident of Bourbon, and as a tonsorial artist, stands high in his chosen profession, and enjoys a fine patronage. Row Schaefer is a baker and restaurateur that controls a large patronage. His
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obliging, cheery way of conducting business makes him friends that are sure to remember him in way of trade. Messrs. Rapp & Co. have succeeded the oldest meat market man in the county, Mr. George Kellers, who has long applied himself so indus- triously to business (and with his son, William, who has been born since his father's trade has been established, and brought up to the business so as to be a second nature to him), has retired with a competency, as he so well deserved. Matchette & Whitaker, as druggists, are well known to northern Indiana, as for about a quarter of a century has the senior representative of this firm been engaged in general practice of medicine and the drug business. The specialties manufactured by this firm are shipped to almost every state and territory of the Union, and several foreign countries. They contemplate erecting large factories for the preparation of their most popular specialties ex- clusively. Messrs. Martin & Cooper are successors to Dr. Boman & Son, who so long conducted a successful drug busi- ness. This firm is young, energetic, reliable, and are having a large trade as their merits entitle them to receive.
The Bourbon Elevator company handles all the grain of this section, and controls much that really belongs to other stations. The grain storage capacity is all that could be desired, and in connection with grain shipment, handling lumber and other building material, this company controls the most extensive flouring mills between Fort Wayne and Chicago. Mr. George Ettinger has the superintendency. It is said that the railroad depot at Bourbon does a larger business than any other towns of the size of Bourbon in the state. The agent is and has been for over fifteen years, Mr. P. F. Griffin, a man who can and does do year in and year out, more work in the office than any other two agents on the road. His predecessors for a quarter of a century were Joseph M. Davis, John W. Houghton, Daniel Mc- Donald, C. C. Humphrey, Matt Lew, William and Robert Er- win, John and Christ. Ringenberger, O. P. H. Smith, John Sworsland, H. Oisette, F. Fasser, David and John Beck, and E. Mendenhall, are extensive buyers and shippers of all kinds of live stock from Bourbon, and from their honorable method of dealing, have secured the confidence of the cattle raisers of the community and buy large lots of stock from far beyond their natural territory tributary to Bourbon. The Beck broth- ers conducted a general store in an early day for several years, afterward retiring to a fine farm.
The first mill erected in Bourbon was one put up by Samuel Thomas and Nidig on the spot where W. J. Acker's mills and manufactories now occupy. J. W. Davis & Bro. operated ex- tensive mills successfully about this time. This was about 1850, but this first mill and several others that were erected on the
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same place were destroyed by fire. Samuel Carl and Coxen built a large saw-mill just northwest of Bourbon early in the fifties. Daniel Shively about that time built a large saw mill at Panama, which he ran for a time, disposing of itafter a few years to David Klingermann, and he, after making a mint of money with it, to Pritsch & Moneysmith, in 1870, who operated it for half a dozen years or longer, making quite a snug fortune for them both before disposing of it to J. J. Shively, who still owns it. Thomas Lee, in 1864, erected large mills near Panama, making a fortune there, as his industry and honesty surely entitled him to do. Within a very short time after the railroad was com- pleted through Bourbon, over twenty-five saw mills were in oper- ation within marketing distance of Bourbon, and thus rendered it one of the best lumber markets in the state. J. H. Porter, in 1861, erected a large woolen mill and grist mill. The first flour- ing mills built were owned by Heller & Gallentine, and although small, had the reputation of making better flour than any other mill shipping to the Philadelphia markets. Their mill being de- stroyed by fire in 1863 the proprietors at once erected the " Pearl mills," now owned by the Bourbon Elevator company, which is conceded to be the largest mill between Ft. Wayne and Chi- cago. John Shively and Blair built the "Star mills" on Center street in 1875, that is now owned by Peter Nagle, who is one of the most experienced and best millers in the state. In 1865 Deamer & Co. put in operation extensive planing mills on Main street, Bourbon, but they soon passed into S. Kavanaugh & Sons' hands, who added extensive furniture factories to the original concern. Thomas Lee, Minard & Company succeeding to the works large business was carried on, and finally an extensive boat-oar and butter-tub factory were added, the products being shipped all over the Union and into foreign countries. Samuel Young and C. C. Humphries were interested in the boat-oars
and butter tubs. A. F. Johnson finally purchasing the plant, by a boiler explosion the works were destroyed. Barnaby & Arnold erected an extensive lumber-working factory near the railroad depot in 1867, and conducted a large and successful busi- ness. W. J. Acker and Jacob Slough operated a similar factory with rare success until Mr. Slough was killed by the cars in 1871, when Mr. Acker succeeded to the business, and conducted it in connection with the saw mill business. Robert George & Sons put into operation a large furniture factory on South Main street, in 1867, and manufactured and shipped the products of their fac- tory to scores of states and territories. They now have retired from manufacturing and are engaged in the retail furniture business in a fine business block of their own in the center of town. Peter Knisely has an extensive factory for the making of axe handles, shipping into many states all over the Union, and
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into foreign countries, for over twenty years past. J. C. Mc- Crum, his brother, C. B., Hupp & Schron, John Paschall, Henry Baugher, and Hines & Co., are all manufacturers of carriages and wagons that are sold all over the country, and have a rep- utation for honest work that few establishments can boast of. A. Belknap, as well as Adam Mot, conducts an extensive coop- erage establishment. The work turned out by these factories finds a ready market at all the extensive packing concerns of the larger cities, as nothing but " the best" is ever allowed to leave these manufactories. Neu & Davis and Babcock & Sons are both hardware dealers and manufacturers of roofing and metallic cornice that is in great demand all over the state. A large trade has been established. Stephenson & Son have but recently lo- cated in Bourbon in the hardware trade, but already control a large and growing trade from this and adjoining counties. Jos- eph Anstice is a large manufacturer of harness, saddlery, etc., and enjoys a large and increasing trade as everything in his line is Ar in every respect. His shipments are large and his retail trade excellent. Isaac Anderson carries on a foundry and ma- chine shop, and his business bids fair to soon outgrow his pres- ent facilities for manufacture. By industry and reputation for good work his factory has the control of large orders from dis- tant cities. The Leedy Lumber and Tile factory is a prosperous concern.
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