USA > Indiana > Miami County > History of Miami County, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with an extended history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 46
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School Buildings .- The first school building was a frame structure built in the southwestern part of the town some time in the seventies. The original building was subsequently enlarged by the addition of an upper story, making in all three good rooms, which served to accommodate the pupils of the town until 1880. In that year the Township Graded School-house, a beau- tiful brick edifice of eight rooms, was built at a cost of over $6,000. This is one of the finest and most commodious school buildings in the county, and is an improvement of which the citizens of Macy may justly feel proud.
Lodges .- Lincoln Lodge, No. 523, F. and A. M., was insti- tuted August 16, 1875, the membership at date of organization be- ing eleven, of which the following were elected to fill the various offices, viz .; J. W. Hurst, W. M .; Daniel Mussulman, S. W .; Valentine Thompson, J. W .; Frederick Hoffman, Treasurer; F. B. Hart, Secretary; J. B. Hurst, S. D .; H. Hoover, J. D., and John Zartman, tyler. The other original members were Dr. M. M. Boggs, W. R. Marshall and Daniel Ross, and the first person initi- ated was J. S. Washington. The lodge has enjoyed a fair degree of prosperity, and at the present time has the names of thirty-three active members upon the records. The officers for 1886 are as fol- lows: Ira B. Hurst, W. M .; A. P. Carvey, S. W .; W. H. Day, J. W .; David Black, Secretary; Abner C. Waite, Treasurer; A. S. Benedict, S. D .; J. W. Carvey, J. D .; S. W. Tracy, Tyler; Onis Case and J. S. Washington, Stewards, and A. L. Norris, Chaplain. Allen Lodge, No. 540, I. O. O. F., was instituted November 23, 1876, with the following charter members, viz .: W. R. Mar- shall, Easton A. Guyer, Oliver Jenkins, J. R. Cunningham, C. C. Johnson and G. P. Franklin. The first officers were W. R. Marshall, N. G .; Oliver Jenkins, V. G .; Azro Wilkinson, Secre- tary, and Milton Enyart Treasurer. Meetings were held in the Grange Hall until the winter of 1876, at which time the present hall, on the principal business street of the town, was erected, which, with the other lodge property, represents a capital of about $1,400. The growth of the lodge has been steady and healthful, and although not so strong in numbers as formerly, is still in
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good condition, with an active membership of thirty-four. For the year 1886 the officers are: Thomas Powell, N. G .; Wm. F. Wilkinson, Treasurer, and J. Norman, Secretary.
Mystic fewel Lodge No. 210, Daughters of Rebecca, was established January 15, 1881, with seventeen charter members, whose names are as follows: D. K. Ogden, Mrs. E. A. Ogden, Henry Pulver, Mrs. C. B. Pulver, W. R. Marshall, Mrs. Sarah Marshall, Geo. W. Ogden, Mrs. Sarah Ogden, William F. Wilkin- son, Oliver Jenkins, Mrs. Oliver Jenkins, A. H. Wilkinson, Etta Wilkinson, E. Chapen, Mrs. E. Chapen, C. C. Johnson and Mrs. A. J. Johnson. At this time the membership is about twenty, and the organization is reported im a prosperous condition. The following are the present officers: Nancy Freeland, N. G .; Sarah Cloud, V. G .; William F. Wilkinson, Sec., and Elizabeth Ogden, Treas.
Charles Waile Post No. 71, G. A. R. was organized in the year 1881, with a membership of nineteen, a number which was increased from time to time, until forty-five names were on the roll. Owing to various causes a spirit of dissatisfaction early manifested itself in the organization, and such was the disaffection that a number of members withdrew from the Post altogether. These were followed from time to time by others, and the membership, in October, 1866, numbered about nineteen. The first commander was F. D. Hart, after whom were elected in regular succession, Abner Waite, Joseph Hoover and J. B. Hatch. The officers at this time are H. C. Day, Commander; George Shackleford, S. V. C .; Thomas Powell, Officer of the Day; Joseph Wikel, Officer of the Guard; Augustus Brownmiller, Clerk; Samuel Tracy Adjutant and Abner Waite, Chaplain.
In addition to the organizations mentioned, there is in the vil- lage a flourishing society of the Patrons of Husbandry, established a number of years ago, with a large membership, among which are a number of the best farmers in the township. At one time the society maintained a general store, which lasted several years, and in addition to this investment a beautiful hall was erected, in which the meetings are still held. The organization, while not so strong numerically as formerly, has still an active and wide awake mem- bership, and from present indications, promises to remain a fixture of the town for years to come.
Churches .- The Methodist Episcopal Church of Macy was organized a number of years prior to the foundation of the town, the first meeting of the society having been held at the resi- dence of Anderson Wilkinson as early as the year 1842. Soon after the first settlement of the township had been made, itinerants of the Methodist persuasion began to visit the locality where Macy now stands, delivering their messages of peace and good will to audiences consisting of a few scattered settlers,
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who, not infrequently, were brought together through the in- strumentality and patient searching out and earnest solicitation of the messengers themselves. One of these early circuit riders was Reverend Ansel Beach, to whom the credit is due of sow- ing the first seed which, under his careful culture, germinated and in due time developed into what is now the Macy church. After holding several meetings Mr. Beach determined to gather the few Methodist families into a class, which was accordingly accomplished. Among the earliest members composing said class were George Wilkinson, Thomas Clemens and wife, D. Wilkinson and wife, Elijah Ogle and wife, Stewart Bailey and wife, Anderson Wilkinson and wife, Baldwin Wilkinson and wife, James Wilkinson and wife and Anna Rains. Meetings were held at private residences by this nucleus of a church until about the year 1844, at which time steps were taken to provide a house of worship more in keeping with the growing congregation. Accordingly a lot at the cross roads where Macy now stands was donated by George Wilkinson, and in due time a comfortable log structure 20x24 feet was erected. It was used for the two-fold purpose of church and school house for several years, but was finally abandoned as a meeting place on account of an addition to the building, which interfered with the arrangement of the audience room. After this the meetings were held at the residences of the several members, and in 1860 the village school house, erected that year, was opened for public worship. The growth of the village brought addi- tional members into the society, and in the course of time the school house became insufficient to meet the wants of a greatly increased membership. Consequently measures were inaugurated to supply that want by the construction of a new house in which to worship. Lot No. 60, in Wilkinson and Powell's addition, was procured, and the erection of the present hand- some frame edifice occupying that site was completed and formally dedicated in the year 1871. The building is 33x45 feet in size, with a seating capacity of about 400, and was erected at a cost of about $1,400.
Commencing in an early day, the following are among the ministers who have sustained the relation of pastor at this point, viz: Daniel F. Strite, H. J. Lacy, L. Roberts, Nelson Green, Allen Skillman, Paul Jones, William Vigus, Jacob Colclazer, George Gill, Arthur Badley, J. C. Metsker, Samuel Woolpert, J. C. White, Robert Calvert, P. Garland, Mr. Stephens, N. Shackle- ford, Adam Curry, R. J. Smith, Mr. Bell, Peter S. Cook, J. Lee, J. K. Waltz, Mr. Girard, A. J. Lewellen, A. J. Cary and the present pastor, Rev. J. P. Belt. The church has been a potent factor for . good in the community, and has been maintained with a constantly
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increasing membership. The church officers at this time are Isaac Mullican and M. Freeland, class leaders, and S. S. Tracy, steward. The Sunday school is in a healthy and prosperous condition, and has an average attendance of about seventy-five. A. L. Norris is the efficient superintendent.
Christian Church of Macy .- About the year 1868, Elder Aaron Walker, of Kokomo, Indiana, one of the ablest ministers of the Disciples' Church in the State, was invited by some of the friends accepting his form of belief to visit Macy with the object of ministering to their spiritual wants; and if practicable organize the scattering members into a church. Pursuant to that invitation he came here, and after laboring successfully for some months succeeded in organizing a society of about twenty- five or thirty; a number of whom had previously belonged to a church in Fulton County. Elder Walker continued to visit the village at intervals preaching acceptably to large audiences including the congregation over which he exercised a watcful but kindly care. Under his ministrations the society increased in numbers and a good influence was spread abroad, services being held regularly, notwithstanding a stated house of worship had not yet been provided. To supply this want the school house was used for meeting purposes until 1872, at which time the congregation set about devising means for the erection of a proper place of worship. The movement was heartily received by the co-operation of all members of the congregation and the year 1873 found the society in the occupancy of a neat and commodious brick chapel in the original plat of the village, erec- ted and furnished at a cost of $2,500. From that time until the present, the membership has constantly increased, numbering at this time over one hundred in creditable standing. The min- strations of Elder Walker extended over a period of about thir- teen years and were the means of keeping alive and active, the working elements of the congregation. Subsequently, Elder John Rohrer accepted the pastorate, and after laboring with efficiency and zeal for one year, was succeeded by Elder L. H. Jameson who preached in an able and satisfactory manner for the same length of time. His labors were crowned with eminent success and the evidence of his devotion to the cause he represented will long remain to remind his people of the master spirit who ministered to them so lovingly in the past. The next minister was Elder Luke Warren after whom came Elder Huff, W. T. McGowan and I. N. Grisso, all of whom earned the reputation of earnest and able defenders of Apostolic Christianity. Since the expiration of Elder Grisso's term of service, the Church has been without a regular pastor; the services at this time being con- ducted by leading lay members of the congregation, thus pre-
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venting a subsidence of interest in the observance of Christian duties. At present the society is in every way in a healthful condition, indicating unmistakably that the members are fully alive to the spiritual welfare of the community in which they have already accomplished so much good. The present officers are T. G. Horton, John Abbott and P. M. Carvey, Elders; James Hurst, I. B. Hurst and John Champ, Deacons; P. M. Carvey, Addison Horton and John Champ, Trustees. The Sunday School, under the efficient superintendency of L. J. Hurst is doing a good work in the community. The school numbers about seventy, including teachers and pupils.
Macy Cornet Band was organized in the year 1881 with about ten or twelve members. Since then many changes have been made and at the present time the band is composed of the fol- lowing efficient corps of musicians: Vester Carvey, E flat Cornet; Schuyler Arnold, Solo B flat; Henry Norris, Solo-Alto; William Day, First Alto; L. J. Hurst, Second Alto; C. H. Norris, Baritone; Thomas Savage, First B flat; L. J. Savage, Second Tenor; Charles Palmer, B flat Bass; John Carvey, Tuba. R. M. Belt, snare drum. William Wilkinson, bass drum. The band is a credit to the town and one of which her citizens may feel proud.
Present Population and Business. As a mercantile and ship- ping point the town of Macy is second to no other place of like size and population in Indiana. Its growth, during the first five years of its history, was more rapid than at any time since, and during that period the amount of grain and stock shipped was greater than that ยท billed from any other stations of its size between Peru and Michigan City. Its reputation as a grain market is still kept up, its remote location from larger towns making it the chief shipping place for a large area of country in the Counties of Miami and Fulton. The population at this time is about 600 and the business is represented by the following register: Carl & Hakins, general merchandise; Clend- ing & Waite, dealers in general merchandise; Cloud & Son, general stock; O. Case, dealer in hardware; John Cloud, restaurant; J. B. Hatch and J. C. Fenimore, hotels; Miss C. Cofflan, milliner; Mrs. Caroline Carl, milliner; Mrs. Henry Cloud, milliner; Henry C. Ew- ing and James Sheets, butchers; W. R. Marshall and Henry Pulver, blacksmiths and wagon-makers; D. K. Ogden, shoe-maker; J. W. Hurst, grain and stock buyer; John Champ, manufacturer of drain tile; M. Lew. Enyart, attorney-at-law; Ogden & Abbott, barbers and jewelers; L. J. Hurst, railroad agent.
Birmingham .- The village of Birmingham situated on the I. P. & C. Railroad, in section 29 and 30, township 29, north; range 4, east, was laid out November, 1868, by Solomon Jones and Isaac Caulk. The original plat embraces quite an extensive area and consists of 122 lots, traversed by the following streets: Main,
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Third, Fourth, Sixth and Seventh, running east and west; and Prairie, Jones and Spring streets, north and south. The town was platted solely for speculative purposes, but the growth failed to come up to the expectations of the proprietors, the unfavorable location proving the chief detriment to its success. It has never been a place of extensive business, but has always enjoyed a fair proportion of the current trade. The population does not proba- bly exceed one hundred, but the place is supplied with all the neces- sary auxilliaries of the kind and quality of trade demanded by the people in the country immediately surrounding. A large steam saw mill was the first industry of the village, and for several years after it's erection an immense amount of lumber was manufactured and shipped on the I. P. & C. Railroad. At this time a saw mill, blacksmith shop, and one small general store, constitute the sum total of the business interests of the place.
Wagoner's, a small railroad station in section I, near the Fulton County line, is a local trading point of some importance. It has a steam saw mill and one general store which does a fairly prosper- ous business.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ALBERT M. ARNOLD, Principal of the Macy Schools, is a native of Butler Township, this County, and was born Feb- ruary 16, 1856. He was the second son born to William M. and Mary B. (Mowbray) Arnold, both natives of Ohio. The former came with his parents to this County about 1846, and the latter located in Peru in 1837. When Albert was seven years old his parents removed to Fulton County, where he worked upon his father's farm until he was sixteen years of age. The father died in Fulton County in 1871, after which our subject, in company with his mother and other members of the family, returned to Butler Township. Here Albert worked upon a farm in summer, and attended the public schools at Santa Fe until the fall of 1877. At that time he took up the avocation of a teacher. In this capacity he has been actively engaged ever since. In the fall of 1884, he was elected to the Principalship of the Schools of Macy, which position he has held ever since. In the meantime he has improved his education by attending the Academy at Amboy in this County three terms, and the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, one term. October 1, 1884, he was married to Anna C. Miller, a native of Butler Township, born April 17, 1865. She was the daughter of Abram and Anna (Erbaugh) Miller, both natives of Rockingham County, Va. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have born to them one child-a son, born October 14, 1886. They are members of the M. E. Church. In politics Mr. Arnold is a
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Republican. He is an earnest, faithful worker in the schoolroom, and ranks among the best teachers of the county.
MRS. SUSAN BAKER, of Allen Township, was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1820. She was the daughter of Henry and Eve (Layman) Messenger, both natives of Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent. When Susan was nine years old her parents emigrated to Wayne County, Ohio, where she grew up to womanhood, and where on the 23d day of August, 1846, she was married to Timothy Baker. He was a native of New Jersey, and was born December 13, 1810. He was the son of John and Charity (Cole) Baker, both natives of New Jersey. In 1851 Mrs. Baker and her husband came to this county and located upon a farm in Perry Township. There her husband pursued the vocation of a farmer, until in April, 1881, at which time they they located where our subject now resides in Allen Township. There the death of her husband occurred April 4, 1884, since which time Mrs. Baker has been a widow. She is the mother of seven children, three of whom are living. Their names are Henry, Deborah, Sarah J., Maria, John and two daughters who died in infancy unnamed. Mrs. Baker is a member of the M. E. Church. She has a comfortable home one-half mile east of Macy, where she resides in a quiet, pleasant way.
DR. JOHN BARNES, of Macy, was born in Harrison County, Va., August 29, 1815. He was the third son born to William and Elizabeth (Hull) Barnes, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, respectively; the former of German and the latter of English de- scent. When our subject was eleven years old his parents came to Ohio and located in Richland County, where his youth was spent working upon his father's farm. At the age of twenty-two he began the study of medicine with Dr. J. C. Howard, of Mansfield, Ohio. After three years of preparation he entered upon the prac- tice of medicine with Dr. John Palmer, of Leesville, Ohio. In 1845 he came to this State and located near Somerset, Wabash County, where he continued to practice his profession. He came to this county and located at Santa Fe in 1847. In the spring of 1865 he removed to Gilead, this county, and in November, 1879, he located at Macy. September 25, 1844, he was married to Nancy Bebout, a native of Richland County, Ohio, born Decem- ber 29, 1823. She was the daughter of Peter and Nancy (Kelly) Bebout, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former of French and the latter of Irish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes are the parents of seven children. Their names are Abram, Elizabeth, Sarah, Nathaniel, Martha A., Mary E. and Arthur W. Of these Sarah, Nathaniel and Mary E. are deceased-the first two in infancy and the last at the age of nineteen. Dr. and Mrs. Barnes are members of the M. E. church. In politics,
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Mr. Barnes is a Republican. He is now comfortably located in Macy, where he and his wife are spending their old days in a pleasant, happy way. He has been in the practice of medicine over forty years, and as such he has been very successful. His success is evidenced by the fact that while a resident of Wabash County he was in active practice three years without losing a single case. He has now resided in Miami County nearly forty years, and is one of its most highly respected citizens.
JAMES D. BELT, Teacher in the Public Schools of Macy, was born in Allen Township, this county, April 30, 1860. He was the oldest son born to William and Ellen (Davis) Belt, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively, the former of English and the latter of Dutch descent. James spent his boyhood and youth working upon a farm. During this time he attended the district school, in which he received a good, common education. At the age of twenty he took up the avocation of a teacher. He taught his first term of school at Macy during the winter of 1880-I, and has since taught six successive winters. In the fall of 1884 he was elected to teach the primary department of the Macy Schools, which position he has held ever since. As such he has discharged his duties in a manner that reflects very creditably upon himself. December 23, 1883, he was united in marriage to Elmira Kamp, who died February 22, 1884. He was again married on the 22nd of April, 1886, to Mrs. Amanda Seidner, whose maiden name was Amanda Fishley. Mr. Belt is a mem- ber of the Christian Church, and a Prohibitionist in politics. He is an exemplary young man of irreproachable character, and as a teacher, he is an earnest and successful worker, and ranks among the best instructors in the county. In May, 1885, he was elected to the office of Clerk of the town of Macy, and is the present incumbent.
MILTON M. BOGGS, M. D., of Macy, was born in New Castle, Henry County, this State, January 10, 1830. He was the second son born to James and Martha H. (Stinson) Boggs, the former a native of Virginia, of Irish descent, and the latter a native of Tennessee, of Scotch descent. While our subject was yet a child, his parents removed to LaPorte County, this State, where they located on a farm. In 1839 they removed to a farm in Kosciusko County. There the death of his father occurred in 1842, after which Milton returned to Laporte County, where he worked on a farm by the month until April 17, 1847, at which time he entered the service of the United States in the Mexican war, from which he was honorably discharged in August 1848. He participated in several small skirmishes, but no import- ant engagements. At the close of the war he returned to Lees- burg, Kosciusko County, where he began the study of medicine.
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After three years of diligent study, he entered upon the practice of medicine at Palestine, that county. He removed to Fulton, Fulton County, in 1854, and in 1859 he located upon a farm which he had purchased in Cass County, in the vicinity of which he continued to practice his profession until in August, 1861. At that time he responded to his country's call, and organized Company E, Twenty- ninth Indiana Infantry. He served with this company in the capac- ity of captain until in March, 1862, when, owing to a disability received while in active service, he resigned and returned to his home in Cass County. He located at North Manchester, Wabash County, in 1866, where he practiced medicine until May 19, 1870, when he came to this county and located at Macy. He engaged in the drug business in that place in 1875, since which his attention has been directed between that and the practice of his profession. He has a commodious store room, well stocked, and is doing a good business. In October, 1852, he was married to Emeline Miller, who died in February, 1856. April 8, 1857, he was married to Mary Penrose, who died in January, 1867. He was married again to Mrs. Mary Hanna on the 26th of May, 1870. In all, Mr. Boggs is the father of six children-Emma A., Joseph E., Alice V., Minnie W., Miltie and Myrtie M. The first four were born to his second wife and the last two to his third wife. Of these Joseph E., Miltie and Mrytie M. are deceased. Mr. Boggs is a member of the Christian Church and of the F. and A. M. and G. A. R. Lodges. Politically he is a Democrat. He received the appointment of postmaster at Macy in October, 1885, which office he continues to hold. Dr. Boggs is a pleasant, intelligent gentleman, a successful practitioner and business man and a good citizen.
ROBERT P. BRIGGS, a prominent citizen of Allen Town- ship, is a native of Richland County, Ohio, and was born May 25, 1835. He was the second son born to Robert Briggs, a native of England, who emigrated to America in 1833 and located in Rich- land County, Ohio. When our subject was two years old his parents removed to Hardin County, Ohio, where his early life was spent upon a farm. In the spring of 1857 he went to Missouri, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1861, at which time he returned eastward to this county and located in Butler Township; He removed to Allen township and settled where he now resides in the fall of 1865. He entered Company D, 99th Ind. Vols., in August, 1862, with which he served in a manner becoming a loyal soldier until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Jackson, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Ken- nesaw, the siege of Atlanta and the battle of Fort McAllister, Ga. At the siege of Atlanta he was struck by a spent ball just over the heart. Oct. 21, 1855, he was married to Mary J. Elder, a native
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of Hancock County, Ohio, born June 14, 1837. She was the daughter of Jeremiah and Adelia (Miller) Elder, both natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Briggs have had nine children: Adelia C., Ruth A., Uala M., James M., Susan A., Albert M., Avice I., Jennie L. and Elizabeth L., all of whom are living except Susan A., who died in the ninth year of her age. Mr. and Mrs. Briggs are mem- bers of the Christian Church. In politics, the former is a Republi- can. Our subject and his wife are the owners of one hundred and sixty acres of land, one hundred and thirty of which is in cultiva- tion. He is an industrious and successful farmer and a worthy and honored citizen.
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